Just How Ubiquitous Will Artificial Intelligence Get?
Robert F. Smith’s Prediction Will Astonish You
Robert F. Smith, chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, which has more than $107 billion in assets under management, spoke about the future of artificial intelligence with Black Enterprise CEO Earl “Butch” Graves, Jr., at the past XCEL Summit For Men. Given that Smith manages a diversified portfolio of software companies that provide solutions to millions of customers worldwide, he has unique insight into the future of this technology. His company is one of the largest asset managers dedicated to enterprise software. A 2025 XCEL Award Honoree, Smith declares that A.I. is here to stay. In fact, he says up to $3 trillion is being poured into its infrastructure and will one day change the economic dynamic of the entire planet. Hear it from the man who paid off the student loan debt for the entire Morehouse graduating class of 2019.
Young Birmingham Engineering Scholars Recognized By Historic Women’s Organization
The students were recently honored by the Birmingham chapter of The Links Incorporated and its members of the Society of Women Engineers.
A group of young engineering students in Birmingham has been recognized for academic achievement and leadership by The Birmingham Chapter of The Links Incorporated and its members of the Society of Women Engineers, a group supporting women in engineering, highlighting continued efforts to expand opportunities for girls in STEM fields.
The students were recently honored during a ceremony celebrating middle and high school students pursuing engineering and technology education in Alabama. The recognition spotlighted students who demonstrated excellence in academics, innovation, and community involvement, according to AL.com and local education organizations. The NSBE organization, founded nationally in 1950, is considered one of the oldest advocacy groups for women engineers in the United States and works to increase female representation across engineering and technology professions.
“The importance of the NSBE program is that it’s family, it’s a community, it’s a group of people who look like you,” said Andrea Montgomery, a Links member, mechanical engineer, and member of the National Society of Black Engineers.
The Birmingham-area students honored this year participated in engineering-centered activities ranging from robotics and leadership academies to science competitions and mentorship programs. The Birmingham Chapter of The Links Incorporated acknowledged 28 students from Carver High School, Ramsay High School, and Parker High School during its National Society of Black Engineers Junior Honors and Awards Day. Local school systems and community partners have increasingly invested in STEM education initiatives to prepare students for careers in engineering, computer science, and advanced manufacturing.
NSBE says that the recognition serves not only as a celebration of student achievement, but also as encouragement for more young women and underrepresented students to pursue technical careers. National studies continue to show women remain underrepresented in many engineering disciplines despite years of recruitment efforts. Programs led by organizations such as the Society of Women Engineers seek to address those disparities through scholarships, networking opportunities, and student outreach.
The event also reflects Birmingham’s broader push to strengthen educational pipelines connected to science and technology industries throughout Alabama.
School leaders and community advocates said honoring students at an early age can help build confidence and long-term interest in STEM careers, particularly among girls who may not traditionally see themselves represented in engineering fields.
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) conducts a news conference after the House Democrats caucus meeting in the Capitol on Wednesday. (Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Congressional Black Caucus Calls On Corporate America To Oppose Redistricting Efforts Targeting Majority-Black Districts
Lawmakers are urging major corporations to publicly defend voting rights as battles over congressional maps intensify
The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) is calling on some of the nation’s largest corporations to take a public stand against redistricting efforts that could reduce Black political representation in Congress.
In a letter sent to more than 250 companies, CBC members urged business leaders to oppose Republican-led redistricting initiatives that seek to eliminate or redraw majority-Black congressional districts, reports The Associated Press. Lawmakers described the efforts as coordinated attempts to weaken Black voting power and political influence.
The appeal comes just weeks after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling significantly weakened a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, making it more difficult to challenge district maps that critics argue dilute minority voting strength. Since the decision, several states have pursued new congressional maps that could reshape representation ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
CBC Chairwoman Yvette Clarke and other members of the caucus are asking corporations to condemn the redistricting efforts, meet with lawmakers, and provide greater transparency regarding political donations connected to officials who support the map changes. The caucus argues that companies that previously championed racial equity and voting rights should remain engaged now that those issues are again under national scrutiny.
“Many companies that previously issued statements after the murder of George Floyd, pledged billions toward racial equity initiatives, and spoke forcefully in defense of democracy following January 6 now face a defining test of whether those commitments were rooted in principle or convenience,” the caucus’s letter states.
Apple, Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Salesforce, PayPal, Target, Starbucks, and Tesla were among the companies that joined the Business for Voting Rights coalition, which publicly supported the passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act in 2021.
