Sunday, March 16, 2008

Upcoming Called2Action Programs (Updated)

March 16, 2008 Af- American Women and the Challenges they Encounter In Their Political Lives with Councilwomen Sharie Sample-Hughes and Eshanie Shields.
March 23, 2008 Currently Open
March 30, 2008 African Americans and Proper Mental Health with Dr. Chappelle
April 6th, 2008 Out of the Mouth of Our Youth
April 13, 2008 Why Are the Brothers Chasing White Women with Author Rajen Persaud.
April 20, 2008 Gang Violence In Los Angeles and the Implications for Other Parts of the County with Author Tony Moreno (Part 1).
April 27, 2008 Continuation of April 20, 2008 program from a Regional Perspective Guest Officer Bill Harden (Part II).

Monday, March 10, 2008

An Inspiring Presentation with Barrington Irving

One of the most touching and heart felt interviews I've had on the Called2Action program was this past week, with Barrington Irving. Barrington flew around the world in a single engine plane by himself. A few points that stuck with me from our conversation. He was inspired by a mentor -- a black pilot. First time seeing one. He was not able to get financial help from his own people, so he got help elsewhere. When he started on his flight he only had $30 in his pocket. He also said his next project will be having kids build a plane from scratch and he would fly it. When asked what motivated him to fly around the world, he said I had nothing to lose. Though I'm twice Barrington's age, and spend much of my time trying to inspire others, on this night I was inspired by young Barrington Irving.

Thursday, March 06, 2008

Youthful African American Flies Solo Around the World

Fear of heights? Well, Well, This week my guest is 23 year old Barrington Irving, who in a single engine plane flew around our planet, by himself. 26,000 miles. Wow!!! We'll not only talk about his venture, we will also talk about the inner potential that we each have within us, and how to go about watering it so that it grows and takes us to heights we've never flown before. Join us. Here is Barrington's website.

Radical Community Organizing

One of the best community organizers and community movers and shakers I know joined me via high technology this past weekend. Billy Gene Jackson, leading a group of concern community activists was responsible for our region moving away from an large approach to governance to a district form that features a minority district. Billy, joining us from Florida, shared that to be an organizer you must be willing to make a sacrifice, have a leader with a vision, have people of like minds involved. Like mindedness helps to controls the trust factor in the group. Members of the group must be willing to go along with the majority ruling. The fundamental purpose of community organizing is to change policies, laws and institutions that are not working for us. Billy cited some good examples to substantiate his comments.