Big Brothers Big Sisters Kicks Off Annual Barbershop Recruitment Challenge In DFW

Online, September 17, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Big Brothers Big Sisters is partnering with local barbershops and several African-American fraternities and sororities on Saturday, September 22 from 9am to 1pm to encourage men to make a powerful difference in the lives of children in their community by becoming a mentor. Throughout the day, barbershops across North Texas will play host to the 'Grooming Men of the Future' barbershop recruitment challenge, and members of Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi and Omega Psi Phi will encourage patrons to become mentors.

"We have a disproportionate number of African-American boys waiting for mentors - men that can promote positive values and goals," says Roderick Miles Jr., African-American Partnership Manager for Big Brothers Big Sisters. "We need black men to step up now, and our partnership with area barbershops and local fraternal organizations to spread the message is an unprecedented step in that direction."

Currently, African-American males make up 10% of all active mentors in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program locally, while 37% of all the kids that are currently waiting for a mentor are African-American boys.

Grooming Men of the Future began in 2005 at three DFW barbershops. That year 10 men stepped up to mentor boys in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. On September 22 from 9am to 1pm the organization has the goal of identifying at least 100 men to serve as mentors.

Participating barbershops include Tye's Barber & Beauty Salon in Plano, Natural Edges in Lewisville, Unique Techniques in Garland, Freeloaders Barber & Salon in Desoto, ITS Beauty Academy in Denton, Kutinfed Barbershop in Dallas, Perfections by Keith in Irving, Kay's Barbershop in Fort Worth, Big Mike's Barbershop in Fort Worth, Chop Shop Barbershop in Fort Worth, Faded Blue Lounge Barbershop of Choice in Fort Worth, and J Kinlow Hair & Body Lab in Arlington.