History of I CAN SUCCEED Foundation
I CAN SUCCEED Foundation was started by Shawn E. Norman felt that there was a great need for this Foundation in Kansas City, Mo, and other cities across this great nation. Growing up as a kid, Norman found that it was very hard not knowing how to read, spell his name, and recite the alphabets. Early on in elementary school, he was made to feel low self-esteem
by his classmates who called and labeled him as “LD” (learning disabled), “special kid”, and “big lips”. This was an embarrassing period as he became aware that he had dyslexia. His teachers were not adequately trained to help and teach him with his learning challenges. But as a young boy, he read a children’s book entitled Dr. Shawn. It was about a young African American kid growing up in the projects who dreamed of becoming a doctor. This boy never gave up on reaching and realizing his dream. He had numerous roadblocks standing in his way, but the boy kept pushing on towards the realization of his dream. This book gave Norman hope as a African American to fulfill his dream. He could have taken another road, but he stayed on the path to success. As a public school student in Special Education, his teachers and counselors told him that going to college was a path that he should not think about doing. However, Norman told himself that the goal of going to college was the right one for him as long as he believed in and kept pushing himself, and not giving up. In 2007, Norman came up with I CAN SUCCEED Foundation because he knew that he could succeed in anything he believed in. In addition, Norman believed that others with similar learning disabilities could succeed like he has. He had earlier made up his mind that he would not allow anyone to tell youths and adults that they cannot succeed in whatever goals they have. It became evident that so many of today’s youth need positive role models. Norman’s Foundation was designed to meet these needs. Therefore, this Foundation is designed to help boys and girls in their academic, leadership, and self-esteem development. Its goals are:
* To teach boys and girls how to start their own business;
* To teach boys and girls about the short term and long term benefits of saving for the future; and
* To assist school drop-outs and adults in studying and preparing for the GED, and subsequently, in preparing to attend college, as well. I CAN SUCCEED have as its main objective to encourage and motivate youth and adults with learning disabilities and low self-esteem to reach for their full potential. This will be accomplished by matching them with others, like Shawn Norman, who have overcome similar stigmas and challenge
