[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
raise your hand if you’ve ever had one
raise your hand if you’ve ever had one of those proud parent moments I’ll act
of those proud parent moments I’ll act
of those proud parent moments I’ll act like I can see you but I can imagine
like I can see you but I can imagine
like I can see you but I can imagine that there’s quite a few of you with
that there’s quite a few of you with
that there’s quite a few of you with your hands up
your hands up
your hands up we know those moments that I’m talking
we know those moments that I’m talking
we know those moments that I’m talking about their first steps the first time
about their first steps the first time
about their first steps the first time that they scribble their name onto a
that they scribble their name onto a
that they scribble their name onto a piece of paper those moments captivate
piece of paper those moments captivate
piece of paper those moments captivate us we’re watching a being that’s so
us we’re watching a being that’s so
us we’re watching a being that’s so dependent on the world that’s
dependent on the world that’s
dependent on the world that’s surrounding it inch towards independence
surrounding it inch towards independence
surrounding it inch towards independence all on its own now I don’t have any
all on its own now I don’t have any
all on its own now I don’t have any children but being a director of a Boys
children but being a director of a Boys
children but being a director of a Boys & Girls Club I feel like I have 75 and
yes I too have fallen victim to that
yes I too have fallen victim to that proud parent moment one that sticks out
proud parent moment one that sticks out
proud parent moment one that sticks out to me was Valentine’s Day two years ago
to me was Valentine’s Day two years ago
to me was Valentine’s Day two years ago we had worked all week and gathered as
we had worked all week and gathered as
we had worked all week and gathered as many Valentine’s Day cards as we could
many Valentine’s Day cards as we could
many Valentine’s Day cards as we could wrote our best notes on them happy
wrote our best notes on them happy
wrote our best notes on them happy Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day we love you all topped with a dum-dum
we love you all topped with a dum-dum
we love you all topped with a dum-dum taped to the front I didn’t have the
taped to the front I didn’t have the
taped to the front I didn’t have the heart to tell him that no one over the
heart to tell him that no one over the
heart to tell him that no one over the age the age of 12 eats dum-dums so we
age the age of 12 eats dum-dums so we
age the age of 12 eats dum-dums so we packed them all up and we walked them
packed them all up and we walked them
packed them all up and we walked them across the street and we delivered them
across the street and we delivered them
across the street and we delivered them to some senior citizens that lived in
to some senior citizens that lived in
to some senior citizens that lived in our neighborhood and I got to watch them
our neighborhood and I got to watch them
our neighborhood and I got to watch them knock on each door and deliver each one
knock on each door and deliver each one
knock on each door and deliver each one with a smile with well wishes and we got
with a smile with well wishes and we got
with a smile with well wishes and we got some mixed reviews some of them
some mixed reviews some of them
some mixed reviews some of them naturally opened the door and they said
naturally opened the door and they said
naturally opened the door and they said hi confused as to who we were and why we
hi confused as to who we were and why we
hi confused as to who we were and why we were handing them a dump
were handing them a dump
were handing them a dump but others open that door and they saw
but others open that door and they saw
but others open that door and they saw that smiling face
that smiling face
that smiling face they embraced a complete stranger I was
they embraced a complete stranger I was
they embraced a complete stranger I was proud in that moment cause they were
proud in that moment cause they were
proud in that moment cause they were experiencing what community is and I was
experiencing what community is and I was
experiencing what community is and I was proud because not only were my kids out
proud because not only were my kids out
proud because not only were my kids out there doing good in their community but
there doing good in their community but
there doing good in their community but the community was embracing that they
the community was embracing that they
the community was embracing that they were rewarding that behavior they were
were rewarding that behavior they were
were rewarding that behavior they were showing them everything that we had been
showing them everything that we had been
showing them everything that we had been preaching to them was true that if you
preaching to them was true that if you
preaching to them was true that if you care about those around you they will
care about those around you they will
care about those around you they will embrace that but the proud parent moment
embrace that but the proud parent moment
embrace that but the proud parent moment happened as we were walking out
happened as we were walking out
happened as we were walking out we had handed out what seemed like eight
we had handed out what seemed like eight
we had handed out what seemed like eight thousand cards and the hour and a half
thousand cards and the hour and a half
thousand cards and the hour and a half that we were there and as we were
that we were there and as we were
that we were there and as we were walking out one of my girls were smiling
walking out one of my girls were smiling
walking out one of my girls were smiling ear-to-ear and she looked up to me and
ear-to-ear and she looked up to me and
ear-to-ear and she looked up to me and she said you know you were right now
she said you know you were right now
she said you know you were right now naturally I love hearing that I didn’t
naturally I love hearing that I didn’t
