Last night I was the guest speaker at an event in Decatur, Illinois to talk to teenage girls who were participating in this mentoring program. The event was called G.I.R.L (Growing Into Responsible Leaders). I talked to them about my experiences, my book, my book publishing company, and encouraged them to follow their dreams and work hard. It was an amazing night and these girls were all amazing. The mentors for these girls were also amazing and blessings from God for taken time to help these girls.

I gave each of them a notebook and had them write what they want for their lives, why they want it, and how they plan to make it happen. I was expecting some to either not take it seriously or to have answers like I want to be rich, etc. But when they stood up with their mentors and said what they wanted to be, I was blown away. These girls were saying things like I want to be a psychiatrist, a lawyer, a doctor, an FBI agent. Out of 30 girls, about 3 of them said they want to be singers/dancers, and there is nothing wrong with that of course. But the fact that so many say they want to be doctors and lawyers, was amazing. I was so moved by this. I also met the president of the local chapter of the NAACP, Dr. Norman, and she and I plan to work together in the coming months.

I was also amazed at the response people gave me when they heard my speech and heard about my book. After the event I had a small table set up with copies of my book and people crowded around the table just to get copies of it, autographs, shake my hand, hug me, and take pictures with me. I felt like a celebrity!! 

There are kids out there who are living hard lives but are trying to do something positive with their lives. They just need caring people, like the mentors at this program, who are willing to take the time to guide these kids and give them a boost in the right direction. This is what it's all about for me. Trying do what I can to help others. Very life changing experience.