(WSB Radio) They called it "a Bill Cosby moment" when an Atlanta judge cleared whites from his courtroom to lecture black youth last month. Thursday evening, Bill Cosby joins that judge for an invitation-only "fireside chat" with at-risk Atlanta teens.

WSB's Veronica Waters reports Fulton County Superior Court Judge Marvin Arrington asked white lawyers to leave, then dressed down the black defendants who were gathered in the courtroom when he emerged from his chambers.

"It was spontaneous," Arrington tells WSB. "I was sitting there literally with tears in my eyes."

Though some criticized him for excluding white people from the lecture, Arrington—who is black—denied any racist intent and explained he didn't want to appear condescending when he candidly urged the suspects to take a hard look at the way their lives are going before it was too late.

About three weeks ago, Arrington says, the comic, author and humanitarian called him in his office.

"When my secretary told me it was Bill Cosby, I actually thought she was saying it in jest," he says. "And I said, 'I'm extremely busy; I don't have time to play.' And she said, 'Judge, Bill Cosby's on the phone.'"

Picking up the call, Arrington says Cosby told him he'd heard His Honor's comments—and liked them. He suggested the two get together and do some type of forum to help young people.

Cosby and Arrington, who share a common concern and hope for today's young adults, conceived this invitation-only event for children identified by area juvenile courts and school systems as "at risk" of failure in school and in life. Cosby has spoken publicly about irresponsible parenting and its effect on black youth. He was criticized by some for "airing dirty laundry" of the black community. The two leaders and surprise guests will share what it took to reach the pinnacle of success and how, if these young people are willing to get an education, maintain their health and avoid violence, they too can be winners.

Arrington says the event will be a show-and-tell of those who overcame hardscrabble backgrounds with hard work, and went on to find success. Several will be those Arrington, who also grew up poor on Atlanta's streets, mentored himself.

"The point of it is, if you work hard and try to put your best foot forward, you in fact can be somebody," Arrington says.

A new initiative to advocate for the success of at-risk children will be announced at the conclusion of the evening, which will be held at Mays High School.

"If we do not stop, do an assessment, and turn this thing around, we're all doomed for failure," Arrington says. "I refuse to give up. I'm gonna stand on the wall."

Thursday, 24 April 2008