Behind every successful Black man there usually is a successful black women right by his side.
For Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, that successful Black woman is the Rev. Marcia L. Dyson.Rev. Dyson is hailed as one of the nation’s foremost religious leaders. She is also noted international activist.
She is a native of Chicago’s Southside, where she attended high school and Chicago State University. She served as the first chief of staff for operation PUSH, under the leadership of Reverend Jesse Jackson. Dyson worked with Chicago’s current mayor, Richard Daley as a public relations specialist and worked with former president William “Bill” Clinton on his 2008 Clinton Global Initiative delegation team.
The team traveled to Africa and Mexico. Dyson has currently focused her international activism on Haiti after the earthquake.
Rev. Dyson recently attended Grambling State University’s Black history convocation in which her husband was the keynote speaker.
The reverend share her perspective about the importance of HBCUs.
“Going to a Historically Black College is an empowering opportunity.
“It allows you to learn and love your culture,” Dyson said.
She sent her children to an HBCU because she wanted them to get the experience and be in a citadel of safety.
Going to GSU gives you a sanction of history and reminds you that African Americans are not crippled when it comes to education. She shared wisdom for young Black men and women.
According to Mrs. Dyson, it is not about Black males catching up to the sisters it is about Black males catching up to the world.
Some young men impose boundaries on themselves, and with the lack of jobs and little inspiration, many just give up on the race.
It is important that you don’t give up because we all have come from broken pieces, she said.
Dyson had a clear message for the females from a woman’s point of view. “You need to truly get to know an un-sexual understanding of love.”
She said women need to learn to love themselves first without a man first she said.
One in four women are sexually or mentally abused. You have to be acceptable to the healing process.
Take time to not only repair yourself but along the way help repair somebody else. She advises young women to not come to college and cripple young men on their journey.
“You are not here to look for sugar daddies and you should not become sugar mamas to anybody either,” she said.
Remember that too much sugar will eventually rot because everything in life isn’t sweet.
Rev. Dyson then gave advice to people on pursuit of relationships while in college.
“When looking for a partner you should look for loyalty, integrity and self-respect,” she said.
You need to find a partner who will amplify you and fill your deficits with surpluses, she stated.
Don’t sell yourself short when looking for a relationship. Don’t rush into one with somebody just to be in one.
“Despite relationships and all the other distractions while here in school, focus on your goals and make them become realities,” she said.