(Baltimore, Maryland, May 26, 2026) — For three decades, Mentoring Male Teens in the “Hood” (MMTH) has stood in the gap for underserved youth in Baltimore—investing in boys and building strong men ages 8–18 through mentorship, enrichment, educational exposure and life preparation. The Baltimore-based mentoring organization will commemorate this milestone with their 30th Anniversary Celebration on June 18 at the New Shiloh Family Life Center in Baltimore. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Cultivating Kings: 30 Years of Investing in Young Men.”
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore will serve as the keynote speaker for the evening, joining community leaders, sponsors, alumni and supporters in celebrating the impact MMTH has made in the lives of more than 3,200 young men throughout Baltimore City and beyond over the last 30 years.
Gov. Moore, who has visited the Mentoring Male Teens in the “Hood” program and also consistently emphasized mentorship, education, youth opportunity and workforce development as priorities for Maryland, is expected to speak about the importance of investing in young people and supporting organizations that provide guidance, structure, and opportunity.
“Mentorship changes lives because it reminds young people that they are seen, valued, and capable of greatness,” said Moore. “Programs like Mentoring Male Teens in the ‘Hood’ create pathways to leadership, discipline and long-term success for young men across our state. This work matters deeply, and I salute Cameron Miles for his extraordinary commitment and longevity in serving Baltimore’s youth for three decades.”
Since taking office, the Moore-Miller administration has supported expanded investments in youth opportunity initiatives, workforce pathways, service programs, and community partnerships that help young people thrive across Maryland. The administration has also emphasized strengthening mentorship opportunities and community-based support systems for youth and families.
“When I founded this organization 30 years ago, I could not have predicted that at least 3,200 young men would come through our program, and that we would make such an incredible impact on them,” said Cameron Miles, founder of Mentoring Male Teens in the “Hood.” “For 30 years, we have remained committed to investing in boys and building strong men—one young man, one family, and one community at a time.”
In efforts to encourage the young men to attend college, a 2025 cohort of Mentoring Male Teens in the “Hood” takes a tour of one Bowie State University, the first historically Black institution in the state of Maryland.
Credit: Mentoring Male Teens in the Hood / Cameron Miles
The community will gather at the New Shiloh Family Life Center on Monroe Street for an evening of celebration, keynote remarks, sponsor recognition, and reflections from young men whose lives have been impacted by the program.
Over the years, MMTH has brought a cadre of high-profile men and women to speak to the Kings—including the Governor of Maryland, the Baltimore City State’s Attorney, leaders of major medical systems and corporations in Baltimore, and professionals across fields ranging from forensics and business to journalism, technology, law, and more.
MMTH’s work is rooted in group mentoring and wraparound enrichment that strengthens academic focus, leadership, and life skills. Program experiences commonly include guest speakers, trips and cultural exposure, sports and community-building activities, health forums, conflict resolution, and honest conversations about real-life issues young men face—all designed to help Kings grow, compete, and thrive. The program has also taken young men on trips locally and across the country, including visits to Ivy League institutions, mainstream colleges, and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
A defining part of MMTH’s long-term commitment is helping young men step into higher education with real support behind them. Every young man who is accepted to college is awarded a $10,000 scholarship—an investment meant to help turn acceptance letters into enrollment and persistence.
“I like to refer to this quote when I think about the young men in the program: ‘A child will follow your example, not your advice,’” Miles said. “The last 30 years has taught us that modeling appropriate behavior is one of our strongest tools in investing in boys and building strong men—and that’s what we are going to continue doing.”
That consistent modeling has helped produce meaningful outcomes over the last 30 years, including college graduates across disciplines such as computer science, engineering, and technology at schools including Morgan State University, Coppin State University, Baltimore City Community College, and many others. Some alumni have gone on to careers in engineering, technology, and public service.
“I started attending Mentoring Male Teens in the ‘Hood’ on Saturdays with my brother Sean,” said Brandon Adeyamo, 20. “Sean was getting in trouble at school and at home, and my parents thought the structure MMTH provides would be good for him. I never thought that attending this program would broaden my life so much.”
“In addition to Mr. Miles and other men who are part of the program, we see positive role models in people from different occupations and ethnicities,” Adeyamo added. “Today, I am a junior at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), majoring in computer science. Sean is graduating this May from UMBC with the same degree.”
Brandon received a $10,000 scholarship from MMTH toward his college education. “We are thankful to Mentoring Male Teens in the ‘Hood’ for the guidance that brought us here and the inspiration to excel,” Adeyamo said.
“We are thankful for the support of our board, and the individuals, corporations, and organizations who have invested in our Kings,” Miles added. “Their investment has impacted these young men in meaningful ways and contributed to the trajectory of their lives and their possibilities—helping them see farther, aim higher, and believe more deeply in who they can become.”
Sponsors and Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsors of this event include Bruce and Polly Behrens Foundation, Exelon Corporation, William L. And Victorine Q. Adams Foundation, BGE, and Warnken, LLC. There is still time to sponsor this celebration and invest in the next generation of Kings by supporting mentorship, enrichment experiences, educational exposure, and scholarship opportunities that continue changing lives and expanding possibilities for young men across Baltimore.
To become a sponsor:
Sponsor Mentoring Male Teens in the “Hood”
To purchase tickets to attend:
Purchase Tickets to Attend
About Mentoring Male Teens in the “Hood”
Mentoring Male Teens in the “Hood” (MMTH) is a Baltimore-based mentoring organization serving boys and young men ages 8–18 through year-round mentoring, enrichment, educational exposure, leadership development, and scholarship support designed to help participants build strong futures.
SOURCE: Big Media Agency