Dr. Tyrone Bledsoe, Toledo, OH
Dr. Tyrone Bledsoe lives in Toledo, Ohio, and is the founder of Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB), a national organization founded in 1990 with more than 200 student chapters across colleges, universities, middle schools, and high schools in 39 states. SAAB increases the number of African Americans and Latino men who graduate from college by creating a positive peer community based on a spirit of caring. SAAB continues to grow and strives to create relevant experiences for males of color to achieve their dreams in higher education. Dr. Bledsoe served recently as Vice President for Student Life and Special Assistant to the President at the University of Toledo. Temporarily, he has transitioned into the role of Executive Director for SAAB National Headquarters.
SAAB provides a diverse and culturally- sensitive environment for all ethnic minorities by providing an option for schools to call their respective chapter “Brother to Brother” (B2B) or SAAB. This allows schools to be intentional about inviting a more diverse group of young men to the SAAB experience.
The goal is for all males of color at schools with SAAB chapters to take full advantage of their academic years and to better understand and practice their responsibilities, rights, and privileges as citizens of the U.S.. SAAB hopes that all males will be role models for each other as well as for other males of color in their community. In addition, it is SAAB's goal that members will be well prepared to enter the work force of professionals and compete as positive contributors in society.
Dr. Bledsoe recognized that in order to care for others, one must care for oneself, and he believes that is the key to social responsibility. He also realized that peer influence is what matters most to African American males. Therefore, SAAB is structured to help young men based on the principle “I am my brother’s keeper, and together we will rise.”
86% of SAAB members graduate from college, compared to a national average of 42% among black men. To be a SAAB member, one must accept the charge to be a role model. SAAB members are polite, sincere, hardworking, and encouraging because they know that this is counter to the popular image of young black men in America. Members are required to tutor and mentor high school students as a way pay forward the caring spirit that SAAB seeks to instill in them.
Bledsoe, T. (2011). About the saab organization. Retrieved from
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