Southeast native gives boys gift of knowledge

It was like a cycle. As soon as "Black History Almanac" Harold "Ike" Foster was released after a five-year prison sentence on drug related charges in 2005, his son was incarcerated for gun illegal possession.That saddened Foster, who had been looking forward to being with his son. They won't be reunited until 2010.

Instead of wallowing in misery, Foster has turned his energy to keeping youth in the Southeast out of prison's way. A lot of what he does with children in his native Southeast is to give back and make up for the time he lost with his son.

Foster, 58, has mentored over 30 children. When people hear what the children, ranging in ages 4 to15 years old, can recite, most are dismayed by the kids' knowledge of history.