DURHAM, N.C. — A Durham man is working hard to keep young men out of jail.
The executive director of Young Men of Excellence in Durham is encouraging boys in grades 6-12 to attend the motivational seminar
It’s a free college readiness and career preparation program promoting excellence, leadership and mentorship for young men of color in Durham Public Schools
The executive director says since 2019, 100% of the scholars attending his program have career plans
Young Men of Excellence data shows those who graduated and wanted to further their education were accepted into college, and 98% are not engaged in delinquency or suspended from school
Men of Excellence Executive Director DeWarren Langley says males who attend motivational programs like the Young Men of Excellence classes are more likely to go to college and stay on the right path.
For Jaydon Jones, achieving his goals goes far beyond the soccer field.
“When I’m on the field, I hope to inspire. I hope to be inspired. I hope to play at higher levels,” Jones said.
Going to higher levels is something Jones learns inside of classroom 100 at N.C. Central at the Young Men of Excellence Program. It’s a free college readiness and career preparation program promoting excellence, leadership and mentorship for young men of color in Durham Public Schools.
“The goal that I’m looking forward to is I want to get an 'A' in chemistry by the end of the school year,” Jones explained.
Writing down goals is a requirement for every student, including Jones, a Durham School of the Arts sophomore who joined Young Men of Excellence when it started in 2019. He was seeking a male mentor and wanted to build his resume.
“It’s opened my eyes on how to stay out of trouble and things like that, so I try to stay away from it as much as I can, so I don’t even like to venture into that realm of the world,” Jones said.“It’s opened my eyes on how to stay out of trouble and things like that, so I try to stay away from it as much as I can, so I don’t even like to venture into that realm of the world,” Jones said.
Data shows there’s a real impact when African American males provide mentorship curriculums to young boys.
According to the U.S Department of Justice, nearly 68% of all men in federal prison never earned a high school diploma. Langley works daily to change the stigma by offering resources to steer kids away from crime.
“It’s very important considering the data here in Durham that shows that boys of color, particularly Black males have the lowest academic in proficiency and college career readiness, and we’re working to remedy that issue,” Langley said.
One solution requires students to attend mock trials inside a courtroom. In one scenario, students learned the consequences of making poor decisions.
For Jones, the program isn’t just making a difference inside the classroom, it’s helping him become a stronger leader on the soccer field as well.
“It’s crucial for young men to have not only an outlet but a family outside of family to keep them on the right path,” Jones said.
Langley says since 2019, 100% of the scholars attending his program have career plans.
He even says all those who graduated and wanted to further their education were accepted into college, and 98 are not engaged in delinquency or suspended from school.
To find out how you can register for this program, click here.
