My Brother's Keeper spreads inspiration
Mar. 6—LIMA — The Lima chapter of My Brother's Keeper (MBK) is looking to spread messages of inspiration throughout the young black community.
They hosted a workshop on Saturday called The Resilience of Black Youth at the Lima Civic Center.
MBK Lima leader Emmanuel Curtis and event organizers say the workshop will empower participants to make sound life choices aside from school or sports. Speakers were brought in to inspire a support structure they and their families need for them to succeed. Curtis and company pulled no punches when bringing in mentors to speak to the children who attended the workshop.
The workshop started with the inspirational words of Keynote Speaker Dr. Chike Akua, an Assistant Professor of the Department of Leadership at Clark Atlanta University, who made the trip after connecting with Curtis through a mutual acquaintance in an event in Iowa. Akua made the trip to help MBK Lima because he recalls when he was headed down the wrong path until he found a group of leaders like Lima has in MBK to mentor him.
"I'm so glad that there was somebody who kept me through the midst of my challenges and helped me overcome some low points in my life. I almost fell through the cracks. That energizes me and gives me the strength to do this work. I know I look into their eyes, and I see me and even when I look into their teachers, coordinators and counselors' eyes, I see me because I taught public school. It's a full-circle moment for me to come back to Ohio, near Toledo where I was born and raised and being a part of this program," Akua said.
"Programs like this are important to provide a bridge to get our young men from where they are to where we want them to be. We can't expect them to be successful if we're not going to be that bridge over troubled waters to provide them with strategies you know that can help them make it through."
Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith was also on hand and spoke to the children during the orientation period before the workshops began. The mayor gave an inspirational speech recalling a time when she sat in the same seats the children were sitting in as a child and how much confidence and courage it instilled in her as a young lady.
"We always talk about, particularly in the African American community, that we stand on the shoulders of giants and whatever is poured into you, that you make sure you pour back into the next generation," Smith said. "So, I want to say to you all to be a sponge for the day. Take in everything that they are telling you today and hang onto it tight and if you do, you could be mayor of your city someday."
Curtis says the reason he and his team put in all the work to provide workshops for the youth is that they understand the kids need additional resources if they are to develop to their fullest potential.
"The reason we are doing it is that it is needed in our community and we also understand that instead of just putting an expectation on young people we also need to educate and empower adults to-be," Curtis explained. "We are looking to resilience. Because once you show signs of resilience it will translate to social performance, academic performance and then welcome to adulthood."
Curtis adds it is essential to teach these lessons at an early age. "You don't wait until you're in high school. You start when they are young and we should be teaching it daily in how we speak to them, how we talk to them. That routine is important early."
