Dear Mr. President, It was a sad day in America yesterday. One of our nation’s heroes was told he was not allowed to do his job of protecting our country because of his sexual orientation. Lt. Dan Choi honorably served this nation at war in Iraq and now, at great misfortune, has become a casualty […]
Last week, CIDA City Campus, a beneficiary of support from the Diamond Empowerment Fund diamondempowerment.org, celebrated its 10th anniversary and the 7th graduating class as Africa¹s first virtually free college. These kids are very special, sweet, and focused on getting their business degrees and helping build their communities. I will never forget my first visit […]
There have been many stories in the press about how I had a ‘victory’ on Capitol Hill in relation to the “Durbin Amendment” that regulates debit cards. Many of these articles, however well intentioned, missed the point and misstated key facts. If there was a victory it was for the people who have been left […]
To all the single dads, Happy Father’s day. I hope you are as blessed as I am this week or this weekend or at least this day. I hope you are able to spend Father’s Day with your children. Fyi, the greatest or at least one of the greatest contributions you can make to humanity […]
As Congress debates the financial reforms, this is an open letter to all of the members of Congress who are part of the committee who are doing the negotiations. This is very important to all of us, so PLEASE read and share. To The Members of the Financial Reform Conference Committee: I have worked all […]
If you love art, like me, there is a show that you have to see. Victor Matthews: Alter Ego Paintings is on view now in New York City at the Wendt Gallery in the Fuller Building through June 22nd. I first saw Victor’s work twenty-five years ago and I have been moved by it ever […]
This past weekend we lost two more young boys to violence on our streets. These young men were killed in my old neighborhood in Hollis, Queens. One of these young men was an innocent bystander who was part of the “Bury Da Beef/Life Camp” an anti violence campaign I support in Queens. The plain fact […]
Dear Senator Durbin, I’m writing you as a long time advocate for the poor and as a business owner of a debit card service for the under-banked. The mission of my business is to provide millions of Americans access to debit cards with transparent low pricing and services that help our users budget, build credit, […]
Every year in America, 600,000 youth are confined in a jail or prison costing taxpayers anywhere from $40,000 – 70,000 a year per youth. Every day in America, 4,302 youth are arrested mostly for first-time, drug related violations. Every three hours in America, a child is killed by a firearm costing taxpayers an estimated $450 […]
By Russell SimmonsI just had a very blissful experience. Last Thursday, I meditated with 150 students at the Ideal Academy Public Charter School (K-12) in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C. I experienced silence—not just an absence of outer noise—but a deep “inner silence” that activates the brain, solves problems, awakens self-confidence, removes stress, and […]
To all the fathers of the world I offer these thoughts to you: On Sunday we celebrate the mothers we have in our lives and show them how thankful we are for their sacrifices, patience, energy, thoughtfulness, hard work, nurturing, dedication and love that she gives to our children every day. Personally, I am thankful […]
Imagine sitting at a desk for seven hours every day, with only fifteen minutes to eat your lunch. No time for exercise, no after work gym visit, no walk through the park, just sitting at your desk. Imagine how this would affect your focus and interaction with your colleagues, friends and family. Unfortunately, this is […]
