GDW EVENT ALERT: Juanita Kidd Stout 14th Annual Economic Empowerment Expo sponsored by Phily Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. April 8, 2017

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson
-->

Hello All:

Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.,  is sponsoring its 14th Annual Juanita Kidd Stout Economic Empowerment Expo at the Audenreid High School on Saturday, April 8, 2017.

And if past programs are any indication, this will be an even greater expansion of the services and opportunities that young entrepreneurs and adults who are embarking on starting their own businesses can take advantage of.

The event starts at 9:00 AM, but doors open at 8:30 - where guests and participants will be served a light breakfast as they check in, receive their gift packs,  and make their way to the auditorium.

Open to youth from fifth grade through senior high school; and young adults - college level to mature - the program will link the participants with resources and information to assist them in succeeding in their business ventures.  Parents are also encouraged to attend as well to learn about the little geniuses they are raising who may well become the next great business owner/operator in his or her own right. 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/juanita-kidd-stout-community-conference-tickets-32551047058?ref=ebtnebregn

Highlights of the event include two blue-ribbon panels on business ownership and development; financial literacy, as well as governmental and local resources to assist in the establishment and expansion of businesses.

To make the day even more special, the Keynote Speaker will be none other than  the consummate entrepreneur, Kenny Gamble of Gamble and Huff, and founder of Universal Companies. 

There will be several workshops, including Financial Literacy; Home Ownership - with a special extended workshop featuring NACA - for first time home buyers; Networking and Connecting; Local and Governmental  Services.  Start ups and well as established businesses will definitely benefit from these resources.

Simultaneously, there will be special workshops just for the kids -  Entreprenurial Programs for Youth - who will have an opportunity to talk about their ideas and dreams and concepts in a different environment - hosted by youth who have already started or currently run their own successful businesses;  and a host of others that are still in formation! 

You won't want to miss this powerful and empowering event - whether you just sketched the concept out on your dining room table; it's been a dream of yours for quite some time; or you just started with what you have, but are looking for guidance in moving forward in the right direction take some time out to come out and meet and pick the brains of the experts.

While the youth can attend for free, we are asking for a small fee of $5.00 from the adults - this can either be paid online when you register with EVENTBRITE, or when you arrive 

(NOTE - the cut off date for registering online with EVENTBRITE  has been extended to April 7, 2017).  

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/juanita-kidd-stout-community-conference-tickets-32551047058?ref=ebtnebregn

As part of the ongoing effort to expand businesses in the community, Mentorships will be provided to two emerging "Minority" Female Entepreneurs - including :

How to Start a Business

How to Write a Business Plan

Business Licenses and Permits

In addition to providing access to financial resources, the Chapter will offer two grants in the amount of $1,000 each for financial assistance.  However, each applicant will have to do a pitch of her business before a panel that will be looking for specific criteria.  For details of how to qualify for these grants, please email jks@phillyalumnae-dst.org  - immediately - if not sooner. 

For those of you who already have established your businesses and would like to vend at the event, please also contact  jks@phillyalumnae-dst.org

If there are organizations or sponsors that would be interested in contributing to the program, either through in kind contributions, or expertise, please contact jks@phillyalumnae-dst.org, as well.

This is an opportunity for our communities to come together and begin to build on the considerable human treasure that resides here, and provide the encouragement, support, and recognition they need and deserve, so that they may, in turn, be contributors in their own right.

GDW FOOTNOTE:  Now that we've gotten the preliminary formalities out of the way, let me say this:  I am so proud that not only was Judge Stout the first Black woman ever to serve as a judge anywhere in the US  - and on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, but also that she was originally from Oklahoma - and you know me, as a proud daughter of Oklahoma, I have to at least brag a little.  Wewoka, Oklahoma is still a thriving little enclave.  And to make it even more special, Judge Stout was a  proud and active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter.  GDW

Cover of EBONY Magazine featuring Justice Juanita Kidd Stout 

There is actually a building named in her honor as well.  There's so many wonderful ways in which she has inspired so many of us. 

The Justice Juanita Kidd Stout Center For Criminal Justice 

Feel free to share this information with family and friends -  and make it your business to attend as well - REMEMBER:  THE BUSINESS YOU EXPAND MAY BE YOUR OWN!

SO COME WITH A DREAM AND LEAVE WITH A PLAN

NOW THAT YOU KNOW

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

STAY BLESSED & 

ECLECTICALLY BLACK 

GLORIA 

Ticket Information

TICKET TYPE	SALES END	PRICE	FEE	QUANTITY
Adult	Apr 1, 2017	$5.00	$1.27	Ticket Quantity Select             0                      1                     2                     3                     4                     5                     6                     7                     8                     9                     10
Child	Apr 1, 2017	Free	$0.00	Ticket Quantity Select             0                      1                     2                     3                     4                     5                     6                     7                     8                     9                     10

Order Now

Who's Going

You're the first of your friends to connect to this event.

