Posts - Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

The partnership emphasizes how mentorship and outdoor equity can unlock curiosity, aspiration, and empowerment for young individuals

ROCKFORD, Mich. – Dec. 2, 2024 – Merrell®, the world’s leading hike and outdoor footwear brand, announced it has collaborated on an exclusive design of the brand’s modern and innovative Moab Speed 2 in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA). The partnership supports the crucial need for mentorship and further promotes their shared mission to build confidence, ignite passion for nature, and inspire the journey to our full potential.

The limited-edition hiker was designed and inspired by a Merrell team member who is a volunteer “Big” – or mentor – with Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) – infusing the color and spirit of the organization into the shoe. The duo’s mindful design resulted in a playful green and black colorway, along with the program’s namesake across the heel.

“In our fourth year of partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, we aimed to create a truly unique product ‘Bigs’ and ‘Littles’ can wear together as they spend time outside together,” said Merrell Chief Marketing Officer Pallav Tamaskar. “Mentorship is crucial for empowering and building the confidence of young people, and our collaboration showcases its profound influence.”

Access and equity in the outdoors play a crucial role in building the foundations of a healthier and happier lifestyle. Ninety percent of “Littles” participating in the BBBS program have reported feeling healthier and happier when surrounded by nature, and 79% reported a boost in self-confidence.

“The ‘It Takes Little to Be Big’ campaign redefines what it means to be a mentor and create lasting impact by being present and taking part in each other’s lives, such as experiencing every day outdoor experiences together,” said BBBSA Chief Marketing Officer Adam Vasallo. “This collaboration reinforces the power that mentorship has to unify and inspire us to make a difference in the lives of young people.”

Launching Dec. 2, the unisex Moab Speed 2 will retail for $140 and will be available to purchase online at Merrell.com. The Moab Speed 2 is the latest innovation in hiking from Merrell – inspired by insights from athletic hikers around the world. It is designed to provide exceptional traction for outdoor multi-sport activities and has long-lasting, lightweight comfort.

In 2023, Merrell released a public service announcement in partnership with BBBSA to address the critical need for mentorship and inspire volunteer sign-ups nationwide. The biggest hurdles of potential mentors are the perceived time and expertise required – inspiring the “It Takes Little to Be Big” campaign and Merrell’s public service announcement. Merrell has also created initiatives such as the Kids Shoe Design Contests and in-kind engagements for Littles.

The goal of BBBSA and Merrell’s partnership is to join forces to harness the power of being outside and providing access to more youth. Merrell will donate $10 for each pair of shoes sold to further support Big Brothers Big Sisters.

For more information on Merrell, please visit Merrell.com. For more information on Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, visit BBBS.org or to become a volunteer today.

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ABOUT MERRELL:

Merrell exists to share the simple power of being outside and is committed to building an inclusive and sustainable environment for future generations to enjoy. As the global leader in outdoor active footwear with the Moab hiking boot and Jungle Moc, Merrell is focused on merging performance, styling, and comfort to empower all people to confidently explore the outdoors. The brand was recently named Footwear News’ 2022 Brand of the Year for promoting a more diverse vision of the outdoors. Visit Merrell.com or follow us on social @Merrell. Merrell is a division of Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (NYSE: WWW), one of the world’s leading marketers and licensors of branded casual, active lifestyle, work, outdoor sport, athletic, children’s and uniform footwear and apparel.

ABOUT BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF AMERICA:

Founded in 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters is the largest and most experienced youth mentoring organization in the United States. Our mission is to create and support mentoring relationships that help all young people reach their potential. Big Brothers Big Sisters’ evidence-based approach is designed to foster positive outcomes from kindergarten into adulthood, enabling every young person we engage and support to dream bigger and have greater confidence, higher educational achievement, professional success, and lasting, fulfilling relationships. We have more than 230 local affiliated agencies serving over 5,000 communities across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit: www.bbbs.org.

