Motivational Speaker and Former TeamMates Mentee Coming to McCook

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook chapter of TeamMates Mentoring is hosting motivational speaker and actor Corey Martin Craig on Thursday, October 30, at the McCook Memorial Auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the event begins at 7:00 p.m.

Craig, a Lincoln native and former TeamMates mentee, discovered his passion for the arts in his eighth-grade theatre class. After graduating from the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, he began his career with Warner Bros. Studios, later appearing in productions such as Grey’s Anatomy, Godzilla, and Shameless. Today, Craig is a motivational speaker, TEDx presenter, and producer of Cool Beans Comedy, an organization dedicated to spreading laughter and encouragement.

His return to Nebraska brings his story full circle — from mentee to mentor.

“Mentoring profoundly impacts the trajectory of a mentee,” Craig said. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without the course correction and empowerment I gained from being part of the TeamMates Mentoring Program.”

McCook TeamMates Board President Autumn Miller said the idea for the event came from Regional Coordinator Jennifer Hampton, who presented the opportunity in September.

“As a board, we all approved, and it’s really been a group effort to make it happen,” Miller said. “It’s taken a small village to plan, but we’re all super excited. I’m especially excited for Corey to tell his story — we hope it inspires more adults to become mentors, as we currently have 11 boys and 3 girls waiting to be matched.”

The event is free and open to the public.

TeamMates Mentoring of McCook continues to raise funds through local initiatives, including a Husker ticket package auction available at prairieshoppingnetwork.com. Proceeds from all fundraising efforts go toward scholarships, mentor training, and program support.