How did you first meet Dr. Black?

[Aaron (Al) Lewis]

Please share with us how, when and where you first met Dr. Black? I encourage you to share as much as possible, your impressions, thoughts and feelings, how has the work impacted your life? What did you do as a result of. Please feel free because you are free to go as deep as you'd like. I think it important that we create our own history and he is the common thread that have woven us together. I would like to preserve this for the anticipated new members. 

 

Namaska,

 

Al Lewis

Co-Administrator and Co Founder of The Red Pill Training

 

[Nadine]

I don't know how many people like to struggle their entire lives but me, myself, I am not one of those people. I don't know anyone for that matter who wants their children to experience struggle and hardship over their lifespan. With that being said I have found something that has already been put in place to get my son in a position where he can think for himself no matter what others may try to put in front of him in the years to come. All I can say is the proof is in the pudding, these children that have done the work with Dr. Black have full scholarships and degrees which will lead to them living comfortably and maybe even changing this construct.

[Nadine]

I met Dr. Black at Java, Juice & Jazz one Sunday morning. I observed him and the others talking around him and I was like WOW don't come to him with no BS, he's knocking all that stuff out. I was at first intimidated by him and didn't speak to him because I didn't think he'd even entertain a conversation. I had started my own ning network with the hopes of evolving the education system and didn't have a clue where to start. I knew our children were most important because they are being programmed via language, environment, and what they see at home. I didn't know what I was doing and I was all over the place with my own thoughts and theories. I got over myself and started coming to dictionary class. I have really started to take the techniques Dr. Black has set in place seriously and I am learning to become more responsible for self. I have been truly humbled by this entire experience and I am finally on the path to making my life and my children's lives more comfortable. The small rather abstract things I am learning from Dr. Black are matriculating into my life and aiding me in becoming a better scholar and most importantly mother. With that being said I am proud and honored to say that I am 100% behind Dr. Black and what he has put in place to teach us how to "Learn to Learn". Peace

[Charles Cartwright (Neo)]

I had the Pleasure of first meeting Dr. Black at Java Juice & Jazz. I studied there weekly, one Sunday I heard Professor Black I sat up shoulders squared head held high and I listen to a voice from the GODS, And first word I spoke WOW! I continued listing and writing as Professor Black speaks as he address the class asking for comments about his lecture. When others tried to answered to no avail the those sharp perceptual eyes gazed upon me...... I spoke " I am unable to answer the question" Professor Black "why" I " for I have not put in work on the subject" he smiles my MIND I say WOW. Professor Black steps outside I follow quickly I really run outside I catch my breath Dr. Black look states are you OK I quote "When the Student is Ready The Teacher will Appear" And asked where and how can I have the Honor to study with him since then.  I have learn that "there's more to Living then Life" my Living has been Change for Dr. Black offered me the RedPill and I am still saying WOW!!!! Thank You Dr. Black for touching each and everyone of us we are truly Learning to Learn

[Salama Cakike Bayete Shelton]

It’s rather difficult to remember exactly when I met Mr. Black, being that I was only 4 years old. However, I will always remember how his acquaintance changed my life. I began to attend his etymology class with my older sister, Zakiya Leggett, and ever since then I have grown with his teachings. Mr. Black has been like a father to me, and has always challenged me to do my best and never make excuses. From learning the coordinates of the globe to spelling deoxyribonucleic acid, I was excited to learn more of what I could teach myself at an early age. I recently graduated from Tuskegee University with a Bachelor of Architecture degree, and Mr. Blacks’s teachings had a lot to do with how I was able to attain such an accomplishment. He constantly tells each of his students, “I haven’t taught you; you are simply learning to teach yourself!” This statement is so true; however, it is a true blessing to have someone like him to help you open your eyes to your true flight in life. Although, I’ve been away from Memphis during my college career, I still continue to challenge myself just as if I was sitting in a desk at Rhodes College on a Saturday morning (Mr. Black’s class).

The recent program with the Booker T. Washington high school graduates was very refreshing, because I had an opportunity to observe and aid others in teaching themselves as Mr.Black has always done for me. Thanks Mr. Black for teaching yourself, for with that knowledge you have helped many others to teach themselves!

