Chionesu Bakari Program For Young Men “Guiding Light of Noble Promise”
“Moving Forward”
Special Gala Re-Issue
A Word From The Director I’m excited as Chionesu Bakari recently held our 2nd Parent Retreat in Newark, NJ, in April. We had 52 parents in attendance, which is close to 95% of our membership. During our retreat it was great to have Rev. David K. Brawley (St. Paul Community Baptist Church) come in to teach and fellowship with us. We were also blessed with workshops led by Ruth M. Corbett, Mental Health Counselor and Patricia Hunter-Bunyan Psychoanalyst; Elder Vaughn Curmon, Coordinator S pecial Services; Hakikah Shamsiden, CB Parent Coordinator; Elder Elias Singleton, CB Prayer Intercessor; Renee Muhammed, CB Prayer Intercessor; as well as the CB parents. The workshops focused on forgiveness, stewardship, blessing our bodies, and parenting to develop socially/emotionally strong sons by letting go our past hurts. The workshops lead by the various CB parent teams based on the assigned reading, “The Power of a Praying Parent,” by Stormie Omartian were unequivocally outstanding! I especially want to thank the parents for making the sacrifice to attend this retreat. While on our retreat it was in God’s divine order for the CB parents to walk the neighborhood in a silent prayer. We were blessed as much as we were a blessing to the individuals in that community. As our CB families, young men and supporters come together for our 2nd Annual Rites of Passage & Awards Gala today, Friday, June 7, 2013, we celebrate five young men transitioning to college and three young men who will take on positions within the organization until they graduate from high school next year. During the Gala we will reward the progress and success of all the young men on this evening in addition to recognizing some of our sponsors. Our theme for the evening will be “The Inheritors” taken from Deuteronomy 6:20. We continue to solicit your prayers and support as we move into our Summer Program, which will continue to expose our young men to travels throughout the country. We also look forward to seeing you on our upcoming Boat ride scheduled for Friday, June 21, 2013. Namaste, Horace Moore, Director
PASTOR DAVID K. BRAWLEY OF ST. PAUL COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH, BROOKLYN, NY CHAMPIONS CHIONESU BAKARI
CB Speaks with Pastor David K. Brawley “Chionesu Bakari is more than a mentoring program, but a unit. CB builds up the whole family.” During our recent CB Parent Retreat, we were honored to have Lead Pastor David K. Brawley of St. Paul Community Baptist Church (Brooklyn, NY) spend time and share with us. Pastor Brawley has been the Lead Pastor at St. Paul Community Baptist Church since 2009. One of his proudest roles outside of pastoring
the wonderful people at St. Paul Community Baptist Church is serving as the Founder and Board Chair of the Imagine Me Leadership Charter School (IMLCS); the first all-boys charter school in the East New York section of Brooklyn. Pastor Brawley’s passion for young men is evident in his mission to provide the best educational opportunities for them. We had an opportunity to sit with Pastor Brawley and get his insight on Chionesu Bakari.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE DIRECTOR’S WELCOME
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PASTOR DAVID. K. BRAWLEY 1 LETTER FROM A YOUNG BLACK MAN - J. ROBINSON
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VALENTINO CARLOTTI, PARTNER, GOLDMAN SACHS MOTIVATES THE YOUNG MEN 4 LETTER FROM A YOUNG BLACK MAN - D. DAVIDSON 5 CB GRADS COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES
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CB: Pastor Brawley, first we’d like to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to be here with us on our Parent Retreat. DKB: It is my pleasure to be here with you all! This is my first opportunity to spend time with CB and I am very impressed. CB: Why do you believe CB and similar programs are important? DKB: Programs such as CB are important because there are so few of them. We know what it takes to successfully develop our young people and all the components are seen within CB. There’s discipline, not punitive but in terms of the development of the young men. There is a level of accountability that exist as well as high expectations, which are clear to the young men as well as the parents. CB: Pastor, what scripture(s) come to mind when you see the work of CB and why? DKB: There are many, but Psalm 127 and Proverbs 22 stick out most right now. Chionesu Bakari is more than a mentoring program, but a unit. It builds up the whole family. CB: In CB’s seventh year, what would you say CB is doing differently than other programs to guarantee the success of the program? DKB: I believe that because CB is connected to a faith institution and it has lots of support and excellent leadership, it stands apart from other
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programs. Further, because CB has been incubated in a faith institution it can weather storms and be covered and supported. It is clear that resources for these types of programs are drying up and programs similar to CB lack support. CB on the other hand has a proven track record and continued support from its community. CB: Where do you see CB in 5-20yrs? DKB: Dr. William S. Pollack, author of Real Boys, talked about how boys learn differently. I’d like to see what schools aren’t doing; CB is necessary in schools, and faith communities all over. I’d like to move this experience to written media. Additionally, l’d like to see a network of support for CB connected to a successful faith institution. CB will need the capacity to carry the weight of what is to come. That will include funding, and resources
to carry out the mission. CB will also need legal support because of gender specific issues, and an accounting firm to withstand any scrutiny. Finally, MONEY, people don’t celebrate what they don’t appreciate! CB: What has been your proudest moment for CB? DKB: During my installation the young men gave me affirmations, which impressed upon my heart that I have to live up to them. And of course the “WARRIOR PIECE.” (An African dance presented by the young men) There probably hasn’t been a moment when I’ve been more proud. More recently, the young men assisted the Board of Elders at the Foot Washing Ceremony* for the women in our congregation. CB: If you had to say one thing to the young men and to their parents, what would that be? DKB: “Time goes by so fast, treasure it, live in the present and prepare for the future. Life is a constant stream of change so relish the time as a family.” *The Foot Washing Ceremony is part of the annual Jewel Crossover - Rites of Passage culmination celebrating the women moving from one stage to another.
A YOUNG BLACK MAN SPEAKS OF SECOND CHANCES
Letter from a Young Black Man that I could from CB; I thought I’d mastered it all and that there was nothing left to learn. I learned selfdiscipline, integrity, values of church and school, as well as concerns of parents. I was soon to realize that leaving the program was one of the biggest mistakes I made in my life.
They say that second chances don’t come often, but in my case I was lucky to have an opportunity to receive a second chance. I am John Robinson and I currently serve on the staff of Chionesu Bakari as Youth Liaison. I joined Chionesu Bakari in 2006. I experienced firsthand being exposed to life outside of East New York. Part of that exposure included career workshops, trips to Historically Black Colleges, as well as public speaking. Chionesu succeeds in its goal of breaking you “out of your shell” and molds and guides you into a better young man. My journey with CB almost ended completely, when I left after just three years, in 2009. I’d gone through the Pauper and Warrior stages of the program (the first two stages for the young men in the program) and felt as though there was nothing left to learn. I believed I had received all
meeting with Mr. Moore to ask for re-admittance. Mr. Moore agreed to re-admittance, with a stipulation, I would have to apologize to the other CB young men, explain why I left and ask for their acceptance back in the group.
