Word of the Day: Tenacity (CRC) | Boost Your Son’s Reading Confidence Instantly with These 5 Tenacity Tips
- Antonio Brown
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
At The Competitive Readers Coalition (CRC), we believe that words are more than just ink on a page: they are the building blocks of a young man’s future. In the vibrant community of St. Petersburg and across Pinellas County, we see incredible potential in every young boy who walks into a barbershop or sits down with a new book. But we also know that the journey to literacy isn't always a smooth path. It requires a specific kind of grit, a relentless spirit that refuses to let go of a goal until it’s achieved.
Today, we are diving deep into a word that defines the very heart of our mission and the incredible resilience of the youth we serve.
The Word of the Day: Tenacity
When we talk about the success of our young men, we aren't just talking about passing a test or finishing a chapter. We are talking about the transformative power of staying the course.
What is Tenacity?
According to Merriam-Webster, tenacity is defined as the quality or state of being tenacious: which means to be persistent in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired. It’s that firm, unwavering hold on a goal, even when the obstacles seem high.
The Origin (Etymology)
The word roots back to the Latin term tenācitās, derived from tenāx, meaning "tending to hold fast." This comes from the verb tenēre, which simply means "to hold." In our world, tenacity is the act of holding fast to your brilliance, your identity, and your future.
Application in Success
“The young scholar demonstrated remarkable tenacity by sounding out every syllable of the challenging text, eventually mastering the story and inspiring his peers in the barbershop.”
Meet Professor Antonio (CRC)
Our resident expert on all things literacy and character, Professor Antonio, is here to remind us that "holding fast" isn't just about strength; it's about strategy. When we approach reading with a "Boardroom Mindset," we treat every difficult word as a challenge to be conquered, not a reason to quit.
Professor Antonio knows that for many of our boys, the classroom can sometimes feel like a place where they aren't seen. That’s why CRC brings the learning to trusted community spaces like barbershops. We are snipping away at illiteracy by creating environments where tenacity is celebrated and reading is synonymous with cool.
Why Tenacity is the Secret to Reading Confidence
We often hear from parents in St. Pete that their sons are "reluctant readers." But often, what looks like a lack of interest is actually a fear of failure. When a young man encounters a word he doesn’t know, or a sentence structure that feels like a maze, it can be discouraging. Without tenacity, that discouragement can lead to disengagement: a trend that, if left unchecked, contributes to the school-to-prison pipeline.
By teaching our boys to embrace tenacity, we are giving them the tools to dismantle those barriers. We aren't just teaching them to read; we are teaching them to lead. We are empowering them to see themselves as the scholars and CEOs they are destined to be.
5 Tenacity Tips to Boost Your Son’s Reading Confidence Instantly
If you want to help your son build the "reading muscles" necessary for lifelong success, here are five ways to foster tenacity at home and in the community:
1. Normalize the "Struggle"
Tenacity doesn't mean finding things easy; it means staying with things when they are hard. When your son hits a difficult paragraph, don't rush to give him the answer immediately. Encourage him to sit with the challenge for thirty seconds. Remind him that every great leader: from the barbershop to the boardroom: had to struggle through something before they mastered it.
2. Connect Literacy to Generational Wealth
At CRC, we’ve added a 5th pillar to our program: Financial Literacy and Homeownership (in partnership with LMCU). We tell our youth that reading is the first step toward "Building Generational Wealth through Literacy and Ownership." When a boy understands that mastering a text today helps him understand a mortgage or a business contract tomorrow, his tenacity finds a new, powerful purpose.
3. Find Culturally Responsive Stories
It is much easier to be tenacious when you see yourself in the story. Ensure your son has access to books where the characters look like him, live in communities like his, and face challenges he recognizes. When a child sees a hero that reflects his own identity, he is far more likely to "hold fast" until the final page.
4. Celebrate the Process, Not Just the Grade
We love a good report card, but tenacity is built in the quiet moments of effort. If you see your son re-reading a page he didn't understand the first time, praise that specific action. "I love the tenacity you showed by going back and making sure you understood that part." This reinforces that persistence is a value in itself.
5. Transition from the Shop to the Professional World
Remind your son that the skills he uses in our FROM THE BARBERSHOP TO THE BOARDROOM program are the same ones he’ll use in his career. Whether he’s in our Youth Workforce Development and Training program or just getting a "Competitive Readers Cut," he is "Equipping the Next Generation of Leaders." Reading with tenacity is the ultimate training for the professional world.
Building a Future of Ownership and Excellence
Our mission at The Competitive Readers Coalition isn't just about books; it’s about the holistic development of our young men. By focusing on literacy, civic engagement, and enrichment, we are creating a foundation that lasts a lifetime.
When we partner with organizations like LMCU for our Financial Literacy and Homeownership Program, we are showing our families that literacy is the key to the front door of their own homes. We want our boys to grow up not just as readers, but as owners and community pillars.
From the Barbershop to the Boardroom
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single word. Our program, FROM THE BARBERSHOP TO THE BOARDROOM, is designed to bridge the gap between where our youth are and where they are going. We provide the mentorship, the culturally responsive education, and the safe spaces they need to thrive.
Through our Youth Workforce Development and Training, we are specifically focused on transitioning youth from the familiar comfort of the shop to the high-stakes environment of the professional world. This transition requires: you guessed it: tenacity.
How to Get Started
Ready to see your son's confidence soar? We make it easy for families in St. Petersburg and throughout Florida to join the movement. Follow these steps to get started with CRC:
Register at crcbooks.org/getinvolved
Wait for a confirmation email from our team.
Download the Booksy app on your smartphone.
Book your son's “Competitive Readers Cut” at a participating barbershop.
A Final Thought on Holding Fast
Tenacity is the difference between a dream and a reality. When we teach our young men to hold fast to their education, we are ensuring that they can never be held back by the world. We are building a vibrant, inspiring future where every young man in our community has the acumen, the sagacity, and the tenacity to lead.
Join us in this movement. Let’s keep snipping away at illiteracy, one word and one haircut at a time.
Connect with us and stay updated on our mission: Follow us on LinkedIn
Comments