By Jose Vasquez and Fatima Barba The Western Express
Rico Razo, District 6 manager for city of Detroit’s department of neighborhoods, wants to build the city’s next generation of leaders and thinkers.
Razo recently spoke to students at Western International High School in Detroit’s Mexicantown neighborhood through the Youth of Promise Leadership Program sponsored by community organization SER Metro-Detroit.
He told students that mentorship helps the community and building future leaders.
“If you can’t show someone the way, then forgive them for being lost,” Razo said.
After sevens years with the program, Razo has mentored more than 1,500 students. He said mentoring pushes people and helps them avoid low expectations.
Razo grew up in the Livernois/Warren area of Detroit and attended Annapolis High School in Dearborn Heights. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University.
When asked about why he mentors, Razo said: “It’s always good to come back to your roots and culture. It’s also good to mentor the next generation of leaders.”
For more information about the youth program, go to sermetro.org. #NODAYSOFF
