Can teaching youth and young adults entrepreneurship be a job creator?

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BillRoddy_ManhoodFTHood_FBArt_61913_42Wouldn’t it be terrific if entrepreneurship was taught starting in elementary school?

Osiris Organization has witnessed the remarkable benefits of teaching young adults how to become entrepreneurs.

Being a part of their awakening as they learn about business structures, marketing, selling, fiscal responsibility and the creation of the their legacies that they will eventually pass down their children.

As a social entrepreneur, I enjoy growing and learning along with them.  They have become confidants, business partners, wonderful husbands and fathers.

I enjoy listening to their aspirations regarding the legacy they want to leave their young families.

An article in the USA Today by Rick C. Wade highlights much of what we been teaching youth.  Our young adults become the creators of jobs for their community and peers!

http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/07/28/hip-hop-business-jay-z-master-p-column/2594409/

Couldn’t our present education system learn from young entrepreneurs?

Wouldn’t it make a difference to students in our schools across our country if young entrepreneurs and our school system formed collaborations?

I hope you find Rick’s article as informative and thought provoking as I have.

 

“Do you remember the day, the event, when you knew…’Now, I truly am a grown man?'” Part 2

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African American father and sonIn August, it was the time I became a man in eyes of my grandfather.

Earlier in the summer, prior to leaving to attend college in Minnesota,  I had made contact with my biological for the first time in my life.  The experience of meeting my biological father for the first time was an overwhelming experience to say the least.

I was able to get in touch with, meet, and have a enjoyable conversation with Butch, the other person responsible for bringing me into the world.

My grandfather knew that I had made contact with my biological father.  One afternoon, Daddy and I were in our garage repairing the door when he asked me this unexpected question:

“What do you think of Butch?”

I quickly replied, “I did not mean any disrespect toward you and mamma.”

“Son, you are a man now. You can make your own decisions. Do what you think is best. I trust you.”

On that hot August afternoon I became a grown man in the eyes of my grandfather.  That was my rite of passage, my confirmation, an acknowledgement and a huge transition in my young life.

 

Do you remember an event, a conversation with your father, grandparent, older brother, uncle, adult male cousin, male teacher or coach who help you transitioned into manhood?

What did they say to you?

When did you know that you were a man?

Have you reached out to other boys by sharing your wisdom and understanding of manhood?

Isn’t it interesting to know that one of the most fulfilling aspects of my life is mentoring boys and helping them transition into manhood?

Happy Father’s Day to all of the wonderful and loving men who are making a difference in the lives of so many!

From My Heart to Yours!

“Do you remember the day, the event, when you knew…’Now, I truly am a grown man?'” Part 1

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African American father and son

As  we reflect on this upcoming Father’s Day weekend I could not help sharing one of the most powerful statements my grandfather made to me. I was 18 and preparing to leave home for the first time. I remember our conversation as if it took place only a few weeks ago.

 That entire summer was filled with excitement, happiness but also with sadness as I was preparing to transition into manhood. I would be leaving my mentoring role as the oldest grandchild of my grandparents.

Several of my aunt’s children lived with us, my grandfather and grandmother, and I was their mentor and “big brother.”  As I look back on those hot summer August days they were some of most the memorable.

I can still see my aunt’s loving and supportive faces, their kids innocent looks filled with curiosity on our front porch on why I was leaving them to go to this strange place in the north called Minnesota to attend college.

My grandmother stood in the doorway smiling at me as I was about to leave. When she smiled at me she touched my spirit like no other.

“We raised you the best we could and remember that you were loved! Do unto others as you would yourself as you enter the world.”

But a few days earlier, my grandfather made the most powerful statement.

Would a rite of passage benefit so many young fatherless boys?

What would be a useful rite of passage?

Would a loving relationship with an adult male help heal the inner loneliness and anger?

 

“Gone But not Forgotten”

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So many thoughts have surfaced since writing my memoir, Manhood From the Hood. I received this thoughtful letter from Darzel Price.  He is the older brother of Keith “Magnetic” Price.  Keith was on our basketball team at Crane High School in the 70’s.  What is the moral of Darzel sharing his feelings?  Is it the power of one brother’s love for his sibling? Is it a testament of what most important in life? Every Friday, I will share my thoughts on my friends no longer alive but continue live in my heart.

My Brother

Keith Byrod Price

Not a day goes by that I don’t think about my late brother Keith Byrod Price.  He passed away on Easter Sunday, 2000. He would have turned 53 on June 17, 2011 had he lived. That day, more than any other time of the year, is tough for me. To lose a brother with so much unfulfilled and unlimited potential can be mind boggling and devastating. Because of God’s grace and mercy, I’m able to endure and reflect upon the memorable times that we had in Rockwell Gardens, Grant Elementary School, Crane High School, and Southern Illinois University.

I reflect on the competitive games we had on the fields of baseball, football and the basketball courts. Though we were siblings, we didn’t allow our bloodline to impede our desire to win. I remember the hot summer nights when we raced to the Good Humor truck, the times that we went to Vienna’s to purchase their well known hotdogs and fries. We listened to Herb Kent, a famous Chicago Disk Jockey in the 60’s and 70’s, and tried to imitate a member of the Temptations, had spirited but non-violent conversations that we had about religion, girls and politics. We would go to Maxwell Street on Saturday’s and some Sunday’s to shop at Smokey Joe’s and Kelly’s sporting goods.

We had many fights in Rockwell Gardens. Keith was not one to back down from anyone. I joked with him years later, that he should never make a conscious effort to fight anyone that I couldn’t whip. Looking back, he would always fight these collard green eating and hot water cornbread fed guys who had the combined strength of Hercules and Samson.

I also remember the times that we would walk to the Chicago Stadium and keep the money that my mother gave us for bus fair. This was used for programs, banners, hotdogs and popcorn.  These are just a few of the memories that I cherish of my late brother. He left us too soon, but I thank God for his mercy and his unconditional love that allows me to stand.

Stay Encouraged,

Elder Darzel J. Price Sr.