How a Mentorship Program Turned Two Quiet Boys into Confident Leaders

Kai used to talk himself out of everything. Demitri never raised his hand. Today, both of them lead in rooms they used to avoid. Here’s what changed and why it matters now more than ever.

The Mentorship Program for Boys Behind the Transformation

You wouldn’t have noticed them on day one.

Kai stayed to himself. He barely made eye contact and constantly questioned if he was “too much.” Demetri sat quietly, hoping not to be called on, unsure of what he brought to the table.

That was weeks ago.

Now? They’re leading, speaking, guiding.They’re the examples other mentees are watching.They didn’t get there by accident.

It happened through accountability, structure, and the right pressure... the kind that doesn’t break a boy, but builds him.

Kai: The Voice He Almost Gave Up On

Kai was the first to admit it: he doubted himself out loud.

• “I can’t do this.”

• “I’m not good at that.”

• “They won’t pick me.”

But the Communication Class didn’t let him sit in that space. He was pushed to try anyway. To speak, to present, to lead. It wasn’t perfect, and that’s the point.

Over time, the journaling, the public speaking, the reflection started clicking. His voice got stronger. Not louder, just more certain.

The biggest shift? When he realized other boys were following his example.

“I used to be one of the kids that would never speak out. I always thought that I was too much, or I was saying something that people wouldn’t like, or I would get laughed at. But now that I’ve learned how to control my voice and speak out and say something positive to other people, I can be a mentor to other kids and help them feel comfortable to speak.”

Demitri: The Quiet One Who Was Always Watching

Demitri didn’t speak much. But he saw everything.The quiet boys often do.

At first, he kept to himself. But week after week, the way he showed up changed. He started writing down his goals. Making eye contact. Taking initiative.

Then came the moment that changed everything: a younger mentee told him, unprompted, “You’re the one I look up to.”

It stuck. And Demitri started carrying himself differently after that.

Why Kut Different’s Program Works

This isn’t just mentorship. It’s structure with vision. It’s leadership pressure in a safe environment. It’s about raising the bar and staying consistent.

The Kut Different Summer Leadership Academy gives boys:

• Exposure to careers, networking, and culture

• Emotional regulation tools

• Purpose-driven accountability

• Platforms to speak, lead, and teach

The result? Confidence that doesn’t fade once the summer ends.

“I used to be the person to sit back and not really want to speak. But now I just feel like… I want to help more. I want to give back. And I want to be more of a role model to people that might look up to me.”

What Every Parent, Teacher, and Leader Should Take From This

Kai and Demitri already had their moment at the Summer Gala. But what matters more is what got them there and what they’re doing with it now.

Their growth wasn’t luck. It was the result of consistent structure, emotional guidance, and the space to try, fail, and rise again. That formula works. And it’s needed far more often than it’s offered.

Programs like Kut Different don’t just change boys, they challenge the systems around them. They shift mindsets at home, at school, and across entire communities.

If you're a parent, educator, or community member asking: “How do we raise confident, emotionally aware leaders?”

This is part of the answer.

How You Can Take Action

✔ Start a conversation with a young person who’s being overlooked.

✔ Support programs like this, they need more than applause.

✔ Share this story with someone who needs to believe boys like Kai and Demetri exist.

Because they do. And they’re just getting started.

Hear it from them. Watch Kai and Demetri share their stories in their own words.

→ [Watch Kai's Episode]

 → [Watch Demitri's Episode]