Mentoring Mentors is a Baltimore-based non-profit that supports youth through an intergenerational, near-to-peer model that promotes interdependency, long-term relationships and commitment to the community. Since its founding in 2014, Mentoring Mentors has served nearly 200 students. We currently operate at one Baltimore City school – Windsor Hills Elementary/Middle – while expanding to additional sites.
Mentoring Mentors addresses the challenges of connecting positive models and mentors to youth in local communities by enrolling youth in our programs. Mentoring Mentors’ utilizes a proprietary near-to-peer model that catalyzes the development of nurturing mentor relationships and supportive networks for young people, ages 11 – 18. Via peer-based learning, mentees receive soft skills training, academic support and experiential service-learning opportunities that galvanize relationship engagement.
Founder
Alphonso Mayo is a motivational speaker, author, coach, and youth activist. He was born to a drug-addicted mother and a father who consistently was incarcerated – an experience that caused Alphonso many hardships, struggles, trials, and tribulations throughout his youth. However, he was able to overcome his circumstances and eventually graduated from Stevenson University with a degree in Human Services. Shortly afterwards, he founded Mentoring Mentors with the goal to inspire and guide youth to become mentors in their communities.
“In life, we must leave things behind that we care about in order to grow. It may seem strange that growth comes with loss, but some losses are worth the victories that God has for you.”
-Mayo-
Mentor
Malik Forrester was the first student to benefit from the Mentoring Mentors program. He faced many academic challenges in high school, with a grade point average of 2.3 and playing for a struggling athletic program, Malik felt that his chances of getting into a Division I school were very slim. However, once Malik started receiving non-traditional mentoring services from Alphonso his grades increased and he even made honor roll with a final 3.37 GPA. Malik’s athletic ability along with his ability to excel in the classroom granted him the opportunity to play for Fresno State on a full scholarship.
Board Advisor
Shawn Dove serves as the CEO of the Campaign for Black Male Achievement (CBMA), a national membership organization of more than 5,000 leaders representing over 3,000 organizations nationwide that seeks to ensure the growth, sustainability and impact of leaders and organizations committed to improving the life outcomes of Black men and boys. He launched CBMA at the Open Society Foundations in 2008 and spun it off into an independent entity in 2015.
Board Advisor
President & CEO of Maryland Nonprofits, responsible for advancing the organization’s vision to create a highly effective, ethical and accountable nonprofit sector that drives change through collective action and advocacy. Ms. Iliff previously served as Vice President of Maryland Nonprofits and Director of the Maryland Nonprofits Consulting Group. She is an experienced facilitator, trainer and manager with international, national and local nonprofit organizations.
Board President
Margaret Lena Boyd-Anderson is a Paralegal and the Founding Board President of Mentoring Mentors, Inc. Margaret has over 14 years of government service. Currently, she is employed with the City of Baltimore Department of Housing & Community Development, Contracts Section. She holds an Associate in Arts from Villa Julie College and Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies from Stevenson University. A two-time Alumni, Margaret remains active with her Alma Mater and community and she serves on the Stevenson University Alumni Board.
Margaret has always enjoyed the engagement of mentoring youth and young adults. Early on, she surrounded herself with mentors, throughout her family and school educators. Margaret realized that guidance was indeed in reach and she learned to recognize that even though the course of life takes unexpected turns, being successful is learning to make lemonade when life serves you lemons.
Board Vice President
Rachel Lewis is a legal analyst, mentor, and networking business owner. She is a Baltimore native who has a passion for serving youth. A graduate of Stevenson University, Rachel majored in Paralegal Studies. In 2011, she received the President’s Volunteer Service and National Engaged Leader Award. Rachel also was named to Who’s Who Among Students in America, Lambda Epsilon Chi, and paralegal of the year in Covington Who’s Who (2015). At the age of 24, Rachel sought to make an even greater impact in the lives of youth in the Baltimore City region, where she co-founded Mentoring Mentors.
Board Secretary
Stephanie Medina is the Deputy Court Administrator for the Circuit Court for Baltimore County. Stephanie is well verse in managing various administrative aspects of the Court. She spent seven years with the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. She is a graduate of the National Center for State Courts Institute for Court Management program where she earned the prestigious, national Certified Court Executive credential. Stephanie also has two master’s degrees, one in Criminology and the other in Organization Development and Leadership.
Prior to joining the Maryland Judiciary, Stephanie worked for the Belize Red Cross serving as Deputy Director General. She coordinated various health and safety initiatives and represented the Belize Red Cross at various meetings and conferences in Central America, the Caribbean and Europe.
Board Treasurer
Sharif J. Small has been in the financial service industry for over 12 years by starting his career as a Financial Advisor for MassMutual Financial Group. In 2005, he left Mass Mutual to start his an independent tax and financial planning practice called S.J.S. Financial Firm to focus more on financial planning, literacy, and advice. Also, Sharif has over nine years of bookkeeping, accounting, and payroll experience performing contracting projects for Accountemps (A Robert Half Company) and Accountants International working with small businesses, non-profits organizations, and corporations.
Board Executive
Chris Gonzalez, PMP is a former United States Marine Corps Reserve and President of A-G Associates and has an exceptional track record of helping clients achieve their goals. He and his colleagues provide training and curriculum development, program management, analysis, and organizational consulting services for government agencies and private sector clients. Since founding A-G Associates, Mr. Gonzalez has worked on contracts with both Civilian and Defense agencies. He serves as a representative to clients to identify problems and solutions, formulate strategic plans, and manage the process associated with Organizational Change.
