Busload of Morehouse Men visit to Cleveland to inspire Black male youth

Published: Mar. 31, 2023 at 5:56 PM EDT
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CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - A Cleveland educator helped to arrange a visit Friday from Morehouse College students in Atlanta to talk with the next generation of young Black males who they want to attend a Historical Black College or University or HBCU.

Anthony Brown, of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and Men of Color Academics, said the men road a bus for 12 hours to get here.

Their impact was immediately felt when they talked with CMSD students who are just a few years younger than themselves.

“We are so excited to have 55 young men from Morehouse College” Brown said. “Of that, about five of the students are from Cleveland, Ohio, so there’s a personal connection.”

The Morehouse Men discussed the benefits of education with the Black males in a cultural environment. They said it’s something the students would find any of the 107 HBCUs.

The Morehouse Men introduced themselves and the fields of their academic studies:

  • Ty Moore from Coco Beach, Florida is a junior studying business and economics major with a concentration in finance
  • Alonzo Fredrick from Miami, Florida is a senior majoring in both biology and chemistry double and pursuing a minor in public health
  • Delbert Longeno from Clevleland, Ohio is studying political science

The Friday event was a “If I can see it… I can be it” experience for the young men.

Mark Nichols, who attended Cleveland’s John Marshal High School, is now a graduating senior at Morehouse in economics with a minor in business administration.

“I was able to be surrounded by Black leaders that taught me more about myself than I think I learned in 18 years,” Nichols said.

Michael Duncan, a CMSD student with big dreams, was impressed with the visitors.

“When you talk, they listen to you and you also have to listen when they’re talking,” Duncan said. “They have like a brotherly connection.”

The promoters of the Get On The Bus Tour hope to have planted seeds of opportunity in the minds of the young Black males from throughout Greater Cleveland.