Sam Binion
Community Organizer
Sam Binion has been working with CHAMPS since its inception. Sam is a pillar of the Greater Grand Crossing community and has devoted his life to promoting community safety and working with young men to build positive identity and reach their full potential.
Anthony Briscoe
Founding CHAMPS Mentor
Anthony (Tony) has been with CHAMPS since its inception. He is a technologist by trade, an author, emcee, and spoken word artist who loves to encourage and motivate young people to live by his mantra, “no excuses.”
“I believe if CHAMPS was around when I was a youth I would have beaten President Obama to the Oval Office. Now, I get to mentor Black and Brown Youth to reach those attainable heights”. – ALB
A. Did you know I wrote a book of poetry? I would love your support, Drops of Ink.
B. Did you know I wrote a did a video on cultural times? Click here.
C. Have you heard Tony B’s Album, My Journey? Click here.
D. Check out Tony’s Blog: www.tonybriscoe.co.
Collen Gweshe
Collen has been a mentor with CHAMPS for 3 years. As a father of 2 teenage boys & mentor to young men from Oakdale Christian Academy, he recognized the importance of engaging more men to work with his students and he connected with CHAMPS mission of Education, Empowerment and Exposure. Collen’s oldest son Jonathan was awarded a full scholarship to North Park University and was featured on an episode of the Born 2 Win podcast. His other son Joshua will be a senior at Hansberry College Prep and is an active member of CHAMPS.
Greg Harris
Retired Police Officer, Community Activist, Proud Father
Mr. Harris has been involved in CHAMPS for more than 5 years. He is a retired Chicago police officer and devoted public servant. He became involved in CHAMPS while his son attended Gary Comer College Prep and he wanted to be a support to other young men in the school who were in need of positive male influences.
Orlandus Thomas
Teacher, Athletic Director, Father of 3
Coach “OT” has had a long career in education throughout the Chicagoland area. He works hard to promote healthy lifestyles and pass on his passion for physical fitness and well-being to all of his students and mentees. Coach Thomas has been involved with CHAMPS since the beginning and remains committed to securing better outcomes for Boys and Young Men of Color.
Aaron Williams
Chicago Police Officer, Father
Aaron is a Chicago Police Officerand proud father, and has been involved with the CHAMPS mentoring program for 2.5 years. He believes that mentorship and giving back to the community is essential, and is thankful to be a part of the CHAMPS Male Mentoring program.
Otis Woods
Teacher, CICS Longwood
Hi! My name is Otis Woods and I have been teaching at CICIS Longwood for 4 years and I am the 8th grade science teacher. I am a graduate from Southern Illinois University and Relay Education Graduate School. I joined education to positively impact the Black youth. There are so many social ills in our race-based society and I believe if we focus on our children some of these issues could be resolved in the generations to come.
Guiding Young Men to Achieve their Dreams
BROTHERHOOD ~ CONSISTENCY ~ POSITIVE MINDSET ~ UNCONDITIONAL LOVE ~ SERVICE
The Mission of the CHAMPS Male Mentoring Program is to Educate, Empower, and Expose African-American and Latino Young Men beyond the four walls of the school in order to help them to achieve their dreams and goals.