Addressing the young men, I was After leaving the program my life took humbled as I explained my failures a turn down the wrong lane. I went and my negative actions. The young through depression, failures, low self men, my brothers, that I let down, confidence, and self-esteem issues. listened and challenged me with With an out-sized ego I was willing to their questions, ”Why should we take be strong (and wrong I realized later). him back? What if it happens again?” I wanted to make things happen for They were suspicious of my actions, myself, by myself. I allowed no one so I offered, “If I come back I’m willing to dictate my life and actions. Now, to start from the bottom,” at the time I was never I felt it was a good d i s re s p e c t f u l, move because I was “ My brothers didn’t rude or confident and felt I troublesome, was humble enough downgrade me they let just stubborn to deal with it. me be the natural-born, and unwilling Actually, when I outspoken leader, that I to listen to came back to CB anyone. This have grown into.” and had to start at plan unraveled; the beginning stage I couldn’t handle as a Pauper it hurt everything all more than I expected because I was by myself. I started failing classes at the top of my game within CB and and was suspended from school. I now I found myself at the beginning grew tired and depressed having again. Going through the stages over been home alone, unproductive and again gave me new respect for the hanging out with friends. I realized younger guys in the Pauper stage (8 I needed the guidance I received in -12). While in that Pauper stage, I was CB to motivate me and get myself the biggest one and the oldest, but together. Not yet ready or knowing I became their big little brother. The how to humble myself on my own, funny part was, they actually taught I asked my parents to coordinate a
The Ujima Awards is proud to honor Chionesu Bakari the award for Youth Involvement. “Celebrating and Honoring the backbone of our Community” Join The UJIMA AWARDS 2nd Annual Ceremony Saturday, June 22, 2013 @ SOPAC ~ 1 SOPAC Way, South Orange, NJ Tickets are $25 Email: info@ujimaawards.com for more information
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Letter from a Young Black Man - John Robinson Cont’d me a few things and forced me to brush up on skills that I was slacking. Moving onto the next phase, the Warriors, was challenging for me. Having a fourteen year old tell me what to do and how to do it was not easy to take, and yes I had some stumbles. I h umbled myself and accepted the fact that I was put into that position so I had to keep my composure and make it work. As I look back at this time as a Pauper and Warrior the 2nd time, they accepted me for who I am. My brothers didn’t downgrade me they let me be the natural-born outspoken leader that I’d grown into. My brothers let me vent my frustrations and they helped me along the way and I appreciate that. In the last 2 years, I passed Prince stage and finally through the Rites of Passage stage. Repeating the first two stages of the program gave me another chance to appreciate the CB program. One of my biggest lessons was learning that we are family and it was ok to say “I can’t do it, I need help”. Chionesu Bakari is the support system that helped develop my confidence and ability to be the natural born leader that I am today. As the CB Youth Liaison (also known as the “Young Apprentice”) I am ready to take CB’s vision to the next level, molding young men into successful black men with a legacy for others to embrace. I am grateful to have had a second chance; it’s a blessing. The Lord works in mysterious ways and sometimes has you go through parts of life again, to get you where you need to be. I am thankful to the staff of CB, my mentors, the CB families and my brothers for believing in me, keeping me grounded and uplifting me.
WISDOM AND MOTIVATION FOR THE CB YOUNG MEN
Mr. Valentino Carlotti, Partner Goldman Sachs Motivates the Young Men By Elder Victor Young
family relationships and centered by his relationship with God, Mr. Carlotti’s love and respect for his mother and father was clear and he recounted how his father’s words continue to echo in his mind years’ after they were uttered.
On Saturday June 1, 2013, the young men of Chionesu Bakari and I had the pleasure and honor of listening to and experiencing the spirit Mr. Valentino Carlotti. Mr. Valentino Carlotti is a Partner at Goldman Sachs Mr. Carlotti’s life affirming quotes and and a strong supporter of Chionesu pearls of wisdom were an inspiration Bakari. Mr. Carlotti was invited by to the young Ms. Rhonda Hartley, a men and CB parent and current staff. The first “There is no power like chair of the CB Finance lesson, he character...everything committee. stated, was we may ever want can be the ability Mr. Carlotti shared achieved if you possess with us not only his to have a motivational thoughts, h e a l t h y character.” but ways to embody respect of what it truly means to self before be a man. He recounted learning to his experiences growing up in the respect others. Mr. Carlotti then gave Lower East Side of New York City, his the young men three words to keep love of sports, reading, and travel at the forefront of their minds and and life lessons. His ability to adapt actions - Competence, Confidence and learn from his experiences and Character. He went on to speak growing up in his lower east side of the meaning of the words and how neighborhood made him the man to apply them to every life endeavor he is today. Strengthened by strong in the weeks, months and years to come. He expressed, “There is no power like character...everything we 4 may ever want can be achieved if you
possess character.” Mr. Carlotti’s highest pursuit is scholarship. The pursuit of knowledge at any level is the call placed upon us by God along with our service to others. His lasting words, impressed the young men, “There is no field or endeavor that [you] can not pursue as a black man.” Mr. Carlotti said that the Chionesu Bakari young men inspired him to do more and it was an honor to meet and learn from us. I hope, pray and trust that the young men of Chionesu Bakari take heed to the words imparted to them on that day. CB Leaders are inspired to know that what we are doing is so valuable to our community, to our nation and to the world at large. Mr. Carlotti left us with this final quote from Invictus, “I am the master of my fate, the captain of my soul.”
