by CHRIS BARRY

Name: Michael Baffoe

Age: 52

Occupation: Executive director of the Black Star Big Brother Project

Bio: This charismatic LaSalle stud launched the BSBBP just over a decade ago as a vehicle to improve the lives of local black kids living in single-parent homes. Educated out the wazoo, Michael expects to pick up his PhD in social work next fall and is the proud owner of that ultimate in shaggin' wagons, a 1995 Ford Windstar minivan.

Are Caucasians not invited to hook up with Black Star because of their "white devil" status? Not exactly. "Black kids face a lot of challenges in this society - what with all the discrimination and everything. Everywhere these kids look in Canadian society they mostly see people who are white. They don't see themselves reflected anywhere. So many black kids believe that for a black person to succeed they need to do sports like Michael Jordan or entertainment like Michael Jackson. Beyond that, they see their options as either selling drugs or shooting guns. It's terrible, but that's the reality."

Does he not make a point of informing these kids that exciting careers in shoeshining and elevator operating are always open to them as well? "Ha, ha, no, I guess someone should point that out to them. We have a lot of volunteers from the universities - which is great and helps show black kids there are many options available to them. The impact on the majority of these kids has been dramatic. On the surface the program may seem simplistic but so many of these kids have had their fathers walk out on them, and having a mentor offering guidance makes a huge difference in their lives."

Do kids ever come back complaining that their Big Brother is a big boring nerd whom they're ashamed to be seen out in public with? "It's true, not every match is perfect. But most work out."

Do they get many calls from potential volunteers who mistake the Black Star Big Brother Project for an exciting and possibly kinky subsect of the North American Man-Boy Love Association [NAMBLA]? Not yet. "But as social workers you learn when it's time to be apprehensive [about an applicant]. And we do background checks, of course."

The average volunteer profile: Sixty per cent are university students, the other 40 per cent university graduates, with the majority being under 30 years old. Call 485-9737 if you're finally ready to start thinking about someone other than yourself for a change and want to help out.

What he does for fun: Travels around the country doing volunteer social work, often at his own expense.

Something else he does: Spins African music every Tuesday from 9 to 11:15 a.m. on CKUT.

Musical preferences: Lorraine Klaasen.

Last book read: Activism and Social Change: Lessons for Community and Local Organizing, by Eric Shragge.

Words of wisdom: "Whatever you get out of life you have to give back to society. To whom little is given, much is expected."

Comments? dimwit@openface.ca