[Applause] check check check
check check check
check check check sound good my name is Rick Newell and if
sound good my name is Rick Newell and if
sound good my name is Rick Newell and if you haven’t noticed yet I am white I’m
you haven’t noticed yet I am white I’m
you haven’t noticed yet I am white I’m about as white as you can be but for the
about as white as you can be but for the
about as white as you can be but for the next few minutes I’m going to talk about
next few minutes I’m going to talk about
next few minutes I’m going to talk about African Americans which means I’m
African Americans which means I’m
African Americans which means I’m probably going to unintentionally offend
probably going to unintentionally offend
probably going to unintentionally offend somebody right in fact I may have
somebody right in fact I may have
somebody right in fact I may have already done it and all I’ve done is
already done it and all I’ve done is
already done it and all I’ve done is introduce myself right in practicing for
introduce myself right in practicing for
introduce myself right in practicing for this my white friends told me to include
this my white friends told me to include
this my white friends told me to include things that my black friends have said
things that my black friends have said
things that my black friends have said don’t say that and my black friends have
don’t say that and my black friends have
don’t say that and my black friends have told me to include things that my white
told me to include things that my white
told me to include things that my white friends have said don’t say that so I
friends have said don’t say that so I
friends have said don’t say that so I have already offended all of my friends
have already offended all of my friends
have already offended all of my friends because this is hard right it’s I just
because this is hard right it’s I just
because this is hard right it’s I just want to acknowledge they’re talking
want to acknowledge they’re talking
want to acknowledge they’re talking about race is hard this has been a part
about race is hard this has been a part
about race is hard this has been a part of my story from the beginning my
of my story from the beginning my
of my story from the beginning my parents named me after my dad’s best
parents named me after my dad’s best
parents named me after my dad’s best friend in college who is black
friend in college who is black
friend in college who is black Claybourne Richard Jones he was third
Claybourne Richard Jones he was third
Claybourne Richard Jones he was third the nation and scoring and Division one
the nation and scoring and Division one
the nation and scoring and Division one basketball and he was also in my parents
basketball and he was also in my parents
basketball and he was also in my parents wedding which doesn’t mean much nowadays
wedding which doesn’t mean much nowadays
wedding which doesn’t mean much nowadays but back in the 60s
but back in the 60s
but back in the 60s having a black guy on your wedding was
having a black guy on your wedding was
having a black guy on your wedding was kind of a big deal so knowing I’ve been
kind of a big deal so knowing I’ve been
kind of a big deal so knowing I’ve been named after him is one of the reasons we
named after him is one of the reasons we
named after him is one of the reasons we started this organization called must
can I tell you some scenes that for the
can I tell you some scenes that for the last 11 years have happened almost every
last 11 years have happened almost every
last 11 years have happened almost every day at my neighborhood of the Rainier
day at my neighborhood of the Rainier
day at my neighborhood of the Rainier Valley act one will call childhood a
Valley act one will call childhood a
Valley act one will call childhood a healthy african-american baby with all
healthy african-american baby with all
healthy african-american baby with all the promise of potential a newborn
the promise of potential a newborn
the promise of potential a newborn brings is born into poverty with only
brings is born into poverty with only
brings is born into poverty with only one pair most African Americans don’t
one pair most African Americans don’t
one pair most African Americans don’t grow up in poverty but far too many do
grow up in poverty but far too many do
grow up in poverty but far too many do and the parent of this one is going to
and the parent of this one is going to
and the parent of this one is going to have to work at least one low-paying job
have to work at least one low-paying job
have to work at least one low-paying job and/or be on assistance so the
and/or be on assistance so the
and/or be on assistance so the environment he’s gonna grow up and is
environment he’s gonna grow up and is
environment he’s gonna grow up and is often really hard act to high school or
often really hard act to high school or
often really hard act to high school or the last stop rarely is anyone gonna get
the last stop rarely is anyone gonna get
the last stop rarely is anyone gonna get him up in the morning for school or ask
him up in the morning for school or ask
him up in the morning for school or ask him about his grades and even though he
him about his grades and even though he
him about his grades and even though he has as much potential as you or I he’s
has as much potential as you or I he’s
has as much potential as you or I he’s going to become lost in the system and
going to become lost in the system and
going to become lost in the system and drop out of high school
drop out of high school
drop out of high school act 3 after high school without a
act 3 after high school without a
act 3 after high school without a diploma or guidance he has a very little
diploma or guidance he has a very little
diploma or guidance he has a very little way of knowing what it takes to earn an
way of knowing what it takes to earn an
way of knowing what it takes to earn an honest living or raise a family and so
honest living or raise a family and so
honest living or raise a family and so that lonely discarded angry kid has a
that lonely discarded angry kid has a
that lonely discarded angry kid has a 69% chance of going to prison and then
69% chance of going to prison and then
69% chance of going to prison and then his kids grow up without a dad 760
