-->
Gloria Dulan-Wilson Blog
Eclectically BLACK News for Eclectic Black People
VIP:
Views . Interests . Perspectives
For
those of you who have been somewhat off-planet, due to the recently
held Second Inauguration of President Barack Obama, I think it
important to remind you of the upcoming annual RAINBOW PUSH WALL
STREET ECONOMIC SUMMIT (a/k/a WSP) convened by the Rev. Jesse
Jackson, Wednesday, January 30 through Friday, February 1, 2013.
For
the past 15 years the event has been held at the Sheraton Towers
Hotel on 7th Avenue and 52nd Street in
Manhattan. This year there is a major change: The Conference this
year will be held at the Roosevelt Hotel at 45 East 45th
at Madison Avenue.
This
year's theme, “WALL STREET to MAIN STREET Economic Parity …
The Struggle Continues“ highlights the focus on Wall Street
to Main Street, and the drive to return to the middle and lower
economic class families the monies stolen from them via the economic
down turn, massive foreclosures and job losses that occurred during
the Bush Administration, and took the greater part of the Obama
Administration to turn around. The President has managed to do so
despite the nefarious efforts of rapacious Rep-ugh-blicans and Tea
baggers; Mitt-Twits, and other who sought to disenfranchise us, and
deprive us of economic wherewithal to provide for ourselves and our
families.
I
might also add that those who missed the Wall Street Economic Summit
of 2012, may not be aware of the predictive accuracy with which Rev.
Jackson alerted us to upcoming challenges to the African American
community, many of which unfortunately have come to pass, because far
too many of us don't take the information he culls as seriously as we
should. The shutting down of major Black radio stations (including
the bankruptcy of Inner City Broadcasting) was brought to the
attention of the participants in sufficient time to have changed the
trajectory of that tragic history; however, no one responded until it
was actually happening. By then, it was too little, too late.
So,
I'm going to urge you to make it your business to not only be present
for this year's summit, take notes, and participate, but be prepared
to take positive action from that point forward. There is a wealth
of information that Rev. Jackson and his organization spend the
entire year gathering, analyzing, and compiling for y/our benefit.
We have seen what happens when the other side gets an inch – they
unapologetically take the entire mile, and use a steam roller to rid
themselves of those who would stand up to them.
As
I mentioned earlier, the theme Wall Street to Main Street – Main
Street is us - We, The People. Lest we forget; we are still the
low man and woman on the proverbial Totem Pole. We still have to learn what
others have mastered; we still have to apply this information –
individually and collectively to our lives, our communities, our
neighborhoods. The fact that “The Struggle Continues...” means
that we really have to look at what it is that we are (or are not)
doing that keeps us on the margins. And make sure that we look at
ourselves – not President Obama, but our own actions. The
President has carved out some pretty hefty benefits for the Black
community, but we have to avail ourselves of it: Pell Grants $5500
makes it increasingly possible to put our kids through college; the
expansion of junior colleges, means we can go back and take much
needed classes to upgrade our skills; health care so we are no longer
prey to debilitating diseases; a standing with the international
realm (the peaceful side) so that we can begin to expand our trade
and product placement. Are we taking advantage of those
opportunities?
Even the focuses on access to capital, career
development and labor means that we are now receiving key information
that had not been available to us before. Not only does The Wall
Street Economic Summit brings together the nation’s leaders from
politics to corporations to entrepreneurs – all to discuss the need
for economic parity and concerns unique to men and women of
African/American, Hispanic and diverse cultures, it gives you an
opportunity to connect with peers and others you otherwise might not
be aware of. Highlights of the three-day summit will include the
following sessions: Wall Street Project Career Symposium, Raising Our
Voices on Advertising in The Marketplace, Parity in Public
Procurement Opportunities, Strength Through Diversity, and The
Business of Hip-Hop - yes, Hip-Hop!
The
only other workshops I would like to have seen included- unless I overlooked them - are the following:
1)
the plight of the African American
Senior Citizen who is stuck on a fixed income; or who is facing
age-ism; or who has retired, but has too much month at the end of his
or her money. There are several “wounded warriors” from the
Civil Rights era who were never able to get decent jobs, but have
served their communities well, who are now facing homelessness,
extinction, or depression, because benefits have not accrued to them
to make it possible for them to live out their lives decently. Are
there
hedge and investment funds and programs for them? What kinds of mutual
funds or municipal bond funds; growth funds can they take advantage of
so their "golden" years don't end up on the rust pile? Given that many
of this population has already crossed the 60+ mark - indeed, some are
Rev Jackson's contemporaries - is it too late to develop an investment
protocal that pays dividends for them? Would be a great workshop, and
probably have a rather large audience of participants seeking solutions.
2)
How Black Sororities and Fraternities can build wealth for themselves
and their members through united fund and mutual fund development; As a
member of Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, Inc., and the largest Black sorority in the world (this is our
centennial so you know I had to get my plug in) - it would be the first undertaking of its kind, and Rev. Jackson is the perfect person to launch such an endeavor.
3)
And home buying through an affiliation with such organizations as NACA
(Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America), who offer free down
payment, closing costs and mortgages 1% below prime - to begin an
alliance vehicle for fostering bullet proof mortgages for the African
American families who have all but been pushed into the street via
mortgage backed securities and massive foreclosures. It would be a way
to jump start building communities of quality, as well as a great tie in
to his investment savvy.
Another
focus, and a paramount concern of Rev. Jackson, is the number of Black
churches facing foreclosure as a fall out of the massive economic
downturn of 2007-2010. Along with that concern, however, has to be
the factor that so many – especially in the Northeast, already
driven out of their homes due to massive foreclosures, are now also
facing homeless as a result of Hurricane Sandy.
