MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) - An event designed to connect young black boys with strong male role models is facing a mentorship gap.

The Community Agriculture Growing Experience is planning its seventh annual 500 Black Tuxedos event, but it does not have enough mentors to meet demand.

Nearly 200 young men have already signed up, but organizers say there aren’t enough men stepping forward.

“I think young black boys are forgotten, I think that they are often a pawn,” said Andre Lee Ellis, founder of Community Agriculture Growing Experience.

The 500 Black Tuxedos event pairs young black boys with mentors for a full day focused on leadership and personal growth.

Each mentor pays $125, which covers the cost of a tuxedo for the young man he supports.

“It’s the men that are really low. We are in need of 80 men to rent the tuxedos for the boys,” he said.

The event was originally scheduled for December, but low mentor sign-ups forced organizers to reschedule.

“It was originally scheduled for December 13th, but we didn’t have enough men signed up so changed the date to February 21st,” he said.

Even with the new date, the need for mentors remains urgent and Ellis said the need for guidance extends far beyond a single day.

“No one's teaching them the direct mannerisms of being a man. Some of them just long to be called son,” he said.

Jeremiah Thompson joined the program at age 10 and now serves as a mentor himself. He said the experience has come full circle.

“My experience has been great because coming from a younger standpoint to growing into an adult and becoming a mentor, I really see the impact and the need,” he said.

If more men do not step up, organizers may have to make adjustments to ensure every boy is paired with support.

"Some of the men will have to double or triple up,” he said.

Ellis said men who cannot commit to mentoring can still make a difference by donating to cover the cost of a tuxedo for a young participant.

Men interested in volunteering or making donations can register here. 

After signing up, young men can show up at Men's Warehouse between 3-7 p.m. for a fitting for their tuxedos and will not have to pay because it's already paid for by the mentors.