Robert Harper: Redefining Black Male Success
In this episode of The Man Up Club Presents on Holy Culture Radio, community advocate and policy consultant Robert Harper opens up about his journey from the South Side of Chicago to becoming a voice for young Black men. His story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and a relentless commitment to service—proof that purpose and progress often begin with the courage to see beyond what society expects.
Growing Up on the South Side
Harper was raised in Chicago during the 1990s, a time marked by the war on crime, mass incarceration, and the steady exodus of Black families from the city. Without a father at home, he was surrounded by strong Black women who modeled strength, perseverance, and faith. “I looked to them with a responsibility to be successful,” Harper says, noting that their example gave him the drive to rise above circumstance.
Still, one of the most defining moments of his youth came through a man’s voice—his kindergarten teacher, Mr. Porter. Harper vividly remembers the day Mr. Porter looked him in the eye and told him he would be somebody. It was the first time a Black male teacher affirmed his potential, and that memory stayed with him long after. “I didn’t realize it then,” Harper explains, “but I wouldn’t have another Black male teacher until graduate school.”
That early encouragement became a spark, shaping how he now approaches mentorship and education for others.
Education as Empowerment
For Harper, education is more than academic success—it’s identity formation. He stresses that equal access to quality education during early childhood, especially between kindergarten and fourth grade, is critical for shaping how young Black boys see themselves. Those years, he explains, are where confidence, curiosity, and a sense of belonging take root.
Recently, Harper put that belief into action by leading a group of 15–20 young men on an HBCU tour, visiting campuses like Morehouse and FAMU. He recalls watching their eyes light up as they encountered Black excellence in every direction—students, professors, and leaders who looked like them and were thriving. “They realized college could be a place where they define how they’re seen,” Harper says. “For many, it was their first time experiencing that kind of empowerment.”
Breaking Stereotypes and Expanding Vision
Harper’s own life has defied stereotypes. Though he was once a choir student with a vocal scholarship, he later discovered a passion for football and played four years of college ball. That duality—creative and athletic, intellectual and physical—became part of his message to young men: they don’t have to fit into one box.
Too often, Harper says, young Black men are only affirmed for what they can do on the field or the stage, not for who they are beyond it. His mission is to change that narrative by helping them see the full range of their gifts and potential.
Mentorship and Advocacy as a Calling
Today, Harper’s career blends policy, business, and advocacy under one banner: service. Whether he’s consulting for organizations, mentoring students, or speaking at his alma mater Augsburg University, his goal is to empower others to use their voices effectively. “Advocacy is a skill,” he reminds audiences. “A lot of people have passion for equity but don’t know how to advocate for people who don’t look like them.”
Harper’s leadership extends to local churches and state initiatives where he works to ensure that Black-owned businesses and community projects have a seat at the table. He credits mentors like James Burroughs of Children’s Minnesota for showing him what it means to open doors for others—and to make sure he’s not the last one standing in a leadership room.
A Legacy of Service
At just 31, Robert Harper embodies the new standard of success: one measured not by titles or accolades but by impact. His life’s work is a blueprint for how education, mentorship, and advocacy can redefine what it means to be a Black man in America today.
He’s proof that one teacher’s belief can echo across generations—and that when young men are given the tools to see beyond society’s limits, they don’t just succeed; they lead.
Key Takeaway:
Robert Harper’s message is simple but powerful—education and mentorship are not just paths to opportunity; they are instruments of liberation. By investing in the minds and hearts of young Black men, we invest in a stronger, more just future for everyone.
