Three upcoming events you may want to check out this weekend, including a free women’s conference and a tribute to fashion photographers. Continue reading →
Category / Community
Gala With A Purpose: The 2011 Birmingham UNCF M.A.S.K.E.D. Fundraiser
I grew up hearing the slogan, “a mind is a terrible thing to waste,” not knowing the power behind the words.
I knew it was the catch phrase for the United Negro College Fund. Most of the time when I was growing up, it meant Lou Rawls would headline an all-star fundraising telethon for UNCF, much like Jerry Lewis did for muscular dystrophy around Labor Day.
So now, these many years later, I have a much better appreciation for what that slogan and those raised funds mean. Continue reading →
The Power of Good Ideas
Creation, it is said, starts with an idea, a thought that builds in the mind. The mind contemplates it, turns it over and around, studies it from different angles, and images how it could work under various conditions and circumstances.
The appearance of that idea, turning it from a thought into a tangible reality, is where the mind uses its power – its experiences, its reasoning ability, its access to resources, its outward actions through the physical body it controls – to act on the idea.
Faith (idea) without works (action), after all, is dead.
Putting faith into action is how TheCASHFLOW, and its non-profit foundation 100 Urban Entrepreneurs, came into existence. The idea is to provide start-up funding and coaching to young inner-city entrepreneurs who have great business ideas but little to no support that can help them turn those ideas into reality. Continue reading →
Tommy’s Words of Wisdom
Tommy Wrenn, a long-time civil rights activist and Birmingham foot soldier, died last week. He did more to help me understand the true meaning and spiritual concepts of the Movement more than any book I’ve ever read. It is a shame when living icons leave. But fortunately, he left behind a grio’s legacy of stories and remembrances to touch the next generation of city leaders. Continue reading →
Children’s Education and History’s Lessons
Many of you probably know of Dr. Steve Perry. For those who don’t, he’s become the new face of education reform in America thanks to CNN. The network highlighted the success-against-the-odds principal Perry and his Capital Preparatory Magnet School, a public school in Hartford, Conn. that he helped found, in its 2009 “Black in America” series.
And after listening to Perry’s speech at the African American Business Council’s recent annual luncheon, I understand why he’s been successful. Continue reading →
The Blueprint for Economic Prosperity: Is Birmingham Finally Ready?
Today, in Birmingham’s newest park — the result of community collaboration — comes the unveiling of a new plan for economic prosperity that is also the result of community collaboration.
The Birmingham Business Alliance will formally release Blueprint Birmingham, a strategic action plan that might finally help Birmingham unleash its always latent but awesome potential. If followed with the same thoughtful planning, cooperative spirit and passion that created the Railroad Park, this plan can guide Birmingham toward its destiny as a great city. Continue reading →