The Men We All Know

By Stanley W. Howard

THE MEN WE ALL KNOW is about seven men that have had a positive influence on the Author Stanley W. Howard's life. These seven males are symbolic of men in all communities across this country that have given of themselves by living a positive life, taking care of their families, giving advice and just being there to help when and where ever needed. As we try to find answers for the growing number of African American males dropping out of high school, committing crimes, not seeking a college education and going to prison, I feel the answer is right in our face; THE MEN WE ALL KNOW! These are stand up MEN who don't mind rolling up their sleeves, getting in the trenches, and going to work doing whatever it takes to guide our youth in the right direction.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Sep 20, 2011
• ISBN: 9781467040372

Stanley W. Howard

Stanley W. Howard was born October 14, 1964 in Stamford, Connecticut. He was a shy and bashful little kid who always had a curiosity about God, Church and the Bible. He could remember going to church with his mom just up the street from where they lived, 72 Spruce Street. After church he would come home, go into his room, line up his little solider men and his GI Joes--they were bigger back then--and he would get his mother’s Bible and preach to them. He always got something out of church. As he got a little older, he was allowed to be an usher. Fast forward to when he was a teenager--His family, consisting of his Dad, Mom, and two brothers, moved to Bethel, North Carolina. His mother made it a point to find a church to attend. They ended up at Medley Chapel C.M.E Church in Bethel, North Carolina. There he continued to pursue his curiosity of God and the Bible. Fast forward to adulthood--Stanley ended up becoming President of the Steward Board for some 20 plus years, right hand to the Pastor. A Steward in the Methodist church is the equivalent to a Deacon in the Baptist church. Stanley has also been a Sunday School Teacher, taught Bible study, and has also held a youth Bible Study for the youth in the community in which he lived. Stanley believes once you learn the Word of God, you must apply it to your life.

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© 2010 Stanley W. Howard. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 09/14/2010

ISBN: 978-1-4389-4745-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4670-4037-2 (ebk)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011907102

Printed in the United States of America

Bloomington, Indiana

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

DEDICATION

INTRODUCTION

NORTH MEETS SOUTH….BEST FRIENDS!!

KEEP IT SIMPLE

HAVE FAITH! EVERYTHING WILL BE ALRIGHT!

CONFIDENCE

THE SCHOOL OF HARDKNOCKS MEETS FORMAL EDUCATION

WISDOM

RESPONSIBILITY

THE MEN WE ALL KNOW POSING FOR THE CAMERA

HONORABLE MENTION

SUMMARY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to take this time to acknowledge and thank the following people for all their positive energy and their support throughout my life.

First and foremost, I want to thank God for the inspiration, the ability, and the tools to write this book. God gave the title, the men to ask to participate, and the time frame in which to do it. Thank you, Lord.

I want to acknowledge my mother and father, Cleo (deceased) and Walter Howard. No matter what I wanted to try, they were right there to help.

Melvin Howard and Shaun Howard, my brothers, for all the love and respect you give me. Fond memories of our birth place Stamford, Connecticut.

To my wife and three children; Margaretta, (wife), Stacey (oldest daughter), Christopher (son), Briana (youngest daughter), you guys constantly support me in whatever I do, and you all have jumped on the band wagon of health. Daddy, that’s enough pizza. Daddy, you’re looking a little thick around the middle. Daddy, watch your mouth! You have taken all I instilled in you and you give it back to me. Thanks, guys!

I in turn, as a husband and a father, continue to speak blessings over your lives.

Margaretta, as you seek to climb the ladder in your career, stay under the covering of God and you will get there.

Stacey, your dream of becoming a lawyer is on the horizon. Just one more semester and you will graduate from A&T State University with a four-year degree in Criminal Justice and then it’s off to Law School!

Christopher, your date of graduation from UNC is coming fast, but don’t go so fast that you don’t take time to smell the flowers for soon I will be calling you Doctor.

And to Briana, my future fashion designer! It won’t be long before I will be seeing your name in lights and in the label of clothing.

To all of my Physicians East friends: those still there and those that have gone on, nineteen years is a long time on a job. Thank you for the smiles and encouragement.

To the Shaw University Family: you guys were a constant encouragement.

To my CMU crew (Central Michigan University): thanks for the lunches and encouragement. We had a blast!

To my Medley Chapel CME Church Family: You’ve watched me go from a boy to a man. Thank you for your prayers and love.

To all my aunts and uncles: you guys have always shown me love and never a cross word between us. Thank you all for being you.

And to all my cousins: thank you for all the love that is shown to me.

Ms. Isabelle Wicker, retired principal of Sadie Salter Elementary School, thank you for the privilege of working in your school and the idea of the HERO CLUB.

And to all the strangers that have smiled and just said hello in passing for you took time out of your day to be kind!

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DEDICATION

I dedicate this book back to My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ from whom I draw my strength. You have afforded me a blessed life filled with love. And that is your greatest commandment— Love ye one another. Thank you, Lord!

INTRODUCTION

The inspiration for this book comes at a time when the young men in our communities appear to have lost their way. The dropout rate is unbelievable. The number of young men being incarcerated is on the rise, and the number of young African American males attending college has dropped. There are communities crying out for help! So what do we do? Where does the