Principles of Success Motivational Program January 2021 Newsletter |
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I am enormously proud to inform you that our Principles of Success Motivational Program celebrated its seventh season at our culmination ceremony on November 14, 2020. The entire 2020 program year, including the culmination ceremony, was conducted via a virtual platform. During our application period in March 2020, it became apparent given the COVID-19 pandemic that we would not be able to conduct our program in its usual form – monthly in-person sessions held on the campus of the University of Southern California. As the entire world was trying to adjust to the new way of life under the pandemic, so was POS. Several factors were considered– the uncertainty of whether the 2021 program will be held in person, a loss of momentum within local communities by postponing the POS program for one or more years, and a lost opportunity for our participants and their parents who signed up for a 2020 POS program. Ultimately, it was the positive impact the program could have on our participants and their parents that drove the move forward with a 2020 cohort. Also, considering the intense news coverage of the social injustices against people of color, ignited by the killing of George Floyd, we thought it imperative to move forward with a POS program this year. Through the leadership of our successful and professional men of color, a virtual 2020 program was created that maintained all crucial aspects of our program’s content and adhered to social distancing guidelines. 2020 POS Program Structure: - Consistent with prior years, the 2020 POS program ran for six months (from June/July to the culmination luncheon in the November). Virtual sessions were conducted every two weeks (with two sessions held in consecutive weeks in respect of the holiday weekend).
- The structure of a basic program session was revised to fit a ninety-minute agenda conducted through Cisco Webex. To ensure every participant had the necessary equipment, POS provided those in need with computers, headsets and microphones.
- Mentors met with their mentees virtually every two weeks typically between POS sessions. Mentors used a form of video conferencing (i.e. FaceTime) to communicate with their mentees in the absence of being able to meet in person.
- Guest speakers provided additional insight and perspective into the path of a successful person of color. A few key speakers included Wally Adeyemo, former President of the Obama Foundation and President elect Joe-Biden’s nominee for United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, and Derek Smith, Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers who specializes in media and technology advisory in assisting some of the worlds most notable companies (e.g. 20th Century Fox Film).
- As usual, participants, both first year and alumni, were asked to read a book and write a book report following certain guidelines. Additionally, they were required to memorize the POS mantra, the 5 Levels of Commitment and the 4 Habits of Successful People.
- Lastly, our parent workshop series continued for the benefit of parents whose sons participate in the program. These popular and heavily attended sessions held virtually.
The 2020 POS program included 26 participants who, along with their parents, guardians and guests participated in a virtual culmination at the conclusion of the 2020 program. The event included pre-recorded videos and live commentary of both participant reactions to the 2020 POS content and parent testimonials. Based on the parental feedback, the growth we witnessed in the participants throughout the program, and the comments mentioned during their pre-recorded videos, we are confident that we achieved our goal of having a positive impact on the lives of these young men of color. We would like to thank the men who came together to create the virtual program structure for us to continue to deliver the POS messages, the participants who remained attentive and willing to absorb the lessons provided, the parents who offered their support and guidance as key extensions of our mentors, and everyone who has given us constructive feedback in order for us to continue to improve and provide fruitful sessions. As we continue to follow the impact of COVID-19 on our environment, we will adjust the go-forward structure of the POS program based on the guidelines provided. Based on current status, we will, in all likelihood, continue with a virtual program for the 2021 program year. From myself and all of the mentors, we look forward to another successful year with the Principles of Success Motivational Program. Robert Taylor Assistant Executive Director |
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Our sons and our nephews had the pleasure of participating in Principles of Success' 1st virtual mentoring sessions. The team did an outstanding job facilitating the online sessions and keeping the young men engaged. This was no easy feat because of the online school platform. BRAVO! Our young men enjoyed the sessions and showed responsibility by completing all assignments on time and well. It was good to see them operate at a Level 5 commitment in achieving their goals. Our oldest son worked on time management and has been able to maintain his grades and balance other activities. Our youngest son worked on procrastination and received a 4.0 on his report card, which he had never achieved before. The oldest nephew became focused on preparing for college and goal setting, and the youngest nephew worked on maintaining good grades and staying focused in school. Dr. Holmes was amazing in how she navigated the parent workshops. She helped us understand how to communicate more effectively with our young men. Sharing with other parents allowed us to realize that you're not alone in this parenting journey. The mentoring sessions were also so worthwhile! The mentors spoke of their successes and failures. One of the most important lessons shared by the mentors was how to get back up once you experience a setback. We had the pleasure of having Mr. Ellick and Mr. Samilton as our sons' mentors. Both of them were there for us during very difficult times in our lives, and we had the opportunity to support their family during a very trying time as well. POS was a blessing for our young men. It was encouraging for them to see the transparency of African American men of integrity. It's so important for our young black men to have role models. This is a vital need that POS fulfills for many young African American men with and without positive male role models. Thank you, Mr. Dyer and the POS team, for stepping out of your comfort zone to have this virtual session for our young men. You showed them how to rise to the occasion in spite of the challenging circumstances that COVID-19 presented. Keep up the good work as you lead with compassion, integrity, and love to help change young African American men's lives for the better, which will positively impact future generations. Many BLESSINGS and much LOVE! The Daaku & Woods Families |
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Last year I received a phone call from a dear friend who presented me with an opportunity for my son to be in the 2020 Principles of Success motivational program for young men of color. My friend enthusiastically described the program’s purpose of self-empowerment through goal setting, developing good habits, communication, and financial literacy with an exposure to a wide a range of professionals. Before the call ended, I was committed to assuring my son this opportunity. Soon thereafter he was accepted into the program, very excited to be selected, and even more excited that he would be attending his mother’s alma mater on the USC’s campus as a young student and someday possibly become a business owner. My son and other black male youth have always been invited to the USC campus as athletes but rarely invited to envision themselves as a future business owner, educator, CPA, lawyer, engineer, doctor or other professional; this time on campus was going to look and feel a little different. Soon after, I learned of the murders of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, both young, unarmed Black people at the hands of armed, white men, both in uniform and plainclothes. Then George Floyd died after several minutes of yelling, “I can’t breathe” and bawling the words “Momma,” pleading for a police officer to stop pressing a knee into the back of his neck during an arrest. Next, our country was shut down due to the COVID19 virus; this meant no school, no public gatherings, no sports programs and for us, then, no Principles of Success because college campuses were ordered to close too. I thought, what are we going to do now? It was frightening to watch my son turn 13 in quarantine; as African-American mothers, we are living in an especially troublesome time sandwiched between the current public health threat of Covid-19 and the longtime reality of police brutality. We are confined by racism, a pandemic, and limited opportunities.I remained hopeful and handed my fears over to the Lord. My prayers were answered with an email from Mr. Don Dyer assuring that “the show must go on” and POS would continue remotely during the current nation’s difficulties. The experience and message of the pandemic was just in time to support and teach young men about universal principles that will help them achieve success, even during the most adverse times. The remote program was a success. My son is a smart young man, but he is very shy and struggles to use his voice and take initiative. POS shifted my son’s future career mindset, raised the sound quality of his voice, and helped him become a more confident and responsible young man. It was such an honor to watch him sit in his bedroom at his desk, dressed in a collared button-down shirt and tie, and recite the POS mantra. I am forever grateful to all the mentors and their commitment to our son’s future.
Cheyenne Pierce Mother of Mason Collier POS Participant Class of 2020 |
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May the New Year bring you peace, health, joy, and success! |
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