How to Celebrate "I Am a Mentor" Day at Your Company

Mentorship is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. Great mentors guide their mentees, help them overcome challenges, and inspire them to achieve thor goals. Recognizing and celebrating mentors’ contributions is essential to fostering a culture of learning, collaboration, and growth within any organization. That’s where I Am a Mentor Day comes in. 

Celebrated annually on January 7th, I Am a Mentor Day is part of National Mentoring Month, a movement dedicated to the importance of mentorship. The day specifically honors mentors, recognizing their critical role in shaping careers and nurturing talent. This special day is an opportunity for organizations to spotlight their mentors, acknowledge their efforts, and encourage mentorship across all levels. 

(By the way—we’re celebrating National Mentoring Month throughout the month of January with free, live events—and you’re invited! Join us for expert panels and fireside chants designed to help you drive learning, retention, and engagement at your organization through mentorship programs. Register now.)

If your company values growth and mentorship, celebrating I Am a Mentor Day can be a meaningful way to inspire a mentoring culture. In this blog, we’ll dive into some creative and impactful ways to mark the day and show appreciation for your mentors.

But first—how did I Am a Mentor Day start? 

History of I Am a Mentor Day

In 2002, MENTOR and its affiliates launched National Mentoring Month to raise awareness about the significance of mentoring. This initiative includes many standalone one-day events, including International Mentoring Day, MLK Day of Service, and Thank Your Mentor Day. 

I Am a Mentor Day is specifically observed on January 7th every year, and was created to recognize and celebrate the efforts of mentors everywhere. The day aims to encourage mentors to take pride in their role and to inspire others to step into mentorship roles as well. 

I Am a Mentor Day has since grown to be embraced by businesses, nonprofits, schools, and mentoring organizations. 

Why companies should celebrate I Am a Mentor Day

Mentorship happens in almost every organization, whether formally or informally. Companies with professional mentoring programs should especially consider celebrating I Am a Mentor Day to reinforce the value of mentorship within their organizational culture. 

Here are a few reasons why celebrating this day can be impactful:

• Show appreciation for mentors: Mentors dedicate time and effort to guiding their colleagues, helping them navigate challenges, develop skills, and grow professionally. Acknowledging their contributions on I Am a Mentor Day fosters a sense of appreciation and reinforces their motivation to continue their impactful work. 
• Strengthen workplace culture: Celebrating mentors creates a culture of support, collaboration, and growth. It emphasizes the company’s values of teamwork and mutual respect, fostering an environment where employees feel empowered to contribute and grow. 
• Inspire more employees to become mentors: When mentors are celebrated, it serves as a powerful motivator for others to step into mentoring roles. 
• Highlight the value of mentorship programs: Celebrating I Am a Mentor Day gives companies a chance to spotlight the success and impact of mentorship programs for employees and the company. 
• Create networking and learning opportunities: A celebration of mentorship provides a platform for mentors and mentees to share their experiences, lessons, and success stories. This internal networking can inspire others, facilitate cross-departmental connections, and drive innovation. 

7 ways to celebrate I Am a Mentor Day in your organization

Ready to show your mentors some love? Here are some ideas to inspire your I Am a Mentor Day festivities. 

1. Recognize and celebrate mentors publicly

Start the day by acknowledging the mentors in your organization. Share stories of how mentorship has positively impacted mentees and the company as a whole. You can do this through:

• Shoutouts on social media: Post pictures and testimonials and mentors on your company’s LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram—wherever you typically highlight your company’s employer brand. Use hashtags like #IAmAMentorDay or #NationalMentoringMonth. 
• Internal spotlights: Feature mentors in your company’s newsletter, intranet, or Slack channels. Include quotes from mentees on how their mentor has impacted them. 
• Wall of fame: Create a digital or physical display of mentors’ names, photos, and achievements in a high-traffic area, like a breakroom or home page of your intranet.  

2. Host a mentorship appreciation event

Organize an event to thank mentors and bring the entire team together to celebrate their efforts. Some event ideas could be:

• Awards ceremony: Present certificates or small awards to mentors who have gone above and beyond. You could even include categories like “Most Inspiring Mentor” or “Rookie Mentor of the Year.”
• Mentorship brunch or coffee hour: Create a casual atmosphere where mentors and mentees can share their experiences and bond over light refreshments. 
• Virtual celebration: For remote teams, hold a virtual gathering where mentees can express their gratitude. (Pssst…a solution like Together’s events tool can help with this!) 

3. Encourage storytelling and sharing experiences

Storytelling is a powerful way to celebrate mentorship. This could look like:

• Blog series: Invite mentors or mentees to write short blogs about their journeys and publish them on your company’s website or LinkedIn page.
• Video testimonials: Record brief interviews with mentors and mentees sharing their stories. These can be showcased during events or shared on social media.
• Panel discussions: Host a panel where mentors and mentees discuss the challenges and rewards of their mentoring relationships. 

4. Offer professional development opportunities for mentors

One of the best ways to honor your mentors is to invest in their growth. Development for mentors may look like:

• Workshops and training: Host a session on advanced mentoring techniques or leadership development.
• Access to resources: Provide books, guides, or online courses on effective mentorship (such as our mentor handbook).
• Guest speaker events: Invite an inspiring leader or industry expert to share insights on mentorship and leadership. 

5. Launch or promote a mentorship program

I Am a Mentor Day is the perfect occasion to promote or start a mentorship program within your company. Use the day to spread awareness or encourage participation with initiatives like:

• Kickoff event: Announce the launch or rebranding of your mentorship program with fanfare.
• Onboarding for mentors: Provide training or orientation to set mentors up for success.
• Open enrollment: Allow employees to sign up as mentors or mentees. 

6. Express gratitude with thoughtful gifts

Small tokens of appreciation can go a long way in making mentors feel valued. These might include:

• Personalized thank you notes: Encourage mentees to give handwritten or digital notes to their mentors, expressing how impactful their mentoring relationship has been. 
• Company swag: If your mentorship program has a branded name or logo, give your mentors notebooks, mugs, or t-shirts featuring the brand.
• Gift cards or books: Choose something that aligns with the mentor’s interests or professional growth. 

7. Make it fun and engaging

Finally, ensure the day is enjoyable! Infuse some creativity and fun into your celebrations. Some ideas include:

• Mentor trivia game: Create a quiz about famous mentors or your company’s mentoring history.
• Photo booths: Set up a themed photo booth with props related to mentorship.
• Creative contests: Hold a contest where mentees design posters, write poems, or create videos about their mentors. 

Get started planning your I Am a Mentor Day celebration

I Am a Mentor Day is a powerful opportunity to honor the mentors who shape careers and drive growth within your organization. By recognizing their contributions through events, professional development, and creative initiatives, you foster a culture of appreciation, collaboration, and learning. This celebration not only thanks your mentors, but also inspires others to step into these impactful roles, reinforcing mentorship as a cornerstone of personal and organizational success. 

Looking for more inspiration on how to celebrate National Mentoring Month at your organization? We’re hosting live events all January long featuring industry experts and thought leaders. We’ll be diving into the latest trends, real-world success stories, and actionable strategies for impactful mentorship programs. Register now to build your network and gain access to expert resources!