Growing Kings is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that operates with a mission to encourage and facilitate the critical thinking and positive attitudes of underserved male youth through systemic and targeted enrichment, research, and advocacy.
Journey of a King is a series of three group-based mentoring and enrichment programs offered to male students in the 4th-12th grades attending select low-income public schools throughout the Birmingham City area. Programs are offered in public school based on their number of students who receive free and/or reduced lunches. School faculty and administration identify students for the Journey of a King program based on the student’s in-school behavioral data, grades, and standardized test scores.
Journey of a King operates within continuums based on a high school feeder pattern. Each program within the Journey of a King series operates with its own distinct curriculum that is relevant in content and delivery methodology. The Journey of a King program includes:
Prince Charming is a literacy and mathematics program designed for 4th and 5th grade students. The purpose of the program is to encourage students to develop a habit for reading and possess a deeper appreciation for math.
Measures of a Man is a program designed for young males in 6th through 8th grade. The curriculum focuses on character development, violence prevention, and self-efficacy. The goal of the program is to build generations of young, responsible men, who possess both courage and character.
Scholars & Gentlemen is a program for young men in the 9th through 12th grades, and focuses on manhood, culture, and entrepreneurship. The goal of the program is to ensure that every student graduates from high school adequately prepared to enter college, the military, or begin a career.
Since our inception in 2009, Growing Kings has been able to provide mentoring support free of charge to over 850 students in Birmingham City Schools. For more information about our work, please visit our website www.GrowingKings.org.
