A Journey Through Big Futures with Big Sister Jennifer and Littles Daterius & Kamira
April 11, 2025
My name is Jennifer Bartels, and it is truly an honor to be here with you tonight. I am a BBBS-er through and through. I’ve been a staff member since 2020, but my journey with this organization started long before that—as a Big Sister, as a leader in their former Young Professionals Group, and as a proud member of the North Minneapolis community.
But really, this journey began with an eight-year-old boy and his amazing parents. When my husband David and I first became a Big Couple in 2013, we were matched with an incredibly sweet and thoughtful 8-year-old boy named Daterius. For ten years, we had the privilege of walking alongside him as he grew up—cheering him on at band concerts, celebrating birthdays, attending church picnics, even going on a double date once (!) and ultimately becoming woven into his family’s story, just as they became part of ours.
They welcomed us into their world, and in turn, they celebrated milestones with us—our wedding, moving just a few miles away from them, and the births of our children, Dean and June. When Daterius graduated, he told me something I’ll never forget.
He said, “Kamira needs this too.”
I had known Kamira since she was just 5 years old—we’d attended her dance recitals, and she adored our kids. We had already watched her grow, in the background of our match. He wanted his little sister to experience the same support, the same opportunities, the same Big Futures that he had found in this program. And so, I matched with Kamira. It felt like a natural next chapter in a story that had already begun years earlier.
Let me tell you—being matched with Kamira has been an entirely different experience and in all the best ways! With her, I get to hear about the everyday things—what’s on her mind, how she sees the world, what she’s dreaming about. We bonded over our love for Korean food, our curiosity for trying new things, and our shared excitement for Big Brothers Big Sisters events.
And what’s been beautiful is how Big Brothers Big Sisters has grown with us. As Daterius’ and Kamira’s interests evolved, Big Brothers Big Sisters met them where they were. We discovered new things together, deepened our connection, and made memories we still laugh about today.
And now—this spring—Kamira is graduating. We are so excited to celebrate this incredible milestone
with her. She is also Minnesota’s 2024 Ms. Teen Juneteenth—and yes, she is here with us tonight!
Kamira, would you be willing to stand so we can honor the amazing young woman you are—and all that lies ahead? After graduation, Kamira will be enlisting in the United States Air Force, and plans to attend Texas Southern University to study Criminal Law.
This is what Big Brothers Big Sisters is all about.
I remember when I joined the staff five years ago. After seven years as a Big, stepping into the internal side of the work was eye-opening. But what I saw was a team deeply committed to building a future where every young person has access to meaningful mentorship.
I have had the privilege of walking alongside Big Brothers Big Sisters through leadership transitions, relocating to North Minneapolis, through defining new values, and now, through the launch of our bold three-year strategic plan. And I am so proud to be part of an organization that is listening with humility, leading with heart, and doing the hard, intentional work to grow and evolve. We’re looking inward—at who we are, what we stand for, and why we do this work. Because mentorship doesn’t just change a moment. It changes lives.
Because when Kamira and I walk into a match event, we don’t just see a teen match hangout. We see smiles that signal safety, curiosity that grows into courage, and connections that matter. That’s why tonight, we are celebrating Big Night, Big Futures.
Because it’s more than an event. It’s our mission—in motion. It’s what belonging looks like. It’s walking into a room and knowing: “I am seen. I am heard. I matter.”
It’s incredible staff like Silvia—who doesn’t just know Kamira by name. She knows her goals, her spark, and her big dreams.
So as we watch this mission video, I ask you to think about this: What future can YOU help spark?
Thank you for being here, for believing in mentorship, and for helping create Big Futures.
Before I leave the stage, I want to end with a note from my heart—Kamira, you are brilliant. You are kind. You are wise beyond your years. Watching you grow into the young woman you are today has changed me, too. You’ve taught me about strength, grace, and what it means to keep showing up for one another. Baby girl, I am so proud of you and I am so privileged to be part of your journey. To stand in your corner. To be part of your village. And I promise—I will always be one of your loudest advocates.
And to your sweet family—thank you. Thank you for welcoming us in, for trusting us, and for sharing your lives with ours. It has been such an incredible privilege and honor to be a part of your family.
This is Jennifer Bartels’ speech from the 2025 Big Night Gala, our annual fundraiser and celebration of the power of mentorship.
Thinking about becoming a mentor? Let Jennifer’s and our mentors’ stories be your reminder that showing up matters.