his kids grow up without a dad 760
his kids grow up without a dad 760 african-americans dropped out of high
african-americans dropped out of high
african-americans dropped out of high school in the last class Seattle Public
school in the last class Seattle Public
school in the last class Seattle Public School District because the system in
School District because the system in
School District because the system in America has failed 760 that’s as if two
America has failed 760 that’s as if two
America has failed 760 that’s as if two old high schools didn’t graduate their
old high schools didn’t graduate their
old high schools didn’t graduate their senior classes 69% of the male’s will go
senior classes 69% of the male’s will go
senior classes 69% of the male’s will go to prison we all know those that have
to prison we all know those that have
to prison we all know those that have been shot and killed or they often
been shot and killed or they often
been shot and killed or they often continue in this cycle of poverty
continue in this cycle of poverty
continue in this cycle of poverty they’ve been living 760 it feels
they’ve been living 760 it feels
they’ve been living 760 it feels hopeless doesn’t it but it’s not I
hopeless doesn’t it but it’s not I
hopeless doesn’t it but it’s not I wanted to share with you some stories
wanted to share with you some stories
wanted to share with you some stories how some very unique individuals are
how some very unique individuals are
how some very unique individuals are helping these guys rewrite acts two and
helping these guys rewrite acts two and
helping these guys rewrite acts two and three of their lives into some really
three of their lives into some really
three of their lives into some really cool stories I want reduced you to
cool stories I want reduced you to
cool stories I want reduced you to Shahin we call him shy but he is
Shahin we call him shy but he is
Shahin we call him shy but he is anything but shy he’s extremely affable
anything but shy he’s extremely affable
anything but shy he’s extremely affable bright a good athlete and as he’s quick
bright a good athlete and as he’s quick
bright a good athlete and as he’s quick to point out very handsome his act one
to point out very handsome his act one
to point out very handsome his act one occurred right here in Seattle his dad
occurred right here in Seattle his dad
occurred right here in Seattle his dad was never really in the picture his mom
was never really in the picture his mom
was never really in the picture his mom died of a drug overdose so imagine your
died of a drug overdose so imagine your
died of a drug overdose so imagine your childhood with neither your mother nor
childhood with neither your mother nor
childhood with neither your mother nor your father his act – his grades were
your father his act – his grades were
your father his act – his grades were low he ended up stealing a car the
low he ended up stealing a car the
low he ended up stealing a car the promise and potential he was born with
promise and potential he was born with
promise and potential he was born with was beginning to erode away and not to
was beginning to erode away and not to
was beginning to erode away and not to sound sensational but prison or early
sound sensational but prison or early
sound sensational but prison or early death right around the corner his best
death right around the corner his best
death right around the corner his best childhood friend was shot and killed
childhood friend was shot and killed
childhood friend was shot and killed just two years ago and think about life
just two years ago and think about life
just two years ago and think about life for many of these kids perspectives
for many of these kids perspectives
for many of these kids perspectives would you have honestly finished high
would you have honestly finished high
would you have honestly finished high school if no one got you up in the
school if no one got you up in the
school if no one got you up in the morning for school or asked you about
morning for school or asked you about
morning for school or asked you about your grades or what if the only square
your grades or what if the only square
your grades or what if the only square meals you got were the ones you got at
meals you got were the ones you got at
meals you got were the ones you got at school or you didn’t have enough clothes
school or you didn’t have enough clothes
school or you didn’t have enough clothes one kid I know well has been to four
one kid I know well has been to four
one kid I know well has been to four different high schools in a little over
different high schools in a little over
different high schools in a little over a year and not because he’s a bad kid I
a year and not because he’s a bad kid I
a year and not because he’s a bad kid I know they’re just a few of the issues
know they’re just a few of the issues
know they’re just a few of the issues that many kids face shai didn’t face all
that many kids face shai didn’t face all
that many kids face shai didn’t face all of those issues he was raised by
of those issues he was raised by
of those issues he was raised by great-aunt was a great lady and he still
great-aunt was a great lady and he still
great-aunt was a great lady and he still struggled but if you face some of those
struggled but if you face some of those
struggled but if you face some of those issues you might also find yourself
issues you might also find yourself
issues you might also find yourself making shockingly bad decisions so it
making shockingly bad decisions so it
making shockingly bad decisions so it begs the question what could alter his
begs the question what could alter his
begs the question what could alter his life from what feels like his destined
life from what feels like his destined
life from what feels like his destined prison early death to a totally
prison early death to a totally
prison early death to a totally different life rich with possibility
different life rich with possibility
different life rich with possibility before we look at a solution we’re
before we look at a solution we’re
before we look at a solution we’re hearing many great ideas today just a
hearing many great ideas today just a
hearing many great ideas today just a solution I would like to look at the
