Cassio Bateast was recently selected by the Mary S. Nelums Foundation as an Invisible Giant. The “invisible giant” designation was created to give voice and recognition to young African-American men who are making a positive difference in their community. Their community work is consistent with social work values.
Cassio Batteast was born in Charleston, Mississippi, a small town in the Mississippi Delta. He was raised in a single-mother household with three other siblings.
Cassio credits his mother Lillie Batteast, with affording him the encouragement, discipline, and stability that would later become the core of his program for the renewal of young men. Despite becoming a teenage father and overcoming many obstacles and disadvantages, he graduated from high school.
Upon graduation from Charleston High School in 1997, Cassio attended Tougaloo College, where he participated in various school and community activities. Cassio was involved in Student Government Association, Pre-Alumni Council, TAMS Recruiters, Big Brothers/Sisters of MS, Jackson VAST Mentor Program, Mississippi Association of Educators, National Education Association, and many other organizations. Through his work and dedication, he has received many awards and honors such as:
In 2003, he graduated, with honors, from Tougaloo College and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Childhood Development.
Despite his formal training in education, he has dedicated his career to working with and for disadvantaged youth, families, and communities in all needed areas. He has served as a Math Literacy Worker (Algebra Project), Youth/Community Organizer (Citizen for Quality Education in Holmes County), Counselor (Rankin County Adolescent Offender Program and MS Children Home Services), Life Skills Instructor (Oakley Training School), and Long Term Recovery Specialist (Salvation Army and Catholic Charities of Jackson).
Cassio has received local and national attention for his commitment to disadvantaged communities, families, and youth. In 2006, he was honored by Essence Magazine as one the 50 most influential black men in America. Essence Magazine has honored Batteast in 2006 and 2010 for raising his two nephews. He was also recognized by Mississippi Link Newspaper as a young community leader.
In 2005, Cassio realized there is a major crisis with young men in America. He saw the need to develop-op a holistic program for young men. Fathers Active In Their Hoods, Inc (FA.I.T.H.) was formally established in 2007 as a non-profit organization designed to improve the quality of life for young men. Batteast Consultant Agency, LLC was organized to assist individuals, families, community organizations, and faith-based organizations in developing businesses and community programs.
