Cesar Chavez started his first fast to deter a violent reaction to the violence that was directed at the organizers. He believe this to be the only way to true change. Today we gave a presentation to the students Northern Light School in Oakland, CA in remembrance of his contribution to our people. I am proud to have such an inspirational example and can only hope to be a fraction of his stature.
Happy Birthday Cesar Chavez, Que Viva
Celebrating Diversity at the University
I gave a presentation on Celebrating Diversity at Penn State University for students and faculty. It was the first of two for an organization called The Commission On Racial/Ethnic Diversity, CORED. Their mission is to actively support University wide diversity initiatives that foster teamwork, collaboration, and communication among racial and ethnic constituencies in order to ensure inclusion, equal opportunity and success for underrepresented communities. This fits perfectly into my mission as I have continously tried to educate both students and educators on racial barriers that prevent oppressed students from believing they can attend college. I was honored to be there and I hope that my message will be long lasting.
A Combination Presentation For Students And Teachers
I started 2013 with a combination of presentations to both students and teachers at Isbell Middle School in Santa Paula, California. I not only had a chance to share with and encourage healthy choices with students but I also got to provide information on how to serve at-risk youth to educators. A beneficial way of creating a dialogue between the students and staff, not to mention that it cost the school less to sponsor both during the same visit. Under our current budget circumstances, every little bit helps.
I began with a presentation to the staff. The staff had been working towards building meaningful relationships with students in order to foster higher academics since school began in September. Most of my staff development for educators focuses on just that. It was an hour and a half seminar that was highly participatory. They laughed, interjected and shared throughout the presentation. After, I receive words from several teachers on how impactful and important this message serves.
The following day I spoke to the students. The school was broken up into two groups. First a 6th and 7th grade combination followed by the 8th graders. The presentations focused on making wise choices that will help pave the way towards a healthy future. Being it is a middle school, I believe it is important to make them aware that high school is right around the corner and it is the likely place where the pressures of drugs, violence, and promiscuity will confront them and their choices. The students listened attentively and absorb the words as if hungry for a healthy alternative. It was a very powerful moment that I believe will be lasting.
Student Assemblies To End The Year
2012 is coming to an end and I finish my motivational speaking with two student assemblies to Sierra Vista Middle School in Sunny Side, WA. I enjoy doing middle school student because their energy is invigorating. Prior to the first presentation, a counselor approached me to share his memories of how impactedful my presentation for him was several years prior. So much so, that he advocated to bring me back so that his current students could benefit.
After close to 20 years of motivational speaking, I am still humbled by such comments. I could not help but feel inspired and felt more so determined to send a message that was both motivational and inspiring. I did not disappoint. The energy of the students was powerful and my experience was positive as the students eagerly listened to the message of making healthy choices. The students were receptive and demonstrated their appreciation with a standing ovation. After the presentations, hundreds of student circled
to shake my hand and share some of their own experiences. School board members inquired about coming back for a staff development or teacher inservice. But what really left an impression was seeing the counselor looking content and satisfied with my delivery. All in all, not a bad way to end the year.
A Motivational Speaker Travels to Las Vegas, NM
My job as a motivational speaker requires that I travel to various schools and communities through out the United States as well as some other countries. Although I take great pride in delivering a message to youth, teachers and community members that can be both compelling and inspiring, the travel can take its toll. I have seen over the years how one must learn to have a lot of patients. You may wonder, “Why do it?” I cannot count the number of lives that have been impacted by the message. Everyone wants to believe in the possibility of making it in life, achieving ones dreams. I, as well as the other members of Homeboy Goes to Harvard Productions, provide a living example of that possibility. For this reason alone, I endure and will continue with my travels. This time it takes me to Las Vegas, New Mexico. There I will give a keynote presentation at a youth conference designed to educated high school students on life after high school. Lets hope for a powerful impact.
The Benefits of a Motivational Speaker
A teacher recently approached me and asked if I believe in the benefits of a motivational speaker who looks, speaks, and comes from the same back ground as the students she serves. Although many youth motivational speakers have the ability to crossover into various audiences, my experience has demonstrated that if a student sees someone who understands their cultural reference, the impact is that much more significant, particularly if the student already feels isolated and alone. My answer was simple, “Yes, I do believe in the benefits of a motivational speaker who comes from the same back ground as the students she serves.