A familiar voice speaks out for the Memphis Youth Manifesto
http://tri-statedefenderonline.com/articlelive/articles/3984/1/A-familiar-voice-speaks-out-for-the-Memphis-Youth-Manifesto/Page1.html
By Tri-State Defender Newsroom
Published on 07/30/2009
You may have heard the Memphis Youth Manifesto Minute segment on the radio and said to yourself, ‘wow, that voice is familiar.’ The sound was melodious, soft-spoken and smooth, real smooth.
A familiar voice speaks out for the Memphis Youth Manifesto
by Denise Lofton
Special to the Tri-State Defender
You may have heard the Memphis Youth Manifesto Minute segment on the radio and said to yourself, ‘wow, that voice is familiar.’ The sound was melodious, soft-spoken and smooth, real smooth.
Well, if it conjured up images of Robert “Honeyboy” Thomas of WDIA fame, then it was with good reason. The new voice of the Memphis Youth Manifesto (MYM) movement is none other than Desiree Thomas, the granddaughter of Robert “Honeyboy” Thomas. I recently spoke with Desiree about her passion for the Memphis Youth Manifesto™ and her love for radio.
Denise Lofton: What does MYM mean to you?
Desiree: Memphis Youth Manifesto (MYM) is an assembling of youth of all ages, who have come together to turn our city around. I invite all Memphians to check out the memphisyouthmanifesto.com Web site to see the concerns we have put forth. I also invite them to read the guiding principles we have developed, to show the leaders of our city that we are serious about changing Memphis.
Denise: Why do you think the youth choose this method, a political movement, to launch MYM?
Desiree: It was time for our voices to be heard. For years, we tugged on your coattails for the attention needed to get you to hear us, and that did not work. The youth want to be taken seriously and we want our issues addressed by the leaders of our city.
Denise: The voice is a powerful tool for change, by a people and for an organization. Do you see the youth translating their concerns in the way they vote?
Desiree: Absolutely. We want leaders who are pro youth, who take our concerns seriously and demonstrate their concern when they cast their vote. In the next election, you will see more youth engaged in the political process. We are looking and listening and we will cast our vote accordingly.
Denise: I understand MYM is adding new voices to the process. How do you think people like Penny Hardaway and Josh Pastner will influence the youth of Memphis?
Desiree: Personally, I believe that Penny has already influenced the youth of Memphis by his own success story. He has shown the youth of Memphis that we do not have limitations. Those who work hard can go beyond ghettos, single parent households, and crime. You can use your gifts to prosper and then return home, to make a difference for others. I know his message will be positive and encouraging.
Denise: (University of Memphis men’s basketball coach) Josh Pastner is a new voice in Memphis. He has gained a position that has placed him in the limelight.
Desiree: The youth of Memphis have much love for the UM tigers and MYM will receive Josh with true respect. The youth can relate to Josh and see his success as another indicator that much is possible in our city. Achieving his success so young means that when he speaks to the youth, we can relate to him and be inspired by his story.
Denise: Your voice reminds us of another grand voice in our city, Honeyboy Thomas. How much has his story influenced the path you have chosen for your life?
Desiree: My grandfather is my muse for everything I do in radio. I still listen to tapes of his performance and this influences the way that I address people, even in casual conversation. He loves words and spoke them with clarity and great diction. But more importantly, he chose them carefully. I love him and I have learned so much from the way he has lived his life.
Denise: Where do you see MYM, as a movement, in the future?
Desiree: I see Memphis Youth Manifesto as a movement already, gaining in power and purpose as time goes by. And, I can say from conversations with other leaders in our city that they do not see it the same way.
Denise: How do you think they see MYM?
Desiree: They see us a kids who are playing with the political process. They do not take initiative where the youth of Memphis are concerned. I have only seen a few people who have decided to take the youth under their wings, and make an effort to listen to them. Leaders in Memphis need to take steps to find out what is on our minds and even care enough to change our mindsets. So thru MYM, we can lead out loud and let our views be known. Memphis Youth Manifesto™ is our forum and I am so excited about MYM.
(For more information about Desiree Thomas and Memphis Youth Manifesto, visit MemphisYouthManifesto.com.)
