Saving Lives…Salvaging Dreams Saving Lives…Salvaging Dreams

A Matter of Completion: A Matter of Completion: Aligning Islands of ExcellenceAligning Islands of Excellence

““COMPLETION WITH NO EXCUSE: IT TAKES A VILLAGE”COMPLETION WITH NO EXCUSE: IT TAKES A VILLAGE”

NC College Completion ConveningNC College Completion ConveningOctober 1, 2015October 1, 2015

Dr. Tyrone Bledsoe, Founder-CEODr. Tyrone Bledsoe, Founder-CEO

ABOUT ME Native of Mississippi (MLK, Till)Native of Mississippi (MLK, Till) Past, Assistant to the Vice Past, Assistant to the Vice

President of Student Affairs at President of Student Affairs at Morehouse CollegeMorehouse College

Past Interim Vice Chancellor for Past Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, North Carolina Student Affairs, North Carolina Central UniversityCentral University

Past Vice President for Past Vice President for Enrollment and Student Enrollment and Student Services, North Carolina Services, North Carolina Wesleyan CollegeWesleyan College

Past Vice President for Student Past Vice President for Student Life, University of ToledoLife, University of Toledo

Past, Special Assistant to the Past, Special Assistant to the President, University of ToledoPresident, University of Toledo

Social InnovatorSocial Innovator Ashoka.orgAshoka.org

• Lecturer, Oxford Univ.Lecturer, Oxford Univ. CGI-AmericaCGI-America CNN Class of Heroes 2015CNN Class of Heroes 2015

• NomineeNominee

5050thth Anniversary for theAnniversary for the March on Washington March on Washington

1963-20131963-2013

THE LAST TIME MY BROTHERS THE LAST TIME MY BROTHERS AND I SAW MLK--- AND I SAW MLK---

Belle Flower M.B.C. (Mississippi)Belle Flower M.B.C. (Mississippi)

FROM GRENADA TO MEMPHISFROM GRENADA TO MEMPHIS

GRENADA MOVEMENTGRENADA MOVEMENT(Dr. Martin Luther King)(Dr. Martin Luther King)

Escorting kids to newly integrated school Escorting kids to newly integrated school in Grenada, MSin Grenada, MS

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My Contextual Appeal…My Contextual Appeal…

How can we as a Country expect the global alliances to trust and invest in us as a nation when we show very

little trust and investment in our own citizens! How can we encourage innovation within our children when the funding for Education is cut and the cost is placed on the backs of those we need as future leaders The best indicator for future credibility is EDUCATION---it's the

leveraging stick. With it our populace is more equipped and qualified to infuse vitality and morality into a struggling economy. With it--WE ALL WIN!!!

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CONTEXTUAL QUOTECONTEXTUAL QUOTE

“Our focus is to really reclaim “Our focus is to really reclaim America’s competitive edge America’s competitive edge

internationally,” internationally,” declared Alex Johnson, declared Alex Johnson, President of the Community College of President of the Community College of Allegheny County. Allegheny County. He’s emphasizing that He’s emphasizing that

everyone in each community has a responsibility to everyone in each community has a responsibility to work towards the same goal and push to work towards the same goal and push to create a create a

positive narrative positive narrative for all of our students for all of our students --with emphasis on our males of color… (CGI-America)with emphasis on our males of color… (CGI-America)

RHETORICALLY---RHETORICALLY---HOW DO WE WORK WITH HOW DO WE WORK WITH

ALL KEY STAKEHOLDERS/PARTNERS ALL KEY STAKEHOLDERS/PARTNERS AND ALIGN OUR ISLANDS OF AND ALIGN OUR ISLANDS OF

EXCELLENCE TO IMPROVE THE EXCELLENCE TO IMPROVE THE LIVLIHOOD AND DEVELOPMENT OF ALL LIVLIHOOD AND DEVELOPMENT OF ALL

STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY OUR STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY OUR YOUNG MALES OF COLOR?YOUNG MALES OF COLOR?

