H.Y.O.S.!

Flo S. Jenkins

Because of all the decades-long, countless problems related to working for other

people, most Black parents have encouraged their children to stop begging folks for

work and create employment avenues for themselves. After all, their untapped gifts

could lead to self-employment— and most importantly, bring them personal joy and

satisfaction as they fulfill their “callings” while simultaneously serving others.

H.Y.O.S. (Have Your Own “S”) was the bold advice most young people received. 

In other words, discover your own talents and skills, “put them to work and make your own way financially.”

Many Black men took that advice and became successful entrepreneurs and

businessmen who’ve not only made their own lives prosperous but have passed the

advice along and paved the way for many others in their communities. H.Y.O.S. is

nothing new as general advice to many groups of people. But it is especially important

to Black Americans whose livelihoods have been in the hands of—and at the discretion

of “others”. At this time in America, it is vital that Black men take business ownership as crucial advice. In fact, it is with urgency, as it is more than a simple “writing on the wall” about job losses that deliberately affect and target them.