naturally I love hearing that I didn’t want to stop her you know Who am I to
want to stop her you know Who am I to
want to stop her you know Who am I to stop her but I was confused because the
stop her but I was confused because the
stop her but I was confused because the one time I didn’t have that corny
one time I didn’t have that corny
one time I didn’t have that corny teachable moment was that night I hadn’t
teachable moment was that night I hadn’t
teachable moment was that night I hadn’t done or said anything so what had I been
done or said anything so what had I been
done or said anything so what had I been so right about and she looked up at me
so right about and she looked up at me
so right about and she looked up at me and she said making people happy really
and she said making people happy really
and she said making people happy really does make me happy Wow
does make me happy Wow
does make me happy Wow so they were listening even though it
so they were listening even though it
so they were listening even though it sounded like lectures and scolding as to
sounded like lectures and scolding as to
sounded like lectures and scolding as to why we should get along and why you
why we should get along and why you
why we should get along and why you couldn’t use all of the Legos and you
couldn’t use all of the Legos and you
couldn’t use all of the Legos and you had to share them because your
had to share them because your
had to share them because your individual impact in that in our clubs
individual impact in that in our clubs
individual impact in that in our clubs community affected everybody so that was
community affected everybody so that was
community affected everybody so that was this a powerful moment for me I was
this a powerful moment for me I was
this a powerful moment for me I was sitting there and I had to convince her
sitting there and I had to convince her
sitting there and I had to convince her that my allergies were acting up in
that my allergies were acting up in
that my allergies were acting up in February and I was definitely not crying
February and I was definitely not crying
February and I was definitely not crying you don’t cry so but that that feeling
you don’t cry so but that that feeling
you don’t cry so but that that feeling for me was not foreign see I have the
for me was not foreign see I have the
for me was not foreign see I have the great fortune of being an older brother
great fortune of being an older brother
great fortune of being an older brother and although mom made me take him
and although mom made me take him
and although mom made me take him everywhere I went and everything that I
everywhere I went and everything that I
everywhere I went and everything that I wanted to do he wanted to do he always
wanted to do he wanted to do he always
wanted to do he wanted to do he always put that pressure on me he made me
put that pressure on me he made me
put that pressure on me he made me understand at a young age that I had a
understand at a young age that I had a
understand at a young age that I had a responsibility to him he chose me as his
responsibility to him he chose me as his
responsibility to him he chose me as his leader and I had to come through so
leader and I had to come through so
leader and I had to come through so unfortunately yes I stayed in my high
unfortunately yes I stayed in my high
unfortunately yes I stayed in my high school classes and I was on the honor
school classes and I was on the honor
school classes and I was on the honor roll and I did every little thing that I
roll and I did every little thing that I
roll and I did every little thing that I could do to show him that this is what a
could do to show him that this is what a
could do to show him that this is what a man should be hoping that when he got to
man should be hoping that when he got to
man should be hoping that when he got to where I was he could progress that a
where I was he could progress that a
where I was he could progress that a little bit further and as he walked
little bit further and as he walked
little bit further and as he walked across the stage last year as a college
across the stage last year as a college
across the stage last year as a college graduate a part of me walked across the
graduate a part of me walked across the
graduate a part of me walked across the stage I know that just as much as he had
stage I know that just as much as he had
stage I know that just as much as he had an influence on me I had that on him and
an influence on me I had that on him and
an influence on me I had that on him and perhaps if I didn’t walk across the
perhaps if I didn’t walk across the
perhaps if I didn’t walk across the stage or if he had never seen me pursue
stage or if he had never seen me pursue
stage or if he had never seen me pursue my dreams and my goals maybe he would
my dreams and my goals maybe he would
my dreams and my goals maybe he would never be there and in that moment I
never be there and in that moment I
never be there and in that moment I remembered all the times that I
remembered all the times that I
remembered all the times that I succeeded and all the times that I
succeeded and all the times that I
succeeded and all the times that I failed and all the times that he still
failed and all the times that he still
failed and all the times that he still cheered me on it was a super hero and
cheered me on it was a super hero and
cheered me on it was a super hero and now here I was outside of this senior
now here I was outside of this senior
now here I was outside of this senior citizen apartment building and tears are
citizen apartment building and tears are
citizen apartment building and tears are in my eyes and had no idea that I could
in my eyes and had no idea that I could
in my eyes and had no idea that I could be a superhero 275 more that moment was
be a superhero 275 more that moment was
be a superhero 275 more that moment was powerful but with that power I
powerful but with that power I
powerful but with that power I understood the responsibility that I had
understood the responsibility that I had
