After visiting a college through the Black Diamonds Academic Success, Peekskill High School senior Ajani Brown learned of a program to get free tuition and now is preparing to attend Mercy University on a full scholarship.

That trip is one of the benefits of the group that mentors young men of color and prepares them for life after high school, the 17-year-old told the Herald on Wednesday, March 26.

“I wasn’t ever good at public speaking until I joined the Black Diamonds,” Brown said. “I was a very shy kid. It was very hard for me to do public speaking. I was whispering when I’m talking and it was a lot for me. They helped me a lot so I was able to become more confident in myself.”

Martin McDonald, the founder and executive director of the Black Diamonds, told the Herald it is personal to him to see young men succeed in high school, as well as challenge the perception some have about young Black men.

“We expose them to opportunities, we expose them to different career paths, different choices,” McDonald said Monday. “We hold them accountable, [are] nurturing and [they are] becoming responsible young men that are going to be leaders in their community.”

Becoming a leader was the theme of an event led by the Black Diamonds at the Peekskill High School on Wednesday in which approximately 40 students from Peekskill, Greenburgh, New Rochelle, and Ossining gathered in the school’s theater to listen to the wisdom of such leaders on a special guest panel.

The panel included Dr. Eudes Budhai, Peekskill City School District (PCSD) Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education, Nathaniel Adams of New Rochelle My Brother’s Keeper (MBK), Anthony Gaines of Greenburgh MBK, and Daymon Yizar of African American Men of Westchester (AAMW).

Dr. Budhai recalled when he first became a teacher and noticed untapped talent in students who had not been given the opportunities to demonstrate their ability. As a result he sought to create an environment where students could show off their academics and cognitive talents.

“When I go to your schools, I may be hard on you,” Budhai said. “I may let you know I see what you’re doing, I notice what you’re doing, and you know what you’re doing. And you change that right away but it’s because you know that in front of you is a person that cares deeply about what you do and wants to make sure that you are successful later on.”

Adams of New Rochelle MBK said he makes it a practice to ask every kid to “tell me your story.”

“Because the beautiful thing is that each and every single one of these souls, every single last one of us in this room has an individual fingerprint that tells our story,” Adams said. “Billions have been here, but your fingerprint is going to leave a lasting impression on this world.”

In addition to the special guest panelist, there was a panel of high school seniors that included Tony Monchinski of Peekskill MBK, Ethan Locke, Damarè Walker of Black Diamonds, Khaleel Cadet of Ossining MBK/Black Diamonds, Maison Smith of New Rochelle MBK.

Students discussed the benefits of the MBK and Black Diamonds, which is an initiative of MBK, including gaining brotherhood, pride in their skin, networking abilities, and core memories such as watching Black Panther in theaters, going to a Westchester Knicks game, and giving speeches in Albany.

One panelist, Walker, told the Herald that thanks to the Black Diamonds he is doing an internship over the summer with Turner Construction. The biggest benefit of the Black Diamonds, he said, is a new mindset.

“At the meetings, we have discussions, and not everybody thinks the same,” Walker said. “You’ll have differing opinions and it’s just helped me stay open minded to that nobody thinks the same and that it’s okay if somebody has a different opinion as me. And it’s also helped me with some leadership skills.”

Mother of two Black Diamonds, Rasheedat Saheed, said the program is helping her sons develop and grow. Those sons, Nataniel and Daniel Parks, highlighted trips to Washington, D.C. and several Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The boys are currently creating a shelf in a woodworking program.

Dr. David Mauricio, Superintendent of Schools at the PCSD, told the Herald, “They learn about dreaming big, what you need to do now for academic attendance, behavioral success in our schools. And it’s all about learning what we know as adults and imparting it on our young adults so that they have a successful outcome in school and prepare for a great life after school.”

Asked what he would say to those considering joining the initiative, Peekskill High School senior and recipient of a full scholarship to Mercy University, Brown responded:

“There’s never going to be a time when there’s not benefits. I feel like if you just take the time out of your day to come to a couple of meetings, or just come help out, just to come see, you’ll see the brotherhood that we have, and you’ll enjoy it, and you won’t want to leave.”