I Am MENtality

Founded in 2016, I AM MENtality’s mission is to enlighten the minds of male youth through mentoring, health and wellness and leadership development. Our Executive Director, Darren Rogers founded the organization after years of working in the education system and realizing there was a need for a more holistic approach to leadership and character development in the male youth in Baltimore. Darren, a native Baltimorean, grew up in an impoverished environment wrought with struggles both in his family and in his surrounding community. Through sports and coaching, he was able to receive valuable encouragement and mentorship which instilled strong leadership skills in him. With I AM MENtality, Darren aims to replicate these outcomes using a structured curriculum which allows young men in grade school to have the opportunity and resources to advance their skills and receive the personalized mentorship that they often do not get in the public education system. Our organization's methods are proven to shift the trajectory for male youth in Baltimore. Since our inception, we have developed programs that include components of workforce training, financial literacy, character development, health and wellness, effective communication, and professionalism. I AM MENtality has served over 1,200 youth and their families, increasing school retention and promotion rates, improving youth and their families' knowledge of healthy living, and sustained engagement by youth in community uplift efforts. We are committed to continuing to support Black youth and others in living into their leadership, getting college or career ready and more deeply investing in community wellbeing and collective care. Join us by supporting I AM MENtality for Give 828!