Back in March a few young men from TSU & Fisk helped plan the first #BlackMaleForum. 1 thing I learned was to give young men the opportunity to showcase & practice their #dreams. To Pimp A Butterfly Connection: Right now young black men in college are in the cocoon phase. Steps to move from the cocoon to the butterfly 1. Stop & eliminate the number 1 distraction in your life. ( 5 distractions from the guys: women, money, motivation/laziness, your boys, and confidence 2. Always surround yourself with purpose driven people because they will make sacrifices for you that you cannot make for yourself. 3. Spend two hours everyday working on your dream! This is two hours outs of study time and work time 4. Serve something that is greater than yourself. Why? Process of service teaches grace and humility 5. Take the practice and start the dream now. (personal note provide opportunities for young men to demonstrate their dream) 6. Hold those who have responsibility & accountability for your development accountable 7. Science says that they are 50 cells in the cocoon phase, but during the transformation 50,000 cells form. If the cocoon is touch during this transformation stage it dies. Don’t be touched by the wrong people because then you die. Protect your 50,000 imaginations. #BlackLivesMatter #BlackMaleInitiative #MenofColor #BlackMaleForum #BlackBoysMatter #HBCUSMATTER #HBCU #MentorshipMatters #FiskUniversity #TnStateUniversity