By Monika King

 

“I was 17 when I first started my own projects with young people, but I was 20 when I formed the Adonai Center,” says Kevin Carter, who is now 22 years old.

Kevin spends most of his day mentoring minority males in the public school systems and after-school projects. The Adonai Center for Black Males Inc., the name of the non-profit organization ran by Mr. Carter, services African American, Hispanic, and At-Risk Males in the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County from ages 12 to 24. The organization was birthed in 2006, during Kevin’s third year in high school, but has been “functional” since 2009. He started the program because of “the lack of black males enrolled in post-secondary institutions.” After doing research about the subject, he noticed how much of an impact education has on a person’s economic success and wanted to give as many people a chance at obtaining that success as possible. “I wish to decrease the dropout rate amongst minority males and help them plan for a life of self-sufficient behaviors and activities,” was the answer given when Mr. Carter was asked what he wished his program could accomplish.

So who has been his step by step guide along this long journey?  

  

When asked who his own mentors were throughout the process of starting his own program, Kevin stated, “I truly didn’t have any mentors in the process but I have found individuals who have been willing to lend a helping hand and support me along the way.” He has been blessed to have the advice and guidance of many city leaders and other CEO’s who also sit on his board of advisors. Although he hasn’t had much help throughout this process, he has had the guidance of numerous people throughout his life like Allen Perry, who was his Boy Scouts Troop Leader and Rev. John Welch, who serves at the church Kevin attends.

Funding is always needed especially when running a non-profit organization. When it comes to funding, The Adonai Center’s fundraising plan is diversified. They enlist help from “foundations, individuals, and corporations.” They also participate in “enterprise fundraising,” organize “special events,” and use some of the “program revenue” to help with out-of-pocket expenses. Kevin makes sure that the funds received are poured right back into the organization. Only 12% go towards fundraising and administrative cost, while the other 88% takes care of the program’s maintenance and activities for the participants.

Kevin Carter is a very determined and driven young man. The Adonai Center for Black Males Inc. has really helped to keep some of the minorities in Pittsburgh off the streets and in the schools. “Our greatest achievement has been obtaining the respect of the young men,” Kevin says about the participants in his program. His leadership and guidance can truly help to put, and keep, today’s youth on the road to successful futures.

If you would like to donate or would like more information about the organization, you can contact Kevin Carter at kcarter@adonaicenter.org or go to www.adonaicenter.org.