I help build black love!
I hustle Black Love! As a systemic cog, Love has been purposely disconnected from Black Men!
I hustle Black Love! As a systemic cog, Love has been purposely disconnected from Black Men!
Every adjective and prefix has been intently afforded to US, to remove OUR humanity. WE are so much more than what the establishment displays. With every fiber of my being, I work to reconcile, reestablish, and reinvest Love into the brotherhood of Black Men!
About Edward
Mr. Russell is a proud product of East Oakland, CA. He is a husband of twenty plus years, a father, a grandfather, and an activist. Mr. Russell is the owner of My Most Beautiful LLC, CEO/Founder of B.R.U.H. (Brothas Raising Up His), a Solano County based non profit, serving adolescents, teenagers, and young adults.
Mr. Russell serves as Vice President of The Minority Coalition at Solano Community College, he is part of Solano Community College Equity Committee which focuses on recruiting, retention, completion and transferring of black students. Mr. Russell is also a member of Vacaville Unified School Districts Equity Task Force. Mr. Russell was a speaker at Vacavilles first MLK Day event. After a black history month rap to his high school over the loudspeaker, his energy to uplift, be outspoken, and fight for his community lit a fire that had been long brewing.
Giving back to his community through youth sports, in 2019 the energy and particles of the universe exploded, making it readily apparent it was his time to do things a different way. With love, passion, and an undying allegiance to the Cause, Mr. Russell is an advocate and champion of necessary good trouble.
Edwards Talks
Love. Black Men. The purposeful disconnect.
Adjectives and prefixes add a purposeful description of someone. Specific words build a positive and enduring disposition. Consistent usage of words creates muscle memory, which, over time, become natural behaviors. Since the early 1600’s and the trafficking of black humans to this land, every adjective and prefix has been attached to black men, except the word LOVE.
Creating a solid foundation of love within the brotherhood of black men, will provide sustainable self love, respect for others, and truncate the negative hyperbole imposed on black men. To recognize our LOVE, is to recognize our existence!
Scheduling Success
Young people only know what they are introduced to. Marginalized young black men are imprisoned in a low income, low growth potential job environment.
Limited exposure has proven to increase in the noticeable absence of black men from very important spaces. Introducing a wide arrange of career opportunities, with a concurrent schedule of success will help develop and incorporate young black men for impactful and rewarding spaces.
Accepting Your Normal
We live in a digital society where comparison is the motivation for interaction. Influencers, not inspirers, rule the algorithms. Young people are ground zero for the destructive ideation of comparison.
The impact of social media has lessened individualism and self esteem. HIghlighting the absolute power held within, is how we educate our youth against becoming followers. We need to inspire young people to accept who they are, what they are, where they are, exactly how they are. We all evolve in our own special way.
Are you looking for a speaker who can meet your students where they are? Motivate even the most reluctant learner to believe they have what it takes to succeed? If so, Mr. Edward Russell, a.k.a “Smitty” is your man! in my final year of my 28 year teaching career, I finally came across this awesome human! I had the honor of opening up my title 1 sixth grade classroom to have some “chats” with Smitty. He’s a no nonsense type of guy, yet at the same time exudes an unconditional love that even my toughest of 6th graders appreciated immensely! Through his effective questioning technique & sharing of personal, relatable stories from his vast life experiences, he helped them to understand that their choices matter, and that they can do hard things. We all looked forward to our visits from him. Mr Russell is a game changer!
Holly Wudel
6th grade teacher, Padan School