Can you believe that the unemployment rate jumped from 6.1 to 6.5 percent in October alone?! When the economy busted it’s back right tire, veered off the side of the highway, and crashed into a tree, I wasn’t affected. I remember having conversations with my friends and asking them, “Am I an idiot to go on a shopping spree when people are getting laid off and jumping off of buildings?” At the time, I was rolling in the dough and brand new shoes were more important than anything. My job situation was on lock and I had not a care in the world. Little did I know that as of November 26th, I would be… dun dun dun dun DUNNNNNN…UNEMPLOYED. So much for that dirty, old, rusty lock…

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Ladies and Gentlemen, I introduce to you: Brandon Banks (aka Eazee).

I figured I would take time to spotlight this young man, his various happenings, and continued committment to CLIMB, Inc.

Initially met him, not sure where…just seems to work like that here in LA in the high school scene and naturally through the social scene. I think it was sometime around the college years, aware of his many functions and social events, which led us to befriend one another, ultimately developing a relationship between two of LA’s favorite children.

I’ll fast forward to two points of interest:

1) Since the inception of CLIMB, Mr. Brandon Banks has been a strong supporter of what has been my most passionate business venture. With a shared interest in community service and making a difference in the city we both love, Banks has taken it upon himself to lend not only his time but also his skill as a “creative” in graphic design. Lending the services of his design brilliance (flyer sample) has been not only beneficial to the org, but a sure reason as to the branding/marketing that’s a pillar of our success.

2) His very own blog, where LA happens » www.eazeest.com

Get to know this man, he’s “one to watch”. Regardless, you’ll probably see and hear about him just by sheer association.

pictured above: Marian Wright Edelman, who heads the Children’s Defense Fund, says the needs of youth are neglected because “children don’t vote, they don’t make campaign contributions.”

‘It’s a threat to the nation, but it is a disaster for the Black community.’

By Andre Herndon (Wave Newspaper)

As a civil rights attorney and advocate, Marian Wright Edelman’s credentials are impeccable. 

Prior to starting one of the most nation’s most effective and influential progressive advocacy organizations, the 69-year-old Yale law School graduate and founder of the Children’s Defense Fund was the first African-American admitted to the Mississippi Bar. She handled legal issues for demonstrators during the 1964 “freedom summer” in that state, and later became a leading voice of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

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Earvin “Magic” Johnson (Former Los Angeles Laker) talks on business ventures in the urban community.