Champions of Mentoring Awards

Learn more about how YMC celebrates the outstanding efforts of individuals and organizations dedicated to empowering young people and advancing the youth mentoring sector across the Carolinas.

2025 Champions of Mentoring Reception & Awards Celebration

January 21, 2025 | 6:30pm - 8:00pm

North Carolina Executive Mansion | Invitation-Only

Champions of Mentoring Awards Process

The Champions of Mentoring Reception and Awards is an annual celebration hosted by Youth Mentoring Collaborative in January during National Mentoring Month to recognize outstanding leadership and commitment to supporting youth through mentoring relationships.

Presented in four categories, Lifetime Achievement, Mentor of the Year, Impactful Philanthropy, and Public Advocate, the awards honor champions of mentoring that have elevated the importance of high-quality youth mentoring relationships.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Champions chosen for this award have demonstrated leadership by dedicating their life’s work to supporting youth through mentoring.
Mentor of the Year (3 finalists selected): Champions chosen for this award have demonstrated unwavering dedication to the mentoring movement through their active participation in mentoring programs and initiatives.
Impactful Philanthropy Award: This award recognizes foundations, grantmakers, and philanthropists that have significantly impacted young people by investing time and funds to build mentoring programs' capacity.
Public Advocate Award: This award recognizes elected officials and organizations for their unwavering dedication to the mentoring movement. Champions chosen for this award have demonstrated leadership by using their public platform or organization’s work to advocate for high-quality mentoring opportunities.

The 2025 Champions of Mentoring Awards Nomination Process is closed.

2024 Honorees

Lifetime Achievement Award

Rev. Dr. Warren L. Herndon

Durham Business and Professional Chain

Mentor of the Year Award

Jack Culotta (winner)

Beth Shanklin and Leon Jackson (finalists)

Impactful Philanthropy Award

Sue Mahony and John Bamforth

Ciara Arts and Science Foundation

Public Advocate Award

Representative Zack Hawkins (State)

Dr. Monique Holsey-Hyman (Local)

Nominate a Champion of Mentoring

Nominations for the 2025 Champions of Mentoring Awards will be open from November 2025 to January 2026.

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Advocate

Youth Mentoring Collaborative works with mentoring programs to advocate for mentoring on the local, state, and national levels. Learn more about ways you can help advocate for mentoring in the Carolinas.

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Become a Mentor

Mentoring relationships are a shared opportunity for learning and growth. Learn about the skills and mindsets needed to be an effective mentor.

Get the Resource

RESOURCE LIBRARY

Our curated resource library is a collection of best practices for youth mentoring programs, including guides, toolkits, and other evidence-based practices that support high-quality mentoring.

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