Why should African Americans join the Peace Corps?

by: bpayne1
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Word Count: 233

The Peace Corps is an ideal opportunity to gain international experience and exposure. For many of us (African Americans), living and working overseas is something we never conceptualize. It is a totally foreign idea. Some of us also believe joining the Peace Corps is not for us. However, while serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer I discovered that my American “blackness” needed to be shared with the host country nationals that I worked with. It was essential that I represented the true essence of what it is to be an African American man. I desperately wanted to convey to them that I was not a thug or a rapper like many of them assumed because of American media portrayals. They needed to know that I was a black man who obeyed the law and cared about something other than BET. Joining the Peace Corps is our (African Americans) opportunity to dispel the continued stereotypes while sharing our expertise with the developing world. It is an opportunity to acquire a unique outlook on the world and its issues that can be eradicated through devotion and service. And, it is an opportunity for African Americans to bring back a rich experience that will hopefully encourage them to continue serving humanity.

Brian E. Payne

Physical Education Curriculum Specialist

Antigua, Eastern Caribbean

1994-1996

About the Author

Brian E. Payne, Peace Corps regional Recruitment Coordinator, served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Antigua 1994-1996.

A native of Thomasville, NC, Brian received his bachelor’s in Physical Education/Health at High Point University and a master’s in Divinity from Howard University. While at High Point, Brian was a dynamic campus leader and he became a Five-Time Track and Field All-American, and received an invitation to compete in the 1991 Olympic Track & Field Trials.

Immediately upon graduating from High Point University, Payne worked for the YMCA of Thomasville as a Youth Fitness Director, with an array of responsibilities ranging from teen health fitness to adult fitness.

After one year at the YMCA, he entered the Peace Corps. In Antigua, Payne was responsible for developing and implementing a Physical Education curriculum. He also worked as a Peace Corps trainer for incoming trainees, host country teachers, and host government community leaders.

In his current service with the Peace Corps, Brian has served as the Recruitment Coordinator/Manager for the Atlanta Peace Corps Recruiting Office. He is responsible for coordinating all recruitment activities within six states and two United States territories. Prior to the Recruitment Coordinator/Manager position, Brian served in various capacities within Peace Corps. As a testament to his leadership qualities and productivity Brian has been granted the maximum tour of service (8 ˝ years).

He is a devoted father of one, a prolific writer (several of his writings have been published), and he is currently working on completing his first book of commentaries.

Brian can be reached at 404-562-3468 or by email at bpayne1@peacecorps.gov.

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