YOUTH EXPLOSION SPEAKERS
Born to an unwed teenager who at one time considered abortion as a viable option for solving her “problem,” Reggie Dabbs considers himself fortunate to be alive. With no place to go, the pregnant teenager ended up living in a chicken coop in Tennessee. It was there she remembered a former school teacher, Mrs. Dabbs, who had said to her students, “If you ever need anything, call me,” and gave the students her home phone number. The girl called.
Mrs. Dabbs and her husband, whose six children were adults by this time, took the girl into their home and cared for her until after the baby was born. They continued to care for little Reggie as foster parents until he was in the fourth grade, and then they officially adopted him and gave him the Dabbs name. As the Dabbs’ reared Reggie, they instilled in him strong moral values, for which he is genuinely grateful. They also ingrained in him the fact that in every situation he faced, he had a choice. What he did with those choices was entirely up to him. In the sixth grade, Reggie began playing the saxophone and hated it. At the insistence of his parents he continued to practice and to play. Not until his freshman year in college did he actually enjoy the instrument, and today, he plays with fervor and expertise. After graduating from college, Reggie began his public speaking. During one speaking engagement, his host asked if he would be interested in addressing a high school assembly. From that small beginning in 1987, Reggie has become a popular public school speaker.
When addressing a school assembly, Reggie talks to the kids in a humorous style about choices each of them has when faced with drugs, alcohol, suicide, etc. Reggie gets in kids faces and tells them that he never smoked a cigarette, never did drugs, never drank alcohol, because he chose not to. He assures them that they can make the same kinds of choices. Reggie talks to kids about family and how thankful they should be that they have families. He talks to them about dating relationships and emphasizes that virginity is the most honorable choice. Most of all, Reggie drives home the fact that “You can never change your past, but you can change your future!” From being a “Problem” to an unwed teenager, Reggie is fast becoming one of the most in-demand speakers who helps teenagers meet their problems head-on and overcome them.
Reggie makes his home in Ft. Myers, Florida with his wife Michele and their son Dominic.
Today’s youth are bombarded by messages of what it takes to be cool. For some, cool is being in a gang, for others, it’s drugs, alcohol, or sex.
Pastor Preston believes that teenagers need to find out who they are before they can make sound choices for their future. They need to know what they believe in, what they are good at doing and what their goals and dreams are.
Pastor P’s message is aimed at helping young people figure out what their dreams are, inspiring them to achieve their goals, and encouraging them to be true to themselves instead of sacrificing their goals to peer pressure, violence or victimization.
Preston’s sincere desire is to help youth overcome adversity. He excels in helping troubled kids, because he shows them acceptance, love, and respect. The more troubled they are, the more success he seems to have in relating to them and empowering the message of hope. His goal is to inspire the leaders of tomorrow to overcome lifes challenges.
“Whether there are problems in their home, their school, or their neighborhood. I want to make our communities a better place to live for all of us. ” – Preston