CB Newsletter July/August 2013 by Chionesu Bakari

Chionesu Bakari Program For Young Men “Guiding Light of Noble Promise”

“Moving Forward”

July / August 2013 issue 003

A Word From The Director Greetings from Cleveland, Ohio! I’m amazed as well as excited that each new venture that Chionesu Bakari embarks upon is better than the last. This June we were blessed to celebrate our 2nd Rites of Passage Culmination and an Awards Celebration, where each young man in the program received an award for a special attribute that they possess. We were honored to have Pastor David K. Brawley (Lead Pastor St. Paul Community Baptist Church, Brooklyn, NY), Rev. Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood (Sr. Pastor Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, Brooklyn, NY), as well many of our sponsors. To see the faces of some of the young men and know that some have never received an award for anything was priceless. It was monumental to celebrate the R.O.P. candidates completing their journey. Five of the young men will began college in September. They will be attending Virginia State University, Johnson C. Smith, Morehouse, Shaw and Kingsborough College. The three remaining will be seniors in high school this year and will assume leadership roles within the program. The celebration didn’t end there. It was also great seeing the adults have a chance to relax at our Boat Ride. It is safe to say that a good time was had by all. In addition, Chionesu Bakari was the proud recipient of the Ujima Award for Youth Involvement. This summer has been one of the best summer programs to date. We’ve visited Charleston, SC, Atlanta, GA, Miami, FL, Chicago, IL, Erlanger, KY, and Cleveland, OH. While at home the young men enjoyed a two day bike tour, visits to historical sites such as Weeksville Historic Center, and the African Burial Ground and an Empowerment Day where men and women from different careers and walks of life came in and talked to the young men about career decisions. As we close out our 7th year I look forward to our Fall session and travel to California next year. Namaste Horace Moore, Director

CB SPEAKS WITH REV. DR. JOHNNY RAY YOUNGBLOOD

Rev. Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood Speaks into CB’s Future During a recent phone interview we were honored with the wisdom of Rev. Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood who proudly served as Senior Pastor at St. Paul Community Baptist Church of Brooklyn, NY for 35 years and currently serves as Senior Pastor at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, NY. Rev. Youngblood continues to be a leading voice for spiritual healing as well as social and racial equality. He is highly regarded for his work with East Brooklyn Churches, an affiliate of the Industrial Areas Foundation. Rev Youngblood is highly respected and recognized

for his intentional ministry to Black men. He continues to challenge and empower men to be the men that God has called them to be. Mr. Moore, Founder & Director of Chionesu Bakari is proud to call Rev. Youngblood his mentor. CB: Pastor Youngblood, first and foremost thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to share with us. Why did you say yes to Mr. Moore when he approached you about starting Chionesu Bakari? JRY: One of the reasons that I said yes to Horace Moore and his vision of an all boys’ school or an educational effort that was specifically geared

INSIDE THIS ISSUE DIRECTOR’S WELCOME

REV. DR. JOHNNY RAY YOUNGBLOOD

CB ALUM REFLECTS ON CB LESSONS DURING COLLEGE 3 CB DADS SPEAK

CB CELEBRATES!

CB A SPECIAL PLACE

THANK YOU TO SUPPORTERS 8

comes to mind. What I see at work in CB is a kind of theme that goes on in the book of Proverbs, where a father, an older man and wiser man, an Elder even, in the community speaks to younger men imparting to them wisdom for the living of their days. So I see that exchange going on, I see iron sharpening iron, which is also a scriptural passage and it’s just a great sight and it is a great fit in terms of the needs of our community today. CB: Chionesu Bakari has just completed its seventh year; moving forward what do you believe the program has to do to ensure the success of our young sons?

to black boys is because really we were on the same wavelength. I’d been given an intentional ministry to African American males by the Holy Spirit, and then for Mr. Moore, an educator, to come along and say he would like to try focus his energy on young black boys... There was both a group and a phrase that was steadily used by everybody talking about from “Boys to Men”, and it just seemed like it was a good fit...I was there at St. Paul Community Baptist Church at the time and I think that history has shown that it was timely and it has been effective. CB: Did CB surpass your expectations? JRY: I think CB has surpassed everybody’s expectations, perhaps even including Mr. Moore, because we all have a great idea and never know where it’s going to lead...The people who have rallied...the time that CB has been at work and [now]...this new possibility of setting up chapters around the country and the fact that you now have graduates of CB. Yes, it has exceeded my expectations. I did not know fully what to expect. I’m not sure anyone else knew fully what to expect but the answer is yes. CB: What scripture comes to mind when you see the work of Chionesu Bakari? JRY: No one particular scripture

