pictured above: the ladies of PolitixLA.com, M. Celeste Williams + Ngwebifor Fobi

My wonderful friends Ngwebifor and Celeste (pictured above) are the two responsible for the entity affectionately known as Politix. They continue to furnish events that attract the progressive-minded demographic and through these efforts, they contribute to the betterment of the city from which I dwell. As you may [or may not] know, my sole purpose is to connect the progress and serve the community…so I’m behind their efforts 100% AND they’re cool people AND they are products of the HBCU experience!

I encourage you to visit their website and get connected. I plan to be in attendance of their upcoming shindig on Saturday (May 23)…hope to see you there. More info below:

Date/Time: May 23, 2009 at 9pm-1am

Location: Bond Street Lounge, Thompson Hotel

Event Description: A multi-cultural networking event, offering “movers and shakers” across LA County an unprecedented opportunity to connect!

Click here to view event flyer »

Herbert Gettridge became known as “The Wizard” among the elite craftsmen who built and maintained New Orleans’ distinctive architecture. In “The Old Man and the Storm,” FRONTLINE follows Mr. Gettridge and his family as they struggle to rebuild their homes and their lives after Hurricane Katrina. Watch on air and online beginning Tues, Jan 6, 2009.

Six months after Hurricane Katrina slammed into New Orleans, producer June Cross came across 82-year-old Herbert Gettridge working alone on his home in the lower Ninth Ward, a neighborhood devastated when the levees broke in August 2005. Over the next two years, Cross would document the story of the extended Gettridge clan–an African-American family with deep roots in New Orleans–as they struggled to rebuild their homes and their lives. Their efforts would be deeply impacted by larger decisions about urban planning, public health, and the insurance industry, by the decisions of policymakers about federal funding for rebuilding the Gulf, and state and city plans for dispersing those monies. The moving personal story of Mr. Gettridge and his family reveals the human cost of this tragedy, the continued inadequacies of government’s response in the aftermath of Katrina, and how race, class, and politics have affected the attempts to rebuild this American city.

Extended Footage: Clip 2

I just recently enjoyed an interview of Magic Johnson on the Tavis Smiley Show. I really have no idea how to respond or how to communicate the feeling it gave me after viewing the clip, but the only real word I can think of is motivation.

It’s truly inspiring to see someone like Mr. Johnson have such a positive effect on the urban community, more specifically Los Angeles. Seeing the difference, knowing the difference, and sharing the same interest in the community leads me to be nothing but admirable for his many efforts and business happenings. Wow.

As I treck through this thing called life and map out my plan of business and community involvement, I will always be a student of “the game”, learning and absorbing, observing and executing.

When time permits, please view the link and be inspired just as I was:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/video/flv/generic.html?s=tavi08s18bfq591

pictured above: County Supervisor Yvonne Burke poses next to a picture of herself, part of a downtown exhibit celebrating her many landmark accomplishments in politics.

BY LEILONI DE GRUY (Los Angeles Wave)

A woman of many firsts — first African-American to serve on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, first Black woman elected to Congress from California, and the first member of Congress to give birth while in office — Yvonne Brathwaite Burke is approaching a rare last: her final day as an elected official. Her successor as supervisor will be sworn in to represent the 2nd District on Monday, but the retiring Burke has left an indelible legacy on the office she has held since 1992.

As one of the most accomplished and visible women in the history of American politics, she has not been without controversy: many have blamed Burke for the failure of the former King-Drew Medical Center, and a large group of constituents have been angered by her handling of a controversial oil field in Baldwin Hills. But to her many supporters, the USC Law School graduate’s tireless work with foster children and seniors, concern for those living on public assistance and commitment to providing her district with world-class parks and recreation services are the true test of her character and approach to governance. On the eve of her last meeting as a county supervisor,  Burke gave The Wave an exclusive interview in which the 76-year-old spoke candidly about her political career, overcoming racial and sex discrimination, why she has no regrets and the reason her immediate future political future lies in Washington, D.C.

I’ve always been a believer in the theory that, if you do what you’re supposed to be doing (as in successfully) and doing it right, people will notice.

As many of you may know, I am a proud graduate of St. Bernard High School and will bang represent Bernards to the fullest. With that said, I am compelled to help one of my fellow alums get into the 2009 NFL Pro-Bowl. 

Personal 

Donald Ward Penn (born April 27, 1983 in Los Angeles, California) is an American football offensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He playedcollege football at Utah State.

Pro Career

Big-bodied lineman who made a seamless transition from back-up to starter during the 2007 season… Tremendous quickness and footwork… Played in 26 career games with 22 starts, and has started only playoff appearance… Signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 4, 2006… Signed to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad on September 3, 2006… Released by the Vikings on September 2, 2006… Entered the league with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2006.

VOTE

Directions: Click link below > Under the “Offense” tab, scroll over and click on “Tackles“

Then, VOTE for Donald Penn (a million times).

Voting link here: http://www.nfl.com/probowl/ballot

pictured above: Hiram R. Revels

Since the nation was founded, there have been five Black senators in the United States Senate—there were three Republicans and two Democrats. The Republicans were Hiram R. Revels and Blanche K. Bruce (Mississippi), and Edward W. Brooke (Massachusetts). Carol Moseley Braun and Barack H. Obama (Illinois) were Democrats.

They laid the foundation for the Black men and women who came after and followed their political footsteps. Today, they are known as the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), the Conscience of the Congress, and one of them will be the 44th President of the United States, President-elect Barack Obama.

Continue Reading »

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.