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To Build Together…To Build Together…We Have to Stay We Have to Stay

Together!!Together!!Coming together is aComing together is a BeginningBeginning

Keeping together isKeeping together is ProgressProgressWorking together isWorking together is SuccessSuccess

Henry FordHenry Ford

YOU NURTURE IT!!!YOU NURTURE IT!!!

HOW DO YOU KEEP YOUR TALENT IN YOUR REGION?

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More diverse populationMore diverse population

Entire U.S. population Entire U.S. population == 20422042

Working-age population =Working-age population = 20392039

School-age population School-age population == 20232023

Year in which “minorities” will become the majority of …

Source: Census Bureau. (2008, August 14). An older and more diverse nation by mid-century. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor.

The SAAB Multi-Community The SAAB Multi-Community Stakeholders Engagement Approach:Stakeholders Engagement Approach: 

 We believe that successful SAAB school/institutional program initiatives require involvement of community members both internal and external from the very beginning and throughout the life of the initiative.

Experience has shown us that by fostering stakeholder partnerships, we can meet the expressed needs of the stakeholders and achieve long term sustainability of the SAAB initiative. Our program initiatives involve stakeholders in the following manner: 

Identifying “value-added” community needs directly or indirectly related to the initiative. (e.g., Lumina CPA)

Establishing partnerships with formal leaders such as local foundations, local educational and civic leaders, and others who influence community opinions and activities.

We commit to robust engagement utilizing a collaborative mobilization approach… (Springfield, MO)

Improving the “Value” PropositionImproving the “Value” Proposition "If we don’t figure out how to improve the value

proposition the great tidal wave of demand for credentials in our country could take a major blow.

According to a recent Chronicle in Higher Education article, right at half of our students are graduating from college more negative than ever before-- and thinking it wasn’t worth their time and money—particularly when they are more and more burdened with loans/debt.

Experiential Approaches are important Internships, Co-ops, Study Abroad, etc.

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COMPETENCY-BASED EDUCATION (CBE) ALLOWS STUDENTS TO COMPLETE CREDENTIALS IN LESS TIME, AT LOWER COST, AND WITH A FOCUS ON REAL LEARNING THAT LEADS TO GREATER EMPLOYABILITY.

HOWEVER, THE CBE LEARNING APPROACH SERVES AS A RADICAL DEPARTURE FROM TRADITIONAL INSTRUCTIONAL MODELS.

HOW CAN INSTITUTIONS ENSURE A HIGHLY COLLABORATIVE DESIGN PROCESS TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE AND SCALABLE SYSTEM THAT WILL SUPPORT LEARNERS AND ENCOURAGE LEARNING ACHIEVEMENT?

WHAT IS THE ROLE (IF ANY) OF WHAT IS THE ROLE (IF ANY) OF COMPETENCY BASED EDUCATION COMPETENCY BASED EDUCATION

(CBE)?(CBE)?

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SAAB’s IMPACTSAAB’s IMPACT

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ONE PERPETUAL CHALLENGEONE PERPETUAL CHALLENGE

“We have to challenge all stakeholders “We have to challenge all stakeholders to find their place in the conversation to find their place in the conversation

in order to enhance the experiences of in order to enhance the experiences of our young men of color as valuable our young men of color as valuable assets morally and economically”assets morally and economically”

Dr. Tyrone BledsoeDr. Tyrone Bledsoe

(Male Empowerment Network Conference, Phoenix, AZ, 2014)(Male Empowerment Network Conference, Phoenix, AZ, 2014)

SAAB Endorses the White House Initiative, SAAB Endorses the White House Initiative, “My Brother’s Keeper (MBK)” “My Brother’s Keeper (MBK)”

and Affirms: and Affirms:

Young Men of Color face unique challenges Young Men of Color face unique challenges that oftentimes compromise their success in that oftentimes compromise their success in school.school.

