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“What Big Brothers Big Sisters can do by matching people with different backgrounds…is to help people and children understand how to meet people where they are and respect them for who they are.” - Judge Robert L. Wilkins
Judge Robert L. Wilkins was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 2014. In his career, he has had an enormous impact on American Civil Rights law and also played a key role in the establishment of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Judge Wilkins is also a former Little Brother, matched with Big Brother David through BBBS of Greater Cincinnati. Check out the full video about their 45+ year friendship.
Judge Robert L. Wilkins was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 2014. In his career, he has had an enormous impact on American Civil Rights law and also played a key role in the establishment of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Judge Wilkins is also a former Little Brother, matched with Big Brother David through BBBS of Greater Cincinnati. Check out the full video about their 45+ year friendship.
Weren't able to attend The BIG Recruitment virtual event on June 16th? Watch the recording here.
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For October’s Match of the Month, we’re celebrating Big Sister Lisa Spaulding and her Little Brother Tay. They began their BBBS journey six years ago in the Site-Based program at St. Francis Seraph school, where Lisa would visit with Tay once a week during the school day. After three years they transferred to the Community Based program and enjoy activities outside of school. They enjoy playing basketball, going to the library, movies, and visiting the zoo.
Tay has been through a lot in his life and Lisa tells us, “The past two years have been especially challenging for many reasons, but Tay and I found ways to continue our relationship on a very regular basis. Sometimes a quick phone call, other times a 15 minute chat at the front door (even in winter, brrrr), we played chess outside using a Lego chess set that Tay put together, continued shooting hoops at Ziegler Park and more recently we've seen a few movies at the theater (one of our favorite things to do)! Two of the most rewarding activities we did this summer: We went to the pool and worked on Tay’s swimming skills and comfort level in water -- success! It’s something we're already planning to continue next summer.
Also, discovering the Cincinnati Friars Club, such a great organization. We enrolled Tay in their Summer Basketball program. Tay's confidence and basketball skills skyrocketed in 6 short weeks, and his team played in the semi-final game!
I'm very proud of the teenager that Tay has become and am looking forward to many more years of adventures with him.”
Lisa describes Tay as kind, considerate and curious, with a heart of gold and always thinking of others. She recalls walking into a theater and turning around to talk with Tay but he was gone. She looked up and saw him opening a door for another person. Lisa also loves how curious Tay is —he’s never afraid to ask questions—and is inspired by his desire to learn.
Tay lives with his Grandmother, who signed him up for the program so he could have extra support. She appreciates Lisa’s unwavering commitment to Tay and knows that having a her as his Big continues to have a positive, long-lasting, impact.
A final note from Lisa on her most recent adventure with Tay: “We were together recently for the much-anticipated WWE Monday Night Raw event that was his 14th birthday gift from me. He is SO totally into wrestling and he's been waiting for this night. When I dropped him at home afterward, I know he was pumped and will be talking about this for weeks! Also, please note HOW TALL Tay is and he's only 14!”
Our thanks to Lisa and Tay for being part of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati!
Tay has been through a lot in his life and Lisa tells us, “The past two years have been especially challenging for many reasons, but Tay and I found ways to continue our relationship on a very regular basis. Sometimes a quick phone call, other times a 15 minute chat at the front door (even in winter, brrrr), we played chess outside using a Lego chess set that Tay put together, continued shooting hoops at Ziegler Park and more recently we've seen a few movies at the theater (one of our favorite things to do)! Two of the most rewarding activities we did this summer: We went to the pool and worked on Tay’s swimming skills and comfort level in water -- success! It’s something we're already planning to continue next summer.
Also, discovering the Cincinnati Friars Club, such a great organization. We enrolled Tay in their Summer Basketball program. Tay's confidence and basketball skills skyrocketed in 6 short weeks, and his team played in the semi-final game!
I'm very proud of the teenager that Tay has become and am looking forward to many more years of adventures with him.”
Lisa describes Tay as kind, considerate and curious, with a heart of gold and always thinking of others. She recalls walking into a theater and turning around to talk with Tay but he was gone. She looked up and saw him opening a door for another person. Lisa also loves how curious Tay is —he’s never afraid to ask questions—and is inspired by his desire to learn.
Tay lives with his Grandmother, who signed him up for the program so he could have extra support. She appreciates Lisa’s unwavering commitment to Tay and knows that having a her as his Big continues to have a positive, long-lasting, impact.
A final note from Lisa on her most recent adventure with Tay: “We were together recently for the much-anticipated WWE Monday Night Raw event that was his 14th birthday gift from me. He is SO totally into wrestling and he's been waiting for this night. When I dropped him at home afterward, I know he was pumped and will be talking about this for weeks! Also, please note HOW TALL Tay is and he's only 14!”
Our thanks to Lisa and Tay for being part of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati!
It’s not enough to say we are committed to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We have to work intentionally and diligently to bring about change in our organization and our communities. To ignite the potential of all young people, we have to ensure all young people have the opportunity to have a strong mentoring relationship in their lives. We are actively working to promote justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion throughout our organization.
In 2016 Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) launched our LGBTQ Youth Mentoring Enhancement Initiative, funded by the Altria Group. This initiative was research-based, thoughtful, and deliberate. It was designed to ensure not just that LGBTQ youth and mentors would be accepted or tolerated within Big Brothers Big Sisters, but that they would be affirmed, understood, and celebrated. The initiative includes training opportunities, inclusive policies and procedures, and specific focus on anti-bullying, self-advocacy, and identity exploration.
In 2019, the National Football League Foundation selected Big Brothers Big Sisters as a recipient of their Social Justice Grant to grow programs that involved police officers as Bigs, could attract more male volunteers , or would help youth impacted by familial incarceration (Children with an Incarcerated Family Member). Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati is proud to be part of the NFL's Inspire Change campaign, with a commitment to social and racial justice and ensuring access to opportunity is available to everyone.
We are grateful to the Altria Group, NFL "Inspire Change" Foundation, Macy's and United Way for their grants of support for our work to support justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.
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