DarkStar Spouts Off

Group's Found Has A Mission to Mentor Young, Black Men

Group's Found Has A Mission to Mentor Young, Black Men

Raleigh, N.C. — Antoine Medley says he's following a call to save young people. Young, black men especially.

The people who are the target of his message might not like everything he has to say, but he's saying it anyway.

From 9 to 5, Medley is a computer guy. He's the one you call when something goes wrong.

He's also a family guy who has made the tough choice to give up family time to create something he believes in – Future Black Men of America Inc.

“Our young boys are really going through some things now by not having direction,” Medley says. That is what led him to decide he must be a leader, must try to shape and change those young men.

More at the link provided.

SOM students mentor Detroit schoolchildren

SOM students mentor Detroit schoolchildren

Wayne State University School of Medicine students have banded together to launch a cultural and academic academy for middle and high school students of Detroit.   

The Promoting Uplift to Lives of Success and Empowerment (PULSE) Enrichment Academy meets two Saturdays of each month from August to April, bringing Detroit students onto the School of Medicine campus to be taught a variety of cultural and academic subjects by SOM medical students.

The academy, the brainchild of second-year medical students Letacia Sims, Cecelia Calhoun and Dakisha Felder, was established with a Widening the Pipeline Program grant from the School of Medicine’s chapter of the American Medical Student Association. Many of the students volunteering as teachers and tutors are members of the Wayne State University School of Medicine chapter of the Black Medical Association/Student National Medical Association. Ms.Sims, Ms. Calhoun and Ms. Felder are community service chairpersons for the SNMA.    

“We saw a need for this type of programming,” said Ms. Sims, a native of Georgia who wants to practice pediatric medicine. “Kids need to expand their horizons in academics and culture. SOM students need volunteer hours, and the children of Detroit need the help, so it’s mutually beneficial. We get to give back to the community.”

More at the link provided.

Mentoring Program Gives Students Wisdom, Awards

Mentoring Program Gives Students Wisdom, Awards

DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO – In Bob Countryman's days, mentoring was a trickle-down affair – brother to brother.

That's all his family could manage for its 13 children when mentoring programs were practically nonexistent, said Countryman, 70, of San Diego.

Today, he is a driving force behind organized mentoring for young African-Americans.

Countryman, a retired Drug Enforcement Administration forensic chemist, served as master of ceremonies for the Links Inc. San Diego chapter's black male high school seniors achievement awards ceremony. It was held at the downtown Marriott Hotel & Marina yesterday.

Nineteen students were honored at the ceremony attended by roughly 400 people.

Links is a national nonprofit organization of black  women, with some chapters overseas.

More at the link provided.

Project Ready changing attitudes, 1 by 1

Project Ready changing attitudes, 1 by 1

For young black men, dodging gangs, drugs and negative peers and trying to avoid becoming a victim of crime is as much a part of their academic success as hitting the books.

"You've always got to watch your back when you're walking. You never know; maybe those two dudes, or three dudes, you just passed might come back. Like they've seen something they like (such as a clothing item or gold chain) and try to take it," said Marcus Bowens, 17.

Disturbed by the unyielding pattern of high youth violence rates and low graduation rates, the Urban League of Rochester has launched "Project Ready," a program to provide academic mentoring and training in life skills for young black men.

The development program meets twice a week to provide tutoring, train participants on test-taking and public speaking and raise cultural awareness.

More at the link provided.

Washington County Woman Seeks To Inspire Youths Of Color

Washington County Woman Seeks To Inspire Youths Of Color

As a department assistant in the radiology department at Washington County Hospital, Fara Thompson knows a lot about career opportunities in the medical field. She shares her knowledge and contacts as the Medical Cluster leader for the Hagerstown YMCA's Black Achievers program.

Black Achievers is a youth mentoring program for ages 12 to 18. Its goal is to expose participants to a variety of opportunities in the community, from career and business options to college tours to community service, Thompson said.

"We want to get them out into the community and try to help people, to get them to love who they are, to be proud of being a Black Achiever," Thompson said.

More at the link provided.

Memphis Cares

Memphis Cares

Our Call to Action
We are asking every man and woman to commit just four (4) hours per month for one (1) Year

Recruitment Goal
To recruit 6000 mentors between January 2008 and December 2013! Goal is 50% of the mentors will be African American men!

Who Should Mentor?
All are welcome! We recruit men and women (like you) to become mentors because they have valuable knowledge and life experiences that will benefit young people. All it takes to become a mentor is a committed, caring person, responsible and a good listener.

Youth Advisers Bring Order and an Empathetic Ear

Youth Advisers Bring Order and an Empathetic Ear

Havoc was the order of the day at Bladensburg High School in Prince George's County.

Students were fighting, skipping classes and stealing cars from the parking lot.

Officials were stymied until they sought help two years ago from a national program designed to help schools by reaching out to troubled youths. Enter the youth advisers of the Violence-Free Zone, a program of the District-based Center for Neighborhood Enterprise, who let the students know that they were there to help them. The advisers also brought a stronger message: Control of Bladensburg was going to return to the adults.

"Kids can't be controlled by cameras, curfews and cops," said Robert L. Woodson, president and founder of the Center for Neighborhood Enterprise. "Those are threats, and they won't respond to that. . . . The Violence-Free Zone inspires them to obey the rules by providing life witnesses to them [who show] that just because you are from a dysfunctional household or a troubled neighborhood, you don't have to be a troubled person."

The Violence-Free Zone, now also in Largo High School, has been praised by school officials and community leaders for helping to turn around troubled schools.

At the same time, the program has fallen prey to the budget ax. Funded by Prince George's schools for the 2006-07 school year, the program is in danger of ending soon unless $500,000 can be raised to save it, authorities said.

Community stakeholders recently gathered at First Baptist Church of Glenarden to try find ways to raise money to continue the program, which Superintendent John E. Deasy would like to expand to more schools, said his spokesman, John White.

White credited the program with resolving significant conflicts and behavior issues at Bladensburg and Largo.

More at the link provided.

Helping Youth Lead Fuller Lives

Helping Youth Lead Fuller Lives

Youth who live in Springhill Lake in Greenbelt say they are grateful for the free mentoring programs offered by husband-and-wife team Brian and Camille Butler.

Jarrell Jefferson, 14, of Springhill Lake in Greenbelt said the programs, which include community projects and field trips, have helped to broaden his horizons.

‘‘I do look up to [Mr. Butler] as an older role model because he’s always trying to [help us] become better people. He’s always encouraging us,” Jefferson said.

Greenbelt resident Patricia Clark, 14, said youth in Springhill Lake could use more people like Brian.

‘‘Springhill Lake is a very big area. He’s limited in how many people he can help,” Clark said.

Camille, 30, and Brian, 32, who lived in Springhill Lake Apartments in 1999, said they created the mentoring programs to enrich, educate and instill respect in young peoples’ lives through field trips, community service projects and group discussions. Brian said the lack of black role models in the youth’s homes prompted him to start a mentoring program.

‘‘I knew just for that simple fact that I was an example. Positive or negative, it is really important for youth to see a black male in a positive light,” Brian said.

More at the link provided.

Black Self Help Information Domain

I registered and use the blackselfhelp.info domain name. I recently found out that the "info" domain is blocked by sys admins because of the assumption is nothing but a SPAM bot pit. So, I've registered the blackselfhelp.org domain as well. They both point to the same place.

Next Level Mentoring Program

Next Level Mentoring Program

The Next Level Mentoring Program is a community based, non-profit 501c3 organization located in Florence, KY. Our mission is to provide minority high and middle school students, primarily African-American, in our community with the skills and knowledge to maximize their potential to continue higher education post high school. We aspire to prepare students in grades 8th -12th for a successful transition from high school to college. Services provided by the Next Level Mentoring Program include academic one to one mentoring, personal development, cultural awareness, community service, ACT prep, a variety of seminars/workshops/panels, and college visits including a one week Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) tour.

