Inspire Change
NFL Presents: Drafting Mentors for the Future
On April 4th, Inspire Change hosted a virtual event titled NFL Presents: Drafting Mentors for the Future, convening experts in education and mentoring and NFL players and Legends involved in mentorship on- and off-the-field for a conversation on what mentorship looks like in our changing world.
Speakers reflected on how the mentoring field has evolved to meet the needs of our young people amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the country's racial reckoning over the past two plus years. They underscored the tremendous impact mentors can have on young people by supporting their education and providing positive experiences that bolster their mental health and overall wellness. Speakers shared how mentorship can be more accessible through Everyday Mentoring, where everyone has a role to play, how that can help narrow the gap we have in supporting all young people, and how fans can join players to serve as mentors and support the work players are doing in their communities.
Commissioner Roger Goodell provided remarks on how mentorship has positively impacted his life for decades, and Anna Isaacson, SVP of Social Responsibility, reaffirmed the league's commitment to following the lead of players in advancing social justice and how mentorship cuts across all four pillars of Inspire Change.
Moderated by Kimmi Chex from NFL Network, the event featured Kelvin Beachum, Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman and champion of mentoring; Thomas Davis, NFL Legend, three-time Pro Bowler and 2014 Walter Payton Man of the Year; Colleen Fedor, Executive Director, The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania, a MENTOR Affiliate; and Artis Stevens, President and CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
For more information about mentoring and ways to get involved, please visit Brothers Big Sisters of America (www.bbbs.org) and MENTOR (www.mentoring.org).