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SAAB
Testimonials
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 When I think of SAAB, I think of all the opportunities that may
have not been open to me otherwise and really a lot of learning
experiences. I feel so blessed to be associated with and to be an
integral part of the organization. It really touches my heart to
know that there is something in the world that can create the same
love that I would get from my family and is continuing to motivate
me to be the greatest that I can possibly be. As I look back on all
of my years involved with SAAB I realize that I have traveled
the country to places that I never thought I would go and it’s so
amazing that at the age of 18 I can look back and say that I have
traveled the country talking to people and putting on presentations
and simply networking. SAAB is such a true blessing.
However there is one thing that surpasses the whole material aspect
of it all and that would be the relationship that I have with our
founder Dr. Tyrone Bledsoe. See the thing about “Doc” as everyone
lovingly calls him, is that he takes time to really get to know you
and make you important to him. But , the relationship that I have
with Doc is spiritual I know God put us in each other’s lives for a
reason and I couldn’t thank Doc enough for the things that he has
done for me in the 4 years that I’ve known him. His brother Jerome
is the same way because you can talk to Jerome about anything under
the sun and he will listen and be able to give you helpful feedback
and he is like an uncle to me.
Something that blew me away was at a conference when a brother came
up to me and said that I was an inspiration and a part of his
motivation. Then he went on to tell me that Doc talks about me
around the country and then and there I just knew that I was loved.
Of course Doc shows me that he does, but it didn’t really sink in
until that point ---and since then it’s only gotten better. Now, I
work in the SAAB National Headquarters on the campus of the
University of Toledo, continue to travel and speak to people, help
coordinate high school SAAB chapters as well as new middle school
chapters, have a new laptop issued to me by the SAAB National
Headquarters, and the list continues.
As long as I stay positive and refuse to quit then I know that I
will become everything that my mother and grandmothers prayed for me
to be and more. Derek Shy, freshman, The University of Toledo,
Toledo, Ohio January, 2009
 "Hello Dr. Bledsoe. Your message was powerful. Thank you again. I met
you at a Visions meeting. Yes, I was Spiritually shocked by the
thoughts and ideas that you shared with the group on that particular
day. I felt glad throughout the entire day. Within that day I felt
as if I was someone with a purpose as of just being Christopher Lee
Gamble, which is myself.
Today I accept whom I am becoming or whom
I will become. I also accept the fact that I have to obtain an adult
high school diploma. Thanks again and you have been an inspiration
in my life. " Christopher Gamble,
Durham Tech Community College, Durham, North Carolina
December, 2008
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"SAAB has given me a second chance. The reason why I said
that is because if people only knew what my past life was
like in school and how I used to pick fights, hit teachers,
throw objects at students, and the whole nine yards. Then
they'll see why I used A Second Chance .
SAAB has what I've been fighting for since I'd changed my
life and got involved with politics in Kankakee County. You
see in SAAB it doesn't matter what you've done in the past,
if you have a police record, if your personal life at home
is not good, if you don't have enough money to wear the
hottest name brand clothes that are out, it doesn't matter!
because in SAAB when you put on that dress shirt and tie
we're all equal!, We're all one body, we're all in this
together. If one of us is hurt then we're all hurt, if one
of us is happy then we're all happy, If one needs something
we try our best to see that as long as we're together
that person will want for nothing more. You see it doesn't
matter what color, race, religion, etc that we are. Because
at the end of the day we're all brothers!!
In SAAB you get a Second Chance to redeem yourself. You get
a Second chance to have the family, father figure, older
brother, or a positive male figure that you've only dreamt
about, you get a second chance to express yourself and never
have to worry about somebody laughing at you, pointing their
fingers and making fun of you. Because we all are striving
for the same goal in life and that's to be a better person.
SAAB is what I've dreamed for, a Brotherhood, (not a
Organization) that allows us males of all race and color to
express ourselves without getting negative feedback, without
having to be reminded of our past, and without getting
looked at by others as if we're not all equal. Racism is
still alive and like I tell people, to me us males are all
the same ---the only thing that's different about us is the
difference in our skin color, if you think about it there's
only two colors in us all which are BLACK & LIGHT.