On Our Shoulders

The On Our Shoulders program was created out of the empathy felt by its founder, Ray Cook, as he watched countless youths die and become victims of violence on the streets of Baltimore.

The counseling, education and skills training offered by On Our Shoulders helps young people develop career potential and connections to advanced education.

The program components include:

Group Sessions

• Assessment
• Review Street Violence Statistics
• Health and Hygiene Classes Conducted by Registered Nurses
• Individual Drug Counseling and Referral
• Young Mothers/Fathers Group
• Support Groups for Young Victims of Violence

On The Job Training

• Pre-apprenticeship Training
• Catering, Food Handling and Baking Classes
• Clerical Training
• Construction/Electrical/Plumbing
• Barbering/Braiding (Hygiene Enhancement Classes)
• Modeling Training/Fashion Shows

Skill Enhancements

• Academic Skills
• G.E.D. Preparation and Testing
• Computer Skills
• Job Readiness Skills
• Life Skills/Coping Skills/Decision Making Skills
• Paid Internships
• College Preparation/Scholarships/Advanced Education

Crimminal Assessment

• Help young people understand charge papers and court procedures
• Provide an assessment on program participants to the courts
• Appropriately recommend "On Our Shoulders" as an alternative to incarceration

Advanced education will be based on academic performance, attendance, punctuality, and commitment to the program. Our youth will need to demonstrate a high degree of motivation within the program to receive a court representation and assessment verification

Dallas pastor recruits 100+ black men for mentoring program

Dallas pastor recruits 100+ black men for mentoring program

When Dr. David E. Martin, senior pastor of Gospel Tabernacle in Southeast Dallas decided to launch an on-site initiative, a mentoring program entitled “Men with a Cause,” he recruited 100 of his male parishioners and volunteers representing affiliate churches to participate.

Adhering to the request to dress in suits for the entire day while mentoring elementary school student, more than 100 men who were screened by Dallas Independent School District volunteered to mentor the 795 students at Frederick Douglass Elementary in Pleasant Grove.

“I wanted to be to provide access to the students about the opportunities and even the inform them of the challenges I have had to endure,” Elder Edward Rodgers, entrepreneur and coordinator of Men with a Cause said.

As students, parents, the 54 faculty and staff arrived on campus at 7:15 a.m., they were greeted by the “Men with a Cause.”

Throughout the day the men were on campus serving as mentors and providing support to the faculty, staff and student body in various capacities.

More at the link.

The COS Communities

The COS Communities

The COS (pronounced cause) Communities provides a place where you can ask questions, share answers and socialize with people who are seeking advice on topics that are vital to communities across the country. Come on in and get involved.

Why Participate in the COS Communities?
For the last generation or two, the world’s sense of community has dissolved and our parenting skills have broken down — this puts our young people at risk, especially young black males.

The COS Communities address critical issues Americans face all over the United States. The goal is to prepare our communities with an education and skill set that can support the success of our young people.

How did the COS Communities get their start?
Our communities began with a group of dedicated citizens that were ready and willing to deal with the serious issues that face our youth today. From three and a half years of town hall meetings hosted by Bill Cosby — Cosby Call-Outs — we learned a lot about what issues are most pressing in the United States today. We listed five issues that outline different cases where this country has lost its sense of community. We then created five communities that act as forums for you to talk and learn about each of these issues. The communities are as follows:

• Get an Education/Skills
• Be a Parent/Caregiver
• Be Healthy
• Stop Violence
• Get a Job

We invite you to participate in our communities by interacting with others who share the same concerns as you. Come ask your own questions and help provide answers for others by contributing to the COS Communities today.
 

