“What would you do if someone gave you $50,000?”

Leslie Small and SYEP student

That was the question posed to HBP youth by director and producer Leslie Small, who traveled from Los Angeles to D.C. to spend a full day with HBP’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) students.

As a young man, Leslie was given $50,000 by a friend and told to “do something with it.” “So I bet on myself,” said Leslie. “I was prepared to work hard when opportunities came my way – which is what this was.” Leslie invested the money in a camera and in making five music videos, which opened the door to a stellar career with credits like Let Me Explain (2013), Laugh At My Pain (2011), What Now (2016), and Comedy Central’s Hart Of The City.

Decide, Work Hard, Be Ready When Opportunities Come

“Decide what you want to do and then work hard – harder than you ever thought – to get it,” said Leslie.

Leslie was raised by a single mom on the streets of Los Angeles and left a life of gang violence to grab hold of his dreams, get an education, and pursue opportunities. But his drive stemmed from age 12, when his mother was diagnosed with cancer. She died when he was eighteen. “I had no money and no guidance at home,” said Leslie. “But my mom wanted to see New Orleans and see Europe before she died. So I worked and hustled to make that happen.” The day after her funeral, Leslie returned to school.

Don’t Let Your Current Circumstances Define Your Future

Lamell McMorris with
SYEP students

Like Leslie, HBP partner Lamell McMorris was raised by a single mother in an inner city – in his case, on the south side of Chicago.  He joined SYEP students to share his story of taking opportunities presented to him, working hard, and leaving a life of poverty to found the multi-million Phase 2 Consulting (formerly Perennial Strategy Group).  “Your circumstances do not define who you are or your outcome in life,” said Lamell. “There is no substitute for hard work.

“SYEP was really cool this year,” said participant Jaz Pratt. “We had real conversations with the presenters about saving money, doing what it takes to start our own business or to be successful, and speaking to people with confidence.”

The question, “What would you do if someone gave you $50,000?” made SYEP youth like Jaz think hard.“I got a chance to think about my own goals,” she said. “And how I’m going to get there.”

SYEP is a 6-week life skills and career exploration program to introduce D.C. youth to careers, the marketplace, employers, and personal finance so they can set goals to pursue meaningful life’s work. HBP extends special thanks to Leslie Small and Lamell McMorris for sharing their inspiring stories with SYEP students.