understood the responsibility that I had they’re watching me they’re listening to
they’re watching me they’re listening to
they’re watching me they’re listening to me and I share that because I’m in a
me and I share that because I’m in a
me and I share that because I’m in a room full of superheroes I know that
room full of superheroes I know that
room full of superheroes I know that there are many that are sitting in the
there are many that are sitting in the
there are many that are sitting in the seats here today and with great power
seats here today and with great power
seats here today and with great power that we have there’s great
that we have there’s great
that we have there’s great responsibility it’s important that we
responsibility it’s important that we
responsibility it’s important that we understand that they are listening they
understand that they are listening they
understand that they are listening they are watching and I don’t say that to
are watching and I don’t say that to
are watching and I don’t say that to make you nervous don’t be nervous
make you nervous don’t be nervous
make you nervous don’t be nervous but we should be excited why shouldn’t
but we should be excited why shouldn’t
but we should be excited why shouldn’t we be excited what I’m describing to you
we be excited what I’m describing to you
we be excited what I’m describing to you is exactly what it sounds like the
is exactly what it sounds like the
is exactly what it sounds like the future is in the palm of our hands ready
future is in the palm of our hands ready
future is in the palm of our hands ready and willing to blindly follow us
and willing to blindly follow us
and willing to blindly follow us wherever we so choose to lead them we
wherever we so choose to lead them we
wherever we so choose to lead them we have the blueprint that we’re one day
have the blueprint that we’re one day
have the blueprint that we’re one day going to give to them believe it or not
going to give to them believe it or not
going to give to them believe it or not mom you won’t be here forever and yes
mom you won’t be here forever and yes
mom you won’t be here forever and yes eventually I’ll have to do some things
eventually I’ll have to do some things
eventually I’ll have to do some things on my own but you’ve taught me well and
on my own but you’ve taught me well and
on my own but you’ve taught me well and being in my role as director I realized
being in my role as director I realized
being in my role as director I realized that it extends beyond that it’s not
that it extends beyond that it’s not
that it extends beyond that it’s not just your family it’s not just your
just your family it’s not just your
just your family it’s not just your friends but it’s everybody who you
friends but it’s everybody who you
friends but it’s everybody who you encounter with every single day no I
encounter with every single day no I
encounter with every single day no I don’t talk to every single one of them
don’t talk to every single one of them
don’t talk to every single one of them every day when they come in but they’re
every day when they come in but they’re
every day when they come in but they’re always watching me they’re always
always watching me they’re always
always watching me they’re always listening to me and I think that my team
listening to me and I think that my team
listening to me and I think that my team and I have done the best that we can to
and I have done the best that we can to
and I have done the best that we can to show them that we’re human we’re not
show them that we’re human we’re not
show them that we’re human we’re not perfect
perfect
perfect I tell them for the better half of 26
I tell them for the better half of 26
I tell them for the better half of 26 years I’ve made is probably as many
years I’ve made is probably as many
years I’ve made is probably as many mistakes as I could have and I’m still
mistakes as I could have and I’m still
mistakes as I could have and I’m still here and I have to share that with them
here and I have to share that with them
here and I have to share that with them because it’s important that they know
because it’s important that they know
because it’s important that they know that it’s important that they know we
that it’s important that they know we
that it’s important that they know we don’t need them to be perfect because we
don’t need them to be perfect because we
don’t need them to be perfect because we weren’t perfect but it is important that
weren’t perfect but it is important that
weren’t perfect but it is important that we give them the tools that it’s going
we give them the tools that it’s going
we give them the tools that it’s going to take for them to overcome some of the
to take for them to overcome some of the
to take for them to overcome some of the hardships that we had that we had to
hardships that we had that we had to
hardships that we had that we had to figure out and when they head off into
figure out and when they head off into
figure out and when they head off into the future that our toolbox is as filled
the future that our toolbox is as filled
the future that our toolbox is as filled as possible
as possible
as possible I don’t want anybody here to walk away
I don’t want anybody here to walk away
I don’t want anybody here to walk away today thinking that I don’t think that
today thinking that I don’t think that
today thinking that I don’t think that you’re doing your part I do I’m doing
you’re doing your part I do I’m doing
you’re doing your part I do I’m doing mine the best that I can and I could
mine the best that I can and I could
mine the best that I can and I could always do more but it’s about growth
always do more but it’s about growth
always do more but it’s about growth it’s about growing with them it’s about
it’s about growing with them it’s about
it’s about growing with them it’s about showing them that you know what maybe I
showing them that you know what maybe I
showing them that you know what maybe I wasn’t perfect but here’s what I learned
wasn’t perfect but here’s what I learned
wasn’t perfect but here’s what I learned from it so when they’re in our shoes
