Yo Bro: Strive Toward Excellence

By "Dr. Nay" Renee N. White and Ed.D.

During these unfortunate times of racial turbulence and the unveiling of devastating societal inequities, such as economic, educational and health disparities, young people require social-emotional guidance to cognitively process what is unraveling around them in their community, country and world. More than ever, it is crucial that young adults of color are provided with the encouragement to understand their individual cultural being, and to facilitate their thinking processes about their stance on social justice issues like Black Lives and school violence. As an African American woman, mother of two successful adult sons, and college professor with 30+ years of experience as a literacy and cultural diversity educator, it is my responsibility to serve as a role model and mentor for young people.
Yo Bro: Strive Toward Excellence is written in a unique approach that fuses my three roles into a meaningful, entertaining, and educational experience for young men of color. Through my thought-provoking poetry, I aim to reinforce my teen readers’ self-confidence, explore their culture, and empower them to address the injustices that they are passionate as budding social activists. To enhance comprehension, I have incorporated literacy strategies, such as journaling after each poem and end-of-chapter graphic organizers to encourage readers to make intrinsic connections and examine their authentic ideas about real-life topics. Also, inspirational quotes of renown men of color are integrated to further emphasize these relevant concepts.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hybrid Global Publishing
• Release date: Aug 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9781957013442

Book preview

YO BRO

Strive Toward Excellence

Dr. Nay

Renee M. White, Ed.D.

Published by

Hybrid Global Publishing

333 E 14th Street

#3C

New York, NY 10003

Copyright © 2022 by Dr. Nay Renee White

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law.

Manufactured in the United States of America, or in the United Kingdom when distributed elsewhere.

White, Renee.

Yo Bro

ISBN: 978-1-957013-43-5

eBook: 978-1-957013-44-2

LCCN: 2022910491

Cover design by: Natasha Clawson

Copyediting by: Wendie Pecharsky

Interior design by: Suba Murugan

Author photo by: Owen Clark

https://drnay.blog/

CONTENTS

Preface

Poem-Yo Bro

Introduction

Note to the Reader

Poem-Reflection

Note to Parents

Chapter One – Making Positive Choices

Tribute to Men of Excellence

Epitome of Manhood

Be Your Own Man

A Real Gentleman

Respect Women

Always Dream Big

Reflective Activity #1

Chapter Two – Making History

Ancestry

As a People

Juneteenth

Life’s Survival

The Flavors of People

You’re a Role Model

Reflective Activity #2

Chapter Three – Making a Difference

Stand up to Bullying

Do Black Lives Matter?

Guns or Lives?

Survival Talk

Are You a Leader?

Social Activism

Reflective Activity #3

Epilogue

Poem-Dear Young Man

Acknowledgements

Quotes from Inspirational Men

Appendices

PREFACE

Yo Bro,

Give me a minute, let me rap to you

I’ll spit some rhymes if only a few

I’m not Lil Tjay, Da Baby, or even Drake

But my rhymes are for real, not at all fake

Clearly, I am a woman and not a man

Who sought ideas from my sons, avid fans

They provided their male critique and feedback

To ensure that my points were direct and intact

This book includes words told to them as boys

When they were only kids playing with toys

They have grown into men with integrity

Who willingly assume their responsibility

They don’t hang on corners with the neighborhood guys

Nor hang with gangs, getting strapped for drive-bys

They both are working men, not self-made slobs

If I say so myself,