MBK helps to address and dismantle structural MBK helps to address and dismantle structural barriers for YMOC and challenges all barriers for YMOC and challenges all stakeholders to stakeholders to find their place in the find their place in the conversation!conversation!

MBK amplifies the “Voice” of YMOC and MBK amplifies the “Voice” of YMOC and highlights their value and contributions as highlights their value and contributions as indispensable to our nation’s success.indispensable to our nation’s success.

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SAAB Endorses the White House Initiative, SAAB Endorses the White House Initiative, “My Brother’s Keeper (MBK)” “My Brother’s Keeper (MBK)”

and Affirms: and Affirms:

Young Men of Color face unique Young Men of Color face unique challenges that oftentimes challenges that oftentimes compromise their success in school.compromise their success in school.

MBK has helped to address and MBK has helped to address and dismantle structural barriers for dismantle structural barriers for YMOC YMOC

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QUICK GROUP EXERCISEQUICK GROUP EXERCISE

“Narratives”“Narratives”

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Understanding the Importance Understanding the Importance of Framing Narrativesof Framing Narratives

NARRATIVESNARRATIVES help to “establish” help to “establish” what is “normal”what is “normal” a common set of experiences or a common set of experiences or

expectations for a group of individualsexpectations for a group of individuals NARRATIVESNARRATIVES influence our:influence our:

thinking, discussions, responses, thinking, discussions, responses, interventions, and our Actions!interventions, and our Actions!

Male “Crisis”Male “Crisis”““Endangered” SpeciesEndangered” SpeciesCulturally “damaged”Culturally “damaged”

““missing” or “vanishing” malesmissing” or “vanishing” malesNeed to be savedNeed to be savedDeviant behaviorDeviant behavior

Modify behavior toward “respectability”Modify behavior toward “respectability”Pathology of Black/Latino malePathology of Black/Latino maless

Framing (or “narrating”) the Framing (or “narrating”) the Experiences of Experiences of

Males of Color in EducationMales of Color in Education

Reframing the PerceptionReframing the Perception

Too often, the first thing most people Too often, the first thing most people conjure up in their minds is an conjure up in their minds is an outdated, negative stereotype of MOC.outdated, negative stereotype of MOC.

Defining any group by their challenges Defining any group by their challenges is the moment that group becomes is the moment that group becomes stigmatized and we fail to value them stigmatized and we fail to value them as assets and contributing citizens.as assets and contributing citizens.

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What makes the plight of Males of What makes the plight of Males of Color so disturbing is that it appears Color so disturbing is that it appears

as if few are concerned. as if few are concerned. The The traditional social development traditional social development

institutions are failing theminstitutions are failing them. Their . Their family of origin, their schools, their family of origin, their schools, their churches, the youth-serving social churches, the youth-serving social

services, social workers---services, social workers---all are failing all are failing to reach this group of hardened boys.to reach this group of hardened boys.

((African American Boys: The Cries of a Crisis African American Boys: The Cries of a Crisis by -- E. Bernard Franklinby -- E. Bernard Franklin

The Issues Around Males of ColorThe Issues Around Males of Color

Success rates of MOC in America is a Success rates of MOC in America is a concernconcern Number of MOC not completing high schoolNumber of MOC not completing high school Number of MOC incarcerated Number of MOC incarcerated (expansion)(expansion) Number of MOC who do not go on to Number of MOC who do not go on to

collegecollege Number of MOC who go on to post-Number of MOC who go on to post-

secondary is decreasingsecondary is decreasing

The ImplicationsThe Implications

Low levels of education leads to more Low levels of education leads to more burden on societyburden on society Higher crime ratesHigher crime rates Higher poverty levelsHigher poverty levels Lower earningsLower earnings Lower levels of healthLower levels of health Higher imprisonment, etc.Higher imprisonment, etc.

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African American and Latino African American and Latino Males are in a Crisis!!!Males are in a Crisis!!!