Doctors' 'The Bond' reminds us of resiliency and strength in family

Doctors' 'The Bond' reminds us of resiliency and strength in family

They're back - the three African- American men who made a spec tacular exit from the inner city of Newark, N.J., to medical and dental school, commemorated in their best-selling book "The Pact."

It describes their sworn commitment to one another's success. To many, "The Three Doctors" are outright heroes. The reason is Sampson Davis, George Jenkins and Rameck Hunt overcame adversity and then began giving back, daily, to the community. Each mentors young men and women who have yet to escape the surroundings and statistics of being impoverished African-Americans in fatherless homes.

Davis, Jenkins and Hunt's third book is "The Bond: Three Young Men Learn to Forgive and Reconnect with Their Fathers." It dismantles the stereotype that absent fathers mean failed sons as aggressively as their first book blasts the notion that young men from the projects are bound to fail. "The Bond" explores the durable connection between men and boys, in spite of growing up apart and sometimes ignorant of one another.

his book follows a simple format. Each doctor writes four chapters. The first begins with their memories of life without Dad, including touchstone passages - Hunt's decision to quit Pop Warner football because no one was there to help him suit up, and Jenkins' humbling account of asking a white classmate for a lesson in looping his tie.

In later chapters, each doctor reconsiders his life and the men who shaped it. One, "Mr. Charles," taught the finer points of dressing to all three youngsters; Reggie Brown's martial arts classes helped Davis with self-discipline, focus and responsibility. Without cliche, the doctors quietly document that it takes a village of men to raise a boy to manhood.

More at the link.

Pathways For Kids

'Pathways' opens doors for disadvantaged city youths

As San Francisco bade farewell to Barry Bonds last Wednesday, about 30 “at-risk” city youths said hello to Giants management, learned about the baseball business and picked up tips on how to kick-start a career.

SF State alumnus, Shakeel Ali made this opportunity possible through Pathways For Kids (PFK), a San Francisco based non-profit organization founded in 1998 to inspire academic achievement and career awareness in disadvantaged youth.

Ali, 37, became the full-time program director for PFK in the summer of 2006 and began connecting economically disadvantaged youth with volunteer mentors or coaches, who have achieved success in a wide variety of businesses and professions.

“I always had an intent to bridge the gap between students and the community,” said Ali, who graduated from SF State with a Bachelor’s in liberal studies, social sciences & ethnic studies in 2004.

Ali has been involved in activism since he was 19, working in local schools while attending college. After taking classes at City College for two years, he enrolled at SF State in 2002. During his years at the university, he was the Moorish sports club president and a member of the Black Student Union and School of African Philosophy.

More at the link provided.

Group talks about racial disparity in school achievement

Group talks about racial disparity in school achievement

It started on a playful note.

Brunswick County Schools Superintendent Katie McGee ducked under a desk and came out on the other side, at the center of a large room at Love Faithfully Ministries, a church in Leland. About 20 other desks flanked hers.

She went around talking to people and making jokes.

It was a way to break the ice on a subject that has upset black community leaders: the achievement gap between black and white students in Brunswick County, which has narrowed slightly in the past year but is far from closed. On Monday, McGee, other school officials and members of the religious community gathered at the church to once again discuss the gap.

In state standardized tests for grades 3 through 8 this year, 78.4 of black students were proficient in reading. That's 10.9 percentage points lower than white students, a gap that decreased from 13.4 last year. In math, 43.3 percent of black students were proficient this year, which brought the gap down from 27.6 percentage points last year to 27 this year.

Since the first meeting in May, cooperation has grown between local churches and the school system, McGee said. Love Faithfully Ministries now has a program that offers county students an alternative to suspension, giving them mentoring and 17 computers to work on.

"We have to get beyond the color thing," said the church's senior pastor, the Rev. Gene Brown, who launched the program at the start of this school year. "That way it doesn't become a black or white issue. It becomes an issue for the entire community."