The caucus’s campaign coincides with a broader national battle over congressional redistricting. In states like Louisiana, lawmakers have advanced maps that would dismantle majority-Black districts, while civil rights organizations have signaled plans to challenge some of the proposals in court. Supporters of the maps argue that the changes reflect political rather than racial considerations. Critics contend the efforts could diminish Black voters’ ability to elect candidates of their choice.
Last week, the caucus called for Black student athletes to boycott universities in red states that are gerrymandering their congressional maps to eliminate districts held by Black Democratic lawmakers.
HBCU Founders To Make History With First Pitch Competition In Times Square
Venture for T.H.E.M. announced that it will partner with The DM Firm and the Times Square Alliance for the inaugural HBCU Pitch Competition in Times Square
Morgan State alums and entrepreneurship leaders are set to bring a first-of-its-kind HBCU startup pitch competition to the center of New York City during New York Tech Week this upcoming June.
Venture for T.H.E.M. announced that it will partner with The DM Firm and the Times Square Alliance to host the inaugural HBCU Pitch Competition in Times Square on June 6 as part of Activate LIVE!, a public showcase highlighting emerging founders and innovators.
The event will take place in Times Square during New York Tech Week. It will feature five entrepreneurs connected to historically Black colleges and universities competing before a panel of business and technology leaders. Organizers said the initiative aims to increase visibility and investment opportunities for Black founders and student entrepreneurs.
According to a press release, more than 300,000 visitors typically move through Times Square on summer weekends, giving participating founders exposure on one of the nation’s most recognizable public stages.
The competition will include presentations by founders from several HBCUs, including Peter Iwuh of Morgan State University, founder of Tykoon AI, a platform focused on NIL and athlete brand management; and Daryl Riley Jr. of North Carolina A&T State University, founder of the fashion technology company Tendaji, among others.
Source: photo credit: press release
Additional competitors include Taylor Davis of Howard University, creator of the restaurant discovery application Troodie, and Carolyn Alston of Bowie State University, founder of the conversational card game Communic8 It!
Judges for the event include executives and leaders from companies and organizations such as Moët Hennessy, Base 11, the NBA Foundation, and the Milken Institute.
Organizers said the event reflects a broader push to create equitable access to capital and networking opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs. Venture for T.H.E.M., a Maryland-based accelerator, focuses on supporting founders from historically underserved communities through mentorship, access to funding, and business development initiatives.
Students from 17 HBCUs competed at the PROPEL Center's "Future of Tech Innovation" national finals in Austin, TX in April 2026. The winning team hails from Morgan State Unversity.
Propelling Toward the Future: HBCU Students Design AI-powered Solutions
Morgan State University students take home top prize at PROPEL Center Future of Tech Innovation Challenge.
Having a dream job and putting those skills into action before earning your degree is a win-win for Fikewa Akindolire. The rising junior, honors information systems major at Morgan State University, did just this at the inaugural PROPEL Center Future of Tech Innovation Challenge, where her school’s team won first place.
“It’s not just about winning; it really just gave me insights and reaffirmed my career aspirations of becoming a product manager,” Akindolire, an aspiring AI/machine learning product manager, told BLACK ENTERPRISE. “Being able to see a product from inception all the way to fruition, prototyping and actually being able to pitch it—that’s exactly what I want to do in terms of being able to develop a product.”
Supported by Apple and Southern Company, PROPEL Center is a global technology and innovation hub, preparing students from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to transform the nation’s talent pipeline and workforce. PROPEL hosted its inaugural Future of Tech Innovation Challenge national finals in Austin, Texas, in mid-April 2026. The multiday event convened some of the nation’s most promising HBCU student innovators to showcase AI-driven solutions addressing real-world challenges.
The program engaged 1,100 applicants from 89 HBCUs. Seventy finalists were selected for the national finals, representing 17 HBCUs. Participants worked in teams exploring various sectors, including education, energy, health innovation, cybersecurity, and media technology, which PROPEL cites as “areas shaping the future of work and society.” Students were charged with identifying real-world problems, designing AI-powered solutions, and presenting their ideas to industry leaders.
“We are building a new standard for HBCU innovation, one that positions students not just as learners, but as creators, problem-solvers, and future leaders in AI and technology,” said PROPEL Center Vice President of Operations and Chief Strategy Officer Harriette K. Burrell. “What has been most exciting is seeing these students step into that potential in real time, bringing bold ideas to life, collaborating across disciplines, and applying AI in ways that are both innovative and deeply impactful.”