JRY: I think that the program needs a financial infusion, carefully, but it definitely needs it. Because there is something about trying to make things happen and at the same time pay bills that is really from time to time distracting. I think that specialist[s] of a sort are needed; that is people to dream, people to implement and people to see that necessary conformities are made. And what I mean by that is laws etc. I believe that Mr. Moore needs support and encouragement in that he is the father of CB; he is the one who dreamed it and I think he is going to need, even in sharing the dream with other parents, other Elders and even in the preparation of a new level, CB leaders, particularly those who graduate from the Chionesu Academy, as I would call it. CB: Where do you see Chionesu Bakari in 5yrs to10yrs? JRY: In 5 to 10 yrs. it will have [the] history of being probably one of the most steady, progressive, grass-root efforts to mold...and to mature young black males. I think that it will be one of the best dimensions of family ministry that has gone on anywhere in the country. It will be a miracle in microcosm that is still duplicable. Other people will be able to emulate it but it will have proven itself. It will have brightened up the corner right where it was, while not trying to go national or international. It has been able to do all of the great things that it will have done right there where it is.

CB: What do you believe would inspire other faith-based organizations to replicate a program such as CB? JRY: I think that first of all “faith based” is sometimes a misleading adjective. A local church, or an association, or a conference or a convention would do well adopting the model and then making it available for other churches and organizations across the country to emulate. I firmly believe that a strong local church adopting CB, the model of Mr. Moore and his ministry of CB, would put it at a level where others would want to come see, understand and emulate, and of course whoever the adopter is would be someone hopefully who could do the financial infusion. CB: If you had to say one thing to parents what would it be? JRY: I would say that the parents need to seriously review all of the victories of CB...the parents both of children who have graduated from CB, parents of children who are involved and then children who are to become [involved]... should start to brainstorm about how to finance and how to, at points, become more full time involved, since we have a lot of people who are retiring and even people who are looking for jobs, to find a way to render it fiscal enough that it can hire as well as endow for the future, because if CB was good enough for my children I kind of believe that it might be good enough for my grandchildren so that one generation of children through CB does not mean the end.  By Antoinette Miller

HOW CB LESSONS AND SUPPORT GUIDE A CB ALUM

CB Alum Reflects on CB Lessons During Freshman Year was a CB supporter and beloved member of St. Paul Baptist Church community.

Quintin M. Thomas, who joined CB in 2006, is now an Alumnae and Rites of Passage (2012) graduate. He just completed his first year at Morehouse College. Quintin shares how the positive impact and support from CB enabled his success during his first year at college.

Since that phone call everything became twice as hard. Dealing with one of my many mentors, Elder Hooks, passing away and trying to remain focused in school is tough. That is the point when I just wanted to give up because it got too hard to even think straight. Having my CB brothers and the parents just making sure I was okay just gave me more of a push to move me out of the melancholy and not to dwell in a sad space. The second half of the year was a lot better than the first half. Even so, there were distractions to manage through, especially since it was getting warmer and everybody was spending more time outside.

Chionesu can not prepare you for everything that you will face in college but it does give you My first year of the basic tools of time school was an “ Having my CB brothers management, public uphill challenge. speaking and thinking and the parents just There were ups critically. If you have making sure I was okay and downs, highs those specific skills just gave me more of a and lows. I started then you will have the push.” the year off well basic skills you need and was adapting to move forward and to the college enmatriculate through vironment. Being solely dependent any higher learning facility. I’m not on yourself isn’t easy. Everything was saying it will be easy if you have those going great until that one evening attributes; there will still be situations when Pharaoh, my CB brother and that you will have to face but you will I got a phone call that Elder Robert have less of a burden. Hooks had passed away. Elder Hooks,

Upcoming Events August 17 Summer Program Ends August 18 CB Family Day October CB Names New Sites October 11 CB Fall Program 2013-2014 February 16-22 2014 CB Travels to California

CB Leaders with CB Alumnae

The future for me is great; I’m going back to Morehouse College as a sophomore on August 22. I’m studying computer science. I want to be an intern at Apple, Google or Facebook in California next summer. I also plan to take classes at NYU since it is one of the world renowned schools in the advancement of technology. Times may get hard but as long as you have faith you’ll be able to get through anything.  By Quintin M. Thomas

“A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you, than you see in yourself, and helps bring it out of you.” Bob Proctor.

