Working at William Fleming High School has been one of my life’s most profound and satisfying experiences. In just a few weeks, the impact of our “African American Males Studies” class has become apparent. Teachers and staff are noticing shifts in the way the young men are engaging – with each other, with the material, and, perhaps most importantly, with themselves. We’ve brought in structure, respect, and order, creating a classroom environment that feels more like a sanctuary, a space where young minds can safely question, explore, and redefine who they are.
Today, in celebration of Black History Month, we were honored to welcome a guest speaker, Dr. ImHotep – a distinguished scholar and historian of Ancient African history. Dr. ImHotep presented a lecture based on his book, The First Americans Were African, sharing insights that turned conventional narratives upside down. For these young men, many of whom have rarely, if ever, encountered their history presented with such reverence, this was a moment of revelation. I could see their eyes light up with intrigue as Dr. ImHotep spoke, their focus sharpened as he recounted stories and histories that felt as ancient as they were deeply personal.
Watching their reactions, I was reminded of the proverb that opened our class discussion today: “Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the lion will always glorify the hunter.” For these students, Dr. ImHotep’s words were like a key, unlocking a door to a heritage many had never been allowed to enter. For the first time, they saw their ancestry celebrated not as an afterthought but as the foundation of something grand and enduring. This is the power of reclaiming one’s story – of seeing oneself not as the hunted but as the noble lion, proud and sovereign.
To conclude the day, I led them through a mindfulness meditation. As they closed their eyes, breathing in the present moment and grounding themselves, I could feel the collective energy of focus and release fill the room. Meditation has become an essential tool in our classroom – a way for these young men to quiet the noise of the outside world and tap into the strength and clarity within. Afterward, we spoke about the importance of reclaiming our identity and culture, understanding that if we don’t define ourselves, someone else will. If we allow others to dictate our worth and our past, we risk becoming strangers to ourselves.
Being a Seba, a Jegna, a guide in this journey, is a role I embrace with gratitude and reverence. I see my mission as one of service to our youth, to help them reconnect with the greatness that runs through their veins – a greatness that predates enslavement, a legacy that began long before our ancestors were torn from their lands. My purpose is to remind them that they are the inheritors of a powerful lineage that they are not the labels society imposes upon them but the living continuation of a proud, resilient people.
I strive each day to be the change I hope to see within our youth. Through my words and actions, I aim to plant seeds of self-realization, courage, discipline, and purpose. I want these young men to know the strength that comes from stepping outside of the constraints society places upon them, from reclaiming their place as human geniuses capable of extraordinary things. It is my vision that they will not only understand who they are but embody it with pride and resilience.
As I speak this intention into the world, I trust that it will manifest, helping to shape a generation that knows its own worth, its own history, and its own limitless potential.
