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  • Politics Is Like Hiring A Hitman
    by Scott Woods inPolitical on2020-08-13

    For me, politics is like hiring a hitman. I have values and things I care about. I care enough about them to at least bother voting for 5 minutes every year for one issue or another. And because I care at least that much, I vote for people who align with the ability to realize the things I care about.

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  • Punching Above Our Weight
    by Roger Madison Jr. inPolitical on2020-07-24

    I believe our vote is the punctuation of our voice. Without that resounding exclamation mark, I believe our voices are just incoherent noise.

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  • BLACK PROGRESS AMIDST SOCIAL CHAOS
    by Roger Madison Jr. inPolitical on2020-06-16

    Recent events have raised the profile of historical injustice and inequities here in the USA. The entire world has taken note of the fact that BLACK LIVES MATTER.   We invite all of our friends to engage in actions that result in the greatest movement for change in our history. It is imperative that we take advantage of this opportunity to affect a positive change by ACTING IN OUR SELF-INTERESTS.

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  • Living in a Black No-Man's Land
    by Roger Madison Jr. inOur Community on2019-10-28

    There are many narratives that define the Black experience in America in this 2nd decade of the 21st century. Our striving over the centuries of our sojourn in this nation is a tapestry of every human experience -- oppression, enslavement, forced assimilation, dehumanization, exclusion, segregation, isolation, struggle, perseverance, achievement, excellence, celebration, mourning, despair, progress, setbacks, lynching, assassination, genocide, terror, self-hatred, low esteem, pride,...

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  • Fighting Racism
    by Scott Woods inOur Community on2018-10-25

    I had a boss who was racist. Not an outright bigot, of course; her toolbox was more subtle than most. We bumped heads a lot over inconsequential things. She frequently couldn’t keep my name out her mouth. Lot of gaslighting. You know…2018 style. I tried a lot of ways to combat or navigate her issues. None of them worked, and that’s saying a lot because I’m really good at fighting racism. But at the end of the day – every day – she was my boss, I had to deal with her, and that was that. Finally I...

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Calling All Youth & The Purpose-Driven Too!

<p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l8eqjii5Y21qbmb28.jpg" />Generation BEFY Network is a youth/community empowerment movement designed to act as a counter and deterrent to destructive lifestyle choices such as drugs, gangs, and violence. Generation BEFY encourages and assists those who desire to pursue higher education and/or personal self-development. GBN was introduced to the general public in April, 2010. Awards were developed and distributed in honor of the first speakers and contributors to the first conference/symposium. We are now issuing calls for submission of nominees for the 2011 awards which are as follows:</p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p>&nbsp;B.E.F.Y Empowerment will annually recognize and award&nbsp;12 deserving individuals who have answered the call for positive change through educational excellence and&nbsp;pursuits, positive attitude, &nbsp;community activism, or personal self development. These awards are given in honor of founding contributors to the first annual BEFY Education &amp; Networking Symposium held April 22-24, 2010 in Wilson, NC.</p>
<p>Forrest Toms Young Scholar Award: <strong>This annual award is given to a student who consistently maintains a&nbsp;3.0 or higher GPA with aspirations to pursue higher education and/or an advanced degree.</strong></p>
<p>Calvin Ellison Visionary Award: <strong>This annual award is given to an individual that is actively pursuing a vision that will positively impact the community.</strong></p>
<p>Daryl Woodard Leader of Tomorrow Award: <strong>This annual award is given to an individual displaying positive &nbsp;leadership characteristics.</strong></p>
<p>Marcedes Fuller Young &amp; Gifted Award:<strong>&nbsp;This annual award is given to an individual under age 30 that is gifted in the area of ministry, arts, public speaking, or academics.</strong></p>
<p>Howard/Fowler-Davis Destined For Greatness Award: <strong>This annual award is given to an individual who continues to accomplish and achieve in the face of obstacles and odds.</strong></p>
<p>Robert X. Golphin Young Man Of Purpose Award: <strong>This annual award is given to a young male under age 30 that displays a positive attitude, excels academically, and possesses leadership qualities.</strong></p>
<p>Reginald Bullock U-turn Award: <strong>This annual award is given to an individual once heading down a negative path personally, academically, spiritually or otherwise, who has taken steps to walk in a more positive direction.</strong></p>
<p>Carletha Ward Determination Award:&nbsp;<strong>This annual award is given to an individual who&nbsp; is determined to pursue dreams and goals in the face of obstacles and/or adversity.</strong></p>
<p>LaTanya Davis Young Lady of Purpose Award:&nbsp;<strong>This annual award is given to a young female under age&nbsp;</strong><strong>30 that displays a positive attitude, excels academically, and possesses leadership qualities.</strong></p>
<p>Joseph S. Davis Chasing&nbsp;The Dream Award<strong>:&nbsp;This annual award is given to an individual who is enthusiastically pursuing a dream or goal that will financially empower the community.</strong></p>
<p>Dameion L. Royal Mind on Ministry Award:&nbsp;<strong>This annual award is given to an individual whose focus is on developing a ministry that will bring spiritual empowerment to the community.</strong></p>
<p>B.E.F.Y Empowerment Award<strong>: This annual award is given to an individual who is academically giifted, engages in volunteerism, and is an all-around positive individual focused on community.</strong></p>
<p><strong>To nominate an individual for any of the above awards, please contact S. Denice Newton at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.&nbsp;&nbsp;and briefly describe why this nominee should be considered. A formal application will be sent to you at that time.</strong></p>