YOUNG DEKALB BOYS VISIT WITH CIVIL RIGHTS ICON
Monday, August 16, 2010
by Edward Hightower
Decatur—Ninety-five degree weather is typical for summers in the Atlanta metropolitan area. But what is not typical was the presence of a world renowned iconic figure inside a packed auditorium filled with young smiles. Amid the sweltering Decatur heat stood outside a line of eleven bright African-American and Latino boys slightly acting rambunctiously as boys their ages frequently do. They all wore the same khaki brown slacks and dark polo styled shirts that read “YME.” But, they soon settled down as soon as their lead mentor walked up and stood beside them. “How many of you know about Andrew Young?” The boys looked at each other. One mentee said, “He was the mayor of Atlanta, wasn’t he?” “Very good. What else?” Reynaldo Green carefully looked over the group. Green is the Director of the YME program. YME is an extension of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s national program Go-to-High-School, Go-to-College. “He was a Georgia Congressman and U.S. Ambassador, right?” said Green. A few minutes later Green and his kids filed in line and packed themselves inside. The children were eager to hear Young speak.
Green and his fraternity brothers, three years ago, created Young Men of Excellence to impact young males in DeKalb County emphasizing academics, attitude and attendance in school. The Nu Mu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., which located in Decatur where Green is a member, specializes in mentoring young males leading them in the way to manhood. The chapter recently enjoyed success with their Beautillion annual fundraiser in June, which raised scholarship funds for 10 college bound males. Green decided to bring the middle-school-aged boys out to hear from one of the last Civil Rights icon that is living to give the boys a lesson on life and determination. Young was in Decatur promoting his new book “Walk in My Shoes.” He was also invited there to talk with the young people about entrepreneurship.
Young regaled his audience with stories about never giving up on life and his experiences working alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Young and King, both members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. spearheaded the leadership in fighting for the rights of African-Americans and poor people everywhere for social and economic equality and justice some 45 years ago. Hardy Clayton, a 7th grader at Miller Grove Middle School enjoyed listening to Young, “I learned that Andrew Young was one of Martin Luther King’s best friends. He became the Ambassador of the United States when Jimmy Carter Was President.” Rashad White, also a 7th grader at Miller Grove Middle School, said “He was one of the main Civil Rights leaders that helped free people down South and worked next to Martin Luther King and Ralph Abernathy.” They fought against racism during the Civil Rights Movement of the ‘50s and ‘60s.
The boys both find the DeKalb Alpha’s YME program essential to their social and academic growth. “It has been a positive influence in my life. It has helped me with my temper where as my temper is not as bad as it was. It has helped me in the classroom where my grades are starting to go up,” said White. Clayton talked about the significance of the mentoring aspect of the program, “It was [is] very important because as young African American males, we do not have male figures in our life. We need a male figure to walk us through life and show us what we need to do and how to do it.” They both plan to finish high school, complete college and live successful lives. White wants to study aeronautic science and engineering in college. All eleven boys attribute the YME program for giving them cultural and academic exposure that impacts their growth in becoming productive citizens.
“Young Men of Excellence was started in 2007 in order to provide a mentoring program to help ensure male students with varying risk factors to remain in school, strive for academic success and prepare them for college life,” said Green. “The students are from a low income area in DeKalb County and are a part of a school system that only graduates 46% of its black male students—a 20% gap between their white counterparts at 66%. We want to have fun and expose them to different experiences in and out of their community. I really look forward to seeing our first group of young men walk across stage to get their diplomas.”■
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If you’d like more information about this topic, or schedule an interview with Reynaldo Green, please call (404) 936-1919 or email at rgreen@youngmenofexcellence.org.
