| Special to The Detroit News
When Detroit native Aaron Amos decided to help with a back-to-school empowerment event in Detroit, he knew his goal was to help as many students as possible.
The idea came about in 2015 when Amos’ brother, former NFL offensive tackle Joe Barksdale, wanted to give back to Detroit students.
“He asked for my help,” said Amos, “as DPS graduates, we understood several things when it came to the beginning of the school year. One of them is the importance of confidence. When you look good, you feel good!”
Born and raised in Detroit, Barksdale remembers all too well how it felt when he had to walk the halls of Bates and Cass Tech without the best school supplies.
“I just remember being at DPS and the kids always had cooler bags than me,” Barksdale explained. “I know what that feels like and I wouldn’t want any kid to feel the way I did. That’s why I take pride in making sure I’m handing out the best bags in town, for the best students.”
Barksdale, 33, attended Louisiana State University on a football scholarship. He later played football with the St. Louis Rams, Los Angeles Chargers and Arizona Cardinals. This is their sixth annual event.
Amos says the back-to-school empowerment event, Friday from 4-8pm at Marygrove College inside Madam Cadillac Hall, will be full of energy and everyone is welcome.
This year, students will receive a free Sprayground backpack full of school supplies. In addition, there will be free haircuts and mini manicures.
Amos says students can also grab some free tacos from the Lobster Pit Food Truck, Coneys (vegan options available) from Big Ma’s Coney Cart run by a DPSCD Cass Tech teacher, and chips from Uncle Rays.
There will also be face painting, bounce houses and the chance to get vaccinated as there will be a mobile health unit on site. Attendees are also invited to participate in a discussion on mental health.
“Our mental health is the foundation of our daily existence,” Amos said. “The way our decisions are influenced, the amount of effort we put in and how we feel about ourselves are just a few things that deal with the state of our mental health. Being at the end of a pandemic: the mental status of many, especially our students has changed. It is important and beneficial to everyone’s overall health when mental health is prioritized.”
Amos, who will host the event, is an Emmy-nominated television producer who has worked on some of Detroit’s most memorable television moments, including America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Olympics ‘NBC summer 2016, Susan G. Komen’s Race for a Cure, plus newspaper. news for WDIV and WXYZ.
Amos knew Detroit would be the perfect place to give his time and efforts, as the city is the place that made him who he is today.
“Detroit is the foundation of many of my values, ethics and beliefs,” he said. “The nicest people I’ve ever met were from here in my town. It’s important to me and to the community because when I host these kinds of events, I feel like I’m helping Detroiters see what they’ve helped me do, the circle of attention I call it.”
He added, “We don’t just give cheap bags that break after a semester, but we give these students a stylish and sturdy bag to feel confident in carrying. Second, the need for supplies. In general , it’s easier to focus on the task at hand when you don’t have to worry about trying to get tools to even complete the task.”
Amos and Barksdale’s goal this year is to instill as much confidence and safety as possible in Detroit students and their families.
We want to remind Detroiters that there are natives who care for them without expecting anything in return, says Amos.
“People who grew up in the same zip code, rode the same buses, stood in the same lines and voted for the same community as them, who will never forget them,” Amos said.
Barksdale faced challenges organizing the event last year due to COVID and found it difficult to get people to attend and donate to the event.
They contacted some large organizations and groups in the city, but unfortunately their attendance and participation was limited to more well-known people who organized similar events, he said.
Barksdale says she hopes this year’s empowerment event will ease some of that financial pain for parents.
“We all need to do more to care for the people and places that care for us,” he said.
For more information, call 313-734-0899 or visit detroitcitylions.org/.
Here’s a list of several back-to-school events in Metro Detroit:
The Resource Party – Community Affair + Back to School Event at Adam Butzel Rec, 13:30-16:30 Sat. 10500 Lyndon, Detroit.
NSPT Back to School Event at New St Church of God in Christ Paul Tabernacle, noon-3pm Sunday. 15340 Southfield Fwy., Detroit.
Back to School Fun Day Giveaway at Exposed Barbershop, noon-4pm Sunday. 15650 W. 11 Mile, Southfield.
Back to School BASH at Farmington Family YMCA, 1-5 pm Sunday. 28100 Farmington Road, Farmington Hills.
Second Annual Book Bag Raffle and Pop Up Shop at Kings & Queens Hall Rental, 2-4 pm Sunday. 5845 Schaefer Hwy., Detroit.
GOTMO Backpacks to School at Wilder Branch Library, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday. 7140 Seven Mile E., Detroit.
Back to school at Bradford Academy, 4-6 pm Friday. 24218 Garner St., Southfield.
Oasis of Hope Annual Day of Hope: Free Family and Back-to-School Event at Oasis of Hope Christian Church, 11:00-15:00 August 27. 933 W. Seven Mile, Detroit.
FREE LEEC Back to School Youth Event at Parc Rouge, noon-3pm Aug 27 21860 Joy, Detroit
2nd Back to School Event in Oak Park, 6-11pm Aug 28 21700 Greenfield, Oak Park.
