Towards a Better Understanding of Our Haitian Brothers and Sisters

Messrs. Habaki Payte, Fritz Jeudy, and Antoine LaGuerre, brothers that grew up in Haiti and now live in Salisbury, Maryland were my guest on Called2Action this week. We discussed Haiti's historical leadership role in liberating the oppressed. Haiti served as a model for the world. Today she pays a price for that. She is in economic distress; arguably the most improvished county in the Western Hemisphere. One caller felt that America is behind it. I asked the question of the role of self centered dictators of its past in this dismal economic straits.
Coming into this land of the free and the brave has brought with it many challenges and an integral part is the language barrier. We will continue the discussion in a few weeks. I am particularly interested in hearing more about this.

The Little Rock 9, Their Efforts and the Contemporary Impact

David Miller Sr., a member of the 101st Airborne Unit that was deployed by President Eisenhower to bring peace to a turbulent situation as 9 Black Student attempted to enter Central High School, was my guest this weekend (April 8, 2007). ARTICLE TO BE COMPLETED.

Are Coaches Exploiting Our Kids?

Adhim Deaveaux joined me from Mount Vernon, New York on our April 1, 2007 program. Below is a summary of our discussion.

Many coaches are more concerned with money than the welfare of our children. The attitude is to win at all cost. Coaches are more concerned with winning records than they are concerned about the welfare of their players. The stories of several functionally illiterate professional football players were discussed, i.e. Dexter Manley. A discussion pursued on how Dexter Manley and other players achieved their social status, while not being able to read. Our community cherishes the high scorer, though he/she may not be able to read. The dropout rate of several colleges was shared, i.e. Ohio State University has one of the highest dropout rates of any university in the nation. University of Maryland also has a high dropout rate. Solutions: We must “called out” coaches that are not tracking kids grades, and school behavior. Playing sports must be a means to an end. The end is to be properly educated. So what if you make 40 million dollars, but you cannot read nor write. Because this mis-educating begins at an early point in kids lives, parents must be involved in holding the schools (coaches accountable).

Continuing The Discussion on Building Wealth

We continue to tackle wealth building. Mark Townsend, a young brother that resides in Salisbury, Maryland joined me. We focused on 1) repairing credit and 2) homeownership. Many of our people still continue to struggle financially by limiting themselves financially. We stressed the importance of credit repair and talked about how to go about addressing this malady. Knowing your credit score is important. We also discussed steps to homeowership.

Upcoming Called2Action On Air Educational Seminars

Called2Action programs are generally scheduled every three months. Depending on the availability of guest some changes are made. Below is a list of topics we'll be discussing during this quarter. All guest have not confirmed nor have been identified through today.

• Credit and Homeownership March 25th 2007

• The 24 Million Dollar Slave April 1, 2007
• The Little Rock 9 and It's Contemporary Affects on Education April 8, 2007
• Aides In the Black Community April 15, 2007
• 40 Development Assests of Youth April 22, 2007
• The State of Health In Shore's Black Comm. April 29, 2007
• Building a Community ... Alice Coles May 6, 2007
• Mother's Day Celebration May 13, 2007
• Does the Church Empower or Emprison May 20, 2007
• Substance Abuse in Our Community May 27, 2007
• Closing the Digital Divide June 3, 2007
  

Return Visit With Drew Brown

After receiving several positive comments about Drew's Brown's last appearance on Called2Action, I invited Drew to a return appearance; besides our last discussion was unfinished. This time we talked about a number of different issues, --- Bill Cosby's controversial comments about our youth --- the solutions to our educational challenges. Solution according to Drew --- in my our words ---- put your money where your mouth is. Drew is a motivational speaker. If you would like to have more information on Drew, visit his website.

