My Uncle Sonny was my greatest mentor. As a child, I always admired him and felt a strong connection. He didn't do any of the typically "boy" things like sports, but he was a great cook, dressed incredibly well and gave back to his community by teaching and mentoring thousands of young people in Kissimmee, Florida. He only came out to me about two years before he died, but we both always recognized that we were Black, gay men in a world that does not always celebrate our being. Uncle Sonny taught me how to celebrate myself and how to demand respect in a time and a community that is constantly trying to push us to the back. He was a huge influence and a mentor.

Sent by James McKissic | 11:25 AM ET | 05-14-2007

OFF TOPIC:

The story about the Spelman student launching the letter writing campaign against BET... YESSS!!!

This is the kind of story that we need to hear more about. You should do a few of these sorts of stories each week.

Thank You!!!

Now if you'd just bring back the Roundtable, everything would be alright! lol And in fact, expand the roundtable while you're at it.

There's no sense in delaying the comeback of the segment.

I'll give News and Notes about 6-8 weeks.... if you have not brought back the Roundtable by then... I will officially become a "former listener" of the show.

Sent by The Angry Independent | 4:08 AM ET | 05-15-2007

I have had many mentors over the years. From my days in the military I???d have to say my most important mentor was Colonel (Ret.) James Pilgrim. There were others and I credit them for taking me, a female soldier; under their wing and guiding my career, education and even personal life on occasion.
My first mentor in my civilian life taught me how to be an effective businesswoman without falling to either far end of the female personality spectrum. You know, the kind of woman that thinks to be effective in an industry dominated by men you have to either become that person that sounds like Witch but begins with a ???B???. Or, that you have to be so cute and helpless that everybody falls all over themselves to help and support you.
Sherry didn???t lecture or correct, she was herself. Just by observing Sherry and asking questions I learned how to be an effective woman in business. You see we are in the technology field, managers at that. Not only were most of our peers men, intellectual giants, and stars in their fields; they were also highly experienced within the industry. Sherry and I both came from other sectors into technology. As my boss, first civilian mentor, and my first female mentor; Sherry helped me to see that I could just be myself too and be successful.
She helped me to see that I should rely on my skills, instincts and education and not focus on my gender, race or anything else I can???t change or control how it???s perceived. Sherry provided a nurturing workplace but allowed us to step out on a limb and challenge ourselves. She demanded excellence and we worked hard, but we had a blast at work. Without Sherry???s leadership example, support and providing a soft place to fall if necessary I don???t think I would have had the moxie to become President of OnWired Web Solutions. Now I???m the leader of a great group of technology geniuses and I know that Sherry???s mentoring prepared me for where I am today, holding my own and leading the way in a male dominated industry. I strive to be someone else???s Sherry at every opportunity I get.

Sent by Antoinette "Toni" Taylor | 5:34 PM ET | 05-15-2007

several... where should I start? As a youngblood my late Uncle Fe and Polo were my mentors. I miss my uncle Fe dearly.

back in high school it was Mr. Frazier our accounting teacher. Then there was Brother Keane our english Teacher. As an adult, it's Brother Kiedi Obi Awadu aka the Conscious Rasta. I can't forget old Brother George of the Self Improvment Center.

Sent by Brother Omi | 11:14 PM ET | 05-15-2007

I heard the story on mentoring and I was both inspired and discouraged. I was inspired because the CEO of Tennessee's Big Brothers, Big Sisters is trying something new and hopefully getting traction. It is clear to me as a former classroom teacher who still works with young people that something must be done. The fact that it took so long to see that giving some of the prison budget to mentoring makes sense, is precisly why it will take a years for the results of those efforts to be felt. Furthermore one half of one percent of the prision budget dedicated to this project is something, but let's be honest, it's something just next to nothing. I worry that the program won't be given years and will fall victim to good ole' American bueracracy. The decimation of the black family and the resulting chaos didn't happen overnight but America's demand for instant gratification expects the solution to work overnight. That isn't realistic. The reality is that America has lost at least a generation of Black youth. And I fear that regardless of political rhetoric government agencies really aren't interested in solving the problem. I hope that the program gets traction and attracts volunteers. But I will be realistic. I don't know anyone who has had a big brother or big sister. I don't know any black people that have participated on any level. Don't know why but I just haven't seen it. I have informally surveyed my collegues about mentoring and most never have nor do they have plans to. The ones who have their own children and families cite a lack of time and those who do not have families cite a lack of desire. The road before us as a community is a rough one indeed. I hope that the efforts outlined in your story help.

Sent by J. Bailey | 10:13 AM ET | 05-16-2007

Hey Brother Omi, J, James and Toni:

Love hearing your stories.

My biggest life-mentor is my grandmother, who passed away three years ago. I still cry over it, and I'm trying to respect my feelings but also recognize she will always be alive in me.

Here's a story I did on her.

A vist with Mary Catherine Stokes...

Anyway... the coolest mentoring story is this.

I helped mentor my boss, Nicole Childers.

She is a rockstar.

She is just getting ready to turn 30, and she is the executive producer of a national radio show.

We met while she was still a college student; I helped advise her as she got into the biz; and now she can fire me!

;-)

(Don't do it Nikki!

Just kidding.)

That, to me, is success in mentoring... giving a start to someone whose reach can exceed yours!

Sent by Farai | 5:29 PM ET | 05-17-2007