Once we figure out who we are, we can be unstoppable in your pursuit of success. ~Orayne Williams
TheBlackManCan is back in New York City for its next EXTRAordinary Black Man feature. We bring you a man today who is passionate about working with at-risk youth from various a backgrounds. This EXTRAordinary Black Man has created an organization called The Progressive People Movement that provides youth with the fundamental tools they need to succeed, such as goal setting, decision making and communication skills. We proudly present Orayne Williams. Orayne sits down with TheBlackManCan to discuss his life story, why its important for youth to become self-dependent and how youth can break the negative cycles in their communities.
TheBlackManCan: What motivated you to overcome obstacles and do well in school?
OW: What motivated me? Well I always say to myself that the only way to break a negative cycle is to become educated. My faith in God kept me moving forward, because I knew I was working on an amazing testimony that will someday inspire and encourage others. Also I like when people tell me I can’t make it or will not make it because then I am determine to prove them wrong.
TheBlackManCan: How is your relationship with your family today?
OW: I only communicate with my father’s mother and my father, who lives in Jamaica and that’s it. I have no communication with my mother and my siblings and other family members on my mother side. I strongly believe that your family is who you make it. It doesn’t have to be biological.
TheBlackManCan: What provided the spark to create The Progressive People Movement?
OW: The notion that young people are often apart of the problem as oppose to apart of the solution is one of the sparks behind Progressive People Movement. That’s why within Progressive People Movement, we will strive to maintain the concept of young people work with and supporting other young people. Also I believe that everyone needs a support system, if it had not been for my support system I wouldn’t be here today. While being homeless, in the shelter, I saw some of the negative things that are easily available to at risk youth. The youth to succumb to them because it seem more understanding and reachable. I grew passionate about helping young people because I know if I did it they can too because I am not different front from they are.
TheBlackManCan:mWhat is the mission and vision behind The Progressive People Movement?
OW: Progressive People Movement (PPM) is a nonprofit organization currently in formation, that is designed to work with at-risk youth, with a special focus on young black males, coming from various backgrounds in order to help develop their character and enrich their life skills. PPM’s goal is to provide these youth the skills they need to succeed. Skills such as goal setting, decision making and communication skills. PPM will empower these youth to use these skills as tools to access and analyze information given to them so they can make educated decisions about life choices.
The mission of PPM is to provide an outlet for at-risk youth through various services which they do not have access to. The goal of the mission is to create independent youth who are equipped to face the challenges of life.
TheBlackManCan: What programs are offered to youth in your program?
OW: Click here to view the PPM Flyer to learn more about their youth programs.
TheBlackManCan: : Why is it important to help youth become self-dependent?
OW: It is important to help youth become self dependent because they will be more determined. They will be more determine in a sense, where because they are not depending on someone to do something for them, they will become very zealous and passionate about making things happen. They become very self confident and gain great amount of self respect when they are self dependent because they are proud of themselves because they are now producing and progressing.
The youth to succumb to them because it seem more understanding and reachable. I grew passionate about helping young people because I know if I did it they can too because I am not different front from they are. ~Orayne Williams
TheBlackManCan: How can we help youth realize that they have the power to break the negative cycles that plague their community?
OW: By equipping them with the tools they need. You can’t send a soldier in a war with no weapons.
TheBlackManCan: What is a quote that you live by?
OW: “The stone the builder refuses become the chief cornerstone”.
TheBlackManCan: Where do you see yourself and The Progressive People Movement in five years?
OW: In the next five years I see Progressive People Movement as a huge NYC youth program simultaneously expanding. In the next five years I see myself finishing college and working to support myself to pursue my Ph.D.
Also I believe that everyone needs a support system, if it had not been for my support system I wouldn’t be here today. ~Orayne Williams
TheBlackManCan: What words of advice do you have for young people?
OW: You are not what people call you but you are who you say you are. Therefore if you say you will overcome then you will overcome. Our deepest fear is not that we don’t know where we are going in life but our deepest fear is that we don’t know who we are. Once we figure out who we are, we can be unstoppable in your pursuit of success. Find out who you are, and stop living by society and family expectations.
Click the links below to learn more about Orayne and his organization along with his life story.
http://www.thenateshow.com/videos/detail/269/from-homeless-to-first-home/
http://www.thenateshow.com/videos/detail/2527/from-homeless-to-college/
http://www.thenateshow.com/videos/detail/2509/reboot-your-life/
abclocal.go.com/wabc/video?id=7499562
http://www.wix.com/jrorayne/ppm
Our mission is to actively promote a positive black male image. Welcome to the Spotlight: League of EXTRAordinary Black Men. Here, we spotlight black men weekly who are having a positive impact in communities across the country. These men are actively promoting a positive black male image each and every day. If you know a man that should be spotlighted please send an email to theblackmancan@gmail.com In that email please state who you are and why you are nominating this individual. Please leave your contact information and the contact information of the individual you are nominating
