CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A high school senior plans to give back to the organization that mentored him growing up.

         What You Need to Know

• Caden Byers is a mentee at 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte 

• 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte focuses on mentoring primarily Black teens

• Byers receives one-on-one mentoring sessions with his mentor Patricke Ward and group mentoring sessions

Caden Byers is in the Movement of Youth Program of 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte. This organization focuses on mentoring primarily Black teens.

The nonprofit organization aims to build the next generation of leaders and prevent violence in the community. 

Byers, 17, is a senior at Charlotte Engineering Early College High School. 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte selected Byers as its Mentee of the Year in 2019. 

He’s been with his mentor, Patricke Ward, for five years. 

“Patricke has been a great influence in my life, influenced a lot of my decisions,” Byers said. 

Ward, who works in insurance and real estate, doesn’t have children of his own but wanted to give back. 

“I didn’t really have a relationship with my father. Not a lot of male role models around, so when I got in position to do the same thing, I couldn’t wait to do it,” Ward said. 

Byers, who comes from a single parent home, said most of his male role models are from 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte.

“They all taught me about finance, life advice. How to handle myself among the crowd. How to present myself, how to carry myself,” Byers said.

Ward and Byers go to a golf course often to spend time together. Here, Byers is learning about patience and consistency. 

"Progress comes in being consistent over and over again, and I watched him take that through his life. When he’s at school, when he’s at work, he’s a very patient young man. He’s patient. He doesn’t rush. He understands what’s important and what’s not important,” Ward said. 

Byers also attends the Movement of Youth Program every other Saturday where he volunteers and learns about different subjects, including resolving conflict without violence. 

“I’ve never had an issue that I couldn’t resolve it through words. I’ve been given the tools to deal with it,” Byers said. 

Ward said it’s rewarding to be his mentor. 

"It has been one of best things I’ve ever had a chance to do,” Ward said. 

After high school, Byers is interested in pursuing a career in architecture or engineering.

He also plans to return to help the 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte. 

“I already decided when I get the opportunity to be a mentor, I’ll give back,” Byers said. 

The group’s core program, Movement of Youth, is for 12 to 18 year olds, and it’s free. 

100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte also raises awareness about violence in the city through billboards and education about de-escalation and conflict resolution resources in their mentoring sessions.