CREATIVE THOUGHT AT WORK Millennial mentoring
“My life story is the story of relation- ships,” says JuVan Langford ’10. “It’s the story of relationships and angels.” Langford wasn’t yet school-age when his father died and his mother turned to drugs, leaving him in the hands of his beloved grandmother for love, support, and learning about dignity and self-re- spect. She was his first angel. But he also became familiar with the foster-care sys- tem. “As a little boy, I couldn’t articulate things or change them. I prayed for a male role model—a coach, a teacher, an uncle—who could teach me about being a man,” he recalls. Ultimately he became not only a man, but a mentor to young- sters in similar straits; he became the person he’d been wishing for. Throughout his adolescence, the ath- letic and handsome Langford worked on perfecting his game. Then came a big
from a stage-and-set world he had never imagined. Then, another break: he was accepted to Skidmore.
From his experience as a model, Lang- ford knew he wanted to work behind the scenes in the entertainment busi- ness. So he went to Skid- more’s career services of-
fice and found 143 names of alumni in the field. He reached out, and film writer, director, producer, and actor Bill Ladd ’83 answered. Langford says Ladd “opened his home to me in L.A., where I wanted to live but didn’t know anyone. He was my mentor. He believed in me. This falls under the arc of relationships with a purpose.” Langford’s vision evolved, and the poet, musician, author, digital-media tactician, public speaker, and teacher in him rose to the surface. As he formulated his life mission and strategized how to turn it into action, Ladd remained his ally and angel.
OFFERING INSPIRATION AND GUIDANCE, JUVAN LANGFORD ’10 MENTORS YOUNG PEOPLE IN PERSON AND ONLINE.
break: he was recruited by a top agency as a fashion model, enabling him to trav- el far beyond inner-city Worcester, Mass., where he was raised, and to meet people
What emerged was Mentors Making Major Moves, aka M4, an initia- tive Langford founded in 2011 to mentor the millen- nial generation—today’s teens and young adults, whom he calls “engaged learners” in a curriculum blending academics, life skills, arts and entertain- ment, and health and well- ness. He reflects, “A men- tor is a teacher with wis- dom, but it’s also someone who is always in your cor- ner, no matter what. A mentor is able to tap into what you have to offer. A mentor doesn’t categorize you to make sense of you.”
Through M4 he has created a program that he brings into classrooms to offer mentoring and experience in everything from creative writing to financial litera-
cy, from nutrition and cooking to digital publishing, from living a clean life to understanding and developing one’s “inner glow.”
“I DON’T HAVE
TO DO THIS WORK; I GET TO DO IT.
LIFE IS PHENOMENAL.”
To launch M4, he says, “I started out hav- ing to bootstrap, but pri- vate donors and grants keep us going now. There
are people aligned on the path of self- discovery.” Indeed, he adds, “It is my be- lief that I am being used by a higher power to help people and touch lives. I don’t have to do this work; I get to do it. Doors open. Life is phenomenal.” Also a Tiger Wood Foundation men-
tor, Langford has built an enthusiastic following through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blog and vlog messaging, and frequent personal appearances to spread his credo: “Some have a strong will, oth- ers have a strong won’t.” “Keep your word or keep your distance.” “Limits are not set, they are agreed upon.” “If you are not able to be alone, you will only know how to be lonely.” “Until you find a balance, ride the rhythm.” “Be specific about your plan, but be flexible about how you put it into place.” “I know two things about gifts: everyone wants one and everyone has one.”
Being charismatic is hard work, and when the versatile Langford needs to re fuel, he surfs, meditates, or reads (a re- cent favorite novel was The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo). He also finds it important to work out, hike and bike, and enjoy the outdoors. But fundamentally he is all about people, and whenever he can he tells his story at
mrjlangford.com and
youtube.com/user/mrjlangford. “What’s refreshing,” he says, “is to be around people, touch hearts, do public service. Now, I know I can’t get to every- body, but I can make a dent. I want to get to those foster-care children in the inner cities and help them break the cycle that keeps them down. That’s why I’m here: I carry my grandmother’s hopes for me wherever I go.” —Helen Edelman ’74
SPRING 2014 SCOPE 21
MARC CAMPOS
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