solution I would like to look at the
solution I would like to look at the problem little deeper in my opinion the
problem little deeper in my opinion the
problem little deeper in my opinion the greatest need in the urban core by quite
greatest need in the urban core by quite
greatest need in the urban core by quite a bit I think second place is way behind
a bit I think second place is way behind
a bit I think second place is way behind is positive male role models when you
is positive male role models when you
is positive male role models when you fix this you fix a lot the tragic fact
fix this you fix a lot the tragic fact
fix this you fix a lot the tragic fact is more than half of african-american
is more than half of african-american
is more than half of african-american kids will grow up without the influence
kids will grow up without the influence
kids will grow up without the influence of their father for a 2012 Census Bureau
of their father for a 2012 Census Bureau
of their father for a 2012 Census Bureau report but here’s the deal if you get
report but here’s the deal if you get
report but here’s the deal if you get anything two things out of this talk
anything two things out of this talk
anything two things out of this talk this is one of them because so many
this is one of them because so many
this is one of them because so many african-american males are separated
african-american males are separated
african-american males are separated from the kids the temptation might be to
from the kids the temptation might be to
from the kids the temptation might be to think that when they’re with their kids
think that when they’re with their kids
think that when they’re with their kids they’re bad fathers but that’s just not
they’re bad fathers but that’s just not
they’re bad fathers but that’s just not the case a study comparing fathers of
the case a study comparing fathers of
the case a study comparing fathers of different races with kids ages one
different races with kids ages one
different races with kids ages one through four african-americans took
through four african-americans took
through four african-americans took three out of the top four spots they ate
three out of the top four spots they ate
three out of the top four spots they ate with their kids more they bathed and
with their kids more they bathed and
with their kids more they bathed and dress their kids more they read to their
dress their kids more they read to their
dress their kids more they read to their kids more and they almost played with
kids more and they almost played with
kids more and they almost played with their kids more than any other day with
their kids more than any other day with
their kids more than any other day with kids ages 5 to 18 they again took three
kids ages 5 to 18 they again took three
kids ages 5 to 18 they again took three out of the top four spots my many years
out of the top four spots my many years
out of the top four spots my many years because of experience can attest this
because of experience can attest this
because of experience can attest this african-americans are simply naturally
african-americans are simply naturally
african-americans are simply naturally amazing dads so why are so many apps
amazing dads so why are so many apps
amazing dads so why are so many apps that’s the question isn’t it and it’s
that’s the question isn’t it and it’s
that’s the question isn’t it and it’s also a whole nother TED talk it really
also a whole nother TED talk it really
also a whole nother TED talk it really is but really quickly I want to point to
is but really quickly I want to point to
is but really quickly I want to point to two the first one is you can probably
two the first one is you can probably
two the first one is you can probably guess dates back to the earliest days of
guess dates back to the earliest days of
guess dates back to the earliest days of our country Isabelle Wilkinsons amazing
our country Isabelle Wilkinsons amazing
our country Isabelle Wilkinsons amazing qulet your prize-winning book spells it
qulet your prize-winning book spells it
qulet your prize-winning book spells it out really well there’s an old saying
out really well there’s an old saying
out really well there’s an old saying that children inherit their parents
that children inherit their parents
that children inherit their parents paint well we as Americans allow
paint well we as Americans allow
paint well we as Americans allow african-american kids to inherit the
african-american kids to inherit the
african-american kids to inherit the many many many J’s generations of pain
many many many J’s generations of pain
many many many J’s generations of pain and injustice that African Americans
and injustice that African Americans
and injustice that African Americans have faced and that affects math
have faced and that affects math
have faced and that affects math American fathers today the second reason
American fathers today the second reason
American fathers today the second reason that african-american males are
that african-american males are
that african-american males are separated from their kids is that they
separated from their kids is that they
separated from their kids is that they are jailed at a much higher rate than
are jailed at a much higher rate than
are jailed at a much higher rate than any other segment of our population
any other segment of our population
any other segment of our population we jailed more african-american males
we jailed more african-american males
we jailed more african-american males just the males then the whole prison
just the males then the whole prison
just the males then the whole prison population all rates all genders the
population all rates all genders the
population all rates all genders the whole prison population of India and
whole prison population of India and
whole prison population of India and Argentina and Canada and leb in Japan
Argentina and Canada and leb in Japan
Argentina and Canada and leb in Japan and Germany and Finland and Israel and
and Germany and Finland and Israel and
and Germany and Finland and Israel and England combined you take all the
England combined you take all the
England combined you take all the prisoners from all nine of those
prisoners from all nine of those
