STONE MOUNTAIN— Derrick Hill is on a mission to save black youths.

Just witness the dismal news reports, he says, and you’ll understand why: One million black males fill the nation’s jails and prisons. Black males are more likely to die from homicide than any other racial group. Black children are more likely at the fourth grade level to be functionally illiterate. Seventy percent of black children live with no fathers.

Last year, Hill launched the Young Men’s Leadership Academy in Stone Mountain to do his part to reverse those negative trends. Now, he’s expanding to provide an array of educational and cultural opportunities for both, boys and girls, at three additional locations in East DeKalb County.

Syndicated radio personality Michael Baisden liked Hill’s concept so much that he awarded the Young Men’s Leadership Academy a $5,000 check during a stop in Atlanta for the Baisden Foundation’s “One Million Mentors” 77 city national tour. The Baisden Foundation selected Hill’s program after Hill applied for the award, describing the academy’s mission and work in the community.

“We were extremely pleased to have been selected to represent Atlanta,” said Hill. “Our whole program is about promoting mentoring.”

State Rep. Michele Henson, District 87, applauded the program.

“This program has certainly responded in fulfilling a community-wide need by helping students to better resolve conflict, excel academically,  and become outstanding leaders and role models in their communities,” Henson said in a letter of support for Hill’s academy.

Hill is no stranger to mentoring youths.  He formerly served as pastor for youths and young adults at Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur and as the program director for the Metro Atlanta YMCA.

Hill says his new mentoring program has served 175 students from elementary to high school, ages 4 to 16, since it opened last August.

With the program’s summer camp sessions wrapping up, Hill says he is preparing to start afternoon sessions for students heading back to school.  Males, he said, will be served by the academy’s after-school program designed especially for them, serving elementary, middle and high school students.

On Aug. 9, Hill is launching Diamonds and Pearls, an after-school program that will cater to girls from elementary to high school. The program will expose students to the performing arts, dance and other cultural activities. In addition, students will receive homework and tutorial assistance, CRCT and SAT preparation and they will participate in non-traditional activities such as golf, tennis, science and technology classes.

Hill said he feels providing an array of activities such as those offered by the Young Men’s Leadership Academy and Diamonds and Pearls are essential to mentoring students. Ninety percent of the students served by his program, he said, come from households headed by single mothers or grandparents.

“My goal is to be an extension of the students’ schools, as well as their households, providing the values taught at home and serving as a supplement to the learning in the classroom,” Hill said.

The Young Men’s Leadership Academy and Diamonds and Pearls after-school programs will be held at four locations in the Decatur, Stone Mountain, Lithonia areas.  Transportation and meals are provided to youths who are enrolled in the program. The fees are $40 for middle and high school students and $55 for elementary school students.  For more information about registration, call 770-879-4433.