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Young Brothers United welcome new members

By Imani Williams

DETROIT– About 30 well-wishers gathered at the downtown offices of Mpowerment Detroit on Feb. 18 to celebrate with new members of Young Brothers United. The day's event honored the graduates of the 2006 Intern class of YBU.
New members include DiLawn Powell, Alfredo Smith, Kevin Watts, Darthanian Nichols, Myles Carethurs, and Terrance Terry. The youth successfully completed a six-month internship designed to provide them with leadership skills, as well as training in community outreach on HIV/AIDS.
As the graduates took the microphone, they each defined what successful leadership and Young Brothers United means to them. They pledged to uphold the organization's name and their communities as they continue to reach others and teach about empowerment. Since all members hold down jobs while attending college, it seems they are not only talking the talk but walking the walk as well.
Mpowerment Detroit Program Director and YBU founder Jonathan Davis said, "I put forth my energies and my efforts to embrace my young black brothers in the LGBT community, because they were dying at an alarming rate, so I put together an extremely challenging obstacle to give them the opportunity to embrace something and to learn to make intelligent decisions."
Davis also said he realizes that the numbers that turned out to celebrate the new members were not on the high end. "YBU members have been trained to not get caught up in numbers, I believe that there shouldn't even be standing room in here as it relates to what we do as a community service for the LGBT community. And I know if this had been a party or an event with dancers you wouldn't be able to get in the doors."
"However, this is something that is impacting the community with future leaders and taking the message of HIV/AIDS to a whole new dimension, and it needs to be applauded," he told the graduates. "So if no one else ever tells you that you are appreciated for what you do, please know that I love you and believe in you."
As the seasoned members passed the torch on to new members, you could feel the pride of brotherhood and affirmation throughout the room as candles were lit.
As for programs that work with youth, YBU and Mpowerment Detroit embrace the much-needed elements of love and a feel for family, believing they are key ingredients that make for a lasting impression on youth. Groups like YBU counteract the "bad seed of society" stereotype many black youth are saddled with.

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Topics: News
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