But that’s not what stood out on a recent Thursday night at the headquarters of BUILD, a nonprofit that works with young people in Austin and other Chicago neighborhoods.

It was the spirit, the resilience, the power of each story being told by six young people – stories that resonated with so many of the friends, family members and West Side residents who packed BUILD’s headquarters March 15th.

This is an annual event at BUILD; the public speaking contest has been held each of the last eight springs. This year’s participants – ranging in age from 16 to just 9 years old – was as memorable as all the others, perhaps more so.

“This is the most unique group we’ve had,” said Judge Pat Spratt, who spent weeks working with the students as they developed their speeches.

“We ask young people to give up some time on Saturdays and after school. They write and practice speeches about themselves – who they are, where they’re going. We ask them to be vulnerable,” Spratt said.

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Max Cerda was only 16 years old when he watched two members of his rival gang fire 13 bullets into his brother’s body. He died in Cerda’s arms, squeezing his thumb.

Cerda’s brother was not a blood relative, but was raised by Cerda’s mom—a brother nonetheless. He had moved out of the house, and was originally wary of visiting Cerda due to his gang involvement. But Cerda wasn’t “gangbanging” when his brother came to visit. They were ambushed.

“I didn’t have nobody to help me navigate through this experience,” Cerda said. “And for three days I kept the clothes on because I felt that’s all I had left of him. I didn’t realize how precious memories are, right?”

The night they buried his brother, Cerda retaliated. At age 16, he was tried as an adult and convicted of double-murder and attempted murder. He was sentenced to 35 years, of which he served over 18. Five and a half he spent in solitary confinement.

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Nearly 20 of the area’s most influential and successful African American leaders spent the afternoon sharing their experiences and tips for success with promising High School youth from across Chicago. The Black Table luncheon organized by BUILD, engages the leaders of today to coach the leaders of tomorrow about what it takes to be successful.

Youth participants gained an unprecedented look into the minds of an all-star lineup of African American history makers that included Chris Taliaferro, Alderman Ward 29, Pastor Chris Harris, Pastor, Bright star Community Outreach, Ernest Cato, Commander 15th District, Richard Boykin, Cook County Commissioner 1st District, Shari Runner, President and CEO, Chicago Urban League, Maudlyne Ihejirika, Urban Affairs Reporter, Chicago Sun Times, Mary Datcher, Senior Staff Writer, Chicago Defender, J-NIICE, B-96, Deon Thomas, Big Ten Network Analyst, Fred Waller, CPD Bureau of Patrol Chief, Shenell Randall, Miss Kankakee County 2018 and Perri L. Irmer, President & CEO DuSable Museum of African American History.

This unique Black History Month event was hosted by ABC 7 and moderated by ABC personality, Terrell Brown.

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