Representation Matters: Empowering Littles Through Diverse Mentorship
Why Representation in Mentorship Matters
Young people of color face challenges that their white peers don't have to. Lack of representation is just one of them, and that alone can cause a child to feel isolated or doubt themselves. At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana, we have a solution.
For underrepresented groups, it's incredible to be able to say, "My mentor looks like me.” Diverse mentors are a powerful tool for young people to visualize their potential and a support network for them to achieve it.
Our pool of Littles is incredibly diverse in age, background, and interests. We need an equally diverse group of mentors to give them the best possible mentorship experience.
Any mentor can transform a Little's life. However, mentors of color offer something that can be especially transformative: shared experience.
The Power of Shared Experience
For many mentorship relationships, a shared cultural background can be a basis for building trust from the beginning. When Littles encounter challenges, a mentor who can give first hand advice and true understanding is incredibly valuable.
Mentors who look like their mentees serve as an example of a Little's potential future. They're powerful real-life examples of success, resilience, and leadership. Mentors of color serve as a source of inspiration, increasing their Little's confidence and ambition. Knowing someone who looks like them who is happy, successful, and in a leadership role can help Little's dream of a future for themselves.
Research shows the long-term impact mentoring has on youth. Mentorship relationships close 2/3 of the economic gap for Littles. In Kentuckiana, 100% of Littles avoided involvement with the juvenile justice system, and 86% maintained or improved their mental health.
Mentorship diversity is also a way to develop a Little's connection with their identity and community. Through their Big, they can realize the source of strength that their community can be.
Current Need: The Numbers Speak
The positive impact of a strong mentorship relationship is extremely clear. However, BBBSKY still has over 500 youth in our service area waiting to be matched with a Big. Many of these future Littles are people of color.
71% of Littles currently in BBBSKY mentorship programs are youth of color, 62% of whom are Black youth. Black mentors, Latino mentors, and other mentors of color can empower the next generation just by being themselves. Sharing their story with their Little, providing a listening ear, and serving as someone to look up to are just a few ways Bigs act as positive role models.
If you're not ready to become a Big right now, we have plenty of other opportunities to become a positive role model. Our programs include Site-Based Mentorship during or after school, bi-monthly Big Futures events, and Group Mentoring. Whatever your skills and availability, you can have an incredible impact on a youth’s potential.
What Representation Does for Littles
Littles benefit immensely from having a mentor who looks like them. Bigs act as a vision of what Littles could grow into in time, which can greatly impact a young person’s confidence. Increased confidence, in turn, translates into better academic outcomes and mental health.
Carter, a Little involved with BBBSKY, says that his Big "teaches me whatever I need to know about being a man, getting a job, and doing all the things in life that will make me successful…or just be happy.” Their relationship stood the test of quarantine to become incredibly meaningful to both.
The transformative impacts of shared experience in mentorship aren't just limited to Littles. Miles, Carter's mentor, shared that youth mentorship is “an experience for both the big and the little to grow into being better people.” One mentorship can be the beginning of a ripple effect, empowering Littles to become future mentors themselves and create a supportive cycle.
Visit our site to read more real stories from our diverse group of mentors.
What it Means to Be a Mentor of Color
93% of Bigs say they feel confident handling challenges as a mentor. While handling challenges in your mentoring relationship may sound daunting, taking the plunge to be a youth mentor doesn't require having everything completely figured out. The first step to a great mentorship is as simple as consistency. A commitment to show up and a big heart are the only requirements to be an amazing mentor.
Showing up for your Little again and again builds trust, and over time, your relationship will grow. As your relationship with your Little grows, so will your confidence in your value and your skills. As you show up for your Little, BBBSKY will show up for you, too. Your Match Support Specialist is always there to answer questions, brainstorm activities to share, and provide feedback.
How You Can Help
To become a positive influence in a young person's life, it's as simple as going online. Our Be a Big page is the place to sign up. It also has answers to common questions and stories from mentors and mentees.
Once you sign up, we'll take you through a thorough orientation. Our experts will connect you with a Little who has similar interests. This helps you easily make a connection and plan activities together.
From the beginning, you'll be supported by a Match Support Specialist to make sure you feel confident in your mentoring. And then you're ready to begin your mentor-mentee relationship!
Join the Movement
BBBSKY serves over 600 youth annually. To continue impacting the lives of these Littles, we need mentors to show up for them. Each Little is born with incredible potential. With a mentor who values and supports them, they can reach that potential.
Help us build a stronger, more inclusive future. Become a Big and inspire the next generation—especially those who need mentors that look like them. Sign up to be a mentor today!
Don't have the time and still want to help? Donate now!