In 1995 the Rev. Dr. Charles Clark Jr. approached 21 professional men within the Knoxville Tennessee Community with the proposal of obtaining a facility to house a youth program within the East Knoxville Community to mentor young men from the Knoxville TN and surrounding communities. After being turned down by the group of 21 professional men, because of the fear liability issues, Rev. Clark was convicted by the Holy Spirit to take the task upon him-self. In 1995 Rev. Clark stepped out on faith and begun mentoring young men on weekends. Rev. Clark was also convicted to step out on faith with very little money and very little support to purchased a facility that required a great deal of renovation. Over the next ten years Rev. Clark mentored ~ 100 youth using various churches ( New Hope Missionary Baptist Church and Greater Warner A.M.E. Zion Church) and the New Hope Community center while working with many volunteers to renovate the facility and mentor youth. On July 16, 2005 the Mentoring Academy For Boys had its grand opening and open its doors to young men between the ages of 5 to 17 to participate in its youth enhancement mentoring program. The mission of the Mentoring Academy for Boys is to enhance the mind, body, character, morality, and spirituality of youth through group, peer and one on one mentoring. The Mentoring Academy For Boys is a 501 ( c ) (3) nonprofit organization.   MOTTO OF THE MENTORING ACADEMY FOR BOYS “I AM ”   I AM SOMEBODY I AM GOD'S CHILD I AM LOVED I AM BLESSED I AM JUST I AM HUMBLE I AM STRONG I AM FORGIVING I AM RESPECTFUL I AM POLITE I AM INTELLIGENT I AM WISE I AM UNDERSTANDING I AM SENSITIVE I AM PATIENT I AM LOVE I AM BOY TODAY BUT MAN TOMORROW I AM THE FUTURE