prisoners from all nine of those countries and put them together in one
countries and put them together in one
countries and put them together in one spot and you still do not have as many
spot and you still do not have as many
spot and you still do not have as many african-american males as we have locked
african-american males as we have locked
african-american males as we have locked up in our country India alone is more
up in our country India alone is more
up in our country India alone is more than three times as large a country as
than three times as large a country as
than three times as large a country as we are african-americans make up just
we are african-americans make up just
we are african-americans make up just 13% of the US population but 38% of the
13% of the US population but 38% of the
13% of the US population but 38% of the prison population and they serve nearly
prison population and they serve nearly
prison population and they serve nearly 20 percent longer prison sentences than
20 percent longer prison sentences than
20 percent longer prison sentences than a white male convicted of the exact same
a white male convicted of the exact same
a white male convicted of the exact same crime famous rapper named Tupac who was
crime famous rapper named Tupac who was
crime famous rapper named Tupac who was later shot and killed wrote when he was
later shot and killed wrote when he was
later shot and killed wrote when he was young those that knew me would easily
young those that knew me would easily
young those that knew me would easily cosign that no one has had a life as
cosign that no one has had a life as
cosign that no one has had a life as hard as mine no father no money no
hard as mine no father no money no
hard as mine no father no money no chance and no died I only followed the
chance and no died I only followed the
chance and no died I only followed the voice inside in so many ways these kids
voice inside in so many ways these kids
voice inside in so many ways these kids are set up to fail african-american
are set up to fail african-american
are set up to fail african-american males have been systematically removed
males have been systematically removed
males have been systematically removed from society and children have been
from society and children have been
from society and children have been robbed of their fathers we hand them
robbed of their fathers we hand them
robbed of their fathers we hand them that pain the day they were born society
that pain the day they were born society
that pain the day they were born society also tells these kids they are at risk
also tells these kids they are at risk
also tells these kids they are at risk youth imagine how you would feel if your
youth imagine how you would feel if your
youth imagine how you would feel if your whole childhood you were told you were
whole childhood you were told you were
whole childhood you were told you were at risk instead of full of potential you
at risk instead of full of potential you
at risk instead of full of potential you live in fear right a study by Columbia
live in fear right a study by Columbia
live in fear right a study by Columbia University labeled instead of calling
University labeled instead of calling
University labeled instead of calling them at risk they call them
them at risk they call them
them at risk they call them opportunities and the study revealed
opportunities and the study revealed
opportunities and the study revealed between the ages of 16 and 24 there are
between the ages of 16 and 24 there are
between the ages of 16 and 24 there are 6 million opportunities and each one
6 million opportunities and each one
6 million opportunities and each one costas on average 6 to 700 thousand
costas on average 6 to 700 thousand
costas on average 6 to 700 thousand dollars over the course of their
dollars over the course of their
dollars over the course of their lifetime they pass they are more prone
lifetime they pass they are more prone
lifetime they pass they are more prone to hit the criminal justice system
to hit the criminal justice system
to hit the criminal justice system welfare public health care and they pass
welfare public health care and they pass
welfare public health care and they pass the same patterns on to their kids
the same patterns on to their kids
the same patterns on to their kids shai the handsome fellow I mentioned
shai the handsome fellow I mentioned
shai the handsome fellow I mentioned before was paired with a positive male
before was paired with a positive male
before was paired with a positive male role model when he was just 15 when he
role model when he was just 15 when he
role model when he was just 15 when he graduated he wrote his mentor and said I
graduated he wrote his mentor and said I
graduated he wrote his mentor and said I don’t know where I would be without you
don’t know where I would be without you
don’t know where I would be without you so how did it get here let me tell you
so how did it get here let me tell you
so how did it get here let me tell you real quick about 12 years ago I went
real quick about 12 years ago I went
real quick about 12 years ago I went from a great career in technology
from a great career in technology
from a great career in technology working at companies like Microsoft’s a
working at companies like Microsoft’s a
working at companies like Microsoft’s a microsystem singular to teaching high
microsystem singular to teaching high
microsystem singular to teaching high tech at a very small community center in
tech at a very small community center in
tech at a very small community center in the urban core it was one of the best
the urban core it was one of the best
the urban core it was one of the best decisions of my life and it really
decisions of my life and it really
decisions of my life and it really changed me in some wonderful ways I
changed me in some wonderful ways I
changed me in some wonderful ways I worked there for seven years and I took
worked there for seven years and I took
worked there for seven years and I took mental notes and what I felt were the
mental notes and what I felt were the
mental notes and what I felt were the main issues and there was one issue that
main issues and there was one issue that
