The New Black Leaders

Watch out America. There is a new age of black leadership. I'm not talking about Barack Obama, Tavis Smiley, or Tom Joyner. Although they do represent an impressive collection of black brothers. I'm thinking about the new generation of black leaders who won't be on the cover of Time or Newsweek. But, they're growing into a silent majority. They're less likely to perceive a racial injustice around every corner, but they're still sensitive the needs of the black community. These are the worker bees. They are quietly creating networks that benefit the black community by bringing attention to one crisis after another. They stand on the front line and often take positions that are unpopular with the masses, even if it means taking on friendly fire.

These leaders resist the urge for a camera shot, but fight for their issues to take front a center. They can be found in churches, writing blogs, in local government, and even in our homes as faithful mothers and fathers. They are the new young black leaders of our time. Although our community is full of example of deadbeat dads, there are still young black men marrying our daughters and raising families. They may be small in numbers, but their impact help sustain our communities. This community isn't in a particular neighborhood. This is the human community. For all the young women having children out of wedlock, there are still some young women choosing to marry and then have children. Perhaps they're not the majority. But, they're still out there. And, for those young women you find themselves single with children, for whatever reason, there are many single mothers who responsibly, faithfully raise another generation of strong black leaders.

Our job is to find these people and offer them a supportive network. If you can afford it, send your child to college and then help someone else send theirs. Share that job opportunity. Share the blessing of moral absolutes. It makes life less complicated. Encourage that young man to work with the young mother of his child to build a stronger adult. Many of you are already doing all of these things. Let me salute you. Although, you deserve to be featured, few will ever know about your efforts. And, yet our community stands perhaps even more strongly on your shoulder than on the shoulders of black leaders pulled out for the latest photo op.

For all that you do, this "thumbs up" is for you. We're not waiting on CNN to write our story. We're living it.