3. 3 The Goal Deliver RMT to approximately 6000 youth from Chicago and area schools by becoming an approved field Trip for the Fall 2010 school year and inviting them to experience ”live” theatre with an educational message in an academic environment RMT Confidential
4. 4 The Challenge Address risky behavior and dysfunctional circumstances within the African American community Specifically -but not exclusively- among African American males RMT Confidential
5. 5 The Movement Founded in 2004, Real Men Talking is a synergistic joint venture between Success By Choice, Inc. CEO Marlon Smith and Producer/Director Flemuel Brown III of Justice Productions Primary Objective: To inspire individuals to become accountable for their lives by sharing specific success strategies and implementing follow-up reinforcement programs that empower RMT Confidential
6. The experience takes the 5 men and audience on an amazing journey that forces them to explore what it takes to be a “Real Man” 6 Five African American males together… All different ages and life experiences… A phone call that could lead to a multi-million dollar football contract… Invite them over to celebrate and watch the game… With a TV that is mysteriously taken over by the “Voice of Reason” RMT Confidential
7. Utilizes “Edutainment” Educational/motivational messages and principles are delivered through the innovative mix of television, theater and music The stage play captures the attention of the audience and stimulates their involvement The follow-up reinforcement programs empower individuals to make new commitments and to transform those commitments into reality 7 RMT Confidential
8. Five African American men get together to watch a basketball game, when a storm knocks out the signal and the television is taken over by the Voice of Reason With no TV for entertainment, the men begin a powerful discussion that forces them and the audience to explore issues that include accountability, sex, relationships, insecurities, self-esteem, incarceration, history, fatherhood, health and wellness and the falsehood of the streets 8 RMT Confidential
9. Setting Fleetwood Brown – 40, divorced, Father of two, restaurant owner Leviticus Brown – 21, college football superstar and the ultimate “player-player” Marcellus Price – 32, real estate mogul, quintessential Black Republican Kalil Kincaid – 29, ex-con, loving Husband and Father, successful Attorney Amir Brown – 16, angry young hustler, abandoned by his Father 9 RMT Confidential
10. Matinee performance serves as a recreational/educational outing for youth age 12 through 18 Youth are from local schools, park districts, community organizations, churches and court programs Target audience is African American - specifically African American males age 12-18. However, the core principles are applicable across age, gender and racial lines Script is fluid to allow focus on a specific topic/issue facing the host community 10 RMT Confidential
11. 11 “Now maybe some of the males have more respect to women and theirselves” “I also like was when the men was talking about how men should treat us women with respect. And men should treat us like Queens and nothing less than that” RMT Confidential
12.
13. RMT facilitated 6 teacher trainings and 15 productions. The Clark County School District felt RMT connected so well with their student population that RMT has been invited back to implement the RMT Curriculum for all tenth grade students at target high schools. Las Vegas, NV. 2005 to 2006
14.
15. 14 The RMT Curriculum Training RMT Confidential
16. 15 “Success By Choice, Inc. (SBC) has been a partner with the Campaign for Mentors since October 2008. This partnership sponsored two stage productions of “Real Men Talking” that not only talked about what it takes to be a “real man” but also tailored the message to promote the value of mentoring and put out a call to recruit more adults to be mentors. As a result 526 people attended the productions and at least 119 of them expressed interest in becoming mentors. This is a significant number in that the audience targeted was typically not engaged in volunteering in the community. As a matter of fact, one audience member touted, “I wish more people could have seen this!” Another stressed, “This play is very inspiring to our youth. RMT should be done at some of our high schools.” Cheryl Oakman, Associate Director, Children and Youth /Director, Center for Youth Development and Lynda Terrell, Manager Campaign for Mentors-United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania RMT Confidential
17. 16 “The Center for Nuleadership on Urban Solutions is an inter-disciplinary forum for scholars, advocates, policy makers, law enforcement professionals, criminal justice practitioners and civil society leaders working on urban contemporary criminal, economic and social justice issues. The Real Men Talking multimedia stage production and the “Living With Purpose” Curriculum has been a true asset to our mission because it empowers people formerly incarcerated as well as people currently in prison. ….the Real Men Talking team and I facilitated leadership sessions and interviews in the Paterson, New Jersey Correctional Facility. It was amazing to have men currently incarcerated be transformed with hope for the future as a result… Real Men Talking is definitely one solution that is making a positive difference, especially for disenfranchised communities and those with low self-esteem and no hope.” Divine Pryor, Ph.D. Executive Director Center for NuLeadership on Urban Solutions Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York School of Professional and Community Development RMT Confidential
18. “For students and adults alike, RMT is exceptionally empowering and moving learning experience, and a must-see for all who care about the future of our young people of color. Our students who have been part of the experience have come away with new found abilities to address their fears, understand their identity challenges, move beyond self and other imposed stereotypes, and begin thoughtful reflection about and action toward their school and life success.” Robert L. Jarvis, Ph.D. Penn Center for Educational Leadership Graduate School of Education University of Pennsylvania 17 RMT Confidential
