Barbershop Initiative encourages DFW men to sign up as Big Brothers

by Jacquinette Murphy of North Dallas Gazette

Dale Long, a 34-year volunteer for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of North Texas, continues to be a guiding voice to shape the men of the next generation. Long serves on the board of directors and is known for advocating the success of youth mentoring to all that will listen. Today, he is spearheading the partnership with brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., to expand the Barbershop Mentoring Initiative.

Long and his team recently visited 8 barber shops in the DFW metroplex to inform and encourage the African American men to sign up as a Big Brother. Dressed in black shirts with the words Real Men Mentor across the front in white, Long and his team were recruiting among the shoptalk. “We know this is where men congregate on Saturday mornings.” For Long, this up-close-and-personal method of recruiting is crucial, especially in the African American community.

“Most kids that are on the waiting list are African American males and the hardest person to get to sign up is an African American male. It is no problem to get a white male, but it is that [the boys] need someone like them to really be their role model,” explained Long. During their recent shop blitz, 50 men completed the application and 36 more took applications to review.

His involvement began with a promise to a college fraternity brother and an invitation from a Dallas area co-worker and has never really ended.

“I had just began working after graduating from Texas Southern University (TSU) in Houston, Texas and a co-worker asked me to be a participant in “Big for day,” began Long. The objective of this single day program was to connect prospective big brothers with little brother awaiting mentors for one day. Although he admits that he did not really understand the impact of the program at the time, the little brother did. “At the end of the night, he looked up at me and asked, “So, are you going to be my big brother forever?” He realized how valued his presence was and the ease having the mentor around. Long signed up immediately.

Over his years of service, he has been a big brother to about six young men that are now adults with their own families. Now, Long understands the value of being a good and consistent role model. “I think I know were all of them are today.” He still talks to them occasionally and has even been in the wedding party for a couple of them. “The match ends, but the friendship and the relationship never ends,” said Long.

Michael Johnson, now a barber at Natural Edges Barber salon in Lewisville,TX, was the second of the six mentored by Long. He was a big brother to Johnson from age 8 until he graduated from high school. Johnson is the product of single parent home whose mom signed him up at a YMCA because she recognized the need for a male voice in his life. “My mom felt like I needed a male voice outside the house,” he began and he is now appreciative of her action. In the tough times at home, Johnson recalled Long's words, 'If you just stay on this side with me and just ride this thing out, I promise it will work out in the end.'” He was right.

“It was like they took an orphan off of the streets and made me a part of their family,” said Johnson as he reminisced on his days as a little brother. Long concurred, “When my girls were younger, they actually thought Michael was their real brother for a while.”

Long and Johnson went camping, fishing, to Mavericks games and even took pictures with Rolondo Blackman and the other players. “When we went to the games, they used to put (our) names on the score board,” he shared. Camping remains one of the memorable moments for Johnson, “He showed me how to set your mind free, so that you can get back up and start again.” Now, Johnson is working alongside Long to help fulfill the commitments of a current community program, The Barbershop Mentoring Initiative Program in conjunction with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

When Long and his team came to Michael Johnson's barbershop, it was not a second thought for him to sign up. “It is good to be able to have a chance to put back in. Also, it will be fun to see if I can be more of a man and a mentor than Dale Long.”

Big Brothers and Big Sisters is a non-profit organization that connects children ages 7 to 14 years of age to adult volunteers to provide community and school-based mentoring. It is the largest, oldest and most effective organization of its kind in the country. The goal is to build a positive role model relationship with a child to help empower, enrich and encourage them toward the path of a successful life.

“In order to be a man, our boys have to see a man. Kids emulate what they see,” proclaimed Long. “They need to see a man that puts on a shirt and tie and goes to work at a law office, or a man like Barack Obama”.

Long has heard many reasons for not participating, “The excuse that I get the most is that I do not have the time.” According to Long, the organization has made it relatively easy for interested individuals to add the time with a little brother into your own schedule. “They match you up according to your likes and dislikes and find children in locations near your work or home. The agency caseworkers monitor the match and provide you with activity ideas and event tickets and the time requirement is only four hours a month.”

If you want to accept the Man Up! challenge and become one of the 10,000 men that Long is seeking to sign up, go on-line at www.bbbstx.org or call 888-887-BIGS.