Without the basics, our generation can't survive' | Maryland Gazette (HometownGlenBurnie.com)

But the Annapolis High School junior knows lots of other African-American young men don't feel the same way, preferring to be followers rather than taking the lead and serving as role models. So, he fully supports an event slated for Saturday at Glen Burnie High School which is aimed at fostering future leaders as well as curbing violence and high school dropout rates.

The first African-American Young Men Conference is an outgrowth of mentoring efforts by members of the Annapolis-based Eta Eta Lambda chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Members wanted to expand their reach to the entire county, and reasoned that a conference was the best way to start the process.

"It's a good idea," John said. "If they had the knowledge and resources, I feel that our generation could one of the greatest generations of leaders ever."

The free conference is aimed at African-American young men in eighth through 12th grade, and organizers are hoping for attendance of around 150. About 75 boys have already registered, said Andre Dillard, vice president of the fraternity chapter.

In addition to speakers on issues like leadership, gang violence, sexually transmitted diseases, job skills, and the college application and financial aid process, schools like the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Bowie State University and Morgan State University will have recruiters at the conference. There will also be a recruiter from the Army.

Another facet of the conference will be a series of roundtable discussions where teens can express their views and concerns. All the presentations are intended to be brief so the youth won't lose interest, organizers said.

"Everyone may not be built (to go to) a four-year college," said chapter president Emmanuel Faulkner, a Baltimore city middle school teacher. "But without the basics, our generation can't survive."

Breakfast and lunch will be served at the conference and, to break up the academic tone a bit, a step team will perform and door prizes and T-shirts will be distributed.

"We want it to be educational as well as entertaining," said Mr. Dillard, who works as a behavior intervention specialist at Tyler Heights Elementary School in Annapolis.

To their full potential

The members of the fraternity said part of the reason there are so many problems in the African-American community is a lack of role models for young men. At Tyler Heights, for example, Mr. Dillard said there are only two African-American men on staff at a school whose student population is 50 percent black. "They don't see positive African-American role models," he said, "so they follow things on TV or in their neighborhood."

Lamont Barnett, a 15-year-old high school freshman from Annapolis who was at the Boys and Girls Club earlier this week, agreed. He said a lot of teens like to be part of the group, but he'd like to be a leader. Lamont said boys need to study hard and hone their social skills to achieve that - and members of the fraternity chapter said they feel obligated to help.

"We owe it to these youth to push them to their full potential," Mr. Dillard said. "If not, it's a never-ending cycle that will continue to go on. We have to reach back and help out these young men. I know what it's like to grow up and be a black man. I want to share the trials and tribulations, the rights and wrongs."

Mr. Dillard and the others aren't expecting miracles at this first conference, and instead are just hoping to begin a dialogue and maybe spark some interest in teens to better themselves and their community.

"It's not going to happen overnight," said Marrell Harden of Gambrills, financial secretary of the fraternity chapter and a federal probation officer. ... (But) this is not something we want to do one time. We hope to spin off and do something every year and make it big."

The African-American Young Men Conference is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Glen Burnie High School, 7550 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard. The event is free, and breakfast and lunch will be served. Registration is required. Registration forms, which include a permission slip that has to be filled out by a parent or guardian, are available at local high schools and churches. Teens also can register the day of the event if seating is still available, provided they're accompanied by a parent or guardian. For more information, call Mr. Dillard at 410-271-4182.