LANSING, MI — Why is the relationship between a boy and a man so important? The participants of The Turning Point of Lansing would say the activities and the life experiences gained have enhanced the quality of their lives. The Turning Point of Lansing provides African American males with an opportunity to explore the daily challenges that they encounter and the broader impact they can have in the world as they work to achieve success in school, their communities and in life.
The program can The program serves young men, grades 7 through 12, that attend any of the tri-county (Ingham, Eaton, Clinton) area schools.
According to the website, With the many seminars and workshops that the program offers, several key issues are addressed, such as education, relationships, health, communication skills, professionalism, financial responsibility, and sexual responsibility. These seminars and workshops allow young men to become more aware of their role in society, their responsibility as men, and how they can start making their societal impact immediately. The culmination of the program’s annual activities is a Rites of Passage ceremony, where graduating seniors are recognized. The ceremony is also symbolic of the graduating seniors moving into manhood.
We have compiled a list of the students who we are sure to add socially aware voices to our community.
1. Jurell Anthony Barnes
Everett High School
Lansing Community College
Jurell Anthony Barnes is graduating from Everett High School and plans to attend Lansing Community College and maybe later transfer to a Historical Black College or University. His chosen career paths are in the areas of technology innovation with a focus on computer programming and software engineering and also graphic design. Jurell has selected these areas of study as he has a passion for gaming, music, and creative art design. Jurell enjoys making original music beats as well.
During his elementary and middle school years, Jurell participated in the church as a member of the youth dance team and played the drums in the youth band. Outside of church he was involved in athletics and played a season of football and baseball through Lansing Parks and Recreation. He also played basketball while attending Windemere Park Charter Academy.
While at Everett his junior and senior year, Jurell was a member of the jazz band and played in musical concerts including the school’s Broadway production of “Dream Girls”. In his senior year, Jurell joined the Everett Marching Band as the only tenor player on the drumline. He is a participant in the Gear Up Program sponsored through Michigan State University.
Jurell is the son of Dominic Mosley (father) and Ricky and Chenitha Hubbert (stepfather and mother). He is a member of Tabernacle of David Worship Center Church, where he is actively involved in the youth ministry and a drummer in the band.
2. Jervon Ladale
Hicks-Crymes
Everett High School
Lansing Community College
Jervon Ladale Hicks-Crymes is graduating from Everett High School and plans to attend Lansing Community College. His chosen career path is in the area of law enforcement, as he desires to become a police officer. Jervon has selected this area of study as he has a passion for and an interest in protecting and helping others.
During his elementary and middle school years, Jervon participated in the youth church choir. Currently, Jervon is a participant in the Gear Up Program sponsored through Michigan State University.
Jervon Ladale Hicks-Crymes is the son of Sandy and Candace Johnson (stepfather and mother). He is a member of Galilee Baptist Church.
3. Nigel Jonah Flanagan
Waverly High School
Central State University, OH
Nigel Flanagan is graduating form Waverly High School. Recently awarded a $8,000 scholarship from Central State University DoD Scholars Summer Pre-Engineering Bridge Program.
Nigel has been volunteering for the community since entering middle school and has continued throughout high school. He has put in many hours at Volunteers of America, Capital Area United Way, Advent House, and Black Child and Family Institute. Activities included washing dishes, cleaning tables, transporting and giving out food during food drives, packing sack lunches every 4th Sunday, cleaning neighborhoods as part of the Clean Up Neighborhood Awareness Program.
Nigel has participated in the Black Student Union Club at Waverly High School, Football and Track and Field. Nigel has been accepted at Central State University to major in engineering. Other special achievements that Nigel has accomplished has been a seven year participation in the AAU Junior Olympics for Track and Field. This will be his 3rd year on the Waverly Varsity Track and Field team. 2009-2010 Nigel’s participation on the Varsity relay helped his team rank 1st in the 400 meter relay, 2nd in the 800 meter relay at the All-Conference State Championship, 2010-2011 his relay team ranked 2nd. Since age 7 to age 13 Nigel has participated in AAU Junior Olympic Track and Field competitions which allowed him to receive many awards. The range of awards are 1st thru 6th place advancements qualifying him to the National Junior Olympic finals involving competitions across the country. October 2011, Nigel was nominated for the Delta Township Young Person of the Year award. January 2012, won the MLK Holiday Commission Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Scholarship contest.
