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| For Release: IMMEDIATE | Contact: Public Affairs |
| Date: April 22 , 2004 | (919) 807-6963 |
COMMUNITY COLLEGES RECOGNIZE SUCCESS OF MINORITY MALE
MENTORING PROGRAM
RALEIGH: Eric Turner dropped out
of school when he was 17. He spent time in the streets, dealing drugs and doing
wrong and soon ended up in jail. Today (Thursday), Turner was at the North
Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) sharing the story of his changed life
and thanking the Minority Male Mentoring Program (3MI) for making a difference
for him. He is now enrolled at Mitchell Community College and was recently
elected the Student Government Vice President.
Turner said the 3MI is a motivating, positive influence that makes him more goal oriented. He said the coordinators and advisors treat participants with respect. "They don’t look down on us, they lift us up."
"Wasted years and new beginnings" was the common thread for participants in the Minority Male Mentoring Project Initiative assessment and evaluation workshop. Participants came to share their successes and to plan for the future.
"We all come here with a goal and a dream," said Tyrone Starkie from Wayne Community College. "This program shows us that they are possible." Starkie came to Raleigh with four other Wayne CC program participants to learn how to make the most of the opportunities the 3MI gives them.
The primary goal of the Minority Male Mentoring Project is to increase the graduation and retention rates of minority males attending community colleges. Program participants attend retreats, community service activities, personal growth workshops, drug and substance abuse education, and spend quality time with faculty mentors. They serve as role models for other students and in the community.
Statistics show that of African Americans in college, 65 percent are women. NCCCS President Martin Lancaster told the group that this program is about improving the odds and getting more black males in community colleges and keeping them enrolled.
"This program is about giving minority males what they need to inspire them to succeed," said Lancaster. "This is a good start that will have long-term impact."
The 3MI is managed by Pam Little, Associate Director of Student Services at the North Carolina Community College System. Ms. Little works closely with each project at the five colleges. Today she had a chance to see how effective the program is and the impact it has on the lives of the students. She presented a plaque of appreciation to the director or coordinator present from each participating college.
Glen Robinson said before coming to Wayne Community College and the 3MI, he was told there was no hope for him. "This program has given me hope," he said.
Wayne Community College (Goldsboro) is one of five colleges participating in the Male Minority Mentoring Project. The colleges received grants totaling $98,100 from The Governor’s Crime Commission in the North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Safety. The four additional participating colleges are Durham Technical Community College (Durham), Mitchell Community College (Statesville), Piedmont Community College (Roxboro), and Southeastern Community College (Whiteville). Each college received $14,716 and was required to provide matching funds of $4,906.
The program is about second chances and new direction. Drug use, crime, and time in jail are part of the history of many of these men. The colleges offer counseling, education opportunities, role models, and most of all encouragement for these men who have had hard lives.
The participants at Durham are so committed to their studies, they decided not to take time from class to attend the event. Mitchell Community College was late arriving. They took time to register for classes before leaving Statesville.
Alex Brown, a student at Mitchell CC, said he had wasted so much of his life. "I am thankful for this opportunity that gives me a goal, something to strive for."
Keith Hughes from Piedmont Community College said the program "lets me know somebody cares about where I end up."
Larry Jordan, also from Piedmont, said the program provides "a change in my life and the way I’m thinking. I’m headed in a new direction."
Another benefit of the program for the participants is camaraderie. Bobby King of Southeastern Community College said it best. "This is a challenge, but it’s something to love. We are a family and these are my brothers. We have love, character and focus and we want to do right by everybody."
Many of the students have plans to continue their education after graduating from their community college and have the grades that will help them succeed.
That success has been recognized and rewarded. The Governor’s Crime Commission has awarded the System Office a second grant, increased to $125,000, to fund a second year of the Minority Male Mentoring Initiative at the five colleges.
That’s great news for Arnold Feimster at Mitchell CC. He wants to see more young men helped by this program. "I made some bad choices, but this is my time, my season," he said. He wants to go into the community and reach out to boys in junior high and middle school, before they can get into too much trouble.
James Imes wrote a poem about the program on his way to Raleigh for the workshop. He rapped for the group and received a standing ovation. It illustrates the depth of emotion felt by all in the room.
3MI
by James Imes
This program is an honor just to be involved in/
'Cause when it comes to helpin’ a fellow brother, I’m all in.
Full steam ahead, no half steppin’ or stallin’/
Rather we’re travelin, studying, just chillin’ or talkin’/
I think these are some guys that I can learn to trust/
Down to Earth Kats like myself, and I’m earning their turn/
No stagnant brains around here man, learning’s a must/
And after the learnin’ the knowledge we’ll be earning them bucks!
I’m strivin…toward my peak potential/
And I’m trying to be a young man complete with credential/
Taken under the 3MI wing to mold my mentals/
I’ll break my neck to not let ‘em down it’s that simple.
And I love the way these brothers just offer support/
I’m truly consumed with this…like an awesome sport/
Linking up with my brothers of all sorts/
So 3MI is superb…and I’m all for it.
-NCCCS-
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