How The N.O. Rotary Club is making Black History

Too many black boys in New Orleans grow up without a reliable male role model to look up to. Lloyd Dennis has dedicated his life to giving boys the tools they need to grow into respectful, responsible and accomplished men.

Dennis, 65, co-founded The Silverback Society with local pastor and activist Arthur Wardsworth in 2007 to mentor eighth-grade boys. The goal was to stop the cycle of young black men -- and their families -- getting sucked into lives of crime and poverty. Today, the program has recruited and trained 120 volunteer role models serving 465 boys at 17 schools. Mentors meet weekly with the same group of boys over the 20-week program. Teachings include dinner at Dooky Chase's Restaurant for a lesson on etiquette. The W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Entergy Foundation are among the program's supporters.

Dennis, a St. Augustine High School graduate, Air Force veteran, successful photographer and long-time mentor, considers patience and a listening ear his greatest tools in teaching young men to be better.