TEENS SET GOALS FOR
NEW PROGRAM YEAR
EMBODI KICKS OFF 2017-18 SEASON TEAM BUILDING
By Kimberly Brooks-Hall and Antoya Shuler
EMBODI is hurricane-proof! Although Hurricane Irma adversely impacted the
Jacksonville community, it did not diminish the spirit of EMBODI parents and
participants. Sorors and participants demonstrated their commitment to
EMBODI’s goals and objectives by attending our annual kickoff and
orientation on September 23 rd .
Immediately following the Risk Management Training, parents and
participants were actively engaged in a team building exercise to line up
according to birthday (month and day) without verbal or written
communication. They were mostly successful in accomplishing the task;
however, the message was obvious – in all aspects of our life, clear
communication (including non-verbal) is important to the sender and the
receiver. EMBODI’s framework and expectations as envisioned by our 24 th
National President, Cynthia M. A. Butler-McIntyre, were shared with
participants.
The most impactful portion of the kickoff was hearing each person share his
expectations of the program year. The responses included the following: “to
bond with other males in a positive environment”, “to discover career
opportunities besides sports”, and “to increase independence”.
The
Jacksonville Chapter will exceed these expectations by ensuring the program
days cover all of our programmatic thrusts. This year’s calendar includes the
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, #365 Black Art Expo, Youthful
Voices Campaign, and our 2 nd annual college tour. From the unofficial postal
carrier motto, “Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail (Hurricane Irma)
shall keep…” EMBODI from delivering and answering the clarion call to saving
our African American males!
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