By President Davis



Recently I had the honor to represent The Mentoring Center (TMC) at a couple conferences in Brooklyn, New York. Cheo Tyehimba, author of "The Ghetto Solution" and founder of whatchusay.com, along with two fellow TMC/Forwardever Media Center colleagues Charles and Pendarvis, accompanied me. All of the gentlemen have excellent character, are creative thinkers, and made this trip both an honor and privilege. Our mission was to participate in the 21st Century Foundation's 2025 Campaign as well as Kevin Powell's "Black and Male In America" conference.

The 21st Century Foudation's Black Men and Boys Initiative (BMB) is a national effort organized locally through major cities such as Chicago, New York, Oakland, Los Angeles to develop an extensive plan to revitalize Black males across the country.
The campaign has set a target date of 2025, which is when a boy born in 2007 will be 18 years-old.

The majority of BMB's participants are heavily involved in grassroots organizing and/or mentoring young people. While the campaign was originally sparked in 2005, it has picked up a lot of steam. I remember my introduction to the group back in June 06', and at that time there were a lot more members but it reflected more of the old proverb of having "too many cooks in a kitchen." Now in my third conference with the group, it has shaped into a more productive and strategic conversation piece among its participants.

In a way, I feel like a young Magic watching and playing along side Kareem. Being such a young person participating in the group is a blessing. I personally plan on doing this work for quite some time, and to be amongst people who have been in the game for over 10-15 years is an honor. My impression of the first NYC trip led me to develop the term "Poli-Negro," because there was an obvious amount of well to do black men who were more concerned with their status. I, on the other hand, am not concerned with politics and policies that have nothing to do with helping grassroots living conditions in the hood. Also, because of my youth, I find myself learning to respect the parliamentary process of decision-making.

For example, I learned that a lot of effort goes into fleshing out the wording of a "mission statement" and a plan of action. I'm very accustomed to being the person to make it happen, so I now understand that change relies on the zeal of the young and the patience of the old. It has given me an added perspective on why it is important to study and know the field you are in because most of the participants of BMB are college grads and meetings are nothing new to them. I hope to see the campaign come into fruition, and of course I will provide any effort and gift I can to help lift up the economic, spiritual and social status of Black Men and Boys everywhere.

Kevin Powell's "Black and Male In America" conference was a more direct and immediate approach to the discussions brought up in the BMB conference on the disparities in policies, education, employment & economic sustainability, criminal justice, fatherhood support, and health. I originally met Kevin Powell in 05' at the Million More Movement. My first impression of him was a down to earth person. His comprehension of the state of black men, his wit, and his "raised in the ghetto" stature, gave me a strong impression. I missed his conference last year so I was eager to see how it would turn out. It was composed of a strong mix of panelist and information.

The range and diversity of the presenters showcased the range of Black America. The first day was capped off by a powerful speech by Kevin Powell that surprisingly did not consist of one "bathroom break" moment despite its length. The call for accountability amongst men set an unprecedented tone for the 3-day movement. I think Kevin Powell set a great standard of bringing the conference right to the front door of the hood (Flatbush and Fort Greene) and the church, the two most vibrant and often time stagnant populations of the Black Diaspora.

Overall, I gained a few more tools to help me deal with personal and social trials in life from Kevin Powell's conference. The magnitude of people there was beautiful to see, which was more than enough to begin pushing an agenda or spreading an idea. While I definitely enjoyed Powell's conference more, I respect the level of work done in the BMB Initiative. One day I will look back with honor and dignity to observe how I was able to see the 21st Century plan grow into fruition.

President Davis is a spoken word artist and youth organizer living in Oakland, CA. Hit him at: bsudavis@yahoo.com