Faces from The Forum

Rashad, Troy, Conscious, and
Roosevelt from Urban Youth Movement.

Conscious is a strong, gentle hulk of a man. He cajolingly shepherds his small cadre of young African American men who are greeting people outside the Africa tent. All are part of the Urban Youth Movement - Saving At Risk Youth: Stop the Violence. Conscious explained to me that he was completely illiterate until the age of 23, when he taught himself to read, started a small business, and began helping other neglected and troubled youth.

Hurricane Katrina relocated Conscious' crew from New Orleans to Atlanta, where they continue their work with youth involved in gangs and drugs. Conscious' philosophy is to meet these youth where they are at, and ask them where they want to go - then help them get there if they are committed and disciplined. He's a strong believer in practical education, helping young men with families receive vocational training to get good jobs rather than selling drugs or languishing in a strictly academic environment. Power to the people!