GAME CHANGERS

BBSA and BBBSSEM are proud to announce Game Changers, a new influencer initiative that unites the collective power of prominent leaders and changemakers to help tackle key issues impacting youth today. Through Big Brothers Big Sisters, Game Changers will rally these influential voices and local ones with one purpose: to elevate mentoring in our country and inspire game-changing experiences for young people who need to see and experience mentors like them. The vision is to expand Game Changers to future groups or cohorts of leaders from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to reflect the many inspiring stories and journeys of the young people across our country and our region who need positive mentorship.

This first group of Game Changers includes:

• Makola M. Abdullah, Ph.D., President of Virginia State University, BBBSA Board Member
• Kelvin Beachum, Offensive Tackle, Arizona Cardinals
• Aloe Blacc, Singer, Songwriter, Philanthropist
• Wayne Brady, Emmy Award-winning Actor, Producer, TV Personality, Alumni Big
• Kelvin Buncum, Executive Vice President, Neighborhood Markets, Walmart U.S.
• Nate Burleson, Co-Host, CBS Mornings
• Sway Calloway, Sway in the Morning with Heather B & Tracy G
• Tony Coles, President, Black Information Network, iHeartMedia, BBBSA Board Member
• “GRIFF”, Comedian, Motivational Speaker, Co-Host of Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell
• Daymond John, CEO & Founder of FUBU and star of ABC’s Shark Tank
• Solomon Thomas, Defensive Tackle, New York Jets
• Rachaad White, Running Back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Alumni Little
• Terrance Williams, President and CEO, TruStage

This inaugural group of Game Changers will focus on elevating the role, needs, and opportunities for Black men in our mission.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Michigan is also working within our region (Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Washtenaw counties) to recruit diverse volunteers from a variety of backgrounds including BIPOC individuals. We have over 180 Littles on our waitlist–74% are males and 78% of them are African American. In addition, 86% of female waitlist Littles are African American and we also have Hispanic, Native American, and Pacific Islander male and female Littles on our waitlist.

BBBSSEM is pleased to be developing partnerships and relationships with local chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha, Black Family Development, Clark Park Coalition, Code 313, and the City of Detroit Parks & Recreation Department, but we are looking to connect with many other organizations! If you are from any of the organizations listed below and/or others and feel you can help us to make connections, we would love to hear from you! 

• Detroit Hispanic Development Corp
• Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Mexican Town CDC
• Casa Latina 
• Chadsey-Condon Community Corp
• Macomb Hispanic and International Services
• ProsperUS Detroit
• Southwest Detroit Business Association

Please reach out to Joseph at josephy@bbbssoutheastmi.org, if you are interested in connecting with us, in volunteering and becoming part of our Big Neighbors Program, being part of our volunteer virtual tutoring program