CB Dads Speak on the Support and Purpose of CB for Their Young Men from his private school experiences to being committed to grasping fully the benefits of the program for him. He has to be accountable for everything now and it’s a bit of a shock for him. When my son had trouble with the youth leader I told him to learn to respect him because some day that is going to be you. Because unless I die you are going to be a part of this (CB) program. So make the best of it. When most men get together they talk sports, gadgets or women, but when the Chionesu Bakari Dads gather, their focus is on young men, parenting and family values that they share in common. During our regular get-togethers, the Dads of Chionesu Bakari (CB), check in by sharing weekly parenting challenges and how we can keep our young men engaged and inspired to guide them forward, while keeping our families balanced. While Chionesu Bakari services a majority of single parents, we Dads recognize its attributes benefit the whole family. By providing young men with male role models, brotherhood, self-awareness and structure, the young men become accountable, responsible and gain moral values. With a sense of community, cultural and educational exposure, CB members become better sons, brothers and young leaders in the community. CB is a win-win for the entire family. Just listen to what some of the Dads have to share about what the program has meant to them and their sons. Donn: I think the program is like an extra parent. In a sense, an extra neutral parent. It allows the kids to have an outlet,

to speak on some of their issues and some of their discrepancies with that Chionesu Bakari parent. This can be relayed back to us as parents, which can benefit in the raising up of our sons. The program has helped me out with a lot of different situations with my kids. It serves as an equalizer for the family being neutral, yet beneficial. For myself, I have seen my son’s posture change from a slumped position to being upright and chest out. I have witnessed the program energize and uplift the young men with a sense of pride. By being a part of Chionesu Bakari, it makes them want to strive for more and I have also seen my son become more confident. Wayne: My son has been with the program for the last year. I look at Chionesu Bakari as completing the village. All too often as parents we feel that we have to do it all. Now with being a part of CB it gives us that parental support that benefits both the young men and the parents. With CB there is a common parenting style that has everyone on the same positive page. Secondly, with my son going to a predominately white school, he misses out on the self awareness that he gets with the CB program. It rounds him out as a person. Seeing young men in the program who look like my son allows him to see positive models of himself. I do feel that my son is still in transition

Inskip: First of all I see confidence in my son. When I see him dance in front of or speak in front of the church that is some of my short comings that I see he has overcome in himself. My son has been with CB for 3 years. In the beginning I thought to myself about the program, “I don’t need anyone telling me how to parent my son”. After I started to witness the program and go to the parent support meetings, I realized it was more than what I thought it was. What I appreciate is in CB he has learned to become part of a group of like minded positive young men. Some of the young men may be more streetwise than he is but that is good because it builds his character. For myself I enjoy being in the parent meetings because it encourages me to be honest with myself and helps me realize that I am not alone in my parental challenges. I am wholeheartedly invested in the program. It is great for these young men to have the support of the CB leaders in their lives because most of them don’t have many male role models. Now with CB men in their lives they get help with what is appropriate and what is expected of young men. I have also realized the program gives me an opportunity to make a difference in the young men’s lives by becoming involved and engaged. With this in mind the CB Dads have committed to be a support system for the rites of passage young men who are

graduating from the program to give them access to us to help navigate them into young adulthood. Dan: For me, my son is an only child in the household and comes from a small private school environment. So for him CB creates a special brotherhood that is authentic, structured and positive. He’s learning how to be part of a team and can now see himself in all the young men, leaders and the Dads. CB has in time made him more community minded and less self centered. I have noticed an increase in my son’s confidence level and he’s learning how to navigate his challenges. He is still working on how to deal with the younger men of the program and their unharnessed energy. I have to remind him that he was similar at that age and that relating to the younger members will teach him patience for those who are different from him. It will also give him an opportunity to model proper behavior in front of them because soon they will be going to my son for answers. By engaging the value of his peers, it has increased his self worth. For my son to have so many caring men pour into his life who are part of the program helps fill the void he may have of not having his biological father present on a daily basis and it develops his coping skills as a young man. He will therefore have less of a need for outside approval because the program helps him get self understanding. The program has allowed me to see my son in light of a community of young men. This highlighted his uniqueness as well as exposed me to the similarities he has with his peers. I have a new and better perspective of my son as a young man thanks to our participation in CB.  By Dan Rodriguez (Donn Smith-stepfather of Ishmael & Amir; Wayne Hartley-father of Brandon; Inskip Miller- father of Joshua; Dan Rodriguezstepfather of Reggie)

