Youth Mentorship Fuels Economic Mobility and Big Futures: CEO Pat Sukhum’s Big Night Gala Message
April 11, 2025
This is Pat Sukhum’s speech from the 2025 Big Night Gala, our annual fundraiser and celebration of the power of mentorship. Watch or read it below.
We are an organization built on stories. Stories like those you just heard from Jakaila and Darius, Jennifer and Daterius, and then new stories for Jennifer and Kamira, even Steve learning to tie a tie.
I’ve got countless stories with Derrick, the Little Brother I was matched with 27 years ago. Shooting hoops. Baking cookies. He took his drivers test in my car, and also used that car for his prom. We won Big & Little of the year. He wrote a rap about us. He was the best man when I got married. We even modeled together in a Land’s End catalog.
Am I gloating at this point? Yeah, maybe. Through ups and downs, it’s hard not to be proud of a relationship like ours. All these stories are the heartbeat of Big Brothers Big Sisters. And we have millions of them. And those stories build to a collective impact. We have the data to prove it.
And as many of you know, the former underwriter in me loves to talk about data. Numerous studies—from the Office of Juvenile Justice, the CDC, the Department of Education, The World Bank—all confirm the power of youth mentoring: stronger mental health, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher academic performance. But there’s one study that has me truly geeking out.
Last year, a 30-year study in conjunction with Harvard University and the IRS examined the long-term impact of Big Brothers Big Sisters mentorship, including youth from the Twin Cities. The entire pool for the study were youth that signed-up for a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Unfortunately, not all youth that sign-up for a Big ultimately are matched with one. Remember the 600 young people Steve mentioned on our wait list? Because of a lack of resources/volunteers, some will unfortunately never be matched. The study compared those that were matched, with those that were not.
These records were cross-referenced with IRS data, college enrollment records, incarceration databases, and birth records—an unprecedented analysis of longitudinal data, following Littles into adulthood. The results?
Increased graduations. Higher college enrollment. Lower incarceration and teen pregnancy rates. What these outcomes drove was an incredible financial impact, closing two-thirds of the equity gap. It equated to a 15% increase in lifetime earnings for Littles who had a Big. That’s real economic mobility.
Harvard deemed Big Brothers Big Sisters one of the most efficient youth intervention strategies they’ve ever tested. And it makes sense. Future success lives in having the necessary skills and developing the youth pathways, which as you’ve seen tonight, Big Brothers Big Sisters helps develop. AND, it’s about having networks, social capital and social connections, relationships. That’s the magic of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
So what does that mean in real dollars? Let me give you an “example.” Let’s say my good friend Roger Bailey here—hi, Roger. Let’s just say he raises his paddle in a few moments and exclaims, “Hey Pat, I’m proud to donate $1,000” Just an example, right Roger?
That $1,000 equates to over $23,000 in future earnings for a Little. That’s the math. Tonight, we’re all shooting for a fundraising goal of close to $500K.
That amount, built through the generosity and investment from all of you, equates to over $11 million dollars in increased earnings for the young people in our program. This is more than a donation—it’s generational transformation. A stronger economy. A ripple effect that builds wealth and closes gaps. In an organization with millions of stories. This is a big one.
See? It’s that easy. And, sometimes it isn’t. This is my fourth gala as CEO.
The first year, I stood onstage with Derrick, who I spoke about earlier. That match is 99% of the reason I stand here today.
Year two, I stood with Christine Meyer of Girls Rise Up, another brilliant youth mentoring organization, highlighting the power of partnership.
Last year, I was joined by Shary. Remember her? My incredible Youth Interpreter, who reminded us of the strength in listening to and embracing the voices of young people.
Each year, I’ve helped share stories, some data, and inspiration. But tonight, I have to acknowledge something heavier. In this current climate, our values, relationships, youth-centered, belonging, justice, equity, diversity, inclusion—the foundation of our work, are under attack. Over our 105 year history, we’ve had to adapt, navigate, and find new ways to sustain our mission. And we will continue to do so.
And, our values will continue to guide how we invite and support our participants, how we design the programming you’ve heard about throughout the night, and how we build relationships across our community. This is what is being asked of us from the young people in our programs.
And this isn’t just a professional challenge—it’s personal, for all of us. It made me reflect on my leadership. In this moment, would we step-up? Would we shrink? It’s funny (well, not really).
Before Big Brothers Big Sisters, I used to think I really understood the value of inclusion and belonging as I…nodded along. But as Jennifer said earlier, we need to listen with humility. I’m not sure I was doing that. I wasn’t questioning. I didn’t often think about what voices were represented or underrepresented—how my experiences were informing my perspectives.
But here’s the truth: When you’re surrounded by this team, by this mission, and most importantly, by the Bigs, the Littles, and their families. You don’t shrink under this pressure. You rise.
I am so grateful for that gift. And can so clearly see that value across everyone who embraces the journey. That’s what this work does. It makes all of us rise. It makes all of us better members of our communities.
In a moment, you’ll be asked to invest in the young people of Big Brothers Big Sisters at different levels.
Tonight, I’m personally giving $5,000—it’s the largest one-time gift I’ve ever made. For me, it’s very clear. We need to go above and beyond. I don’t say my giving amount looking for praise. Honestly, if you want to applaud someone tonight, please find a Little, a Big, or one of the Big Brothers Big Sisters team and honor them. They are on the front lines of this work navigating this challenge. They deserve it. I’m giving because I know the impact. That $5,000 equates to close to $120,000 in additional earnings for Littles.
And, it’s needed now. This work has always been challenging, and now becomes even more challenging. We will have less resources. And we will have an even greater demand for our programs, from young people who already feel unseen. In a world that tries to divide us, bully us, this work stands in opposition. We are here to build up, not break down. To include, not exclude. To see young people for who they are and who they can become.
Despite these challenges, or maybe even because of these challenges, I have never been more proud to be part of this team. To lead this organization. To stand in front of you—our partners, our believers, our champions. Please join me in supporting this work. Please consider going above and beyond. Let’s make tonight a moment we can ALL be proud of. A moment where we stand up for young people like Derrick, Daterius, Kamira, Shary, Jakaila, Darius.
For all young people, and for the Big Futures we know are possible.
Thank you.
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