WS Chronicle

Last week hundreds of people descended on the Twin City for the National Black Theatre Festival. While most were here to see the stage productions, one of the most important events may have been one held on Thursday, Aug. 2, when Maximum Enterprises hosted “Man Talk” at the Benton Convention Center. 

Hosted by Petri Byrd, who is best known for his role as the bailiff on the courtroom show Judge Judy, Man Talk was designed to give young men throughout the community a chance to open up and talk about the issues African American youth face today. 

During open discussion, panelists Mike Anderson, Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough, Assistant Police Chief William Penn, Dave Moore, Bill McClain, LB The Poet, Antonio Stevenson, and LeRoy Richardson talked about the issues they faced growing up and how they overcame them, before giving advice to the more than two dozen young men in attendance. 

Before opening up the floor for questions, Byrd asked each of the young men in attendance to stand up, state their name and what they wanted to be when they grow up. Following the event, several young men stuck around to chat with the panelists.

While the event was for the youth, several adults praised the panelists for taking time out of their busy schedules to connect with the young men in the community. James Blackson, who brought his son and several of his friends to the event, said, “I think the young men really connected with the panelists. I think it’s great that they had men from all walks of life to show the young men they can achieve anything they put their minds to. 

“At a time where black boys are considered criminals because of the way they dress or how their hair is cut, events like this are more important than ever.”