Moody's Mentors Making a Difference

Posted from Moody's 2017 CSR Report

In 2014, our New York–based Multicultural Employee Resource Group (MERG) observed that young men of color were falling behind in the classroom. Our employees couldn’t stand by and watch the students lose their opportunity to learn, because a good education is the foundation for a better future.

In partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City, our New York MERG created Bridging the Gap, a mentorship program to help young men of color reach their potential.

In 2017, 50 Moody’s employee “Bigs” coached 45 high school “Littles” from Brooklyn’s Eagle Academy for Young Men II on skills such as college readiness, communication, problem-solving and teamwork. In addition to touring colleges, the students participated in cooking classes to learn healthy eating habits and in improv classes to become better public speakers.

In line with the My Brother’s Keeper initiative, a program launched by former President Barack Obama that is designed to keep more young people on track and help them think more broadly about their futures, our employees take steps to mentor students on how to succeed in the professional world. Through programs like Bridging the Gap, our employees are helping build the foundation for a diverse group of community leaders.

“I chose to become a mentor because I can personally attest to the benefits of having one as a young man of color,” says Jerrel Baker, an Associate Lead Analyst in Public, Project and Infrastructure Finance for Moody’s Investors Service. “This is my avenue to pay it forward.”

Our group of mentors reflects the diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, generation, background and tenure within Moody’s. We believe it’s important to show the Littles that everyone can seize the opportunity to succeed in the professional world and at a corporation such as Moody’s.

Bridging the Gap now serves sophomores, juniors and seniors. Every student who participated in the first cohort in 2015 is on track to graduate this spring. Moving forward, we aim to expand this program model to other communities where we do business to help more young men of color succeed.

Learn more in Moody's 2017 CSR Report