Ward 4 City Councilman Pierre Beard speaks with students during the kickoff for his mentorship program Nov. 1 at the Boys & Girls Club of Columbus. During the event, Beard spoke to three classrooms of students ages 8-17. The group then moved to the gym where students played a basketball scrimmage with mentors from the community. Beard went around the room and asked students what they would like to be when they grow up. Photo by: Jennifer Mosbrucker/Dispatch Staff

In focus from left to right, Michael Brewer, Gemí Moody, Aquavious Sherrod and Tyson Sims turn around to look at mentors who came to the event from Columbus Air Force Base as they are introduced Nov. 1 at the Boys & Girls Club of Columbus. Photo by: Jennifer Mosbrucker/Dispatch Staff

Students cheer for their peers as they stand on the sidelines of a basketball scrimmage Nov. 1 at the Boys & Girls Club of Columbus. The winning team was awarded $100. Photo by: Jennifer Mosbrucker/Dispatch Staff

Ward 4 City Councilman Pierre Beard visits with young boys Nov. 1 at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus. “It took a village to raise me. I’m not where I want to be yet, but I’m so far from where I could be. I just want to give the kids a chance to expand their horizons and let them be around regular people who have important, amazing jobs and tasks, and let them know they can be whatever they want to be,” Beard said. Photo by: Jennifer Mosbrucker/Dispatch Staff

Students and mentors run across the court during a basketball scrimmage Nov. 1 at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus. Photo by: Jennifer Mosbrucker/Dispatch Staff

From left to right, Zarek Calmes, Bryce Halbert, Terrence McBride and Davion Henderson watch their peers play a basketball scrimmage with mentors Nov. 1 at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus. After the first game, mentors selected a new group of students from the sidelines to play a second game. Photo by: Jennifer Mosbrucker/Dispatch Staff