LANSING MI - State Representative Michael C. Murphy (D-Lansing) recently introduced a bill that declares the third Saturday in June as "Juneteenth National Freedom Day" and Nov. 26 as "Sojourner Truth Day" in Michigan. "Slavery existed in this country for more than 200 years," Murphy said. "This bill will create two much-needed days to honor the memory of the millions of African-Americans enslaved and of those who struggled to abolish that cruel practice."

The Bill, HB 4854, recognizes Congressional passage of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery, on Jan. 31, 1865. Celebrations erupted throughout the country when African-Americans learned of their new freedom. The message of freedom finally reached the slaves in Western states on June 19, 1865.

The bill calls for "all citizens to reflect upon the strong survival instinct of the African-American slaves and the excitement and great joy with which they first celebrated the abolition of slavery."

The bill also honors Sojourner Truth, who traveled the nation for more than 40 years as an advocate for justice and the abolition of slavery. She lived in Battle Creek from 1857 until her death on Nov. 26, 1883.

"Sojourner Truth worked tirelessly and fearlessly to change national attitudes," Murphy said. "This designation not only acknowledges her importance as a national figure but, also, it recognizes her strong ties to Michigan."

Two Lansing School Distict teachers and an administrator, along with a MSU professor, met over dinner to put together an action plan that would facilitate the academic and social growth of several African American males attending Pattengill Middle School.

The African American Male Mentoring Group (AAMMG) was launched on March 2, 2005 with participants Chad Watts, Leroy Green, Tavarrio Davis, Marquis Gill, Ridge Morrell, Damel Bradley, Aaron Rodriquez, Terrence Mullins, Anthony Warden, Shane Howell, A.J. Brewer, Charles Williams and Jeanrony Petitdor.

The focus of AAMMG is to provide young men an opportunity to have a positive interaction with several African American adult males who have successfully navigated their way through the rough waters of life. Twice a week the young men met during their lunch period to discuss a variety of topics.

Pattengill Middle School teachers Verlecia Kelley, Sonya Lewis and assistant principal Michael Boles met with MSU Associate Professor Dr. Christopher Dunbar to discuss the need to provide mentoring for a group of seventh grade young men whom were on schedule to enter high school. The pressing question was asked, “How can we mentor these young men in a way that will help them better understand the importance of doing well in school? What can be put in place that will increase the odds of their finishing school?” The concern was not unwarranted. Recent educational research suggests a high number of African American males leave school before entering the ninth grade. Given the stistics, the teachers and administrators from this school decided that something needed to be done.

Dr. Dunbar met the young men, who filed into a designated room, one at a time with lunch in hand and a look of curiosity draped across their faces. The usual adolescent banter began as the young men scrambled to find a place to sit. “Are you gonna eat that burger” “can I have your chips?” “anybody want my milk?” The young men negotiated the redistribution of food and settled down. We began a discussion about why we were meeting and set ground rules for interacting with each other in a respectful way.

Several topics were discussed during the eight weeks we met. Statistics about the number of young males who drop out of school, differences in earnings between students who finish high school and those who don’t was part of the information provided to the students. In addition, the young men were treated to outside speakers who were invited to share lunch with the mentoring group. Eric Thomas, graduate student at MSU, and Demetrius Marlow, an employee of the MSU athletic department, also participated in teachable moments with the young men. Thomas took the young men through a series of exercises that helped them think about, what they wanted out of life (career opportunities) and how to make it happen. Marlow discussed issues concerning student athletes. At each opportunity these mentors dared the young men to succeed. They explained how to make the right decisions, how to respect and acknowledge authority, and finally, how to respect themselves. All of these skills were stressed as being key to becoming more successful students and eventually productive adults.

The group’s next goal is to seek external funding to expand the program with the idea of following the young men through their high school years.