Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee (BBBSMT) celebrated the transformative power of mentorship at its annual fundraiser, The Big Breakfast, held Nov. 14, at the Music City Center. This year’s event saw a record-breaking 1,400 attendees, inspiring hope and opportunity for young people across Middle Tennessee.
“We are grateful for the community’s generosity and continued support we received during this year’s Breakfast,” said BBBSMT CEO Melissa Hudson-Gant. “The community’s commitment to our mission enables us to make a significant impact on the lives of young people throughout Middle Tennessee.”
Aligned with the event’s theme of ‘Inspiration for Generations,’ mentor-mentee pairs, with some connections dating back to 1988, reflected on how BBBSMT has profoundly shaped their lives. Gov. Bill Lee delivered remarks, emphasizing the vital role mentorship plays in shaping the future success of our children and its lasting impact on young people in Middle Tennessee.
“Government is not the answer to the greatest challenges we face. The people are,” Lee said. “Mentorship is one of the most powerful tools we possess to transform lives and communities, and Tennessee has been proud to partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee to create a positive generational impact for families and create greater opportunity for students.”
Building on this message of empowerment, BBBSMT announced the expansion of its College Advancement Program (CAP), which connects students with mentorship opportunities to support their academic, professional and personal goals. CAP was launched at Tennessee State University (TSU) in September and TSU interim Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Dr. Bridgett Golman spoke at the breakfast about the positive impact of CAP. BBBSMT announced a new partnership with Nashville State Community College (NSCC), and NSCC President Dr. Shanna L. Jackson spoke about the importance of mentorship.
“At Nashville State, we believe that every student deserves a supportive, high-quality education and the chance to build a meaningful future,” Jackson said. “Our partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee through the College Advancement Program allows us to deepen our commitment to student success by connecting students with mentors to help them succeed in their educational endeavors.”
BBBSMT invites the community to join its mission of mentorship and support for Middle Tennessee’s youth. To donate or learn more about how you can make a difference, visit <mentorakid.org>.
