About Ke’aun Dent

Ke’aun means “strong and courageous in the Lord.” In awareness of my development into the man I am becoming, I have battled special circumstances that have tested the attributes of my identity. Consequently, I learned pivotal lessons that became fundamental to my success. My journey from an early learner to International Baccalaureate scholar has been a challenge. My path as an athlete was a real-life setback. My environment where I exist as an African American male is full of perpetual images deeming me a failure. I am no stranger to obstacles.

I grew up as a struggling reader and this impacted my comprehension in every subject.

I easily recount challenge, setback, and failure. Literacy was my first challenge. I grew up as a struggling reader and this impacted my comprehension in every subject. My 8th grade math teacher had low expectations for me and told me that I would be lucky if I made it to Pre Calculus. I also had a major life setback as an athlete. From the time I was 6 years old until my freshman year of high school, I played football. I also incurred multiple concussions.

The concussion that nearly ended my life, however, was when a metal discus hit my face during track practice. Furthermore, I am always confronted with ideas of failure because the images, laws, and overall environments designed for me are perpetually negative. This time last year, I mourned the loss of 3 of my friends. Not to mention, I have been harassed by the police on several occasions. These reinforcements of failure undoubtedly affect me.

Reflecting on my challenges, schooling caused me to doubt myself. I was embarrassed as a struggling reader. My mother was a teacher and I felt unsmart. I became insecure and these feelings became a part of my identity. Later, I had to make the difficult decision to give up football to save my life. I was devastated. As a player, I made my coaches, teammates, and family proud. These accidents took a significant toll on my mental health. I could not understand why God was torturing me. I just wanted to do the one thing that made me happy. The mental effects of my environment are deeply emotional and significant because they lead to the way I comprehend and interact with the world.

Through my obstacles, I made strong comebacks. Today I am a confident scholar who speaks, reads, and writes in English, German and Spanish. I have taken advanced mathematics every year of high school, multiple Honors and AP classes, and finished honors Pre-Calculus in my junior year. Regarding my athletic setback, I transitioned my energy into creative outlets through entertainment and entrepreneurship.

I became active in the arts, dancing under the tutelage of Ms. Debbie Allen in “The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker.” I was also cast for a lead acting role in an ABC episode of “The Coroner.” I started two businesses based on my newly discovered interests – baking and buying/selling sneakers. I even earned a seat in aviation school where I am on track to secure my pilot license soon. As for my environmental challenges as an African American male, I am still seeking to overcome them.

This is where I look to Blue Heart the only program in San Diego that has such a direct impact on the progression of young Black men.

This is where I look to Blue Heart the only program in San Diego that has such a direct impact on the progression of young Black men. I have been a part of The Blue Heart Foundation for 5 years generating over 1,300 hours of community service, slowly working my way up the ranks. As the current president of the organization I am responsible for representing the brotherhood with the highest levels of Black Excellence.

I am truly grateful to have been exposed to The Blue Heart Foundation at such an early age where I have been able to develop and sharpen my interpersonal and professional skills.

I have learned invaluable lessons in developing my identity being strong and courageous in the Lord. These experiences taught me the power of faith. I learned that when one door closes, it is crucial to have faith that another door will open. I also learned the effect of brain power and aligning mental energy with personal intention.

Other lessons such as self-discipline, patience, and personal will are fundamental to my success. Ultimately, I keep in mind the bigger picture — that my future self is counting on my current self to choose to stay the course.