The Hope Dealers

I've written about the group of Morehouse College students who over the years have come up here with Morehouse alum Corey Hardiman to mentor Chicago Public School male students on their spring break. They choose cold Chicago instead of the warm weather of spring break beaches.

When most college students think of spring break, they think of a tropical getaway along sandy beaches. But for the sixth year in a row, a group of students from Morehouse College in Atlanta is giving back and serving the South Side of Chicago.

The Morehouse mentors were matched with their mentees at Chicago State University on Thursday.


"The reason why I started the Young Men of Color Conference was because, for me, growing up I didn't see brothers who look like me doing successful work," said Corey Hardiman, founder of the Morehouse group called Hope Dealers. "All we are here to do is to promote excellence of young men of color. If they can't see it, how can they become it?"

These spring breakers are focused on getting their CPS mentees ready for a career, helping them resolve conflicts and teaching new life skills.

I think it was cool that they made it to Harlan this week, Harlan is where I graduated from high school. Back in the day, I could've used a young male college student to show me how it is. Hopefully I'd have listened and followed up with them.

View this post on Instagram

Hope Dealers (Red Jackets) from Morehouse College visiting Harlan Students. #HOPEDEALERS

A post shared by Harlan C.A. High School (@harlan.falcons) on Mar 12, 2019 at 1:36pm PDT

Hope Dealers documentary

Hope Dealer Trailer from Lawrence Trapp on Vimeo.

[VIDEO] I've written about this group from time to time and I got wind of a future documentary of which you see a preview here. This is what's posted to the video page:

Hope Dealers, a non-profit organization that aims to help areas through community service. The group was created by Corey Hardiman, a Morehouse graduate and native of Southside Chicago. Although looking to eventually expand, the group for the past three years has primarily performed service in Southside Chicago, Ill.

Now to find out when this documentary is coming and if it will be shown exclusively on the internet or shown at a movie house near you.

Hope Dealers on TV Sunday

I sadly didn't recognize that Corey Hardiman's alternate spring break in 2016 got some attention on ABC Chicago. These Men of Morehouse came from Atlanta many of them originally not from here to be "Hope Dealers" - a force for change for other male youths on the South Side. Perhaps many more of us would be more apt to support such a mission.

BTW, the reporter of this story Leah Hope had been an mc at the recent Morehouse College Glee Club concert at the Harris Theater (205 E Randolph St) this past Tuesday night. And even better she has a personal connection as a descendant of the first Black President of Morehouse College Dr. John Hope.

DNA Info: 'Hope Dealers' Mentor Chicago Teens During Spring Break

Here's hoping Mr. Hardiman and his hope dealers get more and more attention as he continues his project in the future. Recently he was featured in DNA Info:

Morehouse College graduate Corey Hardiman is on a mission to spread hope.

The Roseland native graduated with a Political Science degree in 2014 from the all-male historically black college in Atlanta.

It was during his spring break that he came up with a different kind of spring break trip. He and other Morehouse students gave up their vacation to visit elementary and high schools on the South Side. They’ve been in Chicago this week visiting schools like Robeson High School in Englewood and his former high school Corliss.

Hardiman and his 16 “Hope Dealers” share their personal stories and talk to the young men about college.

“I believe in the philosophy if I don’t see it, I can’t become it, but if I do see it, I have a vision in mind,” he said.  “Hope Dealers is a two-fold thing. It’s to get students politically engaged, educationally inspired, and to challenge the social quota, defying the [black male] stereotype.”
...
Neither of Hardiman's parents finished high school. He’s the only male in his family to graduate from college.

Hardiman said he’s always felt there was somewhat of a disconnect between young black males and college-age men, which he’s trying to address. 

I wish the Hope Dealers well in their continuing studies or success when they graduate.

VIDEO: Jahmal Cole "Inclination vs. Obligation"

Part 1


Part 2

[VIDEO: PART 1 & PART 2] This footage is of Jahmal Cole giving a presentation at Whitney Young Library last Thursday. Here's a description of what he discusses in these two videos:

Role Model Movement founder Jahmal Cole speaks 2-7-2013 at Whitney Young Library. The topic of discussion is Choices "Inclination vs. Obligation."

The first vid is 8 minutes and the second vid is 10 minutes. Hope you enjoy!

Deborah movement: raising up godly women leaders

This was shared with us at the Ruggles Prayer meeting. The Deborah Movement seeks to raise up leaders in our communities.


The Black Star Project is interested in supporting any Deborah movements in our neighborhoods (Chatham, Park Manor, Chesterfield, Roseland Heights, Englewood), so please let them know if you are interested in finding out more.


Here's a press release about several Deborah Movement activities. Check one out and/or start one where you live!

