- The Me I See in You Epic Book Launch
About the Book
Book: The Me I See in You
Author: Angeles Echols
Genre: Inspirational Nonfiction
Release date: November 7, 2022
Take a peek into the eyes of our future…and be encouraged.
The Me I See in You is a testament of the commitment, dedicated educators and caring communities have in changing the trajectory of young lives. In it, you’ll meet graduates with incredible stories and extraordinary outcomes, thanks to the academic, emotional, and social resources provided by EYM and a caring core base of teachers, mentors, family, friends, funders, and the EYM board of directors.
“When asked what I see on the horizon for our youth, I see in my youth the essence of what it is “to be human,” to dream, do the work, to love, and forgive with grace. Through tears, triumphs, disappointments, successes, failures, inequities, biases and racism, I see a world full of hope because our youth with guidance and support will not waiver. They will continue to strive to be and share their best selves with unlimited potential.
I think not only of these former students but each child that has come across my path and the me I see in each of them!” –Angeles Echols
Yvette, a little chocolate beauty who was once teased, but now with an MD and Master’s degree, is a role model for young Black women and girls
LaShia, who rolled her neck and eyes at me and adamantly told us what she was and was not going to do at EYM… I smiled and asked her mom to leave the room. (What was said in that room, we will never tell)
Todd, who sat at my desk and reviewed EYM’s online programming, discovered flaws, said “Don’t cry, Ms. Echols, I can fix this,” and built EYM’s online interactive platform, Access/No Excuse (ANE).
Adam, who built the teacher/student online tutorial component of (ANE) while attending Cal Tech and teaching at EYM part-time.
Ashley, whogave me a hug and said, “Take my credit card and get what you need for EYM. I will bring my team and design the landscape for EYM.” Shot during a drive-by, she’s forgiving and, refuses to be bitter.
Rob, seeking that street credit as a teen, now a film producer and director, reminds me frequently that EYM saved his life. I then remind him that he saved himself, with God’s grace and the support of his family and village!
Themba, reminds me that the potential of an EYM graduate is without boundaries. Never giving up or giving in, he passed the California State Bar and continued to reach back to help others, producing the first EYM golf tournament!
Suha, a gentle soft spoken EYM graduate,now in Medical School, who became a tutor at EYM and quietly showered me with love and encouragement as an adult.
When you look upon a child whose eyes have already begun to dim due to deferred hope don’t speculate on how long it will take before the light is completely extinguished—find a way to set it ablaze.
BOOK EXCERPT
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The Me I See In You Excerpt 7
As adults, they are professors, scientists, lawyers, doctors, nurses, corporate leaders, social workers, producers/writers, engineers, teachers, artists, architects, CEOs, directors, community leaders and advocates and more, teaching, and inspiring others to dream and believe in themselves. When realization came, you saw a light in their eyes, the red, caramel, and yellow hues in their skin tones became more prominent, their smiles were heard miles away, and a warm summer breeze overtook the room when they entered because their confident swagger was so cool!
These students have been instrumental in defining EYM’s mission, its growth, and the design of its overall day-to-day operations, specially structured for low-income, marginalized youth. Their desire to give back to others is inspirational and makes each of them a much more interesting human being.
They learned to think and apply their knowledge, transitioning from book knowledge to life knowledge.
As life and the world around, them continues to grow exponentially, becoming more diverse and complicated, “The me I see in the young people selected for this journey gives me hope and keeps me, as my girlfriends say, “Operating in My Anointing”
With the beginning of this introduction firmly in place, I release a sigh and set the paper and pencil aside. Sleep comes upon me heavily and I smile, knowing I will be able to rest for the rest of the night.
I will always be appreciative and grateful to the instructors, EYM board members, mentors, staff, and supporters who continue to give their talent and time to our youth. They are our future leaders.
MISSED ANY EXCERPTS, GO HERE:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Angeles LaRose Patricia Echols was born in Memphis, Tennessee. She graduated from Cornell University, where she earned her B.A. in psychology, with an emphasis in child development and human behavior. While attending Cornell, Angeles discovered a love for the arts and teaching. In Ithaca’s downtown community centers and in the local Baptist church. After much prayer and soul searching, the path was chosen for her. She would become an advocate for children: an educator and mentor, empowering children, parents, and families.
Angeles founded Educating Young Minds Tutorial Program, reaching at-risk children and their families, channeling their energies toward achieving excellence. She accomplished this by linking high expectations with socio-academic improvement, proven teaching and learning strategies and activities for students with varied needs, skills and abilities.
The truest testament to Angeles’ work is the young men and women who graduate from EYM, succeed at college, and then return to their communities as role models and as leaders.
Her new book, “The Me I See In You” highlights some of the students that have graduated from EYM, accomplished many of their academic and professional goals and have come back to support EYM in various ways. You will be encouraged by their stories.
This is not Angeles Echols’ first foray into writing. She is the author of interactive bio- Ray Charles, The Man. The Music, The Legacy (commissioned by the Ray Charles Foundation).
Angeles lives in California with her husband. When she is not running her business or writing, Angeles travels with her husband.
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