Memphis Youth Manifesto upcoming events:
• Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway, July 31, 6:30 p.m. at The New Olivet Baptist Church, 3084 Southern Ave. V.I.P. special surprise guest, Drumma Boy: award-winning
hip-hop producer and star of BET’s hit series “DreamLand.”
• Josh Pastner, Aug. 21 6:30 p.m., at New Olivet.
Call 901-454-7777 for more information about the Memphis Youth Manifesto Public Forums.
Special to the Tri-State Defender
You may have heard the Memphis Youth Manifesto Minute segment on the radio and said to yourself, ‘wow, that voice is familiar.’ The sound was melodious, soft-spoken and smooth, real smooth.
 |
| Desiree Thomas |
Denise Lofton: What does MYM mean to you?
Desiree: Memphis Youth Manifesto (MYM) is an assembling of youth of all ages, who have come together to turn our city around. I invite all Memphians to check out the memphisyouthmanifesto.com Web site to see the concerns we have put forth. I also invite them to read the guiding principles we have developed, to show the leaders of our city that we are serious about changing Memphis.
Denise: Why do you think the youth choose this method, a political movement, to launch MYM?
Desiree: It was time for our voices to be heard. For years, we tugged on your coattails for the attention needed to get you to hear us, and that did not work. The youth want to be taken seriously and we want our issues addressed by the leaders of our city.
Denise: The voice is a powerful tool for change, by a people and for an organization. Do you see the youth translating their concerns in the way they vote?
Desiree: Absolutely. We want leaders who are pro youth, who take our concerns seriously and demonstrate their concern when they cast their vote. In the next election, you will see more youth engaged in the political process. We are looking and listening and we will cast our vote accordingly.
Denise: I understand MYM is adding new voices to the process. How do you think people like Penny Hardaway and Josh Pastner will influence the youth of Memphis?
Desiree: Personally, I believe that Penny has already influenced the youth of Memphis by his own success story. He has shown the youth of Memphis that we do not have limitations. Those who work hard can go beyond ghettos, single parent households, and crime. You can use your gifts to prosper and then return home, to make a difference for others. I know his message will be positive and encouraging.
Denise: (University of Memphis men’s basketball coach) Josh Pastner is a new voice in Memphis. He has gained a position that has placed him in the limelight.
Desiree: The youth of Memphis have much love for the UM tigers and MYM will receive Josh with true respect. The youth can relate to Josh and see his success as another indicator that much is possible in our city. Achieving his success so young means that when he speaks to the youth, we can relate to him and be inspired by his story.
Denise: Your voice reminds us of another grand voice in our city, Honeyboy Thomas. How much has his story influenced the path you have chosen for your life?
Desiree: My grandfather is my muse for everything I do in radio. I still listen to tapes of his performance and this influences the way that I address people, even in casual conversation. He loves words and spoke them with clarity and great diction. But more importantly, he chose them carefully. I love him and I have learned so much from the way he has lived his life.
Denise: Where do you see MYM, as a movement, in the future?
Desiree: I see Memphis Youth Manifesto as a movement already, gaining in power and purpose as time goes by. And, I can say from conversations with other leaders in our city that they do not see it the same way.
Denise: How do you think they see MYM?
Desiree: They see us a kids who are playing with the political process. They do not take initiative where the youth of Memphis are concerned. I have only seen a few people who have decided to take the youth under their wings, and make an effort to listen to them. Leaders in Memphis need to take steps to find out what is on our minds and even care enough to change our mindsets. So thru MYM, we can lead out loud and let our views be known. Memphis Youth Manifesto™ is our forum and I am so excited about MYM.
(For more information about Desiree Thomas and Memphis Youth Manifesto, visit MemphisYouthManifesto.com.)
Memphis Youth Manifesto upcoming events:
• Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway, July 31, 6:30 p.m. at The New Olivet Baptist Church, 3084 Southern Ave. V.I.P. special surprise guest, Drumma Boy: award-winning
hip-hop producer and star of BET’s hit series “DreamLand.”
• Josh Pastner, Aug. 21 6:30 p.m., at New Olivet.
Call 901-454-7777 for more information about the Memphis Youth Manifesto Public Forums.