Share it to get some people on board! Share

Share Juanita Kidd Stout Community Conference

EmailShareTweet

Event Details

Have questions about Juanita Kidd Stout Community Conference? Contact Economic Development Committee, DST Philadelphia Alumnae

Save This Event

When & Where

Google Maps

Map Data

Terms of Use

Map

Satellite

Universal Audenreid Charter High School
3301 Tasker Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19145

Saturday, April 8, 2017 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM (EDT)

  Add to my calendar

Organizer

Economic Development Committee, DST Philadelphia Alumnae

  Contact the Organizer

View organizer profile

1 upcoming event on Eventbrite

ECLECTICALLY BLACK NEWS GUEST BLOG: Message to the Black Community We Must Have a Renewed Hope and Faith in 2017

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson
-->

Hello All & HAPPY NEW YEAR

 I am sharing this message from Universal Companies  as groundwork for what we have to do in the coming year(s) as a people.  

Universal Companies, founded by Kenny Gamble, has been in the forefront of working with Black people throughout the diaspora in the arenas of real estate, education, housing, and other tangible concerns that have been part and parcel of our very existence.  

Brother Rahim Islam, the genius who works very closely with Mr. Gamble, an coordinates most of the programs and projects of Universal Companies, has posted a very potent message in Universally Speaking  and I'm sharing it with you at this crucial point in our lives.  The words of wisdom shared here are not just be read lightly and then put aside, but to become part of a comprehensive mindset and action plan as we go forward, individually and collectively as Black people. 

The work has already been started in Philadelphia their signature organization, PCOL - Philadelphia Council of Leaders - which brings together leaders and community activists from across the city whose goals are to have a direct and material impact on the lives of Black Philadelphians.  These group work in concert with each other to bring about the material and spiritual change throughout a city that has been been too long under siege.  

So read, study, learn, share, and activate.

