“For a man, a tie is like a passport,” said City Councilman Gerald Byrd. “It gives you passage into society.”
Gerald Byrd was speaking to a group of boys at the Boys and Girl’s club on Wednesday afternoon about dressing for success. Mr Byrd asked them, “Why would you want to wear a tie?”
Hands shot up into the air and the boys offered their answers. “If you get married.” “If you go on a job interview.” “If you want to be handsomer.”
Even at this age, these boys knew the power of the tie.
Gerald shared his story about his own high school graduation day, when he had to find someone in the neighborhood to tie his tie, because no one had ever shown him how.
Byrd added, “It’s important for all of you to understand- your clothing dictates how people perceive you and how they’re going to treat you. That’s why today we’re going to learn to tie a tie.”
Mrs. Boyce-Gaskins from the Boys and Girls Club brought in sharply pressed shirts and lined them up on a table. The boys picked out their favorite color. The Squire Shop brought in bow ties. At first the boys seemed shy about approaching the grown ups, but when Avery Hart and Sarah Carroll offered the kids a rainbow of beautiful silks, stripes and polka dots, the boys crowded in. Each chose his favorite and began the process of learning how to tie it.
Avery Hart said, “Not everybody can tie a bowtie. This is something special to know.” When asked why this was an important night, Sarah Carroll answered without hesitation. “It’s important for young boys to learn how to dress up. For interviews and just for life.” If you dress well, you feel good about yourself. And first impressions are everything.”
There were others there to help- students from the university. Michael Wise was actually a past member of the Boy’s club. “Once somebody came in and taught me how to tie a tie. That’s why I’m here today. To pass on this important skill.” Michael brought a box of ties; some had belonged to his own father. Michael gave them to the boys because, “a man should own a tie.”
Another student, Trevor Tillman, was there to represent his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi. “Not every young man has the pleasure of growing up with a dad. They never learn how to be a man and how to dress professionally. That’s why I’m here.”
At one point, during all the excitement, I sat down with Gerald Byrd to ask him about the children at the Boys and Girl’s club. He answered, “These children are an important part of our society. If we don’t show them how to get on solid ground, our society won’t be a strong one”.
Gerald Byrd looked at the room full of boys, who were all practicing tying knots and straightening their ties. “Look, each of these boys will leave here with a skill that will take him into the world with confidence. That’s the power of the tie.”
This column was originally printed in the Times-Georgian. Mimi Gentry’s stories can be read every Thursday in the Times-Georgian.
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If you would like to do something to help with the Boy’s and Girl’s Club (homework help, socialization skills, gardening skills), call Tiffanie Davis at 770-834-0017 or email her at tidavis@bgcma.org.