River East Idealist

Job Opportunities w/Pepco

2012-01-12T20:44:00.004-05:00

This announcement came via my local AFSCME listserv. I haven't personally verified this ad, but it's worth checking out, if you or someone you know is looking for a new career!

PEPCO is hiring for METER READERS. Here is the 411:
Ms. Barnes is the point of contact with PEPCO: 301-313-0096
The address: 8505 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD. Applications
accepted between: 9:30AM and 11:30AM or 1:30PM to 3:00PM. (The office
is located across from Burger King.)
Requirements:
You must be a high school graduate.
You must have access to a car.
You must have a valid driver's license.
You must be able to pass a drug test.
No felonies within the past 7 years.

New Middle School Opportunities in DC

2012-01-10T16:51:00.003-05:00

Concerned about middle school options?

A new high-performing, nationally ranked, academically outstanding charter
school is opening its doors in August 2012 for 400 students at a beautiful
facility near the National Portrait Gallery.

To learn more, come to a parent information session:

Tuesday, January 10
6:00-7:30 PM
Benning/Dorothy I. Height Library
3935 Benning Road, NE

Wednesday, January 18
7:00-8:30 PM
FBR Boys & Girls Club @ THEARC
1901 Mississippi Avenue, SE

RSVP here: http://tinyurl.com/Info-Session-RSVP.

There are six BASIS schools in Arizona. BASIS Tucson, the flagship school,
is ranked among the top ten high school programs in the nation by
Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, and The Washington Post.

The BASIS Tucson campus ranked #2 in the US for math and science by U.S.
News and World Report, beating out Thomas Jefferson in Virginia (#3).

BASIS DC will offer students the same internationally competitive liberal
arts academic program that earned BASIS Tucson national acclaim.

The Open Registration Period started yesterday and runs through February
10. Go to http://www.basisdc.org to fill out the Registration Form. We
will be at the FBR Boys & Girls Club @ THEARC, Monday - Friday from 6:00 -
7:30 PM every night to accept registration forms.

Letter to the Mayor and Council - Calvary Women's Shelter

2011-12-28T22:09:00.005-05:00

The letter below was sent to Mayor Gray and Councilmembers Kwame Brown, Phil Mendelson, Michael Brown, and Vincent Orange this evening.

Mayor Gray,

Why do you allow Ward 8 to be a dumping ground for homeless shelters, group homes, and drug clinics? My neighbors and I recently learned that Calvary Women's Services plans to open a homeless shelter on Good Hope Road SE.

I believe you agree that we are trying very hard in Ward 8 to bring new homeowners and businesses to Good Hope Road, Martin Luther King Ave, and South Capitol Street SE. What businessperson will open a new enterprise next door to a homeless shelter or methadone clinic?
When my neighbors and I moved to Ward 8 five years ago, we really believed the city was dedicated to supporting homeownership, small business development, and safe streets in Ward 8. Many of us feel hoodwinked and bamboozled.

Please reconsider zoning and development policies for Ward 8. I challenge you and the council to place a moratorium on all new homeless shelters, group homes, and drug clinics in Ward 8. I’m sure Ward 8 residents would be more than willing to assist Calvary Women's Services find alternative locations where they can serve their clientele.

Warmly,

/s/

FYI - Barry's response to his constituent's outcry can be found here on Congress Heights on the Rise.

Join Ward 8 leaders in a rally against oversaturation tomorow - December 29

2011-12-28T13:30:00.006-05:00

Calvary Women's Services is renovating a 14,000 squarefoot space to serve as a women's shelter on Good Hope Road. I believe we all agree that we have enough shelters and drug clinics as it is.

Please join Ward 8 Council Candidate Natalie Williams,community leaders, and neighbors for a rally against the dumping of social services in Ward 8 tomorrow, December 29, 7am at 1217 Good Hope Road SE. The rally will be held in front of the proposed shelter.

Learn more about the oversatuation of social services in Ward 8 here:

Congress Heights on the Rise

Washington City Paper

Greater Greater Washington

Thanks

Owners of Esquire Federal City Arrested for Fraud

2011-11-13T21:35:00.008-05:00

On October 19, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia issued an arrest warrant for Bryan Talbott and Chester Ransom on many charges including tax fraud, mortgage fraud, and bank fraud. They were finally arrested on Tuesday, November 8.

Watch Kris Van Cleave's coverage of this milestone in our fight for justice against Bryan and Chester here.

Braveheart

ABC 7 On Our Side - Update on Esquire Federal City

2011-06-01T21:06:00.010-04:00

Hello friends,

On May 31, ABC 7 On Your Side reported findings by Kris Van Kleave on the shady dealings of Esquire Federal City principals, Bryan Talbott and Chester Ransom. With Esquire fully exposed, there's NO excuse for another homeowner or condo association to fall victim to these scoundrels again!

Thanks - Braveheart

The Esquire Federal City Saga Continues...

2011-05-19T20:01:00.007-04:00

Hello all!

Follow-up on the saga with Esquire Federal City:

"On May 2, 2011, a search warrant was executed on Bryan Talbott and Chester Ransom's residential property in Washington, DC as well as their office located at 1411 K Street, Washington, DC. The warrant was executed as part of a joint investigation including the United States Postal Inspection Service, FBI, IRS and DC Office of Tax Revenue... thank all of you for your assistance in this investigation."

United States Postal Service

DBT Development

2011-04-19T08:41:00.004-04:00

Thinking about buying a home? Well, think twice before you buy anything built by DBT Development -- unless you like mold and falling ceilings.

There are 3 pressing issues affecting my condo association: the vacant building across the street, stolen funds by Esquire Federal City, and now structural problems (falling ceilings and mold). We've done our research to get to the bottom of these issues and the bread crumbs always trace back to one person: David Tolson, principal of DBT Development.

Follow-up: Esquire Federal City

2010-05-27T21:49:00.008-04:00

Hello friends,

Back in February, I posted a warning to condo owners about Esquire Federal City property management company. Esquire stole nearly $100,000 from our condo association when we refused to renew their contract. With no money in the bank, my association is struggling to get by.

As a result of my initial posting, some condo associations were able to steer clear of Esquire. Unfortunately, some associations that had already fallen victim to Esquire's shady dealings contacted me simply to share their story and let me know that my association is not the only victim. Thank you for your emails. Unfortunately, I also received emails from Bryan Talbott, president and CEO of the so-called Esquire Federal City and Private Properties LLC.

His emails are pasted below (please read from top to bottom). Bryan's emails are in red and mine are in blue.

On Fri, Mar 12, 2010 at 12:04 PM, Bryan Talbott <bryan.talbott@esquirefederalcity.com> wrote:

Please be advised, if you are the person that posted the allegations against Esquire Federal City, you had better have that removed immediately. It is my intent to NOW forward this message to corporate counsel for Esquire Federal City, as your allegations, are nothing more than allegations. Esquire Federal City has NOT been served with legal actions, and at this point this is nothing but allegations nor is this firm aware of your allegations.

I am demanding you remove this immediately, if its not removed, my attorney will come after you personally, as well as the association members.

Please advise me once you have removed it today ! My office has already received phone calls about your allegations, and any fees expended now from our counsel will be billed to your association.

Watch what you say about people and companies on the internet without knowing the entire truth, slander pays well to those affected, I have read your allegations, and they are slander. All corporate owners have retained personal counsel as well as a result of your posting. I am demanding it be removed immediately.