from it so when they’re in our shoes
from it so when they’re in our shoes they’re going to be more prepared than
they’re going to be more prepared than
they’re going to be more prepared than we were it’s about passing that torch
we were it’s about passing that torch
we were it’s about passing that torch the message that we send to them through
the message that we send to them through
the message that we send to them through with our words and with our actions
with our words and with our actions
with our words and with our actions that’s what’s going to echo through
that’s what’s going to echo through
that’s what’s going to echo through generations
generations
generations it’s not going to be the headlines that
it’s not going to be the headlines that
it’s not going to be the headlines that you see on TV now it’s going to be those
you see on TV now it’s going to be those
you see on TV now it’s going to be those anecdotes that mom always told you when
anecdotes that mom always told you when
anecdotes that mom always told you when you were growing up right you can do
you were growing up right you can do
you were growing up right you can do things the easy way or the hard way
things the easy way or the hard way
things the easy way or the hard way that’s up to you
that’s up to you
that’s up to you luckily my sister always chose the hard
luckily my sister always chose the hard
luckily my sister always chose the hard way so I you know what I mean I felt
way so I you know what I mean I felt
way so I you know what I mean I felt like I had to balance it out but it was
like I had to balance it out but it was
like I had to balance it out but it was it was it was that message I don’t
it was it was that message I don’t
it was it was that message I don’t remember what the TV said when I was
remember what the TV said when I was
remember what the TV said when I was five when I was six but I remember how
five when I was six but I remember how
five when I was six but I remember how my community made me feel and to watch
my community made me feel and to watch
my community made me feel and to watch my young people get out into their
my young people get out into their
my young people get out into their community and have that light bulb
community and have that light bulb
community and have that light bulb moment when they realized that yes at
moment when they realized that yes at
moment when they realized that yes at eight and nine you can impact your
eight and nine you can impact your
eight and nine you can impact your community today you can put a smile on
community today you can put a smile on
community today you can put a smile on someone’s face you can give someone a
someone’s face you can give someone a
someone’s face you can give someone a compliment you can truly begin to change
compliment you can truly begin to change
compliment you can truly begin to change and sculpt the world that is around you
and sculpt the world that is around you
and sculpt the world that is around you and I think as often as we can give them
and I think as often as we can give them
and I think as often as we can give them that that opportunity as much as we can
that that opportunity as much as we can
that that opportunity as much as we can give ourselves that opportunity to show
give ourselves that opportunity to show
give ourselves that opportunity to show them the better off they’re going to be
them the better off they’re going to be
them the better off they’re going to be don’t be afraid of those moments now
don’t be afraid of those moments now
don’t be afraid of those moments now before I go I want you guys all to think
before I go I want you guys all to think
before I go I want you guys all to think about a young person maybe they’re a son
about a young person maybe they’re a son
about a young person maybe they’re a son or a daughter or a niece or nephew or
or a daughter or a niece or nephew or
or a daughter or a niece or nephew or maybe they’re just little Johnny a
maybe they’re just little Johnny a
maybe they’re just little Johnny a little Suzy who you see as your driving
little Suzy who you see as your driving
little Suzy who you see as your driving to work and they’re walking to school or
to work and they’re walking to school or
to work and they’re walking to school or you see them in the grocery store as you
you see them in the grocery store as you
you see them in the grocery store as you pick up those last few things before you
pick up those last few things before you
pick up those last few things before you head home and I want you to think about
head home and I want you to think about
head home and I want you to think about their grandchildren and I want you to
their grandchildren and I want you to
their grandchildren and I want you to think about the message that we’ve given
think about the message that we’ve given
think about the message that we’ve given them and what they’re gonna pass forward
them and what they’re gonna pass forward
them and what they’re gonna pass forward and I want you to think of what that’s
and I want you to think of what that’s
and I want you to think of what that’s gonna sound like what that’s going to
gonna sound like what that’s going to
gonna sound like what that’s going to look like
and I want you to take that same young
and I want you to take that same young person that you’re thinking of and I
person that you’re thinking of and I
person that you’re thinking of and I want you to put them right in your shoes
want you to put them right in your shoes
want you to put them right in your shoes I want you to imagine that as they get
I want you to imagine that as they get
I want you to imagine that as they get to where you are in life that they’re
to where you are in life that they’re
to where you are in life that they’re impacting their community the exact same
impacting their community the exact same
impacting their community the exact same way that you are impacting yours is that
way that you are impacting yours is that
way that you are impacting yours is that how you want them to be remembered
how you want them to be remembered
how you want them to be remembered [Music]
