(ThyBlackMan.com) The Martin Luther King Holiday provides a great opportunity for reflection, and as we reflect, I challenge all of my brothers to identify a living African American man that can inspire you to strive for greatness in your life.
By making this challenge, I do not wish to diminish the importance of our ancestors. Indeed, we should draw tremendous strength from our ancestral heroes. However, I respectfully say that many of us tend to place Dr. King and other giants from our history books back on the shelf after January and February conclude.
Contrary to mainstream media portrayals there are actually an abundance of African American men in our own communities today that can inspire us if we are willing to open our eyes and ears and seek them out.
At 47, I am still blessed to have my father in my life, therefore my African American male role model is never far away. But recently some other African American men, who will no doubt have a lasting impression, also inspired me. The sources of inspiration were an attorney from my hometown, Detroit, and “Three Doctors” that grew up in Newark, N.J.
The attorney, Jeffrey Collins, is a proud Detroit native and resident who has done virtually everything possible in the legal field, including being a trial and appellate court judge and United States Attorney. I have had the pleasure of being able to call Jeff a friend 
for about 10 years, but I received a pleasant reminder of how much he truly has to offer as a role model after reading his new book, “Do The Right Thing: Make Ethics Your Brand.” True to its title, Jeff’s book describes how the ongoing practice of old school values like honesty and ethics will produce the fulfilling lives we desire. To further spread this simple but critical message, Jeff is volunteering his time to conduct ethical leadership workshops for Detroit Public Schools students in 2015.
A couple of days after finishing Jeff’s book, I learned more about the inspirational story of the “Three Doctors,” when Drs. Sampson Davis, Rameck Hunt and George Jenkins came to Detroit to share keynote speaker duties during a Martin Luther King tribute program presented by Wayne State University. The doctors made a house call to the Max M. Fisher Music Center for the program primarily to inspire a large assemblage of Detroit Public Schools students and they accomplished their mission. But in the process, the adults in the audience—myself included—were also uplifted as we learned firsthand how three made a pact as teenagers to stick together, go to college, graduate and become doctors. During their talk the doctors were candid and kept it real, admitting that they were not perfect as they carried out their game plan. The real work began after their pact was made, and once again an adherence to old school values like getting serious about education, surrounding oneself with good people, and accepting that anything worthwhile will be difficult, allowed these three men to reach lofty heights.
In the coming days and weeks, I will definitely be thinking about Dr. King and what he meant and continues to mean to our society. But I am also proud to say that I will think about, and be moved to take positive steps in my own life’s journey thanks to the inspiration I have received from living, breathing brothers that come from communities like mine, and I have strong men like my father, Attorney Jeff Collins, the “Three Doctors,” and many other unsung heroes to thank for the great example.
Staff Writer; Scott Talley
This talented journalist is owner of a public relations firm; Scott Talley & Associates, Inc….
