Former Eagles player expands Philly mentoring program

Mentors like Jenkins played an important role in his career, McCleod said.

A two-time Super Bowl winner with the New Orleans Saints and Eagles, Jenkins has also been recognized by his peers and the industry for his advocacy for social justice throughout his NFL career. In addition, his Malcolm Jenkins Foundation took over several schools in Philadelphia, opened bank accounts for students and focused on financial literacy and leadership.

In 2017, Jenkins received the National Football League Players Association Byron White Award for his philanthropic efforts through his foundation in Philadelphia, New Jersey and New Orleans.

“We don't necessarily think of a lot of people as mentors, we think of them as big brothers or 'OGs,'” McCleod said. “I've had several of these in my life, whether it was a coach giving me advice or instilling confidence in me. They saw something, a vision in me that I didn’t necessarily see.”

According to a 2023 study by MENTOR National, 85% of young people with a mentor said the relationship helped them with issues related to school or education; 75% of people said a mentor contributed significantly to their subsequent success; and 58% of young people with a mentor said the relationship strengthened their mental health.

Based in Boston, MENTOR is a nonprofit mentoring group that tracks real-world numbers.

McCleod, in his 13th season in the NFL, grew up in Maryland and graduated from DeMatha Catholic High School. He and his wife Erika are both graduates of the University of Virginia.

“We created the program to help address generational stigma and statistically low percentages of Black male college students and teachers, as well as on-time high school graduation rates among African American male students,” Erika McLeod said in a statement. “The program helps students understand the value of education. Good students become good husbands, good fathers and good men. Next Man Up develops and motivates these young men to take up the torch of success so that the next generation can follow them.”

McCleod said some young men of color may not have a father at home or other positive role models. Sometimes they tend to look for negative role models.

Maurice Floyd, a longtime political consultant, agreed. He said mentors were invaluable to his career, and in return, Floyd mentored others.

“They help them shape and define themselves,” Floyd said. “Often young people are just looking for answers and don’t really know what they’re looking for. This can go in two directions – something negative or something positive, depending on who influences them.”

McCleod said he asks mentees to commit to giving back to the next generation if they succeed.

He is looking for mentors to join the cause. To do this, please go to the website: www.changeourfuture.com.

“We want to be able to change the narrative,” McCleod said. “We know people will stumble. We need more representatives of black men who can reach out to them in their time of need.”