main issues and there was one issue that stood out far above all the others one
stood out far above all the others one
stood out far above all the others one issue that hurts the most kids the most
issue that hurts the most kids the most
issue that hurts the most kids the most families the most number of times and
families the most number of times and
families the most number of times and that was lack of positive male role
that was lack of positive male role
that was lack of positive male role models single mothers can only do so
models single mothers can only do so
models single mothers can only do so much right single mothers are super
much right single mothers are super
much right single mothers are super heroes they are the anything and
heroes they are the anything and
heroes they are the anything and everything for their kids but they are
everything for their kids but they are
everything for their kids but they are often stretched beyond their limit
often stretched beyond their limit
often stretched beyond their limit because they have to be for their kids
because they have to be for their kids
because they have to be for their kids and they often have problems of their
and they often have problems of their
and they often have problems of their own and anxiety employment problems
own and anxiety employment problems
own and anxiety employment problems domestic issues I saw kids with all the
domestic issues I saw kids with all the
domestic issues I saw kids with all the potential in the world erode over time
potential in the world erode over time
potential in the world erode over time without the support of a strong male
without the support of a strong male
without the support of a strong male figure and it made me mad not just as a
figure and it made me mad not just as a
figure and it made me mad not just as a parent but as a problem solver to think
parent but as a problem solver to think
parent but as a problem solver to think to see the same issue happening over and
to see the same issue happening over and
to see the same issue happening over and over and over again the other thing I
over and over again the other thing I
over and over again the other thing I noticed when I was there is that almost
noticed when I was there is that almost
noticed when I was there is that almost every year I worked there a great guy
every year I worked there a great guy
every year I worked there a great guy and it’s early mid-20s would come and
and it’s early mid-20s would come and
and it’s early mid-20s would come and work there for about a year great guys
work there for about a year great guys
work there for about a year great guys you would trust him with kids
you would trust him with kids
you would trust him with kids responsible they had made it through
responsible they had made it through
responsible they had made it through high school but they didn’t go to
high school but they didn’t go to
high school but they didn’t go to college I went to college base because I
college I went to college base because I
college I went to college base because I didn’t have a choice it was a you know a
didn’t have a choice it was a you know a
didn’t have a choice it was a you know a paved road and I could see the next stop
paved road and I could see the next stop
paved road and I could see the next stop graduation but these guys couldn’t even
graduation but these guys couldn’t even
graduation but these guys couldn’t even see the road much less the next stop and
see the road much less the next stop and
see the road much less the next stop and so their struggle continued however
so their struggle continued however
so their struggle continued however while I was working there I became aware
while I was working there I became aware
while I was working there I became aware of an organization called friends of the
of an organization called friends of the
of an organization called friends of the children and they take kindergartners
children and they take kindergartners
children and they take kindergartners who are in the most danger parents are
who are in the most danger parents are
who are in the most danger parents are incarcerated on drugs what have you and
incarcerated on drugs what have you and
incarcerated on drugs what have you and they give them a paid professional
they give them a paid professional
they give them a paid professional mentor all the way through high school
mentor all the way through high school
mentor all the way through high school $10,000 a year for 12 and a half years
$10,000 a year for 12 and a half years
$10,000 a year for 12 and a half years one hundred and thirty thousand dollars
one hundred and thirty thousand dollars
one hundred and thirty thousand dollars for one kid amazing friends has helped
for one kid amazing friends has helped
for one kid amazing friends has helped thousands of kids from Harlem New York
thousands of kids from Harlem New York
thousands of kids from Harlem New York to Cornwall England and has been doing
to Cornwall England and has been doing
to Cornwall England and has been doing paid professional mentorship for more
paid professional mentorship for more
paid professional mentorship for more than 20 years they have the outcomes to
than 20 years they have the outcomes to
than 20 years they have the outcomes to prove that it works and a Harvard study
prove that it works and a Harvard study
prove that it works and a Harvard study to show that it’s more than worth the
to show that it’s more than worth the
to show that it’s more than worth the financial investment
financial investment
financial investment this little idea began to grow in my
this little idea began to grow in my
this little idea began to grow in my mind why not take the friends of the
mind why not take the friends of the
mind why not take the friends of the children model a proven model that works
children model a proven model that works
children model a proven model that works and it’s applied to the two big issues I
and it’s applied to the two big issues I
and it’s applied to the two big issues I saw every day kids desperately needed
saw every day kids desperately needed
saw every day kids desperately needed positive male role models and positive
positive male role models and positive
positive male role models and positive male role models desperately needed help