*Join Us For The Deborah Movement: West Side of Chicago*

The Black Star Project presents

The Deborah Movement - West Side!!!

Women as Mothers, Prophetess, Judges, Warriors and Leaders Working to Eliminate Violence in Chicago Wednesday, June 2, 2010, 6:30 P.M.at The Golden Dome 100 N. Central Park Avenue, Chicago, Illinois

Join us for a special kind of Wednesday Bible Study, where we discuss the roles of women in waging war against the forces of evil that have taken over Chicago.

Much of this evening will be modeled after Deborah the Prophetess(Judges 4: 8-9), who was a woman honored for fighting great battles for the Lord with men.

Judges 8) Barak said to Deborah, "If you will go with me, I will go, but ify ou will not go with me, I will not go." 9) And Deborah said, "I will surely go with you.

Women will pray, plan and act to eliminate violence in Chicago. Men who are willing to support strong, positive, pro-active and courageous women are welcome. Women are being asked to sign-up to walk safety patrols in the city and suburbs, mentor young women, teach young mothers, tutor youth, encourage their sons, brothers, husbands and boyfriends to stop killing each other, teach sports to girls, help bring calm to schools, support positive male groups in their efforts to eliminate violence and to pray for peace in our communities.*

Please call Dorothy at 773.285.9600 for more information or to confirm these sessions.

Join the Deborahs and do the work of the Deborahs at these places:

1) Friday, May 28, 2010 - Funeral for Officer Thomas Wortham IV, 10:00 am,at Trinity United Church of Christ, 400 West 95th Street, Chicago Illinois.All "Deborahs" serving.** **

2) Friday, May 28, 2010 - March for Peace in Chatham with "Deborah" Dorothy Davis serving, and community march and praying between 6:30 pm and 7:30
pm at Ruggles School at 7841 South Prairie, Chicago, Illinois. ** **

3) Saturday, May 29, 2010 - African Liberation Day with "Deborah" Catherine Jackson serving and speaking, with event and community march between 12:30pm and 2:30 pm at 7847 South Jeffrey, Chicago, Illinois (Please wear all white if possible).** **

4) Saturday, May 29, 2010 - Operation Push with "Deborah" Afrika Porterserving to
organize women for peace and justice with Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.at 10:00 am at
950 East 50th Street, Chicago, Illinois. ** **

5) Sunday, May 30, 2010 - Marcus Hendricks Memorial Motorcycle Ride forPeace and Mentoring with "Deborah" Cynthia Flowers serving to commemorate her brother, Marcus Hendricks and fallen police officer Thomas Wortham with a motorcycle ride from 115th and Halsted to Randolph and Halsted, inChicago, Illinois, at 10:00 am ** **

6) Wednesday, June 2, 2010 - Attend the organizing meeting for the Deborah's West Side Chapter at the Golden Dome, 6:30 PM, 100 North CentralPark Avenue, Chicago, Illinois with "Deborahs" Mary Moore and Charlene Davis serving. **

7) Saturday, June 12, 2010 - Attend a Youth Expo at the Richard JonesArmory at 5200 South Cottage Grove, Chicago, Illinois from 10:00 am to 1:00pm to support our youth with "Deborah" Cynthia Flowers serving. **

8) Saturday, June 12, 2010 - Attend the 10th Annual Block by Block Graduation Celebration, 3pm-5pm, 6623 S. Union Avenue (Backyard),Chicago, Illinois with "Deborah" Asisha Butler serving.** **

9) Friday, June 18, 2010 - St. Sabina Youth March for Peace at 7:00 pm
with"Deborah" Sister Keelelah Muhammad serving to help guarantee a
safe, productive summer for our children at 1210 West 78th Place,
Chicago,Illinois.*

CAPCC Blog: Chatham Youth Mentoring Corps?

A post on the Chatham/Avalon Park Community Council blog that seemed to buried underneath other stories. It's entitled "It's Time for a Chatham Youth Mentoring Corps"

I think it's worth discussing. Can anyone specify what you see are the barriers form this happening?

Do you think mentors for the young people in our community would prove useful toward the development of our community. It would be productive if educated, skilled and trained men and women, seniors and middle-aged residents would reach out to the youth in Chatham, bring them under their wings and mentor them with internships and apprenticeships in business, the professions, athletics, the arts and sciences, beyond what they have learned in the school systems, and give them a stipend for their efforts and participation.

Would you like to be a mentor for a few hours a week? It would cross the generational gaps with a bridge of trust, communication, and understanding to reach areas of common interests.

Perhaps you would want to step up and create and lead a Chatham Youth Mentoring Corps.

Let us know by leaving your comments on the comment line.

Some interesting thoughts. Is this happening on some level anywhere in the community?