Christopher Emanuel, A Champion for Children and Families

Let me ask this: what happens when children don’t have “Real Models” to look up to? What happens when the very people that brought children into this world don’t exemplify healthy love? What happens when children don’t have a village? What if I said, “When the community children stop crying, the community is dying.”  I invite you to stop reading for a moment and think about that.

I was reared in a time where as soon as the street light came on I had to be back at the house. A time where if I was doing something I had no business it was OK for someone from the village to say, “All right now, you know better. Do I need to call your grandparents?” A time where grandma always had a home-cooked meal. I was reared to be respectful, yes mam/ no mam, or yes sir/no sir. I can recall a firm voice, yet gentle voice saying, “Always walk like you own the ground with your head up.” I can remember being told be mindful of the company you keep. My grandfather was a businessman, a family man. He worked for his last name not his first name. His last words to me were, “Get an education and don’t let me down!” My grandmother was a community activist and community organizer who participated in the March on Washington D.C. in 1963. My grandmother would always say so eloquently, “What do I think is right?” I always remember my grandmother telling me to fight for what is right! (My grandparents knew how to lay it on me for sure).

It’s beautiful even in their transition to the celestials (Heavens). Their words and their actions modeled are still guiding/teaching me today. You’re probably reading this and wondering where was my Mother and/or Father right? Let me say answer that. My mother and father were very young when I was conceived. I call my Mother Wonder Woman. Seeing her work, handle business and take care of me was, and still is, inspiring. My father was involved but not engaged. He was present but not there; however, he showed me what I didn’t want to be. I’m grateful for him helping bring me in this world. Everyone played a role in shaping me, supporting me, and nurturing me. Family is important to me and I always told myself, “One day I’m going to model this for my children.” 

Fast forward—-What if I said they stole my daughter? What if I said in the land of the free and the home of the brave children are for sale? (That’s a story for another day.) Let’s just say I fought and won. Now, I have full custody of my daughter. I wish someone would have told me what I would have to endure to be a great Dad. Remember when I said, “One day I’m going to model this for my children.” Well, here I am. Only difference is I have a new question(s) that came about: What about the children who don’t have real models like myself to look up to? Children pay more attention to what we do more than what we say as parents, educators, mentors and professionals to list a few! Then, I can’t help but wonder who/what are children watching and what’s being modeled for them to see. I’m talking television programming, radio programming and social media programming to list a few. Key word, “programming”. (Never mind, I don’t want to get caught up in that!) We know the problem. I’m not a fan of wasting energy. I believe in high-level conversations and being intentional with my words and thoughts. #HighVibrations. I’m sure you over-stand where I’m going with that. I rolled up my sleeves, put on my boots and went to work in the trenches. 

Through fashion, Parental Development and a particular focus on Youth Development conversations were stimulated in safe spaces with the implementation of One Circle Foundation’s Boys Council and Girls Circle. Read this slowly…. GAME CHANGING! We began to take a deeper look at our students' strengths and using strength-based technology to identify their gifts and utilize their talents. We realized we created a placeholder to elevate and heal our areas most vulnerable youth. Where I’m from there isn’t anything constructive for the youth to do. So kicking in doors and pulling out guns to strip someone for a pair of shoes, clothes and/or to merely provide to help their Mother is a norm. The unhealthy mindset of going to jail/DJJ is ok because they feel at least they have somewhere to rest their head and eat, is a norm. Having sex with multiple partners is a norm. Cursing is a norm. Catching a body (murder) is a norm. Anyways, back to point. By utilizing OCF’s curriculum students feel heard, they overstand the power of their voice and their problem-solving ability has increased. Their words changed, their thoughts changed and ultimately their actions changed. Our students know how to courageously communicate their emotions. Our students own their CROWNS. It’s our responsibility to model what we want our children and students to be. It’s our responsibility to provide #HOPE so our students can become Human Optimal Performance Experts. 

I grabbed my phone and began to type, “Grand Rising Kings and Queens. Today is the day you own your voice. This is the moment we’ve been waiting for. It’s your TIME.  So when you get in front of that camera, talk your talk! I’m about to be in route.” [Then, I grabbed the van keys.] All I’m saying is, what’s a movement without the youth! We have to take care of those who will one day be taking care of us. When the communities children stop crying, the community is dying! Do you hear it? If so, what are you waiting on? Lock in with us at OCF!