Black teens nationwide often cherish the vital support coming from their mentors. By offering encouragement as role models, these dedicated men serve their emotional and spiritual needs, while encouraging them to succeed as young adults.
     Former President Barack Obama may be the best-known and most successful mentor in the USA for millions of Black boys across the world. Making a difference on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Abra L. Taylor joins friends with a passion for mentoring Black youth. It’s a cause they practice year-round as the founders of a thriving non-profit based in Gulfport.
     Launched in 2015, Gulf Coast Outreach and Leadership serves Black youth, but extends its mission to help senior citizens as well. Guys in the group refer to themselves as the League of Distinguished Gentlemen of Gulf Coast Outreach and Leadership. Assisting the Forest Heights Baptist Church food drive at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic was one of their successful projects in March 2020.
     “We want to contribute to building a stronger community and making a difference,’’ says Taylor, the organization’s president and co-founder. “Building strong, productive and successful youth is what drives me to work with them. I want to help them make as few mistakes as possible.’’
     Taylor, 35, the son of a pastor, makes serving teen-age boys as a trusted counselor one of his life’s callings. Male mentors help young black boys see their value, have pride and achieve their goals in life.

“The youth is our future. Investing time and energy in the youth is also investing for a bright future for all.’’

Abra Taylor, president / co-founder, Gulf Coast Outreach and Leadership

     A William Carey University business administration graduate, Abra is a product of the Gulf Coast. His dad, Charles Taylor, serves as the pastor of Full Gospel Holiness Church in Gulfport. His mom is Janice Taylor. Abra’s parents were role models as he made choices in life.
     Abra chooses to live along the Mississippi Gulf Coast where he grew up. The Gulfport resident loves the region’s delicious seafood and its scenic 62 miles of beautiful Coastal beaches. Hobbies range from traveling and watching sports on TV (from football to track and boxing to basketball).
     The Mississippian stays involved in supporting good causes. That includes the Shuck Cancer Gulf Coast Party. The event is set for 7 p.m. Friday June 11 at the Barksdale Pavilion along Jones Park Drive in Gulfport. The purpose of the party is to bring together Coast business professionals to join the American Cancer Society in their fight against cancer.
     When he’s not busy in the banking business (at BancorpSouth), the Harrison Central High graduate goes the extra mile for South Mississippi youth. His friends Jor’Dan Beard, Darrion Morman, and Delvin Morgan are equally committed as the founders of Gulf Coast Outreach and Leadership.
     Over the years, they’ve mentored nearly 100 kids. Some of the teens in the first group went on to become college graduates. Leaders have accompanied the young people on college tours and served as life’s advisors.

     What motivates Delvin Morgan to get involved? “We feel like giving back to our community,’’ says the Gulf Coast banker.
     With their expertise in the banking profession, Taylor and Morgan help kids learn the ABCs of financing – from how to balance a checkbook to the basics of daily budgeting. Taylor is a branch manager and loan officer at BancorpSouth who enjoys working with customers.
     There are always meaningful events on the non-profit’s schedule no matter the season. Upcoming, there’s a dinner celebration for Gulf Coast high school seniors in June.
     Leaders booked a trip to the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama in July. On display is America’s first memorial to lynching victims. The memorial in the Alabama capital speaks to the horrific history of more than 3,446 Black people lynched between 1882 and 1968 across the United States.
     The South Mississippi group’s members will also get the region’s Black youth involved in Juneteenth activities on June 19 to showcase the anniversary of the emancipation of American slaves in 1865.

     Abra Taylor feels blessed to be part of an organization making mentoring its primary mission. In fact, he penned a book on the subject. It is titled “Empowering Black Youth Through Mentoring.’’ Released in February 2021, the Archway Publishing book sells for $19.99 in softcover and $7.99 as an e-book.
     Essentially, Abra’s book encourages more Black men to step up and mentor Black youth. His work is designed to help young Black males navigate the transition from school to work, from childhood to adulthood.
     Growing up in the Turnkey community on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Abra encountered many things, good and bad. While there were challenges in his path, Taylor strived to achieve. He believes God gave him the right makeup to achieve big things as a Black man in America.
     Taylor pitched the book and his organization during an April appearance in Atlanta. But he really preaches mentoring wherever he travels. Working with a team of advisors, Abra believes it is important to share their knowledge with youth. Knowledge is power. He sees it as his responsibility to lead by example and show these young men there is a better way of life within their grasp.
     “He’s real big on mentoring youth,’’ Delvin Morgan says of his friend. “Abra is an impactful person.’’
     Abra Taylor is also passionate about his splendid Gulf Coast family. He and his wife, Bianca Taylor, a 2^nd grade teacher at North Bay Elementary in Biloxi, are the proud parents of three children.
     To learn more about Gulf Coast Outreach and Leadership, visit their website at http://www.gulfcoastoandl.org/             

  On the cover: Gulf Coast Outreach and Leadership co-founders Abra Taylor, president; and Jor’Dan Beard attend a small business mix and toy drive event hosted by the nonprofit organization that serves Black youth on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.              

Andy Kanengiser

Mississippi College’s university news coordinator, Andy Kanengiser, spent three decades as a newspaper reporter. For much of his career, the New Jersey native worked at “The Clarion-Ledger.” Andy also serves as the advisor to the “Mississippi Collegian,” MC’s student newspaper. Pearl residents, he and his wife, Sunuia, stay busy with their five adult children and 10 grandkids! An avid table tennis player, Andy captured gold and silver medals at the Mississippi Senior Olympics, (and State Games). He’s in his 13th season sponsoring the MC team, national collegiate champs in 2015 and No. 2 in 2019.