In a partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA), NBCUniversal aims to foster life-changing relationships for young people. In honor of Wicked’s themes of mentorship and personal growth, BBBSA launched the Wicked Kindness Challenge on November 13, World Kindness Day, inviting “Littles” to complete a digital kindness curriculum inspired by Wicked. After completing the challenge, they were encouraged to share their experiences on social media, with exciting Wicked prizes awaiting some lucky participants.

Adding an unforgettable experience, a Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles “Little” named Jamie attended the Wicked press junket on November 8. NBC News National Correspondent Jacob Soboroff mentored Jamie, an aspiring journalist, as her “Big For a Day,” taking her along to see what the making of the movie looked like behind the scenes. Jamie then took the spotlight, interviewing Wicked cast members Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Jonathan Bailey, and director Jon M. Chu. Jamie’s remarkable opportunity reflects NBCUniversal’s commitment to mentorship, as she learns directly from professionals in her dream field.

Soboroff has a long history with BBBS – his father is in their Hall Of Fame after serving as a Big for 50+ years, and Jacob ran the New York City Marathon on November 3 in support of the organization.

“We’re excited to partner with Universal Pictures and the cast of Wicked to create unique career exposure opportunities for our young people and amplify the power of kindness, which is central to our mission at Big Brothers Big Sisters. The story of Wicked beautifully illustrates the transformative power of compassion, friendship, and community—all values at the heart of our mission. Through our Wicked Kindness Challenge, we hope to empower young people across the country to find little ways to demonstrate kindness as a daily practice, strengthening their own lives and the lives of those around them.”

— Artis Stevens, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

Read full NBCUniversal blog post.

#Big News

In partnership with NBCUniversal and inspired by the Wicked film, the Wicked Kindness Challenge explores what kindness really means— starting with yourself and extending to your friends, community, and society.

In this interactive three-lesson challenge, discover how small acts of kindness can spread joy and make a difference. Each day brings fun storylines, music, and visuals to guide you through inspiring lessons and challenges. Complete all three, and you’ll have a chance to win Wicked prizes and become a Wicked Kindness Champion!

#Big News

Macy’s ongoing partnership and give back campaign with Big Brothers Big Sisters provides mentorship experiences to create paths for future success for young people

NEW YORK, NY – October 29, 2024 – This holiday season, Macy’s furthers its commitment to youth empowerment through its ongoing partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) as part of the brand’s social purpose platform, Mission Every One. From November 1 through December 24, Macy’s will host a special in-store round up and online donation give back campaign to benefit BBBS’ mission of empowering young people through the power of mentorship to build paths for future success. Additionally, Macy’s customers will have the opportunity to shop an exclusive collection of holiday-themed products styled with original drawings by mentees in the BBBS program (Littles). Through December 31, 2024, 50% of the purchase price of the BBBS-designed teddy bear and mug will benefit the organization to help create life-changing mentorship experiences for young people.

“Since 2022, Macy’s has helped raise nearly $10 million to support BBBS’ mission to empower youth and realize their full potential by providing impactful programming and life-changing mentorship opportunities,” said Bobby Amirshahi, Macy’s, Inc. SVP and head of corporate communications and public affairs. “Our social purpose platform, Mission Every One, comes to life with leading nonprofit organization partnerships, like BBBS, to provide life-changing mentorship opportunities for young people to confidently pursue their interests and passions and grow into the next generation of leaders. As we celebrate our third year of partnership with BBBS, our colleagues and customers remain committed to empowering and uplifting the next generation by rallying behind our campaign.”

“Our Big Brothers Big Sisters network is energized and excited to partner with Macy’s once again during the holiday season,” said Artis Stevens, President and CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. “The meaningful experiences of positive mentorship that we’ve been able to offer through this partnership – and to all those who benefit from it – creates transformational impact for young people. We look forward to our continued collaboration to empower youth through mentorship across the country.”

To bring the partnership to life, Macy’s stores nationwide will host localized events for Bigs (mentors) and Littles (mentees). Macy’s Little Holiday events will create opportunities for youth empowerment by helping BBBS local agencies kick-off the holiday season in style with a reception and shopping spree, complete with gift cards for Littles and Bigs to pick out gifts on their list. Nearly $120,000 in gift cards will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters for Bigs & Littles during these events. Additionally this year, the character Macy’s Gift Guide and her Mentee, will help Macy’s customers create magical moments throughout the season and find the perfect gift for friends and family.

