I live my life as a servant, seeking to empower and enrich people’s lives on a daily basis. My passion to uplift people is birthed out of my struggle that I have overcome as a 13-year CANcer survivor. This has led to my work as an author, community activist, high school teacher, speaker, and TV correspondent on CW 50. I have recently worked with the Detroit Parent Network as a mentor for the program “Pathway to Excellence” which exposes 31 young black males to opportunities in the medical, law, and business field. Many of the young males are dealing with a myriad of issues but I help to engage, educate, and empower them to see value in their own lives. I speak to cancer survivors, those who are fighting diseases, and individuals who have lost loved ones by sharing my story and helping to strengthen their lives. Much of my greatest work is in the classroom at University High School, where I teach young students everyday. I’m reminded that "young people are like Kodak film because all they need is development and exposure." Each day I make an impact on the minds of students by building positive relationships and making information relevant to their lives. The results of my actions have led to people changing their lives, thinking positive, uplifting their communities, graduating from high school and going to college, and the simple words “you inspired me to make a change in my life, now I’m inspiring someone else like you inspired me.” This is my calling and it’s what believe being a servant is all about.

• community building (helping to create or promote a sense of belonging and caring)
• news and information (increasing residents’ timely access to news and information)
• arts and culture (inspire public dialogue or create shared experiences that contribute to a sense of place and community identity)

There are too many young black males who are reading below grade level or are illiterate. How can our young black males empower the next generation if they can't read? There is a link between education and incarceration. Within metro Detroit, 75% of our young people don't graduate from high school and 80% of Juvenile Delinquents do not have a high school diploma. These statistics support the fact that there is an educational genocide taking place within our communities. This project will address reading, comprehension, the importance of education, and life skills.

A reading diagnostic test will be given to see what level student reading/ comprehension is on. There will be 15-20 students (between. 9th -12th grade) who meet with the instructor, twice a week for upwards to four months. A book club will be developed to strengthen the literacy and life skills of students. Students will be exposed to powerful literature and books such as "Letters to a Young Brother", "Make Me Wanna Holler", and "Purposefully Prepared to Persevere". Students will engage in dialogue, keep journals, and methods in which to practice life skills (such as professionalism in the work place, job interviews, professional attire, self-respect, personal hygiene, developing positive relationships, academic excellence, etiquette, college readiness, community responsibility). What makes my idea unique and innovative is that I will make the books experiential for the boys who are apart of the book club. I would like the young men to take trips to the Charles H. Wright African American History Museum, DIA, luncheon with influential men in the city, etc. Bringing in motivational speakers/authors to empower young males. I will share my story as a 13-year CANcer survivor which will inspire and empower the young men to overcome their personal obstacles and find strength in every struggle. I desire to expose our young males to rich literature and provide positive experiences that awaken and ignite their dreams.

I will seek to develop and enhance the linguistic/literacy skills of students. I will help to develop critical thinking skills, greater academic achievement, and provide mentorship in the lives of young men. Also this book club will equip and empower students with self-awareness, self-esteem, and self-respect that will foster personal development and community involvement.

up to $50,000

Eddie Connor

This will engage the families of the participants, because students will take the information they have learned and empower their families and communities. This project will address ways that they can improve their lives, communities, and the lives of those they interact with daily. This project is rooted in empowerment, overcoming obstacles, staying focused, and being an asset to your community.