Greatest MINDS

Greatest MINDS is a Black-led non-profit organization that works with Black high school students, college students and young professionals to become the next generation of civic leaders through mentoring, volunteering and participating.

Greatest MINDS is a Black-led organization that provides mentors from the community itself to college and high school students. Greatest MINDS aims to provide public discourse, citizenship, and educational and career opportunities to all of those interested in creating an inclusive economy and democratic society for all.  

Greatest MINDS works with high school students and young adults ages 14-24, supporting their aspirations to college educations, meaningful employment, and positive engagement in their communities. We target underserved and at-risk youth, primarily urban minority youth. Our programs consist of academic-year afterschool and Saturday programming that provides mentoring, college application support, tutoring, field trips, and community service; and a full-time eight-week summer program, focusing on STEAM preparation, visits to colleges, community service projects, and visits from career professionals. These programs contribute to Greatest MINDS's mission by supporting young people on the road to college and career success. Many of the mentors in the program range from college students to young professionals.  Greatest MINDS's programs directly address the recommendations to increase availability of programs carrying messages about risky behaviors and providing alternative activities; to increase public and private funding of jobs programs and pay more attention to job opportunities for youth; and to increase the number of center-based programs for youth especially in hot spot areas. Greatest MINDS's program space in Boston - Roxbury is open 5 days a week after-school until 8 p.m., providing a safe environment that encourages constructive activity. Our programs focus on building a positive future for young people,and on creating positive engagement with the community, rather than engaging in self-destructive behaviors. We also work to create jobs for young people, both in our own organization and in internships throughout the city. One desired outcome of our capacity-building project is to build more relationships with businesses in Boston and Atlanta that can provide internships and apprenticeships for young people.