2010-2011 Reflection

I made a ton of missteps during my first year of doing this program.  I didn’t have a clear vision, mission, objectives, or goals.  My boys simply stayed after to hear me spew my ideologies about the condition of Black men in America and how we could “do better”. Sometimes the topic of discussion didn’t come to me until the day of the meeting, there were no structured activities, and I didn't give them a lot of exposure, successful leaders in the community and trips. The next year was different, obviously.  We got involved in the community a lot more, I planned a few activities, and I began putting serious thought into the discussions we had.  That particular year, communication skills were the big thing. Week after week I taught them the skills to effective debating tactics, meeting and greeting people, how to project your voice when speaking, and several other things of that nature. As you can tell, I had a little bit more direction. I had a local police officer come in to speak, my good friend Rodney Kellum came to help out once in a while, and I also had a little help from a guy that has a VERY successful mentoring program in Gwinnett County, GA. His name is Mr. Barrington Hart, founder of Turn Around Coaching. The year proved to be much better than my first year.  However, this past school year, 2010-2011 proved to be the best yet.

This is Officer Samuel. He came in to speak about the affects of peer pressure, alcohol and drug abuse, and other aspects of the law.

He gave them his personal cell number just in case they needed it.

Mr. C. Barrington Hart, founder of Turn Around Coaching. I met him at a Starbucks working with a young fellow that I used to work with. The year I had him, the boy either was kicked out of school or his mother pulled him out; I can't really remember which.

During the summer of 2010, before school started, I sat down and wrote out vision and mission statement, objectives, motto, and goals (you can see them on the tab at the top of this page). Although I went through several name changes (Men of Distinction, and a few others I completely forgot and have no desire to recall them; they were terrible), I finally settled on one that I think embodies everything I try to teach them: Young B.r.o.t.h.a.s. (Buiding Roads of Opportunity TogetHer Avoiding the Stereotype).  I wrote up rules and guidelines for the program, and I even created a curriculum that I would follow where each month would focus on a theme found in my mission and vision statements.  As a matter of fact, one of my new "friends" on Facebook, drew up a cool logo for me.

Mr. Rodney Kellum continued to help whenever and wherever he could, and I found another guy by the name of Kentrell Hutton who has also been a big help.  I think my boys learned a lot this year and especially enjoyed all the fun outings we had: playing basketball after school, and all the professional sports games we attended. With a new sense of direction, helpful partners, supportive teacher staff at school, wonderful parents, we ended up getting so much accomplished this year:

Community Service:

·        Hosea Feed the Hungry Community Events (passing out food, household items, toys, and clothes to needy families)

·        Open Hands (prepared 782 hot meals for needy families in the metro-Atlanta area)

·        Southern Plantation Senior Home (provided excellent company for the elderly)

·        Martin Luther King Day March

·        St. Francis Soup Kitchen (serving the homeless, kitchen help)

Academics and Behavior Accomplishments

·        Four students received academic honors this school year.

·        Each young man has a tracking record to be taken to each class to monitor behavior.  Since this implementation, 14-17 students have had no detentions or referrals for serious offenses.

·        Most students have exhibited classroom academic improvements; two students are recognized each week for grade improvements and commitment to community service.

2011-2012 Goals

·        Fundraising—would like the raise about $1,000

·        Book Studies: Letters to a Young Brother by Hill Harper; We Beat the Street by Sampson Davis, et al

·        Atlanta Museum of High Art—exposure to something different

·        Cool notepads for all brothas to take notes during group meetings

·        Clark-Atlanta Museum of African Art

·        Susan B. Koman Breast Cancer 5K

·        Bow ties J

·        More effective tracking system for homework completion and behavior

• Official non-profit status and webpage



I submitted a list of accomplishments to Turner Broadcasting and they rewarded us with fifty tickets to see the Atlanta Braves play the Phillies with a free Ludacris concert (DJ Khaled had a cameo). This was Civil Rights day so they also paid homage to the Negro League.




Two of my HIGH achievers: Tarron and Xander. Both young brothas make straight A's and have NEVER been a discipline problem. Each week I reward boys for behavior and academic improvement. Their prize is a free copy of Hill Harper's Letter to a Young Brother.




My final presentation for the 2010-11 school year: 4 types of people. Yea, I know it's messy; my penmanship is much better than that.



This is young Sadik. He was heading to his band performance while I was heading to Cross-Country running practice.

Young Brothas who presented no behavior problems and significant improvements in their grades were rewarded with a trip to see the Braves play. It got rained out though.