Guests
include President Bill Clinton, Senator Chuck Schumer (D, NY), Rev.
Al C. Sharpton, Jr., Jamie Foxx, Dionne Warwick, with special
performances by Grammy Award Winner, Gospel recording artist Mary
Mary and the cast of the upcoming Broadway show “Motown: The
Musical.”
Rev.
Jackson will honor former New York Governor David Paterson, Motown
founder and mogul, Berry Gordy, and investment genius, Willie E.
Gary. Per Reverend Jackson, “We are proud to present our honorees
this year as they have set the foundation and raised the bar for our
economic success. This year, we are expanding the opportunity for
access to capital, industry and technology. As we reach the pinnacle
of political achievement, we realize that we still have a great deal
to accomplish. The Summit will assist us in those efforts by
providing participants with information and the resources needed to
restore confidence and financial stability.”
The
tribute to the legendary Berry Gordy will take place at the Gala
Fundraising Reception, which takes place in the Grand Ballroom of the
Roosevelt Hotel, on Thur., Jan. 31, at 7:30 p.m. For those of you who
come from another planet, Gordy is the founder of Motown Records, in
Detroit MI, that spawned the successful careers of the Jackson Five,
Diana Ross and the Supremes; Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and The
Miracles, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, and many other
music greats. Guests will be treated to a preview of the upcoming
Broadway production “MOTOWN: the Musical” during the gala. Gordy
wrote the book for the show. In addition to the preview of the
musical, iconic vocalist and actress Dionne Warwick, and actor,
singer, comedian Jamie Foxx, will pay special tribute to
Gordy.
Earlier that same day, at 12:30
pm., ET, Willie E. Gary and former New York Governor David Paterson
will be honored at the Access to Capital Luncheon. Gov. Paterson was
the youngest state senator in New York history and the first African
American governor of New York. Attorney Gary is a motivational
speaker and cable television executive who over the years has won
large suits against corporate giants like Disneyland and
Anheuser-Busch. He has won more than 150 multi-million dollar
lawsuits.
U.S.
President William Jefferson Clinton will be the Access to Capital
Luncheon's keynote speaker. Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter will
also provide remarks. Multi-Grammy award winning artists Mary Mary
will give a special performance during the Luncheon sponsored by WE
TV. A docu-series about the lives of Erica and Tina Campbell,
better known as the singing duo Mary Mary, airs on WE TV – a cable
network dedicated to featuring original stories for and about modern
women who are taking charge of their lives, their families and their
households.
Kim Martin, President of WE TV stated, "As a
network that produces several television shows featuring positive
African American role models, we are particularly delighted to
participate in the 16th Annual Wall Street Economic Summit. We are
proud of what Mary Mary represents to this
community and are
pleased to support the Summit's important agenda."
The
Summit is sponsoring a special RSVP - only career day, on Wednesday from 12:30 on. See the ad below for details. The actual kick off opening reception, co-hosted by NV
Magazine, is Wednesday evening, Jan. 30, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. ET,
featuring a feature a preview of “A Little Bit of Business. A
Little Bit of Life” - a new on-line web series with Kyle Donovan,
the Publisher of NV Magazine. Forbes Magazine ranks the show's first
guest, R. Donahue Peebles, Chairman & CEO, The Peebles Corp, as
one of the Top 10 Wealthiest African Americans. He will be available
for a short Q & A after the preview.
On Friday, February
1, the Civil Rights & Economic Justice Minister’s Luncheon's
keynote speaker will be U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, (D) NY. The
luncheon takes place at 12:00 p.m. ET, and honorees include: Rev.
Joseph Carter of New Hope Baptist Church, Newark, NJ; Dr. Freddie D.
Haynes, III, Senior Pastor, Friendship-West Baptist Church, Dallas,
Texas and Rev. Andrew
Wilkes, affiliate minister, The Greater
Allen Cathedral of New York and Editor of Urban Faith.
The
Rainbow PUSH Coalition is a progressive organization protecting,
defending and expanding civil rights to improve economic and
educational opportunity. The 2013 honorary co-chairs are Danny J.
Bakewell, Sr., Chairman & CEO, National Newspaper Publishers
Association; John Graves,
Pres. & CEO PR Networks, Inc.;
Mellody Hobson, Pres., Ariel Investments LLC, Louis James, Pres., &
COO, Motor City Logistics; Byron Lewis, Founder & Chairman,
Uniworld Group; Former NY Governor David A. Paterson; R. Donahue
Peebles, Chairman & CEO, The Peebles Corp; James Reynolds, Jr.,
Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO, Loop Capital Markets LLC; John W.
Rogers, Jr.
Chairman & CEO, Ariel Investments LLC; New York
Senator Charles Schumer (D); Maceo K. Sloan Chairman, CEO & CIO,
NCM Capital and California Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D).
As
I stated earlier, you owe it to your self to be at the Summit. It's
designed for your benefit. Kudos to Rev. Jackson and his staff for
consistently delivering the information to us, when others wouldn't.
Shame on us if we don't take advantage of this capacity building
opportunity. Congratulations to those of us who know the value of
this great event and soak up, as well as utilize as much of it as we
possibly can.
Stay
Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY
BLACK
Gloria
Dulan-Wilson
STAY BLESSED
Rev. Jesse Jackson, Berry Gordy, Motown, Rev. Al Sharpton, Pres. Bill
Clinton, Wall street to Main Street, Career Opportunities, Money, Delta Sigma Theta, Senior Citizens
|
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank YOU For Visiting Gloria Dulan-Wilson Eclectic Black People VIP Blog. We Would Like Your Views, Interests And Perspectives. Please Leave A Comment Below.