Memphis Youth Organization Uses Discipline To Encourage Potential

Every summer programs to cultivate the potential of young African American teenagers are sponsored around the country. In Memphis one of the “rite of passage” programs is ‘The Persuaders’.

“Like a teacher, you don’t realize the impact until later,” said founder John Payne. “I have kids who come back to me now.”

Payne began the program 20 years ago, inspired by the challenges he faced growing up after his father died. He is now dedicated to helping others navigate environments where a strong male presence is absent.

With strong values developed through his Christian faith, Payne built a curriculum focused on discipline, integrity and education.

This summer he has invited a social entrepreneur, a musician, a visual artist and a screenwriter who is also a radio personality to point the participants to a pathway geared for accomplishment. The guest instructors and volunteers work together to cultivate the talent they encounter during the weeklong program.

Payne explained, “Kids need to be exposed to various things. I use my connections from having lived in Memphis all of my life. In the past I’ve invited mechanics to come in and teach kids how to change flats … had classes on etiquette and how to look people in the eye when they shake hands.”

In 2003 LaDell Beamon attended the first class of ‘The Persuaders.’

“I was raised in a single-parent home and really didn’t have the extra manpower that was needed,” Beamon recalled. “I just remember having a discipline that was in front of me [at The Persuaders], and it was very different than what I had seen over the years.”

The program made an impact on Beamon that he traces to his work as the founder of ‘Heal the Hood’ foundation in Memphis – an arts educational outreach ministry that redirects at-risk youth by utilizing a variety of the arts and an animated comic book series.

Beamon said, “I grew up as a Christian, but there was this scripture, ‘I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers…’ and that is the mantra that Mr. Payne put inside of us to get to a point where God makes the difference. And to this day, I hold this conviction, I am persuaded and convinced that it’s the God factor that makes everything else work out for me.”

Dozens of teenagers from Memphis have been inspired by Payne’s community involvement and his commitment to working for the “greater good.” They live all around the country now and have built inspiring careers. It’s one of the reasons John Payne remains persuaded that the work he started matters and makes a difference.

‘The Persuaders’ runs from July 24-July 29 in Memphis, TN.