When I got the invite to speak at Manhood 101, I knew this would be one for the books. Founded by Dr. Gorman Brown and Coach Bleu Colquitt, this powerhouse program is all about equipping young Black men with confidence, character, and real-life skills. Bringing AI into the mix? Oh, that was the cherry on top! But what really blew me away was the energy and openness in the room.
Let me take you on a little journey through a day packed with discovery, growth, and moments that’ll stick with me forever.
The moment I walked in, I could feel it—the curiosity was electric. These young men weren’t just there to sit and nod; they were ready to dive in, ask questions, and explore something new. This wasn’t your typical “sit and listen” kind of event. Nope! This was a chance to see how AI could fit into their lives in ways that actually matter.
The team at Manhood 101 has built a space where it’s easy to share ideas and ask questions. That vibe? It’s magic. You could see their determination to figure out how this AI thing works—and more importantly, how they could use it. I knew right then that the day was going to be full of breakthroughs, aha moments, and ideas they could run with.
Now, you know me—I’m all about action. So instead of standing there talking about AI, I wanted them to experience it. The goal? Show them these tools aren’t just for techies or coders. They’re for anyone—right now. And let me tell you, once we got into it, their excitement was off the charts!
We kicked things off with ChatGPT. Now, some of them had heard of it, but when I showed them how to use it as their personal brainstorming partner, their faces lit up. It’s not just a chatbot—it’s like having someone who’s always ready to help you tackle ideas, prep for an assignment, or even practice for an interview. You could practically see the lightbulb moments as they realized, Wait, I can actually use this for real-life stuff? Yes, you can!
Next up was Ideogram. This AI takes your words and turns them into images. Watching their reactions as it generated visuals from a few phrases? Priceless. For these young men, it opened a door to creativity without needing design skills. Suddenly, they were like, Oh, I can totally make this happen! It was all about taking ideas in their heads and bringing them to life.
Then came the showstopper—Suno and Udio, AI tools for making music. And oh, the room buzzed! These tools let you create a track just by describing what you want to hear. No studio, fancy equipment, or years of training needed.
As we played around with different styles and beats, the excitement in the room hit a new level. They were discovering they could create any song they dreamed up—with nothing but a prompt. It was pure joy, and honestly? Watching them light up as they saw what they could do was everything.
As I left the event, I couldn’t stop thinking about how much these young men leaned in. They didn’t just sit back—they engaged, asked questions, and thought hard about how they could actually use these tools. And that right there? That’s what Manhood 101 is all about. Giving these young men the tools, support, and encouragement to see what’s possible.
Manhood 101—their amazing team are doing something so powerful. With help from groups like the Lambda Gamma Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., they’ve created more than just a program. It’s a movement—a community that lifts these young men up and shows them that the future is brighter than they ever imagined.
To Manhood 101, and every young man in that room—thank you for letting me be a part of this journey. Your energy, curiosity, and excitement made this day unforgettable. Keep exploring, keep asking questions, and remember: the future is yours. It’s wide open, and the possibilities? They’re endless.