We Are
“Employing Today. Empowering Tomorrow.”
Founder’s Purpose
My name is Mel Kelly
I founded Black to The Future to interrupt cycles of limitation and replace them with opportunity. This program was created to guide youth away from paths that lead to instability and toward futures built on skill, confidence and purpose.
Through mentorship, skill development, and real-world career exposure, Black to The Future helps participants build confidence, develop workforce readiness and income earning skills, and discover their potential. The program provides structure, purpose, and a clear vision forward empowering youth to make choices rooted in self-worth, stability, and long-term success.
Who We Are
Black To The Future is a summer mentorship and workforce readiness program designed to expose youth to career pathways, skill development, and personal growth opportunities that support long-term success.
OUR MISSION
To empower underserved Black youth in Hattiesburg, MS, by providing career exploration, and skill development through partnerships with community-focused businesses, creating pathways away from destructive choices and toward meaningful futures.
OUR VISION
A future where every young person in our community has the opportunity, support, and resources to build a prosperous and purposeful life, starting with their first job.
WHY THIS PROGRAM MATTERS
Many underserved youth face:
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High exposure to violence
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Idle summers
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Lack of constructive environments
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Limited access to professional networks
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Generational poverty
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A shortage of safe, supervised activities
Mentorship & Support
Throughout the summer, youth participate in:
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Weekly check-ins
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Group mentorship circles
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Field trips to major employers
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Guest speaker series
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Resume and interview workshops
By the end of the program, they receive:
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A professional reference
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A certificate of completion
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An updated resume
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A sense of pride, responsibility, and purpose
TARGET POPULATION
Black youth (ages 14–17, up to 18) from Hattiesburg’s underserved communities, especially:
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Youth with limited access to transportation
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Youth from low-income households
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First-time job seekers
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Students at risk of disengagement
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Teens needing positive summer environments
Partners