male role models desperately needed help
male role models desperately needed help getting to and through college what
getting to and through college what
getting to and through college what better way for a kid to imagine himself
better way for a kid to imagine himself
better way for a kid to imagine himself in college than seeing somebody a lot
in college than seeing somebody a lot
in college than seeing somebody a lot like himself in college he comes from
like himself in college he comes from
like himself in college he comes from the same place I do if he can do it so
the same place I do if he can do it so
the same place I do if he can do it so can all and suddenly the road appears
can all and suddenly the road appears
can all and suddenly the road appears the next stop appears for them and an
the next stop appears for them and an
the next stop appears for them and an organization my wife and I have devoted
organization my wife and I have devoted
organization my wife and I have devoted our lives to is born I mention
our lives to is born I mention
our lives to is born I mention organizations called lust it stands for
organizations called lust it stands for
organizations called lust it stands for mentoring urban students and teens
mentoring urban students and teens
mentoring urban students and teens mentoring is a must must is a four-year
mentoring is a must must is a four-year
mentoring is a must must is a four-year mentoring program we find and hire
mentoring program we find and hire
mentoring program we find and hire positive african-american male role
positive african-american male role
positive african-american male role models who want to pursue their higher
models who want to pursue their higher
models who want to pursue their higher education and we pay them well to mentor
education and we pay them well to mentor
education and we pay them well to mentor african-american males who are genuinely
african-american males who are genuinely
african-american males who are genuinely in danger of dropping out of high school
in danger of dropping out of high school
in danger of dropping out of high school the model can work with young women
the model can work with young women
the model can work with young women Latinos foster care this is just who we
Latinos foster care this is just who we
Latinos foster care this is just who we are spending time with and what makes
are spending time with and what makes
are spending time with and what makes the model unique is that our mentors are
the model unique is that our mentors are
the model unique is that our mentors are so highly relatable and we’re helping
so highly relatable and we’re helping
so highly relatable and we’re helping both the youth and the mentor break the
both the youth and the mentor break the
both the youth and the mentor break the cycles in which they’ve been living and
cycles in which they’ve been living and
cycles in which they’ve been living and here’s what it looks like during the
here’s what it looks like during the
here’s what it looks like during the year we taught that guys like mr.
year we taught that guys like mr.
year we taught that guys like mr. Marquez coached on the community and
Marquez coached on the community and
Marquez coached on the community and find positive male role models I’m a
find positive male role models I’m a
find positive male role models I’m a parent I have four boys I understand the
parent I have four boys I understand the
parent I have four boys I understand the risks involved I look at it as if these
risks involved I look at it as if these
risks involved I look at it as if these guys will be mentoring my own kids and
guys will be mentoring my own kids and
guys will be mentoring my own kids and in many wonderful ways they do end up
in many wonderful ways they do end up
in many wonderful ways they do end up mentoring my own kids we do background
mentoring my own kids we do background
mentoring my own kids we do background checks drug tests interview people all
checks drug tests interview people all
checks drug tests interview people all around them getting a sense of who they
around them getting a sense of who they
around them getting a sense of who they really are and we hire respectable
really are and we hire respectable
really are and we hire respectable mentors guys who are going to go to the
mentors guys who are going to go to the
mentors guys who are going to go to the University and get good grades and guys
University and get good grades and guys
University and get good grades and guys who are kind of scared they’re not going
who are kind of scared they’re not going
who are kind of scared they’re not going to make it through Community College but
to make it through Community College but
to make it through Community College but all of our mentors get the support they
all of our mentors get the support they
all of our mentors get the support they need and they have the support they need
need and they have the support they need
need and they have the support they need to get all the way through college we
to get all the way through college we
to get all the way through college we ask our mentors to try and commit to
ask our mentors to try and commit to
ask our mentors to try and commit to four years to the use that they’ll be
four years to the use that they’ll be
four years to the use that they’ll be mentoring they have PhDs and experience
mentoring they have PhDs and experience
mentoring they have PhDs and experience and we pay them well for that experience
and we pay them well for that experience
and we pay them well for that experience they start at about 20 dollars an hour
they start at about 20 dollars an hour
they start at about 20 dollars an hour for 16 hours a month for each youth that
for 16 hours a month for each youth that
for 16 hours a month for each youth that they’re mentoring there are not enough
they’re mentoring there are not enough
they’re mentoring there are not enough programs that serve the 18 to 25 year
programs that serve the 18 to 25 year
programs that serve the 18 to 25 year old age range of our mentors they
old age range of our mentors they
old age range of our mentors they among the most valuable resources in the
among the most valuable resources in the
among the most valuable resources in the urban core and we should treat them like
