About Us

I AM MENtality is a Baltimore based non-profit organization

I AM MENtality was founded by a born and raised Baltimorean who has resided in various communities in the Baltimore, educated in Baltimore City public schools, and colleges. Darren Rogers, founded I AM MENtality in 2016, with the support of various community and corporate leaders in efforts to provide the most comprehensive mentoring and leadership development services for youth.

We are uniquely crafted to combat challenges presented in Baltimore City/counties, and offer opportunities for male youth to develop their leadership potential through mentor-mentee relationships. We serve male youth ages ranging from 7 -18 years.

Meet Our Staff

Board of Directors

Michael Jackson

Board Treasurer

The father of two beautiful girls, an 8-year-old, and a 1-year-old, and has been married to an amazing cosmetologist and entrepreneur for going on 8 years. As an ‘07 graduate of Coppin State University, he’s advanced in his career to become the owner of A Little Faith Accounting & Tax Services, LLC and currently works with the State Department of Education as a Financial Compliance Auditor Lead.

He has worked with Mr. Darren Rogers with the I Am Mentality program since its inception in January 2016. Michael has brought an air of loyalty and dedication to help move the program forward offering his assistance to Mr. Rogers whenever and however requested.

He has taught karate to boys, girls, men and women from ages 3 to 65 for over twenty years at no cost and continues to do so to this day. His laid back and giving personality attributes to him being trusted by not only his peers, but by his seniors, juniors and his accounting and tax clients. He has a heart for giving, leading and mentoring. He believes we can change the future by pouring into as many children (and any coming behind him) as possible. “Everybody can be a teacher, whether you’re teaching what to do or what not to do; everybody can be a teacher.”

With the above mentions, Michael follows a strict discipline of being physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy. He continues his karate and martial arts training to remain physically fit. Teaching others and constantly learning keeps him mentally fit. Speaking to God through prayer and listening to God through reading the Bible, attending church regularly and spreading the Word of God to others is his way of staying spiritually fit. These attributes help to make him a grounded and humble individual.

John Sly

Board VP

Rachel Rickles

Board Secretary

Management Team

Darren Rogers

Executive Director

Darren Rogers is an experienced community leader who is currently the Assistant Program Manager of Youth Support Services in the Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success. Since 2019 he has been a Baltimore Corps Elevation Awardee and is receiving developmental training to increase his leadership capacity in the area of program oversight and development. Through his continual efforts to develop himself and his organization he has received technical assistance from Maryland Mentor for two years as a part of the “QPP” Quality Program Partners initiative geared to improve the overall quality of mentoring programs in the United States.

Tiaira Robinson

Program Director

Hassan Barnes

Operations Manager

Mentors & Team Leads

Gary Franklin

Paul Lombardi

A lively young professional with an extensive analytical background focusing on consumer credit and mobile payments. Strong ability to pursue creative solutions for complex business initiatives through financial modeling and data manipulation as well as open communication with appropriate business partners. Strong passion for continuing to learn and innovate in order to empower personal/professional growth.

Benjamin Molina

Mr. Molina is joining I AM MENtality as a new Youth Mentor; he enjoys playing guitar, piano, dancing, skating, and video editing. He is currently a junior at Towson University, and has worked many different jobs before, as a busboy in high school to a performer, giving him a unique position in still being young enough for the boys to relate to, but also having experienced many things the young men will soon experience and being able to help mentor them through those things.

LaShell Little

LaShell is a Baltimore native who with the support and encouragement of her parents and a few mentors along the way, graduated from Western Senior High School Honors College Preparatory program, Drexel University’s Biomedical Sciences program and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, receiving her Master’s of Science in Forensic Medicine. Presently in mid-career in the Federal government, LaShell still gleans from her mentors. Investing in the youth, especially those of socioeconomic disadvantage, has always been a passion of LaShell’s. She believes that when supported and loved, youths can overcome any obstacles presented to them; community enrichment is imperative for their growth. LaShell’s contribution to MENtality is teaching essential communication skills which is a key component in leadership. Raising up effective communicators yields leaders who will empower and cause change in their community.

Asia Rogers

Dedicated to the transformation of the mind of the young professional, Asia Rogers, is the founder of A.Rogers Inc. She is passionate to share her years of professional experience with young professionals and entrepreneurs. Asia has a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and an Associate’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology. While in college, Asia maximized every opportunity presented to her by interning with several companies like Target and Red Book Magazine to gain a broader understanding of all levels of fashion industry. Over the course of her career, Asia has spent time working for major retail corporations like Jos A Bank, Under Armour and DTLR in various roles like Allocation, Planning, and Buying. She also has experience in international manufacturing, product development and project management with Apparel Branding Innovation company, Lion Brothers. Asia is also co-founder the non-profit I Am MENtality Youth Male Empowerment Project where she and her husband and host of volunteers teach leadership, educational, and life application skills through mentorship for young men in Baltimore, MD. She also serves as the Secretary for the organization and teaches professionalism and brand building.

Grounded in mentorship, Asia has been tasked to serve growing Millennial professionals and small business owners by using her industry knowledge to help them maximize their careers and businesses. Asia lives in Baltimore, MD with her husband and two daughters.