Mark Griffith, Young Lion Proceeding Instinctively
Was it the words of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his “Why We Can’t Wait” speech that encouraged
Mark Winston Griffith to run for the 36th NYC Council seat? Was it simply a personal vision of change in his community? Whatever compelled him, Griffith diligently connected with grassroot, borough and city stakeholders, while respectfully acknowledging encumbent Albert Vann. During his brief speech November 1, 2009 at the Pre-Black Solidarity Day Rally at Boys and Girls High School, Griffith asked for the audience to “vote for him though, he realizes he sits on the shoulders of Albert Vann and sees Vann as a mentor.” CEMOTAP executive Betty Dobson remarked “It’s always good when there’s competition.”
Griffith, a Brown University graduate, dubs himself a community activist. Prior to directing the Drum Major Institute, he was a senior policy analyst there. Before that he worked with Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project where he studied predatory lending patterns existing in New York City. His community-based experience includes the Central Brooklyn Partnership and Crown Heights Neighborhood Improvement Association. This campaign has him view his role as “a paid community organizer rather than a legislator.”
The September 15, 2009 primary election results were Griffith being 600 votes shy of winning. The close results had the Griffith campaign team see a chance for victory and constituents were willing to consider someone other than the 35-year veteran of public office. Mark Griffith endorsers mounted to include United Auto Workers, ACORN, Educational Justice PAC, New York Daily News, Council of School Supervisors and Administrators and the Working Families Party. Momentum increased when on October 26, 2009, Council member Charles Barron and Rev. Al Sharpton endorsed Griffith.
“Public office isn’t holding onto power as long as possible but being a connective tissue,” opines Griffith. Vann’s vote for term limit extensions greatly impacted him. “Consider change…hold our leadership accountable and consider a new generation of ideas to come in,” were Griffith’s requests to his neighbors. During a talk at Betsy Ross Apartments in Crown Heights two days before the general election, he acknowledged being “audacious to run against Vann and that as a Working Families Party candidate he was fighting against automatic ticking off down the Democratic column at the poles.”
Election night November 3, he switched between New York 1 and Brooklyn 12 TV stations. By 10 o’clock the final tally of Vann receiving 64% and Griffith receiving 32% was “disappointing” to him. “We knew it was an uphill battle; however, we’re impressed with the 5,000 votes and pleased that a third party line garnered the numbers,” Griffith states reflectively days later. His family and campaign team took cues from him as to the mood during the after party at Akwaaba Mansion. He’s pleased he contributed to getting people to use the Working Families Party to vote for the mayor and 36th CD.
Griffith’s immediate task following the election was completing his chapter on economic recovery strategies for New York City for the Drum Major Institute’s upcoming book. Other issues with which he will be involved are the school to prison pipeline and healthy food delivery to communities of color.
Labels: Brooklyn, NYC politics, Working Families Party
Green Thoughts for Green Backs
My
business is still operating because early 2008 a national nonprofit involved in
healthcare improvement approached me to do community outreach within the five boroughs. By late 2009 we executed a three-year contract.
Prior to that connection, I got certified as MBE for NYC, NYS and the Port Authority of NY & NJ. I also registered with many NYC agencies' vendor online procurement systems; e.g., Dept of Education and NYC Housing Authority. Doing these things keep RFPs and Bid notices arriving in my email.
I maintain my
Web site; however, I must step up advertising in professional magazines and event journals.
I recently signed with an e-newsletter service. This has kinks in it but keeping a presence is important.
To keep my name in the public and keep my mind organized and sharpened, I write for the
NY Amsterdam News.
What is key for every entrpreneur is to learn about green economy opportunities. Will installing solar panels, full spectrum light bulbs, conducting energy audits, promoting earth-friendly cleaners and paints be where your business has to move into? Will you coordinate a panel discussion, do a newsletter, or host a workshop on health & beauty using fruit- and vegetable-based products to stay alive and thriving?
Reinvention, modification and morphing are words that have to do with environmental adaptation. The smart survive. The great ape is mighty and she is smart enough to live in the mountains, eating the vegetation and away from humans.
Labels: business, entrepreneur, environment, green economy
Civil Disobedience to Reform US Healthcare System
“The US needs single payer healthcare and nothing less,” said Healthcare-Now!’s Naomi Brussell who stood in front of 99 Park Avenue, the headquarters of Aetna, on September 29, 2009, as others strode the demonstration lines Earlier that day, 17 people from Act Up were arrested for staging a sit-in within the hallway in front of Aetna’s executive offices.
Such groups as Healthcare-Now!, Private Health Insurance Must Go, Disabled In Action, and NYC for Change participated in a national call for civil disobedience for the sake of making single-payer health insurance for all US residents a fact of life. These groups didn’t believe the proposed Private Insurance with Public Option went far enough wherein over 20 million Americans would remain uninsured. In fact, the Public Health Option died in the US Senate Finance Committee, September 29, 2009, the first day of civil disobedience. October 8 is Chicago’s day to stage a Patients Not Profit demonstration and other US cities will do so October 15.
The sit-ins and other demonstrations are staged at the headquarters of America’s largest insurance companies—United Health Group, Aetna, CIGNA and PacifiCare to name a few—because they are viewed as the wedge between the patient and the doctor. Healthcare-NOW!’s Brussell said that “20% of claims go to profits and administrative costs.” It is estimated that over 450,000 Americans die each year because they can’t get needed care. Other proponents of single-payer healthcare assert 30 cents of each health care premium dollar goes to insurance companies’ profits.
