LOCKETT GIVES BACK WITH YEARLY MENTORING CAMP

By Carol Muse Evans

Some five years ago, Joe Lockett, founder and CEO of Lockett iN Media, motivational speaker and host of the Joe Lockett Radio Show, was thinking about how he could “give back” to the community. He wanted to help kids stay out of trouble while at the same time creating a vision for what their lives could be.

He decided talking to these kids and mentoring them was the way to help. So, his vision became reality with the JL Mentoring Camp and Joe’s Lock & Learn program, now in its fifth year. “We offer an opportunity… we bring in folks to teach them about work and who are willing to offer them a job later,” Lockett explains of the Mentoring Camp. “It’s important to plug kids into mentoring. They can see their options, opportunities and what life is truly about. I want to plant a seed.”

The Mentoring Camp takes boys or girls ages 8-16 for 3-5 days and brings in mentors from across the city to share and teach the kids. The city of Birmingham’s Henry Crumpton Recreational Center has been the site for the past few years. For a small fee of $10, kids can register online at www. facebook.com/JLMENTORINGCAMP/. Space is limited.

In addition to learning about jobs and career paths, Lockett says they learn simple manners, how to look someone in the eye when talking to them, a handshake, how to dress for jobs and the job interview, how to tie a tie, how to be respectful, say “yes sir,” and “no sir” and much more. They’ll learn how to carry themselves, how to sit, personal hygiene, and so much more. “They learn the ‘man code,’” Lockett adds. And once a child has been through the camp, Lockett says they can return as an “ambassador” of the program.

“We live in a society where people need to pay more attention to each other, especially the kids,” Lockett reflects. “In some communities, if kids make mistakes, they can die. We want them to know anybody can make a difference if they work hard. We need to care more about people than politics and religion – we need to be better people,” Lockett adds.

The mentoring camp isn’t the only way Lockett is giving back. His Community First: The Joe Lockett philosophy would be nothing without giving back to the community, he says. His Lock & Learn program has given away over 4,000 book bags over the last three years. In 2016 Joe created the JL Mentoring Camp for girls and boys, which served 30 families as a result of the free camp.

Lockett also has created his own sock line, Walking In Faith-JL Signature socks (www.jlsocks.com), in which 25 percent of the proceeds goes to charity.

Lockett has received numerous awards, including the Who’s Who in Birmingham, Men of Influence Award, Mayor William A. Bell Sr. Small Business Award, and William Robertson 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Lockett has three children.

For more information about the summer mentoring camp, visit https://www.facebook. com/JLMENTORINGCAMP/.