We often limit ourselves by what we see in our immediate line of sight instead digging deeper to find the true meaning versus someone else’s definition.

[Clifford Black]

This is a repost from the blog post "My Testimony" by Zakiya

Mr. Black’s program was a life-changing experience for me. I started in the program when I was in middle school and continued through high school even though I went away from home to a boarding school. Mr. Black’s program taught me how to think in a way I would never have learned in a traditional school environment. I credit the experiences from the classes with helping me excel on the ACT, SAT, as well as the GRE. There was lots of practical knowledge as well as experiences and lessons that made me think outside the box. Additionally, the whole process built up my confidence in my abilities as a student. Once I’d “mastered” the art of his teaching style I felt capable of learning anything. I was not intimidated when I was in challenging classes while matriculating for my BS at Tuskegee University, my Masters at Duke University or my Ph.D. at North Carolina State University. I am indebted to Mr. Black and his amazing program for contributing to my success as a research scientist today!

Zakiya H. Leggett, Ph.D.

Sustainability Scientist

[Aaron (Al) Lewis]

I had been expelled from every learning institution I ever attended including high school and college. If something didn't add up I would either ask questions or just check out. Attending public school in Memphis, TN was boring and traumatic. 

I first met Mr. Black in 1994 and was so impressed with the information he shared I was thrilled when I reconnected with him in August of 2003. I was using etymology, but really didn't know the methods he taught to get a complete understanding of a word. It was still good to know there was another way to learn. 

 

Over a period of time I began to suspect we were doing something much deeper than a dictionary class and my suspicions came to light when after about 8 months Doc revealed to us that we had been doing some master's level research. I encouraged all my family and friends to attend and at one time about 40 of us did and attended regularly. Of course they dwindled off and 8 years later there are only 2 of us still there with any regularity. You see the reason I stuck was I discovered there is always something else you can learn about a subject no matter how much you think you already know about it. Besides for the first time in my life I attend a class because I truly enjoy it and get to give something back.

Here's to many more years of studying with doc and working with the students.

[Isaiah Coates]

The first encounter I can remember with Mr. Black would be when I was five years old. I was, like many kids, very uninterested in what was happening with my surroundings. At the time I was unaware of the effect the teachings would have on me. As I progressed in his class I basically just stuffed things into my memory; things such as : The Declaration, The Preamble to the Constitution, The Great Lakes, 50 states etc. In elementary school I used the information to challenge teachers and prove to classmates that I was superior. In middle school I didn't really use the information but I used the memory techniques to memorize large amounts of data for school. But by high school I had stopped attending class, meaning I was living off of archaic techniques and information. However recently going back to his class did not cause me to learn anything new, rather it opened my mind back up. Now I am equipped with the ability that Mr. Black wants us all to have, the ability to teach ourselves information that the education system will not teach us. And for this I owe an incredible amount of thanks to Mr. Black.

[kelvin stout]

Thanks Al, I became aware of Dr. Black by chance I'm self employed and have the luxury of listening to the radio while I work.  So scanning the dial one day I came across this voice not just any voice but one of truth and sincerity. The next day I tune in again. My first thought was who is this person? and how did he get on the radio?  I live in Memphis, Tn. and talk radio is the most devisive media there is here. Here was a voice that was not disrupted that actually said there is another way. Soon I started attending dictionary class learned a few techniques and discovered I could not read. Dr. Black suggested some things that might help me with learning to read. Things such as learning the vowel sounds and what a vowel is and does. Then he reference a few books to read and as time does it past and I began to read I began to read well. There were young people like C.C. and Kristy  Ana Marie citing the declaration of Independence and Jessica Polk all these people are products of Dr.Blacks philosophy of learning to learn. As a result I started applying some of the things I was learning to my grandson he was six months at the time and today he knows all the states in alpha-numerical order, he can tell you the first fifteen presidents at least, the planets in order as they appear from the sun and he knows a little about Booker T. Washington at only four years of age imagine the possiblities.      Peace  B.