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  1. Home
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Homegrown Black Males

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Finding myself as a gay black man in America
Homegrown Black Males

Finding myself as a gay black man in America

  • By Elijah Quinn For The St. Louis American
  • Updated Dec 31, 2019
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In the 8th grade, someone I looked up to told me, “As a black man in America, you already have two strikes against you and to be successful you have to work twice as hard to not fit the misconception that young African-American men are dangerous criminals.” He also stated that “the third str…

Finding passion in helping underprivileged children
Homegrown Black Males

Finding passion in helping underprivileged children

  • By Alandon Pitts
  • Sep 12, 2019
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I was born on January 31, 1983 in St. Louis to a single mom. My father was away, giving his mother, Arnita Pitts, sole responsibility of making sure my siblings and I knew the importance of discipline and education.

Harnessing the power of pressure
Homegrown Black Males

Harnessing the power of pressure

  • By Wesley Agee
  • Aug 8, 2019
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Like a diamond formed by the weight of the Earth, I feel an immense pressure to perform as a student, a son, a father, a husband-to-be, and a young black man. The pressure of these roles could make or break a man and reveal to the world his true character – especially during the most despera…

Black struggle, white privilege and the need for mentorship
Homegrown Black Males

Black struggle, white privilege and the need for mentorship

  • By Andre Walker
  • Aug 1, 2019
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As a black man, I felt significant pressure to succeed from my culture but lacked the support, tools and resources needed to help guide me on the road to achievement I so desperately wanted to reach.

Changing the way we treat young black males
Homegrown Black Males

Changing the way we treat young black males

  • By E. Charles Conway
  • Jul 11, 2019
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It was August 9, 2014 and I was teaching a class in Cape Girardeau, when my phone started to vibrate non-stop. I picked the phone up and viewed a young black man lying in the street. I told the class that another brother had been shot in St. Louis.

Agent of deliverance, catalyst for healing
Homegrown Black Males

Agent of deliverance, catalyst for healing

  • By the Reverend Eric Battle
  • May 23, 2019
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They say that everything in life comes full circle; I am a living witness to this truth. My story is that of a prodigal son who went halfway around the world to escape my homegrown ministry, only to return to St. Louis and continue in the legacy of my progeny. 

Moving from under-served to well-deserved communities
Homegrown Black Males

Moving from under-served to well-deserved communities

  • By Andra Lang Jr.
  • May 16, 2019
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Most of my experience in St. Louis has evolved around work and exposure to large network groups. I am originally from Illinois, so most of my education has been from that state. However, because of the short distance for transportation, I was able to commute to St. Louis for better opportuni…

Serving on the front lines in St. Louis
Homegrown Black Males

Serving on the front lines in St. Louis

  • By Cory Mitchell
  • May 2, 2019
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I didn’t know Michael Brown personally, but I knew of Michael Brown. I went to high school with his mother and uncle. I worked with kids from the St. Louis County Juvenile Justice system from 2005-2014 as an Adolescent Care Specialist lead, and some of them knew Michael Brown. They were like…

I am my brother’s keeper
Homegrown Black Males

I am my brother’s keeper

  • By Tony Gunn Jr.
  • Apr 24, 2019
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From the streets of our local communities, where we aid in the advancement of black boys and men, to shaking hands with President Barack Obama, young men and organization leaders from all over the country convened at the Scottish Rite Temple in Oakland, California for the Obama Foundation My…

When I started making good decisions
Homegrown Black Males

When I started making good decisions

  • By Howard Hughes
  • Apr 18, 2019
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I can recall the day St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch announced his decision not to prosecute Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson. I remember the news announcements that the schools, banks, and area stores would be closing early. I saw video of the streets surrounding the Ferguson…

We have to lead the dialogue about us
Homegrown Black Males

We have to lead the dialogue about us

  • By Chauncey Nelson
  • Apr 10, 2019
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We were sitting silently in the living room of a friend’s home. A group of my peers had gathered somberly on the evening of July 5, 2005. We had all just lost a friend, mentor, advocate and family member. This was someone – for most of us, the only one – who gave us hope, resources and an ou…

Finding the king within
Homegrown Black Males

Finding the king within

  • By Kaylan D. Holloway
  • Mar 7, 2019
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I remember cracking open my first history textbook at Hickey Elementary School and seeing the first image of someone who looked like me. It was an image of a black man, silenced by a muzzle, blinded by a black eye, and scarred by a whip during the Atlantic slave trade.

My journey from convict to mentor
Homegrown Black Males

My journey from convict to mentor

  • By Demetrius Evans
  • Feb 28, 2019
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The older boys and I journeyed together on the bus to a gas station. They gave me instructions on how to use my size and age to take advantage of the attendant in the station. At this time, gas stations were not self-service. So, when the attendant went out to pump gas, I would sneak out of …

We can build stronger children
Homegrown Black Males

We can build stronger children

  • By Orv Kimbrough
  • Feb 21, 2019
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Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University, about changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis. 

We can build stronger children
Homegrown Black Males

We can build stronger children

  • By Orv Kimbrough
  • Feb 14, 2019
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Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University, about changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis. 

I chose education as my path
Homegrown Black Males

I chose education as my path

  • By Xavier Blackwell
  • Feb 7, 2019
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Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University, about changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis. 

How I found a way through
Homegrown Black Males

How I found a way through

  • By Joseph Smart
  • Jan 31, 2019
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Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University, about changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis.

Algorithms and African-American life
Homegrown Black Males

Algorithms and African-American life

  • By William F. Tate
  • Updated Feb 25, 2019
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Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University, about changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis.

