By Okon Ekpenyong

On Saturday, April 26, 2025, Columbus Recreation and Parks will host the inaugural Ignite Males Empowerment Day at East High School, and it hopes to bring more than 200 young men aged 8-18 to connect with positive role models and build emotional resilience. The event aims to provide resources to help youth redirect their emotions when faced with challenges and address unique issues affecting males in the community.

“My experiences growing up in Memphis have instilled in me the importance of fostering positive male role models within our community,” he says. “It’s essential to address the barriers we face collectively. Even though I was raised on opposite sides of the map, some of the challenges I see Columbus youth face daily are similar,” said Tavares Dishman, Recreation Administrative Manager for the Parks and Recreation Department, while emphasizing the importance of community engagement and collaboration in making the event successful.

The Ignite: Males Empowerment Forum will feature workshops on emotional resilience, healthy masculinity, and conflict resolution, as well as a basketball segment with expert coaches and seasoned promoters. Health professionals will also work with participants who have pre-existing conditions like asthma or diabetes on new ways of managing their symptoms.

The speakers participating in the forum include Dr. RayShawn L. Wilson, David Fluellen, Dr. Emmanuel D. Anthony, and Ryen Stewart. These speakers will share their stories of resilience and support for young men in the area, primarily pointing out how community gatherings such as Ignite help them overcome some of their adversity.

Ignite Males Empowerment Day is a crucial initiative to empower young men in Columbus. With its focus on emotional resilience, healthy conversations, and positive role models, the event has the potential to make a lasting impact on the community. By participating in this event, individuals can create a brighter future for young men in Columbus. For more information about the event, please visit https://columbusrecparks.com/calendar/ignite-male-empowerment/

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