Now What? Our Continuing Quest for Purpose, Focus and Worthy Sacrifice

By Dr. Nana Kwa Kra Kwamina II, Tufohene, Atonkwa, Elmina Ghana (aka Kwa David) December 6, 2006 Considering our current condition the following quote aptly describes our African experience in America--�One is better off knowing where to go and not knowing how, than being free to go and not knowing where. Worst of all, is preparing to go and not knowing why?� When our Ancestors were forcibly transformed into America�s only unwilling immigrants they unapologetically embraced their Africa ness. During this 1st phase of our prolonged captivity they knew precisely where to go but lacked the opportunity, resources and knowledge regarding how to get there. Unfortunately, following nearly 500 years of successful phase 2 �programming�, our collective consciousness appears hopelessly lost along the African-American continuum--much closer to America than to Africa--despite consistent and unequivocal reminders that our interests (personal, social and economic) do not appear on any established priority list�including our own! While all other �sane� peoples improve their status by embracing their cultural heritage and supporting their Ancestral homelands we flounder like the proverbial �fish out of water� hopelessly waiting for the next political promise to bring a few extra drops. Ironically, at the dawn of a new millennium, we collectively and consistently �cry-broke� while wasting billions annually that, if used effectively, would resolve most of our more troublesome problems. Moreover, we possess the physical �freedom� that would have answered our Ancestors� prayers yet we appear clueless regarding what to do or where to do it. Shamefully, numerous logical and achievable strategies involving Africa never enter our collective psyche. Among others, three factors significantly contribute to the perpetuation of our unenviable condition: 1) our collective inability to articulate a group purpose, 2) our inability to identify and maintain the requisite focus on those strategies that will properly channel our efforts and produce the greatest long-term benefit for us as African people, and, 3) our unwillingness to make the necessary sacrifices today that will propel the generations of tomorrow. In these regards we collectively behave like a people that have been locked in a �socio-cultural� cage for 500 years. While our initial efforts were appropriately focused on finding a way out an unfortunate and bizarre psychological transformation has caused us to adapt and, incredible as it sounds, we no longer perceive ourselves to be entrapped. Ironically, we have grown to represent 40-plus million African descendants that Harriet Tubman lamented her inability to free because she could not convince them of their enslavement. To add insult to injury, we clearly see Ms. Tubman�s dilemma, while failing to appreciate that our present mentality is irrefutable evidence of a worsening psychological disorder. What must we do? First, we must stop romanticizing and rationalizing our Ancestor�s actions. Simply put, they did what they felt was best under the circumstances of the time and we were not there! Like all people they had successes as well as failures. Historical analysis now shows, among others, that that they made judgment errors and they were far from perfect. In short, they did what they did�good, bad or otherwise. We need to learn as much as we can about our Ancestors' thinking and reasoning, do our best to avoid the same mistakes and, above all, take action for future generations to continue the process of analysis and evaluation. Second, as grim as it sounds, we must accept the fact that-by and large-things are going to worsen for African descendants in America. To weather this impeding �racial katrina� we must learn (as have all other successful groups) to consistently focus our individual and collective talents, skills and efforts towards generating the resources necessary to strengthen our Ancestral homeland outside of America. Armed with a perspective beyond America�s geographical borders other groups are free to a) conceptualize the world in a much broader way; thereby allowing them to consider a wider range of options-no matter what the issue, b) monitor the social relevance of their actions; thereby giving added meaning to their lives and c) measure their individual contribution to the group goal; thereby creating a meaningful legacy for their descendants. If we adopt and practice these simple principles each of us can support the building of the foundation that will provide expanded options for future generations of African people regardless of where they reside on the planet. Three, for all of the foregoing reasons, we must objectively consider the premise that an alliance with Africa, in general, and Ghana, in particular, offers our best hope for strengthening Africa and addressing our �domestic� problems. Once we have completed our analysis, we must research those efforts, initiatives and or strategies that are positioned to develop meaningful relationships with Africa. Next, rather then �reinvent the wheel� at such a critical time, we must align our individual efforts with those strategies that resonate strongest with our spirit. Fourth, realize that time is of the essence and overcoming apathy, fear and inertia are some of our greatest challenges. Stop waiting for the perfect situation-our Ancestors never had them. Decide on something, take your chances and follow your heart. Once you have your focus realize that persistence and sacrifice is key to the manifestation of all strategies. All other successful groups plan for several generations, make the sacrifices necessary to maintain the �big picture� and persist until their transition. On the contrary, we plan for the week and live for today. This we MUST change if we ever intend to return to center stage as the world-class descendants of our great Ancestors. I hope some of this helps a little.