A FOUNDING SON OF CHIONESU BAKARI SPEAKS
Letter from a Young Black Man Darius Davidson, a 2012 Rites of Passage graduate of Chionesu Bakari, speaks of the vital role CB played in his life while coming of age.
Once I became a Prince and entered into my final stages in the program, I began to realize that alot of people, both young and old were watching me. The pressure of being one of the As a founding ‘leaders’ in the program comes with a member of lot of benefits. The most important Chionesu Bakari, one was being able to know that I can honestly when you leave the program say that being everything will be fine because you a part of this were given the right advice and tools program really to survive in society. Another benefit prepared me for was knowing that if at any time you life and things stumble or have an issue in life you that I will have to face in the future. can turn to the Mr. Moore or Elder Chionesu Bakari is not Young and only a program, but they will do “ ...it was only when we it is a brotherhood. their best to combined our knowledge help you. The bond that we built as young men and our abilities that we One of through the program became powerful.” the most is something that important can’t be found situations I anywhere else. Under had to face the leadership of Mr. during my Moore, Elder Young time in CB was the death of one of and Elder Vaughn, I have grown into our brothers, David Jones. The news an intelligent and confident young was shocking to hear and it hit me man who is ready to take on any task hard because I had spoken to him the that comes my way. day before it happened. With all the When I started the program in the memories and thoughts about David Summer of 2006, I didn’t know what it was hard to believe that he was to expect. However, I wasn’t nervous gone. At David’s funeral, everyone because I was surrounded by young was emotional and in tears, but the men that attended both St. Paul thing that I found most important Community Christian School and St. was the impact that Chionesu Bakari Paul Baptist Church with me. As the had on David’s life and how we years passed, I began to realize that represented as a brotherhood at his this program was more than what it service. Marching into his funeral over seemed. The trips we took during the 60 young men strong all dressed up summertime helped us learn things and well presented, it was obvious to about survival, cleanliness, hygiene anyone there, that David, just like any and presentation. As a little kid it was other young man meant the world to cool watching the older guys in the each and every one of us. This hard program and copying what they did time not only opened our eyes to because I didn’t have an older brother reality, but it made us stronger and at home. But as the older guys moved closer as a family. onto bigger and better things and left the program, I realized I was next in line and it was my turn to be an example for the younger children.
Going through the Rites Of Passage stage of the program was a journey. It felt like years, when it was actually a few months. During this process, ten
Upcoming Events June 7 2nd Annual Rites of Passage / Awards Gala June 8 Alumni Gathering June 9 Rites of Passage Presentation Ceremony June 21 CB Boat Ride June 22 UJIMA Awards July 5th - August 17 CB Summer Program
Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. ~ Marianne Williamson 5
young men, including myself were going through a test, challenging ourselves as individuals while depending on each other as one unit. Through the ups and down, and disagreements, we all finally realize what the point of it all was. As a group we realized that we have things to offer each other to help us become better men. It was only when we combined our knowledge and abilities that we became powerful. Darius is currently a student at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania majoring in Criminal Justice and minoring in Sociology.
College Acceptances We are proud to announce the CB class of 2013 acceptances to the following Colleges & Universities Delaware State University Dillard University Hampton University Florida A&M University Johnson C. Smith Kingsborough College Lincoln University Morehouse College Shaw University Virginia State University Xavier University
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Credits Editor Horace Moore Newsletter Team Susan T. D. Rodriguez Paulette Benson Monica Britton Terri Butler Antoinette Miller Sharon Swain
NEXT ISSUE The latest happenings within CB, updates on our CB Families, CB committees, Parent Teams, Staff ! And much more…
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