I just got home from speaking to students at IS285 in Brooklyn.  What an amazing group of 7th and 8th graders.  They really inspired me to continue to strive for the highest goals I can attain.  They had big dreams and so many of them were working really hard to get there.  One of them asked me what made me realize I wanted to work with teens.  

I  had to think back to my dreams as a young sage and the answer is…teens energize me.  But they also are the next generation; our soon to be future. They are idealistic and innovative, just what our society needs to move forward. I saw that and much more from speaking with this group.  I can’t wait to see Ms. Michael Jackson rock the stage in the next 10 years.  And I know that my ‘shy’ girl will make it to her goal of being an Obstetrician, as long as she continues to focus on getting good grades and blocking those haters out of her mind.

All of our talk got me so hyped up, I had to go home and rewatch the Black Girls Rock! awards which aired on BET November 4th.   I’m listening right now as Taraji P. Henson introduces BGR! awardee Susan L. Taylor, former editor of Essence magazine and Founder of the  National Cares Mentoring Movement.   Ms. Taylor recognizes the important role that youth play in shaping our future.  Investing in them is investing in us.

So students of IS285 if you are reading this, continue to dream but don’t sleep while you’re at it.  

Work hard and remember to give back like Susan Taylor and BGR! founder Beverly Bond.  

To all teens- I’m thanking you in advance for making our world a better place!