Black Youth Leadership Programs Help Our Kids Crush Misconceptions of Us – and Our Future

Joseph C. Phillips, BlackAmericaWeb.com

Few things are as satisfying as proving a common sentiment false. Whether in the media or in barber shop discussions, we are often led to believe that the priorities of our young people are askew and that black men do not take an interest in their communities. It is little wonder the beast cynicism so often rears its ugly head.

Last Monday, while speaking at the African American Youth Leadership Program’s annual summer conference, I was inspired by several men of character and spent some time with some truly dynamic young people. It was a pleasure seeing often spouted misconceptions, along with my doubts about the future, blown to smithereens.

The AAYLP is sponsored by the Research and Policy Institute of California, a non-partisan think tank dedicated to issues affecting the black community in California.

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