Uncategorized – Page 55

SIR ISAAC NEWTON’S FIRST LAW OF MOTION, OR HOW TO AFFECT CHANGE

July 17, 2015 by C.J. Stewart

CJ, why do you feel you are qualified to speak on behalf of the black male population of Atlanta, GA?

I am qualified to speak on behalf of the black male population of Atlanta because of who I am. I am a black male born and raised in one of the most dangerous areas in Atlanta. It wasn’t easy for me or my family. I could have been a negative statistic, but for the grace of God, my family, and amazing relationships with several good people in Atlanta of varying race and gender, I made it out. I know where I’ve been and I know where I am now. I know a better life is possible, I know how it can be done, and I am committed to empowering others to do the same.

I was born and raised on Hollywood Road in one of the most dangerous parts of the inner city of Atlanta. My parents, Mr. Willie Stewart and Mrs. Gail Stewart, were very hard working people. I was educated in the Atlanta Pubic Schools and Fulton County Schools systems where black students were in the majority. Resources at home and at school were scarce.

As a child, I dreamed of playing professional baseball for the Chicago Cubs after being introduced to the game by my grandfather. It is through baseball, a loving family, caring friends of varying race and gender, and my Christian faith that I found a way out of the hard life I would have otherwise known living in the harsh inner city of Atlanta. There were failures along the way. I attended college at Georgia State University on a baseball scholarship, as well as Georgia Perimeter College and Kennesaw State University. I academically failed out of Georgia State and Georgia Perimeter after one year each. I ended up playing professional baseball in the Chicago Cubs organization but was cut early on.

I made it out of financial and emotional poverty because I chose to accept certain opportunities that came my way. The experiences I had from those opportunities gave me perspective, which brought me to an understanding that poverty brings about shame and struggle, and living a life of shame and constant struggle can be debilitating to a person’s self-esteem and self-respect. I chose to surround myself with experiences that strengthened my self-esteem and self-respect. I attribute much of who I am today to my strong relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ, and my earthly spiritual leader, Dr. Craig L. Oliver, Senior Pastor of Elizabeth Baptist Church.

My life today, as a 39 year old Atlantan who is also a black man, is based on the decisions I’ve made along the way. Personally, I am the loving husband of Kelli Stewart and the proud father of our two daughters Kourtni Mackenzi Stewart (age 14) and Kelly Mackenna Stewart (age 8). I have a strong bond with my two sisters, Nicole and Erica, and I am an uncle to six nieces and one nephew. Professionally, I have developed some of Major League Baseball’s top young talent through my for profit business Diamond Directors. Spiritually, I am committed to service to God, my family, and a new generation of leaders whose values are based on love, understanding, and respect for other human beings.

As an adult black male who works within Atlanta’s inner city environment, what are your thoughts about the future of Atlanta’s black youth, and what is your commitment to them, CJ?

The future of black youth in metro Atlanta is in their hands and the hands of its citizens, regardless of color or economic status. I love Atlanta and I believe that my city will never truly become a world class city until hundreds of thousands of black males are living a sustainable life of significance. Empowering Atlanta’s young black males to choose opportunities and experiences that promote self-esteem and self-respect is my commitment and my focus. I realize that I cannot do this alone, however, and encourage you to find a way to participate in changing the way our government and society thinks about Atlanta inner city black youth, and how each responds to their needs.

My wife, Kelli, and I are both co-founders of L.E.A.D. (Launch, Expose, Advise, Direct) which is a Pathway2Empowerment organization. L.E.A.D. is an acronym for:

· Launching student athletes towards educational opportunities after converting raw talent into the skills required for entry into college athletic programs.

· Exposing teens to service and local enrichment activities in order to instill a sense of responsibility, belonging and investment; key requirements for building a civically engaged individual.

· Advising players, coaches and parents on the process of effectively supporting dreams of playing baseball on the college level.

· Directing young men towards their promise by using the historical journey of past African American legends as the road map.

We created L.E.A.D. as a vehicle to carry out our commitment to black youth who live in the inner city of Atlanta to empower them with opportunities to gain the knowledge and skill that they need to lead and transform their city of Atlanta.

Join L.E.A.D. & Become An All-Star For Atlanta Youth!

What do you see as the biggest problems facing the black community in Atlanta today, CJ?

Perception is a major problem facing the black community in Atlanta – how blacks perceive themselves and how others outside the black community perceive them. This is such a complicated subject and I could write much on the topic, but, for now, our perceptions are formed in large part through media and education. It is what we see on TV and at the movies. It is what we read in newspapers, magazines and books. It is what we see and read through social media. It is also what we learn in school, at home, and in our places of worship. It is our responsibility to assess our perceptions.

