INSPIRE Young Men of Color (YMOC) Origin Story

While growing up in the ’80s and ’90s, my siblings and I got scolded if we got bad grades in school. Not doing our homework was not an option. Getting bad grades or acting up in school got us beatings, sometimes in front of the whole class. So you can understand that I did not want to bare the shame and being teased by my classmates if our parents had to lend a hand to our backsides when we acted up in school or did not turn in our homework.

Cause and effect. I did not want to feel the belt to my rear end, so as an effect, I excelled in school. I excelled so much that I received the mayoral award for being one of two people on top of my school’s electronics program. I also received work-study in my senior year and was awarded the opportunity to participate in Morgan State University’s summer engineering program.

I was elated when I learned I was in the summer engineering program. Being in the program will allow me to see what Morgan State University’s engineering program is about and meet new and interesting people my age. Since long ago, I’ve forgotten many facts about how Morgan State ran the program, but two specific things have stayed with me all these years. The first was a creative drawing competition using Autocad (a computer-aided design and drafting software) and the awards banquet dinner at the end of the program.

Introduced to Autocad, the instructors told us how the software works and instructed us how to use it. They gave us a little nugget introduced that day as well. Whoever had the best design using the Autocad program would receive an award at the program’s closing dinner banquet. And naturally, I won the contest using Autocad to draw my favorite video game character at the time, Super Mario Bros – Mario.

Being told I had won the contest, I called my mom and told her about it and that there would be an awards dinner banquet. I begged her to come and bring the rest of the family to support me – to show up. I could have asked her until my face turned dark purple; my mother didn’t budge. She told me that she wasn’t coming.

I remember sitting at one of the banquet tables, an 18-year-old black boy, just looking at the front door, hoping someone I knew would walk through. No one showed up. Being there with all these strangers and their families, and my family is missing in action, created anxiety and embarrassment. I watched the other kids laughing and talking with their families, and I felt truly abandoned. It was a feeling I had never felt before and something I wished for no one. Growing up, I felt neglected before and unloved and cared for, but that day was the worst. Here I won a competition given by a prestigious organization and was receiving an award for being the exemplary child, for doing good, yet no one showed up. No one came to support me.

 As the banquet continued, I kept watching the door – looking and hoping someone would come and support me, but no one did. Then, finally, the hostess called my name to receive my award and give a speech; being on that stage, looking out at those families, it felt like forever. And that feeling of abandonment took root in me, and I was saddened. Walking back to my seat felt like I was being harassed and teased by many bullies. I felt so out of place and wanted to run away.

At the end of the banquet, I had to catch the bus home, and it was a grueling ride. All these thoughts began running through my head. I became upset even more. I was angry. It was the longest bus ride returning to a house where I knew no one cared about me.

“There are miracles and glory in every child. Our glory lies in empowering them to flourish their glory.” –Amit Ray

“Stay focused , go after your dreams and keep moving toward your goals.” — LL Cool J

“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.” — Confucius.

In the summer of 2012, I pondered some decisions I had to make about USL Magazine. I wanted to do something – to help our young black boys, so they wouldn’t have to go through what I experienced. God had me remember the summer engineering program and that feeling of abandonment. It was like the dinner banquet happened the day before. I began to tear up and felt like I was that 18-year-old- black boy all over again. Twenty-two years later, that incident still profoundly affected me as when I was 18 years old. I started thinking that no child should have to experience that feeling. So the inception of INSPIRE Young Men of Color (YMOC) came to be that day. I wanted to be a beacon of light for young boys who do not have the support at home needed to help build, grow, and nurture their aspirations. I wanted to inspire, even with a small gesture.

About INSPIRE Young Men of Color (YMOC)

INSPIRE Young Men of Color (YMOC), creates partnerships between Young Men Of Color, ages 12-18, and mentors winning in their fields. Seven (7) young men with aspirations in the music, entertainment, and fashion industries get featured in a fashion editorial, receive one-on-one podcast interviews and in-person mentorships by leading professionals, and are invited to a Meet-N-Greet DJ/Artists Session – all brought to you by USL Magazine and uslmag.com.

INSPIRE Young Men of Color (YMOC) is presented by 1PKC Media & Publishing Partners, USL Magazine and participating partners. Join us by reaching out to our team or completing the brief form below. Any support (donations, gifts, or your time) will be greatly appreciated and well deserving to those Young Men of Color who dream and uses that dream to fuel their aspirations.

Tree Sound Studios, Atlanta, GA, Photographer, Karlos Matthews, Producers, Christina Fernander & Patrick A. Kelly, Stylists, Producer Papa & Nigel Xavier, Models, Producer Papa & Nigel Xavier, MUA, Patrice Story

Soho/Chinatown, NYC Photoshoot Credits: Photographer, Hyun Gu Kim, Producer & Stylist, Patrick A. Kelly, Models, Donnell Morris and Lance Wilcox, Dancers, Undefeatedonez, Hair & MUA, Dani Scarcella

If you or anyone you know knows Young Men of color ages 12-18 with a great interest in music, entertainment, fashion, and the arts and are passionate about what they do, please tell them about the INSPIRE Young Men of Color (YMOC) Campaign.

Join us by reaching out to our team. Any support (donations, gifts, or your time) will be greatly appreciated and well deserving to those Young Men of Color who dream and uses that dream to fuel their aspirations.

Go To: INSPIRE Young Men Of Color (YMOC) Campaign Presented By USL Magazine and 1PKC Media & Publishing Partners