Robert was matched with his Big, Brady, in 1993. He now works in the Diversity, Health Equity & Inclusion department at Children’s Hospital Colorado where he connects with young people, meeting them wherever they are, just like Brady did for him. At the 2022 Big Little Gala, Robert spoke on the long-term impact that his Big had on him and his career. He also received BBBSC’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) award.
Robert’s Story:
My Big Brother kept me out of prison. That is a phrase I said dozens of times to all kinds of populations willing to hear my story. And, like most current and former angry Black teens, being imposed upon by the “high risk” behaviors that come from being in a divorced family, experiencing poverty, violence, drugs and gang in my neighborhood, my Big Brother wasn’t the only factor that allows me to boast a relatively clean criminal record, but he certainly is a major factor in telling my story of success, and I try to make sure everyone who will listen, know that BBBSC is a blessing to all those who are privileged enough to get connected.
There’s no extravagance in my struggled adolescence. The strangest thing that happened after I had already “lost” my 10th birthday celebration due to a lack of respect and rules at home, was that my mom sought out an organization to send a blonde-haired, brown eyed White guy to my home, who (I thought she thought) was supposed to be the answer to my anger in and discontent with my life.
When Brady Reed showed up to my house, he was smiling, excited and enthusiastic about meeting me. I, on the other hand could not understand why this man, who was too young to have kids, too happy to have lost his dad, and too White to live anywhere near my neighborhood. Still, there he was, in my living room, describing what he likes to do, desperately trying to learn about me, and the rest of that day really is a blur.
What I remember most about my relationship with Brady, and what I talk the most about, is, no matter what trouble I was in, had caused, or was accused of – Brady came to my house every month, and took me out to do something.
He always said, in some fashion, that he believed in me, and my ability to be better than I was, and that he would be there to help me get there. He would always tell me these things, no matter how badly he heard I messed up at home. Brady’s opinion on things, and approach to life grew on me. So much so, even as he moved away (US Army), we stayed in contact. I still needed to hear from him, the confirmation of our relationship even though we weren’t still “matched”. And Brady did not falter.
He advised me about how to be a father, even though I was still a teen. We talked about who he would vote for when Obama was running. I even asked for advice before proposing to the mother of my child.
To this day, we are still connected, and my line of work is all about connecting with young people, meeting them wherever they are, and being as committed a positive fixture of their lives as I can be, even though I have two children of my own. I am a huge supporter of BBBSC, and other programs that provide mentors and other adult-youth experiences because I am a product of what happens when a caring adult provides a positive relationship over time. BBBS matches are designed for that purpose.
Watch Robert and other Alumni speak on the long-term impact BBBSC had on their life.