Mike Epps Motivates & Inspires St. Louis Youth at Boys & Girls Clubs
Nationally known comedian and actor Mike Epps was in St. Louis on Friday, April 11, to headline the “We Them One’s Comedy Tour” at the Chaifetz Arena that night.
Somewhere before the show, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) President Brandon Williams had reached out to the entertainer to visit the Club’s Teen Center of Excellence in Ferguson, 9200 W. Florissant Avenue, for a tour of the facility and to speak to the youth.
During his afternoon visit, Epps talked with youth participating in the St. Louis Internship Program (SLIP), which offers life and career services for high school students, many of whom plan to work in corporate America.
He shared the hard work it took for him to become a brand name as a comedian and his success as an actor. He encouraged the youth with entrepreneurial and business aspirations to stay focused and let nothing stand in their way.
“You’ve got to be passionate about what you want to do,” he told the more than 30 teenagers gathered around him.
Epps is well-known for his roles in popular films, including Day-Day Jones in “Next Friday” and its sequel, “Friday After Next.” He also appeared as “Black Doug” in “The Hangover” and “The Hangover Part III.”
Growing up, Epps was an active club member. Life skills were embedded then, which he’s using as an adult.
“The boys and girls clubs gave me something to do after school. It taught me to deal with people, conflict resolution,” he said. “It gave me something I’m using right now as an adult. Being part of the Boys & Girls Club, you’re getting more than you think. You’re getting skills that you’re learning that you are not aware that you’re receiving.”
Epps added that the camaraderie the club delivers develops into a sense of belonging.
“For African Americans, we need a place to come together – after school, before school, on weekends – it makes you part of something,” he said. “It is said that when you sign up for the military, you’re covered for life. When you sign up for the Boys and Girls Club, you’re covered for life. You’ll see the influences you received later in life.”
Janice Johnson is the executive director of SLIP and the Career Workforce Readiness Unit for BGCSTL. The unit operates career and workforce development programs year-round for members ages 6-18, along with additional opportunities for our alumni ages 19-24.
Johnson said she hopes Epps’s message about passion resonated with the teens.
“I think Mike Epps was great. I think one thing that he told the young people was about passion, that if you’re not passionate about anything, whether it’s entrepreneurship or the service area, you’re not going to excel,” she said. “I believe you have to have passion to make an impact.”
Students in the programs work in companies like Emerson, hospitals like St. Luke’s Hospital, accounting and consulting firms like Arimanino, law firms like Armstrong Teasdale, engineering and architectural firms like the Lawrence Group, CannonDesign, and others, Johnson added.
As BGCSTL leader, Williams said his strategy is to get high-profile individuals to visit as positive influences in the lives of club members.
“That’s been part of the vision I’ve had. When a celebrity comes to town, they need to come to the Boys and Girls Club. It has to be intentional. It elevates everything we’re doing,” Williams said. “It allows the youth to see people they watch on TV or see on social media. It inspires them every single time. That is part of the plan. Anytime someone is in town, let me a connection and bring them out.”
Epps’s parting words for the youth are that the door of endless possibilities is open for them through the help of the leadership of the Club.
“Stay humble. Leave room for yourself to learn. You’re so young. The world is yours,” he said. “You can do anything you want to do. You’re in a positive place. These people here are like second mothers and fathers to you.
“Always be respectful. They’re going out of their way to take time with you. You can tell they care.”
#MikeEpps #YouthEmpowerment #StLouis