CB Celebrates Seven Years! This June was a month of celebration during which Chionesu Bakari celebrated our 7th successful year with a Rites of Passage (R.O.P.) and Awards Ceremony. The weekend included a Renaming and Foot Washing Ritual and a black tie affair where past and current young men were honored. The culminating event of the weekend was the Rites of Passage Ceremony for six of our young men who are matriculating to college or completing the program and transitioning to become members of the CB staff. The CB Renaming Ritual was the first public announcement of the young men’s successful completion of the R.O.P., during which all of the young men were honored by their mothers with ceremonial foot washing, memorial gifts, praise and encouragement. As is customary in African culture, each young man received and affirmed his new African name. They also received praise, words of wisdom and encouragement from the CB staff and family. The Gala held at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel in Flushing, New York was an elegant evening of

celebration for the young men, parents and supporters of the CB program. The attendees enjoyed dinner and a program where each of the CB young men received an award for his service in the program and/ or his personal and academic accomplishments. With much pride and fanfare, Mr. Moore introduced the 2013 R.O.P. Honorees: Brandon Anderson, Leon Townsend, Sharif Evans, Rennie Coburn, Kalif Hill, and Brandon Westbrook. Mr. Moore also introduced the 2012 R.O.P. graduates who returned after completing their first year of study at various colleges and universities. CB also celebrated and acknowledged the contributions of Ms. Hakikah Shamsiden, the Parent Coordinator, who has since relocated to Atlanta and Ms. Charlene Caldwell, the former CFO of the Program. The evening surpassed the expectations of all in attendance. cont’d on page 7

(top to bottom) CB 2013 Gala

CHIONESU BAKARI SUPPORTS AND ENABLES A FEW SPECIAL YOUNG MEN

CB is a Special Place for Special Needs Being labeled as having a special need is already an uphill battle. In this issue we will begin a two-part series on two young men with special needs who recently graduated from the Chionesu Bakari Rites of Passage program. Brandon Andersen and Leon Townsend were not treated differently from any of the other young men in CB. Their successful completion of the program, is helping to disprove some of the assumptions about people with special needs. As a result of their completion of CB, Brandon and Leon have a great support system and they are a part of this brotherhood for life.

Brandon Avery Anderson, also known as “Debo” or “Bran”, along with his mom Laurie, and younger sister Leila joined the Chionesu Family in March 2007 when he was 12 years old. Laurie is currently a Site Manager for the Department of Social Services. Brandon likes to play football, swim and play chess and was on the Chess Team at his school. At school, Brandon was part of a group called Earthwise where he spoke to younger children about healthy eating, healthy snacks and good nutrition. After looking at several programs for Brandon, Laurie came upon Chionesu Bakari. She noted how the young men were unified, neat and together. She knew that Brandon needed “social

bonding” and because the group was filled with what seemed like positive young black men, she wanted those same influences for Brandon. At the age of 7 when Brandon was in second grade, his guidance counselor said that he needed to be in a special education class because his reading, writing, and social skills were not up to standard and he needed some closer attention. Laurie thinks repeating the second grade helped Brandon to receive the special attention, services and accommodations (like extra time to take exams) that he needed to succeed going forward. Laurie appreciates the CB leaders for stepping in to visit Brandon’s school just to check in and make their male presence in his life known. She also appreciates the social bonding and the opportunity for Brandon to be a part of the CB brotherhood. Laurie sees Brandon’s growth and maturity which were proven when he landed a job all by himself without her knowledge or help. Laurie admits that the CB family has helped her create a stronger foundation for prayer and reinforced her faith and sense of community. Her prayers for CB are that they continue to influence young black men in a positive way and help shift the mindset of how people view the black male in America. She also prays that CB receives enough financial resources to move to the next level – have their own school/own bus/own plane. Brandon successfully completed his

