CHAPTER 4: The Disruption of Mentoring For Black Youth During Covid-19: No One To Turn To

The 2020−2021 school year was a heavy storm that poured and poured, and however the raindrops of trouble continue to drizzle around us, there is a clearing in the distance. Meanwhile, educational leaders are looking for and finding ways to repair and prepare their students, both intellectually and emotionally, for now and the future. Understanding the effectiveness of mentoring, especially for Black male youth, is necessary for their overall academic, mental, social, emotional, personal, and professional development and growth. By providing appropriate school-based mentoring programs—such as college and career readiness—schools can create alternate narratives for how Black male youth are rationalized through the lens of White social norms. More so, community organizations, churches, and nonprofit organizations can assist and support Black communities and Black male youth by addressing some of the school-related issues such as problem behaviors, social and personal well-being, and self-esteem that could impact academic achievement and success. Therefore, mentoring—regardless of the type of mentoring (e.g., individual, peer, group) —is pivotal for the positive development and growth of today’s Black male youth to disrupt life inconsistencies that they may experience due to circumstances beyond their control—such as COVID-19.