Over the Mother's Day weekend I attended my cousin's graduation at Lincoln University. For those who don't know, Lincoln is a HBCU (Historical Black College/University). It is actually the first. My only fear was the same as it is for all black hosted events, finishing on time. I was pleasantly surprised when the ceremony finished in a timely manner. Anyhow, my point of this article is to express how proud I was to witness the acheivements of our young people.




I constantly feel that our black youth don't realize how capable they are of changing the world, but to see such a large group taking advantage of the opportunities that are given to them feels really good. As these young people go out into the working world, being black may feel like a con at times, I say it is definitely a pro. Whether corporate America knows it or not. We have to remind these graduates that being black means they come from a line of Kings & Queens, so their chances of achieving greatness are nothing less that guaranteed. Whatever field you decided to go into, make sure you go in remembering that many have suffered and died for you to have this opportunity. Don't make their sacrifices be in vain.

Your intelligence and abilities will be greatly tested without a doubt, unfortunately that's just the way it is, you WILL be targeted. Of course, these are obstacles that will you will overcome, because remember, generations before you were rulers of great nations, they overcame struggles that we will never experience and they are still standing! You may have to work ten times harder just to get half of what your other coworkers have, do it. Remember this world doesn't owe you anything, so self pity is never allowed. While you do want to be successful, you truly want be a man or woman of honor, from beginning to end.

Most importantly if you don't remember anything else, remember that once you make it to the top, which you will, giving back to your community is a must. You will run into many that may have had the same chances as you but didn't take it. It is not your job to remind them of their past, but to encourage them to do better at whatever point they are in their life. This is your time! It is your time to become a role model for the upcoming generation. In closing I will leave you with my favorite quote:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talents and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others"

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