African American Perspective on STEM and Medicine

Growing up I always knew that I wanted to be some kind of scientist. As a child I always experimented with all kinds of stuff. That initial spark never wavered. I was also influenced by the character Bill Cosby created in Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable of the "Cosby Show". This character showed that an African American could be anything we put our mind to. Dr. Ben Carson's book entitled "Gifted Hands" was pivotal in my decision to go into the medical field.

I digress because this entry is not about my road to my career choice, but more so a perspective on the African American role in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The role is so diverse and career tracks are vast!

The face of the African American in these fields signifies the diversity in it. A lot of organizations are geared towards promoting these careers to our younger generations. I was personally introduced to STEM in middle school through a program called SECME( Southeastern Consortium for Minorities in Engineering).  The pipeline from that program led a lot of my fellow peers to careers in Engineering.

There is a need for more doctors, scientists, mathematicians, and engineers of the African American persuasion. I write this not to talk down on any other demographic. However, I want to present a different dynamic to our community because I am an African American male. There is more to career choices than being just an athlete or entertainer.

I always have loved science and always will love it! From a self professed nerd research your options in STEM and Medicine....you won't regret it!!!

Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass is one the most influential people I have ever read about. His actions inspire a lot of what I aspire to.

Douglass was born in February 1818 in Talbot County, Maryland. Douglass, a former abolitionist, was also a writer, preacher, and statesman.

Frederick Douglass escaped slavery on September 3, 1838 by jumping a train then following the Underground Railroad to Pennsylvania.

Douglass passed away on September 3, 1895 in Washington D.C.

Hill Harper

Good morning family! In addition to posting the books I am currently reading, I will also be highlighting some positive African American brothers who has personally influenced me. The first one in this line of entries is Mr. Hill Harper.

I had the honor of meeting Hill a few years ago when I was living in Atlanta. The brother is highly intelligent. He recieved his Bachelor's degree from Brown University. In addition he received and MPA  and Juris Doctorate from Harvard University. Hill is most famous from his role in CSI. This brother is a personal mentor of mine.

Have We Lost Our Minds?

As you have it these days morals, character, and anything that remotely resembles any civility appears to be invisible! I could use this entry to do a lot of name dropping on some so called celebrities, but that would just add on to their fame and ultimately their pockets! I could blame them but that's not the beginning of the problem....its a visible and dysfunctional result.

Let me explain: growing up I was always told to stay out of grown ups conversations, told to stay in a child's place....you know boundaries were established. When those phrases were uttered I immediately retreated back to my lane. Fast forward to today, most would ask what does it mean to be in a child's place? Is this the result of garbage media or the "I want be my child's friend" syndrome? I firmly believe its a combination of both.

As a parent you are called to be the guardian of your child. That means that you guard their eyes, ears, hearts, and intellect until they reach the point of accountability. Accountability comes with age and maturity. It seems a lot of us drop the ball with connecting that concept or really don't understand it at all! As a result a lot of popular train wrecks end up slipping through the cracks and into our homes. The result ends in the guard being let down!

This entry is only to start a dialogue of accountability for parents to remember to be their children's guardian and protect their innocent mindsets! When they grow up with standards being set it will guide them for the rest of their lives! Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old , he will not depart from it.

Leadership Trail

Hello family! I am going to start posting books I am currently reading and ones that I would like to eventually read. This week I am starting with Principle Centered Leadership by Stephen R. Convey. I am calling this series of the blog the Leadership Trail.