SPOTLIGHT ON CLEVELAND DAVID PECK JR AND KHRIS IRONS MAC SCHOLARS

On May 24th 2016 I sat in a quaint little coffee shop named Gimme Java in Shaker Heights Ohio. As I began to place my order in walked two young men. Let me tell you I did a double double take. Why? I’m glad you asked.. It was because I was so impressed with what my eyes beheld.

These young men were in suits and ties their shirts were fresh and crisp, they were neatly shaven and well groomed. Yes I was impressed. They had smiles on their faces, stood erect and spoke in appropriate tones of voice.

In times where the majority of African American males are pictured in a negative light, before me was a total contradiction to what I was reading in papers, seeing on the news and social media.

I introduced myself to these young men David Peck Jr. and Khris Irons. Even though our conversation was brief due to their being on a mission, they did say that they were Shaker Heights High School Seniors and were members of The MAC Scholars Program at their school and on this day they were participating in a fund raiser.

The Minority Achievement Committee, known informally as the MAC Scholars Program, is a student-led program aimed at improving the academic achievement of African-American males at Shaker Heights High School.

The MAC Pledge is as follows: I am an African American and I pledge to uphold the name and image of the African-American man. I will do so by striving for academic excellence, conducting myself with dignity and respecting others as if they were my brothers and sisters.

Let’s fast forward.. I gave these young men my business card and asked them to consider being guests on this show. They smiled in excitement at the request and agreed to contact me for confirmation.

We met to confirm their appearance and today here they are… I am proud to introduce to my listening family David Pecks Jr and Khris Irons, who are now proud graduates of Shaker Heights High School.