Assessment is tricky, because sometimes we don’t know what we don’t know. We continue to think the way we do because “we don’t know any other way”. I challenge you that when it comes to defining yourself, or someone else, based on skin color, you need to ask yourself “Is there another way to think about this? Can I think about this differently?” Challenge yourself to find an opportunity that will offer you a new experience, something outside your comfort zone.

On Sunday, July 12th, the Bell family joined my family at Elizabeth Baptist Church. Left to right: Allen Bell, Sherry Bell, Kelli Stewart, Mackenzi Stewart, Mackenna Stewart, CJ Stewart, Russell Bell and William Bell.

Sunday worship is a good place to start. I see an unofficial, unenforced segregation of church goers. It is most apparent if you look at our churches on Sundays during our spiritual worship times. At least in Atlanta, my experience is that whites and blacks attend their own churches. I am sure we worship where we feel most comfortable, but because of this we are missing opportunities to get to know each other during one of the most important aspects of our lives – celebrating God and all of his children. During Sunday worship we get to know each other on a level that we cannot experience elsewhere. It is through that experience that we are most likely to join together and work side by side to solve problems that may otherwise arise through misperceptions. I challenge you if you are white, attend a black church, and if you are black attend a white church. If you’ve never had the experience, it may feel awkward at first because you are experiencing something new, but take a deep breath, settle in, and you will learn much.

What do you need to do, CJ?

It is my duty as a blessed son of Atlanta to serve my city with all of my resources and relationships to truly make it the world class city that it should be.

I need to lead a paradigm shift within the black community that will raise poor black families up from poverty to prosperity which in turn will provide them with the opportunities necessary to live a sustainable life that has significant meaning for them, a life that they can be proud of.

To do this, I need to raise awareness among the black community that to achieve a sense of honor and pride in their lives they need to live their lives based upon a morally and ethically sound foundation. I created, and maintain, my own moral and ethical foundation through a strong relationship with Jesus Christ, and it has provided me with opportunities and experiences that I would never have imagined growing up.

What do you need to know in order to do what you need to do CJ?

I need to know as much as possible about the history of slavery in America, about the Civil War, Jim Crow laws and the current War on Drugs. Knowledge is power and the more I learn the better able I am to use that knowledge to successfully empower black families within the inner city of Atlanta. Ignorance and lack of confidence among blacks in Atlanta makes it difficult to break free from generational financial and emotional poverty. My hope is to bring about change by leading with a relatable understanding of where we’ve been, where we are, and where we can be as a people.

It is unfortunate, but I also need to understand and accept that racism is still alive and pervasive in Atlanta.

By acknowledging that racism is still a problem, I can objectively assess my own thoughts and perceptions about what it is to be black in Atlanta, and decide whether or not I need to change the direction of my own thoughts to become the best leader I can be for those I am committed to serve. I can also work systemically to eradicate racism if I have a better understanding of its existence in our community.

Further, by acknowledging that racism exists, I must accept that despite the progress our society has made with regard to racism, there are still many white people who harbor racially charged thoughts and motives. As wrong as these people and their motives are, it is ironic that they continue to be above the laws that govern all American citizens.

Additionally, I must understand that some white Americans are racially naïve. These people are the most challenging. They aren’t aware that their thoughts have negative consequences and perpetuate racism. Challenging as it might be, I have thoughts on how to handle this. It has to do with Newton’s First Law of Motion, part of which says: “an object in motion continues in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.” All objects resist change in their state of motion. My intention is to be that “unbalanced force” and encourage change.

Conversely, I know that there are white people who have no place for racism in their lives. They make education and a better way of life a priority for all without regard to color. That said, sadly, some may not be aware that Georgia ranks near the bottom in America in education while it ranks number one in America in incarceration. As Georgians, they are working hard for positive change for all people of Georgia – change that will foster love. In my life, love always win and I love people that love people, but for change to be most effective one must have a sense of what they are working toward, a direction, a goal. Doing good just to do good is great, but it is more effective if done with purpose.

How do you do what you need to do CJ?

In order to be a successful leader in the black community and help effect change in the inner city of Atlanta to elevate it to world class status, I must have resolute and unshakeable faith in God and pray with intention and purpose. I must also collaborate strategically with those individuals and/or organizations that want the same things for Atlanta that I do, and that is for Atlanta to truly become a world class city by empowering hundreds of thousands of black men to live a sustainable life of significance.

