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http://www.bmorenews.com/blog/the-glover-report-what-happens-we-we-work-together.shtmlThe Glover Report: THE POWER OF ONE: What Happens We We Work Together: Black, Brown, and Otherwise
During a stop in Wilmington yesterday, we had the distinct pleasure of meeting Leonard Young, the founder and creator of www.DelawareBlack.com.
Meeting Mr. Young, to say the least, was so refreshing, so powerful, so encouraging. He is a reminder that one is not alone. Even though the battle to build black businesses can sometimes be challenging, Young’s work clearly shows the power of one.
“Rather than focus on what we don’t have and what we can’t do, instead focus on what we do have and what we can do.” – Munir Bahar
(WILMINGTON - February 25, 2011) - Something beautiful happens when one can look beyond one’s own circumstances. And God forbid one getting on 95, driving a bit, and venturing beyond the beltway either north or south of Baltimore. Growing up in majority black Baltimore, one’s view can easily become myopic. Jaded even.
However, just 45 minutes to the south is the nation’s capital. Another majority black city, DC too is inundated with influences and contributions of other ethnic groups – including indigenous Americans, Latinos, and Asians.
And so, 2011 has been a year of expansion for this little news engine that could. Hence, we have traversed up and down 95. To the north, our year has included visits to both Philadelphia and Wilmington. We have also touched South Jersey.
At each stop, our agenda has remained the same: black business; public education; ex-offender services; affordable housing; and universal access to health care.
Interestingly, Pres. Barack Obama, at one juncture or another, has also embraced this agenda. The President’s effort to push health care reform is common to all. And to their credit, Maryland’s Gov. Martin O’Malley and Congressman Elijah Cummings both have made the mortgage lending crisis a top priority. While Cummings recently held another mortgage workshop out at Woodlawn High School, just yesterday I heard another O’Malley commercial on Radio One telling people how to find help if they are falling behind on their mortgage.
As for ex-offenders, BMORENEWS was informed yesterday that progress, however small, is being made in Wilmington. One Village Alliance’s founder and Executive Director Chandra Pitts announced funding for their soon-to-open haberdashery for men coming home from prison.
Pitts’ entity, which is also the creator of The Village Learning Center, has been a shining example of what it takes to move children towards educational excellence and improved academic achievement. Running a number of after-school programs in Wilmington and South Jersey, Pitts and her dedicated staff are demonstrating what can happen when youngsters receive the necessary and adequate educational attention. To hear her teachers talk about success stories of students who have gone on to college and yet find the time to write letters detailing their appreciation for the attention they received is ever so warming to the heart.
Couple Pitts’ personal efforts with that of Wilmington’s Seandra Simms’ (Editor of Wilmington-based AllHipHop.com and Simms PR) efforts to engage young people – even if it takes the musical genre of Hip hop, and one might quickly realize that despite the negativity that surrounds us, despite the perpetual bad news about black and brown children going to prison over college, despite the teen murders that muddy the news every week – there is hope.
And as for business, well – BMORENEWS.com has been blazing trails to the neighboring black business communities - including Prince George’s and Montgomery counties in Maryland, Washington DC, and Alexandria – so as to strengthen the bridges and the relationships necessary for economic cooperation.
During a stop in Wilmington yesterday, we had the distinct pleasure of meeting Leonard Young, the founder and creator of www.DelawareBlack.com.
Meeting Mr. Young, to say the least, was so refreshing, so powerful, so encouraging. He is a reminder that one is not alone. Even though the battle to build black businesses can sometimes be challenging, Young’s work clearly shows the power of one.
I would be remiss if I left out our recent interview in DC with another black business advocate – quite possibly the top man in the nation, Ron Busby. Busby is the Executive Director of the U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce. A fledgling organization, Busby’s goal is to ultimately unite the black chambers from around the country on a five-point agenda which includes education and black business advocacy. At a recent informal meeting at his home, I was blessed to meet some of the presidents of chambers from around the country. To say the least, I was thoroughly impressed … and encouraged.
Lastly, I have to acknowledge my friend and colleague in Philadelphia, Norm Bond. Firstly, Norm made it his business to show up on time and ready for action on Tuesday as BMORENEWS united with Sisters 4 Sisters Network, Inc. – and a number of other sponsors, including the Greater Baltimore Black Chamber of Commerce, Spectrum Enterprises, Attorney J. Wyndal Gordon, and Mike Graham’s Minority Business and Consumer Resource Directory - to present the Black Capitol Awards at Busboys and Poets in Washington, DC. As for the Black Capitol Awards, all I can say is that you should have been there. It was incredible to see the regional economic cooperation that simultaneously touched DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Alexandria. It was a very beautiful event that showed what can happen when black folks work together.
In short, there is progress being made in the region. From Maryland to DC to Virginia – to Wilmington, South Jersey and Philadelphia – BMORENEWS is on a mission to cover a broader, more regional area. Our method is the same: We use BMORENEWS, events, and most importantly – mutually beneficial relationships so as to perpetuate the larger mission.
Lastly, do know that while our core focus is on the black community – our appeal includes our Latino brothers and sisters. For the record, my grandfather was from Puerto Rico. Further, Spanish is my family’s second language. Even more, we have some Blackfoot Indian blood in the family as well.
Thus, my take on immigration reform and other matters pertaining to Latinos is different than the majority of Americans, including those who are black. Personally, while I understand the concern about Latinos working legally so as to better contribute to the American tax base, I don’t agree with the demonization most often castigated upon the Latino community. I hear comments like, “They are taking all the jobs.”
I can only shake my head. I personally believe that if a person truly wants to work, they will find a job. Like a drug addict seeking sobriety and like an entrepreneur attempting to start a business, it does take every fiber of determination within one’s soul. Hence, I am not blaming Latinos, especially, Mexicans, for their willingness to work in America. Actually, I admire their hustle. Quite often, Mexicans are showing up to do the work that others won’t do. Don’t hate the player, I say. Understand the game and learn to make it work for you. It all starts with the power of one.
'Til next time, I leave you with the words of Marcus Mosiah Garvey: "Do for self."