Big Brothers Big Sisters has impacted kids in St. Joseph County for decades. They are including the engagement of young black males in their outreach.

Our own president, Barack Obama, has been very outspoken and proactive about the need for mentorship of black boys. Big Brothers Big Sisters is heeding that call.

Every month, African-American Big Brothers and their 'littles' get together for a session called LEAD. The idea is to help them foster relationships and learn some key life skills like tying a tie.  It's also about education. 

"It's like a learning experience about life and a great opportunity to learn more things," said Tyson Love, a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentee.

Each month, LEAD has a group discussion about issues facing the city and the country as a whole. Everything from health to mass incarceration is discussed. Group organizers say they aren't too young to learn. 

"I saw a need for the children to be exposed to issues and current events they were not being exposed to," said Debra Walker, director of Big Brothers Big Sisters. "It's so they can know how to handle themselves within the community."

For more on how to get involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters, visit their website.