Built To Last

Every urban city can be identified as and called "a tale of two cities." On one side is the tale of a city where residents are doing well, businesses are thriving; Main street is looking good, healthy neighborhoods, safe streets, great restaurants and plenty of entertainment.  However, on the other side is a tale of a city where residents are living below the poverty line, unemployed, homeless, surviving on social services and a permanent underclass. 

Throughout America’s history the growth and expansion of urban cities continue to be the key cornerstone to ongoing economic growth for a region and state.  These centers of economic growth are seen as hubs of influence, unique blending of cultures and a great place in which to live, work and play.  In another twist, these urban cities are also places in which many residents struggle to find affordable housing; deal with stop and frisk, limited access to quality health care, no livable wage employment, high crime, and local confused politics and where some lives don’t matter. 

In the view of many, civic, business and industry leaders they always want to promote what is “positive” about the city and what it has to offer, rather than what is “wrong.” There is always a need to put our “best foot” forward and that is understandable.  Presenting what is happening and going well in the city is just a part of a larger narrative of how to keep new business coming and that keeps the economic growth wheel turning.   Any “bad” news or too much of it helps create another image of the city and may become a reason why a conference, new startup or company expansion does not occur.        

No matter how things go and what happens, Urban America is not going anywhere.  Over time, the characters have change, but urban America has always been and will continue to be a place in which improvement is always possible.  For all its uniqueness, fascination and creativity and a “tale of two cities”, Urban America remains a place in our heart with its success stories, waste, pain and hope. 

The greatest question for us in this new age and for this new generation is how can we help bring about the change we so desperately seek?  How can we help all residents in urban America feel a sense of value?  Are there any quick fix solutions to the multifaceted problems in urban America?  Are people willing to come together to address various problems?  The answer to these and other questions is still out... and we will see.  What do you think?           

Secure The Children

I don’t know if you are aware or not, but there are a lot of people who are in the business of providing, educating, treating or dealing with children in one form or another.   Many should not be in any business at all, especially with children.  It is not the children and positive outcomes that they seek to help or are interested in, but rather they are only in it for what they can get out of it... mainly money and job security. 

Sadly, each day reports from all across the nation are told by the media of children becoming victims in an endless cycle of gun violence, beatings, abandonment, bullying, harassment, intimidation, incarceration, drugs, gangs and cruelty.  It is one thing to be raised in poverty, homeless, no medical care, lack of education and a dysfunctional family, but to deal with other conditions and people who have an ulterior motive is something else.          

In 2013 and after decades of research, the Annie E. Casey Foundation report, “Giving Kids a Foundation for Lifetime Success,” is a call for change and action.  This Kids Policy report (up to age 8) highlights the best way to ensure a successful workforce in the future is to invest in early childhood development... now!  This report also cites the best way to provide early learning for needy kids is by coordinating family, school and community efforts.  Additionally, this report is calling for policy change and that policymakers need to take a serious look at what needs to be done to address the issues and challenges in helping children to develop.   

With over 36 million children under 8 years old in America and with over 17 million (48%) living in low-income homes, the alarms bells are ringing.  According to the report in Wisconsin, there are 644,576 youth under age 8, with 265,000 (42%) living in low-income homes.  It is a fact that many of our children are in need of help, support, therapy, better schools, communities and homes.  Our children also need to have caring adults around them for inspiration, mentoring, guidance and acceptance.  They deserve the opportunity to excel and to live in a world that allows them to grow to their full potential.  The true wealth of any nation, city and community is how it takes care of its youngest residents.  If we fail to provide and secure the children, our future is at risk and the America you know of as today will turn into a place of what was, has been and what a shame.  What do you think?             

Living From Silos

I know that I am not along and you hear it every week... “We need to be more transparent!” But in reality all we see are people who are operating and doing their business from a “silo”... so much for that idea, of transparency.   Believe it or not, people working from and within a “silo mentality” have been around a long time.  It’s nothing new and as long as it has value and is useful the concept and practice will continue.  Transparency and getting people, a company, agency, church or organization out of a set mode or way of doing things is hard to achieve.  Just trust me on that one. 

I attend a lot of meetings, and believe me... and it all seems the same, people are present and only a few ideas, a question or too... if any emerge.  It is as if people have been briefed beforehand not to say anything, given a day off to attend, part of their job description, learned how to play the kind of game or brought in only to make the meeting bigger than it really should be.  Then it dawns on me that nearly all ideas that come to light are coming from people who live, work and play in a particular “silo.”  Then I hear those words... we want all people to share their thoughts and be “transparent” today!  Then it comes to me... “How can you ask people to be transparent... when everyone here is from a “silo”? 

