My name is Oronde Ash, former Asst. Men's Soccer Coach at North Carolina State University.
I have been a young immigrant, wide-eyed to the conflicting realities of the American dream. Where I came from, I was just a boy. In America, at 9 years old, I suddenly became black. I've lived on a Caribbean island, in the American suburb, in the urban jungle that is New York City. I've waded through family dysfunction, government cheese, self-hate, bitterness, steaming anger at God and His world. I was a C and D student; a negative-thinking boy convinced that life held nothing of value. I shunned my family, ignored my friends, lost hope in human goodness. I was scared of the possibilities --scared of the [black] boy in me. I lived that darkness and then... then, I became an A student, class valedictorian, Most Likely to Succeed, Broadway actor, full college scholarship recipient, friend, contributor to the well-being of my family. I became the human being I always wanted to be, bent on transforming the world for the better. And all this happened between the ages of 9 and 17.
Today, I wish to talk to young folks and their families about my life and the lessons I've learned along the way. I am an educator and public speaker on issues of identity formation, psychosocial development and getting the most from oneself. I founded bygINCpresents, to deliver speeches, workshops and seminars to schools, youth groups and organizations in the Raleigh, NC area. I've talked to the Durham Heritage School, The Moore Square Magnet Middle School, the Triangle YMCA's Black Achiever's Program, The Boys and Girls Club of Raleigh and recently helped conduct a workshop on academics and the college tract to the NFL Players Association High School Player Development Forum at Fayetteville State University.
I graduated from North Carolina State University in 1998, was in graduate school for education then taught elementary school in Brooklyn, NY for two years. I spent 2002-07 as an Asst. Men' s Soccer Coach at NC State. I also host a weekly radio program Wednesday nights from 8-11 PM on WSHA 88.9 FM and use the time to discuss many of the issues I write about.
I can no longer stand idly by and watch my brother fall. I will not. Young folks need to hear. I am their past, I am their future; I am all that goes unspoken and unheard within them. I have a story to share about life and how to live it well.