Bryan W Talbott, CEO

Esquire Federal City Management

1420 N Street, NW

Suite T-1

Washington, DC 20005

202-745-0700

From: <rivereastidealist@gmail.com>

Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:00:30 -0500

To: Bryan Talbott<bryan.talbott@esquirefederalcity.com>

Subject: Re: Brandywine I

Bryan,

I am so happy to finally hear word from Esquire Federal City! Your email has been forwarded to the legal counsel for Brandywine Crossing I.

I have temporarily removed my initial posting as a courtesy to you. I hope you can reciprocate the friendly gesture and return the calls, emails, and letters from the residents and legal counsel of Brandywine Crossing I.

Also, I will post a copy of your email to my blog as a follow-up to my readers. Many people I have spoken to explain Esquire employees are unreachable. As a service to them, I will share your contact information on my blog as well.

You should hear from the attorney for Brandywine Crossing I shortly.

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Luke 6:31

On Sat, Mar 13, 2010 at 11:09 AM, <bryan.talbott@esquirefederalcity.com> wrote:

Do not copy anything to anyone this has been forwarded to our attorneys. I will not answer any emails as this is not an issue for us to handle at this level but has now elevated to slander I will have your blog reviewed again today and all trace of your slanderous actions better be removed. The shareholders and owners are outraged and rightfully so.

Bryan W Talbott, President Private Properties, LLC Sent from my Verizon Wireless Blackberry Storm

From: <rivereastidealist@gmail.com>

Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:22:12 -0500

To: <bryan.talbott@esquirefederalcity.com>

Subject: Re: Brandywine I

Bryan,

You do not intimidate me. And you don't control what is published to my blog. Do not email me again. If you want to talk - talk to the attorney for Brandywine Crossing I.

Note: Any communication you have with me will be forwarded to the attorney for Brandywine Crossing I and will be published on my blog.

Have a blessed day!

From: <bryan.talbott@esquirefederalcity.com>

Date: Sat, Mar 13, 2010 at 12:27 PM

Subject: Re: Brandywine I

To: <rivereastidealist@gmail.com>

We are in the process of filing a restraining order you are already in trouble put one thing else on your blog and you will find out how much trouble you are in already scared or not

Bryan W Talbott, President Private Properties, LLC Sent from my Verizon Wireless Blackberry Storm

Since Bryan is accusing me of slander, please don't take my word for it! A testament of his character is illustrated in the Virginia, DC, and Maryland judicial system!

Click on the below links, type in Bryan Talbott or Chester Ransom, and voila!

MARYLAND COURTS

DC COURTS

This is not slander; it's public record. And if you check Virginia's court records, you'd be surprised of what you find. My association has nothing to gain from speaking out about this issue. We just don't want anyone else to be a victim of Esquire Federal City.

Stay tuned...

Braveheart

Earth Day in the City of Trees

2010-04-22T09:04:00.008-04:00

Hello Friends,

In the spirit of Earth Day, I'd like to share one of my new projects for Brandywine Street!

In the past 3 years, we've lost a beautiful oak at the hands of the city and have watched helplessly as two Linden Trees (I'm guessing) suffer from stunted growth.

So this week, me and my officemate (a proud forester) are researching the trees lining Brandywine Street in hopes of creating a more hospitable environment for them to flourish!

Technically, the University of the District of Columbia is a land grant university which means it should have agricultural staff available to help citizens solve agricultural issues in the city's neighborhoods, i.e. stunted tree growth. Another, and perhaps the primary resource, is the DC Urban Forestry Administration. They provide a variety of services ranging from tree planting, pruning, and removal. I'm personally a little hesitant to invite them back to my street since the last time they were around, they removed an Oak that didn't appear to be hazardous to the community.

At any rate, I'll keep you all posted on our progress! Or better - drive down Brandywine Street and see it for yourself!

Somebody had to say it...

2010-04-21T21:39:00.007-04:00

Hello Friends,

On Wednesday, April 21 CongressHeightsontheRise's Advoc8te posted her best piece yet. Here are some excerpts.

I am terrified for my neighbors.
Despite their best efforts, despite the new condominiums, the new Giant, the new…everything they are doomed...

I am terrified for Advisory Neighborhood Commissions.
Despite their (mostly) good intentions and commitment in the face of insurmountable odds, they are woefully outgunned and under qualified both internally and externally...

I am terrified for the Peaceoholics.

I am terrified for the Peaceoholics. If their plan tonight was to show a nervous neighborhood and ANC that the Peaceoholics plan for yet another group home was not going to crowd their small, already strained neighborhood with a bunch of loud, boisterous, intimidating and disrespectful young people then you don’t bring a bunch of loud, boisterous, intimidating and disrespectful young people to a community meeting.

I am terrified for the Poverty Pimps.

Now back to my fear. I am terrified for the poverty pimp because I really do believe that somewhere back – maybe waaaaaaaaay back – but somewhere in the past you (un)dear Poverty Pimp were probably a good person with a good heart who wanted to do good works but somewhere along the line you got lost. Lured in by the promise of fast cash, fast cars, fast women, and an even faster ride into ~~notoriety~~ fame.

I am terrified most of all for our lost young people.

You have been (and continue to be) lied to, neglected, abused, manipulated, pimped out, sold-out, ran-down and given-up. I feel your pain and rage.

Read the entire article here!

Remembering Dorothy Height, a True Activist

2010-04-20T12:16:00.006-04:00

Here are some highlights on the Godmother of the Civil Rights Movement, Dorothy Height:

Civil Rights Activist (1950-60's)

President, National Council of Negro Women (40 years)

President, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (10 years)

Board Member, YMCA (33 years)

Recipient, Presidential Medal of Freedom (1994)

Recipient, Congressional Gold Medal (2004)

She is one to emulate.

Whose Economy Do You Live In?

2010-04-08T16:37:00.009-04:00

If you want to get a better handle on your finances in order to be debt free, live more comfortably, or give more to worthy causes - I recommend becoming a member of Crown Financial Ministries.

Crown provides free bible-based financial advice on every topic from how to earn money, how to treat employees, and how to invest wisely. It's interesting that so many of us turn to financial coaches like Suze Orman and Robert Kiyosaki when the foundation of financial planning is found in the Bible.

How Crown helps:
-Daily podcasts on Money Management
-Online tools that help develop roadmaps for financial sustainability, pay off debts faster, and chart your career
-In-person classes and events held at local churches

Crown has literally been a God-send to me. It's transformed my life by allowing me to live in God's economy, not man's economy. If nothing else, you'll learn what the Bible says about money, and then you can make your own decision.

So the next time your cousin Peaches asks if you'll co-sign on her car loan, you can tell her that the Bible says,

"A man lacking in judgement puts up security for his neighbor - Proverbs 17:18"

and then direct her to Crown Financial Ministries where she'll learn how to be financially dependent on only herself and God.

Bookbags

2010-04-05T13:20:00.008-04:00

You ever notice that children in DC, particularly in River East, seldom carry bookbags? I was on my way to work one morning and a young boy nearly mowed me down on the metro platform. I wondered where this kid could possibly be going so early in the morning. It didn't register to me that he'd be going to school because he didn't have a book bag, a notebook, not even a writing utensil!

This is criminal. Homework is essential to education. Homework reinforces the lessons learned in the classroom. I remember I would get a whooping if I forgot to bring home my homework materials. Man, my aunt would make me go outside and get a switch off the ground. We called it the "annointing." And she tore my little behind up.

But nowadays, these kids in River East are too cool for homework. They go to school with their costume jewelry, deep red lipstick, skinny jeans, piercings, and tats on their hands and necks -- but no homework. They have ipods and blackberrys - but no homework. They have boyfriends, girlfriends, and crews, but NO HOMEWORK.

