Unlocking the keys to grit, perseverance and student success

I had an interesting challenge Thursday morning. I was invited to talk for 10 minutes to about 40 kids taking part in a summer day program at All Peoples Church, 2600 N. 2nd St. The program is called Camp Umoja (Swahili for "unity") and it's run by a Milwaukee nonprofit called Unity in Motion.

The campers ranged from early elementary through high school ages. They spend their days doing a variety of academic and nonacademic things, with an emphasis on reading...