Power Moves 101

Super impactful week last week. I had a chance to speak and do a panel discussion with Grandmothers for Gun safety. That was beyond amazing to see that gun violence isn’t only a poverty issue but an American issue.

I flew in Anthoney Celestine from Louisiana to speak with Lyrik's Institution board, KC Common Good and stake holders that are apart of building the IBUILD center.

I had the opportunity to go to the KC chambers showing of a Tail of Three Cities that Lyriks is apart of.

Grandview high school has been an exsperience as we have been running our school wide interventions there. We are about to start our first in school IBUILD cohort. This is a pivotal pilot we are doing as it will change the landscape of education in Kansas City.

It was a busy week but impactful and progressive. This week is no different. Praying for strength to see it through this week.

🏁🏆 This photo did it for me. 🏆🏁

This one right here is a gem. But it is my second summer with her, and seeing her grow is dope. Because I have a relationship with her, we were able to move past some fear of trying new things to feeling safe enough to let me push her to say what she really enjoyed doing over letting the facilitator say what she likes because she didn’t want to try to think about what she would like to do.

After the speaker finished with her, I waited a minute and then asked her why she was so tough on the outside but not on the inside. I asked her why she was acting scared. She instantly told me she wasn’t. I’m like, how are you scared to try? She didn’t like how that sounded, so she named what she liked.

The class went on for 5 minutes, and I interrupted and let the facilitator know that the young lady had figured out what she wanted to do. The leaders of the Ai Hub, which is teaching this class, were excited and asked what she wanted to do. She says she likes the camera.

As one of the facilitators pulled out her camera and started taking pics, she was the only one who wanted to use the camera. The Facilitator needed her camera back. But I didn’t want her to lose her morale, so I grabbed one of our cameras, slapped a new battery in it, and gave it to her. I showed her how to use it, then gave it to her. Once she got it, she went to work. She zoned out with the camera. Ryan S. Harvey told her she was good and could make some money. She rolled over to me in her chair and asked what kind of money I could make from this. I told her, and she looked, then nodded and returned to taking pictures.

She was locked in the whole time. I didn’t bring her back to the class. I just let her take the pics. Was I worried about her getting the info? Yes, but you know when a young person finds it, and they dive in. You can’t stop the interest.

I don’t know what prompted me to write this. She moved me today. Lyrik's Institution has a lot of moving parts. As you all know, Janese B Williams is a big part of keeping it together with us. With all the madness going on, God gifts us moments to see our work take root right in front of us.

In violence and criminal prevention, we have to wait years for some outcomes. So, to see her imprint on photography like that really touched me. That moment will be a memory for her for the rest of her life. That’s a gift right there, to see it happen!!

Because we were able to have equipment equal to the business that was speaking, she could stay in the moment she was having. She had that camera till she had to walk out the door. This is why you can’t serve poverty with poverty. We have to give them a REAL chance.

We still have some openings for the summer program. Here is the link. https://www.lyriksinstitute.com/summer-in-the-city-2024.html

Check us out:

https://www.lyriksinstitute.com/

⛽️ Gas ⛽️

You don’t have to know how to get to your destination as much as you need to to know where your destination is. If you know exactly how to get to your destiny, it’s not your creator creating it’s your fear creating.

⛽ Facts ⛽

You can not like a person and still serve them without having your chest burning. If you can't, that’s an issue with your empathy level. You can’t forgive without seeing a person clearly.

https://gofund.me/c85c3d65

Join the motion as we push back about the kids that are being killed in our communities. Life is lifing, and we aren’t really aware of the epidemic that is happening around us.

I grew up in the middle of 64130, the zip code that ran the murder rate in Kansas City in 2003, 2004, and 2005. There were documentary’s done about the violence that was taking place. It was a Tuesday for me. I had no idea I was in the middle of an epidemic. I had no idea we were ranked 3rd in the nation for the most violent city in America.

Today, we are ranked 6 in the nation. This issue is so bad that we have accepted that we are killa city and have been champing the fact that we have people dying at an alarming rate.

It is unnatural that we are not bothered by this. I’m not pointing fingers at anyone because it’s hard for me to drop a tear for some things nowadays. Sometimes, I question what’s wrong with me because I hear things and feel bad. I’ve had the chance to see people who are new to this violence, and the way they responded seemed fake and exaggerated.

Because of the work I do, I have a chance to talk to those affected by the mass shooting at the Rally. No, this is a devastating issue, and they have the proper response.

