MUST - Mentoring Urban Students and Teens

09/03/2026

Connection and Movement:
As M.U.S.T. heads back into our Fall programming, Mentors and Mentees had one last hurrah of summer, with half of them learning new tricks at SANCA (School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts).

This event brought our Mentees together one last time before school started, giving Mentors a chance to slow down and help Mentees connect -- talking about what they are looking forward to and / or any jitters for the new school year -- while learning some tricks and moving their bodies.


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08/28/2026

Some racing, a little time at the lake, a day at the movies, and a whole lot of time together. Before we head into a new school year, here's a recap of our summer fun.

We did a bit of everything: the Seafair Hydro Races, a day at Green Lake, some laps around K1, and a trip to the theater together. The activities were fun, but the real highlight was seeing the guys share plenty of laughs, make good memories, and build the close-knit brotherhood that comes from spending time together.


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08/20/2026

Proof of building real relationships and influences come from what those around you notice, not only what you see in yourself.


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08/13/2026

This week, we want to give a huge shoutout to our creative and marketing partner, DIFF WORKS!
This partnership goes beyond work collaboration -- what started as a connection between Cory "TK" Campbell, DIFF co-founder and CEO and Kelvin Washington, M.U.S.T. Executive Director at Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club in South Seattle; turned into friendship; turned into professional collaboration.

DIFF goes beyond churning out media, but gets to know your business and produces exemplary marketing!

A Bay Area-based, Black-owned creative studio, DIFF has partnered with us to elevate our messaging and tell our story in a way that feels authentic to who we are, helping us refine our voice and showcase our work with creativity and intention.

Their work includes:
📸 Commercial photography
🎥 Video production
🎨 Marketing support
🎬 Youth workshops

We’re grateful to have DIFF in our corner, helping us share our work with more people. Go support a Black-owned business and check out what they’re creating! For more info check their website: https://www.staydiff.com/ and/or scroll to the last slide on how to connect!


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08/06/2026

Since 2024 M.U.S.T. has been a proud partner of the City of Seattle Department of Education & Early Learning (D.E.E.L. Seattle Department of Education & Early Learning) Postsecondary Success Network. This critical collaborative group of BIPOC youth focused Seattle organizations is supported by a Regional Challenge Grant from the Washington Student Achievement Council (W.S.A.C. Washington Student Achievement Council).

On July 23rd our collective network impact was on full display at the 2026 Graduate Celebration & Impact Expo hosted at South Seattle College’s Brockey Student Center. The event served as a powerful testament to our cross-organizational teamwork, highlighting student-led impact presentations, community connection, and a shared vision for expanding local postsecondary pathways. A major highlight of the evening for our community was the presentation of specific Student Awards to two of our very own MUST mentees, Barack Blanco and Naurdin Woliyi, for their outstanding leadership. We look forward to our continued partnership within the DEEL network to empower more youth across Seattle!


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07/29/2026

🎶 Take Me Out to the Ball Game 🎶
Rooting for the home team at the Seattle Mariners game; the perfect summer outing! ⚾️

07/22/2026

Celebration is a M.U.S.T.

While eating burgers, visiting Hollywood, and relaxing poolside might seem like standard summer vacation activities, these "normal" experiences carry life-changing weight for our Mentees. During our recent graduation trip to Southern California these fun moments doubled as breakthroughs in exposure—standing on Hollywood Boulevard envisioning themselves among the stars, and exploring the Hollywood Wax Museum unlocked entirely new creative career paths for our graduate Mentees. Even a simple afternoon at the swimming pool became a sacred space where they could escape societal pressures, laugh, and just be kids.

M.U.S.T. exists to protect, restore, and create joy for Black boys because before a young person can dream of new opportunities, they need to stand close enough to touch them. Thank you to our community for continually investing in these young kings; you help to expand what Black males believe is possible for their futures.


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07/17/2026

Check out our latest newsletter: Juneteenth + The World Cup + Innovation = A M.U.S.T. See Future!

Last month, M.U.S.T. mentees and mentors were able to spend Juneteenth immersed in Black greatness, thanks to F5, the global cybersecurity and technology leader, and their partnership with the Seattle FIFA World Cup Committee.

07/10/2026

Prince Witcher — one of our 10 Mentee high school graduates this year — shared that his favorite part of the M.U.S.T. program was having someone to talk to and feeling supported.

In gaining a community of brotherhood bonds through M.U.S.T., we aim to help our young kings see and believe their potential and their own liberation.


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07/03/2026

M.U.S.T. Mentees and Mentors celebrated Juneteenth with F5 and the Seattle Seattle FIFA World Cup Committee, engaging in a day of empowerment, professional insights with F5 CEO François Locoh-Donou, and the USA vs. AUS match. The event fostered connections between community mentorship and corporate leadership, inspiring the next generation of Black leaders and innovators.

It was a shared experience for the ages, full of energy and seeing our Black youth inspired to dream bigger, as they watched Team USA reach victory on the world’s stage.


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