Hmmm... I wonder what excuse we can come up with for this? Who can we blame for our kids not doing homework, failing their classes, and failing at life? Our community always seems to find someone to blame - even for the most basic personal responsibility as completing one's homework.

Prosperity in River East Part 4: The Black Church

2010-03-18T12:20:00.013-04:00

Friends,

Part 4 of the Prosperity in River East series focuses on the Black Church. According to a the Gallup Organization, African Americans are far more likely to attend church than white Americans. In fact, we attend church more than any other ethnic group in America. And assuming that the Church is the moral conscious of a community, one would deduce that Black Americans would be the most prosperous and morally astute people in the country, but we're not. Puzzling. It is my opinion, that the Black Church, although well intentioned, is an institutionalize obstacle to true prosperity in River East.

Prior to joining my current church home, I was a avid church-hopper. I attended Catholic Churches, Anglican Churches, A.M.E. Churches, and Baptist Churches. All these churches were the same: lots of singing, dancing, miming, and socializing - but not much substance. And the theme of the sermon usually pertained to hope, faith, love,and justice. This is a grave diservice to the faith community because there's so much more to the word of God. The Holy Father has provided guidance to us in every intimate aspect of our lives from sex, to work, to managing our money. But too many ministers focus on the superficial themes that encourage us to "dream" and "hold on" and "have faith." But what about "be self sufficient"and "pay your debts timely" and "do not kill (abortion)." Since black ministers don't have the guts to keep it real, here are some Bible verses that speak to the moral ills in our community:

Raising Children

Proverbs 22:6 "Train a child in the way they should go and when they are old, they will not turn from it."

We must teach our children respect for adults, the value of education, and the importance of faith when our children are young. Although the Islamic faith has been successful in saving our young adults during incarication, why wait that long? If we train them now, they will avoid a life of decadence and misery in the first place.

Proverbs 127:4-5 "Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands. Happy is the man who has a good store of them; he will not be put to shame, but his cause will be supported by them against his haters."

As my pastor recently preached, if parents are good to their children, their children will be good to their parents in their old age. Elderly parents should be able to depend on their children for support - not a check from the government!

Work Ethic

Colossians 3: 23-24 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

This applies to everyone but especially to those of us in Customer Service. It doesn't matter if your boss is an jerk or if you "can't stand" the customers who asks silly questions. Our work is our ministry. According to Thomas Sowell, author of Economic Facts and Fallacies, "Many things reduce the demand for inner city workers, including wage rates set higher than their productivity and things the reduce productivity, such as deficiencies in education and attitudes. p 23"

1 Thessalonians 4:11 "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you."

2 Thessalonians 3:12 "For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either."

River East residents should not be dependent on goverment handouts. We should work, like every other ethnic group in DC. We can not all become NBA stars or Keisha Cole. Let's find respectable professions and provide for our families and communities.

Wealth

Proverbs 13:22 "A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children."

Proverbs 22:7 "Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender."

Proverbs 22:5 "Steady plodding brings prosperity but hasty speculation brings poverty."
Luke 16:11"So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?"

We need to make sound financial decisions that will allow us to build multi-generational wealth. We need to avoid student loans, homes, and cars we can not afford. We should begin saving now and not tomorrow. Not sure how many people fell victim to the housing burst, but this proves the penalty of "hasty speculation." And most importantly, we have to take care of the gifts the Lord has already given us. If we don't collectively preserve the community the Lord has placed us in, why would He bless us with new communities centers, businesses, and schools?

Peace
1 Peter 4:15 "Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler."

Marriage
Proverbs 18:22 "He would finds a wife finds a good thing."

Hebrews 13:4 "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral."

Social reform begins in the home. We can't control the world around us, but we can control our homes.

The black church needs to guide us to build strong families, blossom in our careers, and create godly wealth in our communities. We need to stop being victims and be victors. Instead of being defensive against whites, gentrifiers, yuppies, etc, we need to LOVE them and build stronger communities with them. For the bible says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

3 Minute Interview with River East's Charles Wilson

2010-03-02T11:10:00.007-05:00

The 3-minute interview: Charles Wilson
By: Markham Heid Examiner Staff WriterMarch 2, 2010

Wilson is acting president of the River East Emerging Leaders, a nonprofit community action group begun in February 2009 that comprises roughly 100 area residents. The group's goal is to stimulate economic development and civic interaction in those struggling neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River.

What is the mission of your organization?
We want to see more people active and involved in what's going on in our East River community, because that's how communities become better — when residents take ownership.

How did REEL get started?
We realized that we have a lot of folks here that just don't know each other. So last year we started hosting social activities, just to get people out talking and meeting with one another. We did some park cleanups. We did a green jobs forum. We're still really at day 1 1/2, but we've been working hard to build the organization.

What projects do you have coming up?
We're going to look at how we can increase the participation in entrepreneurship so that we can have businesses that are owned and operated by residents who live east of the river. We also know there needs to be a focus on youth activities, so we want to get some of the East River youth involved. We're talking about mentoring projects, and we're going to have a relationship forum about healthy relationships and how that can have a positive impact on the community.

Where do you hope to see your community in 15 years?
I don't want to see these rundown buildings anymore. I don't want to see abandoned retail stores. I want to see businesses, and I would love to see residents who live here own and operate these businesses. I want to see our youth active and involved in the community. And I want to see health be a priority in the community — eating healthy and exercising.

To learn more about REEL, visit reeldc.org!

Read the Washington Examiner Article

Wedded Bliss in River East

2010-02-18T08:56:00.003-05:00

Above: Nisa Muhammed (from CNN's Black in America) and Jamil Muhammed discuss healthy black marriages with River East Emerging Leaders.

"Wedded Bliss Foundation is Mrs. Muhammad's vision to bring resources, support and direction to the Black community so happy marriages become the norm rather than the exception. With more healthy relationships and healthy marriages, she believes more children will grow up with the benefits of a two parent family."

www.weddedblissinc.com

Prosperity in River East: Part 3 - Public Policy

2010-02-16T19:03:00.007-05:00

25 percent of all births to single mothers in the District of Columbia are born in Ward 8. 28% of D.C. families receiving welfare (food stamps, TANF, etc.) reside in Ward 8. 41% of teen murders in D.C. are Ward 8 teens. The Councilmember for Ward 8 is marion barry. If I were an outsider looking in, I would ask "what's wrong with those people east of the river? Why can't they get it together like everyone else?" Well, one problem is the generational curse of broken families, drug abuse, and devaluation of education - this is our own fault. The second problem is lack of political leadership - this is partly our fault but really the fault of educated, elitist, and often well-intentioned leadership in our communities. To be clear, I'm referring to the liberal local and national leaders of the Democratic Party. Yea, I said it.

I landed my first job when I was 14. The mantra in my home was "If you don't work, you don't eat." Plain and simple. While we lived in the inner city, my family wasn't poor. We were middle class. Still, I had to get a job at 14, and didn't have many of the luxuries my friends enjoyed. I was responsible for providing myself with many of the essential items kids take for granted e.g. clothes, food, transportation, and even medical copayments! LOL I thought it was normal, but my friends were appalled at this! Some even asked if my parent "liked me"! There was no sharing of wealth. There was no entitlement. Once my friends hipped me to how real families operated, I thought my folks were cruel and unfair. But in retrospect, I'm so thankful for the tough love. Trust me, it paid off. It wasn't that my family disliked me - but as immigrants, they valued self preserverance.

