Boy, 14, offers his wisdom at seminar on black males

By Sean Barron

The Ursuline student said it’s imperative to surround yourself with people who will help you.

YOUNGSTOWN — If 14-year-old Jason Whitehead II has children one day, he plans to do everything he can to be central in their lives and prime them to be community-minded.

Such stability makes it more likely they will stay on the right track.

Similarly, youngsters his age who might be tempted to make poor decisions need to know they have the power to turn their lives around.

“In school, surround yourself with people who will help — not hinder — you in getting where you need to be in life,” Jason advised.

The Ursuline High School student’s goals and sentiments were influenced in part by comments espoused by a panel of several speakers who made up Wednesday’s second annual program titled “The Status of Black Males in Youngstown: Fathers and Sons.”

Jason came to the two-hour seminar at the Covelli Centre with his father, Jason Whitehead, who’s Mayor Jay Williams’ chief of staff/secretary.

The program was moderated by Clarence Boles, president of the Sheridan Block Watch, and was in conjunction with The Buckeye Review, the area’s primary black newspaper. Its focus included ways to strengthen father-son relationships in the black community and what an ideal black family should be.

The seven-member panel was made up of Jemma McWilson, director of the Educational Empowerment Initiative; M. Mike McNair, a media consultant; Kevin Jackson, a probation officer with the Mahoning County Juvenile Court; Rick Alli, a security consultant and 30-year member of the Youngstown Police Department; Kenneth King, an educator, historian and former radio talk-show host; Dr. James Rogers, a political consultant and educator; and Dr. Benjamin L. McGee, education consultant and former Youngstown schools superintendent.

Panelists were asked to address what they felt is essential for a healthy black family to thrive, as well as the role of education in fostering father-son bonds. Members also shared their perspectives on dealing with a father or son who’s incarcerated.

Consensus among several speakers was that one of the biggest gifts fathers can give their sons is their time.

“No child can raise himself,” Alli said.

Also, a youngster who wants to be a man must first assume the responsibilities of being one, Rogers said.

A positive black family “is culturally competent and spiritually grounded,” King said, adding that many youngsters’ perceptions of relationships are patterned after how they see their parents and other relatives interact with one another.

“Love them because they’re yours,” McWilson added. “Show it 24/7, 365 [days a year].”

Education can go a long way toward contributing to positive family dynamics. Nevertheless, parents must present consistent messages of what’s expected of their children, McGee noted.

Along the same lines, many communities used to help rear young people, holding them accountable for choices they made, Rogers recalled.

A report released about six months ago noted that about one in three black men will be in the criminal justice system, which points to the need for a greater emphasis on preventing youngsters from getting caught up in the system, Rogers said. Prevention should begin as early as preschool, he added.

Black inmates who have demonstrated they have changed their lives can be helpful toward reaching kids on the streets. Many incarcerated fathers, however, can do little more for their sons than try to steer them from making the same mistakes, Jackson and King said.