There are few 30-somethings as committed to St. Petersburg's Southside youth as Dederick Woodard. Since returning from the Marines eight years ago, the 31-year-old St. Pete native has been involved in a plethora of community outreach programs, from the Boys and Girls Club to anti-violence programs. The Christian rapper/poet also shares his studio skills with children to promote positive ways to express themselves. From inside his tutoring room at the SPC Midtown campus, where he works with kids through SPC's College Reach Out Program, here's Woodard on:
Why he joined the Marines:
"I joined the Marines because I wanted to kill people. I was angry. I destroyed that anger when I went into the Marines. I learned how to deal with that violence…
"I didn't talk much. I kept it stuffed in. Now, people ask me why I talk so much, but for 19 years, I was quiet."
His former drug use:
"I used to smoke weed and read the Bible. Then I asked the Lord to replace it."
His rapping advice:
"My brother used to tell me, 'Don't rap about nothing you aren't doing.'"
Why he tutors youth:
"I get to help people, and I get to train my mind at the same time. I found out early when you help people, you grow."
Why kids listen to him:
"When you teach them that they can make a choice and you show them it can be done … they'll listen. They can tell when it's a joke. They can tell who is real. I try to be as real as possible with them."
The biggest problem facing today's youth:
"It's real simple, but it's complicated, too. The simple part is they need to genuinely know and trust that people love and care about them. The part that is complex is doing that no matter how they come. Because they come wild and crazy."
Editor's Note: The above has been edited from a version posted earlier. It now includes amplification from Dederick Woodard on how joining the Marines helped him.
This article appears in Jun 20-26, 2007.
