Susan L. Taylor, editor-in-chief emeritus of Essence magazine and founder of National Cares Mentoring Movement, will be in Charlotte Friday launching a local branch of her national organization.

Taylor will attend a kick-off event for Charlotte Cares Mentoring Movement, which her group established with help from 100 Black Men of Charlotte. Taylor wants to plant a local branch of National Cares in every American city.

The group’s goal is to recruit volunteers to fill mentoring vacancies at existing youth-supporting organizations. The movement asks community leaders in each city to recruit friends and associates as mentors for young African Americans.

National Cares calls itself the nation’s largest mentor-recruitment effort. Its ultimate goal is to “end the state of emergency in black America,” its website states.

“Our caring white sisters and brothers are more fully engaged in mentoring black children than able black adults are,” the website says.

Patrick Graham, president and CEO of the Urban League of Central Carolinas, agreed to host the Charlotte kick-off and provide technical support.

“The reason we thought it was important is because many of our constituents use mentors,” Graham told Qcitymetro.com.

Mentoring groups nationwide are stretched between recruiting new mentors, training those they have and retaining volunteers, Graham said. Charlotte Cares is meant to help on the recruiting end, allowing local agencies to focus more on training and retention.

“If you can’t retain the mentors you have, you will always be in the recruitment mode,” Graham said. “This movement could have a significant impact on our mentoring community if one of those three burdens is lifted.”

Taylor will attend a “conversational breakfast" at the Urban League’s uptown offices. Seating is limited.

IF YOU WANT TO GO:

Where: 740 West 5th Street.

When: 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Contact: Shannon McKnight, (704) 373-2256, ext. 203
 

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