MEGA Mentors Founding Members

MEGA’s rich history and community impact began in the fall of 2009. During this time, Marcus Newsome, Chesterfield County Public Schools Superintendent, approached six community leaders regarding the need to provide students with positive African American role models. Dr. Newsome expressed the need to enhance academic performance, improve graduation rates, and reduce discipline issues. The superintendent’s request was the catalyst that ignited a movement and the formation of MEGA Mentors (Mentors Expecting Greater Achievement) in 2010. Within a year, MEGA’S leadership of six grew to more than 12.

Beginning in 2010, the larger team focused on “service, sustainability and scale.” An organizational mission was realized. Our mission centered on providing guidance to students, and teaching relevant life skills to assist students with attaining success. MEGA’s goals became very clear: Devise ways to build hope, self-regulation and leadership skills. We believed that if we could influence the aforementioned, we would positively impact student behaviors, attitudes, and performance.

MEGA Mentors founding members

Left to right: Otis Jones, E. Lee Coble, Marcus Newsome, Greg Hillman and Larry Murphy.
Not Pictured: Victor Branch, Shannon Wilson and Bill Day.