We recently connected with Phyllis Jackson and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Phyllis, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
Creating a mentor program for boys being raised without active fathers, or positive male influences.
As a single mother raising a young man, I understand that I can teach him how to be a great, & responsible person, but I can’t teach him how to become a man. I understood that I needed help, & knew that there were other mothers in the same predicament. Because of this, I found solid men, from the community that are passionate about the well-being of our people & future of our community, to help. This is how Elevating Young Kings was created.
This group is helping young men learn what is needed to walk in their true callings as their best selves.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Phyllis L Jackson, formerly known as Poetess Elitess, is the founder of Elevating Young Kings Inc. EYK is a mentor program created for boys, ages 5-16, lacking consistent positive male influences in the metro Atlanta area.
As a single mother, of a young black boy, I realized that there were things that he’d need to know as he grows & matured that I couldn’t t teach. After acknowledging that there were other women with sons in the same situation, I created a village, of great men from our community that could provide the guidance needed to provide the tools needed to grow into strong, prepared black men.
Elevating Young King’s purpose is to help our boys think and grow beyond society’s statistics of what they are “ suppose to be “..
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
As an artist, my mission has always been to remind our people that there is more to them than what society tells people. My poetry is known to awaken cultural pride and the self-respect of black people.
As the founder of this community organization, my mission is to help our boys get a better chance of succeeding and leading productive lives.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to unlearn worrying about getting applause for my work. I’ve spent most of my life in one spotlight or another, so I was accustomed to “putting on a show” . I eventually stopped living for the crowd and began to live for myself, in my own truth ,without needing the validation of others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://eykings.simdif.com & soulfulsubstance.com
- Instagram: Elevating Young Kings & Poetess Elitess
- Facebook: Poetess Elitess
- Yelp: Elevating Young Kings
Image Credits
Pharod Thomas Photography