Congratulations to Big Brother Earnest and Little Brother Dae'zhon for being honored as our Big Brother & Little Brother of the Year at our Big Futures Awards, 2022 Gala!
Dae’zhon was enrolled in the program at the time of a traumatic event and
needed a Big Brother like Earnest to help him through this challenging
time.
When Big Brother Earnest enrolled in the program, he had previous
experience of what it was like to be a Little. Earnest valued his relationship
to his Big growing up and wanted to continue the same legacy. Earnest
was a former Little Brother back in Detroit, MI at the same age as
Dae’zhon. They were matched more than thirty years ago. As an Alpha
Phi Alpha alumni fraternity member, he and other brothers chose to serve
as mentors to pre-teen and teenage African American youth living in the
Solano County community.
Earnest saw that Dae’zhon was very similar to him at that age. Both are
shy, hard-working individuals who sought advice from their Big. Dae’zhon
has been self-motivated academically and he sets high standards for his
grades and goals. Having Earnest as his Big Brother helped push him
to launch his college dreams. Earnest helps him envision the reality of
attending a university and has helped him take the necessary steps to get
there despite setbacks, or fears.
Earnest has helped Dae’zhon face his emotions with strength and courage.
He empowers him to see the potential in what he can do. As a former Little,
Earnest models achievement and possibility for the future. Earnest is an
inspiring example to Dae’zhon as a graduate of UC Berkeley, father to a
beautiful family, and a caring husband.