Teaching Youth about History in order to Succeed

Saving the black male was the topic of this year’s keynote speaker at the Bertha Lee Strickland Cultural Museum Black History Luncheon on Friday. The City of Seneca hosted the event attended by over 150 people in the Gignilliat Community Center. Dr. Roy Jones, director of the Call Me Mister Program at Clemson University, told those in attendance that teaching youth about their history and heritage is key in helping them succeed. “If a child, black or white, doesn’t understand who they are which they get from their history, their collective experiences in their families and communities, what you have are lost black or white children. We cannot save black males if we are not preparing black males to reach and fulfill their potential.” The Call Me Mister Program, started in 2000, educates young black males and points them to careers as elementary school teachers. It’s in those early grades that young black males are needed to help mentor young black boys. Seneca Mayor Dan Alexander spoke about his teachers and the path they help steer him towards in life. “It’s a blessing that each and every one of us is here today. To Dr. Jones, thank you for your inspirational speech. I see several of my teachers here and when I think about each everyone of you, I think about if I hadn’t known I wouldn’t be where I am today. All of us go in life, we take different paths but by the grace of God, hopefully we end up on the right path.” Currently, 17 students at Clemson University are pursuing degrees through the Call Me Mister program.