Boys and young men of color face many obstacles in their daily quest to realize a life of significance. It is thus critical that systems of change develop practices that provide comprehensive support and enrichment. In this session, attendees will explore effective mentoring models developed and implemented by the Santa Fe Indian School in New Mexico and by Growing Kings in Birmingham, Alabama. This session will focus on how practitioners can better understand the landscape that urban youth – specifically boys of color – face, in order to develop culturally relevant programming that’s effective, sustainable, and replicable.