Unfortunately, self preservation is not valued in River East. The "gim'me gim'me" mentality is glorified. And the democratic party - no matter how well intentioned- is partly responsible for the mess we're in! This is not breaking news. We all know institutionized handouts don't work. According to a study conducted by the Heritage Foundation:

-children of families receiving welfare have lower IQs

-adults who depended on welfare in childhood have lower earnings than their peers in adulthood

-women receiving welfare are less-likely to marry (because the bride and groom's combined income will disqualify them from public assistance)

Each of the above points snowballs into other social ills plaguing River East i.e. crime, sexual promiscuity, high school drop outs, etc. Policymakers need to look at the statistics and stop throwing money at these problems. The solution to our problem is tough love. In the short term, it will be painfull. Residents will be forced to change their lifestyle. But in the long term, it will be glorious. The same way we came up from slavery and segregation, we can come up from poverty, idleness, and dependency. To acommplish this, we need to incrementally dissolve the handouts and invest in 4 things:
1. Teen pregnancy prevention
2. Child and Adult Education
3. Job Training
4. Job Creation

Can we take River East residents off public assistance and pair each one with high-paying jobs that will sustain a middle class lifestyle? Nope - not in the beginning. It will take at least one full generation to get there. Why do to you think Africans and Asians do so well when they immigrate to the U.S.? They scrimp, save, and support each other. It's not rocket science. This means if Keisha only makes $30,000 per year working as an office clerk, she will have to forgo satellite cable, trips to the nail salon, rims, Nike boots for her toddler, and brand name foods from the grocery store. Her child may only get one gift for Christmas. She will share an apartment with a relative -like the immigrants do- to save money on rent. But the dignity of being self-supporting will pass on to her child. Don't you think it's worth it?

Below is a quote from George Bernard Shaw written in 1893:

People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them.

Prosperity in River East: Part 2 - Wealth Creation and Debt Avoidance

2010-02-04T21:32:00.014-05:00

Hello Friends,

This is the second installment of black Prosperity in River East. Earlier this week, Michelle Singletary, syndicated personal finance columnist with the Washington Post, delivered a Black History Month presentation at my agency. The title of her presentation was “Are you in the Black?” Her points were so powerful that I will share some of them with you in this post and incorporate my observations in River East. To put this blog post in perspective, please let’s refer back to Dr. King’s Mountaintop Speech April 3, 1968:

“Individually, we are poor when you compare us with white society in America. [But] Never stop and forget that collectively we are richer than all the nations in the world, with the exception of nine. Did you ever think about that? After you leave the United States, Soviet Russia, Great Britain, West Germany, France, and I could name the others, the American Negro collectively is richer than most nations of the world. We have an annual income of more than thirty billion dollars a year, which is more than all of the exports of the United States, and more than the national budget of Canada. That's power right there, if we know how to pool it.”

The problem: 42 years after Dr. King's speech, us black folks STILL haven't figured out how to pool our money and create wealth! Here are some suggestions:

1. Stop Attending Colleges we Can't Afford

We all want to show off and challenge ourselves by attending old guard private universities. Unless you're independently wealthy, chances are your mama took out loans, your grandmama took out loans, and you worked part time jobs to make ends meet. Nonetheless you still graduated with $50,000 in undergraduate debt. In my opinion, it's not worth it. We need to encourage our younger brothers, sisters, cousins, and proteges to keep it real and attend a school he/she can afford with scholarships.

2. Stop Spending Money on Dumb Shit

We, especially black women, spend too much money on dumb shit. Dumb shit includes, take-out food, acrylic nails, fake eyelashes, cash checking fees etc. Like Dr. King said, we're poor people independently, but collectively we have enormous buying power. But of course, instead of creating wealth within our own community, we're making non-River East business owners like nail salon owners and CashPoint proprietors filthy rich! Don't let the dilapidated storefronts fool you. These folks are laughing all the way to the bank while we remain at the bottom of the economic ladder for another 42 years!

Here's an example of how cutting back on dumb shit can help us build wealth: many of my girlfriends get their hair and nails done every two weeks. The chart below uses very conservative figures. Let's assume the hair appointment costs $45 and the full set of acrylic nails costs $20 for a total of $65. As you can see, if my girlfriend continues with these personal grooming exercises every two weeks, after 40 years, she would have spent $63,960! If she passed on the grooming and saved the $65 in a basic savings account at 1%, she would have earned $79,348. If she invested the $65 in a money market account at 5%, she would have earned $208,852.41! This doesn't mean we cant treat ourselves to a new doo. But it does suggest we stop doing things that don't add value to our lives or our bank accounts. I get my hair and nails done once a year. Once. And I think I look OK. I'm sure we all would look just as beautiful (or even more beautiful) without spending money on all the dumb shit.

3. Stop financing cars.

We actually believe "our job is our credit." Dr. King would roll over in his grave if he saw this tomfoolery! I don't know about you, but I'm driving my hooptie till the wheels fall off! Proverbs 22:7 says, "Just as the rich rule over the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender." For every dollar black folks owe creditors, that's another dollar we can not save for our children's education, give to our church and community, or donate to earthquake relief in Haiti. We may not be slaves on the plantation anymore, but we are voluntarily slaves to Visa, Easterns, and Marlo Furniture - and we can't blame the white man for that (even though I'm sure Marion Barry would find a way to do so)! LOL

4. Stop buying things we can not afford to impress people who are just as broke as we are.

This clip from Saturday Night Live says it all! -- takes a second to load but it's worth it!

Affirmations:

1. I will not allow my siblings or cousins to become slaves to the Student Loan Corporation by attending colleges they can not afford.

2. I will not spend money on dumb shit.

3. My job is not my credit. I will not pay interest on depreciating assets.

4. I will not buy things I can not afford. I don't have to impress my linebrother because he's just as broke as I am.

REEL Talk - Healthy Relationships!

2010-02-03T13:43:00.003-05:00

Prosperity in River East: Part 1 - ATTITUDE

2010-01-28T12:51:00.015-05:00

Hello friends,

This post is the first installment of a four part serious on black American prosperity. As a conservative black American residing in River East, I feel compelled to articulate my ideas on how the people of River East and black Americans as a whole can begin to prosper. These solutions are not popular. In fact, I believe they may be offesive to many readers. But we must agree that we need a drastic change. In each post, I will present my analysis of a particular obstacle, provide supporting opinion, and outline practical steps we can take to mitigate the obstacle.

The greatest hinderance to prosperity in River East and other black communities is the ATTITUDE of the residents. Our attitude affects our values, our thoughts, our actions, and ultimately our quality of life. There are three attitudes that need adjusting: victimization, entitlement, and debauchery.

How many times do you hear your brotha talk about "the man" holding him down? The brotha can't find a job because the "the man" won't hire him? Or the single teen parent who blames her child's dismal grades on the books, the facility, the teacher - everything other than herself. And we can't forget the slavery and segregation excuse. Yes, we all know slavery and segregation were the darkest hours in history but how long can we play that card? Example: last Fall, I joined the Anacostia Coordinating Council on a fundraiser boat ride. Your usual suspects were in entow - Eleanor Holmes Norton, Marion Barry, William Lockridge etc. And what do they do? They talk about how evil white people were 40 years ago. They talk about the struggle. The don't talk about personal responsibility. They blame the "white man" for the problems we face today when the truth is - the white man isn't thinking about us. He's moved on to bigger and better things. The white man doesn't even know we exist over here in River East, yet we're still holding on to a grudge that should have been forgiven long ago. We need to shake this attitude of victimization.

