ZSTC: Zanzibar Stone Town Capoeira

I will educate! In etymological terms “educate” comes from the latin word “educar” meaning to “pull out”. The issue is that we often try to pour too much when it’s a balance of putting in as well as pulling out. It is our job as educators to extract their talents, their strengths, and pre-existing knowledge that each individual’s perspectives shape for them. Unfortunately, our school systems are not designed to exemplify the value in exploration, free will, context, special interest, reasoning, and process vs. product. We’ve taken the fun out of learning and put it in the classrooms with individual desks, chalkboards, and a lack of culturally inclusive pedagogy. We must invest and pour into their lives, not just their academics in order to instill character, passions, and pursuits that will lead to successful, meaningful lives. We must instill worth not only in the youth but also in the eyes of our society who judge and limit them. It is imperative that as human beings we find fulfillment in life. In doing so we all want to feel connected, important, valued, purposeful, self-efficient, and self-reliant. However our society struggles to do so with our youth in urban communities, especially African American youth. Instead of boosting and investing in their worth and potential, we tell them who they are, who they can’t be, what’s acceptable and what isn’t, while all the time telling them what success is rather then guiding and counseling them to their future successes. As adults, teachers, mentors, and role models it is our job to share our knowledge and shape their learning in and outside of the classroom. My mission is to promote you initiative, agency, and self-reliance as many youth lack aspirations and don't receive support when they actually do. I want to spark dreams, create avenues and outlets, and advocate for youth around the world. In doing so I believe this will help to decrease the amount of youth in prisons, dropping out of school, dying, and so forth. to provide individuals, youth especially, with meaningful experiences and outlets that build up character and passion that manifest into successful, positive futures. We are still in the early stages but I have a list of potential sponsors and supporters that have told me they want to be involved. My team is small but we're diligent just like the youth in Zanzibar. My impact on the youth is important but I'm also aiming to impact my society by encouraging them to support our people... our youth. Some individuals are too caught up in life, which is understandable with work, family, and all the other responsibilities life demands. So I want to act as a vessel, an avenue, to such individuals that can afford to give but don't know how or who. I will take the load and with the support of my team and such supporters it can and will be done. I've single-handedly brought together many of the sponsors already involved, designed the brochure, guided the design of the website and blog, maintained contact with the youth, found venues and instructors, and so forth. However, it's a collaborative effort and I must acknowledge my partner and all those involved because it can't be done without them.