|
A former high school teacher, Parker, who also is known by
the moniker of Mr. B. Clean, runs a youth group in Omaha
called the Black Angels. Additionally he is principal of an
after-school program titled Students of Success (S.O.S.).
“Every child is a star,” Parker told his audience. “We just
need to find out what is our rotation in the universe.”
More than 70 students were on hand at the Mott Branch
Library to hear not only Parker’s message but also those of
Steve Steel, Ph.D., president of the Toledo Board of
Education; Crystal Ellis, Toledo Public Schools’ chief of
staff, Cecelia Adams, Ph.D., assistant superintendant and
Michael Ashford, City Council member and YMCA official.
The students were participants in the Wayman Palmer
Community YMCA Kids Club, the YMCA Chance for Change, the
Youth Opportunity Program, UMADAOP and the Toledo Public
Schools’ “A Closing the Achievement Gap” program.
The Achievement program is a grant-funded initiative
administered by the governor’s office and operates in 35
urban schools across the State of Ohio.
“What you do in the classroom is a reflection of what you
will do the rest of your life,” said Parker during his
speech. Then, after asking students what their career
aspirations were, Parker told each one who volunteered what
it would take to reach that goal. In some cases he asked
them to consider setting their sites higher, in some he
advised them to consider a back up plan.
“You are our future,” said Steel. “I’m hoping our community
will be better after I leave it and we want to give you the
tools to make it better.” |