Nigel is the son of Diane and James Flanagan and has been raised to know: “To much that has been given much is expected.” He has been an active member of Union Missionary Baptist Church where he was a participant of the Education Ministry volunteering for one year in the Be a Star Tutoring Program where he tutored and mentored a 5th grader reader. Nigel has participated in the Jr. Church Ministry and Sunday School.
4. Timothy E. R. Maybank
Holt High School
Lansing Community College
Timothy E. R. Maybank is graduating from Holt High School and plans to attend Lansing Community College (LCC). His chosen career path is Hospitality Business and Management. Timothy has selected the hospitality industry because of his interest in people and making sure the needs of others are addressed. He plans to work in hotel or resort management and expects to someday run or own his own business.
During his elementary and middle school years in New York City, Timothy was a member of the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem and participated in little league football and boxing. Since moving to Michigan he has participated in a variety of programs, conferences and events on the campus of Michigan State University. Based on his interactions with students on the campus, he very early identified Alpha Phi Alpha as the fraternity he wants to join while in college. He enjoys volunteering to support a variety of causes and organizations. His outgoing personality and sense of humor are the characteristics most people notice about him.
The awards and achievements Timothy has received while in high school are Varsity letters in football and track and field.
He is an active member of The Turning Point of Lansing and has gained a wealth of insights and skills through the program; he credits the Turning Point Elders with opening a world of opportunities to him and making a difference in the quality of a man he will be.
Timothy is the son of Loretta Maybank (deceased) and Timothy Wills. Originally from New York City, he resides in East Lansing, MI with his aunt Denise Maybank. He is a member of Mt. Zion All Nations Bible Church.
5. Justin Imani Echols
Everett High School
Lansing Community College
Justin Imani Echols is graduating from Everett High School and plans to attend Lansing Community College where he works currently in Conference Services at the West Campus, and will transfer to University of Michigan.
During his elementary and middle school years, Justin participated in the King-Chavez-Parks College enrichment program, Multicultural Apprenticeship Program and Upward Bound through Michigan State University. Justin was chosen as a delegate for the Business and Professional of America student organization and has attended both district and national conferences.
At the age of 12, Justin worked as a caddie for the Lansing Country Club. At age 14, he worked for the City of Lansing, Parks & Recreation, at age 15, he worked for the YMCA of Lansing as a Sports Coordinator through Michigan Works, Work Investment Act program, and was hired as a regular part-time employee by the YMCA when he turned 16 years old. In his sophomore year, he was quarterback for Everett High School football team, and also played the guard position for the Everett High School basketball team. He even dabbled in baseball for a while. As a young boy, he played in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) traveling basketball team during the summers. Justin speaks fluent Spanish and enjoys playing the piano, and is an avid swimmer.
During the summer of his junior year, he was afforded an opportunity to travel abroad and attain work experience while working as part of a highly trained professional crew of 5 – 10 experienced installers that specialized in the material handling and warehousing industries and traveled to Murfreesboro, TN; Dallas, TX; Kansas City and Maryland.
He is a member of the Negro Business and Professional Youth Club and continues to participate in Upward Bound and attended the YMCA “Y” Achievers college tour.
Justin is the son of Harold Echols and Aleshia Echols. He is a member of Prince of Peace Baptist Church.
6. Isaiah C. Banks
East Lansing High School
Lansing Community College
Isaiah C. Banks is graduating from East Lansing High School and plans to attend Lansing Community College. His chosen career paths are law and politics. Isaiah has selected law because of his interest in interacting and helping others minorities and making sure they have a fair chance. Isaiah is very interested in politics.