I want to bring awareness to you and to give you a way to do something about it. Changes are happening right now. Join the motion.

Donate today

Donate to Violence is the protest of unrest., organized by Kyle Hollins In the heart of Kansas City, where the echoes of violence reverberate through the stre… Kyle Hollins needs your support for Violence is the protest of unrest.

Your lived experience is what God has given you as a gift. Make sure you are letting it make room for you. I sit on stages like this because I have learned to weaponize my trauma.

I’m flawed and broken, but the Lord knows I will put one foot in from the other to walk out of the error I have in my life. In this season, I’m looking at the edge of the cliff that is in front of me. When I look back, I see that I CANT stay another minute.

I’m jumping; the people closest to me fully understand why this jump is so scary. But I’m taking it

When you sweep your house clean, make sure you fill it with something. Fill it with Jesus cuz if you leave your space open, you will reach back into your past and pull some things you will have to un-hook from in the future.

Hats off to all in a season of jumping off the cliff. And more prayers for those that are free falling at this moment.

Week 3 is in motion, and young adults have received their first check for being in IBUILD

A message from Matthew Smith
Juvenile Probation Officer (ISS) - Field Services

Grand Rising to the good folks at Lyrik's Institution

Great session yesterday. All the way back home from the first session,
(Student 1) couldn't stop speaking about his vision to be a better person and
the steps he is willing to take to receive the extremely useful game you
unveiled yesterday as a resource for that positive change. (Student 2) is normally
a man of few words, but even he spoke to being more attentive in the
sessions. (Student 2) mentioned his desire to really tap in moving forward since
the sister highlighted his lack of attention this past session. Both are
anxious about attending the next session Thursday.

My Feedback:

The initial exercise of having everyone voice they favorite/theme song for
themselves as a way to galvanize the room was a work of art. I am a fan of
the "MAZE" and its purpose in giving all of us a glimpse into our thinking
processes. I appreciate the angle in which you all introduced the
definition of respect and how our perceptions have influence our
traditional belief systems, especially when it comes to respect and
governing our family/peer/community interactions. Can't forget to mention
the parallels you all drew up linking the shinking receptors on the brain
(one's neuro-receptors shrink to control the amounts of dopamine entering
the brain during drug use) to how we have developed a limited perception.
This limited perception is a strong influence on moral belief systems.

Looking forward to Thursday! Great Job Team!

Coaching young adults with a focus on cultural competency is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it acknowledges and respects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of each individual, ensuring that coaching strategies are tailored to meet their unique needs and perspectives. By incorporating cultural competency into coaching sessions, we can effectively engage and motivate young adults, building trust and rapport while helping them develop their thinking strategies and career pathways. Moreover, this approach recognizes the systemic barriers and inequalities that many young adults face, empowering them to overcome challenges and reach their full potential. At Lyrik's, we prioritize pushing young adults towards success and providing the support they need, recognizing that traditional educational systems may have failed to adequately support them in the past.

Eliminating all Barriers

At Lyrik's, we are committed to eliminating all barriers to education. Recognizing the challenges students face with childcare, we welcome students to bring their children to our program without hesitation. Additionally, we go above and beyond by providing transportation assistance, including Lyft and Uber rides, and even transporting young adults ourselves if necessary, ensuring that no student misses class due to transportation issues. Our goal is to create a supportive and inclusive environment where every student has equal access to educational opportunities, regardless of their circumstances.

If you still don’t understand what IBUILD is, it’s ok. Click the link below to learn more!

https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjAzMzE2

Join the Melody and Donate and be able to say IBUILD safe communities for our youth!

IBUILD is not fully funded!! We need your help to secure the rest of the funding to make sure these youth can get to there internships. We are paying for there internships and the wrap around supports they need to be successful. We need you!!!.

https://www.lyriksinstitute.com/donate.html

Let it burn

I’ve learned I’ve been throwing a bucket of water on a forest fire. If you know me from being in this line of work on the political and philanthropic side, you know I’ve been advocating for system changes when it comes to creating strategies to help our young adults and changing the way philanthropy supports grassroots organizations.

My emergency isn’t everyone else’s emergency. As an Executive Director and Founder of an Organization that works with Poverty, Criminality, and Violence. I am very close to the work in a way that most EDs are not. This isn’t a ploy to say I’m doing more work than anyone else. I’m saying my perspective is different.

I have young adults call me about issues they face, parents who are in the middle of crises, I deal with homelessness, food insecurity, fathers who have died, and mothers who are getting high. This isn’t even a drop in the bucket to the problems that call my phone.