Stay Blessed & 

ECLECTICALLY BLACK

Gloria 

Message to the Black Community We Must Have a Renewed Hope and Faith in 2017   As we move into the new year of 2017, let's reflect personally on 2016 what went right and what went wrong and more importantly what you plan on doing in 2017. This same exercise must be done for the Black community and if were honest with ourselves, we can do better and we must do better for the future of Black America. Given that there are just too many Black children who wake up every day living in poverty and/or near poverty and all of its manifestations this my brothers and sisters is unacceptable. What's more troubling is that all statistical data show that the number of Black children living in poverty will grow which will significantly cripple and handicap the liberation of Black people in America without a local or national plan to address our specific issues.  Our individual challenges pale in comparison to our group challenges and if we are not addressing them as a group, our individual success will continue to diminish and be limited to just a few success stories this is what we see today. While we have a few individuals that have been able to achieve financial independence, the overwhelming majority of the Black community spends most of their time in a survival mode either at low-middle income or low-to-very-low income levels this economic condition is the legacy of slavery that our community has inherited. With this reality, our community lacks individual or group wealth which complicates our ability to mount any strategic real long-term plan to address our issues. Our issues are unique and to combat our issues will require that we do something that we have been unable to do with fidelity and sustainability THE BLACK COMMUNITY MUST WORK CLOSER TOGETHER (FUNCTIONAL UNITY) AND I HAVE HOPE AND FAITH THAT OUR COMMUNITY WILL IN 2017. WE MUST RESTORE HOPE - While we have a number of issues that the Black community must defend (internal and external), I have hope that our community has the desire and will to undertake this fight not just for today but more importantly for tomorrow. Where does this hope come from? It comes from knowing of the great history and struggle of our people (knowledge gives me hope). Our people have overcome so much over the past five hundred years, including the trans-Atlantic passage; chattel slavery, Jim Crow racism and discrimination; and KKK terrorism and not only survived but we still remain one of the warmest and sincerest people on the planet. Our ancestors exhibited the highest level of hope in the face of odds greater than we face today. However, due to a number of legitimate reasons, too many members of our community have lost hope; they have seen things stay the same or even worsen for so long they've succumb to the feeling of hopelessness we must help them, we must help ourselves. It's very easy for White America and the media depict Black people and their current social and economic conditions as a true reflection and narrative of our group value and it's is equally easy for Black people to see their current social and economic conditions as a true reflection and narrative of their group value. In addition to addressing our issues, our work must involve restoring hope the masses of people for no fault of their own have been bitten by White supremacy and therefore, Black inferiority. We must reinvigorate our culture with hope no matter how bleak things seem to appear. We must utilize the remembrance of the plight of our ancestors for courage and strength. Brothers and sisters, this isn't a weakness, this is our strength; this is our blessing; and this is our gift from our ancestors and we must use it to our advantage. We can't allow our children to not have hope, we must allow them to make an honest comparison and gauge for themselves whether the proverbial glass is half empty (pessimistic) or half full (optimistic) and conclude like millions of Black baby boomers did that we can do and achieve anything we set our minds and hearts to do evidenced by unparalleled successes the Black community achieved in the 19th and 20th century. Optimism was ingrained within our culture and collective our spirit and we must do the same for future Black children so they too can be inspired by our potential and not burdened by our current reality because this is a marathon and not a sprint. I'm optimistic that our Black leadership (i.e. clergy, decision makers, content specialist, businessmen and women, etc.) will begin to work closer together in 2017 to restore hope to our community and to our children. WE MUST REGAIN OUR FAITH When hope is subdued, faith is has been arrested. Have we forgotten the basic tentacles of faith and the belief in a Supreme Being and a higher plan? I can recite several that fit our struggles after hardship comes ease; if it doesn't kill you, it will make you stronger; man plans, but God is the best of planners; the struggle of good versus evil, God versus the Devil; my life, death belong to God; the weak shall inherit the earth; God is on the side of those most downtrodden; "I fear no one but God;” and "if you believe, you will be tested."The struggle the Black man in America faces is a test from God and this is a religious struggle; therefore, we must have faith that we're on the right side of history and God has a plan for victory and liberation of the Black man. If you stare out into the universe and take in the sun, moon and the stars; watch the rivers flow and the massive containment of the world's (three quarters) awesome seas and oceans; admire the highest and most majestic mountains and the energy, minerals, and natural energy resources buried deep into the earth; acknowledge the multitude of gifts that the earth produces from the sweetness of sugar to the bitterness of salt; and the millions of other physical attributes and benefits of creation, you must conclude that this existence we call "life" isn't some accident. As you study the creation, you must come to appreciate that there is a definite hierarchy within creation with man as its sole benefactor man is at the top of the food chain and God is above man no matter what name you ascribe to Him. We hear about the ultimate friction between good and evil; God and Devil and many of us are confused by this dynamic. My belief is that this contrast is part of the Creator's design. The devil, if he does exist (I do believe that a devil spirit exist) is part of God's creation this is no accident. Also, the devil is not in competition with God. God has no competition. If the devil wanted to disguise himself (this is the nature of the devil), religion would be the best place to hide because once you someone to believe it's nearly impossible to reverse and White Supremacy is a lie. The devil spirit is competition with the human spirit and has used the human to elevate himself to God; God-like, or a kin to God and this can be more demonstrated in the dynamics of White Supremacy played out in the oppression of Black people in America. Our spirituality and faith must be tied to our liberation without exception. We must view our struggle in a spiritual and divine perspective and this should free us how else can you explain what has happened to our people for so long. In addition to our faith in God, I faith in the concepts of America and democracy. The same key that locked us up, is the same key that can deliver and free us. The Constitution, Bill of Rights, Voting Rights Act, and the Declaration of Independence are all legal documents that support our freedom and provide the Black community the ammunition needed to hold America accountable. Don't get it twisted, America will never change on its own, they will need to be forced to repair the damage done to our community. We should never forget that Black people in America are not like any other group in America: we’re not natives, we're not immigrants, and until just recently we achieve the status of American citizenship. The journey of the Black man in America is on par with the painful struggles of the most aggrieved people within scripture we must connect our struggle to a spiritual one and we must renew our faith. I'm optimistic that our Black leadership (i.e. clergy, decision makers, content specialist, businessmen and women, etc.) will begin to work closer together in 2017 to regain our faith in God and our liberation. After hope and faith must come the work in fact, the measurement of how much hope and faith one has can be seen in the amount of work that one undertakes - this equally applies to the group as well. God will never do for us what we must do for ourselves and we must take ownership and do the work. Our liberation must be earned and the current level of Black disorganization and disunity could never be the foundation and/or recipe for the collective strategy needed to improve the plight of Black America. Restated, if we don't begin to work closer together, especially our leaders, we don't have a chance in the world to not only defend ourselves but to advance our agenda. If we don't do better, we have no one to blame but ourselves. I know everyone won't agree with me and many will continue to operate in an isolated (silo) way believing that their work is so good and will save the whole Black community but it won't our issues are too complexed and to complicated that any one individual or organization can tackle alone. However, for those who do agree that Black people must work better together for our success, I have hope and faith in our people that we can come together in 2017 to form the foundation needed for a movement that can be sustained over several decades if not centuries. MAY GOD BLESS THE BLACK COMMUNITY IN AMERICA IN 2017!