Second, we need to adjust our attitude of entitlement. For some reason, residents of River East feel like the city owes them something. River East residents see themselves as victims. They want to live like the residents west of the Park but they don't want to make the necessary investments that would economically and socially support that quality of life. River East residents want the best teachers, but we don't attend PTA conferences, respect the teachers, or instill intellectual curiosity in our children to excel. We want jobs in our community, but we don't support locally owned business and resist all efforts to attract industry to River East. We want first class public services, but we vandalize our metro buses, litter in front of schools, and we refuse to cooperate with police in fear of being called a snitch. Further, we want to be respected and taken seriously by the rest of the city, however we are the fools who voted Marion Barry into office. Please, good people, explain how we can be entitled to anything? The situation we find ourselves in is of our own doing.

Finally, we need to adjust our attitude towards ourselves and our community. Muhammed Ali said, "What you are thinking is what you are becoming." And he is absolutely right. A few months ago while driving home from Southern Metro Station, WPGC announced a new hit from rapper 50 cents and singer/songwriter Neyo titled “Baby By Me.” Let’s take a look at the lyrics:

I need you to give more what I need, more liquor more weed
I need you to maybe give me a seed…

Have a baby by me, baby, be a millionaire
Have a baby by me, baby, be a millionaire
Have a baby by me, baby, be a millionaire

This song doesn’t talk about marriage, long-term relationships, raising children together as a family. Nope. It reinforces a message of sex, drugs, alcohol, usury, and broken families. And yes, I understand that this is one song, but nearly every hip hop song that gets radio play has this same denigrating message.

The damage done by the lyrics is compounded by music videos of half-naked black women, leased diamonds and cars, alcohol and smoke-filled VIP lounges, etc.

Now let’s be clear – it is one thing for mature adults to indulge in legal adult activities, but the problem is we are the only culture that seems to lack discretion in this department. When we’re jamming in the car to Jammie Fox’s “Blame it on the a-a-a-a-alcohol,” so is little Tamara. When we’re watching Beyonce dancing and carrying on half naked on 106th and Park, so is little Jamaal. And then we all want to be surprised when Tamara and Jamaal become the images and words they receive.

I end this installment of black prosperity with these affirmations:
-I am not a victim
-No one owes me anything. I hold myself responsible for the situation I am in.
-I will not encourage lyrics, music videos, or movies that denigrate my community.

We are becoming what we are thinking.

New Businesses: So Far, So Good

2010-01-24T14:44:00.009-05:00

Hello Friends!

Here are some new River East business that are OK by me, so far!

Big Chair Coffee n Grill located at 2122 MLK Avenue: the location is ideal, the food is delicious, and the customer service is stellar. Please note, they are still and infant business so there are little kinks to work out. For example, they don't accept credit/check cards yet, but they value customer feedback, so I'm sure they will start accepting cards if enough people recommend it.

Perfect Nails located at 1559 Alabama Avenue: in general, I'm not a fan of nail salons in low income communities. When I was a little girl, I had family members on all kinds of public assistance but they always had money to go to the nail salon for their acrylic nails, pedicure, and eyebrow arching. Even as a kid, that made no sense to me. I digress. But the reason I like Perfect Nail is because it is obvious that the owners invested in this establishment. The furniture is new and chic. There's an indoor cascading waterfall. The mood is calm and the salon is immaculately clean. And the employees are kind. So, if people in our community insist on spending money on aesthetics, I recommend Perfect Nails.

See it. Report it.

2010-01-05T10:58:00.005-05:00

If you don't help report crimes, you or a loved one can be the next victim.

Do your part to help protect our community. See it. Report it.

Loving Precious

2009-11-10T15:58:00.014-05:00

Last night, I attended an early release of the movie "Precious" starring Mo'Nique, Mariah Carey, and introducing Gabourey Sadibe. The story is about a 16 year-old girl from Harlem (circa 1987) named Claireece Precious Jones. She's black, fat, ugly, pregnant with her second child, and illiterate. Oh yeah, and let's not forget that she's also being sexually, physically, and emotionally abused by her mother and father. I don't want to ruin the film for those of you who plan to view it, so I'll spare you the gruesome details.

Despite my efforts to support quality African American films, I can not place my seal of approval on this one. Sorry Tyler and Oprah. The film was racist, stereotypical, disturbing, and uninspiring. To be fair, I must admit that there was a lot of truth in Precious' story. Having grown up in an inner city in New Jersey, I have witnessed child abuse, dependence and manipulation of welfare, complacency, unstable households, poor schools, and disdain toward white America. But my disgust with this film is predicated on the summation and exaggeration of these elements in the young life of Precious. Yes, one or two of these things may afflict a young girl or many young girls in River East, but the picture painted here is a worst case scenario. And with all the gore and unsettling stereotypes of African Americans, the filmmakers went to such lengths to exploit, the story could have at least ended on a positive note or sounded a call of action - but there was none.

I have not been informed, "empowered", or swayed to write to the Chancellor of Schools, my council member, or congresswoman. Instead, I'm sick to my stomach. This is the kind of movie that creates racists, instead of inspiring original thinkers and innovative leaders.

Despite my disapproval for the film, I do recognize Sapphire, the author of the book PUSH, on which the movie is based, for her good intentions. Her objective probably was to place the spotlight on the struggles of young women in inner cities, but her technique was overkill and will likely result in unintended consequences.

But the bottom line is we've all come in contact with a Precious. But we must ask ourselves: do we greet Precious when we pass her on Good Hope Road, or do we pretend we don't see her? Do we call Child Protective Services when we notice a black eye, or do we say, "That's her and her momma's business?" Do we reprimand rowdy girls poll-dancing on the Green Line , or do we move to the opposite end of the Metro car and turn the volume up on our iPods?

These are the questions I have savaged from Sapphire's tail. I just wish the world wasn't so hard and cold that loving and standing up for a child who is not our own has become such a radical idea.

A lesson from Korean cram schools

2009-07-09T16:13:00.011-04:00

When I was in elementary school, I was a member of the black girl clique. One day, I got into a serious arguement with my friends, and asked my Asian classmates if I could hang with them until things cooled off with the sisters. They welcomed me with open arms. It was then, as a 6th grader, the difference between culture became apparent. For example, at lunch, the black girls talked about popular TV shows, hairstyles, weekend plans, and boys. When I started chilling with the Asian chics, I noticed our time together was dominated by our academics. We did homework together, studied together, quizzed each other before tests, and scolded each other if our grades slipped. For the first time in my life, I became a model student.

I am not the only non-Asian who has been influenced by this kind of work ethic. Last Sunday's Washington Post article, Preparing for More Than a Quiz highlighted Korean "Cram Schools" developed to supplement the standard 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. education students receive in public schools. These cram schools have been instrumental in helping Korean (and a growing number of white) students reinforce lessons learned in class, ace the SAT, and nearly guarantee entrance into Virginia and Maryland's top high schools and colleges.

How does this apply to River East? Well, the bottom line is that we need to stop making excuses for our children's academic performance. Leaders in our community explain that many River East children grow up in low-income single parent families and they simply don't have the resources or environmental setting to excel in academics. While there is validity to this excuse, we just have to over come it. Many of the black students in my private elementary school came from families that were just as financially and socially secure as our white and Asian counterparts; however, we still managed to rank at the bottom of scholastic achievement. This leads me to believe that our problem is not solely economic, but it is a matter of values and sacrifice.

One example of sacrifice is Shirley Harrell, a divorced single mother of two boys in Harlem, NY. She's a full time department store cashier and part time college student. Six days out of the week, Shirley and her sons commute from Harlem to Queens so her children can attend a Korean cram school after their school day has ended. Her sons' grades went from C's to A's. It's important to note that they enjoy attending these schools. They have all the fun that their African American peers do, but they simply put their academics first.

