An Opportunity for More Opportunity

I came across this impressive microfinance and business support organization, Good Work Network. I'm always intrigued when I successful and sustainable models in non-profits.

"An opportunity is not an opportunity, if you do not have the resources to succeed." - Julius Walls Jr.

Here is a brief description from there website below

Good Work Network educates, coaches and supports these smaller businesses to help them improve their skills, realize their full potential and become active participants in the local economy. Through its programs and services, Good Work Network works to expand the local economy by building minority and women owned businesses. It envisions a community where the economy is diverse and inclusive and where all dedicated and competent entrepreneurs have access to the resources they need to succeed.

Check it out: http://www.goodworknetwork.org/

--Greg McCoy

Call Me MISTER

Interesting article.

Young black males have a better chance of being taught by someone who looks like them now that the first two graduates of the College of Charleston's Call Me MISTER program are teaching in area schools.

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/sep/29/black-male-teachers-on-rise/

Keep More of What You Earn

Only one month left!

Knowledge about the EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) for the Mid South.

http://www.fndmidsouth.org/news/view.php?entryID=30

How to Get Good at Making Money

"The lesson: People are happy to pay for things that work well. Never be afraid to put a price on something. If you pour your heart into something and make it great, sell it. For real money." - Jason Fried, Founder and CEO of 37signals.

This was a great article and I highly recommend reading it:


http://www.inc.com/magazine/20110301/making-money-small-business-advice-from-jason-fried.html

2-Cent.Com Literacy Festival

These folks are doing huge, not big, huge things for literacy and youth in New Orleans and beyond! Check out the flyer, make a donation or sponsorship, and attend the event!

http://2-cent.com/create_change/?p=501

Let's make it happen,

--Greg

A Campaign for Black Male Youth

Recently, there's been somewhat a surge in research, grants, and media campaigns focusing on the plight of young black males. I wanted to take a moment to highlight just a few of these efforts and the publications associated with them. Keep on pushing.

We Dream A World:
http://www.clasp.org/admin/site/documents/files/2025BMBfulldoc.pdf

Beyond The Bricks:
http://www.beyondthebricksproject.com/blogs/derek-koen

The Open Society Institute:
http://www.soros.org/initiatives/usprograms/focus/cbma

PBL Day 2...The Saga Continues...

For those of you who don't know the reference, The Saga Continues refers to the 1998 Wu-Tang Album, Wu-Tang Forever. It was a classic. With the first track called Triumph, it couldn't get much better.

Well, Day Two of the PBL ( Pure Ballers League) was great. It looked a little dismal for the first hour, but then at 7:50am, a guy in a red car drove by and said "Oh, I'll be right back." I waited for about 20 minutes and nobody came. As I was getting ready to go a guy in a white shirt and black jean shorts and white 1998 jordans came walking toward the court. He had a bit of a stomach, but I could tell he was a ball player. His name was Frank and he was about 40. We ended up playing a game of one on one and after that I told him about that guy who passed by. He said, "oh, that was me."

We ended up playing four games of one on one and a game of 21, then an older guy (45) came out to shoot around as we finished up. I hope to see folks again on Wednesday.

Be the change yall. Like Nike endorsing Ghandi. Just be it.

--Greg