TeamBlack 417 (The Michael Ryan Black Foundation)
Hey guys, it has been a while! Most of you know by now of our sons tragic and horrific death. We are starting a Foundation in his name to reach out to anyone struggling with depression, drugs, apathy, mental illness, suicidal thoughts, etc. Mike’s story is below, please consider helping us start this foundation, thank you,
Michael Ryan Black was taking violently from us on April 17th, 2013, at age 19. He was one of the most amazing young men that you could ever encounter. He was a model son; respectful, honorable and always worked hard at whatever he had in front of him. All-American Football player, USA Rugby player – above average grades and a leader of leaders!
Michael also had his struggles. Mental illness ran in his family. Michael struggled to be an over achiever, and the lies that he was never good enough. In the spring and summer of 2012 Michael started using drugs.
His nearly perfect life was coming apart very quickly. By the time that fall came around, he had a felony on his record and had lost most of his friends. The guilt and shame Michael carried about the way he allowed the drug use to hurt lifelong friendships and even his own family was more than he could take. The road back was a day to day struggle, one that he never got to overcome. In January 2013, Michael was back in school with his Rugby scholarship reinstated, by all accounts it seemed Michael had a fresh start. Michael was off recreational drugs and his faith was reestablished, he was having a very, very hard time engaging. Mentally it was more of a struggle then any of us could know. His death is still a bit of a mystery.
His foundation is dedicated to a generation of young people that may struggle with depression, addiction, apathy, mental-illness; Michael’s heart would be to have a “Holistic” approach in reaching every person with physical, emotional and spiritual healing. We will have writings, events, and people that are here to serve a generation that deserves to be served, just like Michael would want!
Please let me know what you can do, thanks, (We can give right now to https://keystonechurch.cloverdonations.com/michael-black-memorial-fund/ with Pastor Lonny to cover the $2000),
I think of Michael often. I didn’t know him personsally but I know Alexis. We went to high school together and even had a class or 2 (sweet girl) I had no idea of Michaels death until about 2 months after. A friens of mine that I worked with came into work one day (summer 2012) with a black eye( he got in a fight and some kid beat him up at a party) around may/June 2013 we were talking about that day and he had told him that kid he got into the altercation with had passed away. I was in shock and asked for his name and details…the name he’d given me was michael black, I immediately thought of alexis and did my research to see if it was the michael black that I had know of through her and sure enough it was. I couldn’t believe it. I never knew michael. I had only met him twice and only once formally introduced by Alexis. Such a sweet guy, genuine…I don’t know why but I think of him very often. I wonder why because I hardly knew him. This has been on my mind for.quite some time now. I was researching his death tonight. And this blog came along. It’s inspiring and positive. I didn’t know Michael well but for some reason he’s deep in my heart and on my mind now and then.
I think of Michael often. I didn’t know him personsally but I know Alexis. We went to high school together and even had a class or 2 (sweet girl) I had no idea of Michaels death until about 2 months after. A friens of mine that I worked with came into work one day (summer 2012) with a black eye( he got in a fight and some kid beat him up at a party) around may/June 2013 we were talking about that day and he had told him that kid he got into the altercation with had passed away. I was in shock and asked for his name and details…the name he’d given me was michael black, I immediately thought of alexis and did my research to see if it was the michael black that I had know of through her and sure enough it was. I couldn’t believe it. I never knew michael. I had only met him twice and only once formally introduced by Alexis. Such a sweet guy, genuine…I don’t know why but I think of him very often. I wonder why because I hardly knew him. This has been on my mind for.quite some time now. I was researching his death tonight. And this blog came along. It’s inspiring and positive. I didn’t know Michael well but for some reason he’s deep in my heart and on my mind now and then.
This is also something that I am passionate about. A few years ago, Seth introduced me to David Hain who worked with AIM in Philly. I started attending is Addict to Disciple groups and eventually became a group facilitator. I have been running a group for women in addiction for a few years now.
David and his family have since moved to South Africa to establish the program in schools and prisons across the country.
I’ve gotten to know so many women who’s lives have been destroyed by drug use, but there are always the underlying issues of rejection, performance, abandonment, ect. that set them up in the first place. Those are the issues that I identify with.
God has definately helped my use my experience battling self-hatred and inferiority to connect with these women and begin establishing value and hope.
I’m sorry to hear that Michael struggled with some of these same issues and didn’t find the help he needed. I love that you are choosing reach out and bring hope and help to others.
I would love to receive information about the fund and where it goes from here.
I’m still praying for you and Lisa and the other kids that
God will walk closely with you as you heal and to guard all that you do have as a family, that you will prosper in every way in Christ.