Meet Larry Starks

We recently connected with Larry Starks and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Larry, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I believe that my work ethic comes from growing up poor. I knew whatever I wanted I had to work for, nothing was given to me. I began working very early, selling candy door to door when I was about 10 years old. If I wanted anything above and beyond the necessities of food, clothes, and shelter I had to work. I come from a large family of 10 children, my mother and father worked hard to give us the essentials in life, and I don’t ever remember going without food. I did have hand-me-down clothes, which since I was one of the younger ones was bad, by the time it got to me. I knew I wanted to dress well, live well, and be comfortable. My work ethic ensures that my value is respected in any environment.. I will always work smart and efficiently, I always carry my weight on my team. To this day you will find me involved in more than one thing in the community and at work.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

This is my third year as President of the Tucson Juneteenth Festival, I began working with the Board in 2015, with the sudden passing of my brother Burnes Starks. He was an instrumental part of Juneteenth for over 20 years. I knew I wanted to realize his passion and dreams to make Juneteenth the largest festival in Southern Arizona. I was keeping in the spirit of community and diversity. Juneteenth is a federal holiday commemorating the freedom of enslaved people from Galveston Texas, on June 19, 1865. They returned to Galveston one year after their freedom to celebrate their lives and newfound freedom. Every year since 1970 in Tucson, neighbors from Texas, and other southern states came together to celebrate the event.m Our motto is ” It’s a movement, not a moment” meaning we are celebrating all year for Juneteenth. We have collaborations with numerous community agencies and sponsor community events. This year Tucson Juneteenth held 6 different events. we co-sponsored the Cinderella Ballet with Dancing in the Streets Arizona, we held our yearly Gospel Jubilee, featuring our won Juneteenth Mass Choir, and We held the Future of Black Tucson, with 9 young students. We sponsored “Sip and See” at the Blue Lotus Artist Collective, We held an Art Studio production with Living 2 portraits, Fletcher Harris and the Drawing studio, and of course, our signature festival held at Kino Sports Complex. We host men’s talking circles each month, at different locations in Tucson
In my everyday life, I am the Transition coordinator for Pima County School District CAPE School, which is a school located in the juvenile detention facility and the Pima County Jail. I assist the students in getting prepared to leave jail by ensuring they have educational, vocational, and employment opportunities upon release. I am a retired correctional Administrator with over 20 years of service with the AZ Department of Juvenile Corrections. I am on my second term as President of the Delta Alpha Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternit Inc., I am the Treasurer for Boys to Men of Tucson,

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Resilience
​Resilience stands out as a vital quality in navigating both personal and professional challenges.​ It enables individuals to recover from setbacks, adapt to change, and maintain a positive outlook amidst adversities. Developing resilience is about embracing challenges, viewing them as opportunities for growth, and seeking support from a network of family, friends, or mentors during tough times. Regular self-reflection and adapting strategies from past experiences are also crucial for strengthening resilience.

Self-Discipline
Self-discipline is essential for achieving goals and maintaining focus on long-term objectives. It allows individuals to prioritize tasks, manage their time effectively, and resist distractions that could derail their efforts. To cultivate self-discipline, one should set clear, achievable goals and create structured routines to follow. Emphasizing accountability by sharing goals with others can also foster discipline, as it encourages consistent effort and commitment toward one’s objectives.

Effective Communication
Effective communication is a cornerstone skill that significantly impacts personal and professional growth. It involves not only articulating one’s thoughts clearly but also actively listening and engaging with others. To improve communication skills, individuals should practice active listening, seek constructive feedback, and engage in role-playing exercises to simulate different scenarios. Additionally, working on emotional intelligence helps individuals navigate complex interactions, fostering understanding and collaboration.
For individuals early in their journey, focusing on developing resilience involves stepping outside their comfort zones and actively seeking new challenges. Establishing a solid support network to share experiences and gather insights can strengthen resilience.

To build self-discipline, creating a daily routine that prioritizes time management, along with setting clear Personal Development Goals, is key. Engaging in consistent practice and monitoring progress against these goals helps individuals cultivate the discipline necessary for long-term success.

Finally, honing effective communication skills can be accomplished through various avenues such as participating in public speaking workshops, engaging in discussions that challenge one’s perspectives, and developing active listening techniques. Continuously reflecting on and refining communication styles will lead to improved personal interactions and professional relationships

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

We are actively seeking collaboration with a diverse range of individuals and organizations, including community leaders, non-profit organizations, businesses, government agencies, and academic institutions.​ These collaborators should share a commitment to addressing social issues, enhancing community impact, and promoting meaningful initiatives that align with our mission. The primary goals of these collaborations will include establishing common aims that contribute to specific projects or initiatives. This could involve cross-functional projects aimed at tackling complex community challenges, sharing resources and expertise, and creating sustainable solutions that positively impact the community.
Phone: 5204758074-
Email- [email protected]
Email- [email protected]
Email- [email protected]
Facebook- Tucson Juneteenth Festival
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website- tucsonjune19.org

Contact Info:

Image Credits

j3 photography tucson, AZ

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