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GET YOUR GET YOUR STUFF!!!STUFF!!!

What are you willing to pay?!!!!What are you willing to pay?!!!!

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WE INVEST… IN THOSE THINGS…WE INVEST… IN THOSE THINGS…

WE CARE WE CARE ABOUT!!!ABOUT!!!

The NC GoalThe NC GoalIncrease the percentage of Increase the percentage of

North Carolina residents with North Carolina residents with high-quality degrees and high-quality degrees and

postsecondary credentials postsecondary credentials from 38% to 60% by 2025:from 38% to 60% by 2025:

ONLY ONLY “39%” “39%” OF US CITIZENS OF US CITIZENS POSSESS A BACHELOR’S POSSESS A BACHELOR’S

COLLEGE DEGREE OR COLLEGE DEGREE OR GREATER!!!GREATER!!!

ANNUAL REPORT FROM LUMINA (2014)ANNUAL REPORT FROM LUMINA (2014)

OnlyOnly “14%” “14%” of Black males over the age of 24 in the of Black males over the age of 24 in the State State of North Carolina of North Carolina possess a college bachelor's degree possess a college bachelor's degree

or greater.or greater.(Dr. Ivory Toldson, HBCU Report, 2014)(Dr. Ivory Toldson, HBCU Report, 2014)

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SAAB’s Overall MissionSAAB’s Overall Mission

To increase the college readiness, To increase the college readiness, participation and completion rates participation and completion rates in the nation, particularly among in the nation, particularly among low-income male students with low-income male students with emphasis on first generation college emphasis on first generation college students and students of color.students and students of color.

SAAB’s Vision and ValuesSAAB’s Vision and Values

College is College is Higher Education Higher EducationCollege is College is a Necessitya NecessityCollege is College is for Everyonefor EveryoneCollege is College is a Public Gooda Public GoodCollege is College is an Investmentan Investment

A nation or civilization that A nation or civilization that continues to produce continues to produce soft-soft-

minded menminded men purchases its own purchases its own spiritual death on an spiritual death on an

installment plan.installment plan.

Martin Luther King, Jr.Martin Luther King, Jr.05/02/23 40

Has America Lost A Has America Lost A Generation?Generation?

Is this the first time in Is this the first time in American History That A American History That A

Generation Generation Will Not Will Not ExceedExceed Their Parents— Their Parents—

Educationally?Educationally?Economically?Economically?

Many mindsMany minds…… Many HandsMany Hands

One Vision!!!!One Vision!!!!

COLLECTIVE IMPACTCOLLECTIVE IMPACT

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WHO IS SAAB?WHO IS SAAB?

SAABSAAB is ais a specialized specialized programming model programming model

designed for young men designed for young men of color and we focus on of color and we focus on building aspirations via a building aspirations via a

peer cohort and peer cohort and role model approach. role model approach.

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SAAB’s Main Goal:SAAB’s Main Goal:Ensuring that Ensuring that

significantly more significantly more African American and African American and

Latino males Latino males attain their attain their degree(s) and complete degree(s) and complete

what they startwhat they start((ThroughThrough Pipeline programs like-B2B)Pipeline programs like-B2B)

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DIVERSITYDIVERSITY ININ SAABSAAB

SAAB’s OVERALL OJECTIVESSAAB’s OVERALL OJECTIVES1) 1) Create a college-going culture, college-staying Create a college-going culture, college-staying and and college graduating culturcollege graduating culture; e;

2)2) To close the achievement gap between male To close the achievement gap between male and and female counterparts; female counterparts;

3)3) To increase success via college preparation, To increase success via college preparation, access, access, and participation;and participation;

4) 4) Focus on persistence and retention as desired Focus on persistence and retention as desired outcomesoutcomes

5) 5) Build partnerships and strengthen Build partnerships and strengthen collaborations with K-collaborations with K-12 schools, community 12 schools, community colleges, 4-year institutions, national colleges, 4-year institutions, national

organizations (e.g., AACC, UNCF, CGI-A, etc.) organizations (e.g., AACC, UNCF, CGI-A, etc.) community-based organizations, faith-based community-based organizations, faith-based institutions and institutions and families. families.

