‘Freedom Writer’ to deliver SOCSD Convocation
Starkville-oktibbeha Consolidated School District teachers, administrators and staff will begin the new school year by hearing from a speaker whose story is told in part in the 2007 film “Freedom Writers.”
Manny Scott will welcome the district’s teachers, administrators and support staff for its 2019 Convocation.
The district said Scott has energized over a million leaders, educators, volunteers, and students worldwide with his authentic, inspiring messages of hope, which all began around age 16.
Scott’s father was incarcerated, he missed 60-90 days of school annually from 4th to 9th grade and dropped out of school at age 14.
He lived in 26 places by age 16, and his best friend was brutally murdered.
Scott’s story would eventually see him take to school with a new attitude and purpose, ultimately ending up in the back of Erin Gruwell’s English class — which was portrayed in the movie starring Hillary Swank.
He began writing in his journal and dreaming about new, more fulfilling chapters in his life, filled with healing, hope, perseverance, and possibility.
Scott eventually achieved many of those journaled dreams and in 2007, founded Ink International, Inc, an educational consulting team that is preventing thousands of suicides, raising student achievement, and improving teacher effectiveness. He now trains people how to survive and thrive as professional speakers.
He is also the author of two books: “Your Next Chapter” — a book that shows people, step-bystep, how to create the life of their dreams; and, “How to R.E.A.C.H. Youth Today” — a book that shares several proven practices and principles that engage, equip, and empower people everywhere to reach people who seem unreachable.
“I do not speak to impress people,” Scott said in a press release. “But to impress upon them some invaluable lessons that could literally change the quality of their lives forever. When I speak, I try to make sure audiences are crystal clear about how to ‘turn the page’—to transform their lives. Whether I’m in Houston or Hong Kong, Kansas City or Cairo, Los Angeles or London, I carry a torchlight of inspiration into the recesses of dormant potential, and show the gems that are sparkling there.” Classifieds Comics Sports