Blog

In honor of the holidays and the month of December, we asked a few of our Mentees who or what is a gift to us. Here is what a couple of them shared: “My mom is the greatest gift to me. Showing me strength and what not ever giving up looks like!” ~ BJ, Mentee “The…

This November, we are thankful for the individuals who have made a lasting impact on Black culture and the community, here in Seattle. Originally from San Francisco, CA, Roberto Jourdan was recruited to play Football for the University of Washington in Seattle, where his roots remain today. After retiring from firefighting, where he also led the Black…

To kick off the new school year of M.U.S.T. programming, Mentees, Mentors, and staff embarked on an overnight trip to the Red Barn Ranch hosted by the Buffalo Soldiers of Seattle. This end of summer retreat was a time for the M.U.S.T. community to celebrate their achievements and welcome new Mentees into the program. The…

With the new school upon us, we are highlighting a Black male in the M.U.S.T. program who represents both our history and our present. Previously a Mentee, Jermaine Hawkins graduated from high school in 2019. He continues to live in the Mount Baker neighborhood of Seattle and has come full circle with M.U.S.T., becoming a…

“M.U.S.T. has taught me so much and given me so many new experiences. It’s surrounded me with people who look like me and given me confidence in who I am.” ~ Loren Lewis, Mentee Graduate Work hard, play hard! In the three years since its inception, the Graduation Getaway has quickly become one of the…

As a close-knit chosen family, it is with great sadness that we write this section – saying goodbye to one of our own, way too soon. In the early afternoon of June 6th, 17-year-old M.U.S.T. Mentee Amarr Murphy-Paine was shot and killed while trying to break up a fight outside of his high school. Amarr…

Our Board members are vital as we look to the future growth of our organization. This month, we want to recognize one of our trusted Board Members – Robert Fulton II, who is an Attorney at Fulton Law PLLC. We are grateful for his time spent to lead Black males towards their continued liberation. Also a…

Our program could not be successful without the support and love of the Mentee’s families, especially the mothers and mother figures as we celebrate Mother’s Day in May! So this month, we are highlighting Ms. Emijah Smith, a mother of both an 11th grader and a 9th grader who are a part of the M.U.S.T.…

Creating opportunities for our Mentees and Mentors to experience the world in ways that challenge and inspire them is essential in guiding them on their path to liberation. Introducing M.U.S.T. Mentees and Mentors to places and activities that have historically been difficult — if not impossible for underserved Black males to access — help provide…

March is Women’s History Month, and one of our biggest champions and most essential collaborators is Ms. Porcia Beard, the Attendance Intervention & Success Coordinator at Garfield High School. Having worked closely with M.U.S.T. for approximately the past 6 years, she has been a powerhouse that continues to make M.U.S.T. successful in helping young Black…