Kevin Garnett & Hansen Clarke - Alumni of Life Directions

Recently Hansen Clarke from the East Side of Detroit was elected to the U.S. Congress. I was explaining what it means for peers to inspire peers and was using the example of Kevin Garnett, who has been playing for the Boston Celtics.

Both Hansen and Kevin are Alumni of Life Directions. They represent the vision of Life Directions - "as I inspire others, I myself will be excellent."

The career path of a politician and an athlete are different. But the core value of taking my talents, developing them to be my best and doing it for the sake of others is the same.

We look to the High School Peer Achievers challenging their peers to develop themselves in the face of all the distractions that come at them. We are grateful for two public role models that were Peer Achievers when they were in High School. It is good to hold up such people to share how effective Peers Inspiring Peers can be.

Whatever both men do in their profession is their responsibility. But the awareness of their being role models for others is inside of them. It is true for each of us. May we encourage each other to be positive role models in the face of the negative.

Merri Dee is role model to understand - so you can be your best

We see the importance for role models, like Merri Dee, for the young adults who want to succeed. There are people of excellence in many professions - media, like Merri Dee or math and science, business, ministry, financing, politics and so on.

In Black History Month, Merri Dee is an excellent person from whom to learn. She turned tragedy into triumph, near loss of life into the reason to be grateful for all of life. But she is the first to tell young people, as she has when she has been our Emcee at the Life Directions' Salute, know yourself and be the best you can be as you.

It good to study what went into their growth and maturity. The values they held. The teachings that fashioned their thinking. The people who went before them. The cause they claimed.

But when it all over, it is important to take equal time to find out what are your assets, your talents and skills and to find a way to do what can only be done by you.