The winners walked away—not only with big cash prizes—but also with meaningful connections, working with cross-functional teams, and building skills that will prepare them for future careers in tech.
The winning team, “Hax Lab” from Morgan State, was awarded $35,000. In second place, “The Planeteers” from Fisk University were awarded $25,000, and in third place, “Team ABS” from Huston-Tillotson University took home $15,000.
Students from 17 HBCUs competed at the PROPEL Center’s “Future of Tech Innovation” national finals in Austin, TX, in April 2026.Students from 17 HBCUs competed at the PROPEL Center’s “Future of Tech Innovation” national finals in Austin, TX, in April 2026.Students from 17 HBCUs competed at the PROPEL Center’s “Future of Tech Innovation” national finals in Austin, TX, in April 2026. The winning team hails from Morgan State University.Students from 17 HBCUs competed at the PROPEL Center’s “Future of Tech Innovation” national finals in Austin, TX, in April 2026.Students from 17 HBCUs competed at the PROPEL Center’s “Future of Tech Innovation” national finals in Austin, TX, in April 2026.Students from 17 HBCUs competed at the PROPEL Center’s “Future of Tech Innovation” national finals in Austin, TX, in April 2026.Students from 17 HBCUs competed at the PROPEL Center’s “Future of Tech Innovation” national finals in Austin, TX, in April 2026.Students from 17 HBCUs competed at the PROPEL Center’s “Future of Tech Innovation” national finals in Austin, TX, in April 2026.
Fueling Next Gen Black Tech Leaders
Black professionals account for 12% of the U.S. workforce, but only 8% of the tech industry, according to data from McKinsey. When you reach the top of the ladder, only 3% of technology C-suite executives are Black, data shows.
PROPEL Center aims to increase these stats through mentorship, hands-on training, and direct employer engagement to advance equity in the tech pipeline. In addition to the Future of Innovation Challenge, PROPEL Center launched PROPEL U last September, an applied learning platform for HBCU students that provides micro-lessons, AI foundation courses, and team-based challenges.
Similarly, BLACK ENTERPRISE’S BE SMART HBCU Hackathon, an annual coding competition for HBCU students, also aims to increase the pipeline of emerging tech talent to ensure they are adequately trained and prominently positioned to be recruited for jobs. Last fall in Charlotte, more than 300 students from 43 HBCUs formed 62 teams to develop technical solutions to solve real-world challenges. A panel of judges examined each team’s application impact, technical complexity, and user-friendliness, and rated teams on their pitch and presentation skills at the 10th annual event.
“I am so proud of our BE Smart Hackathon and its participants,” said Earl “Butch” Graves, CEO of BLACK ENTERPRISE, lauding the 2025 winning team from Alabama State University. “It has met its goal of providing a showcase for HBCU students to display their technical expertise and gain exposure to the top companies in global business.”
Likewise, Burrell, with PROPEL Center, expressed pride in the Challenge’s participants and can already foresee the positive impact that HBCU students will have on the industry’s future.
“Their creativity, confidence, and vision for the future have been nothing short of inspiring,” Burrell said, “and it reinforces exactly why investing in HBCU talent is so critical to shaping the next generation of leaders in technology.”
Meaningful Connections and Lasting Impact
For Akindolire of Morgan State, she says, “the culture of PROPEL was one of the most unique things I’ve ever experienced.” From collaborating with teammates and peers to networking with partners, meaningful connections were made that had a lasting impact.
Joining Akindolire on the winning team “Hax Lab” are Osita Odunze, Daniel Onyejiekwe, and Jaden Reeves.
“I enjoyed meeting students from different schools and universities,” said Reeves, who recently graduated as a cloud computing major, adding that he made new connections on LinkedIn—from peers to panelists to PROPEL and Apple employees. “Seeing all these bright minds in one space is something I truly appreciate.”
Onyejiekwe, also a Class of 2026 graduate, majored in computer science and is an aspiring software engineer. He said the Future of Innovation Challenge helped him step onto the main stage with confidence.
“This is the first time I got to take an idea and turn it into an actual product and pitch it to investors, which was really cool and took me out of my comfort zone,” he said.
The team “Hax Lab” plans to use their award money wisely: investing a portion in the stock market, assisting with grad school, pursuing business ventures, including real estate, and giving to people experiencing homelessness. Oh, and of course, per Onyejiekwe, maybe a few new kicks for the sneakerheads; thus, stepping into his future career in tech with style.
