Chionesu Bakari Newsletter Dec '15/Jan '16 by Chionesu Bakari

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

Celebrating 10 Years

December/January 2016 vol.3 issue 02

INSIDE THIS ISSUE DIRECTOR’S WELCOME

Flip Over to View our 10th Anniversary Calendar of Events!

AN ALUMNUS REFLECTS ON CB LESSONS

CB BUILDING CONNECTIONS @ RUMBLE, YOUNG MAN RUMBLE 5

TAJ GIBSON & CB YM GIVE BACK

LIFE LESSONS FROM DR. GEORGE C FRASER

COMMUNITY & GROWTH IN PARENT MEETINGS

CB FAMILY HIGHLIGHT

NEW! ALUMNI CORNER

Namaste, Happy New Year! We wish the very best 2016 to all our young men, families, friends, and supporters. May all your needs be met and your desires be fulfilled. We are in full swing of our 10th Anniversary celebrations! The bar has been raised in every area of Chionesu Bakari, from the young men’s programming, our parent engagement, staff ’s vision and goals, and broadening the visibility and exposure of our brand. Most recently our young warriors (14 - 16) wrote and performed “A Dialog with God.. The Cipher” in which Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr. Huey P. Newton and other historical leaders discussed the challenges for young men today. Our seven Rites of Passage candidates continue to serve, by participating in valuable community service efforts. CB’s 2016 is full of celebratory events, and we begin this month with our hotly contested, Bowling Contest at our 4th Annual Bowl-A-Thon. We will round out this month with a celebration on January 31th, as I and CB Staff member Keir Nelson are honored with Eldership at St. Paul Community Baptist Church. In February, all the CB young men will travel to North Carolina and Atlanta for college tours at Shaw U., Johnson C. Smith, NC A&T, Morehouse, Spelman and Emory. During the trip we will also enrich the young men with visits to MLK Jr. House and the World of Coca Cola. Upon returning we will celebrate Black History month on February 27th with the MALIK Fraternity, Inc., honoring Congressman Charles Rangel, CEO of Campaign for Black Male Achievement, Shawn Dove, and renowned journalist, author & blogger Denene Millner. March brings our first Mother/Son Dance and in April we will host our first Parent/Son retreat, as well as a skate party that is sure to bring some family laughs! To add more fun to the mix, our very own CB Family Feud night will be held in May. June 10th, will be a Spectacular night to remember at Chionesu’s Annual Gala & Rites of Passage Celebration. At this year’s Gala we will come together to celebrate my 10 years of leadership and 10 years of our organization’s dedication to transforming the lives of young men and their families. I am excited by what the committee is planning for the night. You do not want to miss this year’s Gala! However, the celebration doesn’t end there! On July 10th we will commemorate “Founder's Day”, the opening of the 10th CB summer program with a special one-day cruise event. Finally, to close out the program year in August, everyone is invited to a “Get on the Bus Getaway!” In the spirit of celebrating we want to ensure that our 10th year is packed with fun events that bring the young men and their families together and encourage parents, friends and supporters to get involved. Please check out the events page on our website for more information. Every CB Alumni college graduation is proof of our impact, so please join me in congratulating CB Alumni Moses Lewis and Justin Allen for graduating from Shaw University this past December! I also wish safe travels to the CB young men who are returning to their colleges and universities. A special shout of thanks goes out to the Chionesu staff, for all the work they have done and continue to do behind the scenes. I look forward to an amazing productive year building with the young men and their families. In Gratitude Horace L. Moore, Founder/Executive Director Chionesu Bakari Program for Young Men

