I walk through the front door and I am greeted by the voice of my six year old nephew,

Aiden Bobo, bobo, come here I want to tell you something! At the age of 21, my older
brother, Aidens father, moved to Las Vegas in hopes of providing more for his son. In my
brothers absence I stepped in to help raise my nephew. Learning how to be patient and
caring with Aiden helped me develop relationships with other young men of color in my
community. Gustavo, my mentee through our local non-profit A Place Called Home, is a
young boy who only found comfort in isolation. However, throughout our relationship I
have been able to help him break out of his shell and witness his growth. As a
Salvadoran-American, I am grounded in the roots of my culture that reminds me of the
strength in uplifting one another as a community. Guiding two young Latinos who are
navigating the streets of South Central and a world that doesnt value our lives as men of
color made me think twice about my actions. Having a support system in South Central
can determine whether you fall into an abyss of violence and struggle or strive and
prosper. Mentoring Aiden and Gustavo on a day-to-day basis gave me a different
leadership experience from serving as the school president or captain of my basketball
team. I learned to lead from behind and listen to the needs of others. They need a
positive role model so I strive everyday to lead them with integrity, humility, and
perseverance. These young men molded me into the individual I am; they shaped me
into the leader my student body elected as their president. Holding myself accountable
for my own responsibilities in order to serve others became second nature to me. My
prosperity depends on the success of Aiden and Gustavo. As a mentor, I have learned
the power of community and how to be my brothers keeper.