Mentorship In Practice

Every summer comes with its own rhythm. For SixDegrees.org, this one was shaped by curiosity, collaboration, and the quiet kind of leadership that grows from mentorship. Over the past few months, we’ve had the privilege of working alongside an incredible intern, Janiaha, whose presence reminded us that mentorship is about more than giving advice. It’s about building trust, inviting new ideas, and learning in both directions.

Mentorship is an essential part of our ethos of connection. It isn’t just something we check off a list and say we did for the summer. True mentorship, when done with intentionality and care, is less about hierarchy and more about co-creating space where growth can happen for everyone involved.

We see the mentorship experience as collaborative. As a mentor, one of the most important questions you can ask is what do you want to walk away with? Understanding what drew someone to your organization’s mission, what skills they hope to grow, and what stories they want to be part of is where real mentorship begins.

From the start, Janiaha approached every task with thoughtfulness and intention. She supported our social media presence by building out a complete TikTok strategy, presented insightful analyses after deep-diving into market research around upcoming initiatives, and helped define the branding and tone for future SixDegrees.org projects and presentations

But beyond what Janiaha did, it was how she showed up that left a lasting impression. Janiaha carried herself with a quiet confidence that invited collaboration. Seeing her progress over the summer reminded us that mentorship is, in fact, a two-way street. Her presence sharpened our focus, challenged us to articulate the “why” behind what we do, and deepened our belief in the next generation of folks who choose to step into purpose-driven work.

At SixDegrees.org, we talk a lot about connection. Not as a buzzword, but as a foundation. Mentorship is one of the clearest expressions of that value. It’s about choosing to walk alongside someone. To make space for their voice. To witness their process. And to offer support, not direction.

Mentorship creates room for vulnerability. It slows us down and humbles us in the best way. It asks us to listen more deeply, to lead more gently, and to remember that growth doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens in community. In a world that often prioritizes speed over depth and perfection over progress, mentorship invites us to be intentional. To invest time and energy into relationships that ripple far beyond a single summer.

This kind of connection doesn’t just shape mentees or interns. It shapes us–the mentors, the leaders, the collaborators–too.

As we wrap this chapter, we want to thank Janiaha for the care, passion, and energy she brought to every part of her work. We’re proud to be part of her story and even more proud to know she’s now part of ours.

We’ll be cheering her on wherever her next steps take her. Because once you're part of this circle of connection, you never really leave it.