The Stories They Hear - by William Keyes (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The Stories They Hear is a profound testament to the power of mentorship and the impact one visionary program has had on America's best and brightest African American male college students.

Through the Institute for Responsible Citizenship, Dr. Bill Keyes has transformed the lives of over 300 young men, including Rhodes Scholars, Fulbright Scholars, doctors, lawyers, professors, and community leaders. Founded in 2003, the Institute has helped these men achieve remarkable success, nurturing their talents and instilling values of resilience, respect, and service.

This book offers readers an intimate glimpse into the Institute's life-changing experiences. Each chapter is filled with personal stories and valuable lessons shared by Dr. Keyes with his scholars over two decades. Key insights include identifying one's gifts, using influence responsibly, and practicing resilience in the face of adversity. These stories, once shared in a Washington DC conference room, now invite readers to be inspired by the guidance that has shaped these young men into leaders and role models.

The Stories They Hear is an inspiring guide for mentors, educators, and anyone invested in helping young people unlock their potential to create a legacy that empowers future generations.

Review Quotes

"The Stories They Hear is a testament to the awe-inspiring experiences of Dr. Bill Keyes. His words caused me to reflect on my summers as a scholar with the Institute for Responsible Citizenship--working long hours as an intern during the day, completing rigorous coursework in the evening, and being exposed to thought leaders in the public and private sectors of our nation. Those were some of the most consequential moments of my life, and many of my successes are due to the influence and mentorship of Dr. Keyes. This book shares insight into the journey of a man who has shaped the lives of our country's best and brightest and who continues to leave an indelible mark on our society."

--LAWRENCE B. BROWN '11, MD, MPH, Institute for Responsible Citizenship alumnus, General Surgical Resident at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, PhD Candidate, the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

"The Stories They Hear, by Dr. William Keyes, offers a glimpse into the special sauce required in propagating unapologetic excellence in Black boys and men. Throughout American society, we can see the impact of low expectations placed on Black boys. They are behind in nearly every statistical category in K-12, college, and professional and graduate school education. As expected, this impacts their employment opportunities, their ability to build whole families, and ultimately their quality of life. This book provides a blueprint for a better tomorrow. A tomorrow where Institute scholars are not outliers, but the norm. A tomorrow where every Black boy in America expects greatness from himself and is supported by a nation, and national institutions, that expect the same."

--CALVIN D. HADLEY '07, PhD, Institute for Responsible Citizenship alumnus, Assistant Provost at Howard University

"I can't help but be tremendously thankful to Dr. Keyes for all of the wonderful lessons I've learned from him. These lessons have been especially important to me as I have started to build my career on the bench, and they will be important to me for the rest of my life. I am happy to have The Stories They Hear so I can read those lessons over and over again, and I am very happy to know that other people, especially young Black men, will be able to read this book and learn some of the lessons that Dr. Keyes imparted to me."

--HASA KINGO '06, JD, Institute for Responsible Citizenship alumnus, Acting Justice of the New York State Supreme Court

"When I first met Dr. Keyes at Hampton University over two decades ago, he shared a bold vision for making service a core value in transforming our nation and the world. Today, hundreds of alumni, countless achievements, and measurable impact stand as a testament to the power of that vision. Two things remain constant: the timeless and consequential influence of Dr. Keyes's leadership and the central role of meaningful conversations that connect every class of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship. Insightful, entertaining, and thought-provoking, this book of stories draws from a wealth of unique experiences that have inspired and profoundly shaped lives, including my own. This book celebrates his enduring impact and the remarkable journey he continues to lead."

--ELIJAH HEYWARD III '04, PhD, Institute for Responsible Citizenship alumnus, Founder of Youth Scholar Academy at the Institute for Responsible Citizenship, Former Chief Operating Officer of the International African American Museum

"Bill Keyes is a master storyteller who has spent a lifetime honing his gift for language into the inspiring stories collected here. Through the Institute for Responsible Citizenship, Dr. Keyes has created an unparalleled mentorship program for young Black men, and in this book, he shares many of the rich stories, anecdotes, and life experiences that have helped to guide these dynamic young scholar-leaders along their respective career, family, and faith journeys. This book should be required reading for all those who love young Black men and are committed to their success, and yet its profound wisdom is universal as well. These stories will make you think and question, laugh and cry, and above all, they will inspire you to discover your unique calling and purpose so that you, too, can lead, serve, and be an agent of positive social change."

--JARVIS C. MCINNIS '09, PhD, Institute for Responsible Citizenship alumnus, Assistant Professor of English at Duke University

"This book will teach everyone else an important lesson Dr. Keyes taught me and my Institute brothers: to never settle for mediocrity. I will never forget Dr. Keyes's many lessons on understanding the importance of Black men achieving at the highest level and staying prepared for potential opportunities. He was stern on how we conducted ourselves in public and in private. He introduced us to other highly successful Black men who didn't make excuses about achievement. He inspired me and others to understand that nothing could stop us from being great but ourselves. Without Dr. Keyes's push for me to reach high, I would not be a member of Philadelphia City Council today. For this, I'm forever grateful."

--ANTHONY PHILLIPS '09, MAR, Institute for Responsible Citizenship alumnus, Member of the Philadelphia City Council