Amen

Thanks to an alert reader for pointing me towards this story about an accomplished guy who's devoted his energies to young people who are often at risk.

The editor-in-chief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service and BlackPressUSA spoke Friday night to a packed room of more than 200 people on an issue about which he is very passionate.

"More than anything else, I want them to leave here committed to reclaiming our young people," he said.

Getting kids involved in group activities is one key way to keep them focused, he said, adding that they can try scouting, church groups or mentoring programs.

But there is no substitute for adults taking the time to give children some attention and show they care.

Curry, for his part, was the founding director of the St. Louis Minority Journalism Workshop in 1977. In the years since, he has done the same in Washington, D.C. and New York City. In 1995, he directed a program that brought together college students in the United States and those studying journalism in Senegal to produce two newspapers for the African/African-American Summit in Dakar, Senegal.

With the right influences, Curry believes any child has the potential to succeed.