What Makes A Mentor?

What does it take to be a mentor? Is it merely an experience, a willingness to do so, or is it more? A “thing” if you will, a feeling of wanting more for someone else than they even want for themselves? Honestly, I am not sure, however, I am sure of one thing, To be a good mentor I truly believe you must at some point be a mentee. 

I have been fortunate enough to be a mentee of some truly amazing mentors. All who believed in me far more than myself. My first mentorship was as a photographer’s assistant, he was very direct and let me know, “if you’re late once, your position goes to the next person in line”. I learned a lot from him, oddly enough not only about photography but business, proper practices, and the importance of representing yourself/ brand. It was truly the start of building the foundation for how I operate and work today. 

So when the opportunity to become a mentor as part of a program designed to preserve a craft and culture I deeply care about presented itself, I took it seriously. There’s an unspoken aspect about being a mentee, you are opening yourself up and being vulnerable. You’re saying I am not where I want to be, you are and I am asking for your help to guide me the best way you can... I understand being vulnerable, I understand being misguided. That is why I take the role so seriously. 

I met my mentee Deah Berry Mitchell in Memphis, TN during the weekend of Memphis in May. One of the largest Barbecue Championship Competitions in the country. The best of the best gather to showcase their culinary skills. Deah is in my opinion what is truly needed in the craft of Barbecue, it needs storytellers and archivists. I came to this conclusion earlier this year in January when I decided for Black History Month I would showcase a different black Pitmaster, Cook, Chef, Rub creator, etc. Little did I know it would be the most challenging task for me to complete this year. There was little to no documentation of their contributions or who they were. This posed a situation that needed to be corrected, Deah in my belief is the perfect person to do just that.