Have you ever been to a place where from the moment you walk in you feel supported, encouraged, empowered and accepted? If not I beg you to find that place because I found mine at the 14th annual Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB) Annual National Conference.
This past weekend I traveled to a place that many others only dare to dream of. A place where males of all minorities come out to support one another through whatever they may be going through as well as encourage each other to do their best in every aspect of their life by being the best version of themselves.
There were seminars of empowerment and finding your true potential, and on not bottling up emotions that minority men are not supposed to show.
The conference was held in Atlanta, Georgia this year from April 5 through 8. Over 900 students and 80 advisors attended, representing 27 colleges and universities in full force.
The theme of this years’ conference was “Destined, Determined and Dedicated.” This was instilled on the first night by the founder of SAAB Jerome Bledsoe. There were panels on the direction of education that were informative. Yet what really was eventful were the seminars held by Richard Taylor Jr., Brain Heat and Ernesto Mejia, three motivational speakers that tour the world giving words of inspiration to those who need it.
Each brought something amazing to there seminars that many of us didn’t even know we were lacking or needed.
Taylor Jr., who overcame his own struggles with weight and self-doubt inspired us to do whatever it takes to get to where we need to be to make a change and be happy.
Heat was the hypeman you or I have always wanted. His energy was undeniably powerful only to be accompanied with words that you felt in the deepest parts of your being.
The most important part of his speech is that we were all born exceptional. It is society and self-doubt that makes us want to settle for mediocrity and he will not allow it and neither should we.
I personally had a conversation with Heat and now I’m rethinking my whole career and life plan to see if I am settling or going for the most challenging and rewarding situation?
Finally Mejia, a former educator, broke down the emotional wall of every stoic faced, strong-willed attendee, while opening our emotional floodgates. All it took was one simple exercise of writing a forgiveness letter to a person who had wronged you or caused real emotional damage to you.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house including yours truly. I wasn’t even able to finish the assignment and I was informed by Mejia that was ok, but I do have to someday write that letter and deal with why it makes me feel the way I do. This is because success and happiness in life will be unattainable with that burden weighing me down.
I left that conference not only with great connections but as a better student, leader and all around person. The words these men said to us reminded us why we work so hard. It reinforced why we can’t give up and why we must do our best. We have to be the example and change we want to see in this world.
Justin A. Baker
Staff Writer