http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=c10ef1b16069e2d7da0ed1932&id=aa16d2544c&e=9296baa527 Copyright © 2016 Universal Companies, All rights reserved.  NOW THAT YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? Stay Blessed &  ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria  eclecticallyblacknews@gmail.com

Kenny Gamble Honored by Chaka Fattah at CBC Reads Black Folks the Riot Act - or The Gospel According to Gamble!

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

Finally getting my breath and bearings back after some real interesting chains of event over the past month and a half.  But that's another story for another time.  With all the madness and confusion, I still managed to attend the Congressional Black Caucus' Annual Legislative Week End in Washington, DC, which took place September 24-28.  This their 44th year.  It is also the year of the most pivotal mid-term election ever, which takes place November 4, 2014 - with nearly all incumbents up for re-election across the nation.

One of the biggest events, in addition to the myriad of workshops throughout the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, was the Chair's reception, hosted by Congressman Chaka Fattah of Philadelphia, PA. 

Chaka Fattah D. Philadelphia

The massive event was held at the newly minted Marriott Maquis Hotel - which sort of grew up over night and is now hip and thigh with the convention center.  A fabulous edifice that puts all the other Marriotts to shame - thus far - it boasts of ball rooms and reception areas four levels deep, and a direct conduit from the hotel to the convention center so that you don't even have to face the outside elements.  And it's co-owned by a Black man!  

Grand Lobby and Conversation Hub of the Marriott Marquis, DC

With nearly a thousand participants in attendance for the reception, live entertainment, an open bar, wine, cheese, pasta, and great conversations flowed throughout the evening.  The Chair's reception always draws a big crowd from Pennsylvania and all over the US, most of whom were congenial after having spent the entire day in workshops, round tables and forums tocused on issues and concerns about Black people, their progress, economic status, education issues, quality of life - and most of all the mid-term crisis.

The guest of honor for the evening was none other than Kenny Gamble, of Gamble and Huff /The Sounds of Philly (TSOP) fame, and his wife, Faatimah.    However this time they were being honored for their contribution as real estate and community developers, community activists, and educators and their long years of continued, distinguished service to the People of Philadelphia.  Most don't realize that they gave up a posh life in the suburbs, returned to  South Philadelphia, and have dedicated their lives to the African American communities, transforming them from blight to beauty.

Kenny Gamble 

Faatimah Gamble

A well deserved and long overdue recognition, for Gamble, who is apparently as equally skilled and adept in the realm of property development and construction as he is in the music and entertainment realm.   Though, there have been no end of recognition and awards for his work, both in the music realm as well as for being one of the largest and most prolific African American owned real estate development companies - having already developed or co-developed more than $1.5 billion in real estate, primarily in the Philadelphia area.

However, as  Congressman Fattah attempted to present him with the award, the CBC crowd continued conversing as though nothing was happening, making it difficult to hear him over the din of the crowd - a fact that did not go unnoticed by Gamble. 

After graciously accepting the award from Congressman Fattah, he turned his attention to the crowd, and in no uncertain terms told them to be quiet - not once, but twice - the second time with such consternation in his voice, everybody immediately shut up.

Since the noise of the crowd also overrode my taping of the event, I will paraphrase his remarks for you:
"African Americans in Philadelphia have a lot to be proud of - you asked for a Black mayor - you've had three; you wanted a Black President - we've had a great one who has served for two terms; you've asked for more opportunities for Blacks in businesses - you've received that as well.  You've gotten everything you asked for - but you have done nothing to make it work.  The one thing you don't have and don't seem to know how to get is Black unity.  That is seriously lacking - and you go around making noise and acting as if what you do doesn't matter as long as you have a good time.  Well it does matter, and you should be ashamed of yourselves for coming to something as important as the Congressional Black Caucus and not taking advantage of the opportunity to really forge some important, significant and pivotal programs and policies that will help Black people across the country.  Your being here is a waste of time if you go home without any plan or agenda in place as to what you are going to do going forward.

"I appreciate this award from Congressman Chaka Fattah, but I have to tell you that we have no time to waste in just frivolous matters.  Less partying and more participation will determine what happens over the next two years.  It's your responsibility."

Well, you could have heard a pen drop in the room after that.  I think I was the only one applauding his statement.   People looked around the room at each other as though saying "he can't be talking to me."  

Really?  