When asked about the financial burden of the supplemental education for her eldest son, Shirley explained, ""I'll do anything legal to come up with the money. If he wants to get ahead [with a SAT cram school], I'm going to help him."

I know there are many parents in River East who are just like Shirley. We just need to make the sacrifice. I look forward to the day when people say the African American community is pushing their children too hard. But of course, we'll learn a lesson from our Korean brothers and sisters in maintaining a healthy balance between social interaction and scholastic achievement.

The author of Talking Stuff posted excellent commentary on this subject. Please visit if you get a chance!

Light up the Night!

2009-05-23T20:04:00.007-04:00

Summer in River East is a special time of year. It's a time for barbecues, block parties, go-go concerts, swimming, baseball, gardening, and fireworks. Yes, summer in River East can be a lot of fun, but it can also be dangerous if we don't do our part in keeping the community safe.

Much of what the average River East resident experiences is petty street crime. And a relatively easy way to curb it is to "Light up the Night." When we light up the night, we turn on our porch lights and open our windows to the community. People on the street can see us, and we can see them. Plain and simple.

Take a stroll down a River East street, and you'll notice that criminals have the advantage. Our individualistic nature that causes us to shut the windows, pull the curtains, and dead-bolt the front door creates an environment were crime can flourish. By providing the cover of night, we are making crime way too easy for criminals.

With brighter safer streets, we will feel more comfortable taking public transportation at night, letting our children play outside, and walking (instead of driving) to the grocery store down the street.

Light up the Night and make River East a more walkable and livable community!

reel Cares

2009-05-04T22:26:00.004-04:00

On Saturday, River East Emerging Leaders partnered with DC Cares Servathon to give Oxon Run Park a facelift. Reel members pictured above are preparing to plant the first of several trees that now call Washington Highlands home!

A Bitter Sweet Tax

2009-03-20T21:37:00.011-04:00

Nobody likes paying taxes. We pay income taxes, sales tax, property tax, capital gains tax, and even death tax! While no one enjoys giving money to the government, most of us will agree that each tax strategically contributes to the the social benefits of living in Washington DC. If Council Member Tommy Wells has his way, we will pay a 5 cent tax on each plastic and paper bag we consume via the Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Act of 2009. Here's a snapshot of the legislation courtesy of Trash-free Anacostia.

Problem: 20,000 tons of trash enters the Anacostia River annually and 50% of that are plastic bags

Proposal: Customers will pay a 5 cent fee on all plastic and paper carryout bags from retail food establishments (grocery store, convenience stores, drug stores, and restaurants). Non-recyclable bags are banned. The fees paid by customers and fines levied on non-compliant businesses will be deposited into the Anacostia River Clean-up and Protection Fund.

Logic: If a customer has to pay for each bag received, he/she will be less likely to request a bag. If the customer doesn't receive the bag, the bag does not end up in the Anacostia River.

It is likely this legislation will, indeed, significantly reduce the amount of trash deposited in the Anacostia River. And a clean river is not only a natural beauty, but it can also stimulate recreation and economic opportunities along the waterfront.

With that being said, can you guess what's wrong with this legislation? That fact that it exists. It's shameful that we need the government to step in and regulate citizens' behavior in order to keep our community clean. Residents in communities along the Potomac River use as many plastic bags as we do in River East; however the Potomac River isn't infested with trash. This phenomenon leads one to think that our problem is not the plastic bags. Plastic bags do not grow legs and jump into the river. People in our community are careless with plastic bags, cans, and bottles and these items ultimately end up everywhere except where they belong: in the trashcan! Therefore, the problem lies in our attitudes, values, and beliefs about where we live.

Yes, the DC Council can levy a tax that will cleanse the river of plastic bags. But no amount of government intervention can cleanse our minds of an apathetic attitude towards our environment. Thank you, Council Member Wells for sprearheading this initiative. Hopefully there will come a time in River East when we are empowered to a level where we don't need government to force us to save our environment. One day, we will do it on our own. Conservation will have nothing to do with saving a nickel at the drug store. We will protect our river just because.

The American Dream Turn Nightmare?

2009-02-23T18:39:00.008-05:00

Last Wednesday, President Obama announced a $75 billion plan to provide relief to up to 9 million homeowners facing unaffordable mortgages that can ultimately lead to foreclosure. According to the Urban Institute, 43% of all foreclosures is a result of subprime adjustable -rate mortgages. The millions of borrowers who fell for these alluring teaser-rate mortgages are now seeing their "American dream" evolve into a foreclosure nightmare.

District homeowners are not exempt from the national housing crisis. In fact, foreclosures in Washington DC has doubled between the years of 2005 and 2007. While the highest number of foreclosures have been reported in Ward 5, the greatest percentage of sub-prime mortgages are found in Ward 7 and 8 (River East). Given the foreclosure trends, this can mean one of two things: 1) homeowners with sub-prime mortgages in River East were more prepared to deal with fluctuations in the housing market or 2) homeowners have yet to reach the interest-rate adjustment period which makes new monthly payments unaffordable.

Because of the interconnectedness of each sector of the American economy, the housing crisis has led to a nationwide economic downturn: banks are failing, businesses are cutting jobs, and almost every state in the Union is running record deficits. There's plenty of blame to go around. We can not control how markets perform, but we can control our own behavior. And many of our problems are self-inflicted. In many cases, it's not the mortgage that's causing the problem. It's the additional debt on top of the mortgage that makes homes unaffordable once interest rates increase. For example, did you really need to charge the trip to Brazil on your credit card? Did you really need to trade in the 2005 Corolla for a new Volkswagen? Do you really need 120 cable channels - how much TV can you watch? After doing a self- assessment, one is likely to realized that our own day-to-day decisions, made on an incremental basis, has led to the mess we're in.

The President's solution to dealing with this hiccup includes: helping homeowners refinance at lower interest rates, providing incentives for banks to modify loans, increasing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's ability to provide mortgages, and amending bankruptcy laws to allow judges to modify mortgages. This sounds great, right? Well the problem here is that this all costs money. Taxpayer's money. Homeowners like many of us in River East have difficulty understanding why responsible borrowers like ourselves have to subsidize irresponsible homeowners who bought condos in Dupont Cirlce - even though they knew they couldn't afford it. Is this policy fair to the conservative homeowner? Not really. Is supporting this policy the American thing to do? Absolutely.

Yes, socialism is definitely necessary in the short term. However, moving forward, we have to find a way to prevent this from happening again. Here is some advice friends, family, and professors have shared with me over the years:

If an offer sounds too good to be true - it usually is.
Refrain from signing anything you don't understand. You are educated and you have common sense. If you don't understand it, and if the person sitting next to you doesn't understand it - it's probably sketchy. In this situation, have an attorney review the documents. If you can't afford a private attorney, visit a free legal clinic usually located on college campuses.
Don't live within your means - live beneath your means. Just because Chevy Chase Bank approved you for a $300,000 loan doesn't mean you have to buy a house at that value. Instead, live beneath your means and buy a condo at half the cost. Use the rest of the money to repay student loans, contribute towards retirement, or simply save for a rainy day.

The above tips have worked wonders for my friends, family, and self. I hope they work for you too. Please feel free to add to this list in the comments section. We're all in this together, and we need to convene not only to share our wealth but also share our financial wisdom. This is the only way we'll create a foundation of financial security for ourselves, children, and grandchildren.

