MENTOR Honors Bill Russell

“There’s no such thing as other people’s children.”

– Bill Russell

Bill Russell, who was a founding board member of MENTOR and a huge advocate for mentoring throughout his life. He will be honored at MENTOR’s 35^th Anniversary Gala, as an in memoriam Champion of Mentoring who had a huge impact on both MENTOR as an organization, and on the field of mentoring.

MENTOR Honors Founding Board Member Bill Russell

Boston Celtics Icon, Hall of Fame Legend, Civil Rights Leader, and MENTOR Founding Board Member

August 1, 2022 – It is with deep sadness that we mark the passing of MENTOR’s founding board member Bill Russell and honor his exemplary life and legacy. Russell, a legend on the court and in the civil rights movement, has been an integral part of MENTOR since its inception more than 30 years ago and has remained steadfastly committed as a champion of the mentoring movement.

MENTOR co-founder, board member, and close friend of Bill Russell, Geoffrey Boisi, made the following statement:

“William F. Russell was an incredibly important leader in the mentoring movement. Because of his dignity, intellect, wisdom, and life experience as well as his stature as a truly respected American social justice and athletic icon, his voice, as to the needs of children of all backgrounds, carried immense weight and inspiration. He believed deeply that adults in America, individually and collectively, had a responsibility to raise our children to be people of integrity and character who would treat each other with honesty and mutual respect. He thought we should provide our kids with a quality educational experience that would instill in them the tools to become economically self-sufficient, independent thinkers and active positive contributors to society according to their innate talents. He believed in the importance of self-respect, the power of we, meritocracy, and constructive competition. He was beloved because he believed in the dignity of man no matter your race, religion, or economic circumstance and he walked that talk.

It has been a privilege to have him as a founding board member of MENTOR. He often reminded us that he viewed his work on behalf of children as an important part of his legacy. His friendship, infectious charismatic personal style, generosity of spirit, time and impact, were precious gifts for which we are eternally grateful. Rest in peace dear friend and may his memory and values continue to inspire us.”

In 2016, Russell wrote about his dedication to mentoring and shared his mentoring story in USA Today:

“If not for George Powles, I would have never played basketball. If you ask any NBA player, executive, or coach about their path to success, on and off the court, you’ll quickly see the same pattern emerge. None of us made it on our own. The truth is, that in all walks of life, mentors transform lives. Whether it’s the middle school math teacher who drove you home from school every day; the uncle who busted your chops when your grades started to slip; the older student who kept you under a watchful eye; or the basketball coach who believed in you – none of us would be where we are today without the support of our mentors. I am proof. That’s why, 25 years ago, I became a founding board member of MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership to build and lead the mentoring movement and since then, MENTOR has helped create and drive support to thousands of programs mentoring millions of kids. It is my proudest accomplishment in life.”

When Russell received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award from the ESPYs in 2019, he insisted on elevating the mentoring movement as part of the recognition. He said, “There’s something very, very important to me, and that is MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership…interacting with the young folks on a face-to-face basis. I only have one piece of advice for you – do the best that you can, and do not let somebody else set a standard for you.”

MENTOR established the Bill Russell Mentoring Legacy Award to recognize outstanding leaders who exemplify Bill’s dedication to mentoring. In 2021, the award was given to Boston Celtics player Grant Williams for his efforts supporting mentoring youth in Massachusetts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Williams commented on receiving the award named after Russell, “This award is such an honor, especially with Bill being such an idol of mine. Thank you to my mentees, this wouldn’t be possible without you guys . . . they know they can reach out anytime and we’ll keep having fun and continue to build and grow together.”

In addition to championing the mentoring movement nationally throughout the years, Russell made it a point to be involved locally. He attended multiple mentoring events in Massachusetts where he lived and played for so many years. He leveraged his influence to create a robust partnership between the Red Sox and Mass Mentoring Partnership (MENTOR’s Massachusetts Affiliate), and ensured that support for mentoring was an integral part of the building of a statue in his honor in front of Boston’s City Hall.

In the fall of 2021, items from Bill Russell’s personal collection were auctioned with a portion of the proceeds benefiting MENTOR. Russell said, “At this point in my life, I am happy to share a part of my personal collection with the world and proud that the auction will in part benefit MENTOR. MENTOR aims to close the mentoring gap and drive equity through quality mentoring relationships for young people. Potential is equally distributed; opportunity is not. The work that MENTOR does has a special place in my heart and I am honored to provide support in some small way. I will always cherish the memories I have accumulated over my life and career and I hope that sharing some of these items brings others the same feeling of Celtic Pride that I feel.”

We are eternally grateful for Bill’s vision and trailblazing contributions to the mentoring movement. If you are inspired to continue his legacy of giving back please donate here.