[Music] [Applause]
raise your hand if you’ve ever had one
raise your hand if you’ve ever had one of those proud parent moments I’ll act
of those proud parent moments I’ll act
of those proud parent moments I’ll act like I can see you but I can imagine
like I can see you but I can imagine
like I can see you but I can imagine that there’s quite a few of you with
that there’s quite a few of you with
that there’s quite a few of you with your hands up
your hands up
your hands up we know those moments that I’m talking
we know those moments that I’m talking
we know those moments that I’m talking about their first steps the first time
about their first steps the first time
about their first steps the first time that they scribble their name onto a
that they scribble their name onto a
that they scribble their name onto a piece of paper those moments captivate
piece of paper those moments captivate
piece of paper those moments captivate us we’re watching a being that’s so
us we’re watching a being that’s so
us we’re watching a being that’s so dependent on the world that’s
dependent on the world that’s
dependent on the world that’s surrounding it inch towards independence
surrounding it inch towards independence
surrounding it inch towards independence all on its own now I don’t have any
all on its own now I don’t have any
all on its own now I don’t have any children but being a director of a Boys
children but being a director of a Boys
children but being a director of a Boys & Girls Club I feel like I have 75 and
yes I too have fallen victim to that
yes I too have fallen victim to that proud parent moment one that sticks out
proud parent moment one that sticks out
proud parent moment one that sticks out to me was Valentine’s Day two years ago
to me was Valentine’s Day two years ago
to me was Valentine’s Day two years ago we had worked all week and gathered as
we had worked all week and gathered as
we had worked all week and gathered as many Valentine’s Day cards as we could
many Valentine’s Day cards as we could
many Valentine’s Day cards as we could wrote our best notes on them happy
wrote our best notes on them happy
wrote our best notes on them happy Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day we love you all topped with a dum-dum
we love you all topped with a dum-dum
we love you all topped with a dum-dum taped to the front I didn’t have the
taped to the front I didn’t have the
taped to the front I didn’t have the heart to tell him that no one over the
heart to tell him that no one over the
heart to tell him that no one over the age the age of 12 eats dum-dums so we
age the age of 12 eats dum-dums so we
age the age of 12 eats dum-dums so we packed them all up and we walked them
packed them all up and we walked them
packed them all up and we walked them across the street and we delivered them
across the street and we delivered them
across the street and we delivered them to some senior citizens that lived in
to some senior citizens that lived in
to some senior citizens that lived in our neighborhood and I got to watch them
our neighborhood and I got to watch them
our neighborhood and I got to watch them knock on each door and deliver each one
knock on each door and deliver each one
knock on each door and deliver each one with a smile with well wishes and we got
with a smile with well wishes and we got
with a smile with well wishes and we got some mixed reviews some of them
some mixed reviews some of them
some mixed reviews some of them naturally opened the door and they said
naturally opened the door and they said
naturally opened the door and they said hi confused as to who we were and why we
hi confused as to who we were and why we
hi confused as to who we were and why we were handing them a dump
were handing them a dump
were handing them a dump but others open that door and they saw
but others open that door and they saw
but others open that door and they saw that smiling face
that smiling face
that smiling face they embraced a complete stranger I was
they embraced a complete stranger I was
they embraced a complete stranger I was proud in that moment cause they were
proud in that moment cause they were
proud in that moment cause they were experiencing what community is and I was
experiencing what community is and I was
experiencing what community is and I was proud because not only were my kids out
proud because not only were my kids out
proud because not only were my kids out there doing good in their community but
there doing good in their community but
there doing good in their community but the community was embracing that they
the community was embracing that they
the community was embracing that they were rewarding that behavior they were
were rewarding that behavior they were
were rewarding that behavior they were showing them everything that we had been
showing them everything that we had been
showing them everything that we had been preaching to them was true that if you
preaching to them was true that if you
preaching to them was true that if you care about those around you they will
care about those around you they will
care about those around you they will embrace that but the proud parent moment
embrace that but the proud parent moment
embrace that but the proud parent moment happened as we were walking out
happened as we were walking out
happened as we were walking out we had handed out what seemed like eight
we had handed out what seemed like eight
we had handed out what seemed like eight thousand cards and the hour and a half
thousand cards and the hour and a half
thousand cards and the hour and a half that we were there and as we were
that we were there and as we were
that we were there and as we were walking out one of my girls were smiling
walking out one of my girls were smiling
walking out one of my girls were smiling ear-to-ear and she looked up to me and
ear-to-ear and she looked up to me and
ear-to-ear and she looked up to me and she said you know you were right now
she said you know you were right now
she said you know you were right now naturally I love hearing that I didn’t
naturally I love hearing that I didn’t