Ruka CEO Tendai Moyo opens up about the company's innovative hair extensions and fundraising journey
Black Women Founders Raise $4.5 Million for Their Innovative Hair Extensions Brand
Tendai Moyo, CEO and co-founder of Ruka Hair, shares their fundraising journey and her best advice for other founders in a Black Enterprise exclusive
London-based biotech beauty brand Ruka Hair has announced $4.5 million in new funding that will help it bring its innovative hair extensions to the U.S.
Co-founded in 2020 by Tendai Moyo, who was born in Zimbabwe, and Ugo Agbai, who was born in Nigeria, Ruka Hair has built a loyal following by tackling a problem Black women know all too well: finding hair extensions that don’t compromise on quality, safety, or ethics.
Solving for the sourcing questions around natural hair and the harmful chemicals found in synthetic options, Ruka Hair created its own patent-pending, lab-grown fiber called Synths 2. Its hair extensions are made from collagen, are biodegradable and hypoallergenic, and look, feel, and perform like natural hair without plastics or carcinogens.
The new round brings their total funding to $10 million and will allow them to launch U.S. operations this year.
“Ruka Hair exemplifies what we look for: founders solving a real problem with genuine commitment, building through community rather than hype,” said Samyr Laine, co-founder and managing partner of Freedom Trail Capital, in a statement.
“Tendai and Ugo built this brand during one of the most challenging periods for consumer businesses, scaled through an authentic community, and are now pioneering biotech innovation that could reshape an entire category,” he continued. “Ruka is on track to become a category-defining brand and a future household name for textured haircare products.”
Co-founder Moyo spoke with BLACK ENTERPRISE about their fundraising strategy and the lessons it has taught them:
What was behind Ruka Hair’s decision to pursue venture capital?
For us, venture capital made sense because Ruka was never just about launching another beauty product. We are building a new fiber platform for textured hair, and that requires significant upfront investment in research and development, testing, supply chain, manufacturing, education, and brand-building.
There are parts of the business that look like consumer packaged goods, but the ambition is much more infrastructure-led. We are trying to change the quality, safety, and experience of hair extensions for a community that has historically been underserved. To do that properly, we needed investors who understood that the opportunity was not just [about] short-term growth, but long-term category transformation.
What has the fundraising journey been like for you?
Fundraising has been stretching, humbling, and, honestly, character-building. We have raised through very different market conditions: from the peak of consumer enthusiasm to a much tougher environment where capital has become more cautious, especially for consumer brands.
As a Black female founder building in a category that has often been misunderstood, I have also had to spend a lot of time educating investors on the scale of the textured hair market, the depth of the consumer problem, and why this category deserves serious innovation.
But the journey has also been incredibly affirming. The right investors have understood that Ruka is not just a beauty brand. It is a science, community, and culture-led business tackling a huge global market.
How did you determine that it was time for another round of fundraising?
The timing was driven by the stage of the business. We had built strong community trust, proven demand, developed Synths 2—our collagen protein fiber-braiding hair—and reached a point where the next phase required more infrastructure.
This round allows us to move from proving the concept to scaling it properly. That means investing in research and development, product testing, supply chain resilience, manufacturing consistency, education, and the operational foundations needed to grow in the United States and beyond.
We were also very conscious of growing responsibly. In a difficult consumer environment, we deliberately constrained spend rather than chasing unprofitable growth. Now the focus is on building the foundations that allow us to scale with more discipline and longevity.
How is this new round of funding different from previous rounds?
This round feels different because it is less about proving that the market exists and more about proving that we can build the future of the category.
Earlier rounds were about vision, community, and the initial product-market fit. This round is more about infrastructure, defensibility, and execution. The conversations are deeper—around supply chain, intellectual property, safety, testing, gross margins, operational readiness, and what it takes to build a business that can last.
As a founder, it also feels more serious. You are no longer just asking people to believe in an idea. You are showing them the system you are building and the discipline behind it.
What will this $4.5 million infusion mean for your hair extensions?
The funding will help us continue scaling Synths 2, our collagen protein fiber-braiding hair, and the wider fiber platform behind it.
It will allow us to invest further into research and development, product testing, supply chain, manufacturing, education, and retail readiness. For us, it is about making sure the innovation is not only exciting, but safe, consistent, high-performing, and easy for customers to understand.
It also supports our United States expansion, including fulfillment, content, community building, and the foundations for larger retail partnerships. We see the United States as a major growth market for Ruka, both commercially and culturally.
Ultimately, this funding helps us build the infrastructure to take textured hair innovation seriously—at the level our community has always deserved.
