ATLANTA’S AT RISK INNER CITY BLACK MALES – HEROES, MENTORS AND ROLE MODELS – A NEW LEGACY

L.E.A.D.’s (Launch, Expose, Advise, Direct) mission is to empower at risk inner city young black males to become Atlanta’s leaders. Our experience is that a young black male without a father’s positive influence in his life struggles socially and emotionally. A likely outcome is a life of crime and ultimately jail, and that is not acceptable to us. So how do we create a new legacy, and sustain it?

L.E.A.D. Ambassadors on a tour of the Fulton County Jail 2015

We know that strong positive male figures in a young person’s life provide support to help create a solid foundation necessary for a young person to lead an empowered life – a life that isbased on making good choices and finding the right opportunities that result in emotional and social success.

We also know that a young person can’t have too many positive male influences throughout his life. They can come from various backgrounds. They can be fathers, coaches, teachers and pastors. How a young person interacts and learns from them depends on whether they are a role model, mentor or a hero. It is important to distinguish between the three, as each will have a different approach and impact. A young person needs to choose an influencer based on what his dreams are for himself. Initially, he may not know what he wants, but over time and through experience and growth he will. The key is to get started.

Following are guidelines to help you identify, and work with, the right influencer:

HEROES

Heroes you may know or not know. A hero will be someone on a similar path or journey you’ve chosen. Someone you can emulate. Here’s what to look for in a hero:

• They take a stand and lead by example in service to those in need.

• They do it voluntarily and without regard to perceived risks.

• They accept anticipated sacrifice.

• They are steadfast in their principles and beliefs when making decisions.

• They are transformative.

MENTORS

Mentors you know personally and interact with regularly. They provide support to challenges in daily life. They provide answers to questions that come up in the normal course of living, such as: Where do I find the school bus schedule? I want to play baseball, how do I get started? Where is the best place to study? I want to work, where do I look for opportunities? What do I have to do to get a driver’s license? Mentors may be lifelong relationships, or they may be in your life for a short while, depending on your needs.

ROLE MODELS

Role models you know personally and sometimes well. You learn from them through observation. They may offer insight into their actions and successes and you listen. They provide affirmation that you can be successful if you do things they’ve done to be successful.

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Tyquavious Noland is a rising senior student/athlete at Maynard H. Jackson High School

L.E.A.D. challenges its Ambassadors to lead and become heroes to those young men that are coming up behind them. These young Ambassadors are accepting the challenge and taking steps toward positive change that would scare an adult. They are working hard to transform their character positively even though they know the risk of losing what they know and are comfortable with. This often means the loss of family and childhood friends. The Ambassadors are consistently making right choices over wrong ones even when wrong “has a louder voice” in their head. They are learning to question “why the behavior” instead of simply singling out the behavior. The Ambassadors are also learning to model excellence because they know a peer is watching, and when they watch the positive character transformation take place, they will follow. 

L.E.A.D. provides strong positive male leaders as role models, mentors and heroes to assist in the Ambassadors in change, and we hold them accountable. Becoming a hero is a process. An Ambassador who accepts the challenge of becoming a leader and does what is necessary to become a hero knows there is a learning curve and it will be a long and difficult road. They also know that they will get the attention they need to succeed, and we will be dreaming their dream along with them.

Resources: http://blog.richmond.edu/heroes/2013/05/17/10-reasons-why-we-need-heroes/ and http://www.thesimpledollar.com/heroes-role-models-and-mentors-finding-people-to-believe-in/

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Inaction Is Not an Option or Be Bold, Take Risks and Create Opportunities

Inaction Is Not an Option or Be Bold, Take Risks and Create Opportunities

When my wife Kelli and I decided to create L.E.A.D. to empower at risk youth living in Atlanta’s inner city, we knew it was a bold move and not without risk. We were a young family and had the responsibility of raising two very young children of our own. We also knew that starting an organization committed to providing opportunities to empower at risk youth was not going to be easy. Where would we find the time and resources to succeed and grow our own family and L.E.A.D.? We knew if we failed it would negatively impact our own children, and the at risk youth that we committed to empower to succeed. Our willingness to take the risk, however, outweighed the shame we knew we would have to live with if we didn’t proceed.

