Ep. 13: Mentoring our youth with Omari Henderson & Kenneth White.
WATCH:
LISTEN:
In this episode, Omari Henderson and Kenneth White, engineers and co-founders of non-profit mentoring program, Youth Challenge, Inc. chat with us about finding purpose by investing in youth through their mentorship programs.
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:
The beginning of Youth Challenge, Inc. [3:57]
How travelling helped Omari see the world differently
Omari’s desire to give back to the community
The importance of Kenneth’s father’s influence in his life
How Youth Challenge, Inc. expose young men to important discussions such as financial literacy and mental health
Holding Tai Chi sessions and mindfulness exercises
The impact of Youth Challenge, Inc. to the lives of young men [17:56]
Creating a safe space for young men to bond, learn, and experience new things
Learning to see the world in a different way
Finding a sturdy support group they can come back to any time
Being exposed to different kinds of people from different places
Having a safe space to open up about their mental struggles
The haze of reaching out to young men as a volunteer work [26:42]
Balancing volunteer work with primary job and other affairs
Keeping the content fresh and not repetitive
Consistency with building the relationship
How purpose work impacts Omari and Kenneth’s lives [29:35]
Incredible sense of fulfillment
The feeling of appreciation and passion
Finding the way to our purpose [37:08]
Being open to exploring things that come your way
Interacting with other people that go great things
You can have more than one purpose
Your purpose may change as you grow older
More than money and glamor, it has to bring you happiness
Being real with yourself—why are you doing what you do?
Biggest piece of advice to everyone [51:58]
Show up fully each and everyday not dwelling in the past and scared of the future
Follow your passion
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:
Spotify Playlist - Music for this moment.
Apply to Youth Challenge, Inc. (young men, 12-17)
EPISODE QUOTES:
It's incredibly fulfilling, actually, to know that you can have this kind of impact on their lives with relatively little effort. It doesn't take a whole lot. You can inspire these young men by just talking to them.
- Omari Henderson
I think some of the stuff that we're doing is trying to unlearn a little bit of that, that it's not just about finding a job, it's not just about six income figures. It's truly about what brings you happiness every day.
- Kenneth White
It's been my last six or seven years that has taught me to really just try to always be present. And try to show up fully each and every day.
- Kenneth White
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:
CONNECT WITH OMARI AND KENNETH:
Youth Challenge, Inc. on Instagram
CHECK IN WITH SCOTT AND SHATÉ:
Spotify Playlist - Music for this moment.
Follow @iamshate on Instagram
Follow @scotthayes_lcsw on Instagram
ABOUT OMARI J. HENDERSON
Omari J. Henderson is a native of Decatur, GA. After graduating from McNair High School, Omari began his post-secondary education at Tuskegee University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering.
Omari has spent most of his professional career working in the areas of Innovation, Marketing, and Research & Development. He’s had the opportunity to work with Procter and Gamble (in both the U.S and Europe), The Coca-Cola Company, and currently has a role with Chick-fil-A Corporate in Marketing and Innovation.
In addition to his professional career, Omari is a serial entrepreneur that enjoys starting new businesses that serve the community. Growing up, he was influenced by his father’s passion for inspiring and exposing young people to Science and Technology. This passion stayed with Omari throughout his life which lead him to co-found the Youth Challenge Incorporated Foundation. In addition to YCI, Omari has also co-founded ZuCot Art Gallery, The Art Brothers Foundation, and 1881 Investments.
ABOUT KENNETH WHITE
Kenneth White grew up in Auburn, AL where he and his brothers were blessed to have a phenomenal mentor in their father. This father taught him not only the benefit of obtaining a formal education but also the obligation that we each have in using those talents outside of the classroom and workplace in informal settings to mentor the next generation. Kenneth began his post secondary education at Tuskegee University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He has worked primarily in technical sales for a variety of organizations including United Technologies and Honeywell, later also receiving his Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida.
Kenneth currently serves as Vice President - Client Development for CITI servicing the Southeast United States. Kenneth is passionate about helping young people live up to their promise and developing skills to be successful no matter the background and living the YCI Mission Statement of influencing young men through access to academic, economic, and social enrichment opportunities. Kenneth has three children and currently lives in Decatur, GA.
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