MLK Jr. Celebration at Francis Parker, San Diego, CA.

This morning I had the pleasure of speaking to over 500 students at Francis Parker Middle and High School!  I had a very respectful and captive audience of extremely motivated and talented students who know doubt will make an impact on their community.  I was asked to speak to honor and celebrate the life and service of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and share why his birthday needs to be a "day on" and not a "day off" from school.

The focal point of my message was that the students at the school have a choice in the way they want to live their lives and to think about the world wide impact they can have if they apply themselves to make a difference for mankind.  I shared that there are three chairs that every young person sits in throughout their life.

• The first chair is the chair of the cynic!  The cynic is always talking about what they don't have instead of what they do have.  The cynic leads with negative motives and tries to bring down others to promote themselves.  With the cynic nothing you do is right or worthy of praise!
• The second chair is the chair of the camper!  The camper decides to "camp" at a certain point in their life and never has the motivation to go the extra mile.  The camper can do more with their life but would rather take the easy road.  The road of least resistance!
• The last chair is the chair of the champion!  The champion believes that if they can dream it...they can receive it.  The champion never gives up and does their best to be their best despite obstacles that may come up in their life.  A champion continues to be the best they can be and stays focused on their mission and vision.

Overall, I believe that my message was well received and at least 100 students personally came up to me after the presentation and shared how much the message meant to them.  One student said; "Thank you for your message...it really touched me and I discovered that all these years I have been sitting in the chair of the camper and letting my life get influenced by the cynics.  Today, I realize is the day I move my seat and become a champion!"  I was told as a young man that if I make a difference to just one person for one moment that I have done my part.  I know that many students were impacted by my words and I hope gained a deeper appreciation for Martin Luther King, Jr. as well as the importance of developing their full potential.

I hope to return to Francis Parker and to continue to support student excellence everywhere!

Back to Poughkeepsie, New York

Just got back from Poughkeepsie for a second time!  This time I spoke at the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority 40th Gala Fundraiser.  What a great event!  Over 260 folks were there to support the cause and I was the featured keynote speaker toward the end of the event.

I talked about breaking out of a box called common.  I let them know that their is nothing common about them!  That the world is ready for them to take their place in leadership to make this world a better place.  Folks laughed, some cried, and others sat with amazement as I went through my testimony and shared open heartedly about my experiences growing up and knowing that I am called to do something great in this world.  And so are you!

I can't wait to go back...Poughkeepsie is feeling like a new home for me!

2009 United Way of Dutchess County Campaign Kickoff

Just arrived in Poughkeepsie New York as their featured Keynote Speaker for their annual United Way of Dutchess County Campaign Kickoff event held at the elegant Grandview Conference Center overlooking the Hudson Bay.  A good friend and former classmate from Northeastern University advocated for me to be this year's speaker.  It has been over 16 years since we have seen one another but he remembers my keynote address at Northeastern University like it was yesterday.  Find something that you love to do and do it so well that people eventually pay you for it!

Tomorrow I will be sharing my testimony and strategy toward success that I like to call the P.O.W.E.R. of leadership.  P.O.W.E.R. is an acronym which stand for:

P = Purpose and passion

O = Opportunity Chaser

W = Willingness to go solo

E = Enthusiastic Spirit and

R = Relationship Builder

I am very excited about tomorrow.  It will be a great opportunity for me to share my life story and help turn the hearts of those who live in the Hudson Valley.  Everyone that I have met has been very kind and this is a very special place to be...somehow, someway, I think I will be coming back - at least I hope so...

Pathway To Life Event at San Diego City College

Spoke at San Diego City College Pathway to Life Event last Friday to over 500 youth on Probation.  I wanted to remind them that when one door closes in their lives another door opens.  The challenge I told them is that when a door closes on them not to close the door of opportunity in their hearts because other opportunities will come their way but if they are not open to them they will pass them by.

Many young people  expect more in life than they deliver!  I posted the video under my video link so please check in out and share your thoughts with me on Facebook!  If you can dream it...you can live it!

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