(Part 3) Star Power Upload: (Old-School Flava)
Why Mentors, Role Models and a Few Sidekicks Make You Shine!

Every 26 seconds a student drops out of school. The folks at 26seconds.com want to change that. They hope to have kids be “inspired, informed and in touch.” They’ve teamed-up with government, industry and sports figures to help. Even Lebron James knows how kids can avoid being a dropout.

He credits his mother for pushing him to finish high school. This he believes was the single most reason why he’s not among the statistics. James has applied lessons from sports to his success in school and life. As a ‘big brother’ to today’s kids he might say “you can’t be scared of hard work.”

So what’s hard work? It’s a willingness to put in the time to reap the benefits. James spends a lot of time in the gym working on his game. Sometimes it’s lifting weights. Other times it’s in practicing shots. It’s better to put in the time before taking the climb than to put in the time after doing the crime.

James also knows about having drive. One of the exciting things kids look forward to is Driver’s Ed. They get to put the pedal to the metal and feel a build-up of speed. However, the drive James might brag about involves focusing your energy and passion to build momentum that creates progress.

Parents have a role to play in keeping kids on track. But in the end, success comes through perseverance. Denzel Washington remembers his coach saying “perseverance is your greatest talent.” For kids that means dropping out of school is not an option. You gotta be more to achieve more.

(Part 3) Star Power Upload: (New-School Flava)
Why Mentors, Role Models and a Few Sidekicks Make You Shine!

Every 26 seconds a kid drops out of school. Listen-up, don’t be no fool! 26seconds.com hopes to inspire. So kids are informed and in-touch to go higher. Teaming up with celebs and decision makers. To help kids become movers and shakers. Even Lebron James avoided being a cop-out and school dropout.

Crediting his Mom for the push. That made him get off his tush. Maybe the single most reason. Helping him get through the school season. James knows how success in school and life relate. He’s used those lessons on becoming great. As a ‘big brother’ he might say. “Don’t be scared of hard work today.”

Wanna know what’s hard work? Spend time to reap the benefits and not be a jerk. James is always working on his game. Sometimes lifting weights or taking shots to back-up his fame. It’s better to put in the time before taking the climb. Than to put in the time after doing the crime.

James also knows about drive. It’s the kind that makes your energy come alive. Think of it in terms of Driver’s Ed. You put the pedal to the metal as the speed goes to your head. Drive is like passion that builds momentum. So you can grow in leaps, bounds and mass quantum.     

Yes, parents have a role to play. So kids, stay on track and not stray. In the end it’s up to you. Let your perseverance shine through. As others have often said. “Perseverance is your greatest talent,” not what happens in bed. Dropping out is not an option. You gotta be more to earn more paper and commission.   

Tip: A good mentor knows that talent without perseverance is like a shiny car with no power. Add hard work and drive and you’ll go far in becoming a star.

Talkback: How can we do more so America’s kids don’t lose hope and drop out of school?

Part 2) Star Power Upload: (Old-School Flava)
Why Mentors, Role Models and a Few Sidekicks Make You Shine!

 Oprah Winfrey announced she’s returning to school this fall. She’s planning to teach ‘Life 101’ to 12^th graders at her girl’s school in South Africa. It’s the stuff she wished someone had taught her sooner on how the world works. This role is about challenging them on making the grade in school and life.

It’s great to see Oprah step-up to the plate of mentoring her students. She’s clear on her calling as a “teacher who’s a talk show host.” Oprah will be doing similar work on her OWN network as well. She’ll turn lessons from her entire Oprah Show library into ‘live your best life’ TV clips.

Oprah’s mentoring style may have grown out of her relationship with Dr. Maya Angelou. She can look to her when in need of a ‘sounding board.’ Dr. Maya is likely to lend a listening ear. She’s probably good at explaining things in life that appear like a mystery or are deeply rooted in philosophy and history.

Maybe Dr Maya has been like a teacher to Oprah ‘the teacher.’ Their bond shows the different kinds of mentoring that exists. There’s ‘Apprentice Sr.’ where you’re being mentored by someone ahead of you; ‘Apprentice Jr.’ for mentoring someone behind you; and ‘Peer Learning’ between workmates or friends.

Oprah continues to broaden her role as a launching pad of success. She’ll probably make time to be a ‘right-hand partner’ to her students, similar to how Dr. Maya connects with her. Their example shows how mentoring relationships should serve as a runway. You get to taxi and ramp-up before you rise up.

(Part 2) Star Power Upload: (New-School Flava)
Why Mentors, Role Models and a Few Sidekicks Make You Shine!