During his elementary and middle school years, Isaiah participated in the church as a helper. He helped the sound team at Advancing God’s Kingdom church. Isaiah is part of crosswalk teen ministry at Trinity AME. Isaiah has participated in serving dinners to homeless people at the Lansing City Rescue Mission. He has volunteered with Powerhouse, which helps youth in the LeRoy Froy community. Isaiah has also served as a Jr. Coach for the Jr. Trojan football and wrestling teams.
Some of the awards and achievements Isaiah has received while in high school are: Varsity Football, Varsity Track and Varsity Wrestling. He is member of Black Student Union. Isaiah is currently employed part time with Elite Marketing Corporation. Isaiah plans to transfer to The University of Michigan or Michigan Tech.
Isaiah is the son of Darryl and Renee Banks. He is a member of Trinity AME.
7. Ricky Bernard Hubbert II
Eastern High School
Lansing Community College
Ricky Bernard Hubbert II is graduating from Eastern High School and plans to attend Lansing Community College and later transfer to Western Michigan University. Ricky’s chosen career path is in the area of Psychology with a focus on becoming a counselor. Ricky has selected this area of study as he has a personable and warm loving spirit and he enjoys interacting with and helping others.
During his elementary and middle school years, Ricky participated in the church as a member of the youth dance team and as a junior usher. Outside of church he was involved in athletics and played a season of football and baseball through Lansing Parks and Recreation. He also swam on the swim team while attending Windemere Park Charter Academy.
Ricky was nominated for and is a recipient of the Hope Scholarship Award. Ricky is currently employed with the McDonalds Corporation.
He is the son of Ricky and Chenitha Hubbert (father and stepmother) and Paula Stokes-Hubbert (mother). He is a member of Tabernacle of David Worship Center Church.
8. Amari Michael
Anthony George
Eastern High School
Lansing Community College
Amari Michael Anthony George is graduating from Eastern High School and he plans to attend Lansing Community College for a couple of years then transfer to another college. Amari plans to study either Graphic Design or Criminal Justice.
Amari was very active in sports. He played flag football, was very good at baseball, but his all time favorite was basketball. Amari has played basketball since he was 5. He has played his entire life. He was the star player at Fairview Elementary, graduated from there and was the go to guy at Pattengill Middle School, and from there was a three time starter on the Varsity squad at Lansing Eastern.
While attending Eastern he was active in in several committees. He was chosen Homecoming King this winter and represented the student body in 2011. Amari carries a GPA of 3.866 and has been on the honor roll for 12 consecutive semesters. He has won numerous awards such as perfect attendance, student of the month and several exemplary teachers awards. Amari worked at Foster Community last summer and will continue to seek employment this summer.
Amari is the son of Mike and Kim George. He currently attends Lansing Church of God in Christ, where he is the Lead Usher on the Youth Ministry Board. He is an avid member of the YMCA. Amari’s favorite hobbies are listening to music, hanging out with friends and spending time with family.
9. Juan Salome Delgado
Eastern High School
Lansing Community College
Juan Salome Delgado Juan is graduating from Eastern High School and plans to attend Lansing Community College. Juan plans on majoring in Sports Science. Juan is very active in athletics and wants to learn more about Sports Science.
During his elementary and middle school years, Juan participated in floor hockey for the Lansing Mustangs and Lansing Hurricanes, played soccer for Lansing Soccer Club and played football for the Mt. Zion Eagles. Juan has also participated in the Gear-Up College enrichment program and attended various leadership workshops through Michigan State University. In addition, Juan has given several presentations to Korean businessmen and women regarding American sports through the Office of Visiting International Professionals Program (VIPP) at Michigan State University.
Some of the awards and achievements, Juan has received while in high school are: Varsity Football, Varsity Soccer, and Varsity Golf. Juan received the Most Improved Player Award for Soccer.
Juan is the son of Frances Delgado and Timothy Johnson.
For more information about
The Turning Point of Lansing log on to
http://www.theturningpointoflansing.org/
This was printed in the June 17, 2012 – June 30, 2012 Edition