urban core and we should treat them like
urban core and we should treat them like gold seriously like gold wrapped and
gold seriously like gold wrapped and
gold seriously like gold wrapped and platinum with a diamond on it they have
platinum with a diamond on it they have
platinum with a diamond on it they have the power to rewrite X 2 & 3 for every
the power to rewrite X 2 & 3 for every
the power to rewrite X 2 & 3 for every kid they touch to literally take them in
kid they touch to literally take them in
kid they touch to literally take them in an entirely new direction in life plus
an entirely new direction in life plus
an entirely new direction in life plus society saves seven hundred thousand
society saves seven hundred thousand
society saves seven hundred thousand dollars per kid because that kid will
dollars per kid because that kid will
dollars per kid because that kid will grow up to be a regular guy like you and
grow up to be a regular guy like you and
grow up to be a regular guy like you and me not in prison not shot and killed and
me not in prison not shot and killed and
me not in prison not shot and killed and this brain we work with middle school
this brain we work with middle school
this brain we work with middle school counselors to find youth who are
counselors to find youth who are
counselors to find youth who are genuinely in danger of dropping out of
genuinely in danger of dropping out of
genuinely in danger of dropping out of high school we have nine criteria not
high school we have nine criteria not
high school we have nine criteria not nine criteria that are strong indicators
nine criteria that are strong indicators
nine criteria that are strong indicators of youth dropping out low grades more
of youth dropping out low grades more
of youth dropping out low grades more than twenty absences from school parents
than twenty absences from school parents
than twenty absences from school parents are incarcerated and then in between the
are incarcerated and then in between the
are incarcerated and then in between the use eighth-grade year in freshman year
use eighth-grade year in freshman year
use eighth-grade year in freshman year of high school they’re paired with a
of high school they’re paired with a
of high school they’re paired with a mentor that looks like them it talks
mentor that looks like them it talks
mentor that looks like them it talks like them and the four year relationship
like them and the four year relationship
like them and the four year relationship begins this is the last stop for many of
begins this is the last stop for many of
begins this is the last stop for many of them if you do not reach them now they
them if you do not reach them now they
them if you do not reach them now they could be gone forever
could be gone forever
could be gone forever Youth meet with their mentors for
Youth meet with their mentors for
Youth meet with their mentors for breakfast once a week during the school
breakfast once a week during the school
breakfast once a week during the school year they talk about everyday things
year they talk about everyday things
year they talk about everyday things like boys talk about with their fathers
like boys talk about with their fathers
like boys talk about with their fathers relationships sports but remember the
relationships sports but remember the
relationships sports but remember the whole we’re trying to fill is positive
whole we’re trying to fill is positive
whole we’re trying to fill is positive male role models so we also talk about
male role models so we also talk about
male role models so we also talk about something we call eight things that make
something we call eight things that make
something we call eight things that make a man and each year both mentor and
a man and each year both mentor and
a man and each year both mentor and youths are asked to work on just two of
youths are asked to work on just two of
youths are asked to work on just two of the eight the first one is a man does
the eight the first one is a man does
the eight the first one is a man does the dishes no that’s not first but man
the dishes no that’s not first but man
the dishes no that’s not first but man doesn’t do the dishes by dad taught me
doesn’t do the dishes by dad taught me
doesn’t do the dishes by dad taught me that makes dad know the first one is a
that makes dad know the first one is a
that makes dad know the first one is a man is reliable he do what you say the
man is reliable he do what you say the
man is reliable he do what you say the second one is a man owns his mistakes
second one is a man owns his mistakes
second one is a man owns his mistakes just getting those two down gives any
just getting those two down gives any
just getting those two down gives any guy jumpstart on life every other
guy jumpstart on life every other
guy jumpstart on life every other weekend we go and do fun and new
weekend we go and do fun and new
weekend we go and do fun and new experiences as a group movies go cards
experiences as a group movies go cards
experiences as a group movies go cards tour the university life skill classes
tour the university life skill classes
tour the university life skill classes the activities keep them off the street
the activities keep them off the street
the activities keep them off the street and connected to the program but often
and connected to the program but often
and connected to the program but often provide experiences they would not have
provide experiences they would not have
provide experiences they would not have otherwise one youth has been with a
otherwise one youth has been with a
otherwise one youth has been with a program while said the other day that
program while said the other day that
program while said the other day that the best memories of my life are with
the best memories of my life are with
the best memories of my life are with you guys and plus they’re building
you guys and plus they’re building
you guys and plus they’re building relationships with other guys that are
relationships with other guys that are
relationships with other guys that are in the same direction we say show me
in the same direction we say show me
in the same direction we say show me your friends and I’ll show you your
your friends and I’ll show you your