naturally I love hearing that I didn’t want to stop her you know Who am I to
want to stop her you know Who am I to
want to stop her you know Who am I to stop her but I was confused because the
stop her but I was confused because the
stop her but I was confused because the one time I didn’t have that corny
one time I didn’t have that corny
one time I didn’t have that corny teachable moment was that night I hadn’t
teachable moment was that night I hadn’t
teachable moment was that night I hadn’t done or said anything so what had I been
done or said anything so what had I been
done or said anything so what had I been so right about and she looked up at me
so right about and she looked up at me
so right about and she looked up at me and she said making people happy really
and she said making people happy really
and she said making people happy really does make me happy Wow
does make me happy Wow
does make me happy Wow so they were listening even though it
so they were listening even though it
so they were listening even though it sounded like lectures and scolding as to
sounded like lectures and scolding as to
sounded like lectures and scolding as to why we should get along and why you
why we should get along and why you
why we should get along and why you couldn’t use all of the Legos and you
couldn’t use all of the Legos and you
couldn’t use all of the Legos and you had to share them because your
had to share them because your
had to share them because your individual impact in that in our clubs
individual impact in that in our clubs
individual impact in that in our clubs community affected everybody so that was
community affected everybody so that was
community affected everybody so that was this a powerful moment for me I was
this a powerful moment for me I was
this a powerful moment for me I was sitting there and I had to convince her
sitting there and I had to convince her
sitting there and I had to convince her that my allergies were acting up in
that my allergies were acting up in
that my allergies were acting up in February and I was definitely not crying
February and I was definitely not crying
February and I was definitely not crying you don’t cry so but that that feeling
you don’t cry so but that that feeling
you don’t cry so but that that feeling for me was not foreign see I have the
for me was not foreign see I have the
for me was not foreign see I have the great fortune of being an older brother
great fortune of being an older brother
great fortune of being an older brother and although mom made me take him
and although mom made me take him
and although mom made me take him everywhere I went and everything that I
everywhere I went and everything that I
everywhere I went and everything that I wanted to do he wanted to do he always
wanted to do he wanted to do he always
wanted to do he wanted to do he always put that pressure on me he made me
put that pressure on me he made me
put that pressure on me he made me understand at a young age that I had a
understand at a young age that I had a
understand at a young age that I had a responsibility to him he chose me as his
responsibility to him he chose me as his
responsibility to him he chose me as his leader and I had to come through so
leader and I had to come through so
leader and I had to come through so unfortunately yes I stayed in my high
unfortunately yes I stayed in my high
unfortunately yes I stayed in my high school classes and I was on the honor
school classes and I was on the honor
school classes and I was on the honor roll and I did every little thing that I
roll and I did every little thing that I
roll and I did every little thing that I could do to show him that this is what a
could do to show him that this is what a
could do to show him that this is what a man should be hoping that when he got to
man should be hoping that when he got to
man should be hoping that when he got to where I was he could progress that a
where I was he could progress that a
where I was he could progress that a little bit further and as he walked
little bit further and as he walked
little bit further and as he walked across the stage last year as a college
across the stage last year as a college
across the stage last year as a college graduate a part of me walked across the
graduate a part of me walked across the
graduate a part of me walked across the stage I know that just as much as he had
stage I know that just as much as he had
stage I know that just as much as he had an influence on me I had that on him and
an influence on me I had that on him and
an influence on me I had that on him and perhaps if I didn’t walk across the
perhaps if I didn’t walk across the
perhaps if I didn’t walk across the stage or if he had never seen me pursue
stage or if he had never seen me pursue
stage or if he had never seen me pursue my dreams and my goals maybe he would
my dreams and my goals maybe he would
my dreams and my goals maybe he would never be there and in that moment I
never be there and in that moment I
never be there and in that moment I remembered all the times that I
remembered all the times that I
remembered all the times that I succeeded and all the times that I
succeeded and all the times that I
succeeded and all the times that I failed and all the times that he still
failed and all the times that he still
failed and all the times that he still cheered me on it was a super hero and
cheered me on it was a super hero and
cheered me on it was a super hero and now here I was outside of this senior
now here I was outside of this senior
now here I was outside of this senior citizen apartment building and tears are
citizen apartment building and tears are
citizen apartment building and tears are in my eyes and had no idea that I could
in my eyes and had no idea that I could
in my eyes and had no idea that I could be a superhero 275 more that moment was
be a superhero 275 more that moment was
be a superhero 275 more that moment was powerful but with that power I
powerful but with that power I
powerful but with that power I understood the responsibility that I had
understood the responsibility that I had
understood the responsibility that I had they’re watching me they’re listening to