###

ATLANTA’S AT RISK INNER CITY BLACK MALES – HEROES, MENTORS AND ROLE MODELS – A NEW LEGACY

June 30, 2015 by C.J. Stewart

L.E.A.D.’s (Launch, Expose, Advise, Direct) mission is to empower at risk inner city young black males to become Atlanta’s leaders. Our experience is that a young black male without a father’s positive influence in his life struggles socially and emotionally. A likely outcome is a life of crime and ultimately jail, and that is not acceptable to us. So how do we create a new legacy, and sustain it?

L.E.A.D. Ambassadors on a tour of the Fulton County Jail 2015

We know that strong positive male figures in a young person’s life provide support to help create a solid foundation necessary for a young person to lead an empowered life – a life that isbased on making good choices and finding the right opportunities that result in emotional and social success.

We also know that a young person can’t have too many positive male influences throughout his life. They can come from various backgrounds. They can be fathers, coaches, teachers and pastors. How a young person interacts and learns from them depends on whether they are a role model, mentor or a hero. It is important to distinguish between the three, as each will have a different approach and impact. A young person needs to choose an influencer based on what his dreams are for himself. Initially, he may not know what he wants, but over time and through experience and growth he will. The key is to get started.

Following are guidelines to help you identify, and work with, the right influencer:

HEROES

Heroes you may know or not know. A hero will be someone on a similar path or journey you’ve chosen. Someone you can emulate. Here’s what to look for in a hero:

• They take a stand and lead by example in service to those in need.

• They do it voluntarily and without regard to perceived risks.

• They accept anticipated sacrifice.

• They are steadfast in their principles and beliefs when making decisions.

• They are transformative.

MENTORS

Mentors you know personally and interact with regularly. They provide support to challenges in daily life. They provide answers to questions that come up in the normal course of living, such as: Where do I find the school bus schedule? I want to play baseball, how do I get started? Where is the best place to study? I want to work, where do I look for opportunities? What do I have to do to get a driver’s license? Mentors may be lifelong relationships, or they may be in your life for a short while, depending on your needs.

ROLE MODELS

Role models you know personally and sometimes well. You learn from them through observation. They may offer insight into their actions and successes and you listen. They provide affirmation that you can be successful if you do things they’ve done to be successful.

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Tyquavious Noland is a rising senior student/athlete at Maynard H. Jackson High School

L.E.A.D. challenges its Ambassadors to lead and become heroes to those young men that are coming up behind them. These young Ambassadors are accepting the challenge and taking steps toward positive change that would scare an adult. They are working hard to transform their character positively even though they know the risk of losing what they know and are comfortable with. This often means the loss of family and childhood friends. The Ambassadors are consistently making right choices over wrong ones even when wrong “has a louder voice” in their head. They are learning to question “why the behavior” instead of simply singling out the behavior. The Ambassadors are also learning to model excellence because they know a peer is watching, and when they watch the positive character transformation take place, they will follow.

L.E.A.D. provides strong positive male leaders as role models, mentors and heroes to assist in the Ambassadors in change, and we hold them accountable. Becoming a hero is a process. An Ambassador who accepts the challenge of becoming a leader and does what is necessary to become a hero knows there is a learning curve and it will be a long and difficult road. They also know that they will get the attention they need to succeed, and we will be dreaming their dream along with them.

Resources: http://blog.richmond.edu/heroes/2013/05/17/10-reasons-why-we-need-heroes/ and http://www.thesimpledollar.com/heroes-role-models-and-mentors-finding-people-to-believe-in/

###

Inaction Is Not an Option or Be Bold, Take Risks and Create Opportunities

June 17, 2015 by C.J. Stewart

Inaction Is Not an Option or Be Bold, Take Risks and Create Opportunities

When my wife Kelli and I decided to create L.E.A.D. to empower at risk youth living in Atlanta’s inner city, we knew it was a bold move and not without risk. We were a young family and had the responsibility of raising two very young children of our own. We also knew that starting an organization committed to providing opportunities to empower at risk youth was not going to be easy. Where would we find the time and resources to succeed and grow our own family and L.E.A.D.? We knew if we failed it would negatively impact our own children, and the at risk youth that we committed to empower to succeed. Our willingness to take the risk, however, outweighed the shame we knew we would have to live with if we didn’t proceed.

Kelli and I took the bold steps and accepted the risks to start L.E.A.D., and never looked back. Here’s why we are very happy we did:

• 80% of Atlanta Public Schools students live at or below the poverty level, but every year L.E.A.D. Ambassador College Graduates prove that change is coming.

photo credit Audra Starr

• 60% of black males from Atlanta Public Schools won’t graduate on time or at all, but L.E.A.D. Ambassadors are helping to reverse that trend by graduating from high school on time and going to college.

