High Aspirations is a vibrant mentoring program dedicated to supporting African American males ages 8 to 18 living in Kansas City’s urban core. Operating every Saturday, High Aspirations provides structured and engaging sessions designed to build leadership skills, self-confidence, and positive community involvement. The program actively addresses educational disparities, economic challenges, and community safety concerns facing Black youth in the area.

Program Structure & Activities

Each Saturday, with guidance from a program specialist, interns, a Concerned Mothers Group, mentors, and community volunteers, High Aspirations hosts two one-hour sessions serving more than 70 boys per session. The sessions combine interactive and stimulating activities including:

• Chess Club: Encouraging strategic thinking and patience.
• Leadership and Entrepreneurship Training: Building skills for future success.
• High Aspirations Olympics: Promoting teamwork and healthy competition.
• Pre-Collegiate Programming: Preparing students for higher education.
• Community Service Projects: Fostering civic responsibility.
• Legally Informed Programming: Educating youth on legal rights and responsibilities.
• High Aspirations Lawn Services: Offering practical work experience.

This diverse programming nurtures mentees’ social, emotional, intellectual, and practical development in a safe, supportive environment.

Challenges Facing African American Males

African American males in Missouri face significant educational and social challenges. The high school graduation rate for Black males is only 54%, compared to 70% for white males. Even more concerning, just 42% of African American males graduate on time. In higher education, they represent only 4% of the college population in Missouri, and only about one-third graduate within six years.

Kansas City is marked by high rates of violent crime. Missouri averages a violent crime every 20 minutes, and Kansas City consistently ranks among the nation’s most affected cities. Young African American males, ages 17-24, represent a large percentage of homicide victims and suspects, illustrating the urgent need for early intervention and positive alternatives.

Many High Aspirations mentees live in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods where median household incomes are low, and social services are stretched thin. Most come from single-parent, female-headed households and face daily exposure to violence, poverty, and systemic barriers.

Breaking Cycles Of Disadvantage

High Aspirations intervenes early in young men’s lives to reduce their chances of becoming victims or perpetrators of crime. The program aligns with research demonstrating that early coaching in self-control, social skills, and positive coping strategies significantly improves life outcomes.

For example, a long-term study involving boys from disadvantaged neighborhoods found that early intervention with coaching in self-control and social skills led to:

• Improved academic performance.
• Lower dropout rates.
• Reduced criminal records.
• Higher employment and earnings.
• Increased likelihood of stable family lives.

High Aspirations embodies this approach by combining skill-building, mentorship, and community support to change life trajectories for its participants.

Community & Educational Context

High Aspirations serves youth within Kansas City’s urban core, spanning from the Missouri River south to 95th Street and from State Line Road east to I-435. The neighborhoods served have some of the highest percentages of African American residents and violent crime rates in the city.

According to Kansas City Public Schools, minority students comprise over 90% of the student body, and nearly three-quarters qualify for free or reduced-price lunch programs. These statistics highlight the systemic challenges faced by many mentees and underscore the need for programs that provide stability, mentorship, and positive role models.

Addressing A National Crisis

The challenges experienced by African American males in Kansas City reflect a broader national crisis. Studies show that Black boys in America face significant educational disparities:

• Only 12% of Black fourth-grade boys are proficient in reading compared to 38% of White boys.
• Only 12% of Black eighth-grade boys are proficient in math compared to 44% of White boys.
• By fourth grade, Black students may be nearly three years behind their peers academically.

This gap contributes to a cycle where many Black boys are more likely to encounter the criminal justice system than to graduate from college. Experts warn that this trend threatens not only individuals but society as a whole.

High Aspirations: Changing The Narrative

High Aspirations is part of the solution, providing African American boys with the tools and opportunities to succeed academically, socially, and personally. Through consistent mentoring and skill development, the program fosters self-control, leadership, and positive decision-making.

By engaging young men in meaningful activities, the program builds resilience against the toxic mix of poverty, discrimination, and violence that too often defines their environment. High Aspirations encourages youth to envision and pursue futures beyond their immediate circumstances.

A Call For Continued Support & Collaboration

The successes of High Aspirations demonstrate the power of early intervention and dedicated community support. However, continued investment is essential to sustain and expand programming to reach more young men in need.

The program relies on the involvement of mentors, community volunteers, families, and partners who share a commitment to empowering African American youth. Together, they work to break cycles of disadvantage and create pathways toward opportunity and success.

A Lifeline

High Aspirations is more than a mentoring program—it is a lifeline for African American boys in Kansas City’s urban core. Through engaging activities, leadership training, and strong community ties, it addresses the unique challenges faced by these young men, helping them build brighter futures.

By nurturing their potential early and consistently, High Aspirations helps transform lives, strengthens communities, and contributes to a more just and equitable society.

Locations

Click on the window icon (upper right corner) of the map below to expand. List of all program locations is included with expanded view of map. Locations are also listed on this page below the map.