By Mackenzie Acker
Staff Writer
In a world where opportunity is not always equally distributed, The Master’s League Foundation has emerged as a force for youth development, cultivating the next generation of black and brown leaders. Young men across the Winston Salem community participate in this program, gaining leadership skills, civic values, and real-world professional experience. The Masters League’s mission is to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity for minority boys, fulfilling a need that’s been around for far too long.
“I noticed there weren’t a lot of minority boys getting the opportunities to come in for internships and things of that nature,” Felcia Crouch, founder of The Master’s League, said. “So I started researching and working with parents to see if they felt there was a need for a program where we can combine community service, leadership and life skills.”
While other existing programs like Crosby Scholars and the National Honor Society offer academic benefits for students, The Master’s League takes a more holistic approach. Members are fully prepared for success beyond high school through exposure to leadership opportunities and professional environments.
“We meet once a month at the Bermuda Run Country Club, and they’re in a boardroom setting,” Crouch said. “The attire is business casual, and they are meeting with CEOs of different companies, having a dialogue, and being challenged to talk about whatever the conversation is.”
The leadership and confidence gained from these experiences is unbeatable, but beyond just people skills, members are encouraged to dive deeper into their own passions.
“If they’re interested in architectural engineering, sitting in at an architectural engineering firm is offered,” Crouch said. “And if they want to go to college and do this, they are equipped with real world experience.”
Members tour numerous universities and meet with expert guidance counselors to align their best path after high school. The organization also partners with nearby universities.
“While students are in The Master’s League, they have Saturday sessions with Wake Forest,” Crouch said. “The Wake Forest part of our program teaches all about essay writing and admission, walking them through the college experience.”
The Master’s League gives a phenomenal opportunity for minority boys to succeed in their professional lives. However, the organization doesn’t just empower their resumes, it empowers them as people.
“It’s really about helping us get used to the feeling of being at ‘the table’,” Kyreese Scales, a RJR student and Master’s League member, said.
This mindset of confidence and achievement is fostered in the organization through civic involvement and extracurricular opportunities. Notably, members attended the North Carolina Youth and Government Conference in Raleigh this year, an experience that will not only reap benefits for the members but for their communities.
“I feel like being in this program is showing me what it means to be a scholar and a leader,” Scales said. “I’ve seen examples of what it’s like to be a role model, and I try to implement what I’ve learned onto my friends and community as well.”
Adding to the values of community involvement, the Master’s League incorporates service opportunities and volunteering to carry out its mission. From building Houses for Humanity to handing out blankets to the homeless, giving back is integral to the program.
“I definitely think this organization has made me more involved in not just my community but others as well,” Scales said. With the program teaching strong values and successful attitudes, it’s no surprise that membership has taken root at Reynolds. Along with Kyreese, various other members at RJR participate in The Master’s League. Enrollment for The Master’s League is open now and accepting ambitious young men through an application process. For those prepared to lead, serve, and grow, The Masters League offers more than just an opportunity—it offers a place at the table.