Mentor Role Models
Being willing to take the time to get to know the participants in the program. Willing to learn new things that are important to the young person and willing to evolve and grow from the experience.
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Meet The
Reverend Kenny Irby
Reverend Irby is an Outreach minister to senior citizens and youth across Pinellas County. A devoted husband and father, as well as a vetted, world travelled Teacher and Journalist. Kenny is the Founder of Men In the Making and a driving force behind our mentoring, coaching, and teaching efforts. Reverend Irby is the President of Men In The Making.
Chief Luke Williams
Chief Williams is a 30 year veteran of the St Petersburg Police Department and is now in charge of the Pinellas County Schools Police Department. He is a devoted husband and father who finds time to serve on the board of the Pinellas County Urban League and continually fosters a deep connection with members of this community.
Pastor Clarence Williams
Pastor Williams is the Senior Pastor of the Greater Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in St Petersburg. He is a Board Member for the Community Health Centers of Pinellas County, a life member of the NAACP, as well as a father of two daughters and husband to his wonderful wife who partners with him in the ministry.
Retired Deputy John Patrick
A member of the first graduating class of Pinellas Park High School, Deputy Patrick both ran track and played football. Deputy Patrick was appointed by Sheriff Bob Gualtieri to be the first Community Outreach Liaison for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. He is an ordained Deacon as well as a husband and father who finds time to reach out to our youth.
Lendel Bright
Bright is the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) & Diversity Coordinator for the City of St Petersburg. He oversees the Civilian Police Review Committee (CPRC) and the Committee to Advocate for Persons with Impairments (CAPI). “I became a role model to make a positive investment in our youth to get a positive return for their future”
Major Matthew Furse
Major Furse is a native of St Petersburg and graduated from Boca Ciega High School. He is currently serving his community as the Major over the SPPD Major Crimes Unit. He is husband, father, and is currently enrolled in the Doctoral program at Northcentral University. With so much on his plate he makes mentoring a priority. “I want to ensure that I am leaving a positive impact on my community”.
Assistant Chief Antonio Gilliam
A husband and father, Antonio Gilliam is a graduate of Florida State University and a long time resident of St Petersburg. He is the Assistant Chief of the Administrative Services Bureau of the St Petersburg Police Department and believes we should all “step up” as role models for our children. “Investing in today’s youth is the only way to guarantee tomorrow’s future”
Shakir Miller
A father and philanthropist, Shakir Miller is a Florida native who’s worked in public service professionally and personally for over two decades. “Enriching kids will literally allow you to leave the world in a better way than you found it”.
Erik Smith
Smith is currently the Cultural Competence and Inclusion Director at Cox Target Media. He has a Masters in Business Administration from Case Western Reserve University and a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University. He has over 25 years of experience as a corporate finance and marketing professional. Erik is also the Managing Consultant and CEO Carlton Consulting, Inc., a cultural competence and marketing advisory firm. He is the Executive Director of The Jeff Johnson Institute for Urban Development whose focus is to train the young urban professionals for leadership. Smith’s non-profit experience began at sixteen as an artist in residence for a small arts-in-education organization in Connecticut.
Major Adrian Arnold
Adrian Arnold is a Captain for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. Captain Arnold is a married father of two beautiful daughters. In his spare time he also coaches high school football. “I would like to help all young people learn about making the right choices in life”
Becoming A Mentor
There are several ways you can help inspire change within a child life. With Men In The Making there are three tiers of involvement that would support our cause:
As a SPEAKER
Joining one of our sessions as a speaker and sharing your knowledge and experience is a wonderful way to convey your interest in building strong foundations for the futures of our youth
*or*
As a “VOLUNTEER”
Going a step further and providing support services and a little of your time to help expand our mission.
*or*
As a MENTOR ROLE MODEL
Committing to becoming a mentor role model within Men In The Making is a commitment not only to the kids within the program, but to yourself. We expect a high level of personal integrity and resolve within anyone who decides to join our ranks. The safety, protection, and uplifting environment of our sessions is sacred to us and will only be joined by individuals deemed to have the kids best interest at heart. Anyone applying to become a mentor role model will have to complete the following steps along the path of receiving formal invocation into Men In The Making. This is a quick and streamlined process and relies upon you providing your information in a timely manner.
- Complete The Application For Mentor Role Model
- Provide a short written articulation (one page at the most) outlining why you want to become a mentor role model.
- Background Check – anyone associating with any kids within this program are subject to a background check which will be conducted following our receiving your completed “Application for Mentor Role Model”
- Provide a letter of recommendation from an upstanding member of the community or a current mentor role model within Men In The Making.
- Lastly, a panel interview will be held with the Men In The Making nominating committee
Questions?… Email us at mentor@meninthemaking.org