Young Professional Panel...Back by popular demand.

Coming back soon. The Young Professional Panel

Brief:  An opportunity for young people to ask the real questions, how, where, when, and what do I need to do in order to be successful and get the job I want. Most importantly, the answers will come directly from the people who have those jobs. 

Mykia, The College Student: Started from the bottom now I'm here!

Below is a post by Sunflower, Mississippi native Mykia Clayton who recently graduated high school and the youth development program, the Sunflower County Freedom Project. Mykia completed her six year program at the Freedom Project and is now starting her next journey which she plans to blog about. Enjoy!
 

Wow! It's amazing how quickly times fly. Seems like just yesterday I wrote my first blog post as a freshman in high school in Sunflower County, MISSISSIPPI!! I was a scrawny, little kid trying to maneuver my way throughout high school. I haven’t done a good job of posting, but there is no better time than now to start back. 

      

Well, now I’m a freshman, or as they call us, a First Year student at Elon University in North Carolina. I’ll be moving in and starting fall orientation today, WHEWWW!! I’ve been planning for this for so long, but some of those same nervous feelings are resurrecting inside of me. Feels like my insides are clashing with excitement and fear. The past four years have been one heck of a journey. So many things I’ve encountered, obstacles I had to overcome. For example, I struggled trying to keep my morals intact. There were many times where I felt like I was losing myself. I found it very hard not give into the norms of my community rather staying true to who I was.  I met some really amazing people and then there were ones who were not so great for me to be around. All in all, with the good and the bad, I’ve doubled the knowledge I started with. It's been one unbelievable ride growing up in the Delta, going to the Freedom Project (GO SCFP!), and trying to figure this thing called life out.  Now, I just hope that I’m prepared for what life is about to throw at me these next four years.

       

Being here in North Carolina has already taken some toll on me. I find myself feeling pretty alone and wishing I could go home or take Elon to Mississippi. But neither one of those are an option. I know I'll have lots of decisions to make these next four years, I just hope I make the right ones, you know? And definitely make good grades. I have so many people counting on me not to fail. I can’t afford to make mistakes now. This is where mistakes get crucial. I struggled really hard Monday, leaving home. I felt like a baby bird jumping out of its nest for the last time. This time momma bird wasn't going to catch me. I have to fly this time. Yeah the time for greatness starts now. We’ll see where this path will lead me. For now I’ll keep you guys out there posted.

For those who might not know, there's a song out that says "Started from the bottom now we' here." Check out this quick video to see where I started from here (Meet Mykia). 

The only question now is, "just how far can I go?"  Thanks for reading...wish me luck.

 Mykia

Together We CAN. The CANclusion (get it?)

  “ …A small group of dedicated individuals CAN change the world…”

1st Can run. Cashier thought i was just really hungry.

First, on January 18th, I sent out a morning email to a “small group” of friends and family. The goal was to support a company led canned goods drive for Mobile Meals of Greensboro, NC.  At United Health Care, we have a great sense of corporate responsibility, and I wanted to do my part to ensure that was reflected in our local efforts.

Next, the response was immediate and overwhelming. Within 48hrs, this “small group of dedicated individuals” contributed over 300 additional cans on top of what I already donated. How cool is that?! After seeing box after box that my “small group” donated, some coworkers even took me up on my offer to pick up canned goods for them on one of my runs.

Finally, after two weeks of anxiously waiting, a company email went out announcing the winners and more importantly the results of our site's food drive.  At the top of the list was Greg McKoy.  (Notice the incorrect spelling of my last name, McCoy.) As I wondered who this person was and how to best congratulate him, I pondered even more on how this effort would have been possible without the support of all of you. :)  Congratulations to Cornesha Ward, who's donations and lucky number helped her win a personalized rap song. Cornesha is also a former Freedom Project student who is now living and working in Washington, D.C. Thank you all so much for helping us more than double our total from last year.

“Never doubt that a small group of dedicated individuals can change the world, indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”  - Margaret Mead

Thanks to A Small Group

Thanks to a small group,

a few seeds were planted.

Thanks to a small group,

those few seeds grew.

Thanks to a small group,

few became many.

Thanks to a small group collectively,

And thanks individually to you.

-         MC

Once again, thanks for your support and inspiration. Until next time...

Let's make it happen,

--Greg McCoy

Together We CAN pt.1

Together We CAN...

It amazes me the power of people working together, especially when it's towards a positive goal.  We can achieve so much more together than working individually, yet so often we limit ourselves because we want to "figure it out," "be independent," or sometimes, just not be bothered with the hassle.  I'll be the first one to raise my hand to have been guilty of this, but also the first to say that I'm reminded often of how much more we advance and develop personally when we work collectively.  Does that make any sense?

I'm excited about the concept of working together. From the Civil Rights movement, to Volunteer Match, to Kickstarter, we've seen the power of focused collective action.  One of the most amazing observations of this phenomenon was captured by the quote from Margaret Mead. She definitively noted,

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. " Margaret Mead

Let's make it happen,

--Greg McCoy

 

Thankful for Sunflower and Freedom

I'm thankful for the Sunflower County Freedom Project. If you haven't had the chance, check out the new website for the SCFP.  It's a truly amazing organization and around this time I often think about the opportunities many of the students have through the program. Right now, Kenyon King is in college on a Gates scholarship at American University and Luke Washington is in law school.  Those are just some of the amazing stories from small, humble, and dedicated beginnings. The staff at the SCFP is an outstanding group and are adding so much to the organization. I'm thankful to be able to support such a great organization.

If you haven't seen the trailer for the new documentary, by SCFP staff alum Carmen Scott, definitely do so:The Sunflower County Freedom Project

Thankful.

David Banner on Wealth Building

Seeing this type of an article truly makes me feel good about the place, power, and opportunity hip hop has to positively influence so much.

David Banner’s 4 Money Management Lessons for Black America - Black Enterprise

Freedom Project Video Shoot

We shot a bunch of scenes for the the SCFP video shoot for B.o.B's "Don't Let Me Fall." Local news station, WXVT and the Enterprise-Toscin covered the event. These are some photos from the shoot!