Lessons from Big Brother James: You can only teach what you’ve been taught
Big Brother James learned at an early age the impact of a positive adult mentor and role model in a young person’s life. Growing up in a single-father home in inner-city Detroit, he felt grateful to have a father who taught him important life lessons and handy skills. He became a Big with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee because he wants to pay it forward for generations to come and make sure young people know they are worthy and never alone.
Mentoring Matters with Brenda Gadd
Brenda Gadd is the president and founder of Rethink Public Strategies, a firm leading policy change at all levels of government. She is an advocate for gender and racial equity, and a recognized expert on advocacy, leading campaign, advocacy and candidate trainings throughout the U.S. Brenda reminds us that politics are about people and how important it is to be engaged. We sat down with Brenda to learn about her career and how mentorship has impacted her journey.
Mentoring Matters with Becky Sharpe
Becky Sharpe is the CEO of International Scholarship and Tuition Services and Collegiate Sports Data, and a Partner in WatchGameFilm. Her professional and volunteer endeavors focus on her passion of helping people grow. We sat down with Becky to learn more about the impact mentorship has had on her career and how she approaches mentorship today.
Mentoring Matters with Contrecia Tharpe
Contrecia Tharpe is an expert in branding, PR and communications. She founded her own boutique integrated marketing and communications firm in 2008, which she has overseen for the last 13 years. She is also a faculty member at Tennessee State University in the communications department where she teaches public speaking, marketing and communications courses. Contrecia shared some of her wisdom and experience with us in this valuable conversation around the impact of mentorship on her professional journey.
Mentoring Matters with Marcus Whitney
Marcus Whitney has a knack for entrepreneurship. As a self-taught, highly successful entrepreneur and founder of a multi-million-dollar venture capital firm, Marcus has a wealth of knowledge to share about entrepreneurship, venture funding, and what it takes to be successful in any business endeavor. He recognizes the importance of mentorship and shares how it has impacted his journey in this inspiring conversation.
Mentoring Matters with Cynthia Whitfield-Story
Cynthia Whitfield-Story is the President and CEO of INSPIRE1, LLC Consulting & Coaching Firm. Before starting her own company, she worked for Allstate Insurance for almost 40 years, where she developed crucial mentoring relationships with the leaders she admired. Cynthia worked her way up to an executive-level at Allstate and after retiring, followed her passion for leadership coaching and development by starting INSPIRE1. She says, “I think it’s important for people to follow their passion, dream big and find a mentor who can turn those dreams into a reality.” Read more about the impact mentorship has had on Cynthia’s life.
Mentoring Matters with David Plazas
David Plazas is a trusted voice in the Nashville community and beyond, serving as the director of Opinion and Engagement for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee. He has a strong commitment to civil discourse, and during his time as a guest mentor for Mentoring Matters, he and his attendees will discuss building trust and sustaining conversations in an era of disagreement, misinformation and polarization.
BBBSMT Board Member Spotlight: Missy Acosta
Missy Acosta joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee’s Board of Directors in 2016 and has been serving as the Board Chair for almost two years. We had the opportunity to speak with Missy about how she got involved with BBBSMT, what mentorship means to her, and more.
From Mentee to Mentor: Giving Back Through Mentorship
Big Brother Marcus became a mentor because his own life has been transformed by the power of mentorship. Marcus’s mentor provided him with direction in his values and career path, and instilled in him a desire to always give back.
Celebrating Pride Month: The History of Pride and Why It’s Important
Pride Month is a time to uplift and support LGBTQIA+ individuals as we reflect on how far we’ve come, and how far we have to go. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee celebrates differences, and providing more LGBTQIA+ youth with LGBTQIA+ mentors is a top priority for us.