WELCOME TO THE ENLIGHTENED MENTOR PROJECT
The Enlightened Mentor Project (aka “TEM) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that empowers Black teenagers and young adults through mentoring and academic achievement. We rely heavily on donations from individuals and like-hearted organizations to enable the life-changing programs and services we offer. Please click the ‘Donate Now’ button to provide your generous donation today, and by doing so, help us empower a young man’s life!
Our Mission
The Enlightened Mentor Project serves to empower Black male youths ages 12-23 (a.k.a. “Champions”) to overcome the environmental and societal risk factors that limit their potential, and help them achieve academic success, develop critical life skills, and pursue appropriate education, career, and life development. We empower them to pursue extraordinary outcomes and realize their dreams thru the provision of educational, career, athletic, and life resources that are otherwise unavailable to them.
Our mentees (aka “Champions”) are Black youth and young adults ages 12 – 23 living in the greater LA area. They are generally subjected to suboptimal conditions such as violence, drug use, gang activity, low income/poverty, broken homes, foster care, and other socio-economic risk factors—all of which influence them to fall short of their potential. Our goal is to change the narratives our Champions hear, and instead, provide them with encouragement and enlightenment that empower them to maximize their full potential.
Our Audience
OUR APPROACH
To achieve our mission, we deliver a thoughtful and deliberate blend of mentorship, academic empowerment, and life skills development that prepare our Champions to take control of their life, pursue excellence, and realize extraordinary life outcomes.
One of the greatest values of MENTORS is the ability to see ahead what others cannot see and help them navigate a course to their destination.
LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS
We provide our Champions with a unique combination of life skills training and sports storytelling designed to help them find their purpose, improve access to opportunity and education, and instill the confidence they need to achieve greatness. Our life skills workshops are typically delivered cohort-style and intended to promote brotherhood among our Champions.
ACADEMIC & COLLEGE PREPARATION
We provide academic tutoring services for our Champions aimed at improving their overall academic capability and performance. Additionally, we provide college preparation services—including SAT/ACT prep and college tours—designed to help our Champions select, enroll, and attend the best possible colleges and universities.
MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS
We provide 1-on-1 and group mentoring designed to provide our Champions with the guidance, direction, wisdom, knowledge, and skills they need to matriculate into strong and responsible manhood.
Our programming is designed to help our Champions: (1) Establish & maintain overall health & well-being; (2) Achieve superior academic performance and establish a path to college; (3) Achieve gainful employment; (4) Establish the ability to live & thrive independently; and (5) Establish and maintain healthy relationships.
"Quote of the Week"
This powerful quote by abolitionist and social reformer Frederick Douglass speaks to the importance of investing in the healthy development of children—emotionally, mentally, and morally—before damage occurs. Douglass is saying that when we nurture children with love, education, values, and stability, we help them grow into strong, self-aware, and resilient adults. On the other hand, once someone becomes “broken” due to trauma, neglect, or lack of guidance, it takes far more effort—emotionally, psychologically, and societally—to help them heal or change. The message is both a call to action and a warning: preventing harm is easier and more effective than trying to reverse it later. It underscores the value of early intervention, good parenting, quality education, and supportive communities in shaping strong individuals—and by extension, a stronger society.
TEM Program Spotlight
BLACK COLLEGE EXPO 2025
On February 1, 2025 we attended the Black College Expo at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. We took 13 college-ready Champions prepared with their HS transcripts, personal essays, letters of recommendations, and brag sheets. Our Champion met with admissions counselors from the variety of the participating HBCU's to share their academic portfolios and convey their worthiness for college. As a result, our Champions collected 21 on-the-spot acceptances and several more conditional acceptances. Two of our Champions received acceptances with full-ride scholarships! It was a great day for our Champions in their quest to goto college--only made possible by our partners at NCRF!
MENTAL HEALTH WORKSHOPS
During May 2025, we delivered our Mental Health Awareness workshops for our Champions aimed at helping them develop an awareness of the factors that define their mental and emotional wellness and provide them with the skills and attitudes necessary to successfully manage their stress and ensure their emotional healthiness. Our workshops gave our Champions a safe space to examine their respective emotional and mental health as well as a group forum with their peers to share ideas and learn together. Our workshops were powered by our partners at Blended Roots Therapy.
4th ANNUAL AWARDS GALA
On June 1, 2025, TEM held its 4th Annual Champions awards gala. This year's event was held again at the Marina Del Rey Marriott Bayview ballroom. With more than 225 people in attendance, we celebrated our Champions, their families, and the work we do in grand fashion! Mr Guy Black from KJLHRadio was our Master of Ceremony once again and Inglewood's own the Honorable George A. Turner, Jr delivered an inspiring keynote address that our Champions and guests won't soon forget! Check back soon for more highlights from this amazing event!
TEM SUMMER COOK-OFF
Get ready to fire up your summer spirit at the TEM 3rd Annual Champion Summer Cook-Off! Happening Saturday, July 12th, 2025, from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM at 1437 Centinela Ave, Inglewood, CA, this sizzling event promises a day full of cooking, friendly competition, and exciting games for all ages. Our Champions' culinary skills will be on full display! Don’t miss out on the food, fun, and festivities—bring the whole crew and join us for a celebration you won’t forget!
TEM Upcoming Calendar
Ready to Join Our Team?
If you would like to receive Mentorship, please click the ‘I Want to be Mentored’ button to fill out our CHAMPION Interest Form.
If you would like to be a MENTOR on our team, please click the ‘I Want to be a MENTOR’ button to fill out our MENTOR Interest Form.
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