The fact was that he was talking to all of us who, every year, come to DC to style and look cute, be seen on camera, and gather business cards; make all the galas and receptions, but go back to the communities and constituencies from which we came with a hand full  of souvenirs, business cards, expense receipts and not much else.  

My question is always, what did you get from the Caucus this year? What did you learn?  What's the plan going forward?  Who is your congressman or woman?  Did you get a chance to speak with them?  But no one has ever called them out and made them look at and face their responsibility in this manner.  And it definitely needed to be said. 

In the 70's the late, great Ossie Davis made the famous speech "It's not the man, it's the plan.  If not us, who; if not now, when?" during the first Congressional Black Caucus.  It appears, however, that many have either forgotten what their basic mission is, or have gotten caught up in the glamor. 

We have now had the Congressional Black Caucus for 44 years - and I've been covering it for 29.  Next year is pivotal milestones for us both.  There are, of course, some congressional officials who are consistent in delivering great workshops during the caucus, and walking their talk in between - Maxine Waters D. Cal.; Yvette Clarke, D. NY, former Congresswoman Diane Watson (ret'd) D. Cal, Donald Payne (Deceased); all  receive high marks from me.  

But, the Caucus has not come out with an overarching, comprehensive master plan in quite some time.  And while I admit I love attending the caucus, I love covering it, and love the fact that it brings Black businesses, activists, community leaders and congressional officials together - with a dinner culminating in  a keynote speech from President Obama; it falls flat when it comes to having developed an overarching national agenda for African Americans.  Though they're small in numbers, they have the capacity to affect great policy changes - at least within their own constituencies. 

Gamble asked at the end of his speech - "so, what's your plan?"  

That question, still hangs in the air.  What are we going to do?  Which way are we headed?  This is a pivotal election year.  If the few CBCF members are not re-elected, with additional ones to strengthen their numbers, Blacks will be totally behind the 8-Ball and even more at the mercy of rapacious repuglycons.  This is no laughing matter.  We all  like to feel good, and have good times.  But we definitely need to have a more strategic way of making good happen for each other across the board.

Kudos to Kenny Gamble for keeping it real.  Kudos to Universal Companies for stepping into the fray and developing homes and communities in the Philadelphia area.  And congratulations to him and his lovely wife for the award.  Well deserved.  

For those of you unfamiliar with Brother Gamble outside the realm of the music industry, let me catch you up on what he's been up to for the past 20 years.  This is an overview statement from Universal Companies:

Kenny & Faatima Gamble co-founders of Universal Companies

OUR COMPANY: Universal Companies is in the business of helping people. Our mission is to improve communities and change lives, by creating cultural and entrepreneurial opportunities that break the cycle of generational poverty within historically disenfranchised communities. To accomplish this, Universal focuses on the identification and removal of systemic barriers to wealth creation within urban settings. We are committed to a comprehensive approach to neighborhood revitalization that embraces education as its foundation for economic transformation. Universal works in collaboration with community stakeholders to create an environment where all children are achieving academically, socially, and emotionally at a high level. We have maintained a proven track record of turning around under-achieving schools since 1999. 

Not only do they have eight charter schools throughout Philadelphia which educate more than 4500 students, providing them with quality education, but they maintain an employee base of 650 people.  And while meanstream whites rail at Gamble for doing too much in the South Philadelphia area, he has definitely made a considerable difference in a community that had all but been left to die in squalor and substandard housing.  

The words of Kenny Gamble echo in my mind whenever I meet political figures or community activists - regardless of where they are, who they are or how long they've been in office.  Their track record can be reflected in the results in the communities they serve.  How are the people faring under their watch.  Also, how galvanized are the people under their watch to be part of the solution, as opposed to part of the problem.  How hands on are they in their respective communities - not just when the cameras are on, but during the down times as well.

Those of you interested in finding out more about Kenny Gamble and Universal Companies, may do so by logging on to www.universalcompanies.com; or Google Kenny Gamble Universal Companies; or stop by 800 S. 15 St., Philadelphia, PA 19146 and take a look for your self.

It's clear we need many more Kenny Gamble examples in all of our cities - he's already laid out the blueprint; we have but to follow and connect the dots.  

Brother Kenny Gamble made an extremely important statement, and issued a challenge to us all:  What are we doing?  Where are we going?  WE have the tools, WHERE IS OUR UNITY?

WHAT IS YOUR ANSWER?

NOW THAT YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

Stay Blessed & 

ECLECTICALLY BLACK 

Gloria Dulan-Wilson

www.gloriadulanwilson.blogspot.com/ECLECTICALLY BLACK NEW 

 




-->