Letter from a Young Black Man CB Alumnus Ishmail Muhammad reflects on CB brotherhood and lessons that turned him around and opened his College doors. I am proud to say that I am a CB Alumni. Why do I Say that? Because I am proud of the young man Chionesu Bakari has raised me to be! My Name is Ishmail Muhammad, I am eighteen years old and I attend Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU). I joined Chionesu Bakari in July 2009. I didn't know what I was getting myself into. I only knew some of the young men that were in the program before I joined. There I was, Ishmail Muhammad - CB Alumni - ROP thinking it would be all fun and games, like a summer camp. I was still playing around and cursing at people; ask Elder Vaughn, (CB Staff & mentor), he will tell you. Even after getting my first big brother, Brandon Armstrong, I still didn’t totally understand the concept of Chionesu. I knew that I would remain a Pauper (one of the levels in CB) until I was able to say the Warriors Prayer and recite the Self Discipline creed. So, I practiced and on the day it was my turn, I listened to myself recite both and I made it to the Warrior level. It was then that I realized that Chionesu Bakari wasn’t just like any other kind of summer camp. The young men were my brothers. We were all helping each other to become men. Mr. Moore, Elder Young, Elder Vaughn & Mr. Nelson were each teaching us. As the years went by, in Chionesu, I saw myself grow mentally, spiritually, and physically. Before CB, I didn’t know about letting women sit down on public transportation, reading books regularly, having someone care enough about me to discuss matters of hygiene. And yes, my dad was around, but CB was different. As I began to mature, Mr. Moore told me there was one thing I had to work on, "Humility"it was not easy putting my pride aside. Unfortunately, all of my cockiness caught up to me in my senior year of high school when I had zero regents and thirty two credits. It was not looking good, I had not been accepted to go to any college. At that point my beautiful mother (Millicent Smith) was on me everyday, crying, and arguing, all because she wanted the best me for me. However, I wanted to do whatever I wanted to do. One day I had a sit down talk with her and Mr. Moore and he recommended I start a class at York College, working with Sister Shirley Dye of the "You can Go to College” program. I went on their college tour and during the tours, because of my grades, I didn't get accepted to any programs or even get a 2nd look. When we got to the very last school, Johnson C. Smith Ishmail Muhammad @ University, I was discouraged. That is until CB Alumni, big brother, JCSU graduate, Roberto Johnson C. Smith '20 Winters and CB Alumni Rennie Coburn walked into the admissions office. Because of my relationship with my CB brothers, they vouched for me and thank God, I got in! On the way home from the tour and during the time I was going through my Rites of Passage ceremony, the CB Gala and foot washing ceremony, I kept thinking, "I don't even know if I'm graduating high school and all of this is for me!" It would of been a heart breaker if I didn't pull through. But I realized the way was being paved for me and it motivated me to be determined! I passed all five regents and passed every single class, in the clutch when it mattered most! Now that I'm in college, I can say that there isn't a single area, Mr. Moore, Elder Vaughn, Elder Young, Mr. Nelson, John Robinson and the Alumni didn’t share to prepare me college. I am still transitioning into being my own man, but I know that I am blessed. I owe it all to my beautiful, strong, independent mother, as well as my immediate and CB family. I know while in North Carolina, I can deal with anything that comes my way because, my family is only a phone call away. Thank you, Ishmail Muhammad, CB Alumnus

Rumble, Young Man Rumble V FOUNDER/EXEC. DIR HORACE L. MOORE JOINS PREEMINENT NATIONAL LEADERS AT CONFERENCE TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF BLACK MALES

Shawn Dove, CEO Campaign for Black Male Achievement

What a difference a tweet can make! Thanks to David Banks, President/CEO Eagle Academy Foundation and Cheryl Ford, Founder/President of Black Butterfly, along with connections made through social media, Chionesu Bakari garnered the attention of Mr. Shawn Dove, CEO of the Campaign for Black Male Achievement (CBMA). Through an invitation from Mr. Dove, our founder and visionary, Mr. Moore attended the Rumble, Young Man Rumble V* (RYMR5) Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, this past December.

Thabiti Boone, Fatherhood Adviser to Allan Houston Legacy Foundation & Horace L. Moore, CB Founder/Exec. Dir.

CBMA is a national membership network that seeks to ensure the growth, sustainability, and impact of leaders and organizations committed to improving the life outcomes of Black men and boys. Mr. Dove, along with Rev. Dr. Alfonso Wyatt, Founder of Strategic Destiny developed the The Rumble, Young Man Rumble conference to bring together consummate mentors, change-makers and dynamic local and national leaders to network and share ideas. It affords the leaders in attendance with opportunities to meet, network and create collaborations with like minded leaders in the field around the country. Mr. Moore went with an open mind and spirit ready to give and receive. He shared the unique model and vision of Chionesu, along with the key components of its successes thus far. It was a fair exchange, as Mr. Moore received ideas that helped refuel his journey to continue building on CB’s next levels and expansion road-map.

