There’s a quiet revolution unfolding in Atlanta and it started in a kindergarten classroom.
“I’ll never forget it,” Brandon Martin recalls. “My first day teaching, one of my five-year-old students looked up at me and asked, ‘Mr. Martin, what sport do you play at UGA?’ That question hit me hard.” For Martin, a graduate of the University of Georgia and then a second-year teacher, the moment was more than just a teachable one. It was a catalyst. “They believed that sports were their only ticket to a place like UGA. I knew then I had to disrupt that narrative.”
From that moment, Close Ties Leadership Program was born.
Founded in 2016, Close Ties is an intensive, multi-year leadership program that partners Black boys with Black men, centering their emotional growth, identity formation, and career exploration. Starting in fifth grade, students are supported all the way through high school and beyond.
“I started Close Ties while still teaching full-time,” says Martin. “I was trying to expose my students to what I never had: options. I wanted them to see Black men who are pilots, chefs, architects, coders, scientists people who look like them and are living in their purpose.”
From Mickey Mouse to College Man
What began as a modest program for a few boys at a single school has grown into a city-wide brotherhood. Today, Close Ties serves over 80 students across Atlanta and supports alumni now thriving on college campuses nationwide.
One story that stands out for Martin is that of Larry, a once-quiet fifth grader with dreams of attending UGA. “He was confident but kept it to himself,” Martin says. “We worked with him for years on emotional intelligence, exposure to career paths, and college prep. Moving him into his dorm at UGA, my alma mater, was one of the most emotional moments of my life. He walked the same steps I did, but with more support than I ever had.”
This kind of transformation is exactly what Close Ties is designed for. “We don’t just give boys skills,” says Martin. “We walk with them every step of the way.”
Brotherhood Built on Belief
But success hasn’t come without challenges especially when it comes to building a team of mentors who truly align with the Close Ties vision.
“I had to learn that not every Black man is ready to mentor Black boys,” Martin reflects. “We don’t yell. We don’t call our 10-year-olds ‘young men’ they are boys. We honor their youth. If you’re here, you have to believe in who they are, not just who you think they should be.”
Today, Martin leads a staff of five, all grounded in a shared philosophy: love, clarity, excellence. “I’m no longer doing everything,” he says with a laugh. “That took time. I had to learn to trust the people I hired to help carry the vision forward.”
Depth Over Breadth
While many youth organizations focus on rapid expansion, Martin is intentional about growing differently.
“I’ve seen it happen people get obsessed with scaling and lose sight of the soul of the work,” he explains. “We’re not chasing numbers. We’re chasing depth. I’d rather walk deeply with 50 boys than superficially with 500.”
Still, the demand for Close Ties continues to rise. “We’re seeing families across the city reach out. Moms are talking to other moms. They see the impact. We’re growing but we’re doing it at a pace that protects the integrity of our program.”
The Power of Presence
Each year, Close Ties hosts its signature event: the Brotherhood Breakfast. “It’s a space where our boys can connect with Black men across the city. If they don’t have a mentor, we provide one,” says Martin. “It’s one of the most powerful mornings of the year seeing generations of Black men pour into one another.”
Behind the scenes, Martin practices what he preaches when it comes to self-care. “I schedule myself first,” he says proudly. “Yoga is my sanctuary. If I’m not well, I can’t pour into anyone else. As an educator, I know I set the climate—so I have to protect my peace.”
What’s Next?
As Close Ties celebrates nine years of impact, Martin is thinking about the future not just of the boys he serves, but of himself.
“I’m learning how to lead without needing to be in the middle of everything. I’ve built a team that shares the mission, and that gives me space to think bigger,” he shares. “I still have the heart of a teacher, but now I’m thinking like a CEO.”
Still, the mission remains deeply personal.
“I was that boy. Smart, curious, full of potential but limited in vision,” Martin says. “Now, I get to help boys dream bigger, walk further, and hold on to something sacred along the way: close ties.”
📍 To learn more about Close Ties Leadership Program or support their mission, visit closeties.org or follow them on Instagram @close_ties.