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James Muhammad

44 Miles for Change

(BALTIMORE - BlackNews.com - December 26, 2008) - On Tuesday, November 4th, James Muhammad went to his local polling place in Baltimore to vote for the first time. Something about Barack Obama had given him hope and he didn't want to miss the opportunity to cast his vote for real change. That day, he promised himself that if Barack Obama won, he'd return to his community to do his small part in affecting change in the community where he lived. Of course, everyone remembers the events of November 4th and 5th, with the feelings and great affect that Barack Obama's historic win had on each of us.

For James, it confirmed that anything is possible. So, two days later, he began forming his plan. It was something he wanted to do before his mother took ill in 2006. James decided he would run 44-miles in celebration, honor, and recognition of Barack Obama's historic election as the 44th President of the United States. He would use this event as a way to show the youth in Baltimore City and all people that anything is possible.

Still, running 44 miles was not enough. So, he decided to add other challenges. In keeping with the theme "44 for Change," he decided he would read 44 books in 2009, pray and meditate for 44 straight hours in 2009, fast for 44 days, visit 44 local schools to talk with youth, give over $4,400 to four worthy local charities, volunteer 44 hours in 2009, and most importantly -- get 144,000 youth in Baltimore and nationwide to take a 4-Point Pledge to better themselves.

All of these efforts will lead up to his 44-mile run on October 11, 2009. James is training to run a full marathon, as well as an additional 18 miles in this ultra-distance effort. The idea had originally developed as a 40-mile run in 2005, but was put on-hold indefinitely due to the illness and eventual passing of his late mother. Now, James is determined to take-up the challenge. And, while he did run the Inaugural Baltimore Marathon nine years ago, he faces the challenge preparing to complete the run with only 10-months of training. While he hasn't run any distance over two miles in nearly eight years, James is confident he will be ready and able to run the 44-miles in October.

James believes that the bigger challenge is to convince businesses and organizations to invest in the youth by partnering with him in this campaign. He plans on using his experience in promotions and urban digital and print marketing in attracting youth and encouraging them to follow through on their pledge to better themselves. "We want to give away gift cards, gift bags, and discount coupons, in addition to all the promotional items we will offer when we make local appearances. Yes! We have a game-plan. We also plan to recruit athletes, entertainers, and professionals to share their experiences, lessons they've learned, and to promote the campaign by doing 1-minute YouTube spots." James says that his pledge is to do all that he can to ensure as many youth as possible become part of 'the serious effort to make a change for the better.' "I try to imagine the effect that raising the collective consciousness of our youth just a little will have on the whole community and the future of our city."

On December 20th, James began his 44-day milk fast. "With the fast being 44 days, I only have two shots at completing that part. If I don't do it this winter, I'll have to try again, right after the 44-mile run in October. I didn't want the fast to negatively impact my training. That's what success is all about. You have to figure out a way to make it happen, regardless of the circumstances." The official launch date for the campaign is January 1, 2009, but James is already hard at work laying the ground-work for the official launch. He plans to chronicle his journey toward completing the effort through YouTube videos on his daily blog.

The contact information for James Muhammad appears below:

James Muhammad
220 S. Carey St.
Baltimore, MD 21223
443-570-0087
info@44forchange.com
www.44forchange.com (Official Website)
www.44tv.blogspot.com (Daily Journal Updates)

Tags: community