MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – Hundreds of Mobile County middle and high school students came to Bishop State to be educated and inspired at the 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile’s Project Mentor Male Summit which aims to help students build morale and give them the necessary tools to communicate with their peers and their teachers.
“Outcomes on this means these guys will be more productive, they’re going to learn how to really get their skills at a level where they can move out and get their careers started early,” said Juan Peasant President of 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile. “They’re asking a lot of questions, they’re really coming up and gaining more confidence each and every minute of the day.”
Students were able to participate in a panel discussion with different community leaders who spoke about the lessons they learned on their way to success.
“My pride got in the way, and it felt good getting this attention, but it was the wrong type of attention. So sometimes you’ve got to get out of your own way,” said Secret Scientist owner Tony Davis.
Students say the summit put things in perspective for them and gave them the connections they need for the future.
“It’s very helpful because not a lot of children or young African American males in this day and age, they don’t have a lot of role models so them just being able to come together in this particular event is helpful to a lot of kids,” said Vigor High School sophomore Bryce Bason.
“That gives me knowledge because I’m so young. It was very vital for me to hear advice from Mr. Councilman Cory because I plan to go into politics myself and I just want to get his input on the city in general and why the violence has been so high,” said Theodore High School senior Ve’Mari Chambers-York.
Students say they also plan to pass on what they learned to their classmates.
“Don’t be afraid to be who you are,” added Chambers-York. “Don’t try to be someone else, be who you are and whatever you want to do push it and do it full force.”
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