Regents exams and graduated from Food and Finance High School in June 2013. Brandon shared that CB has taught him things such as how to prepare himself for life, how to be a better young man, and how he should be a role model for his younger CB brothers because they watch what he does as an older CB brother. He also explained that one of the things he learned in the program was skills on how to look for a job, how to dress for an interview, and how to listen carefully to the questions being asked in order to give clear answers. Brandon is currently gainfully employed working in a school kitchen for the summer. He landed this job after signing up at school with no help from anyone. Brandon is slated to start Kingsborough Community College in the Fall of 2013. He is still undecided if he will study in Culinary Arts or Childcare as he truly loves both. Upon graduating from the Rites of Passage program, Brandon was given the name Jabari Salim Kambui Bakari which means “brave, peaceful, fearless man of noble promise”. Armed with the tools he has learned throughout the years, we, the CB Family, have no doubt that Brandon will definitely succeed.  By Paulette Benson

Stay connected with us online to receive our future issues and learn about Leon Townsend, CB 2013 Rites of Passage graduate, and how CB has guided his success over his special needs challenges.

CONT’D

CB Celebrates Seven Years! The Rites of Passage Ceremony honoring the young men who successfully completed the R.O.P., making the transition from youth to manhood, was held at the St. Paul Community Baptist Church, (Brooklyn, NY). It was an awe-inspiring celebration by “The Village” that included the CB Family, the St. Paul Family, and friends and supporters of the R.O.P. honorees. The ceremony started with the procession of CB parents and guardians into the St. Paul sanctuary in their finest African regalia. It was a joyful celebration honoring the young men individually and collectively that included prayer, words of wisdom, ceremonial dances by a group of Chionesu Bakari mothers and the “Warrior Dance” by the young men of CB. The ceremony ended with several of the St. Paul ministries presenting each of the honorees with a gift. The celebration didn’t end there, on Friday June 21, Chionesu Bakari held their 2nd Annual Yacht Party Fundraiser in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, with the theme, “All White With A Splash of Orange or Black.” It was a great night of fun and dancing to classic R&B music. Along with fund raising, another goal of the evening was for CB’s parents, staff and supporters to mingle and really enjoy themselves. The event was successful in accomplishing that! CB also honored in the second annual Ujima Award Celebration, which was held on Saturday, June 8th at the South Orange Performing Arts Center. The Ujima Award recognizes organizations and individuals who have a great impact in their communities. Among the Ujima honorees for 2013 was Chionesu Bakari for its outstanding commitCB receives Ujima Award - photo: Ujima Awards ment in youth involvement. Accepting the award on behalf of Chionesu Bakari was none other than CB’s Youth Liaison, John Robinson. Mr. Robinson described how being a part of Chionesu Bakari has helped him in terms of his maturity, patience, commitment and perseverance and how it is positively shaping the lives of the young men he calls brothers.  By Sharon Swain and Antoinette Miller

Thank You to our Sponsors for their generous support towards CB and the 2013 Gala Amerigroup RealSolutions

Anthony James

Jason G. Cahilly

Betty Powell

Valentino D. Carlotti

Deborah Banks

Miller Family

Douglas Daniels

Paul J. Cooper Center for Human Services

David Francis

Don J. Truesdale

Victor Hart

Charlene Caldwell

Janet Leitch-Henry

Frank R. Bell Funeral Home

Robert Lewis

Hartley Family

Patricia McMillian

Shirley Lawson

Patricia Raysor

Michele Williams

Sheila Richards

Monique Somerville

Earle Yearwood

Trey Whitfield School

Decon Feber Kennedy

Beverly Rutherford

Charlie Haynes

Janey Whitney

Sonia Torres

Ameriprise Financial Services

Michelle Clarke

Reverend Christine Caton

Anthony Yard

Dowrich Family

Visit Chionesu Bakari online to Learn More & Donate! www.youngblackmanonline.org

Credits Editor Horace Moore Newsletter Team Susan T. D. Rodriguez Paulette Benson Monica Britton Terri Butler Antoinette Miller Sharon Swain Photos www.munroephotography.com

NEXT ISSUE The Young Men Recap the CB Summer Program, Opening of CB 2013-2014 Fall Program, Part 2 of CB Success with Special Needs ... and much more

Stay tuned for more!

This newsletter is published by: Chionesu Bakari 859 Hendrix Street Brooklyn, New York 11207 Phone: 347-708-2008 info@youngblackmanonline.org www.youngblackmanonline.org This newsletter is also available online @ www.youngblackmanonline.org