This November, BBBS with select Bigs and Littles, will make a return appearance in the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Macy’s Winter Wonderland in Central Park float will host 20 Bigs and Littles – who were selected from a nationwide talent search – along with Macy’s colleagues as they take center stage. The float, featuring a holiday classic, will travel through New York City on Thanksgiving morning to spread joy and cheer to live spectators and viewers nationwide during the event’s 98^th edition.

Macy’s partnership with BBBS will also extend into its iconic Herald Square flagship and select location’s windows nationwide this holiday season. Bigs and Littles from across the country have been invited to decorate paper ornaments that will decorate “Give Love. Give Back.” windows beginning November 21. The festive displays will also showcase the Little designed product collection and can be enjoyed at select Macy’s locations through the new year.

For more information, please visit macys.com/purpose. Join the conversation on social by tagging @macys and @bbbsamerica.

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About Macy’s

Macy’s, the largest retail brand of Macy’s, Inc. (NYSE: M), serves as the style source for generations of customers. With one of the nation’s largest e-commerce platforms powered by macys.com and mobile app, paired with a nationwide network of stores, Macy’s delivers the most convenient and seamless shopping experience, offering great values in apparel, home, beauty, accessories and more. Macy’s gives customers even more ways to shop and own their style through an off-price assortment at Macy’s Backstage and at our highly curated Macy’s small format stores. Each year, Macy’s provides millions with unforgettable experiences through Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® and helps our customers celebrate special moments, big and small. We’re guided by our purpose—to create a brighter future with bold representation—that empowers more voice, choice and ownership for our colleagues, customers and communities.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters

CONTACTS:
Macy’s External Communications
Christine Nealon / Ryan Gannon
communications@macys.com

BBBS Communications
Jennifer Banks
media@bbbsa.ddev.site

#Press release

New cohort of influential voices to amplify power of mentorship across industries and create opportunities for girls and young women

TAMPA, FL, – October 11, 2024 – In celebration of International Day of the Girl, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA), the preeminent one-to-one youth mentoring organization in the United States, proudly announces its newest cohort of Game Changers. The powerful collective of women leaders across sports, entertainment, business and more, will create access and opportunity for girls and young women through the power of mentorship, at a time when they face unprecedented challenges.

According to recent CDC data, 3 in 5 teen girls in the U.S. are grappling with significant mental health challenges. National data from the 2023 Ruling Our eXperiences (ROX) Survey also shows that girls’ confidence levels are declining throughout adolescence compared to boys. By the time girls get to high school, 46% don’t believe they are smart enough for their dream career. The impact of these challenges can have lasting implications for their career readiness and overall social and academic success.

Research indicates that positive mentoring relationships significantly enhance self-esteem and confidence among girls, providing critical support as they navigate the pressures of adolescence.

According to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Youth Impact Survey:

90% of girls with a mentor feel less isolated and more connected in school and with peers.

Girls in the BBBS program experience decreased depressive symptoms and 81% of BBBS girls maintain or improve their mental health outcomes during the program.

Fueled by the shared belief, “if you can see it, you can be it”, the Game Changers will respond to the societal need for positive mentorship by lending their voices and support to shift the mentorship narrative and encourage more volunteers, particularly women, to get involved. They will help drive the momentum needed to build brighter futures for girls and young women across the country, fostering a sense of connection, belonging and purpose.

The newest cohort of Game Changers includes:

La La Anthony, Actress, Producer, Entrepreneur

Carey Arensberg, Educator, Trauma and Resilience Specialist, Social Media Influencer, Alumni Big

Michelle Bell, SVP, Head of Brand Partnerships, MACRO

Croix Bethune, Midfielder, Washington Spirit

Kardea Brown – Emmy Nominated Food Network Host and Author, Host of “Delicious Miss Brown,” Former BBBS Staff

Gizelle George-Joseph, COO, Global Investment Research, Goldman Sachs

Tammy Henault, Chief Marketing Officer, NBA

Gayle King, Co-Host, CBS Mornings, Editor at Large “Oprah Daily”

Jeannie Mai, Emmy Award-Winning TV Host and Producer

Sadé Muhammad, Chief Marketing Officer, TIME

Meredith O’Sullivan, Co-Founder/Co-CEO, The Lede Company

Paula Price, Former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Macy’s Inc.

