“Riker’s Island DCPI’s Office” | http://www.nypost.com

So, while Homegirl NYC is all about the awesomeness of girls, we would be remiss not to mention the greatness of some guys. “We give props to those who deserve it and believe me, y’all he’s worth it

According to the NY Post (I know), basketball star Amar’e Stouemire, went to Rikers Island on Friday to “spit the truth to the young black youth,” speaking to a room full young men, ages 16 to 18, incarcerated at the facility. His talk, which was by all accounts well received, focused on encouraging them to think about their lives, to want better for themselves and make a real effort not to go back to jail once released.

Stoudemire, a power forward for the Knicks who receives just as much press for what he wears off the court as he does for how he plays on it, was on a panel with former basketball players John Wallace and Etan Thomas, Macolm Shabazz (grandson of Malcolm X), Styles P from the Lox and sports commentator Chris Broussard.

According to the Post, Stoudemire told the young men, “The plan for us is not to succeed, and it goes back to when there was slavery.” “What you got to do is look at yourself in the mirror and say: ‘What am I going to do so I will not be a number?’

Good question. I hope that in addition to their talk, the panelists stay involved and start (or continue) investing in finding real solutions, like building/providing support systems necessary to help ex-offenders really make changes in their lives.