Black men take time to listen to their younger counterparts

Black men take time to listen to their younger counterparts

RALEIGH - In the gymnasium at the Garner Road Family YMCA on Saturday morning, black men urged their younger counterparts to tell them about the obstacles they face.

Organizers said the conversations would give the older men more insight into what young black men are dealing with in today's society -- and what was needed to help them.

"We want to show compassion," said David Prince, a program director for Food and Nutrition Services, part of the N.C. Division of Social Services. "We want them to know that we're here. We want to spend time with them. The goal is we want to prevent them from building up the jails."a

The program is affiliated with the Triangle High Five, a regional consortium with the goal of getting 100 percent of area high school students to graduate. About 40 men sat and listened to nearly 100 boys and young men talk about barriers to success, including low expectations from others and a lack of role models.

One of the organizers is Orage Quarles III, president and publisher of The News & Observer.

The group now will try to address several of the concerns aired by the young men. Some mentors also suggested assuring the young people that the meeting would not be a one-time thing.

"They need to have that contact so they don't feel like the ball's being dropped," said William Stubbs, an administrative intern at Reedy Creek Middle School, where he is a sixth-grade assistant principal.

Delta Sigma Theta Science and Everyday Experiences (SEE)

Delta Sigma Theta Science and Everyday Experiences (SEE)

In 2002, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the Delta Research and Educational Foundation (DREF), in partnership with the AAAS Directorate for Education and Human Resources Programs, began developing and implementing the 5-year Science and Everyday Experiences (SEE) Initiative, an informal science education project funded by the National Science Foundation. The SEE Initiative helps parents and caregivers of African American elementary and middle school age children (K-8) develop effective ways to support children's informal science and mathematics learning experiences.

Another partner in this community-based science effort includes Radio One, Inc., a conglomerate of 51 radio stations in urban and African American markets that served as the broadcast medium for the original Delta SEE Connection. The Delta SEE Connection is a series of interviews with African American role models that are contributors in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines.

Black pastors join forces to aid community

Black pastors join forces to aid community

Saying they are burying too many young African Americans struck down by violence, some area pastors have launched a campaign to address that and other community problems.

About two dozen pastors have formed the United Black Clergy Association of Seattle to look for solutions to some of the most daunting problems in the black community in areas of employment, economic development and crime.

"Historically, black pastors have been able to give leadership in these areas of our community," Kenneth J. Ransfer Sr., pastor of Greater Mt. Baker Baptist Church and president of the group, said Wednesday.

"We plan to go out into the community, go to the hot spots, and talk to these men and women and love these guns out of their hands."

At a news conference Wednesday, the organization said it is trying to bring to Seattle a national program called Amer-I-Can, a life-management effort founded 20 years ago by NFL Hall-of-Famer Jim Brown to address gang-related violence in inner cities.

Goode sounds a call to action

Goode sounds a call to action

What Wilson Goode is preaching these days is the gospel of mentoring disadvantaged children.

Making a difference "Having a loving adult spend one hour with a child every week for a year can change the direction of a child's life," he told me recently in his Center City office.

Goode is well-cast as the erudite elder statesman. A cropped gray beard has replaced the clean-shaven look he sported during his days as the city's first African American mayor. A large crucifix dangling around his neck testifies to the spiritual obligation that compelled him to earn a Ph.D. in theology at 62.

If you're part of Philadelphia's faith community, you've undoubtedly heard of Amachi, the program Goode helped develop that provides mentoring for children with incarcerated parents.

Since its launch in 2000, Amachi has grown to 273 programs in 48 states. Goode has enlisted mentors from more than 50 congregations in the Philadelphia region alone.

Research shows that kids who lack adult guidance are less likely to be able to read, more likely to grow up in poverty, and way more likely to take up a life of crime.
...
"Before you criticize anybody else, what are you doing?" Goode asked. "You can blame slavery and segregation . . . those are all factors. So what? What's your next step?"

