New chairman of 100 Black Men of Atlanta on the transformative power of mentorship
Sidney Barron, the new board chairman of 100 Black Men of Atlanta, knew Hank Aaron as more than just a baseball legend. He knew him as a mentor. Now, Barron is the one making sure the children of Atlanta are benefiting from mentorship.
Barron says it’s important for a young person to know that they can trust their mentor and that their mentor cares about their goals and overall success.
“I smile because my own mentor, Hank Aaron—Mr. Arron was, of course, a member of 100 Black Men of Atlanta,” said Barron on Thursday’s edition of “Closer Look.”
Barron told program host Rose Scott that he met the late businessman and baseball giant 25 years ago. He said Aaron believed in him and hired him as the general manager of his first BMW car dealership.
“His favorite saying has always been ‘we never lack the ability, we just lack the opportunity,’” explained Barron, who now serves as the vice president of corporate development and real estate for the Asbury Automotive Group.
Barron said he learned about 100 Black Men of Atlanta through Mr. Aaron and decided to get involved.
During the conversation, Barron talked about several topics, including his new role as chairman of the nonprofit, how the organization is transforming the lives of Atlanta youth through mentorship and why the organization supports a new training center for Atlanta first responders.