Lansing - Thursday morning, more than 100 Lansing middle- and high-school students assembled to be inspired.

The Lansing chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity hosted its 16th annual Youth Workshop for young black men at Harry Hill High School, 5815 Wise Road in Lansing.

The professional fraternity brought in three speakers, as well as a number of local black dignitaries, including doctors, police officers and businessmen.

"Whether you want to be a rapper, a musician, if you want to play sports, you have to have a plan," Phi Beta Sigma Vice President Edward Forrest said. Forrest also served as chairman of the workshop.

The Lansing chapter of Phi Beta Sigma is comprised of college graduates.

The first speaker of the morning was Wayne Lynn, a manager for Consumers Energy. His program, "Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan," stressed the importance of having a game plan, using the analogy of a football playbook.

"If all you guys just showed up on the football field and just played football, I bet you'd lose," he said.

De'Lano Jackson, a 12-year-old student at Sankofa Shule Middle School, said he found the speeches informative and interesting.

"They really inspire me to do better, because I'm not doing that well in school," he said.

Lynn shared his program with Eric Thomas, a staff member in the Office of Racial Ethnic Student Affairs at MSU. He also is, pursuing a graduate degree in K-12 educational administration. Thomas shared his experience of dropping out of high school at 16 and eventually coming to college.

"It's OK if you stumble at first. You can get your posture, find your stride and win that race," he said.

The final speaker of the morning was Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III. He stressed the importance of achieving despite growing up with life obstacles.

"I'm no different than you. If I can become prosecutor, then you can become much more," Dunnings said.

Dunnings' presentation, "Decisions for Your Future," focused on choices that young people make, especially relating to his job.

"It seems like people think all the prosecutor wants to do is convict people. My job isn't to convict people; my job is to do what's fair," he said.

Dunnings also warned the students that wrong decisions have serious consequences.

"I hear a lot of kids say, 'Oh, I wasn't thinking.' You're at an age where it doesn't matter whether you think or not," he said.

London McGuire, a student at Everett High School, 3900 Stabler St. in Lansing, said he enjoyed the workshop.

"I thought it was pretty good. I'm glad they're here doing what they're doing," the 15-year-old said.