By Aniqua Nichols Staff Writer
All across the country the month of February is known as a deliberate time to honor and recognize those who achievements and unselfish acts has made the lives of so many better.
While the Osborn Educational Complex may have many that fit into that category, one person in particular who exceeds that description is Frank McGhee.
“When he enters the building or a class where students may not be at their best, his mere presence encourages students to self check and improve” said OPrep teacher Dorian Evans.
“Mr. McGhee,” as he is acknowledged at Osborn, is the program director at Neighborhood Service Organization, whose hands-on approach makes all that cross his path want to do more and do better.
“Professional, cheerful, encouraging and motivating are just a few words that come to mind when one hears his name.” said OPrep teacher Judith D’Abreau.
Tamika Merchant, a resource staff at Evergreen, said McGhee is “a professional at all times, and a man of many resources. He totally stands behind the mission and vision of NSO.”
Since his arrival in 2002, McGhee, who graduated from Cass Tech, has worked at implementing programs that encourage and motivate youth to do and be their best.
McGee has led his students to not only be brave but to also be positive leaders and role models in their community. Just last year, Youth Initiative Program ( Y.I.P) students launched their” Hugs not Bullets” campaign. In the campaign, youths addressed social issues mainly focusing on reducing violence in the community.
“We pressed on the hugs not bullets campaign to encourage peers to avoid violence and to also be proud to make a stand against violence,” OPrep senior Britney Dobbins said.
In addition to protesting against violence, McGhee also empowered his students to address social issues. In February 2014, students were having a hard time making it to school and home on time because the constant delay on DDOT buses. Instead of just complaining, McGhee helped Y.I.P students design a speech to speak out on the danger and setbacks the delay of buses was causing.
After speaking out, Detroit Department of Transportability director Dan Dirks reached out to Osborn students to help tackle their issues.
OPrep sophomore and Y.I.P member Valencia Wade said: “After attending the meeting with Mr. Dirks and sharing my horrible bus traveling experiences, I felt like that my voice had finally been heard. His seeing how passionate and involved my peers and I were about social issues, pushed him to help us.”
Since then Dirk has committed to put more buses on the street.
Mr. McGhee centered with Osborn Y.I.P members
