Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Youth Mentorship topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Alumni and student describe mentorship, leadership training from Young Men of Distinction
Summary
Two meeting speakers described how the Young Men of Distinction program and a high school coach taught leadership, etiquette and football skills; one speaker said he became program president and won two Martin Luther King Jr. rhetorical competitions.
Two people speaking at the meeting described how participation in a mentorship program and high-school coaching shaped their leadership and academic goals. Commenter 1, a former president of Young Men of Distinction, said he joined the program in eighth grade and “they just taught me so much about how to be a man, how to have etiquette, how to treat women.”
The speakers said the Young Men of Distinction program emphasizes public speaking, etiquette and leadership. "I was a part of the program for 5 years," Commenter 1 said. "I ended up being the president by the time I had left." He also said he won two Martin Luther King Jr. rhetorical competitions and received scholarships while in the program.
Another speaker, identified here as Commenter 2, described a high-school coach identified as Coach Sheldon who provided on-field training and off-field mentorship. "He's definitely taught me specific techniques... leadership skills," Commenter 2 said, and added that the coach "showed me I can balance football also law school." Commenter 2 said he plays receiver and works on route technique and releases in practice.
Both speakers framed returning to coach or mentor as a priority. Commenter 1 said he returned to “pour into those people just like they were able to pour into me,” and Commenter 2 said mentoring younger players is part of his role as an older team member. Commenter 2 also said he is aiming to graduate in the top 10 of his class.
The remarks in the record described personal outcomes—public-speaking awards, scholarship receipt, role as program president, football coaching and academic goals—but did not include organizational funding details, program enrollment numbers, or formal actions by a governing body. The record does not specify the meeting agenda item under which the speakers spoke or any formal follow-up tasks by officials.
Community members and reporters seeking more detail on the program’s structure, funding or enrollment should contact Young Men of Distinction or the speakers; those details were not specified in the remarks on the record.
