“I chose to surround myself with experiences that strengthened my self-esteem and self-respect.” CJ Stewart, co-founder of L.E.A.D. on how he was able to work his way out of the inner city of Atlanta instead of giving into perceptions, both self-imposed and societal, that define young black males there.
Read CJ’s blog post “Sir Isaac Newton’s First Law of Motion, or How to Affect Change” to understand his perspective on:
- Why he is qualified to speak on behalf of the black male population of Atlanta;
- What a life of poverty does to a person, especially a young person, and what we can do to help change the debilitating effects of poverty on a person;
- What Sir Isaac Newton’s First Law of Motion has to with the change he wants to see take place in Atlanta, especially for at-risk black youth living in the inner city;
- How one’s perception plays into the perpetuation of racism;
- Why it is important for him to acknowledge the existence of racism, and how that helps him lead an at-risk black youth living in the inner city of Atlanta; and
- What he suggests about creating opportunities around Sunday worship that, he believes, will bring about a change in perception.
And, remember … Feed Your Good Dog so your good dog always wins!