Unique Advantages of SAAUnique Advantages of SAAB B SAABSAAB is committed to attainment and completion by African is committed to attainment and completion by African

American and other minority males.American and other minority males. SAABSAAB builds a sense of belonging, support, accountability and builds a sense of belonging, support, accountability and

aspirations in our students.aspirations in our students. SAABSAAB has a proven track record (internal/external evaluations) has a proven track record (internal/external evaluations) SAABSAAB has the capacity to collect data and measure student and has the capacity to collect data and measure student and

chapter progresschapter progress SAABSAAB has a national network of members has a national network of members (middle school to college (middle school to college

and beyond)and beyond)

SAABSAAB embodies what most of the research nationally has embodies what most of the research nationally has shown as critical to boost success in college shown as critical to boost success in college (e.g., Academic Support, (e.g., Academic Support, Peer Support, Connections to the institution and Student-faculty contact)Peer Support, Connections to the institution and Student-faculty contact)

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Cultivating a Passion Cultivating a Passion for Excellencefor Excellence

“ “ Challenge the assumption that they are lazy Challenge the assumption that they are lazy and unmotivated”and unmotivated”

1.1. Set high expectationsSet high expectations (Michael Story)…(Michael Story)…2.2. Code of conduct must reinforce a standard of Code of conduct must reinforce a standard of

excellenceexcellence (Whatever you say you want to do…. (Whatever you say you want to do…. DO IT NOW!)DO IT NOW!)

3.3. Encourage student to compete in the classroomEncourage student to compete in the classroom (Learning ‘T’)(Learning ‘T’)

4.4. Do not accept doing just enough to get byDo not accept doing just enough to get by5.5. No Excuses----No Excuses----Excellence Without Excuse…Excellence Without Excuse…

1.1. Someone’s opinion of you…does not have to be your realitySomeone’s opinion of you…does not have to be your reality6.6. Have a Plan-Have a Plan-----Not by Default… By DesignNot by Default… By Design

Michael and DocMichael and Doc

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Learning TLearning T

Good Position Bad Position

Professor

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The S.A.A.B. EXPERIENCEThe S.A.A.B. EXPERIENCE ↓↓ ↓↓

CreatesCreates CultureCulture↓↓↓↓

ShapesShapes ValuesValues ↓↓ ↓↓

FormsForms BeliefsBeliefs↓↓↓↓

Transforms Transforms BehaviorsBehaviors

Teaching young men to be ResponsibleTeaching young men to be Responsible Encouraging young me to hold each Encouraging young me to hold each

other Accountableother Accountable A culturally sensitive BrotherhoodA culturally sensitive Brotherhood Creating a culture that yields a Sense Creating a culture that yields a Sense

Of Belonging & Acceptance for its Of Belonging & Acceptance for its participantsparticipants

How SAAB enhances community climate?....

Dressing AppropriatelyDressing Appropriately Time Management Time Management (#1 reason for not completing college)(#1 reason for not completing college)

Making education a priorityMaking education a priority Focus on tasks (first thing first)Focus on tasks (first thing first) Proactive (Not Procrastinating)Proactive (Not Procrastinating) Having a “Plan”!!!Having a “Plan”!!!

Just as in the future workplace, SAAB teaches young men responsible practices

SAAB provides young men a vehicle for SAAB provides young men a vehicle for connectionconnection to their respective community. to their respective community.

It makes them feel like they are apart of It makes them feel like they are apart of something big.something big.

SAAB provides to them the engagement they SAAB provides to them the engagement they need to keep them focused on the reason need to keep them focused on the reason they are in school, which is to obtain their they are in school, which is to obtain their educationeducation (Cultivating a Life—not just a living).(Cultivating a Life—not just a living). GET YOUR STUFF!!GET YOUR STUFF!!

