Ode to a Mentor

Do souls exist on this space and place we know as Planet Earth who only want the best for other souls . . . who unconditionally accept other souls for who they are . . . and selflessly invest their energy, time and wisdom to help these souls overcome the environment they are born into . . . to live a life that is compassionate and purpose-driven . . and to transcend boundaries? Yes, these souls do exist. We refer to these souls who, in so many ways and on so many levels, positively and irreversibly transform our lives as “Mentors”. No one gets through Life without having at least one. And today — 15 June 2017 — I am remembering such a soul who, had he lived, would be celebrating his birthday — a soul who irreversibly and immeasurably enriched and transformed my life.

A little over seventeen years ago, on 15 October 1999, I stepped out on faith and launched IN SEARCH OF FATHERHOOD®, a quarterly Fatherhood and Men’s Issues publication in an effort to resurrect the vision and perpetuate the legacy of a soul who irreversibly influenced the manner in which I view the world and live my life. Who was this soul? My Mentor – the late, L.T. Henry — a classically trained jazz musician who performed briefly with The Philadelphia Orchestra; former drummer for internationally acclaimed songstress and television and film actress Ms. Della Reese; author; photojournalist; and a sales and success motivation trainer. “L.T.”, as he was affectionately referred to, was a soul who danced with Life and at the same time lived his life on purpose. He was a truth teller who envisioned a world where Men would transcend the boundaries and them on many different levels and embark on a journey together to resolve their unique issues and needs. His vision of a world for Men which he shared with me a few years before his death was, to say the least, markedly different from the world that Men were desperately attempting to navigate – a world that seemed to be operating from an “upside down” position.

“Other Men have the same questions that I do. Men – particularly Men who are Fathers – will start talking to each other . . . sharing information . . . working together and supporting one another. I don’t know how it is going to happen, but I know it will happen,” he remarked.

I instinctively knew that L.T.’s vision was important. It was a vision that I could not allow to die with him.

My work to resurrect L.T.’s vision for Men — especially Men who are Fathers — and our world and to perpetuate his legacy through IN SEARH OF FATHERHOOD(R) has also been a celebration of his life.

It was the least that I could do for a soul who had done so much for me.

Happy Birthday L.T.!