Brother From Another Mother

Bradley Adams didn’t have any brothers growing up. He had a little sister, but never a brother … until this year.
That’s when the 34-year-old West Ashley man met his “Little Brother” Daijon through the Carolina Youth Development Center (CYDC), which pairs caring adult mentors with Tri-County youth as part of its “Big Brothers” and “Big Sisters” community and school-based mentoring program.
In our busy world, finding time to spend with a child who is facing adversity may seem hard. But for Adams, who is co-owner of A&A Insurance on Sam Rittenberg Boulevard, finding time wasn’t ever an issue.
“I was adopted, and I adopted my daughter, so being able to give back and help a child was really a win/win for me,” says Adams. “I really don’t even think about it as finding time.” I look at it as Daijon is a part of our family now. He comes before any free time, just like my own daughter.”
When asked who he thought got more out of the relationship, Adams says that Daijon has probably done more for him than he has for Daijon. “Honestly, I would have never thought going into the experience that would be the case,” said Adams. “But he’s such an amazing kid and his positivity makes me realize so many things that I take for granted in my day to day life. It’s really been such a positive for both of us. I feel very lucky to be able to call him my Little Brother.”
Recently Daijon celebrated his 8th birthday and Adams wanted to do something special for the kid who had given him so much. Knowing that Daijon loves cars, Adams hatched a plan to surprise him for his birthday. “I got an idea that it would be really cool to be able to pick him up in something special. At first I was thinking a limo but then I got the idea to try for a super car,” said Adams. “I have a great relationship with Baker Motor so I went out on a limb and shot them over my idea.”
After a little back and forth Baker Motor Company offered Adams any car on the lot that he wanted to use to pick Daijon up in  — Maserati, Mercedes, Porsche, etc. Adams ended up surprising Daijon by showing up in the carpool lane at North Charleston Elementary School in a brand new sleek, black Maserati.
“The look on his face was priceless. All his buddies (and teachers) were pretty excited too,” said Adams. They drove back to Baker for a V.I.P. tour of the dealership. “It was really an amazing day. Daijon and I are both really big car guys so I don’t know who enjoyed it more,” Really can’t thank Steve Blowers and everyone at Baker enough for making it happen,” said Adams.
“It was such a wonderful birthday gift for Daijon, who was grinning ear-to-ear the whole time. I’m sure he will remember this moment for the rest of his life,” said Colin McCandless, marketing/PR coordinator for CYDC.
Adams encourages others to get involved with CYDC and to become a Big Brother or Big Sister. “There are so many kids right here in Charleston that would love to have someone be their ‘Big.’ I think a lot of people think its about having money and that’s the farthest from the truth. Its about being able to spend one afternoon a week with someone whose life you can hopefully make a difference in,” said Adams. “These are kids. You have the opportunity to show and teach them the things that have made you into the person you are, and hopefully they can take that and use it in their own lives. It will not just change your Little’s life. It will change yours for the better also.”
This Saturday, Dec. 20, from 8-11 a.m., Bradley Adams is hosting a Chistmas Toy Drive to benefit Big Brother Big Sister Charleston at Sojourn Coffee, located at 1665 Old Towne Road. Participants are encouraged to bring an unopened toy or a monetary donation.