In 1995 I not only attended the historic Million Man March, I traveled there two months in advance confident that I could talk my way into volunteering at the national headquarters. I did.
The call of Black men was so impelling to me that I felt I just had to be a part of that history and to play a direct role; in any way I could. My first task was to make connections and I called the national office and spoke with a sister named Felicia Davis; who was the Nat'l Chair of Education. This led me to Bro. Dennis Rogers who was dynamic and was tasked to pull together the youth/student summit and agenda. With these connections I bought a one-way ticket to D.C. and since I had a sister staying in Wheaton, I was sure I could survive in a city I had never been to before. I've been to more strange and dangerous places overseas, so I reckon I can withstand the streets of Washington, D.C.
Along with helping to coordinate the youth/student summit, I also volunteered in the area of communication and logistics. Having seen too many faxes done one at a time, I chose to program the fax for fax-blast so that one sent fax would reach all the media or church or group they had in their database. I was also privy to attend the meetings by the National Organizers that include Min. Farrakkan, Dr. Cornel West, Dr. Conrad Worrell (NBUF), Ben Chavis, Senghor Baye, , Osahar Berry, and others I can't remember, but I do remember the deepness of discussions many of these meeting I attended as I watched from a backroom view the makings of the Million Man March.
By the time the MMM came, I had moved from my sisters and into D.C. thanks to some Rasta brothers and on the side I was educated about the leadership shown by Haille Selassie, Marcus Garvey and the UNIA, and the Rastafari. To make money, I created a discount page whereas I got Black businesses in D.C. to pay for a slot and this discount page would be inside the youth/student summit package and we would encourage those attending do business with these businesses rather than the franchise eateries all along, around and by Howard Univ and other parts of D.C. Apparently it paid enough to get me back to Topeka because here over ten years later I am still doing the same thing. Working to empower people that look like me.
My point is, we often have to be very creative in order to accomplish an objective. I could have stayed with my sister who I feel is thoroughly indoctrinated to the materialism system, but I had to get out of that house because it was retarding the education I was receiving just being around a movement that bought like; and differing minds, together. From the inside, I believe there was an opportunity missed that would have set in motion some plan that would have led us to being more 'economically empowered' today. But, most effort was around having the event (and a large one at that), that too little effort and interest was shown for establishing a foundation from that Oct. 16 day; and beyond.
If Bro. Barak was President then, do you think he would have spoke?
If we take a serious look at ourselves, and are willing to ask the tough question of 'have we prospered since the Million Man March', we are close to answering the next question of 'will we be better off as a people under an Obama Presidency'?
Brothers came back slightly and in some instances, highly inspired, emotionally empowered and more respectful of our Black women around them. Then, over a period of time I saw them drifting back into the endzone and then the bleachers; no longer being players in the strategic game of Black empowerment where we live, pay taxes and watch our own, and other kids grow up. Yo,,, in our absence, the streets ain't got any better.
For every action, there is normally an equal reaction that will either fail or succeed. We failed to come back to our communities and take initiative in a way that would have us today on a 14 year platform of success, that would be like a life raft in these times we find ourselves in. There was an opportunity to shift the billions of dollars we to this day spend with others on luxuries, to spending with ourselves on luxuries, needs and necessities. The best thing that could have come out of the MMM was that we were steered onto a different, better and more prosperous path. A symbolic Obama Presidency is another opportunity for the Black man and woman to stand up, step forward and achieve something of significance.
Since my return from the MMM I have traveled to Africa with our deceased Bro. Leon Sullivan and these events combined has left a spirit I will surely die with. Like some are groomed from the cradle to the grave to be soldiers or Presidents, I am forever empowered to tinker with hypothetical initiatives that could turn into a realistic solutions that could take Africans in the Diaspora to another level of dignity, respect and economic parity. We should not be fooled by those who may want us to believe that our problems will take rocket science or a Black President to resolve. It really doesn't demand an MBA, Ph.D., or a V.P. position with some Fortune 500 company. Just a little dose of common sense, common direction, initiative, optimism and commitment is all it takes. In 1993 I started our agency with nothing but a stack of letters denying me jobs that I had applied for and these aforementioned qualities, and 15 yrs later I am more knowledgeable, better prepared, and have a better position to be of help to others than I would have if I had stayed the programmed course from college to a job; like a majority of my peers.
For the next four years we have an opportunity to initiate activities that could set a better course for young Black youth to shoot for, to train and place ourselves into employment and to use our collective spending muscle in a way that produce the results Pres. Obama talks about. With underfunded failing schools, increasing unemployment, prison closures, scarcity in basic resources, and a depressing state of world economic affairs, we have a heavy load that we must bear; and not just Barak, and it is within us to do so. I am looking for individuals and organizations that are willing to work with me as a team to initiate what we as a people have failed to do since the MMM, MWM and MYM. Having 15 years of experience in urban program development, evidence-based practices and public policy research and formation I welcome those willing to bring their expertise to the table and to try the unthinkable.
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08 Feb What Ya Gonna Do?
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