Wow! What an awesome weekend!

I would just like to say that I am eternally blessed that I would get the opportunity to leave Ohio Wesleyan for the weekend and experience life in Detroit. The places that I visited left a burning expression on my soul that could potentially affect many decisions at my time here at Ohio Wesleyan as well as in my general life. The experience I had with the people on the trip will be etched into my memory forever. I know I can't explain everything that has happened on the trip but through these pictures and the commentary accompanying this, I believe that the you, the reader, will get some feeling of what I experienced during the weekend in Detroit.
Let me explain why the trip to Detroit exists. I am a proud member of Black Men of the Future and throughout the fall and spring semesters, I have worked hard to secure my place as a prominent voice for the Black male on this campus. Whether I am representing issues of the Black male on campus through WCSA or supporting one of our own events, I have a responsibility to make the voices of Black males on campus heard. I am passionate about my involvement with Black Men of the Future because this organization is who I am. I am Black and I am proud to be Black; I will do what is best for my people on this campus. I realize that I may not make the best decisions but I will always stick to who I am and where I come from; this organization fosters this purpose with an undying passion that I believe in.
Black Men of the Future decided to take a break from the work of Ohio Wesleyan to enjoy and experience life. We went to Detroit, the hometown of the Motor City and Motown. I need to get away from campus and Detroit was my anecdote. I was speechless so I will now let the pictures take over my dialogue.

1. One of the reasons I went to Detroit was that I had family up there. My aunt Naomi Wheat lives in Detroit and I had been anxiously waiting to go and talk to her on a one on one basis. We exchanged pictures and pleasantries. I also received another gift box of food to take back with me to Ohio Wesleyan. I always need food to eat just in case. I am thankful that God has brought us together again.
2. The crew from Black Men of the Future. This is not all of us and I'm sorry that I left some of our most prominent members out. However, the people in the picture have helped me maintain my sanity and hopefully, vice versa. From left to right, Duane Ramseur, Dave Gay, Will Alford, me, Adam McKinney, Brandon McMickens, and Kenny Williams, secretary of BMF.
3. The next two pictures is of the room I stayed in. We lived in the Hilton Garden Inn for fourty-eight hours and believe me when I say we were living it up!
4. The next two pictures depict a shot from the Detroit Pistons versus the Toronto Raptors. This is not a fake picture; I have the ticket stub in my room along with a holographic cup. For most of the game, we were sitting next to some die hard Toronto Raptors fans. Good thing Detroit won to calm them down.
5. Here I am, providing a mysterious glare to the camera. Hey, everyone!
6. The next pictures consist of my visit to the Motown Museum. I was so honored and excited to be in a place with such awe-inspiring history. I can't describe the feeling when I stepped foot in the same place as all of the talent of Motown had years earlier. I cherished every second I had in the museum. I know some of the history behind Motown and there was a lot of history that I didn't know or my facts were misconstrued. I am so glad to say that I visited history. (I'm sorry but the Motown Museum is much better than the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame- the Motown Museum relates to my experience as a person and as a listener of music a lot better). The first picture is of a young Stevie Wonder.
7. The second is of Berry Gordy directing Diana Ross and the Supremes. Amazing.
8. Hitsville, U.S.A. This picture explains a great deal about the success of Motown. The house that churned out talent after talent after talent.
9. Motown Studio A. This is where the musicians practiced from sun up to sun down. To me, this sign signifies a lot of work and a ton of dedication perfecting the craft of songwriting, music making, and storytelling.
10. The last picture I took at the Motown Museum was of the piece "My Girl," by the Temptations. This piece has the notes to the music for everyone to recognize and play.
11. The GM center, one of the tallest building in the downtown area. I took this picture before I headed out for a night on the town. Night life is fun in Detroit.
12. 8 mile road- three words. Do You Represent? The picture is blurry but hey, I was riding in a car doing fifty miles a hour to the Pistons game. Can you blame me?
13. Finally, the Yin Yang Twins. If you know the Yin Yang Twins, then you know what they are capable of. I was in a club yesterday, getting my groove on and enjoying my life in Detroit. Oh yeah, the club was truly in an altered state; if you know the club scene in your town, then you know what I am talking about.

I hope you enjoyed my trip. Wow, I had the time of my life (no exaggeration here!). If you join an organization and you put forth the effort to truly be of that organization, you will be rewarded. This is just another benefit for being a student leader on this campus. I encourage everyone to step out of their comfort zone and contribute to a cause that is calling you to help them. I just want to let you all know: I LOVE MY ORGANIZATIONS!!!!

Take care,

Hasani Wheat

Class of '10