Yesterday, the Mizzou Black Men's Initiative spent the day with #Mizzou Alum Lincoln Stephens and Robert Weaver participating in a Brotherhood Building session. We were blessed to have the both of them welcome us with open arms and be willing to share their day with us. The day was full of productive and positive conversation that started off in the office of the Marcus Graham Project, co-founded by Lincoln Stephens, and ended on the rooftop of the South Side on Lamar apartment building. Overseeing the downtown Dallas skyline, MBMI members engaged with Lincoln, Robert and each other allowing for personal, professional and leadership development opportunities amongst the group. Below are some reflections and photos from yesterday's activities.
Mikal Slatton - Freshmen - Chicago, IL
Following our visit to the Marcus Graham project I honestly believe I am a completely different person. Coming into this trip I believed I had an idea of success and what the path to success looked like but following talking with Lincoln and Weaver that has completely changed. To hear how Lincoln slept on his mother’s couch for 7 years and still managed to become a success is a testament to having the will to fight and inspires me even more to succeed. I also hold myself to a new charge now, to strengthen the talents and potential of my brothers however possible. The analogy used by Lincoln was that iron sharpens iron. I believe I must be strong and competitive with my brothers in order to push us all to be the most successful we can be. Overall I find my confidence and drive enhanced, I no longer see failure as an option for my life.
Xavier Terrill - Freshmen - Columbia, MO
Yesterday inside of Marcus Graham’s office I grew along with the rest of our initiative. A lot of advice was given, especially once we had made it to the roof where we had more room to think. Robert as well as Lincoln both showed me what a successful Black man was by my definition. They both were patient with us as we were taking up their time; they were knowledgeable in multiple fields, and funny and compassionate; similar to that of a renaissance man. To shape my life for the better I decided to save some of their words of wisdom so I can reference them later. “Iron sharpens iron” struck me pretty hard. Robert meant that the best are meant to be around the best. You will challenge yourself and each other to go farther and to grow beyond barriers you once had set up against yourself, something I can be guilty of sometimes. So I thought of whom I’ll be surrounding myself with in the near future so my mind immediately went to my soon to be roommates. There are four of them, five of us in total in a six bedroom house. Jesse and August are both chemical engineers, they have willingly helped me with my math on several occasions. Along with Tony who is literally just a “math” major simply put. He and August are quite advance in math, a subject I have to try at significantly, living with them will definitely make me a better student. Our fourth roommate Jeff is also my workout partner! Living with him will make me eat right and exercise even more regularly, so I feel like I’ve chosen very well on who I should live with. Self-reflecting with the knowledge that was shared on that rooftop I feel as if I’ve made a very good life decision deciding to become a responsible tenant for the first time with people who I know are winners. With the words we all shared, and their words that I plan on using every day now that they’re saved I learned that I can spread my wings from my old shell and excel today into the future.
Jalen Mosby - Freshmen - St. Louis, MO
Empowering is the one word I would use to sum up the day. I love seeing people living their dreams and succeeding especially Black men like myself. So the entire day and conversation was refreshing and exactly what I need at this point in my life, where I am trying to find my purpose and choose my career path. Lincoln and Robert were extremely passionate about what they do and motivating us. I could feel their positive energy. They gave us a lot of good advice about how to succeed in life and encouraged us to define our own success because people often get caught up in being successful by someone else’s standards of success. One of my favorite things that they told us were to make our vision clear and see it through because if you don’t see it no one else will. They also told us to change our language. We should only be thinking positive thoughts and letting positive things come out of our mouths. "Try" shouldn’t be in our vocabulary. We should just do! I am thankful for the experience and will be sure to implement some of the advice they gave into my daily life.
Terrence Purdy - Freshmen - Chicago, IL
Yesterday, we had the amazing opportunity to meet with Lincoln Stephens and one of his close friends, and talk and learn about what it takes to be successful after we graduate from college. This was a truly great experience because not only did I learn more about my friends in MBMI, but I also learned more about myself. I learned that I have no reason to be afraid to go for what I want, and that the world is mine for the taking. I also learned that I have a very creative and energetic personality and mindset. This experience has motivated me to continue working hard and trying new things and being open to change.
-#MABDallas
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