 |
Daryle Unseld
Senior Manager, Community Engagement |
As I reflect on my time as a youth
growing up in Louisville, I’m thankful that I had many caring adults who
encouraged me to dream past high school. I can’t help to think where I would be
without that encouragement from those who served as
an extension of my parents and grandparents, by pushing me to work hard, study
hard and make the most of myself. From all walks of life, this cadre of both formal and informal mentors never gave up on me, and wouldn't allow me to give up on myself.
I can also name countless individuals
including relatives and close friends whose dreams have been derailed. The fact
remains that in our community, many of our boys and young men of color fall
into the category of “at risk." And while we wait for the calvary that’s never
coming, the gang and drug culture consistently but negatively demonstrates how
effective mentoring partnerships work.
I can speak from personal experience
that as a young black male the struggle is real! And because of who you are,
and where you come from, often times you are marginalized into insignificance
by the mainstream.
There
are some harsh realities facing many young people in our community.
Particularly, issues that disproportionately affect boys and young men of color:
