HISTORY
I never anticipated that my career would involve working with inner city youth for 30 years. As a young boy, I was driven to create, build, and invent, with a strong passion for Engineering. I followed the traditional path, taking the required courses in High School and attending Purdue University's esteemed Engineering School.

In 1995, while on a hiatus in Pontiac, Michigan, I was given the chance to teach computer classes at Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School. Despite my limited expertise in computers and teaching, I embarked on this new challenge. Thirty years later, I remain committed to this work and would like to commemorate this achievement: Thirty for 30.
30 YEARS
In 1995 I embarked upon a journey that I was unprepared for and unsure of; my first paid job working with young people (instructor, teacher, mentor, youth advocate). 30 years later, I’m still at it; different organizations, different youth, different cities yet I’m still at it. This year (2025) I plan to commemorate my journey by facilitating thirty events/activities that honor 30 year of work in the community, alongside mentors, through organizations and with youth & families: Thirty for 30.
THIRTY EVENTS
This year I will facilitate or participate in Thirty events/activities that commemorate 30 years of work in the community, with mentors & mentees, within organizations and for youth & families.
I want to financially support Thirty for 30 events & activities.  Any donation will help. 
CURRENT & UPCOMING ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
#30: How Did It Go?
December 28, 2025 | Virtual
#29: Holiday Celebration
December 20, 2025 | My Place 
PAST EVENTS
#28: Midwest Immigration Bond Fund: Storytelling Event
December 13, 2025 | Tangible Books 
#27: Man Down: a Storytelling Event
November 20, 2025 | The Beelove Cafe'
Man Down: a storytelling event at The BeeLove Cafe in partnership with SIMP, GRO Community and Chicago Youth Centers. The evening was electric as the storytelling told real life vulnerable stories to boys and young Men.
#26: Workforce Development Workshop at  TC Health
Job Readiness Training for TC Health Participants
#25: Power of Words Conference
October 3 - 5, 2025 | Unity Village, Missouri
The Power of Words Conference explores the written, spoken and sung word to find how it can bring liberation, celebration and transformation within our communities. 
#24: Boys Night Out
Fall 2025 | Chicago Youth Centers
Boys Night out is a collaboration between Chicago Youth Centers and GRO Community.  These male only events involve understanding & managing their emotions, involved in physical activates and building Brotherhood.
#23: Solo Writer's Retreat 2.0
September 2-4, 2025 | New Buffalo, MI
#22: Family Services Professional Development
The Relationship Blueprint: Strengthening Relationships Through Meaningful Connections
August 5, 2025 | San Antonio, TX
#21: Black Boy Joy, Black Girl Magic Conference
July 25 -27, 2025 | Buffalo, New York 
In 2025, the conference theme is Black Boy Joy, Black Girl Magic: The History of Black Childhoods. Join us as we delve into the rich and powerful narratives of Black childhoods, highlighting the joy, resilience and brilliance that have shaped generations. Educators, historians and advocates are invited to engage in meaningful discussions and transformative learning experiences that honor the past and illuminate the path forward.
#20: Black History & Racial Literacy Writers Retreat
July 23 & 24, 2025 | Buffalo, New York 
This year's conference will include the opportunity to participate in a writing retreat. This two‐day session is for researchers and scholars who are interested in writing collaborations around Black history and race research.
#19: Karaoke Storytelling
July 19, 2025 | Chicago, IL 
Karaoke Storytellers is a Chicago based show created by Connor Gorman in January 2018. It is hosted by Jacoby Cochran (CityCast Chicago).  Each show features comedians, singers, storytellers, and everyday people telling a short story about a song, followed by a karaoke performance of the song. 
#17: Sunday School Group Comedy Show
June 14, 2025 | Chicago, Illinois 
#18: Pastors' Anniversary Comedy Show
June 20, 2025 | Chicago, Illinois 
#16: The National 4th Annual Black Boys & Men Symposium
June 11 - 13, 2025 | Grand Rapids, Michigan
Through a lens of intersectionality, the Black Boys & Men National Symposium looks holistically at the lives of Black boys & men in a variety of educational and other contexts. The symposium is focused on creating a vision for equitable transformation throughout the educational pipeline, from K-12 to higher education and beyond. The symposium is designed to be a place of personal and professional growth for those who walk alongside Black boys & men to engage in discussion, learning, and action.
#15: International Day of the Boy Child
May 16, 2025 | Chicago, Illinois
International Day of the Boy Child is celebrated on May 16th each year. The day recognizes the importance of boys' well-being and the challenges they face, while also celebrating the positive aspects they bring to their communities and families. 
#14: 15th Annual Fatherhood Male Involvement Conference
May 5-8, 2025 | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
A collaboration of Head Start Fatherhood/Male Involvement Coordinators
#13: Mental Health Awareness Month Programs
May 2025 | Chicago, IL
The month of May was dedicated Youth Metal Health with several Mental Health workshops, a Mental Health Fair and a Mental Health Watch Patty for Teens.
#12: Solo Writer's Retreat
April 20-22, 2025 | New Buffalo, Michigan
My  Solo Writer's Retreat in New Buffalo, MI was a productive endeavor. The Man Down 2.0 Tool Kit and The Man Down 2.0 30 Day Journey for Boys are nearing completion. Meanwhile, work on The Devotional is progressing. Amen!
During my solo writer's retreat I developed practical applications and tools that expose and deconstruct harmful masculinity while reimagining safe spaces for boys and young men to live and grow.
#11: Adolescence Reaction Videos
April 20-22, 2025 | New Buffalo, Michigan
Adolescence is a Netflix mini-series where a family's world turns upside down when 13-year-old Jamie Miller is arrested for murdering a schoolmate: the charges against their son force them to confront every parent's worst nightmare.
 #10: H.O.P.E. Helping Out Planet Earth Program
April 2025 | Chicago, Illinois
H.O.P.E. is a program that teaches youth the importance of preserving the Earth's natural resources by Reducing, Reusing and Recycling.  This program was financially sponsored by a CYC Local Advisory Board Member.
#9: ​Where Are They Now?
April 2025 | Chicago, Illinois
Join us for a conversation with former students, colleagues  and community members.
Conversation w Meaghan
Conversation w Kaylin
Conversation w Konethian
#8: Birthday Dinner & Luncheon
March 22, 2025 | Troy, Michigan & March 29, 2025 | Chicago, Illinois
In Celebration of My 54th Birthday, I hosted Birthday Dinner in Michigan and Brunch in Chicago.
#7: Speaker at NAA Convention
March 9-12, 2025 | Nashville, Tennessee
The National Afterschool Association is the professional membership association for people who work with and for youth during Out-of-School time
Man Down 2.0
​The Revitalization
Building Healthy Relationship
What people are saying...
#6: Ask An Elder Event
February 25, 2025 | Chicago, Illinois
An interactive storytelling event where storytellers tell tales and the audience decides who’s telling the truth.
#5: Black Stories Matter Program
February 2025 | Chicago, Illinois
​In celebration of Black History Month I am placing an emphasis on Black Stories.  The youth of CYC will participate in a story time initiative that will expand their mind and build their black library.  The storytellers will select and read a book from our New Black Stories Matter Collection.  Students will receive a copy of the book and all additional books will be added to CYC's book collection.
Black Stories Matters was made possible through First Book 's Book Wish Book Grant, they awarded a $500 gift credit to the First Book Marketplace to support our kids and refresh our bookshelves.    ​
#4: Docs & Discussions
February 2025 | Chicago, Illinois
​As part of my Thirty for 30 you can view this four-part docuseries and participate in a virtual group discussion of like minded individuals of GREAT MIGRATIONS: A PEOPLE ON THE MOVE.

​Episodes can be viewed on PBS.org or YouTube.
Our discussion of Episode 4 of Great Migrations that tells the story of African and Caribbean immigration to the U.S
#3: Me & Meme Host the Family Prayer Line
February 2025 | Virtual
Me and my precious niece Omeicia co-hosted our family prayer line the entire month of February.  We had a glorious time discussion the following topics
  • Is Christianity a White Man's Religion?
  • A Love Supreme
  • Do Young Lives Matter to the Church
  • Ask An Elder
#2: Where Are They Now? Photo Challenge (Fox View)
January 2025 | Virtual
Take a look at these photos from my time as Compeer Center Director at Fox View Computer Center in Carpentersville, IL to help me identify and connect me with others in the photo. 
#1: How Did We Get Here?
Monday January 20, 2025 | Virtual
How Did We Get Here? was a live interview discussing the purpose, plan and people involved in this year long series of events and activities.  The discussion included Denaryle "Coach D" Williams another Youth Advocate celebrating 30 years.  Hosted by Pastor Life Coach Laterra Ruffin.  
"This work is impactful, but the biggest impact that one will make is not on individuals but the impact the individuals will make on you." - Denaryle "Coach D" Williams
Stay Connected 
PHOTO GALLERY
ORGANIZATIONS
Bethune Elementary School (Pontiac, MI) | Oakland University - AmeriCorps (Auburn Hills, MI) | Pontiac School District (Pontiac, MI) |Lancaster Community Computer Center (Pontiac, MI) | Lakeside Homes Community Computer Center (Pontiac, MI) | Fox View Community Computer Center (Carpentersville, IL) | Living 2 Learn Founded (Chicago, IL) | Consultant Computer Instructor (Chicago, IL) | Jane Addams Hull House Association (Chicago, IL) | Sonny  Speaks Founded (Chicago, IL) | Metropolitan Family Services (Chicago, IL) | LISC - Chicago (Chicago, IL) | Chicago Youth Centers (Chicago, IL) 
Copyright © 2016 Sonny Speaks
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