The importance of male role models

Positive Male Role Models Important 

By Ramblin’ Rose

While many express dismay about the dismal circumstances that young black males face daily in modern society, author, talk show host and political activist Candace Owens blames the lack of the intact nuclear family, meaning the lack of a positive male role model, as the foundational reason for the majority of their shortcomings.

In Albany, Georgia, King Randall, himself a young black man, attributes his successes to the powerful impact of strong male examples in his life—his grandfather and stepfather.

In 2019, at the age of nineteen, he initiated a program, The X for Boys, within his community to be that role model for young black males from the juvenile court system and foster care. He started the program from his own house (married with family) because he recognized the need. He taught these young men life skills to make them independent and not dependent on government that fosters the continuation of their life as a status quo.

Since Randall had just lost his job, he began the program with 20 young men coming to his home for workshops on developing skills in auto mechanics, home maintenance and repair. When he realized that 93% of them were illiterate, he started a book club that met once a week.

The boys identified with him—he knew their community; he understood the problems caused by the high rate of crime and poverty in Albany; he was not much older than they. He understood them and their circumstances. They listened to him.

In addition to the training he provided, he also took them on field trips—museums, restaurants, local sites, neighboring cities, even a trip to Washington, D.C. and a visit to the White House. With the advent of the pandemic, seven boys moved into his home.

Initially, he personally funded all aspects of the program. Later, as community members learned of his work, they indicated their support—financial and emotional. Others encouraged him to share the news of his boys through social media, including a GoFundMe page.

Randall boasts that in two years, the boys are reading at 86% in comprehension, 91% have demonstrated an improvement in grades, 82% are proficient in general contracting, and most importantly, they have a 0% of recidivism.

He has a dream to create a residential school for The X for Boys program. He negotiated for seven months with the superintendent of the local Dougherty County School System to purchase a school designated for demolition. He raised $500,000 for that purchase only to be disappointed that the purchase sales agreement stated that the school district would provide the curriculum in their charter school. It was clear that the district "did not want competition." But his boys are not competition; they are not in the government-funded schools; they are in prison before entering his program.

Reports still indicate that he plans to open The Life Preparatory School for Boys in the fall of 2021. It is not clear if he can resolve the issues with the local district or if he plans to build a new school on the 40 acres that he purchased recently. He plans to use the acreage to teach camping, wilderness training, firearms training, welding, gardening, and other skills, as well as continue with the academic preparation.

He describes his role as that of mentoring boys (ages 11-17) on how to be a man, how to be masculine, how to accept the traditional values and responsibilities of being a man and caring for his family.

King Randall’s own words best summarize his dream and aspirations for the young black males in his community:

"The X for Boys is a 'Man-Making Machine.' Each troubled child is the result of various factors, including an unconducive home environment, poverty, and lack of direction. Despite their misgivings, even troublemakers are not exempt from the human need to find purpose and better themselves, and the organization ensures that they will be given the opportunity."

Editor's note: Check out the young African-American lady's facial expression in this video:

Her expressions say everything.