"When an elder dies, a library burns to the ground" -African Proverb-
Be My Library is a concept created in Chicago (2019) with the idea of not allowing our wisdom, history, storytelling, insight, and guidance end. As a well traveled individual, I've valued the power of community. Our youth become much more successful with various positive influences. BML serves as an extension of these positive influences. We tackle current events, discuss tough issues, and prepare the kids for a bright future. BML gives a space for our youth to be heard as well as to be guided. Most importantly we want our youth to know they have us in their corner. With the help of a 17 year professional basketball career abroad, it has allowed me to grasp worldly concepts and interact with people from all over the world (18 countries, 4 different continents). I've gained a wealth of knowledge during my journey and I must pay it forward to my community.
Our vision is to plant and nurture the positive seeds in our youth. Many kids have an idea of their future but lack the village around them to solidify self pride, confidence and knowledge along their journey. BML prides itself in providing the necessary tools and resources in strengthening our youth's progress to success.
From a worldly perspective, BML aims in connecting city youth with positive role models. Using Sports, Art and community pillars to educate and guide the youth to available resources and opportunities. We believe that these seeds of hope can grow, flourish, and lead to an amazing journey of infinite opportunities.
Check out this great video
We encourage the art of reading with book suggestions on our social media accounts!! We understand the power in social media and technology but there is still unbelievable power in reading!!
With so much going on in the world today, we value the importance in allowing our youth to speak and articulate their feelings. Our group discussions on current events and everyday life is a prime necessity at BML.
I am a father of three incredible daughters. Being a father of minority children has been a challenge on multiple levels. F.I.G.H.T. is my attempt to organize a summer girls group talk (F.I.G.H.T.) for minority girls ages 10-16 here in Copenhagen.This is an attempt to offer a safe haven, community, and unity for young girls/teens that m
I am a father of three incredible daughters. Being a father of minority children has been a challenge on multiple levels. F.I.G.H.T. is my attempt to organize a summer girls group talk (F.I.G.H.T.) for minority girls ages 10-16 here in Copenhagen.This is an attempt to offer a safe haven, community, and unity for young girls/teens that may have felt different in there everyday surroundings.Healthy discussion with parents on site (if need be) will allow a platform for the participants to express their true feelings and be understood. We all want the best for our children. With F.I.G.H.T, it can give a clearer vision and better understanding of how to navigate through life a bit easy.
This program was originally designed for the Martinsville City Public School System. Although education will be an important part of the program, discussions that stem from everyday life will be the main focal point. E.Y.E wants to create a landing space for our youth to feel 100% safe to allow them to fully embrace what we have to off
This program was originally designed for the Martinsville City Public School System. Although education will be an important part of the program, discussions that stem from everyday life will be the main focal point. E.Y.E wants to create a landing space for our youth to feel 100% safe to allow them to fully embrace what we have to offer. Getting a firm understanding of what seems to be important to our youth is a key component in having a starting base of understanding, relationship building, and mentoring to have genuine connections. Proper etiquette, Community building, Time Management, Decision Making, Test Taking Methods,Wellness, Mindfulness, Study Habits, Stress Management, Goal setting, Emotional Intelligence and Control, Well-being, Motivation, and Proper Communication Skills will all be ingredients served to our youth members. The goal is to hit on all of these points in a variety of methods and discussions organically. Topics will be addressed in different order based on where the group is emotionally. We will have a main topic in every meeting that will enter sub topics to create content and substance for the group. The discussions will embody a vast majority of current issues/events that will be elaborated on to help our youth unlearn certain behaviors and norms, allowing a better chance to think and grow healthier. Our goal is to develop the soft skills that our young people may be missing that may be serving as a roadblock to their progression.