SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – Charlton Jefferson believes the youth are a community’s greatest asset, and he’s putting that philosophy into practice through Entire Mentoring, a program designed to fill a critical gap in households headed by single mothers.
“Whatever little things I can teach and give to the next generation, I’m going to do that,” Jefferson said. “And even if it’s just me telling them what not to do, to avoid the mistakes I made.”
Addressing a Growing Need
The statistics underscore the program’s importance. According to data Jefferson cited, 61% of U.S. homes are headed by single parents, with women leading 80% of those households.
While single mothers are “amazing, strong and smart,” Jefferson said there are certain lessons and guidance traditionally provided by male figures that can benefit young men. “A woman can raise a man with help,” he said. “We all need help. Nobody can do it by themselves.”
Drawing on Personal Experience
Jefferson’s commitment to supporting single mothers stems partly from his own childhood. His parents divorced when he was five years old, and his mother raised him with assistance from community members who stepped in to help.
“My mother had a lot of help from the community,” Jefferson said. “Now is the time that we return that favor.”
He acknowledged that the support systems available decades ago may no longer be effective in today’s world. “What she did back in the days, it’s not gonna work now,” Jefferson said. “Today it’s a whole new world. So we have to make sure that we are there for these mothers.”
The presence of positive male mentors — whether uncles, cousins, or respected community members — can make a measurable difference in children’s lives, Jefferson emphasized. Part of Entire Mentoring’s mission is adapting to modern challenges while ensuring these critical relationships are fostered.
Queens Raising Kings Conference
Jefferson said he is bringing his mission to life through Queens Raising Kings, a conference now in its second year that offers mothers real-world advice and perspective from successful men across all walks of life.
“It’s not a group of people telling you how to raise your son,” Jefferson said. “It’s a group of people offering advice on what their mothers did to help them become successful.”
The upcoming conference is set to feature the mayor of Savannah, the Chatham County Sheriff, and other community leaders, along with a guest who was born and raised in Rwanda and is making the trip from North Carolina to share his story.
“You’ve got three men there from all walks of life and others who will be joining you,” Jefferson said. “Who could give some different perspectives because there’s always more than one way to do the right thing.”
The conference operates without scripts or pre-planning. Attendees stand up to ask questions, and panelists offer honest answers based on their lived experiences.
Lessons from Year One
Last year’s inaugural conference revealed common concerns among single mothers. One of the most frequently asked questions was how to maintain discipline with their sons, even when emotions pull them toward leniency.
“The punishment it’s not just for him but it’s for you too,” Jefferson advised. “You have to know that I could easily get him off punishment but what is that gonna teach him? You have to be hard and say I’m gonna punish you but like my mom used to say it’s gonna hurt me more than it’s gonna hurt you.”
The response was so overwhelming that Jefferson decided to expand the event. “When I did the first one it was just me giving my account and me answering questions. But what I found is that a lot of ladies had a lot of questions,” he said. “So I said I will do this again and I will get more men to help me with this.”
SEE: Queens Raising Kings returns with honest conversation on raising Black sons
Looking Forward
Jefferson’s hope for the upcoming conference extends beyond a single event. “I’m hoping the attendees will have an opportunity to meet some people and connect with some people as well as some services within the community that they can rely on,” he said. “I don’t want it to be just one event where everybody comes out we say a whole lot of stuff and then two weeks later nobody’s following up. This is just another piece to what we need to do within our community for our young people.”
For the young men who may be watching, Jefferson’s message is one of hope and solidarity. “I’ve been there, I’ve been in your shoes, it’s not easy but a lot of people poured into me and made me the man that I am and I just want to return the favor,” he said. “I’m not saying I’m all that but I am a good law-abiding asset to my community and I want them to be the same.”
Event Details
Queens Raising Kings takes place Saturday, February 28, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Savannah History Museum on MLK Boulevard.
Tickets are available through Eventbrite or at EntireisEverything.com.
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