Black in America 2
I just returned from Ghana, West Africa on Wednesday August 19th. (More about that a little later) Before I left, I had recorded CNN’s Black In America 2 and Reclaiming the Dream. I haven’t had time to watch the specials until last night. These have been amazing stories for me - to learn about the struggles of other African Americans and see what they are doing to overcome the obstacles in their life. If you haven’t watched these two documentaries, then you need to do so.
I think about my own struggles and pursuits to not only overcome my own issues, but to help others to become people of significance as well. And I look forward to the opportunities to help impact the lives of young people - like the release of my new book, Speedsuit Powers , which is a tween/teen fiction novel.
Some of the stories that inspired me were:
1. Steve Harvey’s Harvey Town - which is an annual mentoring program for 100 boys from single parent homes.
2. Steve Perry’s Capital Preparatory Magnet School - His drive to help young people succeed is tremendous.
3. Geoffry Canada’s Harlem Children’s Zone - Which works to educate and empower youth academically, nutritionally, physically, and emotionally.
4. Tyler Perry’s journey to success.
These four men have pulled from their past experience and struggles to help be a part of the solution to empower African American youth. If we all come together, we can truly make a powerful difference in so many lives. And as we give to others, we receive so much more.
Here’s a video poem I created a couple of years ago. The poem, Safe, is from my first book Transition: Breaking Through the Barriers . It speaks to many issues discussed in Black in America 2 and Reclaiming the Dream.
Tagged with: Black in America 2 • Geoffry Canada • Reclaiming the Dream • Steve Harvey • Steve Perry
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2 comments
Terrific poem; it definitely moistened my eyes.
Question:
In your opinion, what would be the top two or three ways than a small group of individual white, upper-middle-class, gated-community-dwelling brothers in Christ could impact the the current plight of some urban, mostly African-American schools? I would be very interested in your ideas.
Good question CV… First, I would say that everything is built on relationships. If your group wants to impact youth, it’s not an overnight affair. Be mentally prepared to be in it for the long haul (however long that is.) It takes some time for youth (in general) to begin to trust a new relationship.
Second, be willing to actively listen to youth as they share whatever’s on their mind. As adults, we may have our own answers and suggestions for youth, but actively listening to someone has become a lost art. Before the person finishes their sentence, we’re already formulating our response.
Third, look for similarities between your two groups. Just in your descriptions it’s obvious that there are differences. But for all of our differences, people are very much the same. So look for those areas and cultivate them.
Fourth, celebrate the differences between the two groups. There are various lessons and insights both groups can receive from each other as both share about their culture and environment.
Fifth, realize that the adults will learn a lot from the youth… and vice versa.
That’s about all I have at the moment. Hopefully it’s helpful. Let me continue to think it over. I look forward to your response.