Although the term is more related to a facility or building that if part of a farming operation.  On a farm a “silo” is where grain or silage is stored for future use in feeding farm animals or to sell to other producers.  The silo is also a place to protect what has been produced on the farm from outside elements.  So the term “silo” offers a clear contrasting picture of what is happening each day in our communities and cities.  People are operating from a “silo” mentality.  When you think of it in terms of a company, business, agency, organization, or governmental service, it is how we develop and protect our ideas and values.  It is a way to protect the brand and to keep the details of the company business from being stolen by competitors.   

So I don’t say I am going to a meeting where innovation and new ideas are going to be flowing like “milk and honey” out from everywhere and everyone... but I say I am going to a meeting of “silo” thinkers, who are more interested in keeping the system like it is, rather than improving it for the future.  It is hard to break away and become transparent, when all that is being done is coming from those living and earning a living from a “silo.” Getting out of a “silo” way of thinking is harder than you think or believe, and if you are outside those “silo” systems then you are really in for a rude awaking.       

What do you think?             

What's Your Why?

Over the past three years, I have attended a number of meetings that focused on the growing list of issues and challenges that are so real in Milwaukee as well as in other cities across America.  The sure volume of the issues being discussed has been surreal, to say the least.  This mixture of meaningful conversations has included me attending a number of conferences, special presentations, seminars and workshops.  In addition I have been invited to be a part of workgroups and planning teams as well as to listen to subject matter experts, guest speakers, writing proposals and O yes, my favorite...webinars.  As you can imagine, I have lost track of what I participated in and of course there have been so many that I could not attend them all. 

Everywhere you go; people are talking about the “hot” issues of the day, how to make the city better, neighborhoods safer, better housing, economic development, job creation, mental health,  gun violence and who is doing what.  This is all good to some degree and certainly there are times in which we must make time to have a healthy discussion about what we are dealing with.  But what is interesting to me in my observations is that certain events which highlight a particular issue also serve as a time in which to celebrate what has been done, give out some awards, shake a few hands, pats on the back, a decent meal, a high five here and there. 

However, at the end of the day, the event only scratched the surface of a particular problem and like the “wind”... the focus moves on to something else.  I was still looking for the next steps in the program, the process, down the road solutions and some closure.  In the end, I guess and hope that someone had been helped... I believe?  Maybe I am missing the whole aim of these kinds of activities, is it to only talk about it? Or is it to find some kind of solution? It seems like that there is a revolving door to these kinds of events, one day they are here and the next they are gone.  And if you miss out on one, perhaps something like it will come again, real soon. 

The real tragedy of all this “active engagement” of mine is the fact that a lot of people become frustrated by the process, they don’t get involved at all, it has become too much or they simply just walk away.  The challenges and hurdles become so many that you get a sense that no one really cares how things go, the people and the outcomes.  This stuff gets so bad sometimes that it makes you wonder, how in the world does anyone really qualifies for anything.  In the midst of it all, people and the communities in which they live in, bear the full brunt of the decisions that are made and sadly the people making all the decisions do not live there and are paid to do this kind of work.   Unless you know your “why,” the true reason you get involve, then nothing else matters.   What do you think?             

Bubble Watch

March is here and it’s time to talk about the upcoming NCAA Basketball Tournament, better known as “March Madness.” Over the past few weeks we have become more entrenched in watching the polls, special features on players, game day, power Saturday and super Monday.  Many of us can’t wait to see if our favorite college team in action during the conference tournament and especially if they have a chance to get a nod on selection Sunday. 

Of course there are a few questions that have to be answered way before that day, including is my team in or is my team out?  Will they be one of the last four teams in or will they be one of the last four out?  What is it going to take for my team to be selected to the “big dance?” Can my team get hot at the right time and finish strong and make it deep into the conference tournament?  Can they make a statement with a quality or a few signature wins in order to earn that special invite?  Will they be selected if they do not win the conference season or tournament titles?  A lot of questions, only time will tell. 