Eden Bridgeman Sklenar, Owner and CEO, EBONY & Jet

Marissa Solis, Senior VP, Global Brand, NFL, and Alumni Big & Little

Sehr Thadhani, Chief Digital Officer, NASDAQ

Lexi Underwood, Actress, Producer, Author, Changemaker

Gabrielle Union, Actress, Producer, Author, Advocate

Sybil Wilkes, Media Maven, Former Co-Host of the Tom Joyner Morning Show

Michelle Wong, Chief Marketing Officer

Shelley Zalis, CEO, Female Quotient

“We are excited to expand our Game Changers program to this newest cohort, representing the strength, wisdom, and determination of women who are influential leaders in their respective fields. Each Game Changers’ commitment to mentorship goes beyond professional success; it’s about showing young people that they can overcome barriers, achieve greatness, and lead with confidence.” said Artis Stevens, President and CEO, BBBSA. “We believe that by surrounding young people with powerful role models, we are shaping the next generation of leaders who will inspire change and create a more equitable future.”

BBBSA’s Game Changers initiative provides a platform for influential voices of diverse backgrounds to share their experiences, build connections, and amplify the power of mentorship to further impact young people and their communities. The inaugural group of Game Changers, launched in 2023, convened prominent Black men to address the urgent representational gap in mentorship by encouraging more Black men to get involved as mentors and supporters. To learn more, please visit www.bbbs.org/game-changers.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

Founded in 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is the largest and most experienced youth mentoring organization in the United States. The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Big Brothers Big Sisters’ evidence-based approach is designed to create positive youth outcomes, including educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence, and improved relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters has over 230 local agencies serving more than 5,000 communities across all 50 states. For more information, visit: www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org.

This month marked a significant advocacy milestone for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS). Congress officially recognized BBBS’ 120th Anniversary and significant contributions to bringing mentorship to youth nationwide through a Congressional Resolution. Congressional Resolutions are not law, but an effective way for Congress to collectively express their support for a specific event, organization, or person.

Led by Senators Young (R-IN) and Hassan (D-NH), and Representatives Amodei (R-NV) and Scanlon (D-PA), the Senate and House introduced the BBBS 120^th Anniversary Resolution, and together, they received large bipartisan support with 51 co-sponsors signing on.

On September 25th, the Senate unanimously passed the resolution just before Congress recessed for the election. This is a historic moment, as it’s the first time a Congressional act has been passed since BBBSA was incorporated over 60 years ago. Due to House rules changing on resolutions, the House resolution will be introduced but will not move forward to passage.

The BBBS 120^th Anniversary Resolution:

Commemorates the organization’s milestone anniversary

Makes the case for the transformative power of mentorship

Highlights the positive impact of BBBS’ programs on the youth we’ve served

Thanks the dedicated network of volunteers, donors, and partners who have supported BBBS’ mission.

Read the resolution

The BBBS 120th Congressional Resolution represents a tremendous accomplishment, paving the way for bigger advocacy efforts that will influence federal policies for the youth we serve.

#Big News

Big Brothers Big Sisters’ (BBBS) renewed commitment to the New Orleans community was featured during the 3rd hour of the TODAY Show!

MSNBC Correspondent, Trymaine Lee, shares his experience as an Alumni “Big” in New Orleans 18-years ago, while reuniting with his Little at one of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater New Orleans pilot programs in the Orleans parish.

Watch the clip for more about BBBS’ commitment to a new generation of “Bigs” and “Littles” in New Orleans and the impact that mentorship has on young people and those who support them.

Watch the story here!

