Feature Robert Collins & Lee Smith

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Feature Robert Collins & Lee Smith

At Tennessee State University, there’s a collective group of young men that call themselves GEM. GEM is an acronym for Generation of Educated Men. Robert Collins (President) and Lee Andrew Smith III, are members of GEM, which aims to individually and collectively impact their respective community and reimage the presentation of the Black male. Generation of Educated Men is a service group comprised of positive young male role models who serve as prominent pillars of Tennessee State University and its’ surrounding communities.  Robert Collins and Lee Smith discuss some of their experiences and how they have contributed to their current understanding.  Within the conversation Lee Smith introduces and expounds on his political initiative #StayWokeHBCU, which is designed to raise the consciousness of political events that are shaping the culture of HBCUs across the country. 

Both gentleman have an understanding that progress in a result of awareness + action.  With 21.5 million Black males in the United States, they are actively working to increase the presents of Black males in higher education.  While 48% of Black males attend college, only 17% receive a Bachelor’s degree or higher.  Through GEM and #StayWokeHBCU these gentlemen are looking to impact these numbers in a positive way.  They are working to combat myths regarding African-American males and academic achievement, Black males and college completion, and Black males overall being underachievers.  Rebrand The Black Man (RBTM) salutes these young brothers and their efforts.  We celebrate their collective efforts in the community REBRANDING what it means to be a Black Male in society and making a positive impact. 

RC = Robert Collins

LS = Lee Smith

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RTBM: What is the current state of GEM and its purpose?
RC: The current state of GEM has evolved; we are taking a chance on guys we wouldn’t have necessarily taken a chance on in the beginning stages of our organization.  We looked at individuals that didn’t perfectly fit the organization and decided to serve as a resource, and that’s what makes us unique. We currently are involved in charity events, voter registration drives and education initiatives. We are invested in actively changing the individual. Generation of Educated Men (G.E.M), is a student organization that actively deals with avenues that pertain to Tennessee State University and its community.  G.E.M.’s purpose is to attract and organize positive young adult male role models to serve as prominent pillars of our university as well as the surrounding community.  Our group creates an ample supply of individuals who possess an attitude of contribution and self-improvement.  Generation of Educated Men also collaborates with Tennessee State University’s administration and student offices in its effort to offer easy accessible information, organize and run workshops, and host different social events.
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RTBM: Robert, tell the readers a little something about your upbringing.
RC: Well, you know I grew up with a single mother, my dad was active in my life just not in the home.  My mom was legally blind but she taught me a lot of lessons about life and how to persevere.
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RTBM: How so?
RC: As a child, it was funny, but the biggest lesson that I learned was just making cornbread with my mom. That time spent making cornbread taught me the importance of taking the time and effort to do something right.  A smaller lesson that had an impact on me as a child, that helped me tremendously, was when I was looking and couldn’t find something and hearing my mom say, “Well, if your room was clean, you could find it!”
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RTBM: Oh, I see. It taught you organization
RC: Exactly!
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RTBM: Ok, so let’s fast forward. You came across GEM and heard of all the positive things that came from it?
RC: Pre GEM, I didn’t have an identity.  I really didn’t stand on my own.
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RTBM: Really? What did GEM do for you?
RC: Joining GEM put me in a position to interact with other Men in a collective and meaningful way.  It increased my drive to want to BE more.  I was able to interact with role models and exemplars.  GEM was my coming out party.
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RTBM: That’s great!
RC: Yeah. Brandon Hasting took me under his wing. He helped me understand that it was OK to be emotional as a Black man; It’s OK to ask questions, it’s OK to tell your story.
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RTBM: Interesting. SO, why do you think it’s Taboo for Black Men to show emotion?
RC: It’s about pride, and pride is big in our community.  We’re just prideful in the wrong things and we should place that energy in the things that matter. GEM wants to work on ways to change the mindset of Black men.
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RTBM: What has becoming President of GEM taught you as a man?
RC:  Being president has help me realize that everyone hasn’t come from where I came from. I’ve learned to have an open mind and be more understanding of others. Joining GEM put me in a position to interact with Men in a collective and meaningful way, and that has been invaluable.

Interview Continued with Lee Andrew Smith III:

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RTBM: Lee, we understand that you work with Spellman students to push #StayWokeHBCU, how did that hashtag come to fruition?
LS:  I was working with the Tennessee legislature as an Intern and I was always overhearing certain laws and amendments that pertain to issues that were specific to Tennessee State University. I initially started with the #StayWoke while working with the legislature, to ensure that the Black and Brown community are informed and involved. Other schools saw what was happening and the interest led me to create #StayWokeHBCU.
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RTBM: Is there a skill that you had, prior to joining GEM that has assisted you?
LS: Yes, I feel that my networking skills have assisted me tremendously while working with GEM.
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RTBM: What’s your greatest challenge in this role?
LS: The greatest challenge is eliminating stereotypes and trying to change the role models in the hood. Also, trying to overcome voter suppression. We may not trust the system but we must infiltrate the system to create change.
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RTBM: We understand that you grew up on the Southside of Chicago... how has that shaped you as a person?
LS: Through my time in high school I became numb to violence. I’ve come to dislike the impact the drill music culture is having on my generation. At early points in my life, the less informed “me” would blame others for certain situations. The older “me”, now, takes into account the variables around the situation. I start to look at the infrastructure and how it has an effect on the community.
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RBTM: What advice would you give to young men today?
LS: I would tell them to stay away from the petty stuff, and be open to information at all times. Work hard and be mindful of your reputation and how that impact your grind.
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RBTM: What’s the goal for you as a member of GEM?
LS: The end goal, for me, is to make the world a better place. A world that is politically and socially aware, so I’m using this platform as my way to make an impact.

RBTM salutes these young brothers who are out in the community REBRANDING what it means to be a Black Male in society and making a positive impact.

#KINGMELIFE

Statistical References were retrieved from Black Demographics

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