Big Brother Mike and Little Brother X’Zavior

Meet Big Brother Mike and Little Brother X’Zavior, who have been matched for one year now!

Mike and X’Zavior began their match in January 2025 through our Community-Based mentoring program and have been sharing their love of music together ever since. However, this is not the first time they met!

Before getting matched with X’Zavior, Mike was no stranger to the Big Brothers Big Sisters programs. The nonprofit consultant interacted with the agency several times throughout the years, eventually joining as a School Buddy and then as a Community-Based Big. After that match ended, the volunteer rejoined. When BBBS staff called to describe to Mike his new Little, details began sounding familiar. Then it clicked: Mike knew X’Zavior. In fact, he had already met him.

Mike runs a memorial fund for his son, giving kids in the hospital access to instruments. During a stay in the hospital, X’Zavior received a keyboard through Mike, which is when the two met. This serendipitous match-up was just the beginning of a truly unique friendship.

Still, X'Zavior felt a bit “closed off” to getting matched, with a lot going on in his life after his grandpa passed. Mike himself hesitated as well. Because of their differences, he wondered if music would be enough to form a friendship. However, bit by bit, both began to open up.

Their outings started somewhat formulaic; They’d grab a bite to eat before heading to X’Zavior’s voice lessons at Sweetwater. Gradually, they shook up the go-to routine, with other activities and trips, like going to Promenade Park. One of X’Zavior’s favorite memories over the last year was getting to meet Mike’s family and try his wife’s cooking (those tacos were amazing!).  

Mike’s initial impression of his Little, soft-spoken and artistic, remained true, but he also discovered maturity and humor. Their mutual admiration for music gave them a starting place to learn more about each other and spend more time together. A natural progression, X’Zavior began to share more about his life with his “one-of-a-kind” Big Brother.

“I think those words really describe him as a whole, especially with the advice he's given me over the past year and the talks that we've had. His wisdom has helped give me a new perspective on life,” shared X’Zavior.

Their first year matched gave each a level of comfort with each other, able to give and receive honest advice. Mike challenges the high schooler to think about different avenues and future paths he could pursue, something he wouldn’t do if he didn’t truly care. In return, his Little remains open and receptive to his Big’s guidance and suggestions, whether about his post-secondary plans or the different situations that arise in a 17-year-old’s life. The match reciprocally learns from each other. Mike learns about his Little’s culture and generation, getting introduced to new ideas and slang. X’Zavior also looks to his realistic and grounded Big Brother as an example of “what a man looks like.”

“Throughout the entire year we've been matched, he's helped me a lot with life struggles and given me advice on how to conquer those life struggles,” said X’Zavior.

The recurring theme throughout their match is their love of music. This Little sings and makes beats and dreams of one day having a career in the music industry. His Big plays guitar and has a world of knowledge to share to prepare the aspiring musician for pursuing music after graduation. He helps keep his Little focused on his last years of high school and considering all the options he has afterwards. Mike even helped X’Zavior build a resume to prepare him for job-seeking.

“He's taught me how to broaden my perspective on life and on certain situations,” said X’Zavior.

The pair evaluates the different avenues within the music industry and options for higher education. Their visit to St. Francis offered X’Zavior new ideas for educational programs he could pursue. As a first-generation college student himself, Mike knows how important it is for his Little to find what will work best for his life and the types of struggles he may face.

However, mentorship is not just about what the Big themselves can provide. Bringing someone into a new social circle to meet new people highly benefits Littles, and Mike believes this is one of his greatest contributions as a Big Brother. It also makes mentorship easier, knowing he doesn’t have to carry all the “weight.” He advises other Bigs to look at their own lives and see what circles they can plug their Little into.

“I'm using my own resources, and it's not just money, and it's not just time. I know people,” explained Mike.

The moment that stuck out the most to X’Zavior was when he met Mike’s neighbor, a music producer. Together, Mike and his neighbor gave X’Zavior the first-time experience of creating a song in a studio.

The two are excited to keep growing as friends, with more adventures and college visits on the horizon. A year after they first met, the match is glad they got past any initial hesitations.

There’s one thing X’Zavior has to say to his Big:

“Thank you, really, for everything—for the piano, for getting matched with me, and for helping me see the light I couldn't see before we got matched.”

Be Big!

Big Brothers Big Sisters is always looking for new volunteers to pair in one-to-one mentorships. Mike encourages others to get past their initial anxiety and realize how many relationships they may be missing out on because of their own reservations or preconceptions. Once you get past that, you open the door for deep and enriching relationships—but you can’t stop yourself before you start.

“One, it's rewarding if you open yourself up. Don't be afraid to make a mistake. Don't be afraid you're gonna say something wrong. They're not looking for a hero; they're looking for a relationship with an older person,” explained Mike. “You don't have to have a different persona when you become a Big. It's you. Be you.”