Our special edition features the voices of Black men who offer their opinions and insights into the need to “step up” in supporting the development of young boys today. Mentor Me chronicles their experiences and shares their visions for moving the needle forward for our sons, brothers, nephews and grandsons, as they enter adulthood and become future leaders.
Special thanks to these special guests who presented at MENTOR ME! on February 24, 2024.
Bernard Franklin, Ph.D., Uncornered
Dr. Franklin is nationally recognized as a passionate advocate for children and youth who come from hard places. One of the first African American students to be elected student president on a predominately Caucasian campus in the U.S, he graduated from Kansas State University in 1976. Franklin went on to make Kansas history by becoming the youngest person ever appointed to the Kansas State Board of Regents at 24. Currently, he is managing director of Uncornered, an urban violence elimination program.
Rev. Louis E. Negrón, 100 Black Men of Atlanta
Louis Negrón is the CEO and President of 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc. Using his more than 20 years of nonprofit fundraising experience, Negrón develops partnerships that support his organization’s initiatives to mentor, educate, enrich and empower at-risk youth. Negrón’s goals include establishing 100 Black Men of Atlanta as the protector for the city’s children.
Dr. L. Nathan Gause, MD, FOAA
Dr. L. Nathan Gause is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon at University Health in Kansas City; of the more than 23,000 ortho[aedic surgeons in the U.S., Dr. Gause is one of 600 Black orthopaedic surgeons. He serves as Vice Chair and Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at UMKC School of Medicine, where he is dedicated to promoting diversity, inclusion and equity in orthopaedics and medicine as a whole.
Jamal Berry
Jamal Berry is the CEO of EducareDC, a 25-school national network that serves as a platform for broader change, inspiring high-quality programs in communities, improving public policies, and demonstrating a comprehensive approach to the first five years of life and learning. EducareDC serves over 400 children from prenatal to age 5. “Excellence in everything” is Jamal Berry’s guiding principle. He is living out his passion by guiding the next generation of leaders.
Jesse Frazier III, Videographer
Jesse selected the marketing industry because as a child, his dad taught him to use cameras and allowed him to film himself and create content. When he was 10, he started his first YouTube channel and over the years built skills in video production, graphic design, SEO and digital content strategy. As a junior in high school, he met a man who told him that he could use the skills he had been building professionally in the marketing industry.
Jesse Frazier III holds an Associate’s Degree from Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley and a BBA in Marketing from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. His professional skills include digital marketing, video production, photography, graphic design, search engine optimization, consulting, brand management and networking. He strongly believes in helping others and giving back, using the talents that God has given him.
Brian Hyppolite
Brian Hyppolite is an author, musician and mentor. In January of 2020, Brian published his first book: Manifesting You: 111 Keys to Unlocking Your Divinity. Brian is the creator and founder of Manifest University and Manifest Academy, online learning centers offering personal development and successful living classes, coaching and mentorship for moms, dads and kids. www.BrianHyppolite.com
We hope you enjoy this edition as much as we have enjoyed presenting this uncompromising body of work.
We extend, special thanks to our featured authors.
