Why Black Male Exploration?

So here's that post I've been talking about that will explain what community service program I'm thinking of developing for young black males.

Black Male Exploration (tentative name)

Focused on the pre-adolescent through adolsecent years (11-19yrs) of young black men, I think a structured initiative can really positively affect young cats. Cuz I feel a large part of your life is really determined by your foundation as an adolescent growing up.

So If I could create a program that builds that foundation strong then the sky is the limit right?

So now the description....The dream....

Two groups of 5-10 young black males (11-19yrs) . Mentoring each other, working together to make a movie, exploring career options, and real talk sessionsand introducing faith (namely Jesus the Christ). I think if 15yr olds are mentoring 11yr olds, then they will think of themselves as leaders before they hit college, cuz not everyone has that leadership mentality simply because they were never exposed to it. And I'd have them working on making a movie, because its a good long term project that everyone can enjoy and participate it. Plus its something students can walk away with. Exploring careers because in my junior high doctors and firefighters came to the school to talk about their jobs. So everyone thought (subconcisouly) you had two career choices. But my pops exposed me to other options and had me meet people who were scientists, lawyers, social workers, etc. Basically he let my mind expand and wander to the world of possibilities by giving me somewhat of a launch pad for my young career aspirations. Hence when I was in 5th grade I wanted to be an "insectorologist," which I later discovered was called an entomologist. But that's in the 5th grade, when all my other friends wanted to be ballers and ll cool j and puff daddy (yeah that was the mid 1990s...lol i'm not even that old to say that).

Expanding on that idea ask yourself when you heard of the stock market. Or when you thought a businessman was actually something people did could become. Cuz I aint learn that in school, my pops had to school me when i was dumb young and dumb.

Our white counterparts are exposed to this because their dads, uncles, moms, aunts, are business people, investors, owners, etc.

[Pic: the man that started it all]

Why do we as young blacks think it's too early for us to be investing? Or learning about the stock market. Not saying that should be everyone's dream, but b/c we weren't exposed to it at an early age, we haven't given it enough time to mature in our minds and actually generate creative thoughts and questions around the subject.

EXAMPLE: For my graduation, my parents gave me money. Straight cash. Anyway, my other white friend (who shall remain nameless...lol) got STOCKS for graduation.

Now if that's not exposure I don't know what is.

Do you ever have that convo wit ya pops (if he's still there) when he sits you on his knee and says "son, let me teach you a little something about this thing called the economy, or the stock market, or ownership, or why when you're 21 you will take over my business and be way better off than you're minority counterparts"?

Answer No? Me too.

But this program will address that. Plus having real talk sessions for young brothas to question the norms....cuz really that's the age when you're introduced to stuff and you don't know why it is that way but it is and you either accept it, join it, or question it.

Tha's when gangs, girls, fast doe, and drugs are dropped into your world. That's how crazy things are when you don't question thangs....(damn this post is gettin long)

But one more, in my ad years my pops started this "Rites of passage group" at my school wit like 15 cats to discuss matters like this and so that young black kids can see olda black men doin somethin wit their lives. I aint think nothing of it at the time, just like the fortunate white kids who just inherit wealth and think nothing of it.

So with that said, after i get my crib and finally settle in. I'ma talk to my pastor about starting this program. If yall got any ideas please let me know.

This is the program that I want to fuel wit that paper millionaire status and have it become something like an institute where cats be braggin about graduating 2021 from the Black Male Exploration Institute (or something like that)


better than pipedreams, huh,


-R, to be a visionary you needa at least see what's out there