Full Bloom is a traditional 1:1 mentorship program, focused on creating safe spaces for marginalized individuals where they can seek advice and expertise from experienced game dev professionals.

2026 Mentor applications are now OPEN!

Mentee applications will follow soon.

Full Bloom Mentorship Program

2026 Session

Sign up to be a Mentor!

Who is this program for?

This program is for professionals already working in or transitioning to the games industry.

While we love students, this program is designed to support those with work experience. For a list of other mentorship programs, please see our Resources page.

Mentees must identify as BIPOC, while mentors of all backgrounds will be accepted.

Our cohorts are small - this allows us to offer the best experience to all participants and to prioritize community building.

What is the structure of the program?

  • The basic structure of Full Bloom consists of the mentee organizing 1:1 meetings with their mentor to establish goals, review progress towards those goals, and get feedback or insights from their mentor.

  • Pairs are expected to meet for a minimum of 6 sessions over the course of the 15 week program. This is to ensure that there is time to build a relationship without worrying about over commitment.

  • Guidance materials and onboarding sessions will be offered to all participants

  • Participants are expected to fill out periodic surveys - these are the best way for us to help facilitate and stay in touch with you to ensure the most beneficial and rewarding experience.

  • Discord community for mentors and mentees to connect, build friendships, and learn from one another.

Questions?

Have questions about our mentorship program? Please email us at mentorship@sunbloomarts.org!

Timeline

June - July 2026

  • Applications for Mentors & Mentees Open

August 2026

  • Mentor & Mentee applications are reviewed and accepted applicants are notified

September 2026

  • Mentor & Mentee Onboarding

  • Program Kickoff!

October 2026

  • Midpoint check-in

November 2026

  • End of program showcase!

Sign up for our mailing list below to stay updated on future developments!

2024-2025 Cohorts

2024 Mentors:

  • Beca Vessal

  • Ben Prunty

  • Brenden Gibbons

  • Chitvan Gupta

  • Emperatriz Ung

  • Iman Fayek

  • Joseph Domenici

  • Josh Delson

  • Joshua Rubin

  • Kyra McJesse

  • Michael John

  • Mimi Nguyen

  • Terence Tolman

2024 Mentees:

  • Adaya Head

  • Adnan el-Bedawi

  • Aianne Urgel

  • Ayo Afolabi

  • Binx Taylor

  • Brianna Rose Salazar

  • Bridget Hawkins

  • Charles Greenberg

  • Courtney Manbeck

  • Kyra Wills-Umdenstock

  • Mattia Sicuro

  • Melva Harris

  • Mia Booker

  • Ryan Davis

  • Stephanie Glover

2025 Mentors:

  • Ben Prunty

  • Britney Winthrope

  • Daniel Alejandro Aguilar Gonzalez

  • Lissi Michler

  • Mallory Gibson

  • Mariah Clawson-Simons

2025 Mentees:

  • Atenea Michelle Albertos Martinez

  • Jñani Crawford

  • Mia King

  • Teresa Jusino

  • Tomas Palazzi

  • Zipporah Smith

  • “Getting to meet and get to know my mentor over the course of the Sunbloom program was a wonderful experience. Post program I now have someone who I can ask questions to when I am feeling stuck or need some feedback and will hold me accountable for goals I set. Having this connection is priceless and I am eager to continue working on my skills so I can also give back to the community in the future.”

    Mentee, 2025

  • “My experience with Sunbloom’s mentorship program meant a lot to me. I supported a mentee hoping to break into the game industry who has since received two full-time job offers, and watching their growth has been incredibly rewarding. Sunbloom creates real opportunities and a community that truly supports its people.”

    Mentor, 2025

  • “I have a great experience learning from my mentor, learning the point of view, anecdotes and workflow of a veteran on my area was great and I think will be impactful in the way I do my work on the industry from now on, it was an amazing experience overall!”

    Mentee, 2025

  • “Through the Sunbloom mentee program, not only did my connections in the games industry blossom, but I was also fortunate enough to find a true friend in my mentor. The Sunbloom program creates such a warm and welcoming space—it's a wonderful way to meet genuinely kind people in the industry.”

    Mentee, 2024

  • “Through Sunbloom's mentorship program, I was able to learn from and connect with talented individuals across the games industry. My mentor was answered any questions I had and helped me improve my craft. By the end of the mentorship, I felt encouraged, inspired, and hopeful that I could succeed as an indie game developer.”

    Mentee, 2024

  • “The Sunbloom team is out solving a real challenge which is to help the marginalized folks be successful in the Games Industry, not just with getting a job, but also with having a lasting career. Having participated in the program in 2024 as a mentor, what I loved about the team is that they are results driven, they listen to feedback and are dedicated towards their mission to make a positive impact for individuals.”

    Mentor, 2024

  • “My Sunbloom mentor, helped me become more comfortable expanding my skillset while still keeping my goals focused and manageable. We always share progress on new projects and still check in with each other regularly with career and life updates. It's reassuring to have a community like Sunbloom where other mentors and mentees can share experiences, especially when the industry gets more difficult to navigate.”

    Mentee, 2024

  • “My experience as a mentee in Sunbloom was fantastic. They paired me with a mentor who strove to understand my story as a career switcher and introduced me to resources that have helped me on my journey into games. Sunbloom itself has also been a wonderful resource to me, especially in that it provides a space for those out of school to connect over games-related topics.”

    Mentee, 2024

  • “Not only did Sunbloom's "Full Bloom" program connect me to an awesome industry mentor, but I'm grateful for the way that Sunbloom continues to invest in the development and growth of its mentees after the program is over! Thanks to Sunbloom, I got to attend Game Developers of Color Expo, and have a chance at attending GDC Festival of Gaming when I otherwise wouldn't have had the chance. The way that Sunbloom provides consistent support to its program participants is really amazing.”

    Mentee 2025"