#WarriorPoet- THE NEED

By trade and career, I am a writer. That’s what I do. Warrior Poet is the title and the lifestyle that I wear but the dominant gift that I was given is the ability to write. And, just like you, I was given a few other gifts as well. Since writing is at the core of me, (As you know) I’ve created a writing program for students called PENS OF POWER (<<- CLICK DAT!!!). My small staff and myself, go into schools and give writing workshops. The workshops are designed to help children see writing as less of a chore and more of an essential tool of expression, creativity, and even a foundation for a future career. Once they see writing in a new light, then they can now get better at it. That simple. We incorporate text messaging, social media, music, props, and all kinds of things into these workshops but the hidden part is, we try our best to not come across as teachers but as the types of people who these students wished were their older siblings. That’s why I often get called “Uncle Kel” by the students in my workshops. Ok, I’m getting to a point here, just gimme a second lol!!

Because I come across as less of a teacher and more like a mentor, I bond with the students in a way that the teachers and administrators at these schools don’t. And because of that, when I walk into a school to do these workshops, I often get asked to ALSO do the following:

“Mr. Kel… Boy-A and Boy-B got into a fight. Can you pull them out of class and talk to them?”

“Hey Kel, The girls want to know if you’ll come to their step show recital next week.”

“Kel. If you have time, can you speak with the parents of Child-X about their confidence level?”

“Mr. Kel! I know you don’t work here per se’ but would you mind shaping the students’ writing pieces into songs that they can perform at Graduation for their parents?”

“Kel! Can I see you in my office? I have a parent on the phone who wants to speak to you about mentoring their child on the weekends.”

Haaa!!!! I just came here to write with these jokers and help them step their pen-game up but in addition, I get asked to do the above and more… And guess what? I don’t mind. Obviously, these kids and the parents and the entire environment of the school need these things done so why not help out? Obviously, women are far more present in these schools than men so if my masculinity can lend itself to helping the culture of these schools, then why not? But at the core of it all is a somewhat selfish motivation, honestly. That selfish motivation is rooted in my manhood. As a man, simply put, I need to feel needed and appreciated. All men do. Being asked to do these things beyond my scope of work, makes me feel needed, respected and appreciated. I’m not sure how many of you women out there realize that but women need to feel love, affection, and consistency. Whereas men need to feel needed, respected, and appreciated. Before I get comments below that say, “Well, women need to feel needed, respected and appreciated too!” I will make it known that I am indeed aware of that. We all want all of these things. But the ones that I attributed to women are more common for them and vice versa. Something tells me that someone is still going to overstate this fact again but anyway…

Being asked to do these things, makes me feel needed. Of course there is a limit and a point in time when being asked too much can become burdensome. But these schools have not reached that point. So, I say all of this to say that you should look at the men in your life, and ask yourself if you make them feel resp… Woah, wait… First ask yourself if these dudes are worthy of your respect. THEN if they are, ask yourself if you do your part to make them feel respected, needed, and appreciated. A man may not vocalize that these are essential needs so I’m telling you right here and now that they are.

Side Bar… I’m offering TWO writing camps this Summer in Brooklyn during July. Each camp will be a week-long (5 Days) for 3 hours per day (15 Hours, total). Students will brainstorm, and be given small writing tasks to keep them sharp during the summer months but the bulk of the camp is them being broken into 5 groups that will collectively, do a creative writing piece, turn it into a song, record the song, write a video treatment, shoot a music video, secure a venue, AND THEN promote and host their own video premiere party. It will expose them to a new form of critical thinking and creative writing, while also giving them a glimpse into the careers that use these tools all at little to no cost. Check out the video below as well as the “Schedule” Tab on the PENS OF POWER website for details. If you know a child between the ages of 13-18 who will give a 15 hour commitment and you feel should participate, then this is for you. Also send an e-mail to PensOfPowerTeam@gmail.com with “Update” as the title in order to start receiving What’s P.O.P. Poppin’ which is our Brand New monthly update/newsletter…

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FRξSH PЯINCξ OF BЯOOKLYN | ManOfGod | American Music Award Winning Writer | Thespian | 1/2 of ME&MYBROTHER | #TeamElexis | #TeamSuperStupid | #ChixDigMe | #GreyGooseAllStars    #WAЯЯiORPOξT