Change

2009-01-24T21:31:00.008-05:00

Nearly 2 million people journeyed from all corners of the globe to witness history on Inauguration Day. Anyone participating in inaugural activities would agree that this is not only a celebratory time because of the milestone our country reached, but is was also a festive occasion - almost magical. President Obama has a God-given talent that fills us with hope and optimism in these most uncertain times. It's hard to resist thinking that somehow the President can sprinkle magic dust over this land and right all of our wrongs.

The limits of President Obama's words and the reality of living in the nation's capital finally settled in later that evening on my way to a Ball. Standing in the Dupont Circle Metro Station was a young college-aged gentlemen. He wore only a thin athletic jacket despite the below-freezing temperature. When I came into earshot, the young man with downcast eyes mumbled, "do you have 50 cents?" I honestly didn't have it, so I wasn't much help. Since my date was running late, I had plenty of time to watch the young man ask dozens of metro riders for change. Over a span of 30 minutes, he managed to collect a nice sum of cash. The problem is that he never got on a train. Finally, after discrete inspection of his eyes, lips, and twittering arms, I concluded that the young man was a junkie in training. At first, I was angry. I was angry with him for ruining this glorious night. Then, I was angry that he was such a horrible representative of African American males on a day where African American's seemed to be vindicated from centuries of negative stereotypes. I was angry that he was using drugs. Most of all, I was angry that there was nothing I could do to help him. You see, he could be saved. He still had some dignity - evidenced by his unwillingness to look anyone in the eye. It was apparent that he was new to this begging thing.

So what could anyone do in that situation? Well, I could have purchased a fare card for him. I could have prayed for him. Instead, I did what many of us do - nothing. I just stood there on the sidelines as this young man flushed the most glorious day in modern history down the toilet.

Are you sitting on the sidelines too? If you are, please visit www.usaservice.org to find out how you can become a soup kitchen volunteer, ESL instructor, or a mentor for at-risk youth. There are a myriad of community service projects that fit various personalities, skillsets, and schedules. Echoing Pastor Rick Warren, President Obama is not the Messiah. There is no magic wand that will rebuild our communities for us. If we don't care about our community enough to volunteer our efforts, then why should policymakers in Washington care?

On the campaign trail, President Obama explained that "we are the change we've been waiting for." I'm ready to step up to the plate. Are you?

5 reasons to support IHOP

2009-01-12T14:46:00.007-05:00

$10.49. That’s the check at the Congress Heights IHOP every Saturday morning for a Viva La French Toast breakfast and bottomless cup of coffee. The French toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, and coffee can be prepared in your own kitchen at ½ the cost and with ½ the calories. But for some reason, even in these uncertain financial times, making an economic contribution to IHOP is important. It’s not about the eggs, or bacon or even the coffee – it’s about the community. To be more specific, here are 5 reasons to support our neighborhood IHOP:
1.The Staff – you will not find a more professional group of employees anywhere in DC. It is obvious that the employees want to be there and that is evident by the stellar service they provide to patrons. There’s even a gentleman by the name of Gerard who assumes a quality assurance role. He does this by asking questions like, “How long have you been sitting here? Do you think you should be eating by now?”
2.The Atmosphere – The restaurant is immaculately clean, bright, and roomy. Everything from the old school R&B music to the DC-inspired artwork gives IHOP a feeling which is familiar and inviting.
3.Social Responsibility – The owners and managers of IHOP fully understand the challenges we face in River East. And they appear to be on board for improving the quality of life in the community by first purifying the atmosphere of their own establishment. Check out the River East Spotlight on the right. Potential customers know what time it is, in terms of etiquette, before they even reach the hostess!
4.Supporting Local Economies – IHOP provides jobs to approximately 80 River East residents! In addition, the restaurant will increase the tax base of the community and also plans to contribute to River East community organizations.
5.Risk takers – if for no other reason, we should support this fine enterprise because the developers and investors took a risk on unchartered territory. We all complained about the absence of sit-down restaurants, and now there is finally an establishment worthy of our business!

I know – I’m late on giving IHOP kudos. But having witnessed dozens of shoddy development projects in my own hometown, it’s natural to be skeptical of new enterprises in their early stages. Too often, miraculous development occurs only to be torn down as a result of internal mismanagement or vandalism by a single bad apple in the community. So far, there appears to be something different about the River East IHOP. Next time you visit, take a look around. You’ll see corporate Giant employees discussing supermarket business, a pair of police officers enjoying a burger and French-fries, a trio of college-aged friends dissecting Sunday’s Redskins game, or a birthday celebration in the backroom. This is a world of difference from the carryouts we’ve grown accustomed to. When you visit IHOP, one gets the feeling that people want this enterprise to be sustainable.

In the grand scheme of things, $10.49 is a relatively small price to pay for sustainable development in River East, and you’ll even get a meal out of it.

Stairways to Healthy Lifestyles

2009-01-05T14:07:00.010-05:00

A couple of days ago, I was nearly mowed down by a disheveled middle-age woman as we exited the train at Southern Avenue Metro. In less than 10 seconds, she managed to push through the slowly moving crowd of passengers and sprint across the platform towards the escalators. After all the haste, she abruptly paused like a deer in headlights. As I approached her, the problem became apparent: the escalators were out of order! This was the moment of truth. The lady had a choice between walking up the stairs or riding the elevator. Given her hurriedness to reach her destination, I assumed she would climb the stairs as quickly as she bulldozed through the masses. I was wrong. She expressed to a nearby commuter that there was no way she would “walk up all them stairs”, and proceeded to the elevator. Now, I am not passing judgment, because there could be medical reasons to bypass the stairs. BUT I do believe that many of us like the disheveled metro lady, make incremental decisions (like whether to take the elevator) each day without considering the collective effect they will have on our lives – in this case, our health.

In River East, we face extraordinary challenges such as high crime rates, underdeveloped infrastructure, economic stagnation, and struggling schools. These are all external problems that we do not directly control. But there is another priority issue deserving immediate attention that we can control, and that is our own physical health. According to a city-wide health study, Ward 8 and 4 residents have the highest obesity rates in DC. And unfortunately, there is a troubling correlation between obesity and other conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

I admit that River East is probably not the most ideal location to live a healthy life. For example, there are few bike paths, no gyms, liquor stores are plentiful, and fried chicken from Yum’s is just a call away. However, where there’s a will, there’s a way. I have witnessed transformational changes in the health of my colleagues who also live in communities like ours. And they didn’t achieve it by hiring a personal trainer or shopping exclusively at Whole Foods. They did it by making smart daily decisions – like taking the stairs. Did you know that if taking the stairs one a minute a day was the only lifestyle change you made, you could lose ½ pound a year? I know, it’s amazing.

So, while many of us pour everything we have into developing our families, our churches, and community, it’s important that we also develop healthy lifestyles. This way, we’ll be around to enjoy River East when it becomes the community we want it to be! And it can all start with taking the stairs!

Rebranding Kwanzaa

2008-12-26T13:42:00.002-05:00

Last Saturday, Ward 8 Democrats hosted a very interesting Kwanzaa celebration at the Washington Highlands Library. Although I am African American, grew up in an inner city, and attended a historically black college, I have never given much thought to celebrating Kwanzaa. And I am not alone. When CNN's DL Hughley asked a pedestrian why she doesn't celebrate Kwanzaa, she responded by saying, "Because there are no presents, and I'm not into that homemade stuff." Christmas and Hanukkah take care of the presents, so what's wrong with the homemade stuff?

