Yesterday Bryan Espirtu, Addy, Wristpect, HustleGRL, Bobby, Chantle and Burke would invited to attend a luncheon of 793 people hosted by her excellency, the Governor General – Michaelle Jean.
Beyond the honor of being in attendance while her excellency was speaking, I was more excited to see Gavin Sheppard of the Remix Project sitting at the head table and on the panel. But even more than my excitement for that, I was so stoked to see my brother, Jebril Jalloh aka Fresh at the head table, sitting to the right of her excellency and then speaking about leadership and inspiration.
I mean, I love Gavin, but its expected he would be up there. Gavin is a mentor to many people in the city. He’s my mentors’ mentor.
But Fresh being up on the panel is like wow! He deserves it so much and Im glad the people and their high places have recognized that. I felt amazing enough just being able to know him and I can only imagine how it must have felt speaking to 793 people.
But the 793 people that were there werent just your average, the room was filled with company execs and CEOs from banks, corporations, hotel chains, union leaders, politicians, activists and the like. I would have really pissed my pants. Like for real.
Now you’re probably asking, how the hell did we get to attend right?
Well, Michaelle Jean is leading a new campaign called DiverseCity where they are focusing on the untapped potential and talent of young and diverse individuals in our country and understanding the benefits to our lifestyle, culture and economy.
“To deny diversity is to deny modernity, to deny modernity is to deny opportunity.”
The movement has recognized the people in the picture above (and 20 others) as ‘young emerging leaders’ and our importance to the future of our country. The luncheon was to serve as a chance for the new and established worlds to network and communicate.
When Fresh spoke, I felt happy and sad for him all that same time.
He told a quick little story about himself that went something like this:
“When I was in grade 10, I wasnt doing too good in school. So my mom asked me if I liked going to school.
I said “no.”
“Why do you go to school then?”
“Because I have to.”
“Fine then, dont go to school then.”
“Why? Dont you want me to go to school?”
“Yea, but whats the point, you’re not doing good anyways.”
“What? You dont think I could do good?”
“No.”
“Ok, lets have a bet.”
“Ok, if I do good in school and get over 90% on everything on my report card, you have to treat like a man and I get to be the man of the house.”
She laughed.
“Im serious.”
She didnt think I would be able to do so agreed to the bet.
So the next day I went to school and told my teachers about the bet, and they all laughed but they were all down to help. So I started sitting at the top of the class by the teacher’s desk, stayed in during recess and afterschool. I came home one day and showed my mom my test mark. It was a 90 something. She said thats great but thats just one test.
So I went back to school and continued working hard. Midterms were coming around so I was like, its ok, its ok, I can do this. So I came home with 90% on all my midterms. But my mom said, its just a midterm.
So then I went back to school and continued working. I made up a list for my mom of all the demands and changes that would need to take place once I became the man of the house. One of them said ‘dont ask me where Im going when I leave the house.’ (he put some more stuff on the list but people were laughing for too long and I didnt hear it all). lol. She laughed at me.
But the sad thing is that, the day my report card came out on November 13th, my mom passed away. So she never seen my report card. So everything I do, I do it like its that report card. I do it for my moms. “
I didnt know about this particular story, but I knew this story was gonna be a tear jerker…and I was bracing myself for it…and I was like…whatever you do, dont cry, and then he says it…cue the fireworks! lol. I sat there and teared up and sniffling like a little girl. lol. Anyone who knows me, knows Im a mama’s boy. Imagine losing your mother at 15 and being left to look after an 8 year old sister, and your father is nowhere to be found.
Fresh is one of the most inspirational and realest peoples you’ll ever meet. I swear on that.
To my brother, let this only be the beginning of our beautiful lives. It is truly a blessing and an honor to have you as my brother.
On behalf of The Remix crew and myself, I would also like to especially thank Gavin Sheppard. Without you, I dont know where many of us would be. Thank you.
You’ve changed our lives.
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