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African-American Males at SAAB Chapter X

Latino Males at SAAB Chapter X

African-American Males at SAAB Chapter X

Latino Males at SAAB Chapter X

GEORGIA HIGHLANDS GEORGIA HIGHLANDS COLLEGE (GHC)COLLEGE (GHC)

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GEORGIA HIGHLANDS GEORGIA HIGHLANDS COLLEGE (GHC)COLLEGE (GHC)

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GHC B2B RetentionGHC B2B Retention Fall 2009 - Fall 2010 79%Fall 2009 - Fall 2010 79% Fall 2010 - Fall 2011 80%Fall 2010 - Fall 2011 80% Fall 2011 – Spring 2012 Fall 2011 – Spring 2012 87% 87%

GHC B2B Graduation RateGHC B2B Graduation Rate

2010-2011 Graduation Ratefor African American Males overall at GHC 9%

Graduation Rate for B2B Members 36%

The message is simple:The message is simple: For minority men at GHC--For minority men at GHC--

If you want the best chance to be in college, stay in If you want the best chance to be in college, stay in college, and graduate—you need to be part ofcollege, and graduate—you need to be part of

the B2B initiative. the B2B initiative.

SAAB’S CELEBRITY SPOKESPERSONSAAB’S CELEBRITY SPOKESPERSON

DONDRE WHITFIELDDONDRE WHITFIELD

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12th Annual SAAB National Conference – 2016Save The Dates: Friday, April 1 & Saturday, April 2

Conference Theme: Conference Theme: “Transforming the Mindset . . . Redefining the Narrative”

Conference Venue: Adoba Hotel ~ Dearborn, MI

www.saabnational.org

"Our society needs to re-establish a culture of caring." ~ Nelson Mandela during a Father ’s Day lunch hosted by Zindzi

Mandela, Hyatt Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa, 1 June 2001

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THE POWER OF A TOUCH!!THE POWER OF A TOUCH!!

EXONEXON

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GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO BE A CHANGEMAKERTO BE A CHANGEMAKER

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GREATEST VALUES IN LIFEGREATEST VALUES IN LIFE The greatest handicap---------------------FearThe greatest handicap---------------------Fear The best day-----------------------------------TodayThe best day-----------------------------------Today Hardest thing to do--------------------------To BeginHardest thing to do--------------------------To Begin Easiest thing to do---------------------------Find FaultEasiest thing to do---------------------------Find Fault Most useless asset--------------------------PrideMost useless asset--------------------------Pride Most useful asset----------------------------HumilityMost useful asset----------------------------Humility The greatest mistake-----------------------Giving UpThe greatest mistake-----------------------Giving Up The greatest stumbling block-----------EgotismThe greatest stumbling block-----------Egotism The greatest comfort-----------------------Work Well DoneThe greatest comfort-----------------------Work Well Done Worst Bankruptcy---------------------------Loss Of EnthusiasmWorst Bankruptcy---------------------------Loss Of Enthusiasm Greatest Need--------------------------------Common SenseGreatest Need--------------------------------Common Sense Meanest Feeling-----------------------------Regret of Another’s SuccessMeanest Feeling-----------------------------Regret of Another’s Success Best gift----------------------------------------ForgivenessBest gift----------------------------------------Forgiveness Greatest Success---------------------------Self-fulfillment/Peace of MindGreatest Success---------------------------Self-fulfillment/Peace of Mind

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CONTACT US:CONTACT US:

Phone: Phone: (419) 530-3221(419) 530-3221Email: Email: tbledsoe@saabnational.orgtbledsoe@saabnational.org

Web:Web: www.saabnational.orgwww.saabnational.orgFacebook:Facebook:Student African American Brother (SAAB Student African American Brother (SAAB

National Headquarters) National Headquarters)

Twitter:Twitter: SAABHQSAABHQ