It’s Strong and It’s Powerful.  Help light it up. Don’t screw it up.  It’s that simple.

I was so honored to have the opportunity to be one of the Athletes that got to speak to some of Chicago’s inner city kids last Saturday at the Athletes Against Drugs weekend. These kids were Chicago’s finest.  Mr. Stedman Graham and his team have done a wonderful job for 26 years spreading a powerful message and helping kids “see” a positive and powerful future.

From the moment I stepped into the room they were welcoming with big promising eyes ready to see their future and open hearts ready to embrace it.  They Inspired me.  I spoke about how you must “Believe You Can” despite any obstacle that comes your way.  To never, ever let anyone tell you “You Can’t, Because You Can” and asked them to let their “Self Belief they create be their drug”

They got it.  One of my proudest moments was when we did activities at the end and they wrote their own “7 Letters/Word” after I read them my “7 Letters/Word” from my book Seven Letters That Saved My Life, ATHLETE.  A word that fuels them, makes them proud, sparks their light inside and gives them purpose. They stood up and said proudly “FAMILY, FOOTBALL PLAYER, LAWYER, SOPHISTICATED, ACTRESS, DOCTOR………

And then these kids who I am sure have been told they can’t or won’t wrote down “Why They Believe They Can” Our EMPOWER PRO motto.  I shared with them why I Believe I Can and then they took the stage.  They stood up proud and tall and stated “My name is….and I Believe I Can Because….”

After hearing some of the incredible reasons and seeing the light come on in their eyes, down in their gut –that spark, I knew my job was done for the day.  I Believe I Can Because…..roared through the room and we worked as a Team to encourage and congratulate each young star who stood up.  It was magnificent and I realized that our kids are so special, so worthy of our time and the knowledge we have learned along the way in our own lives.  They truly “Believe They Can” and have an innocent yet abominable determination that is fearless that they can tap into to make things happen.  We can’t screw that up and we must help it emerge-we have to help light their way.

I know on this Saturday they helped me continue to light my way and Believe I Can-Because I KNOW They Can-These kids are going to SOAR and AAD is helping them do that.

May you all share the gifts you have been given and give back to our kids, our youth,  so they can see and have the future they so very much deserve.  Thank You Mr. Graham, Alicia, and all of AAD for allowing me to share what I have been blessed to live and learn with some very special kids who will forever have a piece of my heart.

“If We Do Not Share What We Have Learned Than The Moments And Lessons Were For Nothing”-Dottie Lessard

“BELIEVE YOU CAN” in your Own Life and in Others, Dottie