Kelli and I took the bold steps and accepted the risks to start L.E.A.D., and never looked back. Here’s why we are very happy we did:

• 80% of Atlanta Public Schools students live at or below the poverty level, but every year L.E.A.D. Ambassador College Graduates prove that change is coming.

photo credit Audra Starr

• 60% of black males from Atlanta Public Schools won't graduate on time or at all, but L.E.A.D. Ambassadors are helping to reverse that trend by graduating from high school on time and going to college.

• Youth from inner city Atlanta zip codes 30310, 30315 and 30318 grow up to represent 80% of the Georgia State Prison population, but L.E.A.D. has created a sustainable program and continues to work to empower at risk youth living in those areas. Now they dream of college instead of living in despair of what they continue to hear is their destiny - prison or death.

Over the years, Kelli and I found that mentorship is key to L.E.A.D.’s success. One of the rules we live by, that I learned from my own experiences is: humility is a must have and we should think more of others, but not to the detriment of thinking less of yourself. For example, when I was a teenager, I grew up playing baseball against my white counterparts, convincing myself that I was better at the game than they were. Deep down I had my doubts which stemmed from my lack of resources. I didn't have the training or equipment they had. What I didn’t realize then, but do now, is that by thinking that way I was putting myself down. It is clear now that my conflicting thoughts kept me off balance. Thinking back, had I had the humility to acknowledge that my white counterparts were good, and maybe even better than me, due in part to their access to training and equipment, I might have concentrated more on ways to make myself a better ball player. Instead I focused on why I might not be as good - as I was trying to convince myself that I was - in spite of what I didn’t have. It was a crazy existence.

Humility is also among the core values we teach our Ambassadors. The key to learning these core values is understanding them and that is done through experience and practice. Some L.E.A.D. Ambassadors have an easier time of it than others because they have had core value training at home. Those who struggle have little to none. Sometimes, a young man lacking in core values is accepted into L.E.A.D. as an Ambassador even though he is known to have a bad temper, and is often times disrespectful. In spite of all of that, I believe event that young man can lead Atlanta. I am confident of this because we have mutual love and respect for each other. My Ambassadors know that I will give my life for them. If I'm not willing to do so, they will not wear the Ambassadors logo. I know that God has me on earth to serve and empower them – whatever it takes.

So as I continue to work to empower my young men to lead and transform their City of Atlanta, believe me when I say that I get tired. I get tired of Black boys being considered criminal by some simply because of the color of their skin. I get tired of media reports each year that show a decline of blacks at the Major League Baseball level and I get tired of the same media reports that say Black boys just don't play baseball. As tired as I am of hearing all of this, and reading about it, I am equally energized by the knowledge that, for our Ambassadors, the MLB isn't a microcosm of the world. They know there is so much more and they are willing to be bold and take the necessary risks to find it.

photo credit Jay Boatwright

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College invites fears and cheers

College wasn't easy for me at all, and even though I graduated from Westlake High School in 1994 with honors, I wasn't ready for it.

My biggest fear in entering college was not having enough discipline to manage my time as a student-athlete. I was always the kid that ignored his parents and teachers when advised to "manage your time well." Ironically, what I most looked forward to was the freedom and independence to do what I wanted and what made me happy.

What made me happy was to play baseball, and so that’s what I concentrated on to the detriment of my studies. I wasn’t a dumb kid. I was smart. Even so, I failed to apply the discipline necessary, and do what I needed to do, to maintain my status as a student-athlete. More specifically, I failed to manage my time well between what I wanted to do – play baseball, and what I needed to do – study and keep my grades up. As a result, I failed out of Georgia State University and Dekalb Junior College.

Lucky for me I had a second chance with the Chicago Cubs and was drafted again in 1996. It wasn’t until my career was cut short with the Cubs and I returned home to Atlanta, that I realized that in order to be able to do what I wanted to do, I’d have to balance discipline and also do what was necessary.

I recently asked our L.E.A.D. Ambassadors what their biggest fears were about attending college, as well as, what were they most looking forward to. Here’s what they had to say:

My biggest fear in attending college is being home sick and with regards to that, the distance between home and school is something I will be looking forward to and how it will effect me or will it effect me at all?

~ L.E.A.D. Ambassador Austin Evans, New Schools at Carver c/o 2015, Texas A&M University Fall 2015

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Austin Evans and CJ Stewart

I fear that I'm not going to be the smartest one in my classes. I'm looking forward to establishing and maintaining great relationships.