Highest Ranking Education Policy Makers In Region Visits Called2Action

The three men in the set are the three highest ranking policy makers in our Education system on Maryland's Eastern Shore. They were my guest this past weekend on the Called2Action radio program. Their policy making decisions affect (directly and indirectly) several hundred thousand people in our region. Here's who they are, in the lower right hand corner is Mr. Gary Mumford, President of the Worcester County Board of Education; in the lower left hand is Mr. Mark Thompson, Vice President of the Wicomico County Board of Education, and in the upper right hand corner is Rev. William Miles, Vice President of Somerset County Board of Education. We reviewed the data that showed African Americans are on the bottom of all educational endeavors in each of the county's. Dropout rates highest of any group. We discussed the 10 reasons we students are sent to the office, and here again ----- we're on the bottom of the totem pole.We discussed how the school budget is discussed, and community input. Solutions: Currently there is mentoring programs in place, and an Ombudsman. We will continue the discussion this week.

The Crisis Between African American Men & Women

The author of the book "24 Reasons Why African Americans Suffer" was my guest on February 25, 2007. Our discussion was centered around reason number 10. A summary of the program: African American men have been targetted for destruction, and the most important part of the plan involves the Black woman. Are African American females willing pawns in the conspiracy to destroy the family. Will they stay with African American men? Is it all a conspiracy? Whether it is or not we still hold the key to overcoming resulting odds. A few questions and thoughts that we discussed on the program. You may visit Jimmy's website at http://African AmericanImages.com. Thanks Brother Dumas.

Sunday February 25 2007 Called2Action Radio Program

On tonight's Called2Action radio program ------ The Crisis That Exist Between African American Men and African American Women. Join in the discussion. My brother, and author, Jimmy Dumas addresses this dilemma. Check us out on the internet. See my favorite links to the right of this page.

Isaac Mills and The Covenant In Action

Words cannot express the joy that comes to my heart when I see young African American men working in their community. Isaac Mills, picture in set, is one of those persons. Isaac spent the evening on Called2Action discussing information in the Book, The Covenant In Action. He also shared with us somethings that he's involved with in our community to help our youth. One thing in particular that struck me was his reference to his mentor, Mr. Lorenzo Hughes. Mr. Hughes encouraged him to take the ride down to Hampton to be a guest with the Covenant with Black America crew. That's awesome, isn't it. Thanks to Mr. Hughes and Mr Mills. Keep Up the tremendous work men.

The Covenant In Action ,Throughout the Nation

This Sunday (2/18/07), we will have a round table discussion on The Covenant In Action. Isaac Mills my guest, will participate in the discussion. Isaac attended the State of the Black Union held last weekend in Hampton, Virginia, so did my co-host David Miller. We'll talk about projects/stories that people across the nation have undertaken, as a result of The Covenant. We'll also talk about motivational essays from young community activitists that's making a difference in their community, and we will outline steps you can take to organize agitate, connect and act. I'll solicite calls from communities around the country (who are listening via the internet) to share their stories. Look, we have got to make our communities and our world better places for us all. This will be pleasing to God. See you on Sunday. If you want to join us on the internet look on the left hand side of my web page. You will see a link to listening to the Called2Action program. Click on that. It will take you to another page. In the upper right hand corner of that page you will see listen live, click on that and you've got it, mon.

Float Like A Drew and Sting Like A Brown!!!

My guest this week was Drew Brown, motivator, actor, musician and my brother. I didn't share with you that Drew's father, was the innovator of the phrase popularized by Muhammed Ali, "Float Like A Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee". (The title of this article is a spin off of the saying). Drew's passion for the subject was electrifying, and contagious-like. Here's some of what Drew said on the topic, "The Effects of the I Have Made It Attitude" ---- in my own words, with some personal additions. 1) The Slave Strives to Imitate the Slave Master, because that's the limit of his reality. 2) People that have "made it" --- middle and upper class --- strive to imitate the oppressor. Once that's achieved that's it. The goal has been reached. The attitude becomes I've Got Mine, Now You Get Yours. 3) Why do we use all these divisive terms, minority, blacks, African Americans? Do we know who we are? Should those who have made it assume a greater responsiblity for this lack of identity? 4) We must embrace our youth. Every youth is capable of achieving great things. Learn more about Drew at his website.

