Zenell Brown
January is National Mentoring Month on the Heritage and Awareness Calendar.
Mentor relationships are keys to success.
Since its launch in 2002, every U.S. President has recognized January as National Mentoring Month (NMM). The movement was ignited through a collaboration between Harvard University and MENTOR, and it continues to shine a light on the power of guidance, connection, and opportunity.
National Mentoring Month is a time to reflect on how mentorship has transformed our lives and strengthened our communities.
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January 6 – I Am a Mentor Day
Celebrate and represent your mentoring programs and organizations on social media—like it’s NFL Signing Day or College Decision Day.
Use #IAmAMentor and show the world who you stand with and who you pour into.
—————
January 8 – Thank Your Mentor Day
Offer public appreciation or send a private note of gratitude acknowledging how a mentor supported your journey, helped you navigate a decision, opened a door, or shared invaluable insight.
If you’re anything like me, you could fill the entire month with thank-yous—to the people who helped you see the next step more clearly, provided a timely lead, or simply believed in you.
—————
January 17 – International Mentoring Day
An opportunity to extend gratitude globally and recognize the universal impact of mentorship across cultures and borders.
—————
January 19 - MLK Day
This day of service can also be a day of mentoring with local youth organizations, future lawyers, or new lawyers. Even Dr. King had mentors. Opportunities to honor his legacy and create meaningful mentoring moments abound.
“Mentoring” is a powerful response to Dr. King’s inquiry, “What are you doing for others?”
As of 2024, over 2 million young people aged 8-24 have benefited through the efforts of MENTOR.
National Mentoring Month is also the time to make or renew our own commitment to serve as mentors in this year. Our profession needs to develop and open career pathways for students and those new to the practice. Lawyering is busy, and there are only so many hours enough hours in non-billable day so it’s easy to think you don’t have time to commit.
Here are a few starters for those who need flexibility and shorter term commitments at this time:
• The State Bar of Michigan Diversity and Inclusion Committee hosts the “Face of Justice” and other programs throughout Michigan and needs local lawyers and judges to serve at the events. Contact: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SBMFOJinterest
• The Michigan Center for Civic Education continues to need legal professionals to serve as judges for mock-trials. Contact: mocktrial@miciviced.org
• The Umoja Debate League has taken Detroit by storm. The middle and high schoolers need judges for their Saturday competitions. The Wolverine Bar and Women Lawyers Association of Michigan have supported the event. Contact: info@umojadebateteam.org
• The Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Women Judges collaborates with law schools and colleges to host MentorJet, which is mentoring set up like a speed dating format. Within a hour, students connect and spend about 7-10 minutes with each lawyer and judge mentor. The mentors and mentees exchange contact information so they may follow up for extended conversations. Contact: zenellbrown@comcast.net
At mentor events, students often meet lawyers for the first time and are surprised to learn that lawyers come from all backgrounds and identities. A few hours of your time can make a world of difference to a student or colleague and help build a more inclusive legal community.
—————
Attorney, mediator, and administrator Zenell B. Brown has worn many hats during her legal career, focusing on making courts more accessible and inclusive. Her most effective approach has been getting know others over a cup of coffee. Brown is a faculty member of the Institute of Court Management, the Michigan Judicial Institute, and the Michigan Women Lawyers’ Leadership Academy, focusing on the topics of strategic thinking and planning, leadership development, and workplace inclusion.
Mentor relationships are keys to success.
Since its launch in 2002, every U.S. President has recognized January as National Mentoring Month (NMM). The movement was ignited through a collaboration between Harvard University and MENTOR, and it continues to shine a light on the power of guidance, connection, and opportunity.
National Mentoring Month is a time to reflect on how mentorship has transformed our lives and strengthened our communities.
—————
January 6 – I Am a Mentor Day
Celebrate and represent your mentoring programs and organizations on social media—like it’s NFL Signing Day or College Decision Day.
Use #IAmAMentor and show the world who you stand with and who you pour into.
—————
January 8 – Thank Your Mentor Day
Offer public appreciation or send a private note of gratitude acknowledging how a mentor supported your journey, helped you navigate a decision, opened a door, or shared invaluable insight.
If you’re anything like me, you could fill the entire month with thank-yous—to the people who helped you see the next step more clearly, provided a timely lead, or simply believed in you.
—————
January 17 – International Mentoring Day
An opportunity to extend gratitude globally and recognize the universal impact of mentorship across cultures and borders.
—————
January 19 - MLK Day
This day of service can also be a day of mentoring with local youth organizations, future lawyers, or new lawyers. Even Dr. King had mentors. Opportunities to honor his legacy and create meaningful mentoring moments abound.
“Mentoring” is a powerful response to Dr. King’s inquiry, “What are you doing for others?”
As of 2024, over 2 million young people aged 8-24 have benefited through the efforts of MENTOR.
National Mentoring Month is also the time to make or renew our own commitment to serve as mentors in this year. Our profession needs to develop and open career pathways for students and those new to the practice. Lawyering is busy, and there are only so many hours enough hours in non-billable day so it’s easy to think you don’t have time to commit.
Here are a few starters for those who need flexibility and shorter term commitments at this time:
• The State Bar of Michigan Diversity and Inclusion Committee hosts the “Face of Justice” and other programs throughout Michigan and needs local lawyers and judges to serve at the events. Contact: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SBMFOJinterest
• The Michigan Center for Civic Education continues to need legal professionals to serve as judges for mock-trials. Contact: mocktrial@miciviced.org
• The Umoja Debate League has taken Detroit by storm. The middle and high schoolers need judges for their Saturday competitions. The Wolverine Bar and Women Lawyers Association of Michigan have supported the event. Contact: info@umojadebateteam.org
• The Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Women Judges collaborates with law schools and colleges to host MentorJet, which is mentoring set up like a speed dating format. Within a hour, students connect and spend about 7-10 minutes with each lawyer and judge mentor. The mentors and mentees exchange contact information so they may follow up for extended conversations. Contact: zenellbrown@comcast.net
At mentor events, students often meet lawyers for the first time and are surprised to learn that lawyers come from all backgrounds and identities. A few hours of your time can make a world of difference to a student or colleague and help build a more inclusive legal community.
—————
Attorney, mediator, and administrator Zenell B. Brown has worn many hats during her legal career, focusing on making courts more accessible and inclusive. Her most effective approach has been getting know others over a cup of coffee. Brown is a faculty member of the Institute of Court Management, the Michigan Judicial Institute, and the Michigan Women Lawyers’ Leadership Academy, focusing on the topics of strategic thinking and planning, leadership development, and workplace inclusion.
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