Ocala, Fla. — A mirror obviously reflects what we see on the outside.

But Ocala native Jamie Gilmore Jr., co-founder of Kut Different Inc., believes using a mirror as an analogy can help young men see what’s on the inside — and help them, through an honest self-appraisal, recognize changes they can make to improve the world for themselves and those around them.

That includes youths on their journey of self-discovery into manhood, as well as young adult men who think they have arrived but still seek ways to model their behavior to positively influence the generation behind them.

The Florida Department of Health in Marion County’s BRAZEN program, whose mission is to educate young people on risk avoidance, is helping in this endeavor by sponsoring a free workshop and dinner for adults and youth age 11 or older.

The theme is “Man in the Mirror – a conversation for men, by men.” Gilmore is the featured speaker.

The event is scheduled from 5:30–8 p.m. April 26 at the Webber Center at the College of Central Florida, 3001 S.W. College Rd. in Ocala.

Dinner will be served, and giveaways will be provided.

“I am doing this event because we are living in a world full of distractions. Most men and young men are walking around aimlessly not reaching their full potential. This is a time for every one of the men and young men that will be present to stop and take a look at the men in the mirror,” said Gilmore.

“I want each individual to leave with a burning desire to find the answers to two questions: Who am I? Where am I going? I will give participants strategies and tools to be able to find the answers to these questions and empower them to go out and conquer the man in the mirror.”

Kut Different, an Ocala-based nonprofit, is dedicated to helping young men see their potential and harness that for positive development into a productive adulthood. The organization has found that young men frequently lack someone who can help them with what Kut Different refers to as GAME — which stands for Guidance, Attention, Motivation, Education.

Gilmore realized his passion for coaching young men in finding their talents and helping them locate opportunities to apply them when he worked for two years as an adviser at the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center in Chicago.

Prior to that, he graduated from North Marion High School, and attended Temple University, where he played football for three years and earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in Human Resource Management. After graduating from Temple, Gilmore transferred to Western Illinois University to finish his athletic eligibility. In 2018, he earned a master’s degree in Sport Management, which led to his job at the Brooks Center.

Preregistration for the “Man in the Mirror” is recommended, but not required. To register or to learn more, call 352-644-2687.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.