Preparing the Men for Tomorrow with Man2Man

This upcoming February, Man2Man is planning a three-on-three basketball tournament to help raise money for the kids in the Boys and Girls Club. As part of Man2Man’s goal to give back to the community and foster community involvement, members of the group volunteer at the Boys and Club three to five times a week.

Founder of Man2Man, Dr. Aaron Smith, created this organization in 2014 in an effort to help men of color develop and thrive in a predominantly white institution (PWI) here at the University of Lynchburg. As a University, one of our eight core values is “Diversity” and Man2Man is carrying out this value by providing an organization for diverse group of men. The goal of Man2Man is to provide opportunities for a group of men to develop skills such as academic success, leadership and mentorship through a mentoring program that continues long after their time at the University of Lynchburg.  

Man2Man teaches their members about mentorship and leadership and the importance of building relationships and giving back to the community. The hopes of Man2Man are that the members of the organization develop these skills and that one day they become mentors themselves.   Smith believes that through the progress of a mentor relationship between upperclassmen, alumni, other men of color and underclassmen, underclassmen will be better prepared for their future. Smith states, “We hope that relationships carries on to life success.”

Smith explains that Man2Man is “coordinating” their hours in the community by “consistently” doing community service each day. Smith says “I think the most impactful event is the Boys and Girls Club because our guys are mentoring the youth...in a similar way our men are being mentored.” With the organization growing in numbers, Smith’s responsibilities has also grown in ensuring the seniors are prepared for the next step in their lives as well as keeping the program on course. Smith says “ Though they are partly responsible for keeping up with those relationships and connections...we have given them the tools to be success.”

President of Man2Man, Quinton “Q” Coe says“building relationships in the community is very important because it can impact people’s lives while opening doors for future members.” He is passionate about the possibility of a three-on-three basketball tournament in February to help raise money for the Boys and Girls Club so that more kids can be assisted in the program.  

Former President of Man2Man, Claudio Otero, talks about helping the kids of the Boys and Girls club by bringing them on Lynchburg’s campus and giving them tours. Man2Man has also organized field trips as going to the Jump Park, movies and dinner as a way of ultimately building a special bond with the kids. Otero explains that Man2Man is keeping a diverse environment by “opening the organization to all men of color..it gives them different aspects and backgrounds to talk about.” Otero says he has “grown and matured as a leader and has built multiple relationships along his journey” since joining Man2Man. As well as saying “Man2Man is a brotherhood ensuring that our brothers are continuing to push each other to succeed.”

Sources: Dr. Aaron Smith (founder of Man2Man)

Email: smith.a@lynchburg.edu

Quinton “Q” Coe (President of Man2Man)

Email: Coe_q@lyncburg.edu

Claudio Otero (Officer of Man2Man)

Email: otero_c@lynchburg.edu