Amina Russell: Believe In Any Dream ...

Speech Delivered at Emmanuel Baptist Church
Feb 28, 2010

As we conclude a month of celebrating Black History, we present to you the “evolution of a dream”:

It begins as children with the expression “I want to be …”
Precious dreams that need to be nurtured and protected
So they will grow and as young adults through planning, education and dedicated hard work,
You will put those dreams into motion
So that they can then blossom and come to life
And as adults you can make a difference in this world.

So we say to the children and youth of Emmanuel:

That YOU can achieve any dream that you believe in
That YOU should aim high and reach for the stars
That YOU have a hero within that is powerful beyond all measure

And remember, if you don’t see your faces in the books or lessons taught in school,
Or see yourself reflected in the newspapers or magazines around you,
That even if you get only one month to acknowledge your culture & history,
Remember the people that are standing here today.
The people that are sitting amongst you.
That have succeeded against the greatest odds.

For it does not matter whether you are tall or short, big or small
It does not matter the colour of your hair, your eyes or your skin
It does not matter if your family is rich or not
The only thing that matters …
Is that within YOU is planted the seed of a dream that is meant to be lived.

So if ever you doubt yourself or your dream remember these 3 things:

1. “There are NO LIMITS”, says Michael Fisher
2. “You can run & finish this amazing race”, says Lennett J. Anderson
3. “Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in this world”, says the Lord

So we are excited children and youth:

For it won’t be long and YOU will be building the future
It won’t be long and YOU will be standing right here telling your accomplishments
It won’t be long and YOUR names will be written down in the books of history

So no matter what, believe that your dreams are possible and make them come to life.

Blessings,
Amina