• Youth from inner city Atlanta zip codes 30310, 30315 and 30318 grow up to represent 80% of the Georgia State Prison population, but L.E.A.D. has created a sustainable program and continues to work to empower at risk youth living in those areas. Now they dream of college instead of living in despair of what they continue to hear is their destiny – prison or death.

Over the years, Kelli and I found that mentorship is key to L.E.A.D.’s success. One of the rules we live by, that I learned from my own experiences is: humility is a must have and we should think more of others, but not to the detriment of thinking less of yourself. For example, when I was a teenager, I grew up playing baseball against my white counterparts, convincing myself that I was better at the game than they were. Deep down I had my doubts which stemmed from my lack of resources. I didn’t have the training or equipment they had. What I didn’t realize then, but do now, is that by thinking that way I was putting myself down. It is clear now that my conflicting thoughts kept me off balance. Thinking back, had I had the humility to acknowledge that my white counterparts were good, and maybe even better than me, due in part to their access to training and equipment, I might have concentrated more on ways to make myself a better ball player. Instead I focused on why I might not be as good – as I was trying to convince myself that I was – in spite of what I didn’t have. It was a crazy existence.

Humility is also among the core values we teach our Ambassadors. The key to learning these core values is understanding them and that is done through experience and practice. Some L.E.A.D. Ambassadors have an easier time of it than others because they have had core value training at home. Those who struggle have little to none. Sometimes, a young man lacking in core values is accepted into L.E.A.D. as an Ambassador even though he is known to have a bad temper, and is often times disrespectful. In spite of all of that, I believe event that young man can lead Atlanta. I am confident of this because we have mutual love and respect for each other. My Ambassadors know that I will give my life for them. If I’m not willing to do so, they will not wear the Ambassadors logo. I know that God has me on earth to serve and empower them – whatever it takes.

So as I continue to work to empower my young men to lead and transform their City of Atlanta, believe me when I say that I get tired. I get tired of Black boys being considered criminal by some simply because of the color of their skin. I get tired of media reports each year that show a decline of blacks at the Major League Baseball level and I get tired of the same media reports that say Black boys just don’t play baseball. As tired as I am of hearing all of this, and reading about it, I am equally energized by the knowledge that, for our Ambassadors, the MLB isn’t a microcosm of the world. They know there is so much more and they are willing to be bold and take the necessary risks to find it.

photo credit Jay Boatwright

###

College invites fears and cheers

June 5, 2015 by C.J. Stewart

College wasn’t easy for me at all, and even though I graduated from Westlake High School in 1994 with honors, I wasn’t ready for it.

My biggest fear in entering college was not having enough discipline to manage my time as a student-athlete. I was always the kid that ignored his parents and teachers when advised to “manage your time well.” Ironically, what I most looked forward to was the freedom and independence to do what I wanted and what made me happy.

What made me happy was to play baseball, and so that’s what I concentrated on to the detriment of my studies. I wasn’t a dumb kid. I was smart. Even so, I failed to apply the discipline necessary, and do what I needed to do, to maintain my status as a student-athlete. More specifically, I failed to manage my time well between what I wanted to do – play baseball, and what I needed to do – study and keep my grades up. As a result, I failed out of Georgia State University and Dekalb Junior College.

Lucky for me I had a second chance with the Chicago Cubs and was drafted again in 1996. It wasn’t until my career was cut short with the Cubs and I returned home to Atlanta, that I realized that in order to be able to do what I wanted to do, I’d have to balance discipline and also do what was necessary.

I recently asked our L.E.A.D. Ambassadors what their biggest fears were about attending college, as well as, what were they most looking forward to. Here’s what they had to say:

My biggest fear in attending college is being home sick and with regards to that, the distance between home and school is something I will be looking forward to and how it will effect me or will it effect me at all?

~ L.E.A.D. Ambassador Austin Evans, New Schools at Carver c/o 2015, Texas A&M University Fall 2015

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Austin Evans and CJ Stewart

I fear that I’m not going to be the smartest one in my classes. I’m looking forward to establishing and maintaining great relationships.

~ L.E.A.D. Ambassador Cameron Tucker, Henry W. Grady High School c/o 2015, Tuskegee University Fall 2015

My fears regarding college is the negative peer pressure from the upperclassmen. I’m looking forward to meeting new people and getting a great education.

~ L.E.A.D. Ambassador Desmond Jones, Benjamin E. Mays High School c/o 2015, Tuskegee University Fall 2015

My fear regarding college is being so overworked and stressed out that I develop bad eating habits and losing sleep. I’m looking forward to being independent.

