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Not only do I knock’em out,  I pick the round. –Muhammad Ali On this day,  using family,  friends,  or historical figures as examples,  I will take five minutes to talk to my sons about understanding that champions win because they actively work at maintaining confidence in themselves,  and that all of us have the potential […]

When I got stuck on lyrics,  I’d pick up a knife and start chopping something,  just to relax my head. –Nenah Cherry On this day,  I will make a list of five ways I can effectively handle my stress. Read more…

Not touching someone is a way of rejecting him. –James Baldwin                                            On this day,  I will be sure to give my sons a hug. Read more…

Our voices are as much a giveaway as our clothes. They reveal what we want to be and can’t help being; they show how we earn our keep and save our pride. –Margo Jefferson                                                 On this day,  I will listen to my voice to see what it is saying when I am talking to my […]

This is our home and this is our country. Beneath it’s soil lie the bones of our fathers: for it some of the fought, bled, and died. –Paul Robeson On this day I will take five minutes to discuss with my child that African Americans are not vistors here, looking for hospitality.  When we celebrate […]

My teacher asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I told her a scientist. She said, “Don’t you mean a nurse?” –Mae C. Jemison On this day, I will encourage my son’s to realize one of their dreams. Read more…

I never talk down to my audience. –Flip Wilson On this day, I pledge to make it known to my son’s that I am always open to intelligent conversation and requests for help. Read more…

If you asked me the secret to longeviity, I would tell you that you have to work at taking care of your health. But a lot of it’s attitude. –Annie Elizabeth “Bessie” Delaney       On this day, I will take five minutes to take a look at my own attitudes about things.  And I resolve to […]

The Jackson kids were taught to be well spoken at all times. We were to be ar-ti-cu-late. I worked hard on my diction so as to impress my dad. He knew it would pay off eventually. –Reggie Jackson                                              On this day, I will buy recordings or books with writings by one or more of the […]

Give advice, if people don’t listen, let adversity teach them. –Ethiopian proverb On this day, I will take five minutes to learn to use some of my son’s transgressions as learning experiences and help them to identify smarter behavior choices in the future.   Read more…

Mom’s favorite question was, “Boy, why you so bad?” I tried many times to explain to Mama that I wasn’t  “so bad.” –Claude Brown   On this day, I will pledge not to be critical of my sons, but when the situation warrants, to be critical of their behavior only.  I also pledge to give them […]

It takes steady nerves and being a fighter to stay out there. –Wilma Rudolph On this day, I will discuss with my sons the idea of confrontations, and the idea that steady nerves and alertness and focus will help us to sort out the meaningless scuffles from fights truly worth taking up. Read more…