Here are some observations:

The African methodoly legitimizing Kwanzaa is questionable

The purpose of Kwanzaa can be considered divisive in the era of Obama

The communitarian means of acheiving progress via Kwanzaa is widely unpopular

Despite the shortcomings listed above, Kwanzaa isn't going anywhere. In fact, it actually has a wealth of possibilities. But we have to find a way to make it relevant to today's generation of African Americans who are not black nationalists. A comprehensive solution is rebranding. Rebranding happens all the time: companies rebrand products, celebrities rebrand their image, and political parties rebrand their message.

Suggestions to rebranding Kwanzaa:
1. Develop alternative to the "cooperative economics" principle. This is largely because Marxism simply isn't cool unless you live in Cuba or North Korea.

2. Produce a deliverable – It helps to be able to point to something and say the "spirit of Kwanzaa" moved us to do x, y, and z.

3. Launch a marketing campaign – A wholesome and respectable spokesperson like Felicia Rashaad, Sydney Poitier, or Maya Angelou would serve us well.

I guess the question we should ask is, are we better off as a community because Kwanzaa exists? If not, then we need to undertake a transformational change that will make it more relevant. My friend Tom often reminds me that the two most important things in life are 1) creative thought and 2) the appreciation of creative thought. The founder of Kwanzaa obviously put a lot of thought into this holiday. Although it is not a colossal failure, there are definitely areas that can use improvement. Let's use the Kwanzaa principle of Creativity (aka Kuumba) and develop a holistic approach to making this a more sustainable celebration in our community.

Given the challenges we face in River East, investing in this feat of unity wouldn't hurt. And if it works, it will be well worth the effort.

Please, not another Yum's

2008-12-20T16:40:00.012-05:00

Fast food restaurants like Yum's Carry Out have served our community for decades. Besides the eye-sore of a storefront, the bullet-proof glass, and dingy waiting area - I have no beef with Yum's. In fact, I give kudos to the workers who put in long hours cooking, packaging, and delivering fried chicken, Egg Foo Young, and your favorite lo mien to all of us in Washington Highlands and beyond. They deserve kudos because carryouts served our community when no one else would. However, I am elated that business-minded folks have finally realized that residents throughout River East actually want to sit down and enjoy a decent meal!

In order to bring finer establishments to River East, we have to make room for them on main thoroughfares such as South Capital Street, Alabama Avenue, and MLK. I admit, it would be somewhat unfair to boot out current fast food enterprises. But it wouldn't hurt to at least put a moratorium on new fast food carryouts, while providing financial incentives for real restauranteurs to move in!

This is totally doable. In 1985, our friends in Georgetown noticed a number of carryouts creeping into their affluent neighborhood and nipped that in the bud - quickly. Now, when you stroll down M St. NW, you have a plethora of fine dining just steps away! I figure Georgetown residents accomplished this by: 1) organizing themselves 2) articulating their concerns to the DC Zoning Commission and 3) financially supporting businesses that brought a variety of goods and services to their community.

Less than a year ago, Yum's opened another carryout less than a block away from the one pictured above on South Capital Street. This has got to stop! Wouldn't you rather have a Slyvia's Restaurant, Mocha Hut, and Chipotle in River East? If we don't want another Yum's in our community, we need to take heed from our friends in Georgetown. If they could do it, why can't we?

Why Fix a Broken Window

2008-12-16T14:47:00.011-05:00

Stroll down any neighborhood in River East and you're bound to find more broken windows than one can keep count. Windows are broken, doors are boarded up, and buildings are abandoned altogether. According to social scientists, the "Broken Window Theory" explains the the mindset of crumbled inner-communities: NOBODY CARES. Of course this is a generalization, because there are many people in River East who care about the welfare of our community. However, researchers say that we don't care as much as we once did, especially in comparison to more affluent communities. In affluent communities, windows are also broken, but the catch here is that residents quickly repair the windows because the outward appearance of a community's homes, businesses, and public buildings is symbolic of their sense of public order.

What thoughts cross your mind when you walk by an building veiled with broken windows like the abandoned Congress Heights School pictured above? Surveys report that many think of drunks, addicts, rowdy teenagers, prostitution, and a number of other fears that negatively affect how we feel about our neighborhood. Then, our feelings manifest into a downward spiral of urban decay: "property is abandoned, weeds grow up, adults stop scolding rowdy children, families move out, teenagers gather in front of corner stores, fights occur, people drink outside grocery stores, drunks and addicts slump to the sidewalk and residents allow them to sleep it off." Some would say that we've reached a point of no return. But as we see with River East, conditions are changing, slowly, but they ARE changing in a positive direction.

So, I'm not saying city government or a group of neighborhood associations need to go fixing random windows! Besides, it is private property, after all - and that's a topic for another blog post. But what we CAN do is promise that we will take care of our own property. Let's treat our windows, homes, cars, and business like we would treat them in Fairfax. Let's raise the bar for ourselves and our neighbors. If you notice that Jamaal's screen is ripped and hanging off the hinges, ask him to fix it! If your car won't start, don't just leave it on Alabama Avenue - have it towed to a repair shop as soon as you can.

Let us not develop River East just for development's sake. Let's fix broken windows and everything they represent.

Can Michelle Obama be a Transformational Washingtonian?

2008-12-05T23:56:00.019-05:00

Michelle Obama is obviously highly intelligent, diligent, poised, and down-to-earth. With the exception of Oprah Winfrey, it's hard to think of another African American woman who will have the level of influence Mrs. Obama will have once she becomes First Lady. Therefore, the stakes are high.

Believe it or not, she has big shoes to fill. While I'm not the biggest fan of the Bush Administration, I give credit where credit is due, and First Lady Laura Bush has done an exemplary job as First Lady. One initiative that the Bush Administration deserves praise for is its policy on sub-Saharan Africa - especially as it pertains to HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and literacy for girls. Much of the credit can be attributed to Laura Bush's constant campaign for these noteworthy causes.

What will be Mrs. Obama's initiatives? Well, so far she says her job is to be "Mommy in Chief." Can't argue with that. Then, once the girls are settled in, she'll consider tackeling Domestic Violence or Assistance to Military Families. Yes, these are worthy causes, but it's hard to resist raising the bar just a little higher for Michelle.

In 4 years time, First Lady Michelle Obama can be a transformational figure in DC governance. She can be the one to inspire young girls to build confidence, strive for higher education, and make wise choices in their teenage years. Oh, and there must be a reason why she didn't want her daughters to attend DCPS. As a Princeton and Harvard-educated girl from the South Side of Chicago, she can easily be a spokesperson for inner-city education. And why not start right here, in her new home of DC? Sounds like a plan to me!

The Obama team hasn't let us down yet, so let's stay tuned for Mrs. Obama's debut!

River East Profile: Washington Highlands

2008-11-29T22:06:00.003-05:00

Most people don't know what to call the neighborhood sandwiched between South Capital Street, Southern Avenue, and MLK Drive - well, it's Washington Highlands. Honestly, there's no reason for anyone to know its name because, on the surface, there isn't anything particularly desirable about it. Here are some stats according to DC Office of Planning:

Median Household Income = $27,000 vs DC average of $56,000
Homeownership rate = 19% vs DC average of 41%
Average cost of home = $200,000 vs DC average of $400,000

As you can see, we're at the low end on each of these statistics. It's important to note however, that because homes are so affordable, this is a prime location for young folks or first time home-buyers to get their foot in the door. With that backdrop, I'm happy to say there are a number of very energetic and socially active condo associations springing up left and right! Next time you're in the area, take a drive down one of our tree-lined streets and experience how nice and cozy life in Washington Highlands really is. Of course, we have our fair share of SE issues. But let's look at moving to Washington Highlands as an ideal opportunity to really be the change we all want to see in River East!

Brandywine St SE

2008-11-28T21:17:00.002-05:00