| Sherman Browne, keynote speaker for the St. Thomas-St. John district Man Up conference, tells young men they have to "show up" in order to "overcome difficult circumstances" during the confrence at Charlotte Amalie High School on April 6, 2016. |
“Where you go in life is dependent upon the decisions you make today,” emphasized Sherman Browne, keynote speaker at this year’s MAN UP Male Empowerment Conference sponsored by the University of Virgin Islands and the Department of Education. The two-day event was held at the Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School on April 5 for middle school students and at Charlotte Amalie High School on April 6 for high school students.
Now in its sixth year, the 2016 conference themed, “All IN - INcluded + INvolved + INspired,” brought together young males from public, private and parochial schools in the St. Thomas-St. John district to provide them with effective tools and strategies for academic and career success. The conference’s new format included breakout sessions facilitated by 30 adult males that allowed small groups of students to discuss their interests and concerns openly.
Browne, founder and chief empowerment officer at AIMHigh, an educational empowerment institute that focuses on positive outcomes for young men of color, began his message to students by describing his own humble beginnings as a 7th grader in the classroom of now, Insular Superintendent Dionne Wells-Hedrington at Julius E. Sprauve Elementary School on St. John. He said he wasn’t a “good” student, preferring instead to be the class clown. After graduating from Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, he moved to New York City to pursue a music career as a rapper. When his music career did not take off, he decided to attend college.
Browne’s well-crafted message, sometimes delivered in rap, reminded students they all have abilities, gifts and talents. “But, to overcome difficult circumstances,” Brown said, “you gotta show up,” pointing out that some students viewed the conference as a day to skip school. “Your geography does not determine your biography,” he quipped, meaning their circumstances do not determine their success in life.
Browne’s presentation was enthusiastically received by students. Jabarri Hodge, an 11th grader, said he was “inspired” and hoped to graduate and be successful. Alonzo Moore, a ninth grader, thought Browne’s message was inspiring because he used rap to deliver it. Moore complimented Browne because he connected with his audience.
In her remarks, Department of Education Commissioner Sharon Ann McCollum, Ph.D., said, “It is a very dangerous time to be a young black man in the world today. The only thing that effectively combats guns, violence and drugs is education.” Commissioner McCollum said she sees as her “biggest mission, imparting the necessary information” that helps to ensure success for all students in the Virgin Islands.
Dr. David Hall, president of the University of the Virgin Islands, said the University became a sponsor of Man Up six years ago after seeing the “problems with young men in the community.” He asked the audience of young male students to raise their hands if they knew someone who had died from violence or was in jail. Many raised their hands. Dr. Hall said the sponsors of the conference wanted them to graduate, go on to college or have the career they chose. “We are invested in you, we want you to be our leaders,” he added.
Local radio personality Rashidi Clenance served as Master of Ceremonies. He encouraged participants to respect each other, make wise decisions, value education and avoid seeking immediate gratification. Clenance said he hoped the day would not be marred by violence, in an effort to detract from the conference’s purpose—to include, involve and inspire young males to stay on the right track.
Fernando Webster, career coach and youth specialist with the V.I. Department of Labor, served as a facilitator to a group session for Eudora Kean students. He said students talked about life and the myriad of issues they face as young black men. Webster believes they were inspired by what they heard, describing the students as a “cool group.” He hopes the conference becomes the impetus for a year-round mentoring program.
“Ripples on the Lake,” an all-male student singing group at Charlotte Amalie High School, gave an impressive acapella performance. Singing “The Star Spangled Banner,” “The Virgin Islands March” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” they complemented the dynamic and inspirational presentations from program participants and sponsors.
Michael Harrigan, deputy superitendent, was the lead organizer of Man Up 2016, along with Wynn Canton, Curriculum Center office manager and Elroy Donovan, Kean football coach. He offered heartfelt gratitude to all persons contributing to the success of Man Up and its sister event, For Girls Only, including:
Wynn Canton, Curriculum Center Office Manager and Committee Member
Nicole Smith-Thompson, Assistant to the Insular Superintendent and Deputy Superintendents
Elroy Donovan, Pupil Transportation, Kean Football Coach, and Committee Member
Atty. Alvincent Hutson, VIDE Attorney and Committee Member
Alcede Edwards, CAHS Principal
April Petrus, CAHS Assistant Principal and Committee Member
Erma Skelton, CAHS Assistant Principal
Joel Buchanan, CAHS Assistant Principal
Nneka Howard-Sibilly, CAHS Assistant Principal
Stefan Jurgen, Kean Principal
Deesha Powell, Kean Assistant Principal and Committee Member
N’jnanya Boyd, Kean Assistant Principal and Committee Member
Terence Corbett, Kean Assistant Principal and Committee Member
Alicia Leerdam, Kean Assistant Principal
Dr. Lisa Forde, Cancryn Principal and Committee Member
Elvis Richardson, Cancryn Assistant Principal and Committee Member
Judy Edmeade, Cancryn Assistant Principal
Carver Farrow, BCB Principal
Joey Skelton, BCB Assistant Principal and Committee Member
Merlene Jones, BCB Assistant Principal
Carol Benjamin, BCB Teacher and Committee Member
The following staff members made major contributions during the conferences:
Tara Olive, Curriculum Center Staff
Wandy Francis, Curriculum Center Staff
Brenda Fredericks, Curriculum Center Staff
Abia Clendinen-Jones, Curriculum Center Staff
Janna Niles, Curriculum Center Staff
Paul Smalls, Technology Department
Jahmar Adams, Technology Department
Ishmael Todman, School Lunch
Keithroy Roberts, School Lunch
All Secondary Kitchen Staff
Causton Merchant, Pupil Transportation
All Bus Drivers
All Secondary Teachers and Paras!
All Secondary Monitors
All Secondary SROs
From UVI:
Dr. David Hall, President, UVI
Dr. Haldane Davies
Brothers with a Cause of UVI
Sisters with Purpose of UVI
Jessica Taylor
Una Dyer
Facilitators:
30+ Male Facilitators from the Community who lead the Man Up Facilitation Sessions
30+ Female Facilitators from the Community who lead the For Girls Only Facilitation Sessions
Plenary Speakers:
Sherman Browne, the Plenary Speaker for the two days of Man Up
Atty. Su-Layne Walker, the Plenary Speaker for the two days of For Girls Only
State and District Leadership:
Dr. Sharon Ann McCollum, Commissioner of Education
Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Insular Superintendent
Racquel Berry-Benjamin, Deputy Superintendent
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Commissioner Sharon McCollum speaks to high school boys at Man Up, April 6, 2016, at Charlotte Amalie High School |
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UVI President Dr. David Hall tells high school boys he wants them to succeed and become leaders at Man Up, April 6, 2016,at Charlotte Amalie High School |
| Ripples on the Lake performs at Man Up, April 6, 2016, at Charlotte Amalie High School |
| Students listen intently during Man Up conference, April 6, 2016, at Charlotte Amalie High School |
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| Sherman Browne, keynote speaker, shares a light moment at Man Up, April 6, 2016, at Charlotte Amalie High School |