Look -- Stop Bothering Me, I've Made It, Now You Get Yours

Drew Brown, 3rd, son of Bundini Brown, Muhammed Ali's corner man will be joining me this weekend on Called2Action. We will be discussing, "The Effects of the I have Made it Attitude". Many of us pursue that which is called the American Dream, --- having an expensive car, a big house, a good salary ---- and we attain the attitude, I got mine, now you get yours. Does the Black Middle and Upper class have a responsibility of any kind, to work with those who have not made it? Drew and I will discuss this topic this weekend. You'll find Drew to be very a thinker, an optimist, a realist and entertaining. Drew Brown, this weekend.

Black On Black Crime On The Increase!!!

It seems like every week we're seeing or reading about Black on Black crime in the crossroads of the Delmarva Peninsula - Salisbury. We're sick and tired to know this "mess" is occuring; so was my guest this week, former Maryland State Police Officer Bill Harden joined me this week to help us understand what's happening. Bill cited that African Americans 15 - 30 years of age is the age group most affected, and the reasons typically are 1) Jealousy and 2) a need for belonging, - to cite two of several reasons offered. We're seeing more and more gang type activity in our rural communities, and of course the use of illegal drugs is at the heart of it all.

I hadn't thought about this methphor before or during the show, but we are on the verge of an uncivilized civil war. You think? We're in need of soldiers and amunition. This army needs you!

Are We On Our Way To A Black Social MeltDown?

A recent report says that Maryland is 7th in the Nation with Black on Black Homocide. In Wicomico County, Maryland, the hub of the Delmarva Peninsula almost weekly there is a serious Black on Black crime that occurs, (murder, assault, etc). Community response has been a rock solid zero on the rector scale of eradication. Have we adjusted ourselves to accept this "sorry" state of affairs -- or are we asleep, and are scheduled to soon wake up? Are we headed towards a social meltdown? Former State Police Officer Bill Harden talks candidly about this sorry state of affairs, and what we can do to address it.

An Evening with Dr. Dennis Kimbro

Full of passion, right to the point, and very inspiring, best known author, and educator Atlanta's Dr. Dennis Kimbro, (see picture inset) was my guest on Called2Action tonight. In summary, the good Dr. said upon his interviewing of hundreds of successful people he's seen four common threads, 1) They Dream Big 2) They Walk to the Beat of a Different Drummer ---- What is special about you that will cause you to march to the beat of a different drummer? --- 3) They say learning is life long, 4) They refused to fail.

Two things lead to prosperity 1) Marriage 2) Savings.

Teddy the Taxman Cometh

Teddy "the taxman", talked taxes last weekend, (1/21). Teddy is a regular on Baltimore's Channel 45 WBFF. He shared with us about a special one time benefit all tax payers are eligible for, as a result of an excise tax we were paying for on our telephones. This tax went to help pay for the war. Money that we obtain we should put a portion of it into an IRA, as a means of investing it. Teddy's advise was very sound. You may hear Teddy on Channel 45 every Monday morning during tax season. Here's Teddy's website.

Nationally Acclaimed Motivator and Author Dr. Dennis Kimbro Talks Success This Weekend

One of America' finest motivators, authors and educators will be joining me on Called2Action this weekend. We'll talk about what makes the great, great. How can I achieve more than I am achieving today? Visit Dr. Kimbro's website.

Called2Action Goes National and International

Called2Action will be heard throughout the United States and Internationally by the end of February 2007. This will be done through the internet. All of our guest, whether in Chicago, New York or Los Angeles will be able to hear us live and call in on our toll free line. We're excited about this.

Networking In The African American Community

Happy New Year to all. The first show of the year dealt with Networking in the African American Community. My guest was Karl V. Binns, (picture inset), an instructor at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. We discussed the definition of Networking, why it's important, why it has not been working in the African American Community.
Mr. Binn's cited that the individual must begin with a vision, a personal goal, and then develop the contacts that will nurture a mutual sharing of information with a group of people with a similar vision. This group of people should have a mssion and a plan to achieving the groups objective.

Most achievements are made through effective networking. People who have opted to get out of their comfort zone to attain their goal through networking strategies outshine their counterparts.