DIASPORA ELITE MENTORSHIP · An Ómó Naija Athletes Initiative
Diaspora Elite connects young African and African diaspora athletes with college athletes who understand more than their sport. They understand the journey. Matched thoughtfully by sport, personality, goals and lived experience, mentors become a trusted older-athlete presence as young athletes navigate competition, academics, confidence, identity and growth.
A relationship built to last, not a program you drop into for a semester.
Young athletes hear from parents, coaches and teachers every day. Each plays an important role. But there is something different about hearing from an athlete who has recently walked the road they are beginning to travel.
Diaspora Elite was created to put that kind of person in a young athlete's corner.
Handling setbacks, pressure, mistakes and difficult moments.
Balancing school, sport and personal responsibility.
Learning from someone who has navigated competitive youth and college sports.
Finding their voice and learning how to communicate.
Having an older athlete who understands African and diaspora experiences.
Thinking intentionally about where sport fits into the young person's larger future.
Diaspora Elite is not private coaching, therapy, or a recruiting service. It is a relationship, built around the whole young person, not just their game.
How It Works
Families complete a short registration so ONA can understand the young athlete's sport, personality, goals, interests and what kind of mentor may be helpful.
ONA considers sport, personality, goals, lived experience and practical compatibility. Families are not placed into a mentor marketplace or asked to choose from a catalog.
The family meets the proposed mentor, asks questions and decides whether the relationship feels right.
Once everyone agrees to proceed, the young athlete and mentor meet for two 30-minute virtual sessions each month.
No forced matches. No rematch fee. Payment begins only after the match is accepted.
What to Expect
Every match is made with the same care: we want to understand what makes a great match, what young athletes find most valuable, and what families need from us. Quality earns the right to grow.
"Safety before access. Relationship before scale. Impact before growth."
Parents may register their child, but the young athlete's willingness matters too. Diaspora Elite is not only for nationally ranked athletes — there are no prestige thresholds or elite-club requirements here.
Who the Mentors Are
Diaspora Elite mentors are college athletes of African and African-diaspora heritage who want to give something back to the next generation. They do not need to have the perfect athletic résumé.
Every mentor moves through application, interview, references and verification, screening, and safeguarding preparation and training before becoming eligible for matching.
Built for Trust
A mentoring relationship may be personal. It should never become private or secret.
"Your child's story belongs first to your child and your family."
We collect only information reasonably necessary to operate the program, thoughtfully match mentors and support participants. Routine mentorship sessions are not recorded. Enrollment does not automatically authorize ONA to publish a child's image or story. ONA does not sell young athletes' personal information. Sponsors do not purchase access to participant information.
Simple, Straightforward Pricing
2 × 30-minute mentorship sessions each month
12 × 30-minute sessions · approximately six months
Optional single session: $55. Have more than one young athlete? Ask about sibling options.
Payment begins only after the family meets the proposed mentor and agrees that the match feels right.
Your program fee supports more than session time. It helps provide mentor recruitment, screening, training, thoughtful matching, family orientation, safeguarding oversight, relationship support and program administration.
A limited number of reduced-fee or sponsored spaces may be available.
Ask about financial assistance →Mentors move through an application, interview, references and verification, screening, safeguarding preparation and training process before becoming eligible for matching.
Diaspora Elite is not a mentor marketplace. ONA proposes a thoughtful match and the family decides whether to accept it.
Rematching is available, carries no stigma, and there is no rematch fee.
Parents remain informed and may observe, but the relationship is designed to give young athletes age-appropriate space without isolation.
Mentors may share their own experiences and general perspective, but Diaspora Elite is not a recruiting or representation service.
No. Routine mentorship sessions are not recorded.
Their willingness matters. ONA can help determine whether the right step is conversation, rematching, pausing or closing the relationship.
No. The program is for young athletes who want to grow and learn from an older athlete. "Elite" is never a ranking requirement.
Registration is now open. Registration helps us learn about your young athlete and begin considering potential mentor matches. Submitting the form does not guarantee placement and does not require payment.
Register Your AthleteYou have learned lessons through the wins, losses, practices, setbacks, classrooms, team changes and opportunities that shaped your journey. A young athlete may need to hear them. Diaspora Elite is seeking college athletes of African and African-diaspora heritage who want to serve the next generation.
Apply to Become a MentorMentors receive a $25 stipend for each completed session, in recognition of their time and commitment — not the reason for it.