Despite all he has done in a life of service, Goode is still haunted by the 1985 MOVE tragedy. His decision to bomb a West Philadelphia house, which led to the deaths of 11 people, including five children, prompted him to seek redemption.

"I promised God every single day he gives me strength that I'm going to do something positive to help a child," he said. "If every African American can make the same commitment, we can turn this thing around."

More at the link

Mister Mann's Men

Mister Mann's Men

THEY ARE THE kids who don't make the headlines — the young black men from Philadelphia's inner city who are crack students, not crack dealers; who hang on the campus, not on the corner; who are living the American dream, not the nightmare.

So when Mister Mann Frisby, 32, who has mentored dozens of the young black men for years as father figure, trusted friend, summer track coach, college guidance counselor, employment agency — you name it, Frisby does it — goes to name-brand social service agencies to ask for financial help for his kids, he gets strange looks instead of cash.

"'They never stabbed nobody?'" Frisby exclaims in mock surprise, mimicking the reaction he got at one multi-million dollar social service agency. "'Nobody got a gun charge?'"

Frisby shook his head. "They have money for adjudicated youth," he said. "They have money for thugs trying to turn their lives around. But they don't have money for decent, intelligent young black men who are striving.

"If my mentoring program was for first-time gun offenders or kids in foster care or kids fresh out of Glen Mills, I'd be rolling in money. They want you to service kids who are 'at risk' or in trouble. They see the kids in my program as fine. So they're forgotten."

 

More at the link provided.

PeaceOholics

Peaceoholics

Peaceoholics is Non-Profit organization that is committed to the youth and families of the District of Columbia. Through the various activities of Peaceoholics, youth will be transformed into drug-free and crime-free productive members of their communities. Activities include:

• Designing & Operating Youth Programs. In the initial phases, the organization will focus on providing services to youth found involved in the District’s juvenile justice system in an effort to offer programs to serve as alternatives to detention and prevention to entry into the adult correctional system. Programs will focus on a Balanced and Restorative Justice approach and will teach young people to understand the impact of their actions of their community and to offer a means to repair the harm created by illegal activities. In future phases, Peaceoholics will expand programs to include prevention services to include youth at-risk of involvement in the Juvenile Justice System.
• Developing a Network of Peace-Minded Individuals. The Organization will develop a broad national network comprised of the Organization's members and other like-minded persons and organizations. The network will support youth programs, share information regarding peace, health and youth issues and coordinate periodic events for the membership and targeted population. Members of the Board and other volunteers will coordinate such efforts and events. The Organization will also establish sister organizations and affiliates throughout the country and the world to serve a wide and diverse constituency. The goal is to promote peace and change community norms regarding risky behaviors and conflict resolution through peer education. The time volunteered will encourage youth and adults to work cooperatively with other persons throughout the country who are dedicated to education and community involvement.
• Participating in Youth Events Sponsored by Schools, Government Agencies & Non-Profit Organizations. Members of the Board of Directors and community members will join forces to encourage community members, local and national businesses to contribute their time and donations to assist with promoting the Organization's goals. Program staffs efforts may be spent conducting seminars and lectures to various groups and organizing events related to the empowerment of youth. Technical assistance includes the provision of workshops, trainings, and facilitations.
• Training and Workshops. Peaceoholics will reach out to various organizations and institutions providing vocational training and relevant workshops for all willing participants. Areas covered will include life skills, and industry specific coursework in computers training, language based training, and financial management.
• Producing & Distributing Information. The Organization will share multimedia information with the general public regarding healthy and effective means to peacefully resolve conflict and maintain healthy habits. Information may include broadcast messages that target youth. Members of the Board and community members will distribute the information at local events and national conferences relating to peace efforts and youth. The organization will also publish such information free of charge on its web site. In the event a professional writer is hired, such person shall be paid a reasonable fee for such service, which fee will be determined by the Organization's budget priorities, and the nature and complexity of the work.

