Red Bank Orators Impress and Inspire

Public speaking isn’t so easy. There’s a method to it, a list of concepts to understand and master beyond simply learning how to overcome your fear. For those who get it, public speaking is the key to opening life’s locked doors.

For some of Red Bank’s children, those doors have started to open.

The local chapter of the New Jersey Orators gave a presentation in public speaking Wednesday night as two of its brightest demonstrated their new-found skill to an audience of borough residents and borough council members.

The effort was a success, eliciting rounds of applause and even comparisons of the speakers to President Barack Obama.

“People looking at you see the future of Red Bank in your faces and hear it in your words,” Red Bank Mayor Pat Menna said.

New Jersey Orators is a nonprofit organization that teachers speaking skills to mostly young African-American’s between the ages of 7 and 18. Founded in 1985 by a group of African-American businessmen who realized that communication skills play a significant role in achieving academic and career success, the goal of the program is to develop public speaking skills of its participants.

Councilwoman Juanita Lewis developed the Red Bank chapter of the New Jersey Orators as a way to encourage local youth to participate and compete in public speaking engagements. The local edition of the orators came together in January, she said, and by May the kids were already in their first competition where they placed fifth in the entire state.

The orators have continued to improve through their first semester, Lewis said, and she’s looking forward to September when they’ll start again.

“I am extremely proud of our young people and they work they’ve done,” she said before introducing two of Red Bank’s orators at Wednesday night’s borough council meeting.

Akin Gaddis took to the microphone first, announcing his intention to read some lesser-known poems by Langston Hughes, the Harlem Renaissance’s most prominent figure. Clearly and with appropriate meter, the 12-year-old tackled poems dealing with issues of race and pride, love and loss. On his completion Gaddis received a standing ovation from the crowd and council, one of many he’ll likely enjoy as his efforts continue.

According to the NJO website, the orators focus not only on strong oratorical and verbal skills, but an appreciation of literature, too. The organization has about 500 members throughout the state.

With booming confidence, 10-year-old Zuri Mondesir recited Shel Silverstein’s poem “Me Stew.” If ever there was a poem analogous to public speaking it’s Me Stew, which features a person with nothing else to give serving themselves up after stewing in a pot.

In front of a crowded council chambers, Mondesir shrugged off the nerves he says still linger and served himself up.

“I get nervous sometimes,” he said, following his oration. “But I’ve done it so many time now that I’m getting more and more comfortable.”