~ L.E.A.D. Ambassador Jacoby Evans, Booker T. Washington High School c/o 2015, Georgia State University/U.S. Army

I fear while attending college that I will not make a name for myself. I most look forward to making everyone on campus love me.

L.E.A.D. (Launch, Expose, Advise, Direct) is an Atlanta based non-profit organization that partners with Atlanta Public Schools to empower an at risk generation to lead and transform their city of Atlanta.

Want success? Better have a good system like the Atlanta Hawks according to the L.E.A.D. Ambassadors

May 16, 2015 by C.J. Stewart

There are companies and organization in Atlanta like my organization L.E.A.D. that should be watching the success of the Atlanta Hawks very closely.

Some say that the Hawks are lucky and some recognize that they are winning because of a great system.

I challenged our L.E.A.D. Ambassadors today to share their thoughts about the Hawks’ winning system.

Good afternoon gentlemen. I need your help with a blog. With 25-50 words, please explain to me the system that is in place that allowed the Hawks to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. You may text or email your responses to me. Thanks for your help in advance.

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Tyquavious Noland, Maynard Jackson High School

The Hawks are very focused and structured this year. They are able to keep winning games because of teamwork and humility. The system that is in place now is based on being organized and passionate. Therefore, they are able to keep being successful in the playoffs.

CJ Stewart: What happens when players on the team stop being humble?

Tyquavious Noland: When players on the the team stop being humble, the team will stop being successful.

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Tyquavious Noland is empowered by L.E.A.D. to lead the way

L.E.A.D. Ambassador D’Anthony Morrow, Benjamin E. Mays High School

The system that is in place for the Hawks is team ball. The Hawks are executing when needed and sharing the ball. When their plans are executed, the Hawks are unstoppable. When they are not executing they are not scoring. Coach Mike Budenholzer is putting the right players in at the right time to make things happen. The Hawks have the talent to go to Finals if they execute plays. Go Hawks!

CJ Stewart: Thanks D’Anthony. So what happens when the coach puts the wrong players in?

D’Anthony Morrow: When the wrong players are in, they try to do more than what is required and force plays which causes turnovers.

CJ Stewart: So the Hawks did a good job before the 2015 season started of selecting good guys that can play good unselfish basketball?

D’Anthony Morrow: Yes sir.

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Cameron Tucker, Henry W. Grady High School

The system that the Hawks have is one that empowers everyone to play their role. #teamwork

CJ Stewart: What is your role as a L.E.A.D. Ambassador?

Cameron Tucker: My role as a L.E.A.D. Ambassador is to empower an at risk generation to lead and transform our city of Atlanta.

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Cameron Tucker will be attending Tuskegee University as a student-athlete fall 2015

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Jaquavious Gaither, New Schools at Carver

The reason why the Atlanta Hawks made it to the Eastern Conference Finals is because of the role of the players, staff and management. Mike Budenholzer (head coach of the Hawks) had his team inspired last night and told his team that “we would make history today. The next time we play will be at home in the Eastern Conference Finals against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.” That’s what got the Hawks fired up.

CJ Stewart: Who inspires L.E.A.D. to win on and off the field?

Jaquavious Gaither: Mizuno and Georgia’s Own Credit Union helps us win on and off the field because they believe that we will lead the way for the future of Atlanta and the world.

CJ Stewart: What happens if companies like those stop supporting L.E.A.D.?

Jaquavious Gaither: We would have to find other companies and organizations that believe in us.

L.E.A.D. Ambassador Sam Katz, Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School

The Hawks were successful in reaching the Eastern Conference Finals because of teamwork, humility, trust, faith, determination, patience and loyalty. The Hawks worked as a team and not as individuals. I didn’t like when Paul Pierce was show boating about his shot and how he called “game”.

CJ Stewart: How should coaches handle show boats?

Sam Katz: I think that the most effective way to correct a show boat is by taking away playing time from him. A player can’t show boat from the bench. In Paul Pierce’s case, there was still eight major seconds left in the game and he was distracted.

CJ Stewart: What are you suggesting distracted Paul Pierce with eight seconds remaining?

Sam Katz: His celebration took away from his focus.

CJ Stewart: Would the Hawks system allow its players to celebrate prematurely and lose focus?

Sam Katz: Absolutely not. They all treat each other as one and know their responsibilities before and after each play. They would celebrate after the game and as a team. Not one player wins it for the Hawks. It’s a team effort.

###

L.E.A.D., Inc. | L.E.A.D. Center For Youth