  ¶ 12/30/2006 10:59:00 PM 0 comments

  Making a Difference - Economic Empowerment Published Friday, December 22, 2006 First Step FastTrac program guides hundreds to run companies By Michael Hooper The Capital-Journal A business development program has awakened an entrepreneurial spirit among minorities in Topeka. About 200 people of diverse backgrounds have graduated from the First Step FastTrac entrepreneurial training program at the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce. Many graduates are now running businesses in Topeka, some of them located in the chamber's two business incubators, The Accelerator, S.E. 6th and Quincy, and the Retail Incubator at 300 S.E. 29th Street. About $535,520 of taxpayers' money has been spent this year on programs for training and supporting disadvantaged and minority businesses in Shawnee County, according to a Go Topeka budget document. The $535,520 is about 10 percent of the $5 million awarded annually by Joint Economic Development Organization to Go Topeka from a half-cent countywide sales tax. About $14 million is collected annually from the half-cent sales tax in the county. About $9 million goes to infrastructure. Deborah Dawkins, owner of Above All Books & Gifts, recently finished her master's in marketing/management from American InterContinental University. She said she looks forward to applying knowledge to her new business in White Lakes Center in Topeka. The programs for disadvantaged business enterprises would not exist today if it weren't for the visionary work of the chamber and outspoken advocates like Lazone Grays, who pleaded for the services five years ago. Grays, founder of IBSA Inc., a provider of career counseling and enterprise training and development, sued the Joint Economic Development Organization in 2002 to make sure a portion of the sales tax revenue went to minority business people. An inter-local agreement signed by the county and the city states that the Joint Economic Development Organization, composed of city and county officials, "shall utilize not less than 10 percent of the funds dedicated to economic development to support economic development for racial minorities, with a goal of 20 percent of the funds to support economic development for women and racial minorities." About 17 percent of the 171,716 population in Shawnee County is minority, with 9 percent black; 7.3 percent Hispanic; 1.2 percent Native Americans; 1 percent Asian; 2.7 percent of two or more races; and 3.2 percent other. Brian Turner, manager of the chamber's disadvantaged business enterprise programs, said Grays was "progressive, forward thinking and community minded." Sonny Scroggins, a Topeka activist and leader of Bias Busters of Kansas, said Grays made a difference but didn't get recognition for it. " Something beats nothing," Scroggins said of the local programs. " And it's due to Lazone and others. I salute them. The poor and disadvantaged should have been included all along. A lot of good is going to come out of that. He took the lead and inspired all the rest of us to get involved. Topeka is better as a result of that." Turner said the largest share of the disadvantaged business enterprise budget of $535,520 will go to the chamber's two incubators for rent, maintenance, utilities, janitorial service, security system and marketing. "We put up new signs," Turner said. " We ran TV commercials, print ads." He said other money is going to salaries for Turner; Thomas Officer, loan manager; and Mary Ann Anderson, administrative assistant; and wages for people running FastTrac classes and mentors. "We will do four or five classes next year," Turner said. More mentors are needed, he said. Jerome Toson Sr. of the Entrepreneur Development Center of Kansas City, Kan., taught three mentor training programs Tuesday at the chamber. Turner said out of the 200 graduates of the FastTrac program, about 50 have started businesses. "Whether it's a go or no-go, that's OK," Turner said. "If they find out they are not cut out to be business owners right now, that's OK. If we can prevent them from exhausting their life savings, that's a win for everybody." Turner said a graduate may come into the program as a good cook, but may not have the skills or resources to be a restaurant owner. After training, the graduate will more fully appreciate the risks of owning a business. "Maybe before the class, they saw the boss as making huge profits," Turner said. "Now they are more appreciative of what it takes. It makes them better employees." Deborah Dawkins, owner of Above All Books & Gifts in White Lakes Center, said the FastTrac program teaches the basics of a good business plan, finances, cash flow and marketing. "You can have the best idea in the world, but if nobody knows about it, you will be closed in 30 to 60 days," said Dawkins, who has been involved in FastTrac classes as a teacher and a student. Her store sells Christian books, music and gifts for the family. She said the store's sales in 2005 were similar as 2004, but expenses dropped, which improved the business financially. "We're still trying to play catch up," she said. "We're looking forward to being in the black in 2007." Dawkins said retailers can have more overhead than a service business. For example, a consulting business can be run cheaply, from the home, using Internet, e-mail and phone, while a store-front retailer has additional costs of rent, inventory and staff. The big disappointment for Grays is that while he lobbied for changes at the chamber and that guarantee publc funds would be equitably disbursed, he wasn't given an opportunity by the chamber to provide any of the contractual services to be provided to disadvantaged and minority businesses. "I think they are now contracting out the entrepreneurial training. This is what we wanted to do in the first place," Grays said. Nevertheless, Grays has been helping develop disadvantaged business enterprise programs in Wyandotte County and Leavenworth County. "I don't make a dime off of this policy work, but I want the same opportunities now available in Topeka to be available in these other cities as well," Grays said. Michael Hooper can be reached at (785) 295-1293 or michael.hooper@cjonline.com.  ¶ 12/30/2006 10:22:00 PM 0 comments