At the same time, I have to be an accountant, graphic designer, teacher, program developer, implementer, grant writer, data consultant, COO, HR, advocate, collaborator, trainer, one-on-one life coach to student and parents, pick up and drop kids off, pay bills and payroll, make sure taxes are right, explain programs to people that don’t get them, change the way I talk to make grantors happy and partners, create ways to get to violent young adults, protect the brand, send email blast out about updates in the program, send thank you letters to donors, attend city council meetings, galas, dinners and lunches, fly out to explain our work and to get support and so much more.

I’ve been told to rest more times than I can count, and I’ve been told to make sure I am doing self care too. What I heard was let it burn. I’m learning today that’s not what is being said. I was asked if you have to pick up the phone or is it your choice. For so long, I believed I had to pick up the phone. I had to be there when no one else was there. The ship has to be put together and running on all cylinders so we can be able to face the waves that are seeking to destroy us.
That is what I still believe.

I’ve had some amazing people pull me to the side this weekend and tell me they can see burnout all over me. And I asked them what I should do. Collectively I’ve heard, don’t die under this weight, we need for the long hall.

I’ve been battling God with this, and he asks me, why won’t you let me burn it down? If there wasn’t a mass shooting at the rally, would they be looking as close as they are now? If Crown Center wasn’t a part of the build-up, would they be looking? If there wasn’t so much money coming to the city and the plague of violence wasn’t on the continuum hindering economic development, would they be looking? And the answer is, they wouldn’t. 

This issue isn’t new. We know it too well on the east side of Troost. But as long as it stayed on that side, it would never be big enough to raise over a million dollars in less than a week. People are scrambling to throw money and resources at it now, but for how long?

It’s so important to be in a relationship with God because you need to know when to get out of the way, even though everything in you tells you to step in. God will burn a forest down to grow it back stronger and make it more beautiful.

There is a new sacrifice I’m learning I have to deal with in this work. I must learn how to deal with the grief of watching it burn. I asked my mentor today after his sermon about the pain and how I’ll be glad when I desensitize to it. He prayed for me and asked God that I never desensitized to it. But that it becomes fuel to come back stronger in the next season. I have to embrace the heartache. God said everyone can’t handle it, but I created you to be able to. I have equipped you for the calling. 

I’ve been a better leader in my work than I’ve been for myself. And the problem is that I’ve been trying to be the leader of myself.

I’ve been talking about this list God has given me. One of the items on the list is to tithe my time. A day of complete rest. God can do more in a day than I could ever do in a week. I would always get my week started by knocking out laundry, catch up on emails, plan the week and so on.

My old self would say, this has to be done, that’s good time management, organization, and planning. It’s true, it really is good. Just not on my day of rest. That means I need to re shape my zero hour schedule to reflect the new time I’ll have cut out for rest. We can’t go to a new place without leaving an old place. To create this new schedule I have to move things around AND cut things out. This had me at the chopping block sweating. Naw, I had to ask a real question, is this really something I need or something I need to do for people to see me in a certain light.

It’s so much we do in the name of self preservation that we don’t know is not who we really are but what we do to feel safe in the worlds we navigate.

This is an active rest tho! This rest looks like working on cutting out lies and spending time with my creator. Rather that is sleep, watching pod cast, talking to people about God, reading about him and reading the word. I thought this was going to be some monk type time but for real, I been on chill all day. There is no pressure to read the big hard books, just reading reflecting, questioning, crying, laughing and being grateful for things I didn’t think I’ve been thinking about.

I’m grateful for all the people that DM, called, prayed, and asked if I was ok with my last post. I really am, it’s just heavy when you begin to see yourself clearly again. But I’m really built to do hard. Just not alone tho.

But I’m grateful for a call that didn’t tell me it’s ok, but that I need to act NOW. A call that reminded me of who He Is, what I’ve been called to and the magnitude of what I’ve been called to do. Lives are in the balance with my work. But in the end they are still His responsibilities and I’m merely a blade in his had as he wages war.

I pray that he beats my metal into submission and sharpen this blade to be the most effect weapon in his armory.

✅ Vulnerability check ✅

My work is my god 😳

It hurts to even type it but it’s true. I wake up with it, got to sleep with it. I put it I front of my family, my peace, and of course even Him.

I thought because I wake up and read, pray, and talk about him that that was enough to say He is the center of my world. The lies we tell ourselves! When I wake up I say a quick thank you in my head and roll over and check emails, text, social media and then start my day.