#Big News

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA), the nation’s preeminent one-to-one youth mentoring organization, is among five youth-centered organizations making a Commitment to Action to help the next generation of young people reach their full potential at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2024 Annual Meeting.

BBBSA’s Commitment to Action aims to empower 30,000 youth to create pathways to upward economic mobility through its Big Futures workplace mentoring program over three years. Through this approach, BBBSA seeks to increase access to mentorship for all youth, especially those facing generational barriers, such as poverty, educational gaps, and mental health struggles.

Big Futures is a college and career readiness program used in Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies across the country. Industry professionals guide youth in hands on training, STEM skills assessments, leadership and team building workshops, and mapping educational pathways.

This Commitment to Action builds on BBBSA’s extensive experience in youth mentoring to scale proven mentoring services, establish programs in new markets, customize mentoring programs, and adapt existing programs to attract more volunteers.

At the end of three years, BBBSA will have:

Launched 10 innovation hubs where BBBS affiliates help one another bring workplace mentoring to life.

Empowered thousands of youth voices as co-designers for innovative programs that are customized tailored for first-gen college students, youth in foster care, and opportunity youth.

Pioneered new ways to make mentoring more accessible to diverse volunteers

Expanded mentoring programs in communities with high BIPOC and low-income youth populations, including rural areas.

The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) works with partners to develop Commitments to Action — new, specific, and measurable projects and programs to advance climate resilience, economic inclusion, health equity, humanitarian response, women and girls’ equality, and more.

The CGI 2024 Annual Meeting was held in New York City on September 23 and 24.

About the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI)

Founded by President Bill Clinton in 2005, the Clinton Global Initiative is a community of doers representing a broad cross section of society and dedicated to the idea that we can accomplish more together than we can apart. Through CGI’s unique model, more than 10,000 organizations have launched more than 4,000 Commitments to Action — new, specific, and measurable projects and programs – that are making a difference in the lives of more than 500 million people in 180 countries.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of America 

#Big News

Morning Consult’s Most Trusted Brands® report, shines a spotlight on the brands that have earned consumers’ trust when it comes to doing what’s right. They know that trust is hard to earn, but it’s foundational for brands when weathering missteps. It’s not a consumer metric that changes much from year to year, so once a brand lands a top spot on Morning Consult’s rankings, it rarely moves. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is proud to have made the list!

To learn even more about Morning Consult’s 2023 Most Trusted Brands report, please visit https://pro.morningconsult.com.

#Big News

TAMPA, Fla, September 10, 2024 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA), the nation’s preeminent one-to-one youth mentoring organization, today announced the election of Thomas Harvey to its national board.

Thomas Harvey is a highly regarded leader in the telecommunications industry, with more than 40 years of experience across various functional domains to include: Enterprise Sales, Customer Experience, Supplier Diversity, and Cyber Security Operations and Compliance.

Harvey has been a champion of the Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission, as an alumni “Little” program participant. He is also currently a founding member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Technology Advisory Council, helping advance the organization’s technology capabilities.

“We have already seen evidence of Thomas Harvey’s passion in giving back to Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission more formally at the national level, and we look forward to his partnership as we grow our national board,” said Big Brothers Big Sisters of America National Board Chair, Michael Carrel.

“I look forward to joining the board and supporting the mission of Big Brothers and Big Sisters,” said Thomas Harvey. “As an alumni Little and current Big, the impact that this organization had on me and continues to have on young people across America, is life altering.”

Harvey is a Senior Strategic Advisor at CGI, a Quebec based IT and Business Consulting firm, where he provides thought leadership within the U.S. Commercial State and Government Strategic Business Unit. Additionally, he is the founder of a consulting firm, FloZenda Consulting, and previously, dedicated more than 40 years of service at the senior executive level with AT&T.

“Thomas Harvey’s involvement and connection to our mission, along with his expertise in technology, will help us continue to innovate to best serve young people across the nation,” said President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Artis Stevens. “I am excited to welcome Thomas’ extraordinary passion for mentorship to our organization, and I look forward to the incredible value that his leadership brings to the board.”

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of America 

Media Contacts 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

Jennifer Banks 

media@bbbsa.ddev.site  