your friends and I’ll show you your future
future
future our mentors don’t go to the loan they’re
our mentors don’t go to the loan they’re
our mentors don’t go to the loan they’re assigned volunteer coaches who are older
assigned volunteer coaches who are older
assigned volunteer coaches who are older successful men in the community who’ve
successful men in the community who’ve
successful men in the community who’ve agreed to meet weekly with the mentor to
agreed to meet weekly with the mentor to
agreed to meet weekly with the mentor to help them navigate college and to be a
help them navigate college and to be a
help them navigate college and to be a great mentor a better man only 11% of
great mentor a better man only 11% of
great mentor a better man only 11% of first-generation students will finish
first-generation students will finish
first-generation students will finish college so the relationship with the
college so the relationship with the
college so the relationship with the coach is another positive male role
coach is another positive male role
coach is another positive male role model are really vital to what we do I’m
model are really vital to what we do I’m
model are really vital to what we do I’m sure you know this but mentoring works a
sure you know this but mentoring works a
sure you know this but mentoring works a study funded by the Gates Foundation
study funded by the Gates Foundation
study funded by the Gates Foundation reported equality short-term mentoring a
reported equality short-term mentoring a
reported equality short-term mentoring a nine-month average reduces depression
nine-month average reduces depression
nine-month average reduces depression increases grades increases social
increases grades increases social
increases grades increases social acceptance but you need long-term
acceptance but you need long-term
acceptance but you need long-term outcome based mentoring like ours with
outcome based mentoring like ours with
outcome based mentoring like ours with highly relatable mentors to really help
highly relatable mentors to really help
highly relatable mentors to really help with deviant behavior sexual activity
with deviant behavior sexual activity
with deviant behavior sexual activity substance abuse this is shy today
substance abuse this is shy today
substance abuse this is shy today tackling college it’s not easy but it is
tackling college it’s not easy but it is
tackling college it’s not easy but it is opportunity happening right now we are
opportunity happening right now we are
opportunity happening right now we are seeing guys who would have dropped out
seeing guys who would have dropped out
seeing guys who would have dropped out of high school go to college and
of high school go to college and
of high school go to college and probably become mentors for us if that
probably become mentors for us if that
probably become mentors for us if that does not get you excited you gotta check
does not get you excited you gotta check
does not get you excited you gotta check your pulse right now I want to tell you
your pulse right now I want to tell you
your pulse right now I want to tell you a story that will happen in my
a story that will happen in my
a story that will happen in my neighborhood in the Rainier Valley of
neighborhood in the Rainier Valley of
neighborhood in the Rainier Valley of Seattle Washington Act one will call
Seattle Washington Act one will call
Seattle Washington Act one will call childhood a healthy african-american
childhood a healthy african-american
childhood a healthy african-american baby with all the promise of potential
baby with all the promise of potential
baby with all the promise of potential and new born brings this born into a
and new born brings this born into a
and new born brings this born into a great family with a great dad people
great family with a great dad people
great family with a great dad people deal with them play with them read to
deal with them play with them read to
deal with them play with them read to him act to my school or the next stop
him act to my school or the next stop
him act to my school or the next stop he’s going to do really well in high
he’s going to do really well in high
he’s going to do really well in high school because his parents are on him
school because his parents are on him
school because his parents are on him best grades and because his dad had a
best grades and because his dad had a
best grades and because his dad had a positive male role model when he was at
positive male role model when he was at
positive male role model when he was at high school
high school
high school we checked his grades every week and
we checked his grades every week and
we checked his grades every week and taught him what it means to be a man act
taught him what it means to be a man act
taught him what it means to be a man act 3 after high school the world is the
3 after high school the world is the
3 after high school the world is the limit for this guy rocket scientist
limit for this guy rocket scientist
limit for this guy rocket scientist world’s famous scholar or just a regular
world’s famous scholar or just a regular
world’s famous scholar or just a regular guy like you and I who has compassion
guy like you and I who has compassion
guy like you and I who has compassion for others and sees ourselves worthy of
for others and sees ourselves worthy of
for others and sees ourselves worthy of spectacular awesome regular lives
spectacular awesome regular lives
spectacular awesome regular lives my personal mission my hope is to
my personal mission my hope is to
my personal mission my hope is to preserve the potential every child is
preserve the potential every child is
preserve the potential every child is born with to give them the potential to
born with to give them the potential to
born with to give them the potential to shine to rise to be whoever they can be
shine to rise to be whoever they can be
shine to rise to be whoever they can be and not what their early life
and not what their early life
and not what their early life circumstances condemned them to be thank
circumstances condemned them to be thank
circumstances condemned them to be thank you very much
you very much
you very much [Applause]
”
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