Asehville – Keynon Lake is the founder of KL Training Solutions and My Daddy Taught Me That (MDTMT), a nonprofit organization dedicated to mentoring young men in Asheville, North Carolina. “The vision of KL Training Solutions is to create a society in which youth and families have access to resources, so they can overcome barriers and limitations that impede achievement of their full potential.”
During his nearly two-decade career as a social worker in Child Protective Services, Keynon confronted the challenges many children face alone, particularly those from low-income and single-parent households. He founded KLTS and MDTMT in 2012 to provide guidance, support, and positive role models. On Tuesday, he spoke to the Children’s Well-Being League members at AB Tech.

As Executive Director of KL Training Solutions, and founder of the youth mentoring program My Daddy Taught Me That, Keynon Lake was awarded the T. Kennon Roberson Award for Management Excellence in Nonprofit Health and Human Services at the annual AFP WNC National Philanthropy Day Celebration on November 15, 2023. Photo courtesy of KL Training Solutions.
Over the years, KL Training Solutions has grown considerably and now employs ten staff members. It has acquired a building at 3 Hunt Hill Place above McCormick Field, where renovations are underway. In addition to the flagship youth program, which has approximately 115 participants, there is an Ambassador program for individuals aged 19-24. After five years of participation in the youth program, these Ambassadors lead and mentor others. Additionally, there is a co-ed track team and a P.E.A.C.E. team specializing in violence prevention—partnering to promote peace, health, and unity in Asheville and Buncombe County.
The mission of My Daddy Taught Me That is to assist in developing young males into righteous, respectable, and responsible men through empowerment, education, and support. MDTMT is dedicated to mentoring middle and high school boys in the Greater Asheville area. The MDTMT Board Chair is Stephen Smith. MDTMT’s vision is that every young male can become a positive, productive individual in the community while understanding what it means to be a MAN through example. The organization forms partnerships with numerous community organizations to foster a commitment to adolescent males that promotes prosocial friendships, strong interpersonal skills, good decision-making, acceptance of responsibility, and accountability for their actions. This program meets a minimum of twice a week, in addition to occasional weekend events. The target age group is 12 to 19; however, all young males are welcome, regardless of age.
The program model includes the following experiences for young males:
The program offers a variety of enriching activities designed to support personal and professional growth. Twice-weekly discussion groups provide meals and engaging conversations on topics such as current events, leadership development, conflict resolution, decision-making skills, study habits, and employment preparation. Participants also enjoy life-changing experiential field trips and educational tours, including visits to New York City and Selma, Alabama, the site of the historic Civil Rights march. Academic support is available through weekly tutoring and ongoing monitoring of progress, facilitated by partnerships with school counselors and teachers, along with organized college tours to explore further educational opportunities. Additionally, the program provides access to career and job training support, including programs in fields such as electrician work, music production, plumbing, and painting, as well as guidance on resume development, interviewing skills, money management, work ethic development, and community volunteering opportunities.
In 2016, the demand for girls to have their own mentoring program led to the creation of My Sistah Taught Me That. This developmental program is designed to encourage, inspire, educate, and empower young girls aged 11-19 in and around Buncombe County, with a special focus on girls growing up in single-parent homes without their fathers. The program features guest speakers on various topics, an annual fashion show, and a personal development curriculum that addresses relationship skills, pregnancy prevention, and workforce readiness.
In 2020, when COVID-19 closed schools and widened the achievement gap, KL Training Solutions hired city school teachers for summer students and even paid 25 kids to attend school. In November 2023, Keynon Lake received the T. Kennon Roberson Award for Management Excellence in Nonprofit Health and Human Services at the annual AFP WNC National Philanthropy Day Celebration.
This initiative was inspired by Bennie Lake, who dedicated his life to working with youth. A former professional basketball player with the Harlem Astronauts and Harlem Globetrotters, Bennie was a 1962 graduate of Stephens-Lee High School and Shaw University, where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame at both institutions. His son, Keynon Lake, a 1996 Asheville High School graduate, has positively impacted the lives of thousands of Buncombe County youth. Keynon believes that community support can permanently change lives for the better. With many youth facing absent fathers, rising incarceration rates, and high dropout rates, KL Training Solutions aims to empower students to make good decisions, accept responsibility, and take pride in their choices.