On Saturday morning inIndianapolis, something powerful unfolds.
Young men arrive—some curious, some uncertain, some quietly carrying questions about who they are and who they might become. They are greeted not by lectures or expectations, but by community. They share breakfast. They talk. They listen. And slowly, week by week, they begin to see new possibilities for themselves.
This is the Team Mentoring Program led by The 100 Black Men of Indianapolis, an initiative designed not simply to support young people, but to help them build the foundation for their futures.
At its core, the program is structured, intentional, and deeply relational. Participants gather for four hours each Saturday during a 19-week session, engaging in one-on-one mentoring, life skills development, and hands-on enrichment activities such as coding, music, and team-based learning. The design ensures that students benefit not only from formal lessons but also from informal conversations, which often leave the most lasting impressions.
“Our format is very intentional and very strategic,” said Keli Reese, who helps oversee program implementation as the Manager of Programs for The 100. “But when you put that structure in the hands of people who truly care and stay connected to families, that’s when the impact becomes something more. That’s the part you can’t manufacture.”
This year, over 40 young men are enrolled in the program, which has a constant waiting list, reflecting both its impact and the demand for spaces where young Black boys can grow in community, confidence, and clarity.
Mentorship as Investment, Not Intervention
Unlike programs designed only for moments of crisis, The 100’s approach is grounded in growth. The program serves students from a wide range of family backgrounds, including two-parent and single-parent households and families actively seeking opportunities to strengthen their children’s leadership and life skills.
“It’s not about a deficit mindset,” Reese explained. “Families come because they want their sons to grow. They want them to have community, mentorship, and exposure. We’re coming alongside them, not replacing anything—they’re already building something strong.”
That philosophy has helped create a culture where students return year after year, developing deeper relationships with mentors and peers. It has also helped foster something less tangible but equally powerful: belonging.
Mentors don’t just teach lessons. They show up. They attend games. They ask about school. They remember names, interests, and dreams. Over time, that consistency builds trust.
A Commitment Measured in Time and Care
For mentors like Robert Hailey, that trust is the foundation of everything.
Hailey has spent nearly three decades mentoring young people through The 100, driven by a belief that mentorship can change the trajectory of a life—not through grand gestures, but through consistent presence.
“My passion is always to give back to our young people,” Hailey said. “They’re building their future every day. What we’re doing is helping them understand who they are today so they can see their options tomorrow.”
He often describes growth as building a wall, one brick at a time. Each lesson learned, each decision made, each conversation held contributes to the structure on which young men will one day stand.
“If you don’t deal with today, tomorrow won’t come the way you want,” he said. “Our job is to help clear the fog, give them tools, and help them see a vision for themselves.”
Mentorship, he emphasizes, is not complicated—but it does require intention.
“It’s a choice,” Hailey said. “It’s choosing to give your time and talent to help someone grow. Sometimes it’s just a few hours, but those hours can make a lifelong difference.”
The Power of Showing Up
That choice—to show up consistently—is what defines The 100 Black Men of Indianapolis.
Members pay annual dues not for recognition, but for the opportunity to serve. They volunteer their weekends, share their experiences, and create environments where young men can develop both practical skills and a sense of identity.
The program’s impact extends beyond individual participants. Families become connected. Mentors build lasting relationships. Young men who once entered quietly begin speaking with confidence about their goals, their future, and their place in the world.
And while outcomes may take years to fully reveal themselves, the transformation often begins sooner—in small but meaningful moments.
Sometimes, it’s a young man speaking up for the first time. Sometimes, it’s a student returning year after year. Sometimes, it’s simply the realization that someone believes in them.
A Foundation for Stories Still Unfolding
The Team Mentoring Program is not defined by a single success story. It is defined by hundreds of journeys—each unique, each still unfolding.
In the coming stories, you will meet some of the young men, mentors, and families who make this program what it is. You will hear firsthand how mentorship shapes confidence, creates opportunity, and builds futures.
But every story begins in the same place: A Saturday morning. A mentor who shows up. And a young person beginning to see what is possible.