If you are wondering like I am about what my college team will do, then welcome to what is known as the “bubble watch.”  Each year we go through a similar experience and become excited when our team is doing well, winning the games they supposed to win, upsetting teams they were expected to lose to and perhaps being upset by a team that was less talented.  But in any case the goal remains the same, to be good and have enough talent to make it to the “big dance.”  This includes the understanding that our record itself surely qualifies us to make the tournament.       

One of the greatest takeaways from the upcoming NCAA Basketball Tournaments is that it provides a wonderful platform in which student athletes can display their skills in leadership, teamwork and good sportsmanship on a national level.  But when you think about it a moment or too, especially in terms of rebuilding our neighborhoods, we all have been on the bubble watch” too long.   Milwaukee has been cited as the 2^nd “poorest” city in America (Time) and it is hard to believe that we will ever make it to the “big dance.”  What do you think?             

The Struggle Is Real

A day never goes by in which most of us come face to face with unique experiences that require us to take a stand, make a call or lift our voices for what we believe are the right things to do.  There are a number of things in our great nation that are just so wrong; laws that need amending, support systems that need redesigning and worthwhile programs that need adquate funding.

As we have seen in this 21^st century and especailly over the past few years, much has changed.  Today, as a nation we are lock into a cycle of ongoing world wide wars, increasing community violence on all levels, more familes living in poverty, the militarization of local law enforcement, a growing disparties in health care, affordable housing, lack of mental health coverage and better schools. Lets not forget about civil rights, equal rights, women rights, wealth gap and the fact that there are more black men in prison today than were in slavery during the 1850’s.  Well, there is a lot of work that still needs to be done.     

It seems that sometimes those in charge, who’s job or responsibility is to help make things better are not clearly focused on what is most important in the lives of residents or have just allowed things to get way out of hand.  And to make matters worst, instead of admitting a mistake, they either cover things up, blame it on someone else or just ignore the situation all together.  Seeing to the needs of a growing community that is becoming more diverse each day is a situation many refuse to acknowledge or accept.  We have to come to terms with what is occuring, that things are changing and nothing can stop the momentum, progress always detates change.        

Even as a our diverse community continues to grow, we have to grow with it, meet the upcoming needs of those cultures, bring more people to the table, think outside the box and be willing to make adjustments.  Lets be real about it, everyday countless individuals and families are lock in a struggle to survive, to gain their financial independence, to overcome an addition, to find peace and the courage to move forward.  Today, many people and families are broken by their situation in life, shattered, enduring setbacks, illinesses, and ongoing trama.   Suffering, drug addition, poverty, homelessness, prejudice, crime, discrimnation, unemployment, divorce and oppression are all real.  There is never a good way to say or feel it, but if you want to make a change, you will have to fight to get it or else things will always remain the same.   What do you think?             

The Front Lines

This is not just another day at the office, you are not having a bad dream, nor is this the twilight or phantom zone and this is certainly not a figment of your imagination... it’s the front lines.  Many of us have been on the front lines for years, without even enlisting in the military or being compensated for all our efforts.  Some of us have become seasoned veterans and have learned what it takes to endure hardships, overcome being under fire and pressure.  We have learned how to dig deep into our souls and consciousness only to recognize that the fight our ancestors were fighting still continues.    

As we continue during this month in the celebration of Black History, let us not forget that many African Americans who were trailblazers and pioneers, made essential contributions to improving America for all.   They had to deal with a lot of prejudice, discrimination, and racism and... Jim Crow laws.  And as if we were not looking, many of the same tactics that were used during their days and times have reemerged through new concepts, policies and procedures.   

In the 1960’s, it’s the War on Poverty, in the 1970’s it’s the War on Drugs and of course we are still fighting wars in politics, social justice, education, housing, voting rights, women rights, children rights and for quality health care.  Let’s not forget to count the number of military wars that continue to be fought overseas in dozens of countries.  In the view of some people, many of these wars should be over, have been too costly and that the real enemy is that the American people have become too depend on support from the federal government. 

However, we call all agree, that we have a lot on our hands and to keep up with what is going on is hard and at times overwhelming.  But to be real about it, if you are really concern about the welfare of the nation, you have to be engaged and enlisted in these wars on the home front, there is no way in which to escape any of them.  These issues affect each of us and impact our lives every day, for at the end of the day and when all is said and done, we are paying for each war and the price tag continues to grow.  So, I say, put on a social helmet, get up to speed  with what is going on, step out of your comfort zone, and find someone else who has already joined the fight... more people are needed... we have a spot just for you.  What do you think?