I have read and heard a lot of great things about the movie “Black Panther" released during Black History Month. I saw the movie just a few days ago and I really, really enjoyed it! Like so many others, I valued watching a Black superhero donning the big screen in a big-budget, Hollywood film. T-Challah’s bravery, concern for others, and dedication to his people reinforced my commitment to promoting the powerful truth that our communities have dozens of T’Challahs, Okoyes, Ramondas, and Nakias to celebrate and reminded me of the many superheroes employed right here at SELF, Inc. 
 
Several of our team members have overcome significant obstacles and some have faced these challenges as a participant in a SELF evidenced-based program. One such person who comes to mind is Louis M.
 
Louis came to Outley House in 2007 ready to get his life in order and to live clean and sober. Dr. Outley’s (founder of SELF, Inc.) philosophy resonated with Louis. He listened and did his work growing from a participant to peer mentor and now to a full-time, residential aide at one of our programs. When you ask Louis how he did it, he says the people at SELF helped him a lot. “They believed in me, encouraged me and told me I could do it. So I pulled myself up and did it,’’ he said recently. Today, Louis is still clean and sober. He said that he enjoys going into work every day and telling participants that if he could do it, they can do it. 
 
This month and every month, we should recognize people like Louis who are true life heroes whose strength, compassion, and dedication are an inspiration to those around them. Like Nakia said to T’Challah, “ Only you can decide what kind of king you want to be. ” In this very same way, we get to decide what kind of person we want to be. 
 
At SELF, Inc. we choose to be people that motivate, empower, and inspire others to live their best lives!

Sincerely,
Mike Hinson
Executive Director
SELF, Inc.

Have you read Mike Hinson's op-ed about patient dumping which recently appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer and on Philly.com? You can access the article with this link: goo.gl/gMVWbE .
SELF, Inc.
Philadelphia, PA