Is mom struggling to make ends meet? Do you feel like you don’t belong at school and find yourself wandering the halls when you should be in class? Is dad doing his part?
If this description doesn’t fit you, do you know someone it does? We’re calling on educators, parents, churches, youth service organizations, detention centers, grassroots and court-mandated prevention programs and anyone working with the youth; help has arrived.
A graduate of Yale University and University of Connecticut School of Law, Yusef Poole, Esq. is the author of an award-winning book that’s equal parts urban male rites of passage, a life road map and biographical. Titled Road to Barrister: An Urban Monologue, it’s his first.
Nearly two years after publishing RTB, Poole decided to expound his story and expand its reach. To that end, he published Road to Barrister: The Discussion Book (TDB), which is available in a student copy and an instructor’s guide. Each book outlines the fundamentals of the RTB Movement, which aims to teach life and decision-making skills to youth and help build character.
RTB is the foundation and TDB is the branches. They’re essential for anyone open to making life choices that result in happiness over frustration, success over stagnation. TDB paired with RTB can help it’s reader evaluate the consequences of choices.
In celebration of Black History Month, Poole is launching the RTB Movement. He firmly believes there is a much strength and potential in the African American community, regardless of one’s career aspirations, socio-economic background and/or race. His life serves as evidence. With “proper nurturing and molding there’s a positive outcome.” The “Character Education” chapter offers readers a relatable guideline to not only develop but also maximize their intangible contributions to benefit both self and society. Although the purpose of the RTB Movement is instructional, it’s also intriguing and stimulating. It will captivate the minds of its audience.
Poole credits the experience of working with young adults in New Haven, Conn., as inspiration for the RTB Movement. Consistent with one of the books’ primary objectives, Poole notes in his memoir, “I contrast choices I made with those made by childhood friends who faced similar circumstances.” RTB highlights his struggles as a youth in New Haven and his dreams of achieving greatness. It’s a universal story of triumph that “highlights key lessons learned,” which proves invaluable.
TDB was created to help facilitate discussions in group and classroom settings on lessons introduced in RTB. As students work through the exercises in TDB, they will be introduced to highly desirable and necessary real world skills such as:
- Collaboration
- Critical Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Creative Innovation
- Communication
“They will discover in realistic terms that every cause has an effect. Ideally, they will see the hardship that comes along with addressing issues by trial-and-error, and come to understand the true advantages of learning from the mistakes of others versus having to personally endure those mistakes,” offers Poole.
“During or after students’ journeys through the books, the circle of the RTB Movement can be complete with a live presentation,” he finishes. No one can paint a picture that is more life-like than the one who experiences the story behind it. Poole does this with transparency, boldness and conviction.
The website www.yusefpoole.com is currently under renovation and is scheduled to re-launch on January 31, 2013. For information about the books, more details about the RTB Movement and for bookings before the launch date please email requests and questions to [email protected]. After the launch, all requests can be made through the website.