Young man from Bronx, NY & Horace L. Moore at RYMR5

This was an opportunity well worth the trip, as not only did Mr. Moore return refueled with ideas to benefit CB young men, he also leveraged methods to infuse reflection and growth mind-set for parents, with positive affirmations, scriptures and workshop topics for the CB Parent Institute. In addition, the fruitful collaborations resulted in the recognition of three donors who are thoroughly impressed with the Chionesu Bakari program. Joshua DuBois - Frmr Head of the Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships White House

Looking ahead to the upcoming April Parent/Son retreat, CB families will further benefit from the connections made, as we invite several dynamic speakers to lead workshops at our retreat. Additionally, Mr. Dove has extended an invitation to CB’s staff to engage and gather more information at next year's conference.

Thandor Miller, Dir. Training & Youth Development - D.C. Children and Youth Investment Trust Corp.

What started as simply sharing insights on Social Media, blossomed to true connections and partnerships with leading change-agents for young black males. We are thankful for the power of Social Media broadening our reach and enabling connections to gather more visibility and support to the vital mentoring, college prep and character & leadership development work we do with young men.  By Tosca Myers

*The"Rumble, Young Man Rumble" themes are based on the edifying counsels between Muhammad Ali and his corner man Drew Brown. http://www.blackmaleachievement.org/RYMR

Santa in Brooklyn with CB Helpers CB VOLUNTEERED & GAVE BACK THIS CHRISTMAS AT CHICAGO BULLS TAJ GIBSON'S ANNUAL TOY DRIVE Do you still believe in Santa? Some say they do, especially when he shows up in the form of 6'9", 225lb Chicago Bulls basketball player, Taj Gibson.

CB Young Men preparing Toys

On December 20th, Brooklyn born Gibson partnered with WNBA NY Liberty player, Epiphanny Prince to display one of the true meanings of Christmas -- giving back to their community through their annual Toy Drive. As a double blessing our CB Young Men volunteered by assisting

and greeting children during the event. Over 1,000 excited kids lined up at the Charles A. Dorsey Community School P.S. 67 in the Fort Green area of Brooklyn in anticipation of this 3rd annual Holiday Toy Drive. They received gifts that included, Game consoles (PS4/XBox), bicycles, dolls, Star Wars robots, Easy-bake ovens and so much more. The CB young men volunteering, set up, packaged and distributed gifts, gave out hot chocolate and escorted children in to choose gifts. They also received gifts too -- CB young man Jaeden J. (along with cousin, Alexander P.) both received mountain bikes and younger brother, Jordan received a Nerf dart blaster. Jaeden commented "it's a good idea the he (Taj) gives back to the community because not everyone can afford to buy or give gifts at Christmas time.” CB Young Man

Chicago Bulls Taj Gibson & CB Young Men

and volunteer, Ameer M. also received a bike and got the chance to speak with Taj and share that he attends the same high school that Taj did HS of Telecommunications, Art and Technology. A special thanks to CB Social Committee member Charisse Smith, (who works in Education Reform) for coordinating with the Gibson Family to provide this rewarding opportunity for service, for the CB Young Men. We look forward to partnering with Taj Gibson in future community service events and workshops for the CB Young Men.  By Paulette Bailey

George C. Fraser seminar inspires #Rising2Greatness CB YOUNG MEN SOAK UP KEYS TO GREATNESS AND LIFE LESSONS FROM DR. GEORGE C. FRASER In December a group of our young men took part in a seminar led by Dr. George C. Fraser, worldrenowned motivational speaker and CEO of FraserNet entitled “Rise2Greatness,” at the BRIC House in Brooklyn. Fraser, who was born and raised in Brooklyn returned to his hometown to give the evening seminar specifically to share his experience with youth. George C. Fraser CEO FraserNet

Dr. Fraser, a passionate speaker, discussed purpose and perseverance based on his life experiences. Chionesu Bakari Youth Liaison, John Robinson Jr., stated that he was moved by the knowledge shared on that evening. “The one thing that I took away was whatever one chooses to do in life that they should be the best at it.” CB YM, Joshua Miller stated that he was struck by Dr. Fraser’s passion saying, “he was a no nonsense type of guy, but what I remember most is that he said you should love what you do and work hard to be the best at it.” The young men came away encouraged and positively impacted, hearing Dr. Fraser, that if you love what you do then you’ll do your best. 

