Boyz to Men Conference Mentors Boys in North Charleston
The ninth annual event at Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church served boys ages 8 to 18 through guest speakers and real-life simulations.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Pre-Teens
The Palmetto Hope Network and Real Men Against Violence hosted the ninth annual Boyz to Men conference at Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston. Speakers and mentors taught boys ages 8 to 18 life skills and lessons on becoming men.
Why it matters
The conference was held to remind boys they are not alone and have mentors in their corner. Organizers stated many boys live in households without positive male role models, making community-based mentorship a direct response to that gap.
The conference served boys ages 8 to 18 and marked the ninth annual event of its kind. No attendance total or measured outcomes were released.
The players
Palmetto Hope Network
A local organization that co-hosted the Boyz to Men conference alongside Real Men Against Violence.
Real Men Against Violence
A group that co-hosted the ninth annual Boyz to Men conference with the Palmetto Hope Network.
Raphael James
A Live 5 News anchor who emceed the event and led the "The Path" session on real-life decision-making scenarios.
Reggie Burgess
The mayor of North Charleston, who gave a welcome speech at the conference.
Deon Generette
The founder of Dapper and Distinguished Gentlemen, a group connected to the mentorship programming.
The details
Boys attended guest speaker presentations, real-life simulations, breakout sessions, and networking with mentors. In a session called "The Path," led by Raphael James, participants worked through scenarios involving law enforcement, bullies, and peer pressure, walking in the shoes of others to see how one decision affects a life.
Timeline
November 7, 2026: Ninth annual Boyz to Men conference held at Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston.
Roadmap
The ninth annual Boyz to Men conference extends a series of community mentorship events for boys in North Charleston that began years earlier. Its continued run reflects a sustained local effort to address the absence of male mentors in many households.
Families in North Charleston with boys ages 8 to 18 can look to community programs like this one for structured mentorship and life-skills training. The conference shows that local churches and organizations are offering these sessions as an accessible option.
The takeaway
Mentorship from adults outside the home can give boys a place to practice decision-making before real pressures arise. Parents seeking similar programs can ask local churches and community groups about youth conferences and mentoring sessions.
Further reading
For more on family and youth programs, explore our Pre-Teens coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Live5news.
