When did you know that mentoring would be part of your life?

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As a young man leaving home for the first time in August 1975 to attend college, I knew mentoring youth eventually would be a part of life.

My young cousins stood on our front porch watching me leave. They admired me and at the same time were sad I was going away from them.  I was their older cousin and a big brother figure.

Venturing out in the world to this unknown place called Minnesota I remembered the overwhelming emotions of sadness, excitement and guilt of leaving my young cousins.  This was the first time in my life I truly felt vulnerable.

Cameron Conway, author of Caged: Memoir of a Cage-Fighting Poet said it best!

“Ultimate vulnerability. That’s manly.”

I remember those  feelings that day in 1975.  I know those feelings were instrumental in helping me mature. They also laid the foundation for me to realize my life’s purpose:

Guiding young men as they transition into manhood by helping them emotionally identify with all aspects of themselves.

Whatever path you walk I’m sure you’ve mentored someone whose life is forever enhanced!

How do you feel about being a mentor and transforming even one small corner of our world?

I’d love to hear about it!

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?