~ L.E.A.D. Ambassador Cameron Tucker, Henry W. Grady High School c/o 2015, Tuskegee University Fall 2015

My fears regarding college is the negative peer pressure from the upperclassmen. I'm looking forward to meeting new people and getting a great education.

~ L.E.A.D. Ambassador Desmond Jones, Benjamin E. Mays High School c/o 2015, Tuskegee University Fall 2015

My fear regarding college is being so overworked and stressed out that I develop bad eating habits and losing sleep. I'm looking forward to being independent.

~ L.E.A.D. Ambassador Jacoby Evans, Booker T. Washington High School c/o 2015, Georgia State University/U.S. Army

I fear while attending college that I will not make a name for myself. I most look forward to making everyone on campus love me.

L.E.A.D. (Launch, Expose, Advise, Direct) is an Atlanta based non-profit organization that partners with Atlanta Public Schools to empower an at risk generation to lead and transform their city of Atlanta.

Want success? Better have a good system like the Atlanta Hawks according to the L.E.A.D. Ambassadors

There are companies and organization in Atlanta like my organization L.E.A.D. that should be watching the success of the Atlanta Hawks very closely.

Some say that the Hawks are lucky and some recognize that they are winning because of a great system.

I challenged our L.E.A.D. Ambassadors today to share their thoughts about the Hawks' winning system.

Good afternoon gentlemen. I need your help with a blog. With 25-50 words, please explain to me the system that is in place that allowed the Hawks to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. You may text or email your responses to me. Thanks for your help in advance.

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Tyquavious Noland, Maynard Jackson High School

The Hawks are very focused and structured this year. They are able to keep winning games because of teamwork and humility. The system that is in place now is based on being organized and passionate. Therefore, they are able to keep being successful in the playoffs.

CJ Stewart: What happens when players on the team stop being humble?

Tyquavious Noland: When players on the the team stop being humble, the team will stop being successful.

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Tyquavious Noland is empowered by L.E.A.D. to lead the way

L.E.A.D. Ambassador D'Anthony Morrow, Benjamin E. Mays High School

The system that is in place for the Hawks is team ball. The Hawks are executing when needed and sharing the ball. When their plans are executed, the Hawks are unstoppable. When they are not executing they are not scoring. Coach Mike Budenholzer is putting the right players in at the right time to make things happen. The Hawks have the talent to go to Finals if they execute plays. Go Hawks!

CJ Stewart: Thanks D'Anthony. So what happens when the coach puts the wrong players in?

D'Anthony Morrow: When the wrong players are in, they try to do more than what is required and force plays which causes turnovers.

CJ Stewart: So the Hawks did a good job before the 2015 season started of selecting good guys that can play good unselfish basketball?

D'Anthony Morrow: Yes sir.

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Cameron Tucker, Henry W. Grady High School

The system that the Hawks have is one that empowers everyone to play their role. #teamwork

CJ Stewart: What is your role as a L.E.A.D. Ambassador?

Cameron Tucker: My role as a L.E.A.D. Ambassador is to empower an at risk generation to lead and transform our city of Atlanta.

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Cameron Tucker will be attending Tuskegee University as a student-athlete fall 2015

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Jaquavious Gaither, New Schools at Carver

The reason why the Atlanta Hawks made it to the Eastern Conference Finals is because of the role of the players, staff and management. Mike Budenholzer (head coach of the Hawks) had his team inspired last night and told his team that "we would make history today. The next time we play will be at home in the Eastern Conference Finals against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers." That's what got the Hawks fired up.

CJ Stewart: Who inspires L.E.A.D. to win on and off the field?

Jaquavious Gaither: Mizuno and Georgia's Own Credit Union helps us win on and off the field because they believe that we will lead the way for the future of Atlanta and the world.

CJ Stewart: What happens if companies like those stop supporting L.E.A.D.?

Jaquavious Gaither: We would have to find other companies and organizations that believe in us.

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Sam Katz, Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School

The Hawks were successful in reaching the Eastern Conference Finals because of teamwork, humility, trust, faith, determination, patience and loyalty. The Hawks worked as a team and not as individuals. I didn't like when Paul Pierce was show boating about his shot and how he called "game".