What advice do you have for other founders about fundraising?
I would say: know what kind of business you are building before you decide what kind of capital to take.
Venture capital is not just money. It comes with expectations around speed, scale, and outcomes, so it has to match the ambition and structure of the company.
I would also tell founders to get very clear on the story behind the numbers. Investors need to understand the market, but they also need to understand why you are uniquely positioned to win. Especially if you are building in a category that has been overlooked, part of the job is education.
And finally, do not let the fundraising process define your worth as a founder. A no is not always a reflection of the quality of the business. Sometimes it is timing, mandate, market conditions, or simply a lack of understanding. The key is to stay close to the truth of what you are building, keep refining the story, and make sure the capital you take serves the company—not the other way around.
Opponents of the SCORE Act argue that it would strengthen the NCAA’s power while limiting labor protections and voting rights for college athletes.
A coalition of Black lawmakers and progressive Democrats has successfully blocked the advancement of the controversial Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act, a sweeping proposal aimed at reshaping college athletics and name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation rules for student-athletes.
The legislation, introduced by Rep. Gus Bilirakis, sought to establish a national NIL framework while giving the NCAA and athletic conferences broader authority to regulate college sports. Supporters argued the bill would bring consistency to the rapidly evolving NIL landscape and protect student-athletes from exploitation. However, critics said the proposal would primarily benefit universities and athletic organizations while limiting athlete rights and labor protections.
According to The Hill, Republican leadership pulled the bill from consideration after failing to secure enough bipartisan support in the House. Black lawmakers and athlete advocates played a major role in derailing the legislation, warning that the bill would weaken athletes’ bargaining power and prevent future state-level protections.
One of the bill’s most contentious provisions would have barred student-athletes from being classified as employees, effectively denying them access to collective bargaining rights and certain labor protections. The legislation also proposed granting the NCAA limited antitrust protections, shielding the organization from certain legal challenges related to athlete compensation rules, reports Morgan Lewis.
The failed vote underscores the growing political divide over the future of college sports, particularly as Black athletes continue to generate billions of dollars in revenue for universities, conferences, broadcasters, and sponsors. Critics of the SCORE Act argued that federal legislation should prioritize athlete empowerment, long-term financial security, healthcare protections, and equitable compensation instead of restoring power to institutions already benefiting from the current system.
From the Hardwood to Hollywood’s AI Frontier: Carmelo Anthony’s Next Big Play
The partnership signals a structural shift in how sports figures leverage their personal brands.
Basketball Hall of Famer-turned-entrepreneur Carmelo Anthony is pivoting from the hardwood to Hollywood’s next frontier, positioning his production company as a cornerstone player at the intersection of sports media and artificial intelligence.
Utopai Studios announced on May 21 that Anthony’s Creative 7 Productions has signed on as a strategic partner to aggressively expand sports and entertainment intellectual property. The collaboration aims to pioneer an asset-heavy model for professional athletes, allowing them to develop, own, and scale original entertainment properties using PAI, Utopai’s proprietary cinematic storytelling AI.
Financial terms of the investment were not disclosed.
The partnership signals a structural shift in how sports figures leverage their personal brands. Rather than acting as hired talent for traditional Hollywood networks, modern athletes are increasingly seeking equity, creative control, and intellectual property ownership. Recent market indicators show that NFL athletes pursuing advanced degrees and building sophisticated corporate structures are part of a broader trend in which sports figures treat their post-career lives as enterprises.
“Sports has always been grounded in real human stories that can translate to powerful entertainment IP, but bringing those stories to life hasn’t always been easy,” Carmelo Anthony said in a statement. “PAI [Utopai’s proprietary AI] changes that. It gives us a more accessible way to create and build something with long-term value.”
Anthony, a 10-time NBA All-Star, alongside Creative 7 co-founder and business partner Asani Swann, will spearhead efforts to recruit professional athletes into original projects across film, television, streaming, and digital platforms. The venture’s maiden project will be an anime-inspired entertainment property built around Anthony’s career, legacy, and basketball culture, featuring a recurring short-form series and behind-the-scenes content.
The partnership between Anthony’s Creative 7 Productions and Utopai Studios marks a significant evolution at the intersection of business and basketball for several reasons:
The Shift from “Talent” to “Studio Mogul”
Historically, athletes entered the media as on-camera talent, such as analysts, commentators, or actors for major networks. LeBron James (SpringHill Company) and Kevin Durant (Thirty Five Ventures) changed this by becoming producers. Anthony is advancing this trend. By partnering with an AI cinematic studio, he is not only producing content but also building a technology-driven studio infrastructure.
