Donald W. Beatty encouraged students not to let their present circumstances define their future.” That’s good advice for all.
But how much more so to men of color. And consider the speaker. Those inspiring words are from retired South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice. Beatty spoke recently at the sixth annual Men of Color banquet at Tri-County Technical College.
Beatty served as the keynote speaker at the event. Approximately 300 middle and high school and Tri-County Technical College students attended the luncheon.
The Men of Color Luncheon "aims to educate, motivate, inspire, and empower students of color,” Said Beatty. Instead of giving a formal speech, Beatty shared insights into his life and career and offered valuable advice for young men.
"The biggest challenge is recognizing that you can do it. Once you get past that initial doubt, you've already won more than half the battle. Overcoming this mindset is crucial to making progress and achieving your goals," Beatty said.
Beatty shared stories from his childhood. "I think I was my mother’s most troublesome child out of seven," he said. "I believe I was punished more than anyone else in the family for that reason.
"My mother was very insightful. She knew how to approach discipline. She would say, 'You can't make him do this or that, but I can make him read.' "
Reading became very important in their household, but initially, it felt more like a punishment. They would often be told, "Go sit over there and read this book."
Despite this, Beatty learned much about the world through those books. Over time, he gradually enjoyed reading. In fact, by the time he left high school, he had read the entire world encyclopedia.
Beatty encouraged students to embrace learning and remain resilient when facing challenges. "Young people need to start preparing for their futures early," he said. "Many become frustrated when they aren't successful right away and ultimately give up."
He acknowledged the importance of having a solid support system and emphasized that success is often a collective effort. It's crucial to surround yourself with people who believe in you and encourage you to strive for your best.
"When I was their age, I was like them," he said. "Without the support from my mother, grandmother, and older siblings, I don't believe I would be where I am today."
He encouraged students to find mentors and build a network of supportive individuals who could guide them.
Beatty encouraged young people to persevere and recognize that life can be challenging. Obstacles will exist, and they must be ready to overcome them.
"This is the choice society presents to them," Beatty said.
LaTrey Simpson-Walker, president of the Men of Color student organization at Tri-County Technical College, shared his perspective on the luncheon. "What resonated with me the most was his discussion about using one color versus several colors," he said.
"Beatty emphasized that a picture created with various colors will always be more vibrant and appealing than one made with just a single color," he said. "Consider this: if you had a box of crayons and attempted to color or draw a picture using only one color, what type of image would you create?"
"The hope is to help people understand that it takes all of us to build a strong community," Beatty said. "What we do for one person in the community ultimately benefits us all in the long run. If we don’t prepare young people for their futures, they may become a problem for us later on."
Men of color: Tri-County Technical College
The Men of Color organization at Tri-County Technical College supports African-American and minority male students to succeed academically and in their careers. It hosts monthly outreach events, luncheons, and a golf tournament.
The group hosts events to discuss campus resources, money management, and wellness programs.
Dr. Brian Smith serves as the director of Adjunct Faculty and Student Support. August Johnson is an instructor in Business Administration. Travis Durham is the director of Student Engagement and Accountability. All three individuals mentor youth in the Men of Color organization.
Each year, an inspirational speaker speaks at the annual luncheon. Past speakers include Bakari Sellers, a civil rights activist, attorney, and former South Carolina representative; NBA Basketball player Magic Johnson; and United States Rep. James Clyburn of the 6th District of South Carolina.
Dr. Jackie Blakley, Dean of Business and Public Services, said a similar initiative at Clemson University inspired the Men of Color event. "Although our event at Tri-County Technical College is small, it was specifically designed to meet the needs and interests of our students at Tri-County Technical College," Blakley said.
The first event was intended only for Tri-County students. After a couple of years, they decided to expand and invite high schools from the community. "As a result, we began inviting both high schools and middle schools, allowing each high school in Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens to send a designated number of students," Blakley said. "We are now hosting the event on campus."
This expansion allows students to explore the campus, learn about the college offerings, and experience firsthand the resources available at Tri-County. Men of Color meetings are open to all minority male students.
Blakley emphasized the importance of maintaining connections with men of color, ensuring they know there is someone they can trust who understands their experiences.
Brandon Montgomery is the CEO of Forward and Beyond, a nonprofit after-school mentoring program. This program collaborates with local school districts, community leaders, and businesses to give students the resources and support they need to succeed.
Montgomery attended the Men of Color event.
"I wanted to connect with something larger than myself today," Montgomery said. "I chose to be here to be surrounded by greatness. When I say greatness, I mean the future leaders—young men of color who may or may not see their potential. Today provided them a glimpse of who they are and who they could become."
Montgomery mentioned that today, surrounded by middle and high school students, he found inspiration in witnessing the best and brightest that the Tri-County area offers. He expressed that being around these young individuals motivates him to create more programming opportunities for them.
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