CJ Stewart: How should coaches handle show boats?

Sam Katz: I think that the most effective way to correct a show boat is by taking away playing time from him. A player can't show boat from the bench. In Paul Pierce's case, there was still eight major seconds left in the game and he was distracted.

CJ Stewart: What are you suggesting distracted Paul Pierce with eight seconds remaining?

Sam Katz: His celebration took away from his focus.

CJ Stewart: Would the Hawks system allow its players to celebrate prematurely and lose focus?

Sam Katz: Absolutely not. They all treat each other as one and know their responsibilities before and after each play. They would celebrate after the game and as a team. Not one player wins it for the Hawks. It's a team effort.

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Mothers, take us higher

Let's take a pause to recognize that mothers are the salt of the earth.

With the decline of the black male image in America, we need black mothers to be even stronger. We need them to raise the standard higher if we want a better tomorrow for black males.

Today, I asked our L.E.A.D. Ambassadors from Atlanta Public Schools to describe what makes their mother so special and this is what they shared.

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Vernard Kennedy, New Schools at Carver

Without my mom, everything in my daily schedule would be so unorganized. I would have quit so many great things. She continues to push me and I love her for that. She is my inspiration.

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Jalen Cannon, B.E.S.T. Academy

What makes my mother so special is that she is always there for me. When I need something, she helps me get it.

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Amyr Smith, Henry Grady High School

My mother has been a mother and my father. She had to raise two kids on her own and I will be furthering my education as a student-athlete at Morehouse College in the fall because of her.

L.E.A.D. Ambassador D'Angelo Julio, South Atlanta High School

My mother is raising my sister and I by herself and she's been doing a great job. We will both be attending college.

D'Angelo Julio and his twin sister Angelaa

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Tyquavious Noland, Maynard Jackson High School

What makes my mom special is the love that she shows everybody all the time.

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Byron Brinkley, Drew Charter School

My mom is a single mother and she takes care great care of my older brother Brandon and I. Brandon will graduate from Columbus State University tomorrow and I plan to attend the University of Oregon as a student-athlete when I graduate from high school. We've never starved, been homeless nor have I had to sell drugs to get money.

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Jacoby Evans, Booker T. Washington High School

My mom is special because she can bring a smile to anyone's face and she is my ultimate support system.

L.E.A.D. Ambassador D'Anthony Morrow, Benjamin E. Mays High School

My mother makes countless sacrifices for my older sister and I. My older sister graduated from the University of Florida with a law degree. She teaches us how to handle tough situations. She is my mother and also a great friend.

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Cedric Reed, New Schools at Carver c/o 2013, Georgia Highlands College

What makes my mom so special is her willingness to make sacrifices for us. She teaches us to care for others and to never give up.

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Desmond Stegall, Benjamin E. Mays High School c/o 2011, Grambling State University

My mother is everything I need and want. She can be my best friend, biggest critic, motivator, #1 supporter and most importantly my mother.

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Sean Warren, North Atlanta High School

My mom is special because she makes incredible sacrifices for me.

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This is why L.E.A.D. is marching in May in Atlanta

Talk about ironic. Here I am at the age of 39 this morning leading hundreds of Atlantans of varying race, age and gender down Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. from in the historic Hunter Hills Community of Atlanta from Mozley Park to Booker T. Washington High School for our 5th Inner City Youth Baseball March.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is one of my heros.

Booker T. Washington High School educated Dr. King Jr. before he enrolled at neighboring Morehouse College at age 15.

At age 39, Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis, TN.

Before being laid to rest at the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic Center in the Auburn Avenue Community, his body traveled on Hunter Street which is now Martin Luther King Jr. Drive through what is being developed now as the new home stadium for the Atlanta Falcons.

Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Atlanta was once Hunter Street. This Hunter Hills Community was the home of some of Atlanta's most educated and financially stable blacks.

Today Booker T. Washington High School educates some of the poorest students in Atlanta. It's 30314 zip code is one of the most dangerous communities in America. 60% of black males will not graduate from high school within Atlanta Public Schools on time or at all.

"Keep Calm I'm A L.E.A.D. Ambassador. " ~C.J. Stewart

My mother Bertha Gail Stewart graduated from Booker T. Washington High School at the age of 16 while also be pregnant with me.