SAAB has given me a second chance to redeem myself and get
my life together---and to put my gifts to use of something
good and positive. SAAB has done a lot for me since I've
heard about it and joined.
With our SAAB motto I try to live it in my everyday life. I
wouldn't trade this Brotherhood for anything in the world,
because I believe in our motto: I AM MY BROTHER'S
KEEPER......AND TOGETHER WE WILL RISE! "
Kankakee High School Student, SAAB (Brother 2 Brother)
Chapter, Kankakee, Illinois January 2009
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"Hello Everyone, My name is Tony D. Beck and I'm and student at
Kankakee High School. In the High School there's a organization
that gives the young men a chance and a change that is so much
needed in our the generation of today. This organization of
brotherhood unites the young men in the school with our motto: I am
My Brother's Keeper and Together We Will Rise, Saving Lives
Salvaging Dreams! and to the young men in the organization that
means a lot. That's what keeps us going.
Brother 2 Brother gives us
the chance to let our voices be heard and don't worry about getting
laugh at or brushed off. It gives us the family that most of us
don't have. It gives us the path we need to make ourselves better.
Many young men in the organization express themselves and tells us
how people would tell them that they wouldn't amount to anything
because of their past.
But Brother 2 Brother helps us Learn from our
Past, Live in our Present, and Prepare for our future. Because what
you put in life will determine what you get out. Brother 2 Brother
is what everybody needs to know about. It's not like other
organizations out in the world today. It gives us the chance to be
better. To want to be better. We learn that we need each other. We
learn that we can be better. If I go to our National Conference in
March I'll come back and show you pictures of how Brother 2 Brother
has touch the life's of all young brothers of every color, race, you
name it Brother to Brother has touch them in a special way. I hope
that we last for every.
Thank you Dr. Tyrone Bledsoe who founded
this wonderful helping tool to help young brothers be better in
life. Also thank you to Kankakee High School Dean of Students and
Brother 2 Brother Adviser Mr. Marcus Strother. He has help touch the
young men lives in the KHS Chapter.
We love Mr. Strother and I want
to thank him for everything he has done and in advance for
everything he going to do for me and Brother 2 Brother. I'm so glad
and proud to say this with all the love in my heart that I'm glad to
be apart of Brother 2 Brother. This is History in the Making. Thank
you for your ear in this time of a New and fresh Start in 2009."
Anthony {Tony } D. Beck Kankakee County Youth Advocate 549 South
Wildwood Kankakee, Illinois October 2008 |
"Hello, I would just like to say Thank You, for the great conference
this weekend in San Diego. I was so very proud and elated to see our
young brothers and older brothers - all together in one place - for
a great cause.
I saw so much respect and pride - Young, Gifted and Black. I would
like to thank the founder, Dr. Bledsoe for allowing a waiver for my
nephew, Donshay Bandy. Donshay is a great young man, but he needs
positive and constant role models in his life. His father is in
prison, but he never has let that get in the way of his passion to
succeed, and football. He is a good student - which I emphasis first
and foremost. He does not come from a home that gets it - for our
youth. But, I Thank God, that his grandmother and me - try to do the
best that we can with him - and so far, so good.
I saw the pride, confidence in Donshay, Malcom and Malichi - other
young men who attended the conference - immediately - upon picking
them up from the conference. I felt so inspired by these very young
men - who are already smart, but the conference - just delivered
more - confidence and pride within them - and in their souls.
I was so honored to be in their presence on the way home - asking,
and listening to their thoughts. I call them the young - "Barrack
Obamas". I told them - they sounded as if they were in the White
House.
Thank You all so much. Your staff was awesome too. I will Thank - an
awesome brother here in San Diego - Michael Brunker, Director of the
Jackie Robinson YMCA, one who is constantly "bringing it - in the
community".
Sincerely, D.Ann Roberson, M.C.D.C.C. Adjunct Professor, San Diego
City College
November,
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