This project demonstrates how the partnership allows athletes to move beyond traditional licensing deals and become equity-holding media distributors with ownership of technology and intellectual property from the outset.
Democratizing the “Athlete-Owner” Model
Unlike traditional production models that require significant capital, large crews, and lengthy development cycles, Anthony, a three-time Olympic gold medalist with the United States Men’s Basketball Team, is introducing a scalable, efficient alternative by leveraging Utopai’s proprietary AI. With AI-driven visualization and editing tools, athletes can quickly develop high-quality film, television, and digital projects, reducing time-to-market and lowering barriers to entry.
This approach offers a clear path for both active and retired basketball players to launch media ventures without large budgets. To expand this model, Anthony and Swann are actively recruiting other athletes to join this technology-focused ecosystem.
Protecting and Monetizing Athlete IP Globally
Today, NBA players have global brands, yet traditional Hollywood localization, such as dubbing and international distribution rights, remains fragmented and slow. Utopai’s existing operations in Germany and South Korea enable this venture to deliver basketball-focused content, including the planned anime series based on Anthony’s legacy, to international audiences quickly and in localized formats. Importantly, this business model uses AI to protect athlete authorship and maximize equity, addressing concerns about artificial intelligence in Hollywood by prioritizing ownership over replacement.
Normalizing the “Athlete Venture Capitalist” Archetype
This development reinforces a broader trend: elite athletes are becoming sophisticated corporate leaders. Following NBA superstar James Harden’s recent collaboration with the same studio (on an AI-animated short about his signature beard), the basketball community increasingly views technology and AI as core business opportunities rather than just endorsement platforms. Anthony’s move demonstrates that post-career success for athletes now centers on venture capital, intellectual property ownership, and technological innovation.
For the sports and business community, the venture represents a high-tech evolution of the traditional studio system. While AI tools are often criticized for undercutting creators, Utopai executives insist their infrastructure is purpose-built to preserve authorship.
“We are building a new studio system for the AI era, one that gives creators, athletes, and talent a more direct path to develop original IP while preserving authorship, ownership, and creative control,” said Cecilia Shen, co-founder and CEO of Utopai Studios.
Looking ahead, this shift could reshape the sports industry by encouraging more athletes to pursue business education and technology ventures during and after their playing careers, ultimately transforming traditional career pathways and redefining athletes’ roles as influential architects of the broader sports and media landscape.
Little Jaylen (right) and Big Jerome (left) in a still from the “It Takes Little to Be Big" campaign. (Big Brothers Big Sisters of America)
Photo credit: Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Big Brothers, Big Sisters Reports Growing Need For Male Mentors In San Antonio
The organization said many boys remain on a waiting list for months in hopes of being matched with a positive adult role model.
Nearly 400 boys across San Antonio are currently waiting to be paired with adult male mentors through Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas, highlighting what organization leaders describe as an ongoing mentorship shortage in the region. According to the nonprofit, the most urgent need is for Black and Latino men willing to volunteer as mentors for local youth.
The organization, which serves children throughout South Texas, said many boys remain on a waiting list for months in hopes of being matched with a positive adult role model. The mentoring initiative connects children, known as “Littles,” with volunteer adults, called “Bigs,” through community- and school-based programs. The nonprofit says those relationships are designed to provide emotional support, guidance, and stability for children facing social or economic challenges.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas currently supports more than 1,000 active mentorship matches in the San Antonio area. The organization reported that the average community-based mentoring relationship lasts more than 33 months, with some partnerships continuing for over a decade.
One of those long-term mentorships includes 15-year-old Shilou Mack and mentor Gable Crowder, who were paired together four years ago through a workplace mentoring program at Jackson Middle School in San Antonio. Since then, the pair has bonded over basketball, music, and community activities.
“Being able to look up to him as a leader, and showing me what he does, made me want to start doing what he does,” Mack said to KSAT. “It pushes me greater than I already am.”
Crowder, who also serves as the organization’s director of community engagement, said mentorship can provide young people with encouragement and exposure to opportunities they might not otherwise experience.
“The majority of the families we have are single-parent homes, and they need men, especially men of color,” Crowder said. “The impact that it has is needed, and it’s a must.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas said adults interested in becoming mentors can apply through the organization’s website, where volunteers complete training and background checks before being matched with a child. The nonprofit says its mentorship programs aim to help children improve confidence, academic performance, and long-term personal development.