Coming to a classroom for true. Feels like déjà vu. As Oprah plans to return to school. Teaching her 12^th graders beyond the golden rule. The class is called ‘Life 101.’ Sharing how the world works under the sun.  South Africa, here she comes. Challenging kids on making the grade and then some.

Great to see Oprah still going strong. Mentoring her students on life’s sing song. She’s clear about her calling. As a “teacher doing talk show hosting.” Ready to do similar things on OWN network. Using Oprah Show TV clips as the groundwork. To give lessons from her live your best life’s work.

Oprah’s mentoring style might have grown. From what Dr. Maya Angelou has shown. Acting like a ‘sounding board.’ With advice that’s sharp like a sword. Dr. Maya lends a listening ear. To her concerns and worldly care. Explaining things that seem like a mystery. Deeply rooted in philosophy and history.

Maybe Dr. Maya is a teacher to Oprah ‘the teacher.’ Connecting the dots in ways that will reach her. A bond that shows how mentoring extends. With ‘Peer Learning’ between workmates or friends. Being mentored by someone who’s ‘Apprentice Sr.’ Or mentoring someone behind you as ‘Apprentice Jr.’

Oprah’s still broadening her role. Launching kid successes like high jump with the pole. Making time to be a ‘right-hand partner.’ The way Dr. Maya connects with her as a daughter. For students as they work harder. Knowing that mentoring should serve as a runway. You taxi, ramp-up and rise-up some day.

Tip: A good mentoring relationship serves as a runway. You get to taxi and ramp-up before you rise-up.

Talkback: What more can we possibly learn from Oprah as she moves from daytime to primetime?

(Part 1) Star Power Upload: (Old-School Flava)
Why Mentors, Role Models and a Few Sidekicks Make You Shine!

BET Networks recently presented Steve Harvey with its Humanitarian Award. The Comedian, syndicated radio host and Philanthropist was honored for the work of his foundation. It’s how he develops ‘young kings’ for the next generation. In his words, “the focus is on manhood and dreams.”

You don’t have to look too far to see how he teaches what he lives and lives what he teaches. The story was told how Harvey received a call from his sister seeking his help with her son Thomas. Nephew Tommy, as he’s commonly known, was trying to get his comedy gig off the ground.

So Harvey decided to bring Tommy under his wings. Since then we’ve seen lots from the ‘king and young king.’ They’ve even hosted at the Essence Festival. Their example shows how mentoring works in a ‘bloodline relationship.’ Think in back-to-school terms. There’s biology, chemistry and history in the mix.

On-air, Harvey and Nephew are related by blood. They’ve hung-out and worked together developing chemistry. Their story is also tied to that initial phone call. They show how star power upload makes you shine in the mainstream. Even if you’re not related by ‘Bloods,’ the relationships feel like family.       

Harvey uses mentoring to bring a sense of family. This teaches young men options apart from gangs. In family you develop shared values. You might discover relatives with whom you have a shared connect. But a critical benefit of a sense of family is in creating a track-record for success. The rest is history!

(Part 1) Star Power Upload: (New-School Flava)
Why Mentors, Role Models and a Few Sidekicks Make You Shine!

BET recently honored ‘the king.’ Steve Harvey received an award, not a ring. Given the humanitarian commendation. For his Philanthropic foundation. More than a comedian and radio host. He feels for ‘young kings’ the most. Raising the next generation with his teams. Focusing on manhood and dreams.

You don’t have to look too far. To see Harvey producing a star. He teaches what he lives. And lives what he teaches. As the story goes, taking his sister’s phone call. To help nephew Tommy stand tall. Trying to get his comedy gig off the ground. Making sure he wouldn’t be among the lost and found.

Bringing Tommy under his wings. Showing him the ropes in life and things. With lots from the ‘king and young king.’ As seen doing Essence Festival toasting. Now that’s ‘bloodline relationship’ mentoring. If you think in back-to-school terms. There’s biology, chemistry and history without being a book worm.

Yes, on-air they’re related by blood. Having gone through the fire and the flood. Spending work time together. Using chemistry like birds of a feather. Sharing a common story. Which has propelled them to glory. So, even if you’re not ‘Bloods’ related. Star power upload feels like family, together or separated.

Harvey’s mentoring brings a sense of family. That’s the lesson in today’s ditty. Giving young men options from gang activity. Family provides shared values. You discover relatives who’ve taken similar avenues. But a critical benefit I want to confess. Is creating history from a track-record of success.

Tip: Mentors, role models and sidekicks make you shine by tapping into a shared history, creating a sense of family and putting you on a success trajectory.

Talkback: How has a family member helped you make it, break it or take it to the next level?