I’ll get into my reading and be looking for solutions to my work issues in my reading. I lose focus on my reading and relationship building time with Jesus thinking about work. In my 21 days of fasting God gave me 15 things to do everyday and through out the month. I literally have a list and don’t execute it.

Listen, if you know me, you know I built Lyriks on the back of ex*****on. If I didn’t do anything else I was going to do what I said I was going to do. Hell or hot water it’s getting done. (Just realized that saying doesn’t make since) And yet I can’t do 15 things that God has been telling me to do. It’s because the list makes me slow down and rest.

God is telling me to Rest, and the sad truth is, I don’t know how. Being homeless and and hustling taught me if I don’t do it, it won’t get done. And I did that for so long that I’ve created a complex around that lie. It worked then but it was a lie then too. I thought I was controlling the narrative then but just like now, I’m living on God’s grace’s. The list calls me to spend more time with friends and mentors, spend more time with my kids and their hearts, more time reading and more time reflecting.

There is a space for work/ service but there is only one area where I have to lead and make money. I told God, this list looks like I’ll be homeless again, he laughed and said this is how you never become homeless again. He said, I’ve shown myself to you in relationship, I didn’t have to show you me in a triune way. I could have just come by myself but I didn’t to show you that I designed you for community. Just because your outside doesn’t mean your in community.

He reminded me of feeling alone while I was in prison amongst 1,100 people. I don’t fully understand how the list works but that is the rest he is talking about. Because I can’t get the list I’ve had the worst anxiety about it and it’s been causing me to throw temper tantrums, my tantrums don’t look like screaming and hollering, it looks like s*x, smoking w**d, going out, and hanging out in the hood for to long and of course working long hours.

I run to these things because they sooth the anxiety and makes me not think about the discipline I’ve been ducking and how I’m not executing. But that is only until I have to face it again, then I fail again and repeat the cycle, AGAIN.

I don’t see God mad at me, just sad that I’m so scared to let him be my Dad. I’m doing to God what my 15 year old is doing to me right now. She won’t let me cover her, she can’t see what I can, and my love looks hard because the world lies and creates an illusion of ease. And yet my way is truly the lighter path.

Awarness is the first step to change. I’m grateful for the journey, it’s the wisdom for me. I show my open wounds in public because so many hid theirs not knowing we are all here in the same place. We need more people to be authentic in a world that tells you to only show your best parts.

🚨 VIOLENCE IS THE VOICE OF UNREST!🚨

Join the $10 from 1,000 people mission to show the city we care about the future of our young adults in Kansas City. Read to learn more!!!

https://www.lyriksinstitute.com/donate.html

As the City seeks to address the devastating incident that happened on a day of celebration. Many people are throwing their hats into this fight. This is an example of how our city will lock arms for change in the wake of tragedy. That being the case, some organizations have been doing this work that are grossly underfunded and is making the most impactful work but don’t have the financial support to increase impact that could really change the narrative. Lyrik's Institution is one of 2 organizations that has been in this fight to specifically change the narrative of poverty, criminality, and violence in our city.

The difference between our Organization and others is our ability to touch and relate to people from where we come from. We utilize people who have been in poverty, criminality, and violence to make contact and to provide support and programming. You’ve been following our work, and seen us make a big impact. We want to grow our reach. Join our fundraiser and empower Lyriks to do the work that has been working. We have to raise $300,000 dollars to do this work. We have already raised $160,000 in reimbursable funding. We are looking to finish the push and raise 140,000 to provide young adults a stipend of $2,600 each. We will also pay for their internships and provide wrap-around support for them and their families to help prevent fires. Fires like housing, rent assistance, food insecurity, clothes, Ubers and other transportation needs, legal needs, and much more. We are also raising money for general operations.

We are trying to raise $10,000 from the community.

The rest of the pressure should come from those financially committed to social change in Kansas City. But the narrative is that Kansas City doesn’t support its own change financially. Statistics prove that to be true. But I say it’s because we don’t believe in what they are selling us for change. We know Lyrik’s is working and touching young adults who are active. This is something you can get behind.

This is as easy as 1,000 people donating $10! That’s it. Join our 10-dollar mission to change lives. It’s as easy as clicking this link.

https://www.lyriksinstitute.com/donate.html.

Tap in, and let’s prove them wrong! Join the mission today.

Don’t wait; if you have thought about it, you should do it. I love yawl Kansas City. We got this together!!!

We show up when you in darkness and we bring a flashlight so we can show you where to go.

Only light can move out darkness