Chester’s Mentoring Initiative proposes that we, Chester’s individuals, organizations and institutions, come together to collectively respond to the community’s needs with quality programming that provides access to positive health, education, and economic outcomes. Our group consists of 170+ individuals representing groups that mentor Chester’s children. We meet monthly by Zoom to learn from a relevant speaker, and from each other.

Learn more at https://cuys.org/mentoring

Our featured speaker was Dr. Kelly Harris. Senior Staff Director for University of Pennsylvania’s Africana Studies. He admitted to the group that he didn’t start out a great student, but ultimately earned degrees all the way to a PhD and now teaches education.

Dr. Kelly helps make math, science and history come to life through a program he has led in Chicago and New Jersey. His goal as an educator is to have students not just receive information, but to apply it.

Inspired by the concept of the Model UN and the Gary Convention of 1972, he built a program that brings students together to address social and political problems. He challenges them to take seriously, to identify, critique and debate real problems, and to come up with solutions.

Students in the program learn how society works, how public policy comes together, and how to address issues. They develop skills in debating, collaborating and compromising. They build on leaders’ actions of the past to address historic issues that are still with us, and they look to correct past mistakes.

When youth think “no one cares about me,” education is a powerful tool to reach them.

Civil rights leader Ella Baker is a role model for Dr. Harris. She believed in democratic leadership, where the leader is a facilitator creating conditions for others’ leadership qualities to come out.

There are so many ways to lead, and it is empowering to demystify leadership and recognize that everyone can play a role. It’s not just about being the presenter at the microphone. You could lead by bringing humor to the group, by doing the necessary research, etc. Leadership is about being someone to follow.

In a group setting, it is critical to show that everyone’s intelligence is respected and valued. We should always teach taht we all have a responsibility to address issues in our community. Grapple through the inevitable tension, learn how to embrace conflict and work through it.

For younger kids, a group facilitator might build activities around sharing and collaborating in ways that are relevant for the youths’ life experiences. Be creative about maintaining an element of fun to keep them engaged.

Social Darwinism is a flawed theory that suggests the most successful are the ones who work the hardest and have the most intelligence. There is a false implication that poor people must simply change their behavior to rise out of poverty. In truth, many issues are bigger and more structural. Challenge the narrative to make a structural change.

Asset mapping is a good way for young people to document what a community has and needs. What are the food services, safe spaces, recreational alternatives? What is missing? Then, collaborate to get what you need. Use advocacy, fundraise, etc in line with the goal.

Do children have opportunities to engage with community organizers? Do they take accountability for their community? It’s never too late to get guidance and to create spaces and outlets for young people, especially those whose support networks have failed them. We can all step in in positive ways including as role models.

It’s okay to critique - don’t dsmiss critiquing as “hating on.” Let’s all work together to make things better!

In repsonse to Dr. Kelly’s presentation, Dr. Nolan Fontaine recommended Yvonne Bynoe and her theory of activism vs. an activist mindset.