By Antoinette Miller

Community, Support, Growth... Family in the CB Parent Institute Almost 10 years ago, when Horace Moore founded Chionesu Bakari, he knew that in order for it to be effective, there would need to be a mandatory parent component for the families (primarily at the time, single mothers) of the young men so that they could support one another and reinforce the young men's curriculum in the home. Today, those efforts have been extended to address the needs of our current families, which include married couples, single parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. The over-arching theme is FAMILY, and there is a constant reminder to everyone that “they are not in it by themselves”. Oftentimes, during group sessions people discover someone they can look to for support and guidance because a similar experience connects them. What has now become the Chionesu Bakari Parent Institute is a community and an established network of resources for the young men and their families. Twice a month 90% of the parents/guardians of the young men come together for workshops, program information, presentations, networking, prayer, and to examine and discuss real life situations that may be affecting their sons and families. It is a safe space where trust is needed, solutions are provided, and the CB Village is cultivated through positive relationship development. “The Broken Pieces session Recently, parent Toni Miller, facilitated a workshop entitled “Broken Pieces” where reinforced my belief that it is the objective was to examine how we respond to situations with our sons in the most important for a young man to hostile, unrecognizable moments that may be experienced from time to time. The have a relationship with his workshop used a story involving a mirror being broken into many pieces and was father. The workshop inspired compared to the brokenness within our sons and us as parents. The goal was for by the real life example of parents to walk away realizing that it’s okay to not know what to do and understand events showed the power behind that the “answer” doesn’t always come easy. “It’s okay to revisit situations and encouraging one another to conversations later” was the overall sentiment of the night. Most importantly, it is rebuild broken spirits.” imperative that we are able to recognize our son’s likely/unlikely behavior traits to CB Parent Hyacinth Jordan further identify their crisis mode. Parents were also challenged to reflect & share son ~ CB ROP Candidate - Najee Quick ways in which they are broken from past hurts and the importance of recognition healing, re-building and prayer to better support and raise our sons.  By Charisse Smith

Welcome, Tiffany Cobb and son, Ohaj! Tiffany Cobb & son, Ohaj (13), joined CB in the Fall of 2015. They were introduced to CB by Tiffany’s mom Marie Cobb. Tiffany, a member of St. Paul Community Baptist Church since 1985, enjoys working with children as a teacher at the Salvation Army’s Early Childhood Center in Brooklyn, NY. Ohaj, has a brother Esu, 4 and a sister Cherish, 11. He attends IS 318 (in Brooklyn) and is in the 8th grade. Ohaj is a very active young man who loves sports. He has been playing football 6

for three years and currently plays with several of his CB brothers on the Brooklyn Renegades. According to Tiffany, Ohaj fully embraces the responsibilities that come with being fit and prepared for football. He diligently monitors his food intake and has learned how to discipline himself in order to stay fit. Tiffany is amazed by her son’s ability to analyze situations and engage in great conversations. Ohaj is inquisitive, very observant and hungry for knowledge. When spending quality family time

with her children, they enjoy skating, running or anything physical. Tiffany’s prayer is that one day CB will be in a position to mentor even more young men than is possible today. Although Tiffany is new to CB she really enjoys the support available for both the young men and their parents. Tiffany hopes her son internalizes and replicates the life long lessons on manhood that are being instilled in him at CB.  By LaTasha Green

Alumni Corner We proudly introduce the new Alumni Corner! This section will allow you to keep up with CB Alumni as they share where they are now, their latest achievements & messages. If you are a CB Alumni Parent or Young Man, send in your updates to info@youngblackmanonline.org.

