What's In Your Bag

S e n I o r S e r v i c e s

Tonight finished the township of Woodbridge Senior Olympics. I had a ball watching, and in some cases, participating in activities. I joined the WCC because of the multiple services they provide for their residents, seniors, and community. During the week, they offer services that focus on the health and wellbeing of their seniors and residents. I believe Woodbridge can be seen as a great senior model for other municipalities to duplicate. I love where I live, and it has many perks. However, I can only wish that my town do more for our seniors. ❤️

woodbridgecommunitycenter

B a c k T o S c h o o l

Today, MAN VILLAGE Men’s Support Group had the honor of welcoming back to school the 2026 - 2027 Fall semester students of West Side High School. West Side High School is the home of the “Rough Riders,” and place where brothers Keith Sheppard, Tracey Brown, Melvin Little, Ras Sheppard, Lee Hamlet, Kenny Hill, and several of Man Village’s men are alumni. With pride and joy, we supported, greeted, and wished every student well as they entered the building.

To Principal Akbar Cook, Partnership for West Side High School President/CEO Rasheen “Pep” Peppers, and the entire West Side High School administrative staff and personnel, MAN VILLAGE Men’s Support Group extends our gratitude for affording us the opportunity You shipped alumni to further serve our community. We look forward to learning other ways to support your mission.

Thank you,

Keith Sheppard
West Side Alumni

William Michael Barbee
F a c i l i t a t o r
MAN VILLAGE
Men’s Support Group

Keith Sheppard Akbar Cook Rasheen Peppers

Gratitude matters!

He Rose so that we could Shine.  Today, The Moral of the story is all about gratitude. For nearly two weeks, I could barely walk without a cane, due to a pickleball injury and a recent condition with my hips. Instead of thinking about what I could not do, I became very grateful for all God is allowing me to do with what I have. So, life and good health can be fleeting. I suggest you use it to the fullest before you lose it. Have a blessed and safe day celebrating your health and life. ❤️🚴🏾‍♀️👌🏾

- I started down by the World Trade Center
- Chased a tugboat pushing a barge up the Hudson River.
- I caught up to it at the George Washington Bridge.
- Go figure. 😂😂🤷🏾‍♂️
- I ran into “Big George,” one of my Man Village and lil brother Daniel Morteh’s cycling partners. The world is small. He rode over to the City from Elizabeth, NJ. ❤️🚴🏿‍♂️
- Rode through Harlem
- Took photo at the Apollo
- Entered Central Park
- Circled park
- Rode down Broadway through Time Square
- Re-Entered West Side Hwy
- I completed 31.2 miles cycling
- Heading back to Jersey and begin my day. ❤️🚴🚴🏾‍♀️👌🏾

S e l f - C a r e

Through exercising, I prioritize my self-care. Since injury has kept me off the pickleball courts, cycling remains my go to. Even though it’s counterintuitive to cycle through Times Square, I love the adrenaline rush of it all. It’s a best way to experience nature, the world, people, and places without going far. I was also able to capture many videos and photographs along the way. Today’s cycling took me over to the City where I rode the West Side Hwy, Central Park, Time Square, then back to the West Side Highway. It was refreshing.
😉❤️🚴🏾‍♀️🚴🚴🏿‍♂️👌🏾

Good morning!

In order to Leave More Than You Take, you MUST be intentional about making someone else’s day great. So, my daily affirmation is to sow deeds of kindness and seeds of love into the paths of strangers. ❤️

I Love You!

Mike
❤️🤚🏾

Work Hard. Play Hard. ❤️

Work hard. Play hard is an overused phrase. However, when it comes to me and Jamal, we have a long history of completing tasks while crunching time. It is always easy and lots of fun working with my 6’6” baby bruh Jamal. What makes these pictures different is, Jamal and big bruh Al, both work hard at not smiling in photos. So, while intensely working on our present project, I got him to loosen up and laugh. I love my bruh. 😂 ❤️🙏🏾

Brotherofcolor

M A N V I L L A G E

I am blessed with an extraordinary constituency of 216 accountability partners. Separately, and together, we network, fellowship, and break bread beyond the walls of our safe spaces. Here, I am blessed with fellow MAN VILLAGE brothers Al Spearman and Keith Sheppard. Keep shining fellas, and let’s keep enjoying the process. I love you guys. ❤️

Mike
❤️🙏🏾

MAN VILLAGE. Men’s Support Group Keith Sheppard

Good morning,

Years ago while selling Amway projects, I would say, “In life, most of us do not plan to fail. We fail to plan.” Today with more maturity and life experiences, my list has gotten longer. I have added, “We fail to set short-term obtainable goals, and execute them. We fail to connect shortfalls to our end goal and Purpose. We fail to listen and write down the notes God sends us daily. We fall our faith test every time we choose not to trust God through the process. Look here, let’s view failure as another way God allows us to be humbled and slowed down, in order to get our attention. ❤️

Our lives have been designed to have some pitfalls and failures. We fail ourselves when we choose not to experience failure. It is key to remember that many our lessons are hidden in each shortfall, pitfall, and derailment we experience. Failure is a small, and can be painful part of the building blocks towards our victory. We cannot afford to allow those small failures to become our identities or end goal. Failure is also hidden in our incremental wins. Each time an incremental goal is reached, we inadvertently reverse the tables of failure. So, whatever you do, when derailments intersect your plans, don’t quit on yourself. Those earlier lessons will resurface as “wisdom and experience” when other unforeseen obstacles cross your path. So, allow yourself grace to fail and opportunities to win. Your identity is bigger and better than your last mistake. ❤️

Have a great day. I love you!

Mike
❤️🤚🏾

Good morning

As you go throughout this day, speak life over yourself and be kind to others. You could never know what it took for that someone else to put a smile on your face. That’s why it is so important to make this an intention-filled day sowing deeds of kindness and seeds of love into the paths of strangers. Lastly, always remember, Love Forgives and Forgiveness Loves. ❤️

I Love You!

Mike
❤️🤚🏾

F r i e n d s h i p s

Alan and I have been hanging in there for nearly 30 years, if not more. We first met as season ticket holders for the NBA NETS basketball team. During and since that time, we make it a point to break bread and fellowship at least 1 to 3 times a month. If the NBA season is in play, it’s more frequently. We talk about family, business, politics, religion, sports, and world affairs. In all, we love and respect the other’s company and are grateful to God for allowing our paths to cross. ❤️

Tonight’s dinner was at La Pergola restaurant in Millburn, NJ. We chose La Pergola because it’s one of our favorite local eateries. In addition, it is family owned and operated. The wife is the chef whose food is great and perfectly seasoned. The husband and 22 year old son are the hosts who ensure the customer service is impeccable. So, if you are looking for good Northern Italian style food, I highly recommend La Pergola Restaurant.  ❤️👌🏾