  SnitchCraft - A novel by Edrea Davis Order Online at www.iZaniaMarket.com A novel by Edrea Davis exposing Hip-hop meets civil rights in this riveting saga the corrupt environment created by the government’s use of snitches. Flamboyant, smooth-talking, nightclub owner, John “JC” Powell is ballin’. He’s making more money than he can count, providing for his entire family, and on the verge of winning back the love of his life, Candace Banks. JC is totally unaware that all of the work to establish a legitimate family business would soon be undermined by a SNITCH. When he’s arrested, convicted, and imprisoned based on the testimony of someone he trusted, JC struggles to clear his name and get back over two million dollars in assets seized by the government. As the pieces of the puzzle come together in a surprising courtroom drama, JC realizes he is caught up in a ruthless game, playing against a criminal justice system set up to win by any means necessary. SnitchCraft juxtaposes the themes of family, spirituality, and social justice, against a backdrop of a popular Southern California nightclub and escalating gang violence. An “After the Book Section” includes a reader’s guide of discussion questions and a resource guide. Click here to purchase your AUTOGRAPHED COPY of “SnitchCraft” New Novel Sheds Light on SNITCH CultureAuthor aims to pave the way for urban fiction that keeps it real, but keeps it righteous  ¶ 12/30/2006 10:13:00 PM 0 comments

  The Key to our Consciousness -- November 2006

[I was blessed to have those teachers, and looking back down my road to Black consciousness and where I stand right now, I know they were right, and I know I am right in my support of and advocacy for Black people. And it all came from Black people who were willing to deviate from the norm, to buck the system, and provide the proper and appropriate education to Black youth.] http://www.blackonomics.com/content.ihtml?cmemstep=1&nid=5972&catid=:catid ================================================= James E. Clingman is the nation's most prolific writer on economic empowerment for Black people. His weekly syndicated newspaper column, Blackonomics, is featured in hundreds of newspapers, magazines, and newsletters. He has written five books, the latest of which is Black O Knowledge, Stuff we need to know, and has been the featured speaker for numerous organizations across the United States.

  ¶ 12/10/2006 07:32:00 PM 0 comments