Nonprofit Mississippi News CLEVELAND – On Friday, nearly every bleacher was filled by young men from different ages and racialities in the Cleveland Central High School gymnasium. Men in Mississippi is Kenwuan’s new nonprofit. It aims to bring activists and speakers who are passionate about youth into high schools across the state to inspire and educate young men. Meeks, who hails from Drew, Miss., said, “There’s so many going on right now in our communities, and we are lacking support from our men.” Men in Mississippi was created by Kierre Rimmer, FlyZone Inc.’s CEO (Forever Lifting Youth), and facilitator of this event. He stated that mentors are needed to help young boys become men. We don’t need more boys in our hood. Rimmer stated that we need men in the home. The speakers shared their personal experiences with the trials and tribulations that they have faced. They all realized that they were on the wrong track and took a detour in order to correct their mistakes. They shared some of the lessons they have learned from their mistakes, such as the importance to get an education. All students who are starting freshman year should take the ACT. If they fail to score the required score, they will have multiple opportunities to retake the test. Zach Hatcher, a meteorologist at Delta News, said that he didn’t like school, didn’t make good grades and hated taking the ACT exam. He realized how important his future was after he had a supportive network. Hatcher said, “When you see your grades and the future on the line, it’s hard to not care.” “I barely got in college. I don’t want my guys to be in that position. I want you guys to be able get into college with a GPA that is high enough to have no trouble getting in. Jay Hughes, D.Oxford State Representative, echoed his sentiments about how important education is and how students will be the future. He described how he was a D student who felt he knew more about his parents, mother, and high-school principal than his father and mother. Hughes stated, “The problem is I had the wrong mindset, and I tried to drop out of school. I was fired from my first job, my second job and third jobs, then ended in the Army, and it was there that someone taught me respect and attitude…and that I was somebody, something that I never believed before.” Hughes spoke to students before addressing a crowd. He said that they were the future. They must be willing and able to respect others and their own attitudes. Hughes said, “Out there are a road scholar. A doctor, a lawyer. A heart surgeon. A plumber. An electrician. Hughes said, “You will provide for your family.” Hughes said, “The decision is yours.” Vester Waters, a former Mr. Mississippi Valley State University student and motivational rapper, stated that you have the power to make the right choices about how you use social media. “We live in a difficult world and it’s not easy for everyone to succeed.” Waters said that if you don’t believe in it, no one else will. Waters said that gun violence was one of the most heartbreaking topics. John Johnson, a 25-year-old military veteran and ex-gangbanger, stated that guns should not be played with. He said that guns should be used only for law enforcement or hunting. Johnson stated that he was able to choose whether he wanted to join the military or go to penitentiary after he quit school to smoke marijuana and hang out with his friends from the hood. Johnson chose to go to the penitentiary. Johnson spoke about his best friend who was the victim of gun violence and was then shot in the head. The room became quiet. “Please, young men, stop it. Johnson stated that gun violence and mishaps with guns are killing us every day. Johnson said, “It’s high time for men to mature and be men. Waters said, “When you lose people to the streets it’s not so much fun. It’s hard to have a life-threatening experience, and it could end in death. William “Ray” Blackmon, a pastor and veteran of the military said that all the speakers were testimony of God’s ability to bring people out of difficult situations. Sometimes, what people call your failures can lift someone else up. You are not meant to go through your trials. Your disappointments, mistreatment, misunderstanding, mistreatment, misunderstandings, backstabbed, small circle of friends who talk about you, being an outsider… None of these things are for you. These were meant for someone else, because if someone can do it, it means that someone else can.” Blackmon said. Do not worry about being Mr. Popular.” The first stop on the Men in Mississippi tour was Cleveland Central High. Men in Mississippi’s next speaking engagement will be held at Ruleville Central High School on February 2, at 9:30 AM. Click here to learn more about the organization. Meeks said they are currently working on an app that will allow people to find mentors in their local communities and send anonymous messages about youth in dire need.