For those who don't know that comes from the summertime anthem for anyone who knew Will Smith as a rapper before a big screen actor. Nothing brings me back to my favorite childhood memories like the blazing hot summer sun. The recent Oakland heat had me reminisce about those 3 months out of school, with nothing to do but hit up family BBQ’s at the beach, riding bikes, and sweating 'til you get stuck to your momma’s sofa…I miss the days when me and my small click would spend summers making random drives to Ventura and L.A. We used to spend hours hoopin, then grab hella food at Jack in the Crack, then make it home in time to watch the Lakers easily three-peat over the entire league.

Now that I work with youth who are in the same place where I was nearly 10 years ago (uggh), I see the need for youth to do something productive with their time off, especially in neighborhhods which are underresourced, and at-risk with violence, alcohol and other drugs, etc. In today's world there isn't time "sit back and unwind". This summer i'm gonna be on my grind trying to provide opportunities for other youth to be stay active through our Summer Youth Employment Program at SEAYL. No time off in the summer anymore. Let's stay active and continue to serve our communities.

My first summer job was at a restaurant, bussing tables with an angry old Lola who scolded me for not doing anything right?? SEAYL has the opportunity to gain meaningful work experience through mentor programs, BEATZ and Bridges, Environmental Prevention, and working on the site you are enjoying this very moment (SEAYLspace). Working while serving one’s community is rewarding in so many ways, and whether they know it or not their work has had an impact. I am blessed to be in a similar position. At the same time we will be meeting to plan and organize the 6th Annual Youth Stopping Violence Summit. This year we're taking the whole summer to outrach, organize, and mobilize for this incredibly empowering event! After a few meetings with our community partners its shaping up to be a powerful event for the City of Richmond. A lot of our planning will be done at our summer retreat. Where should we go this year…Santa Cruz again?? lemme think about it…