My uncle Bob Wilburn met my aunt Margie (Rest In Peace) on the track at Washington High School.

I love Washington High School and I love Atlanta.

Dr. King organized several marches to demonstrate the organization and strength of blacks during our fight for equality.

So why is L.E.A.D. marching?

We are marching to demonstrate our organization and strength regarding the social injustice issue of the decline of blacks in baseball.

L.E.A.D. (Launch, Expose, Advise, Direct) partners with Atlanta Public Schools to provide a 12-month Pathway2Empowerment opportunity to black males grades 6th through 12th and we have well over 100 of them here this morning suited in Mizuno apparel from head to toe.

America, black boys in Atlanta love baseball by the thousands. Through L.E.A.D., several Ambassadors are using baseball to enroll and graduate from college. They are now working for companies such as Home Depot, Mizuno and Aerotek to name a few.

The decline of blacks in baseball is a social injustice issue and we aren't happy about it in Atlanta. Baseball across the world will not thrive in the future without the participation of blacks on the field, in the stands or in the front office.

Provide more access and opportunity to black male youth in baseball and watch the numbers increase at the collegiate level which currently has less than 6% of blacks on all NCAA baseball rosters across America.

Like Dr. King and I, Jackie Robinson was born in Georgia. Jackie Robinson was more than the first black to play in the Major Leagues during the modern era. He saved Major League Baseball.

Dr. King and Jackie Robinson

Baseball is a big deal throughout the world.

Baseball saved my life as a black boy growing up in the inner city of Atlanta.

Because of baseball, today I'm uniquely positioned to empower an at risk generation to lead and transform their city of Atlanta.

Atlanta will never be a world class city until hundreds of thousands of black males are living a sustainable life of significance.

Click here to see our L.E.A.D. Impact Stats.

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If and Then

Life is all about how you handle the if and then moments. If I do something stupid, then something stupid happens. If I do something great, then something great happens. Lord knows that I did a lot of stupid things as a teenager.

L.E.A.D.'s (Launch, Expose, Advise, Direct) mission is to empower an at risk generation to lead and transform their city of Atlanta.

L.E.A.D. is an Atlanta based 501c3 organization that partners with Atlanta Public Schools and exists because Atlanta will never truly be a world class city until hundreds of thousands of black males are living a sustainable life of significance.

One of the effective ways that I develop our L.E.A.D. Ambassadors is by asking them random questions that force them to critically think. The rule is that I will never question what they say but I will question why they said it so that I can make them go deeper. As black males, they are some of the most valuable assets in Atlanta. Why? Because blacks males are dropping out of high school and being incarcerated more than any other race in Atlanta and systematically across America.

Here are two statements that I asked three of our L.E.A.D. Ambassadors to complete to prepare them today to fulfill expectations tomorrow.

1. Complete these two sentences L.E.A.D. Ambassador Vernard Kennedy (New Schools at Carver). 

If my freedom was taken away from me, then I would...

If my freedom was taken away from me, then I would fight for it back like my ancestors did. I can't say that I could go through all that they did but I am willing to go through the trials for my freedom fighting spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically.

If baseball was taken away from me, then I would...

If baseball was taken away from me, then I honestly would be lost because this game has taught me a lot about life and how to encounter failures and how to work through them.

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Vernard Kennedy with L.E.A.D. Executive Director/Co-founder Kelli Stewart

2. Complete these two sentences L.E.A.D. Ambassador D'Anthony Morrow (Benjamin E. Mays High School).

If my freedom was taken away from me, then I would...

If my freedom was taken away from me, then I would focus on educating myself and learning more about God so that when I regained my freedom I could become a community leader and fight poverty.

If baseball was taken away from me, then I would...

If baseball was taken away from me, then I would continue to use my academics to earn a scholarship into college.

L.E.A.D. Ambassadors left to right: Tyquavious Noland, Jacoby Evans, D'Angelo Julio and D'Anthony Morrow

3. Complete these two sentences L.E.A.D. Ambassador Sean Warren (North Atlanta High School).

If my freedom was taken away from me, then I would...

If my freedom was taken away from me, then I would protect my mind by demolishing all negative thoughts like the slaves were forced to.

If baseball was taken away from me, then I would...

If baseball was taken away from me, then I would not feel free.

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Sean Warren (North Atlanta High School)

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