On Friday, August 11th, the Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater welcomed the Smart’N Up Black Male Summit, Miami Edition, a powerful and transformative event that showcased the brilliance and potential of young men & women. The event was organized by Teens Exercising Extraordinary Success (T.E.E.S.), a non-profit organization that strives to empower youth to become self-reliant and productive members of their communities. The participants and speakers shared their stories, insights and aspirations in a professional and uplifting atmosphere that resonated with hope and encouragement.

This event was made possible by the visionary leadership of T.E.E.S. and the generous support of respected organizations such as Headliner Market Group, House of Wings, Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater, Dyed Down, We The Best Foundation, DTLR, Know Your Rights Camp, Spray Ground, Exotic Pop, and Publix. This event demonstrated the strong commitment to promoting growth and empowerment in the community.

The event was a celebration of diversity, with youth organizations, parents, and mentors from different backgrounds joining the gathering. The volunteers, wearing T.E.E.S. shirts with colorful patterns, welcomed the guests with a friendly smile. The theater pulsated with melodies from Killer Mike's latest opus, "Michael," intertwined with visuals that paid homage to the event's esteemed sponsors.

The Summit began with a moving prayer from Father Denrick Rolle of Historic St. Agnes Episcopal Church in Overtown, creating a respectful mood. The hilarious comedian Larry Dogg, who was the charming host of the Summit, welcomed the audience and the mentors, thanking them for joining this life-changing journey. The event's inspiring speakers subsequently took the stage, delivering eloquent and impactful presentations encompassing a gamut of themes aimed at nurturing and enlightening young black men.

Ms. Tosha Friend, an Army Veteran, told her inspiring story of how she pursued her education from college to dental school and then switched to the field of finance. She emphasized the importance of taking advantage of the many free resources that are offered, some by prestigious universities. Her lively speech showed the possibilities for personal growth and eliminated any doubts about self-worth.

With captivating visuals and striking graphics, Mr. Arthur "Silky Slim" Reed showed the audience the devastating impact of gun violence. He is a former gang leader who became a community activist and a paralegal for Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump. He told his inspiring story of personal change, describing how he escaped from the grip of gun violence, a past filled with loss, and how he urges others to resist negative influences. He is a shining example of resilience and courage in his own right.

Ms. Christina Johnson, a representative of Miami Dade Community College Career & Technical Education, spoke to the young audience about the variety of programs and pre-apprenticeship opportunities available at the college, highlighting the potential for career advancement and success.

Mr. Deric Muhammad, the visionary behind the Black Male Summit, inspired the audience with his powerful call to avoid becoming "crash dummies" trapped by the temptation of social media approval. His appeal for leadership over conformity resonated deeply, a challenge for the youth to forge their own path.

The host Larry Dogg and the T.E.E.S. volunteer Ms. Lea Robles kept the audience entertained with lively raffle draws, giving away amazing prizes such as Spray Ground backpacks with unique patterns, $150 DTLR Gift Cards to purchase fashionable apparel, $100 Publix gift card to acquire groceries, and Beats headphones for the audio enthusiasts. The interludes between the speakers were filled with excitement and joy as the lucky winners received their gifts.

The highlight of the event was the "Coffee Table Conversation" led by Deric Muhammad. This was a platform where influential figures such as Mussaddiq Muhammad (Businessman; Owner of House of Wings), Michael Gardner (CEO Headliner Market Group), Shabazz The OG (Writer and TMT Motivator), and Lonnie "Big L" Love (Media CEO and Founder of Lonnie Love Foundation), as well as the respected Arthur "Silky Slim" Reed, shared their insights. A moving moment came when Lonnie Love was introduced and told his tragic story of losing his only son, showing the seriousness of gun violence even in safe places. The conversation continued and delved into entrepreneurship, self-esteem, leadership, losses, and wins fueling an interactive exchange that ignited sparks of inspiration. The guests dispensed invaluable advice, fortified by real-world wisdom, effectively empowering the youth to surmount hurdles and seize their aspirations.

The teenagers were thrilled to see surprise video messages from luminaries Killer Mike and DJ Khaled, who inspired them with their words of wisdom and motivation. They felt a surge of confidence and aspiration, ready to take on the world. The grand finale was a moving graduation ceremony, where each teenager walked on the stage to receive a personalized Certificate of Excellence, a symbol of their journey of empowerment.

The program concluded with a moving prayer from Student Minister Patrick Muhammad of Mosque #29, that stirred everyone's emotions. All the people in the theater joined hands and bowed their heads. Guests were released to the lobby, where they were greeted by various sponsors' gifts, such as We The Best backpacks, Nike hats from Know Your Rights Camp, custom water bottles from Headliner Market Group, refreshing Exotic Pop Cream Soda, and delicious takeout lunches from House of Wings.

The Smart’N Up Black Male Summit was a remarkable occasion that influenced numerous hearts and minds and cultivated a spirit of excellence and leadership. We express our sincere gratitude to our benevolent sponsors, eminent speakers, devoted volunteers, attentive mentors, and everyone who contributed to this achievement. We anticipate the next installment of our summit, where we will invite you all again to participate in our aspiration for excellence.

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