“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.

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.