Rochester, NY – The air buzzed with excitement and possibility at the Rundel Memorial Building of the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County on Saturday, December 14, 2024. Mayor Malik D. Evans hosted the Second Annual Mayor’s Mentor Up Winter Gala. This special event celebrated Rochester mentorship, connecting young people from Rochester with inspiring community role models. It was a night of connection and inspiration.

This gala is a key part of the Mayor’s Mentor Up Program. The program provides a platform for youth mentees, ages 14 to 18, to network with professionals. These professionals represent various fields. For example, they come from engineering, medicine, law, finance, arts, and business. First, attendees received guidance from Dale Carnegie. Then, they engaged in meaningful conversations with mentors. They explored potential careers and gained valuable insights.

Mayor Evans emphasized the two-way street of mentorship.

He spoke about the mutual learning experience between mentors and mentees. “As our youth look toward their futures, we are fortunate to have so many role models willing to help guide and at the same time, learn from the fresh perspectives our youth have to offer,” he stated. “This is what the Mentor Up Gala is all about – celebrating what we can learn from one another and investing in the future of our city. From the youth I have met tonight, I can say that future is bright!”

Farrell Carey (left), Mohammed Alghall, Rashad A. Scott, Trevor Wiggins  on December 14, 2024.

Rashad A. Scott: A Champion for Youth

Among the esteemed mentors was Rashad Scott. He is the CEO and Creative Director of Cinevize, LLC. He is a passionate visual storyteller and dedicated mentor. He represented his company at the gala. This further demonstrates Cinevize’s commitment to community engagement. Cinevize is a Rochester-based videography and photography company. They help local businesses and non-profits share their stories visually. Scott’s presence highlighted his belief in mentorship. It also showcased his dedication to nurturing young talent in Rochester.

Furthermore, Scott’s commitment goes beyond Cinevize. He has a long history of mentoring students. He has worked with students at School Without Walls. He has also mentored through independent programs. He guides them in media production. He helps them discover their creative potential. He is passionate about education and collaboration. Consequently, he is involved in various community initiatives. One such initiative is his work with “The Talented Tenth.” This organization empowers youth. Importantly, several of Scott’s mentees attended the gala. He recently traveled to Africa with these mentees. Cinevize documented their educational trip through video and photography. This trip demonstrated the power of education and cross-cultural exchange.

A Community Effort

The Mayor’s Mentor Up Winter Gala was made possible by several local organizations. These include LaBella Associates, Rochester Regional Health, T Mobile, Deborah Stamps Consulting LLC., William & Shiela Konar Foundation, and Beta Chi Chi Inc. Volunteers from Alpha Phi Alpha and Sigma Gamma Rho also contributed.

Looking Ahead with Rochester Mentorship

Rochester youth should attend the upcoming “Mentor Up Experience” on April 12, 2025. This event will feature interactive workshops. These workshops will help young people, ages 14-18, develop important skills.

For more information about the Mayor’s Mentor Up Program and upcoming events, please visit the City of Rochester website. To learn more about Cinevize and their work, visit www.cinevize.com or contact info@cinevize.com.

View the gala’s other 2024 mentors: https://www.cityofrochester.gov/departments/mayors-office/2024-mayors-mentor-winter-gala-mentors