Mcfredy Antoine Mcfredy started CB in the Fall of 2006. He is currently a Junior at the University at Albany where he his is studying Informatics and expected to graduate in May 2017. He says "Chionesu impacted me with lifelong friendships and discipline. From the affirmations that were taught to us to the confidence in being a young black man, I can honestly say Chionesu guided me into being a driven person. It also drove me to be more aware of who I am". Alumni Parent: Leslie Biamby ~ When Leslie thinks about CB she says "...... though the program is geared towards the young men, without it being stated, it builds a sisterhood amongst the women because of its "village mindset". Leslie works as a Hospital Patient Account Rep. and is currently pursuing her passion for self development and writing. In Jan of 2015 she created her writing blog My Faith Heels You can check out her blog by going to www. myfaithheels.com.

Xavier Hurt Xavier joined Chionesu Bakari in 2009. He is currently a Sophomore attending Delaware State University and on tap to graduate in 2018. His major is Criminal Justice, he has a GPA of 3.76 and he is on the honor roll. He serves on the student government and is also a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). Xavier commented that "the best part [of CB] was being able to travel so often and so far. It definitely showed me at a young age that there was more to life than Brooklyn". Alumni Parent: Ann Marie Hurt has worked with the Board of Education for the past 17 years and is currently a Math Teacher and Afterschool Program Director of Sports and Arts at Frederick Douglass Academy VIII, Brooklyn, NY. She says that "CB was beneficial to Xavier and I commend them for his success and shaping him into the young man that he is today".

Justin Allen Justin is one of the original first 30 young men to join Chionesu Bakari (2006). He has recently graduated (Dec 2015) and completed his studies at Shaw University in Raleigh, NC where he majored in Mass Communications. Alumni Parent: Betty McKie Allen ~Retired four years ago from the US Postal Service where she worked for 32 years. Because of Chionesu Bakari, Justin is the first male in his family from both his mother and fathers side to graduate from high school and go straight to college. All the other men in his family went straight into the military after high school.

10th Anniversary 2016 Calendar of Events

Join us as we Celebrate 10 Years of Chionesu Bakari Transforming Young Men & Families! January 2016 January 29 Annual Bowl-A-Thon January 31 St. Paul Community Baptist Church, Brooklyn Board of Elders Consecration & Celebration - Horace L. Moore & Keir Nelson -

February 2016 February 13 - 20 CB YM College & Enrichment Tour

CB 1st Annual Mother/Son Dance (Date to be Announced*)

April 2016 April 10 CB Family Skate Night CB Parent & Son Retreat (Date to be Announced*)

May 2016 CB Family Feud Game Night

(North Carolina & Atlanta, GA)

(Date to be Announced*)

February 27 MALIK Fraternity Black History Gala www.malikgala2016.eventbrite.com

June 2016

March 2016 March 4 Guardians Association's Gala Community Service Award Honoring CB Founder, Horace L. Moore www.bit.ly/hlmooreserviceaward

June 10 5th Annual Gala & Rites of Passage Celebration Honoring CB Founder, Horace L. Moore www.youngblackmanonline.org/ cb10gala2016 Visit our website for the latest info on all 10th anniversary events & Sign Up for our Mailing List!

June 12 Rites of Passage Ceremony

July 2016 July 1 CB Summer Program begins July 10 CB Founder's Day Celebration

August 2016 "CB Get on the Bus" Getaway (Date & location to be Announced*)

August 13 CB Summer Program ends

Visit Chionesu Bakari Online Learn More about our Program Support Young Men!

www.youngblackmanonline.org Follow us on @cbyoungmen Twitter Instagram @Chionesu Bakari Facebook

Credits

Executive Director Horace L. Moore Newsletter Team Susan T. D. Rodriguez Paulette Bailey Terri Butler LaTasha Green LaToya Kittrell Antoinette Miller Tosca Myers Charisse Smith Sharon Swain

Cover Picture: 1st CB Away Trip ( 1st 30 YM), Houston Texas ~ circa 2007.

CHIONESU BAKARI, a Swahili phrase meaning “Guiding Light of Noble Promise,” is engaged in the ministry of saving and developing young black males by reclaiming, renaming, renewing and reconditioning their minds. We strive to motivate young black male children to think critically and prepare their minds and the minds of their respective parents/ guardians for the men they will grow to become.

This newsletter is published by: Chionesu Bakari Program for Young Men 859 Hendrix Street Brooklyn, New York 11207 Phone: 347-708-2008 info@youngblackmanonline.org www.youngblackmanonline.org Available online at www.youngblackmanonline.org/news.