The 2nd Annual Black History Month Tribute to Mentorship
Written By Octaviar Latty, Reporter for All About Business and Freshman at York College
On February 4, Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC and Bigs United welcomed guests to honor and celebrate those who have displayed an unrelenting desire to instill mentorship throughout minority communities.
Founder of Bigs United, Danny Madden strongly believes, “Nothing is more important than mentoring a child.” Realizing the trend of African American children dying educationally, morally, and physically, has motivated Madden to continue expanding the program and what it has to offer.
Staff Attorney, Kelvin Davis said, “Mentorship is crucial in a competitive global world and Bigs United helps prepare youth for the challenges they will face in the near future.”
Honoree and Guest Speaker, Ryan Mack, emphasized the need for more role models such as; Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela to promote an embracing environment for youth development. Working as a CNN Commentator and Community Activist, Mack also highlighted the parallel relationship between financial literacy and cultural enrichment.
After sharing his memorable experience in South Africa, witnessing insufficient and devastating living conditions, he powerfully illustrated the necessity for, “Embracing our brothers and sisters to help make the world a better place for those who come behind us.”
Mack hopes to effectively evoke change through All About Business, an association of college students driven to transform the thoughts, habits, and aspirations of society to be more fiscally responsible. Since 2004, the group has held workshops at various institutions and organizations in an effort to financially empower individuals. Duwayne Garth, All About Business Program Development Director said, “Being honored is a humbling experience and when Mack says he hasn’t done enough, it was inspiring me to do even more for the community and young adults.”
A token of appreciation from Bigs United was presented to Ryan Mack towards the end of the program and Bigs United also received a generous donation of seven hundred and fifty dollars sponsored by Verizon.
Ebonie Pittman, Program associate of The Wallace Foundation said, “The speakers did a great job in articulating the challenges that face African American youth and making a case for mentorship.” Madden asserts, “Mack’s perspective is something we don’t always think about and that’s why I called him the future.”
The event’s networking opportunity allowed guests to discuss their efforts within the group, how to become involved, and others exchanged their ideas. Regardless if individuals chose to become members, Madden closes to say, “Mentoring is no longer a choice, it is a necessity.”
If we are trying to usher in a post-racial age, it may be that ‘Black’ history month has outlived its usefulness. When newspaper editors segregate great Americans on paper (and online) aren’t they somewhat patronizing and diminishing their legacies? It’s like giving an honorable mention for making the American History semi-finals while implying “they” are not qualified to enter the Super Bowl of all Americans.
One hundred years ago, Dr. Booker T. Washington said, “In the sight of God there is no color line, and we want to cultivate a spirit that will make us forget that there is such a line anyway.”
Dr. King echoed those words sixty years later when he told us of his dream that his children would live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.
Yet ‘black’ history month highlights color, not character. An unintended consequence can be to disrespect the vision and dream of both Drs. King and Washington.
Don’t get me wrong. February is a good month to celebrate these and other greats of American History, like Presidents Washington and Lincoln. And so are the months of March thru December… January too!
Take my favorite, Booker T. Washington. His life and legacy inspired and motivated millions of his generation and beyond. His record of achievement on behalf of his fellow man is comparable to – and deserves to be measured against – any and all Americans.
His priorities and values were not only right for his time, but for today also. He championed individual character, personal responsibility and economic independence. As a practical visionary, he saw these conservative values as critical first steps towards developing an American culture of equality that could – over time and with healing – eventually reside in the hearts and minds of all Americans.
But don’t take my word for it. Download his famous quotations from our website at BTWsociety.org. Or research his many books, speeches and articles posted there.
You may discover that Booker T. Washington’s legacy is far richer than simply one of an ex-slave who founded Tuskegee University.
You may even come to see him – as I do – as a great American and worthy role-model for all Americans today, regardless of color.