I try to help out and give back
Homegrown Black Males

I try to help out and give back

  • By RaJae Johnson
  • Jan 10, 2019
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Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University, on changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis

Moving ‘Beyond Jobs’ to regional change
Homegrown Black Males

Moving ‘Beyond Jobs’ to regional change

  • By Jason Watson
  • Jan 3, 2019
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Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University, on changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis

We must heal black men to heal our region
Homegrown Black Males

We must heal black men to heal our region

  • Mikel Whittier
  • Dec 20, 2018
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There are many unforeseeable consequences faced by young black boys who are taught to assimilate into systems that were not designed for us. Even when your desire is to be a change agent, Eurocentric institutions intentionally ignore the fundamental needs of being for many young black boys. …

I am grateful for having kept my pledge
Homegrown Black Males

I am grateful for having kept my pledge

  • By Malik Ahmed
  • Dec 13, 2018
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Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University, on changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis.

Learning to nurture
Homegrown Black Males

Learning to nurture

  • By Marcel Scaife
  • Dec 6, 2018
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Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University, on changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis.

From destruction to responsibility
Homegrown Black Males

From destruction to responsibility

  • By Farrakhan Shegog
  • Nov 29, 2018
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Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University, on changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis.

Living for myself and Demetri
Homegrown Black Males

Living for myself and Demetri

  • By Tyshon Sikes
  • Nov 21, 2018
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Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University, on changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis.

Reviving forgotten communities
Homegrown Black Males

Reviving forgotten communities

  • By Cyril D. Loum
  • Nov 15, 2018
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Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University, on changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis.

Finding – and showing – a way out of the streets
Homegrown Black Males

Finding – and showing – a way out of the streets

  • By Steve Thomas
  • Nov 8, 2018
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Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University, on changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis.

Fulfilling the expectations of a man
Homegrown Black Males

Fulfilling the expectations of a man

  • By Chester A. Deanes Jr.
  • Oct 25, 2018
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Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University, on changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis.

How I learned to be a leader
Homegrown Black Males

How I learned to be a leader

  • By Jerrel Sibert
  • Oct 18, 2018
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Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University, about changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis.

Investment in black males pays off
Homegrown Black Males

Investment in black males pays off

  • Kelvin J. Taylor Sr.
  • Oct 11, 2018
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Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University, on changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis.

Beyond fear of the black male
Homegrown Black Males

Beyond fear of the black male

  • By Curtis O'Dwyer
  • Oct 4, 2018
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Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University, on changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis.

Saving our sons – and all our students
Homegrown Black Males

Saving our sons – and all our students

  • By Michael P. McMillan
  • Sep 27, 2018
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Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University, on changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis.

The black man who survived education
Homegrown Black Males

The black man who survived education

  • By Luther O. Tyus
  • Updated Sep 27, 2018
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Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University, on changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis.

Learning to beat the cheat
Homegrown Black Males

Learning to beat the cheat

  • By Mike Jones
  • Updated Sep 13, 2018
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Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University, on changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis.

My journey to training responsible fathers
Homegrown Black Males

My journey to training responsible fathers

  • By Halbert Sullivan
  • Updated Sep 13, 2018
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Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University,  on changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis.

+2
When black men stop smiling
Homegrown Black Males

When black men stop smiling

  • By Stefan Bradley
  • Updated Sep 7, 2018
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Part of a year-long series, presented by The American and the Brown School at Washington University,  on changing the narratives and outcomes of young black males in St. Louis.

Fathers Support Center helped Mark Seymore double his income
Homegrown Black Males

Fathers Support Center helped Mark Seymore double his income

  • By Jordan Wade
  • Updated Sep 7, 2018
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Mark Seymore grew up in a neighborhood that police have labeled as one of the highest crime areas in the region, around Page and Goodfellow boulevards in North St. Louis.

How 400 days in Ferguson changed my life
Homegrown Black Males
featured

How 400 days in Ferguson changed my life

  • By Bruce Franks Jr.
  • Updated Sep 7, 2018
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August 9, 2014 changed my life. That date is burned into our memory as the day Michael Brown was killed. But it’s also the date my son, King, turned 1.

I. Am. A. BLACK. Man.
Homegrown Black Males

I. Am. A. BLACK. Man.

  • By Rev. Starsky D. Wilson
  • Updated Sep 7, 2018
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Fifty years ago, a group of under-appreciated, underpaid black men who kept the city of Memphis healthy by purging its streets of waste, refuse and trash had to remind elected leaders and city fathers that they were indeed human. They held placards in public calling for basic dignity, statin…

Reimagining St. Louis for young black males
Homegrown Black Males
featured

Reimagining St. Louis for young black males

  • By Sean Joe and Chris King
  • Updated Sep 7, 2018
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Four years ago to the day of our publication date – on August 9, 2014 — a Ferguson police officer shot and killed an 18-year-old black male named Michael Brown. A grand jury convened by St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch considered whether this police officer, Darren Wilson, should be…

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Fantasia hospitalized for contractions six months into her pregnancy
Hot Sheet

Fantasia hospitalized for contractions six months into her pregnancy

MLB hammers Georgia voting laws, moving All-Star Game to Denver
Sports Eye

MLB hammers Georgia voting laws, moving All-Star Game to Denver

Top Metro East gridiron players
Inside Sports

Top Metro East gridiron players

The St. Louis American Sports Break - 4/8/21
Video

The St. Louis American Sports Break - 4/8/21

Cara Spencer concedes to Tishaura O. Jones for St. Louis mayor
Local News

Cara Spencer concedes to Tishaura O. Jones for St. Louis mayor

Black America needs a ‘New Normal’: Equitable credit access to build wealth
Business News

Black America needs a ‘New Normal’: Equitable credit access to build wealth

While faulty locks still in place, Krewson says detainees should be held accountable
Local News

While faulty locks still in place, Krewson says detainees should be held accountable

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