Metro Detroit Mentoring Program expands to stop criminalization of black men

Award-winning Metro Detroit and statewide program

DETROIT - The Real Life 101 Scholarship Fund, a distinguished National Scholarship and Mentoring Program with a proven track record of African American male college graduates, is putting a stop to the criminalization of young black men by providing scholarship funding, mentoring, and educational - academic resources to black males in high school. Real Life 101 is “INVESTING IN EDUCATION AND NOT INCARCERATION.”

The non-profit recently partnered with Normandy high school in St. Louis Missouri, which is the former high school of slain teen Michael Brown to implement its program and help fight against black stereotypes. Brown, an 18-year-old black man, was fatally shot by Darren Wilson, 28, a white Ferguson police officer. This tragic demonstration of black males being denied humanity attracted the attention of Sid E. Taylor, Chairman of Real Life 101.

“There is no cavalry coming to save the day in our black communities in America. We have the answers we are looking for and it starts right here with each and every one of us. We have to take action on the things that matter, and those things are our young black men! We have to start recognizing our young black men as true assets and not problems to be solved,” said Sid E. Taylor. “We are honored to extend Real Life 101 mentoring and scholarship program to the students of Normandy High School. “

Real Life 101 has enrolled nine black male seniors from Normandy High School. Students will receive a five-year $1,000.00 scholarship totaling $45,000.00 in funding for furthering their education at a college, university or trade program. Students will also receive a laptop computer loaded with Microsoft Office software, a laptop backpack and a personal certified mentor. Taylor is visiting the high school tomorrow, Thursday, May 21, 2015 to present the students their awards. Taylor has also made a commitment to provide scholarships in 2016 to students of the high schools of Trayvon Martin in Sanford Florida, Eric Gardner in New York and Tony Robinson in Wisconsin as his ongoing commitment of “INVESTING IN EDUCATION AND NOT INCARCERATION”.

Founded in 2000 by businessman Sid E. Taylor (Founder and Chairman of SET Enterprises, Inc.), and now in its 16th year, the program has invested $1.5 million, more than 500 scholarships and 2,000 lap top computers to help young men get through college. So far, 65 students have graduated from colleges and universities all across the U.S. and 135 students are still in the Real Life program pursuing their degrees. The Real Life program now serves 32 schools in 12 states across the U.S. with more than 250 dedicated professionals who serve as certified mentors to its program participants. Additionally, plans are underway to extend its program to all 50 states by 2017.