The First Ward Ambassadors is a group of concerned men in Columbia who dedicate their time to mentoring youths and serving the community’s need for positive African American male role models. When Tracy Edwards, Glenn Cobbins, Rufus Broadus, Nate Stephens, and Scott Williams co-founded the organization in the Fall of 2004, its primary outreach was African American children. Today, the group of 10-15 volunteer men and additional female participants mentor girls and boys of all ages and races. The group provides daily on-the-street outreach for youths, as well as organized activities. One such program is a cheer and dance group for girls ages 4-13 that builds self-esteem for young ladies and provides daily tutoring. Another program, titled RESPECT, is an 8-week course for boys ages 13-25 that instills the importance of leadership roles, self-respect, and respect for others.

The organization also tries to help families with short-term financial assistance with funds from member dues when they’re called upon by those in need or families are referred to them. The group has helped families meet daily needs such as buying food, paying their gas bills, and paying their electric bills. First Ward Ambassadors was also the first organization in Columbia to assist in the Hurricane Katrina relief effort, securing local accommodations and food supplies for a displaced family of 40-50 members until they were able to establish alternative accommodations and placement.

The First Ward Ambassadors’ primary focuses are on mentoring to Columbia’s youths, serving as active role models for these children, increasing the community’s high school graduation rate for African American kids, and eliminating drug trades on the city’s streets. The group also tries to involve the rest of the community in helping the city’s youths, bringing the “it takes a village to raise a child” philosophy of parenting back to Columbia and increasing community awareness and responsibility for raising children who will become positive, educated, productive citizens of tomorrow. The group meets Sundays at the Columbia Housing Authority’s activity room and leaves the doors open for community members to discuss existing problems for our children and brainstorm for solutions.