Comments R Us: A Reply To Black Informant

This is reply to Black Informant. The comment filtering won't let this one get through.

 

1. Again, you misread me.
2. Why did HE apologize on Smiley's show for HOW he said it?
3. I never denied he is being invited. In fact I pointed it out. See #5.
4. I keep saying, and I'll keep saying, JUST SAYING STOP IT DOESN'T WORK for the most part. IN FACT, you follow the same reasoning here, when you commented: In MANY 'Black churches' that I have either attended or been a member, sex was a topic that was limited to "it's wrong, don't do it." Apparently this message alone is not effective as I have seen plenty of cases where teens and adults regularly have sex outside of marriage. Someone at work could have just finished talking about how they did so-and-so the other night and.
5. Your constant bashing of him because “HOW” he saying it is not only just as fruitless, but downright elitist.

Elitist my ***! Again, you read ONE part of it and ignore the rest. Look what I wrote here. If stated accurately, the language is FAR MORE EFFECTIVE.

It is the people who are not typically online that need it. You gotta take it to them. And even after you do that, they still got to make the choice if they are going to use it. So at best, this is something you can point to when someone ask you “What are you doing about it?”

First, you're right and I admit that right out the box. Second, the same applies towards your efforts. Third, the intent is for people who are looking for something and don't know, at least it's there. Fourth, and most importantly: It is the people who are not typically online that need it. You gotta take it to them.. That is what I have been writing all of this time.

100 Black Men brought Cosby into D.C. to speak at UDC. They, and others, brought the people they are mentoring or want to mentor. But the best thing 100 Black Men are doing, they were doing before Cosby and after. They were going directly to the need, as is Concerned Black Men, 100 Black Women, Peaceniks, the Urban League, and others in D.C. and across the country.

Locally, I hear and read of people and groups asking Black people, especially men, to mentor and get involved. THAT is more effective than SHOUTING STOP IT!

the same things are said UNCHALLENGED and uninhibited in a comedy routine.

It's COMEDY... Like Jackie Mason and his Jewish jokes.

Lastly, again I ask, why did Cosby apologize for HOW HE STATED IT on the Tavis Smiley show?

Comments R Us: Mentoring Plan

Over at Booker Rising, in response to this post, I wrote the following:

Why is it few seem to mention changing actions by mentoring and the need for more mentors?
You can't keep spouting this stuff and not say anything about HOW people CHANGE negative behaviors.

I was asked to lay out "a plan," so here it is:

• Find people who did a good job in raising their children and use them for advice.
• Raise your kids properly.
• If you have someone in your family who "needs help," help out.
• Know your children's friends and don't be afraid to "raise them" as well. They will have more impact on your children than you really care to know.
• Join a church group, local group, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Urban League, 100 Black Men, Concerned Black Men, or some such group and mentor. If that isn't your thing, go to a local school and offer your services.
• Reach out to kids in your neighborhood.

MXC workshop puts focus on black men

MXC workshop puts focus on black men
Black male mentors speak to younger counterparts
By ROBERT FELTON

While the atmosphere outside at Malcolm X College's 24-hour Registration Block Party Saturday was festive, black men both young and old were getting down to business of empowering themselves during an afternoon workshop taking place inside.

The four-hour workshop on black male image targeted youth aged 8 through 16. There were nearly three dozen young men in attendance to hear community leaders and male students from Howard University, who spoke about the importance of realizing their potential.

"I have attended events geared toward creating positive black male images and empowering black men, however, they generally featured older gentlemen," said Kevin Booth, a senior in advertising at Howard University. "That is fine, but we felt that as student speakers, our words would have more resonance because the young people in the audience can relate to us. We're closer in age and we kind of have an idea of what their desires, dreams and plans are."

The program was a collaboration between the Monarch Awards Foundation of Xi Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Sorority and Howard University.