Actor Tommy Ford is using his celebrity to help kids and improve literacy around metropolitan Atlanta with “Real Men Read”. I had the oppornity to talk to the kids at their annual Career Day event. The event is totally inspiring and empowering.
Check out the details below.
Actor Tommy Ford can add author to his long list of accomplishments. The actor turned author was spotted at “Real Men Read”. He was there to give back to the kids and promote his new book. ‘I AM BEAUTIFUL” an inspirational children’s book series! This series is a powerful educational tool! It offers children simple, tangible, and positive solutions to resolve conflict as it guides them towards living drug-free and violence-free lifestyles. Understanding that young people mirror the images of those they perceive are cool, Tommy maximizes his celebrity status to powerfully influence children to make positive choices. He delivers “words of wisdom” through his electrifying communication style! Tommy possesses an uncanny ability to penetrate the minds and hearts of young people through the universal language of laughter!
“Real Men Read” was founded from an idea by Ms. Makeeda Collins, a teacher at Columbia Elementary. Ms. Collins has taught at Columbia Elementary since 2006 and saw that there was a major cause for concern. Some students would often talk about the common lack of male role models in their lives. Under the leadership of Principal Raymond Stanley, Ms. Collins presented the idea of “Real Men Read” in the hope of changing this culture. Actor Tommy Ford along with other men within the community were on hand to read and connect with the kids at the elementary school. I even had the chance to talk about entertainment with the youngsters.
Real Men Read is a volunteer program where men from all over Metro Atlanta are invited to read to young boys and girls at Columbia Elementary. The purpose of this program is to show our young students the benefits of staying focused on education. The school’s main goal is to build partnerships with positive men in the area to mentor students, especially boys.
This event initially started with only 40 male readers in 2011. As of 2014, this program has grown tremendously. The most recent event held on December 12th hosted over 300 men! These volunteers included clergy, celebrities, business professionals, fraternities and college students. They came into the school to share experiences with the students. Despite not having any immediate family connection with the school, these distinguished gentlemen freely devoted their time and effort to the students of Columbia Elementary. As stated by Dr. Rev. Walter Kimbrough, “This is not a program. This is a movement.” Ms. Collins agrees with Rev. Kimbrough. “In a time when in the media is reporting so many controversies, it is wonderful to see all of these real men come out to support our students.” Metro Atlanta truly proved that there are “REAL” men.
Chandon Carter of Love Confidential came out to read to the kids as well.
Blogger CourtneyLuv invited me out to speak at her school’s annual career day. She called on her power players in metro Atlanta to come out to show her students that you can be whatever you would like to be if you put your mind to it. Even Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed’s daughter came out to support!
Sarah Elizabeth Langford Reed (mayor’s wife) and Floyd’s principal
Floyd’s teachers and counselors. If my teachers looked like that, I probably would have paid attention!
Sarah speaks to kids about the various choices they can have wit a law degree.
The kids were asking me all types of questions.
One of the best and creative counselors in the world.
More people even came out to speak to the kids too. Chanita Foster spoke to the kids about having a vision too.
We are in need of Male Readers for our “Men Leading and Reading by Example” at Miles Intermediate on Monday, February 29, 2016 from 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM. We are striving to make Literacy important for our students, for they have strong deficits and we are concerned about their academic success If you are able to participate please contact
Ms. Hutson at 404-802-8919 or 404-944-2580. If you cannot attend, I understand and hope you continue to touch people minds and hearts. Thank you for your support.