By Kendra BryantAFRO Intern
Mentoring Male Teenagers within the Hood traveled to Washington, D.C., this month to tour two traditionally Black Faculties and Universities (HBCUs) together with historic monuments and museums.
“It bothers me that Washington, D.C. is so shut, however a lot of our younger males have by no means been to those websites,” mentioned founder and director of Mentoring Male Teenagers within the Hood, Cameron Miles. “For that cause, I felt it was necessary that we took this journey.”
For lots of the teenagers, the journey with this system was their first time touring ever or in fairly a while. Fifteen-year-old Ryan Thomas was a first-time traveler with this system.
“I haven’t been to D.C. in a very long time— since I used to be seven or 9,” mentioned Thomas. “I preferred it.”
Including journeys to this system’s itinerary isn’t only for enjoyable. The excursions function a instructing second for the kids.
“Through the journey, we went out to eat at eating places, so we may educate them about etiquette,” mentioned Miles. “We answered questions on what forks you employ and what to do together with your serviette. Do you ball it up and put it in your pocket whereas consuming? Or do you fold it out in your lap in order that it catches crumbs?”
The kids visited historic landmarks, together with the Nationwide Museum of African American Historical past and Tradition and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.
“I cherished the Black Historical past Museum,” mentioned Thomas. “It was good to see my historical past.”
The kids additionally traveled to the traditionally Black establishments of Bowie State College and Howard College.

“I consider that having the younger males in environments of upper studying could make them wish to go to school,” mentioned Miles. “I would like their minds to be like sponges and soak all of it up, to allow them to do nice issues. I don’t need them to be a statistic.”
Mentoring Male Teenagers within the Hood has toured a number of different universities, together with Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Duke, Syracuse, Columbia, Hampton College and extra.
“Though I’m hopeful that they’ll contemplate a chance at an HBCU…we don’t solely go to HBCUs as a result of I would like them to be uncovered to every kind of studying alternatives– together with predominantly White establishments (PWIs).”
A West Baltimore native, Miles began this system 29 years in the past after his time within the service. He was troubled by the disruptive habits amongst youngsters whereas working on the Division of Social Companies.

“I simply bear in mind seeing younger individuals coming out and in of the constructing, preventing, cursing, disrespecting employees and inflicting a number of disruption,” mentioned Miles.
He was later accepted for a mentoring program, working with 5 younger males and assembly each first and final Saturday at Coppin State College. This system now meets on the New Shiloh Household Life Middle Advanced.
“Mentors comparable to New Shiloh’s former and late pastor, Harold A. Carter, Sr., taught me rather a lot,” mentioned Miles. “Simply watching individuals, watching how they transfer, watching how they converse. You wish to emulate your self after people who find themselves movers and shakers and are simply doing constructive issues.”
With among the males being raised by a single mom, grandmother, or aunt, Miles serves as a mentor and father determine to the younger males and boys in his program.

“I like Mr. Miles, he’s very inspiring,” mentioned Thomas. “He cares.”
Mentoring Male Teenagers assists college students ages 8-18 in class work, second language instructing, social expertise. The mentors additionally attend native sporting occasions and subject journeys with their mentees.
“At first, I wasn’t excited to be in this system. I don’t actually like social issues,” mentioned Thomas. “However since being in this system, I’ve been extra social. It offers me a cause to go exterior. I really like the sphere journeys and my mates. It’s good to fulfill lots of people who may also help me with issues for later in life.”
Mentoring Male Teenagers within the Hood is internet hosting a summer season STEM program on the New Shiloh Baptist Church from July 7 to August 8. Functions are presently open to younger males ages 8-18.