For IYT College Access Mentor Russell L. Jackson, III, mentorship isn’t just a title, it’s a calling. Recently, his commitment earned him an appointment to the Youth Mental Health Corps (YMHC) Leadership Fellows Program.
We spoke with Russell to talk about his journey with IYT, what he’s most excited about with this new opportunity, and the career goals he’s diligently working towards.
Finding Brotherhood with IYT
Russell’s path to IYT began through a professional recommendation from a former employer, who recognized his passion for working with people and driving change. From his very first day, the culture of IYT stood out.
"IYT staff were all very welcoming and established that brotherhood early on," Russell shared. He credits his supervisors, Ryan Turner, Juwan Nicholson, and Aaron Broadwater, with providing the tools needed to ensure he’d hit the ground running. "They invested in me as a mentor, and equipped me with the resources I needed to be successful with my mentees. It's a real pleasure working with such great people."
Russell had held career aspirations of working in youth development and advocacy, and the support he received from his team helped grounded him from the very start.
When asked about the most rewarding part of his role, Russell highlights the deep trust built with his mentees. "It especially warms my heart when they run up to me and give me good news of what they accomplished. Even when they’re not at their best, they feel comfortable talking to me and working through their situations."
That trust becomes vital when navigating complex challenges, particularly surrounding youth mental health. “Mental health is not an easy topic to discuss,” shared Russell. “Anytime a student requires mental health support, my team takes it very seriously. We connect with the school and the family, and we always want to get the Brother the best care.”
YMHC Leadership Fellows Program
That drive and instinct to support the whole student made Russell a natural fit for the YMHC Leadership Fellows Program. In his new role, he’ll participate in monthly sessions dedicated to community building, leadership development, and peer support. He'll also collaborate on designing experiences for YMHC members, complete asynchronous training modules, build out a career vision project, and join fellow advocates at an in-person member convening.
The Horizon: Bridging Education & Justice
Russell’s twin roles as an IYT Mentor and YMHC Fellow are vital stepping stones, moving him closer toward his larger goal of becoming a Juvenile Defense Attorney. “Taking advantage of these opportunities will set me up to best serve my mentees, and the community,” he shared. As he prepares for this next phase, Russell offered words of encouragement. “I just want people to remember to believe in themselves.”
From all of us at IYT, we’re immensely proud of Russell’s accomplishments, and look forward to seeing the impact he’ll make in the community, and beyond!
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