they’re watching me they’re listening to
they’re watching me they’re listening to me and I share that because I’m in a
me and I share that because I’m in a
me and I share that because I’m in a room full of superheroes I know that
room full of superheroes I know that
room full of superheroes I know that there are many that are sitting in the
there are many that are sitting in the
there are many that are sitting in the seats here today and with great power
seats here today and with great power
seats here today and with great power that we have there’s great
that we have there’s great
that we have there’s great responsibility it’s important that we
responsibility it’s important that we
responsibility it’s important that we understand that they are listening they
understand that they are listening they
understand that they are listening they are watching and I don’t say that to
are watching and I don’t say that to
are watching and I don’t say that to make you nervous don’t be nervous
make you nervous don’t be nervous
make you nervous don’t be nervous but we should be excited why shouldn’t
but we should be excited why shouldn’t
but we should be excited why shouldn’t we be excited what I’m describing to you
we be excited what I’m describing to you
we be excited what I’m describing to you is exactly what it sounds like the
is exactly what it sounds like the
is exactly what it sounds like the future is in the palm of our hands ready
future is in the palm of our hands ready
future is in the palm of our hands ready and willing to blindly follow us
and willing to blindly follow us
and willing to blindly follow us wherever we so choose to lead them we
wherever we so choose to lead them we
wherever we so choose to lead them we have the blueprint that we’re one day
have the blueprint that we’re one day
have the blueprint that we’re one day going to give to them believe it or not
going to give to them believe it or not
going to give to them believe it or not mom you won’t be here forever and yes
mom you won’t be here forever and yes
mom you won’t be here forever and yes eventually I’ll have to do some things
eventually I’ll have to do some things
eventually I’ll have to do some things on my own but you’ve taught me well and
on my own but you’ve taught me well and
on my own but you’ve taught me well and being in my role as director I realized
being in my role as director I realized
being in my role as director I realized that it extends beyond that it’s not
that it extends beyond that it’s not
that it extends beyond that it’s not just your family it’s not just your
just your family it’s not just your
just your family it’s not just your friends but it’s everybody who you
friends but it’s everybody who you
friends but it’s everybody who you encounter with every single day no I
encounter with every single day no I
encounter with every single day no I don’t talk to every single one of them
don’t talk to every single one of them
don’t talk to every single one of them every day when they come in but they’re
every day when they come in but they’re
every day when they come in but they’re always watching me they’re always
always watching me they’re always
always watching me they’re always listening to me and I think that my team
listening to me and I think that my team
listening to me and I think that my team and I have done the best that we can to
and I have done the best that we can to
and I have done the best that we can to show them that we’re human we’re not
show them that we’re human we’re not
show them that we’re human we’re not perfect
perfect
perfect I tell them for the better half of 26
I tell them for the better half of 26
I tell them for the better half of 26 years I’ve made is probably as many
years I’ve made is probably as many
years I’ve made is probably as many mistakes as I could have and I’m still
mistakes as I could have and I’m still
mistakes as I could have and I’m still here and I have to share that with them
here and I have to share that with them
here and I have to share that with them because it’s important that they know
because it’s important that they know
because it’s important that they know that it’s important that they know we
that it’s important that they know we
that it’s important that they know we don’t need them to be perfect because we
don’t need them to be perfect because we
don’t need them to be perfect because we weren’t perfect but it is important that
weren’t perfect but it is important that
weren’t perfect but it is important that we give them the tools that it’s going
we give them the tools that it’s going
we give them the tools that it’s going to take for them to overcome some of the
to take for them to overcome some of the
to take for them to overcome some of the hardships that we had that we had to
hardships that we had that we had to
hardships that we had that we had to figure out and when they head off into
figure out and when they head off into
figure out and when they head off into the future that our toolbox is as filled
the future that our toolbox is as filled
the future that our toolbox is as filled as possible
as possible
as possible I don’t want anybody here to walk away
I don’t want anybody here to walk away
I don’t want anybody here to walk away today thinking that I don’t think that
today thinking that I don’t think that
today thinking that I don’t think that you’re doing your part I do I’m doing
you’re doing your part I do I’m doing
you’re doing your part I do I’m doing mine the best that I can and I could
mine the best that I can and I could
mine the best that I can and I could always do more but it’s about growth
always do more but it’s about growth
always do more but it’s about growth it’s about growing with them it’s about
it’s about growing with them it’s about
it’s about growing with them it’s about showing them that you know what maybe I
showing them that you know what maybe I
showing them that you know what maybe I wasn’t perfect but here’s what I learned
wasn’t perfect but here’s what I learned
wasn’t perfect but here’s what I learned from it so when they’re in our shoes
from it so when they’re in our shoes
