When Crystal Meiller searched “mentoring programs for Black boys near me,” she wasn’t thinking about long-term outcomes or leadership pipelines. She was thinking about her son and ensuring he had the guidance she couldn’t provide.
Jaeden was in fourth grade, growing up during the isolation and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a single mother, Crystal knew her son needed more than academic support. He needed connection, accountability, and strong Black male role models who could help him understand the world he was growing up in.
That search led her to The 100 Black Men of Indianapolis’ Team Mentoring Program. Five years later, the impact is unmistakable.
Showing Up—and Growing Into Himself
What began as a weekly commitment soon became part of Jaeden’s routine. Team Mentoring sessions were held on Saturdays throughout the school year, bringing young men together with mentors who challenged them to listen, reflect, and grow.
“As a participant, you really have to be present,” Jaeden said. “Not just physically, but mentally. If you really pay attention to what they’re saying, it’s very helpful throughout your journey.”
Jaeden’s first sessions were held virtually during the pandemic, which made initial connection more difficult.
“It was hard to stay focused, especially being online,” he said. “But once I really started paying attention, I realized how much I was learning and how much it was helping me.”
Over time, something shifted. What initially felt like just another obligation became something he chose to invest in.
“I didn’t realize at first how much of an impact it would have on me,” Jaeden said. “I thought it was just something I did and maybe learned a little from. But over time, it really helped shape who I am.”
Building Communication, Confidence, and Character
The growth didn’t happen overnight. It showed up gradually in how Jaeden spoke, how he carried himself, and how he approached his responsibilities. Through weekly sessions, he developed communication skills that extended beyond the program.
“I’ve definitely learned a lot about communication,” Jaeden said. “That’s one of the main things they teach, how to communicate and work as a team.”
Crystal saw those lessons reflected in her son’s daily life.
“His character is one of the best things about him,” she said. “He does what he says he’s going to do. He’s where he’s supposed to be. Even in the friends he chooses, he’s thoughtful. I think mentoring helped shape that.”
That growth translated into academic discipline as well. Now a high school freshman, Jaeden maintains a nearly 4.0 GPA, which Crystal attributes not just to ability but also to mindset. His focus, his accountability, and his sense of responsibility had all strengthened.
Seeing What Was Possible
Beyond academics, Team Mentoring exposed Jaeden to new ideas, skills, and opportunities that broadened his view of his future.
Sessions introduced him to coding, technology, and emerging tools like artificial intelligence—experiences that helped him connect his longtime interest in marine biology with new interests in technology and coding. Mentors also created space for real conversations about life, leadership, and navigating challenges.
“They talk about real-life situations and how to handle them,” Jaeden said. “It gives you insight into what to do when you need help or face challenges.”
These conversations helped him build confidence in his natural abilities and in his voice. What began as something his mother encouraged became something he valued for himself.
The Power of Representation
For Crystal, one of the most meaningful aspects of the program was the presence of mentors who could offer her son perspectives she could not.
“As a white mother, I could talk to him about certain things, but I’ve never experienced them myself,” she said. “It was very important that he had mentors and role models in his life who could help him navigate those things in ways that I could not.”
Through those relationships, Jaeden gained more than advice. He gained perspective, trust, and connection.
Mentors like Mr. Hailey and Mr. Kinchen became consistent figures in his life, people who saw his potential and invested in his growth.
“I’ve built a personal bond with them,” Jaeden said. “They’ve impacted me a lot.”
Impact Beyond the Individual
The impact of Team Mentoring extended beyond Jaeden himself. It created opportunities that Crystal could not have provided alone, through travel experiences, leadership exposure, and financial literacy programs that helped him think differently about his future.
“He’s had so many opportunities because of The 100 that I would have never been able to give him,” she said.
Mentors also supported Crystal directly during difficult seasons, checking in and offering encouragement when she needed it most.
“They really pour into the families as well,” she said. “They don’t just care about the mentees. They care about all of us.”
That level of care transformed what could have been a simple program into something deeper: a community.
A Future Shaped by Mentorship
Today, Jaeden is no longer the fourth grader logging into virtual sessions, unsure of what to expect. He is a focused student, a strong communicator, and a young man with a clear sense of possibility. Mentorship didn’t just give him skills. It helped shape his identity, his confidence, and his vision for his future.
For Crystal, the decision to enroll her son in Team Mentoring remains one of the most important choices she’s made.
“It’s worth the commitment,” she said. “The opportunities, the character building, the relationships—it’s worth everything.”
Building the Next Generation of Leaders
The 100 Black Men of Indianapolis’ Team Mentoring Program continues to shape young men like Jaeden by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom.
Through consistent investment, mentors help young people develop the skills, confidence, and character they need to lead in their schools, careers, and communities.
Because mentorship doesn’t just change one life.
It changes the trajectory of generations. Get started now.