| Self-Awareness and Confidence
Self-Awareness is the fundamental & foundational pillar of
the Core Program as well as for the young men involved in the
program. Students will have an opportunity to learn more about
themselves and each other as they participate in classroom discussions
and activities based around this pillar. The curriculum topics
under this pillar will provide the students an opportunity to
truly understand themselves: their strengths, areas of improvement,
fears, and what will be necessary to achieve their dreams. Some
of our discussion topics covered during this part of the curriculum
include: “It Was All A Dream”, “Selling Your
Soul”, and “What’s Your Worth, Black Men”.
Competitiveness and Teamwork
Competitiveness & Teamwork are needed for individuals to experience
true success and growth as they continue pursuing their dreams
and aspirations. Healthy competition is always based around teamwork.
All the discussions, events, and activities in the Core Program
are built around both pillars. These pillars are the hallmark
of EYM’s mental athleticism advantage and are core components
to the design of this initiative.
Perseverance and Assertiveness
In all of life’s endeavors, perseverance is required for
dreamers to achieve their goals and aspirations and live a successful
life. Throughout the course of the Core Program, students will
have to demonstrate perseverance across all twelve of the EYM
Pillars in order to progress through the curriculum, which is
representative of their progression to their dreams.
Along with perseverance, one must also exhibit assertiveness
during the pursuit of their dreams and goals. Over time, most
people lose intensity as a result of being told what they can
and cannot. The EYM Way clearly and constantly reinforces to young
black men that the only thing stopping you from the things that
you want is yourself. Some of the discussion topics addressed
in this portion of the curriculum include "The Disease of
Procrastination", "King of the Jungle", and "Fear
Factor". Students will also participate in several activities
during the EYM Offsite to test their level of assertiveness as
it relates reaching their goal(s).
Effective Communication
All great leaders exhibit effective communication and truly understand
the importance of working and thinking interdependently among
their colleagues. The curriculum around this pillar will challenge
students with a variety of events and activities as well as engage
them in numerous discussions in order to learn the principles
of effective communication. Some of the discussion points include
"Communication 101", "Non-Verbal Cues", "Proper
Presentation", "The Art of Story Telling", and
"Free Style". Members of the I-Fund will also come into
the class and perform a number of skits illustrating poor, average,
and effective communication. Students will also have a chance
to watch several films and read several books that will further
expound on being an effective communicator. Once they have a good
grasp of effective communication, they will be involved in an
Oratorical Contest, which will require all of them to walk into
a mall and give an impromptu speech. This event will also serve
as a fundraising competition for both teams.
Financial Literacy
Financial literacy is something over the past several decades
has not been emphasized within the black community and unfortunately
has hindered us in progressing as it relates to building and accumulating
wealth as well as sharing this mindset with our future leaders.
The young men involved in the program will understand the importance
of building generational wealth among family and within the community.
Some of the discussion topics covered during this portion of the
curriculum include "Balancing a Checkbook" and
"Ballin: What's Your Net Worth?" In addition to the
classroom discussions, the core students will participate in Business
Plan and Stock Competitions as well as public speaking on a college
campus about the pitfalls of credit card debt and unregulated
spending. This also represents an opportunity for major financial
institutions to get exposure to our EYM through the financial
literacy piece of the EYM Core Curriculum as well as members of
the i-Fund.
Entrepreneurship
With entrepreneurship on the rise among young adults in today's
society, we would like to expose the young men in the Core Program
to individuals involved in this arena as well as provide an opportunity
for the young men to showcase their talents as it relates to being
an entrepreneur. Students will participate as an apprentice/intern
for several business owners that are members of the EYM i-Fund
and compete in a Cash Flow tournament and Business Plan Competition
against other members of the class.
Personal Brand
The youth in today's society view "swagger" as a must-have
in order to have a marketable brand. Entertainers, athletes, and
even politicians incorporate swagger into their persona and brand
as a marketable commodity. Under the Personal Brand pillar, students
will participate in several discussions around branding themselves
and learning the art of swagger. They will also have a chance
to participate in the "Art of Swag Challenge" in conjunction
with our partner organization in order to visually reinforce the
knowledge gained in the classroom.
Inspirational Leadership
All great leaders have inspired the masses with their heroic acts
of courage and overcoming adversity. The discussion topics around
this pillar will showcase and highlight numerous leaders in society
who've paved the way for all of us. Students will learn about
their past and how they can apply the lessons learned towards
their future.
Community/Family Commitment
It's been said that, "Success isn't about the monetary or
material possession that one has attained, but about how many
people are better off because they lived". Some of the discussion
topics covered during this pillar include "Family Commitment",
"This Woman's Worth", "The Attitude of Giving vs.
Getting", and "Social Capitalism; What's Your Worth?"
Students will also volunteer with Habitat for Humanity as well
as participate in several community service projects by volunteering
at a Battered Women's Shelter, HIV Clinic, Senior Citizens Center,
and Diabetes Center to really gain an understanding as to some
of the ongoing problems affecting the American community. Upon
graduating from the EYM Core Program, students will understand
the dire need for them to be the example for the younger men and
women of their generation and in their communities and schools.
Health Awareness
An accurate definition of good health is a constant state of well
being. Mental, physical, and spiritual well-being each play significant
roles in the vitality of our lives; however, physical health is
an aspect of life that truly needs to be explained and learned
in a manner most applicable to the lives of our young black men.
Physical health is the core to maintaining and increasing good
health overall. Too often health does not make their list of priorities
during their youth and consequently becomes a determinant throughout
adulthood, thereby preventing their progression. The purpose of
this pillar is to increase awareness about the importance of health,
adequately define good health, explain the benefits of good health
as well as what's necessary to maintain it throughout the course
of their lives. We seek to empower young black men to take control
of their health as they pursue and achieve success.
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