from it so when they’re in our shoes they’re going to be more prepared than
they’re going to be more prepared than
they’re going to be more prepared than we were it’s about passing that torch
we were it’s about passing that torch
we were it’s about passing that torch the message that we send to them through
the message that we send to them through
the message that we send to them through with our words and with our actions
with our words and with our actions
with our words and with our actions that’s what’s going to echo through
that’s what’s going to echo through
that’s what’s going to echo through generations
generations
generations it’s not going to be the headlines that
it’s not going to be the headlines that
it’s not going to be the headlines that you see on TV now it’s going to be those
you see on TV now it’s going to be those
you see on TV now it’s going to be those anecdotes that mom always told you when
anecdotes that mom always told you when
anecdotes that mom always told you when you were growing up right you can do
you were growing up right you can do
you were growing up right you can do things the easy way or the hard way
things the easy way or the hard way
things the easy way or the hard way that’s up to you
that’s up to you
that’s up to you luckily my sister always chose the hard
luckily my sister always chose the hard
luckily my sister always chose the hard way so I you know what I mean I felt
way so I you know what I mean I felt
way so I you know what I mean I felt like I had to balance it out but it was
like I had to balance it out but it was
like I had to balance it out but it was it was it was that message I don’t
it was it was that message I don’t
it was it was that message I don’t remember what the TV said when I was
remember what the TV said when I was
remember what the TV said when I was five when I was six but I remember how
five when I was six but I remember how
five when I was six but I remember how my community made me feel and to watch
my community made me feel and to watch
my community made me feel and to watch my young people get out into their
my young people get out into their
my young people get out into their community and have that light bulb
community and have that light bulb
community and have that light bulb moment when they realized that yes at
moment when they realized that yes at
moment when they realized that yes at eight and nine you can impact your
eight and nine you can impact your
eight and nine you can impact your community today you can put a smile on
community today you can put a smile on
community today you can put a smile on someone’s face you can give someone a
someone’s face you can give someone a
someone’s face you can give someone a compliment you can truly begin to change
compliment you can truly begin to change
compliment you can truly begin to change and sculpt the world that is around you
and sculpt the world that is around you
and sculpt the world that is around you and I think as often as we can give them
and I think as often as we can give them
and I think as often as we can give them that that opportunity as much as we can
that that opportunity as much as we can
that that opportunity as much as we can give ourselves that opportunity to show
give ourselves that opportunity to show
give ourselves that opportunity to show them the better off they’re going to be
them the better off they’re going to be
them the better off they’re going to be don’t be afraid of those moments now
don’t be afraid of those moments now
don’t be afraid of those moments now before I go I want you guys all to think
before I go I want you guys all to think
before I go I want you guys all to think about a young person maybe they’re a son
about a young person maybe they’re a son
about a young person maybe they’re a son or a daughter or a niece or nephew or
or a daughter or a niece or nephew or
or a daughter or a niece or nephew or maybe they’re just little Johnny a
maybe they’re just little Johnny a
maybe they’re just little Johnny a little Suzy who you see as your driving
little Suzy who you see as your driving
little Suzy who you see as your driving to work and they’re walking to school or
to work and they’re walking to school or
to work and they’re walking to school or you see them in the grocery store as you
you see them in the grocery store as you
you see them in the grocery store as you pick up those last few things before you
pick up those last few things before you
pick up those last few things before you head home and I want you to think about
head home and I want you to think about
head home and I want you to think about their grandchildren and I want you to
their grandchildren and I want you to
their grandchildren and I want you to think about the message that we’ve given
think about the message that we’ve given
think about the message that we’ve given them and what they’re gonna pass forward
them and what they’re gonna pass forward
them and what they’re gonna pass forward and I want you to think of what that’s
and I want you to think of what that’s
and I want you to think of what that’s gonna sound like what that’s going to
gonna sound like what that’s going to
gonna sound like what that’s going to look like
and I want you to take that same young
and I want you to take that same young person that you’re thinking of and I
person that you’re thinking of and I
person that you’re thinking of and I want you to put them right in your shoes
want you to put them right in your shoes
want you to put them right in your shoes I want you to imagine that as they get
I want you to imagine that as they get
I want you to imagine that as they get to where you are in life that they’re
to where you are in life that they’re
to where you are in life that they’re impacting their community the exact same
impacting their community the exact same
impacting their community the exact same way that you are impacting yours is that
way that you are impacting yours is that
way that you are impacting yours is that how you want them to be remembered
how you want them to be remembered
how you want them to be remembered [Music]
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