Young black males:Intervention needed before it's too late

Yesterday evening, I attended a  college fair at my former high school with the Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) admissions department. Everything went extremely well. I spoke with at least ten students about ECSU, and the opportunities that it has afforded me. It felt really good to go back to my former high school and walk the halls that I walked four years ago. I reminisced on my days as a student leader at Greene Central from 2005-2009. I vividly remember Friday night football games, afternoon announcements, and scurrying to class when the first bell ringed. After the event was over, I pondered to myself and realized that something was missing. There was something about the college fair that felt void, but I just couldn't figure out what it was until it hit me like the light bulb came on. I realized that there were no black males at the college fair. I could not remember seeing or speaking with any black males during the entire two hour fair. It was totally appalling and very alarming to me that there was either a lack of interest from the young brothers at the school, or we caught them all at a bad time. I thought to myself and concluded that the absence of young black males at that small college fair goes far beyond those high school walls. Not only are young black males often absence, but they are far behind in comparison to their counterparts. Despite having a black president in the White House only 52% of all black males graduate from high school, and 1 in every 15 black males are in prison. It's no secret that young black males are an endangered species and immediate intervention is needed to turn around some of these startling statistics. There is no overnight cure to solve these intricate problems. However, one thing is for sure; early intervention is imperative to the success of young black males. I also believe strongly in the old adage "it takes a village to raise a child" however, we realize that in today's complex society this adage is not utilized like it was "back in the day." As a 22 year old black male with a father who has been incarcerated nearly all of my life. I know full well the challenges that my peers face. The odds were against me from the very beginning, but thankfully I had an intervention before it was too late. I struggled throughout primary and elementary schools academically and behaviorally wise. It wasn't until middle school that my intervention took place. I started attending church with my neighbor and joined a small store front church in Stantonsburg, NC, called Powerhouse Church of God. It was there that I found a savior and a loving environment that taught me how to love myself and others. Powerhouse showed me the way to Jesus Christ, and that was when my intervention took place. I've had some bumps along the way, but because I knew and still know that God has a plan for my life I keep on pressing. Failure is not an option. I am a living witness that its never too late, and although the odds may be against us we can succeed. I encourage my black brothers to defy the odds and transcend the statistics. One by one we can make a difference and change this world. Your intervention may not be the same as mine, but find whatever it is and use it to propel you forward. Find your intervention today!!