The Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate (BRMA) program provides students of color in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area with mentoring, tutoring, advocacy, enrichment opportunities, and leadership training. BRMA students have high graduation and post-secondary enrollment rates. Mentors form long-lasting relationships with students and the program has received several awards for its community partnerships and innovation.

1. Kristen Smith, Mentor

2. BRMA provides students of color in the Chapel
Hill-Carrboro City Schools district with:
 One-on-one adult mentoring
 Tutoring and Advocacy
 Enrichment opportunities
 Leadership Training
 Scholarships for Post-Secondary Education

3. Statistics:
 97.5% of BRMA students have graduated from high school
 100% of our high school graduates have enrolled in post-secondary education.
 90% of our mentoring relationships last for 2 years or more
 60% of our graduates have had the same mentor from fourth grade through high
school graduation.
 Over 95% of our students, parents, and mentors rated BRMA as "excellent" or
"good" in a 2010 program evaluation.
Awards and Recognition:
• 2002 Governor's Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service
• 2004 American School Board Journal Magna Award for excellence in school district
community partnerships
• 2006 UNC APPLES Community Partner Excellence Award
• 2007 University/Community MLK, Jr. Planning Corporation, Inc. Bridge Builder
Award
• 2012 School Improvement Network Excellence in Innovation Award

4. My mentee and me

5.  All students have rights to good schools.
 Sometimes we have to step in and be an
advocate.
 I believe in the impact of one person.
Read more about why I mentor at TheWordFactory.com.

6.  Spend 2 hours per week, scheduling your own
times
 Make a 2 year commitment to mentoring
 Participate in BRMA screening and training in
March.
 Contact Granvel Johnson at 919-918-2170 or
www.BlueRibbonMentors.org.

7.  Youth Leadership Institute
◦ Lost 50% of its funding
◦ Affected by federal budget cuts
◦ Two private donors unable to sustain past levels of funding
 2013 Spring Break Service Trip
 Sponsor-A-Scholar

8. North Carolina Comedy Festival thru Feb. 17
10% of proceeds goes toward Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate

9. Visit blueribbonmentors.org
for more information.