YOUNGSTOWN — William “Guy” Burney wants everyone to know something.

“Choices are long lasting and life changing.”

The lifelong Youngstown resident emphasized that choices are everything, but sometimes people don’t know options are out there.

“It leads to not having resources,” Burney said.

Burney said he believes every person can fulfill their purpose. There’s already something inside them, but sometimes they don’t know how to get started. Or they don’t know about their choices.

“I help create pathways and lead people,” he said.

BUILDING A FUTURE

Burney, 49, is a natural leader, something that was recognized at a young age.

“My teachers were mentors in high school who took me through leadership. They were the people who” encouraged him to get into training.

He draws on his time growing up as a black student in the Youngstown City School District.

“I was part of racial balance,” he said. “I went from the South Side and they sent me to Volney (Rogers) in middle school.”

It was something that Burney said was “one of the best things” that happened to him early on.

“I met different people. We were able to have connections and build relationships,” Burney said.

After graduating from Chaney High School in 1992, Burney’s background includes attending Youngstown State University, Eastern Gateway Community College and Malone University.

He studied criminal justice, and had a dual major in organizational leadership and project management.

LEADING THE WAY

Burney is always guiding in some capacity.

He’s been an ordained minister since 2000.

It was a calling for him, he said. “It was always a part of me.”

This year he’s the chairman of the African American Male Wellness Walk that will take place in August.

A look at his resume will reveal Burney trained for the Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management for the state of Ohio.

He went into schools around the state and built comprehensive conflict-management programs.

During weeklong training sessions with teachers and administration, Burney would teach academic and social learning skills to foster stronger communication with students.

“It was absolutely fabulous” work, Burney said.

Training also was done for students, and a lot of Burney’s work was done right in his hometown.

Students he worked with are now sprinkled around the country “doing amazing things,” he said.

There are several attorneys, pastors with large congregations, young people working in finance, educators, elected officials and a leader for the NAACP in Cleveland, Burney said.

Thinking about black history, it’s important not only to lead the way for younger generations but share information.

“This is what we’re supposed to do — give,” Burney said.

Burney also trained for an organization called On Tasc, where he went into schools and communities talking about prevention including conflict management, drugs and bullying.

He taught diversity for the Ohio Supreme Court Judicial College and diversity for police through Crisis Intervention Training. Now, he teaches diversity at Kent State University for the police academy.

LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

Since 2012, Burney has directed the Community Initiative to Reduce Violence in Youngstown, and he leads My Brother’s Keeper in the area. The latter is part of the Obama Foundation.

“We work with three levels of CIRV: prevention, intervention and intensive intervention,” he explained. Through mentorships, Burney and peers lead younger generations toward positive paths.

My Brother’s Keeper works with young people of color by teaming up with community organizations, businesses and local leaders.

With both groups, Burney and organization leaders take young people to colleges and camps around the country.

“One thing we recently did with My Brother’s Keeper, which I’m proud of, is we took (Youngstown City School District) students to the National Judicial Conference in Minnesota. We had a mock trial team and represented the entire state of Ohio,” Burney said.

That trip taught leadership and how the judicial system works.

“That’s critical for African Americans because sometimes the judicial system isn’t set up fair,” Burney said.

Showing how the judicial system works is an example of the resources Burney shows younger people.

He said his work with all kinds of organizations reinforces his firm belief of showing younger generations tools to succeed.

“It’s part of our duty,” he said, adding that it’s not just him doing the work. “I have an amazing team. I see the benefits pouring into young people.”

This spring, Burney and his team are taking a group to Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

Trips outside of the Mahoning Valley are important for students here, Burney said.

“One way I know I can do something differently is to get out and see it,” he said. “It’s a powerful tool we’ve used for years. It’s life changing.”

Many of the students Burney has taken to college visits have gone on to attend those schools.

FAMILY LIFE

Burney has been married for 22 years to Valerie, and together they have four children: William Jr., who attends John Carroll University and is studying STEM; Nia, a junior at Ursuline HIgh School; John, in seventh grade; and Joshua, a fourth-grader.

There’s a priority component in the Burney household instilled by its parents: God, family, school and extracurriculars.

“It helps prioritize our lives,” he said.

Burney and his wife don’t compare their children to others, but instead encourage them to be who they are “and let them know they are very valuable,” he said.

“Anything they set their minds to they can accomplish, but it doesn’t happen by osmosis. There’s time and effort. If they sow or plant good seeds, they get a good crop.”

WORDS OF WISDOM

No matter your race, Burney wants to instill one other piece of wisdom, especially focusing on the youth.

“Don’t spend all of your time watching someone else live their life. Live your own. Make sure you’re not wasting time.”

He means to choose between participating in life rather than watching it on social media.

“Understand the value of time. It’s our most valuable asset,” he said.