Around Naomi Brussell walked and rode people of various ages, genders and backgrounds. Giovanni Silva, 21, from the International Socialist Organization said he was there because “people should come before profits.” A contingency of wheelchair-bound individuals—some using oxygen respirators—representing Disabled in Action rode the demonstration line, holding protest signs. An unnamed black woman, 60, with NYC for Change revealed that she was “unwilling to be arrested as the 17 from Act Up had been but, believed the demonstration and rally were effective in getting the point across.” With at least 250 people covering the sidewalk either standing to hear Healthcare-Now stalwart Andy Velez address the crowd or walking the demonstration line, the event got noticed.
New York City’s demonstration, dubbed Medicare for All March and Rally, began at 51st Street and Park Avenue (Bristol Meyers executive office) and ended at 40th Street and Park Avenue (Aetna’s executive office) to bring to light the link between pharmaceutical companies and health insurance companies.
Labels: health insurance, national health, single-payer healthcare
October 24 is 350 Parts recognition day
Summer rolled into fall and I've been battling with roaches and flies for months. I finally laid down more roach motels because I have misgivings about mashing these critters. They say to me, "We don't know nothing about apartments or buildings or property. We just know where to find water and food."
I'd mash them some more and a scout would run back to tell the others of my deathly ways. These critters said, this time, "We were here before humans got here and will be here after you leave." It's very true, roaches haven't changed their appearance in millions of years and have withstood fire, volcanos, hurricanes, tornadoes, ice and droughts.
This had me think about the ways human civilizations have perished on this globe. Machu Pichu came and left; so did Pompeii and Timbuktu. Humans have a way of taxing the ecosystem and, then cry, "Mercy!" when the rivers and lakes dry up or the soil can't grow plants. Imagine there are people willing to buy melted glacier ice from the Antartic without thinking how harmful chopping it up will be for the whole planet.
God love
Al Gore and his global connections because he's put climate change and human sustainability center stage. 350 parts per million CO2 in the atmosphere is the safe level for human existence. On October 24, people and institutions around the globe will do something--rally, fast, present petitions--to demand a breathable--for humans, plants and critters--atmosphere.
To take part in this death-defying action visit
http://www.350.org/ Get information, resources and events to save humans from themselves. As I said before the roaches told me, "We were here before humans got here and will be here when you leave." Don't prove them right.
Labels: Al Gore, climate change, sustainability, the Earth
Central Harlem Health Revival Wants Us to Take Charge of Our Health
Yes, there is a great life beyond mac & cheese. There’s a life without fried chicken and white rice. There’s a life full of vigor, vibrancy and expectancy in each moment when exercise, tasty, good nutrition and rest reign. The
Central Harlem Health Revival (CHHR) is on a mission to show Harlem residents the path of health and well being. Central Harlem Health Revival claims victory over obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma and heart disease—all of which are preventable diseases.
On September 27, 2009 the fourth annual Health Revival Week kicks off with the Health Walk which starts at W. 155th Street and 8th Avenue and ends at the Harlem State Office Building, on W. 125th Street and Lenox Avenue. There are stops along the route at houses of worship to get quick healthy living tips such as substituting brown rice for white rice.
From the walk the community is welcome to the Health and Wellness Fair at the State Office Building’s plaza. Other events include an ecumenical worship service October 1, 7:00 PM at Ephesus Seventh Day Adventist Church, 101 W. 123rd Street and a health conference and fair at Minisink Townhouse, 646 Lenox Avenue.
The impetus behind the week is the continuing high rates of hospital admissions for cases of stroke, pulmonary disease, diabetic complications and HIV/AIDS. Too many Harlem residents access emergency medical services rather than preventive care. The other motivating force is the firm belief in a higher power and that holy renewal is a mind, body and spirit reality.
CHHR is an offshoot of the Borough of Manhattan Ecumenical Advisory Group (BMEAG) that is comprised of representatives of houses of worship and faith-based institutions in Manhattan. It receives guidance and support from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Office of Minority Health. CHHR grew beyond its parent body in the drive to reduce disparities in health and medical service delivery experienced in Central Harlem compared to the whole of Manhhattan. CHHR’s short list of member organizations includes Harlem Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, Canaan Baptist Church, Mother Zion A.M.E. Church, Abyssinian Baptist Church, and Ephesus Seventh Day Adventist Church.
The voluntary body uses teleconferencing and weekly meetings to finalize the logistics of the Health Revival Week. The September 8 meeting closed with a special prayer of encouragement for Dr. Kristie Lancaster, professor in New York University’s Department of Nutrition, Food Studies and Public Health who has steadfastly co-convened the meetings.Contact Central Harlem Health Revival at 646 345 5235 or
http://www.centralharlemhealthrevival.org/ for more information.
Labels: diabetes, faith-based, Harlem, holistic health, stroke
Birds of Feather Cowork Together
BSHINE, a YahooGroups, had a notice for a coworking date in Stuyvesant Heights (247 Stuyvesant Avenue) for Friday, July 10. Being it was close and in the 'community,' I was game. I wanted to meet the other black techies or artsy folks that needed a group environment to stay sane.
It featured yoga in the morning, a cooking demo in the afternoon and a talk about coworking at 3:30 PM. Since much of my work now consists of calling, visiting, snail-/emailing, the latter part of the day was working for me. I arrived after the coworking talk completed. I did meet Jonathan, the provider of the space--a wonderfully redone minimalist basement with three tables and two hammocks--and Todd Sundstend, co-author of
I'm Outta Here.
It was Todd who led the conversation about where coworking is heading and he spoke to me about this particular location. He's been coworking for more than a year and a half. He reminded me that San Francisco's Brad Neuberg dreamed up coworking. Brad envisioned "a structured, balanced and sustainable lifestyle" where intelligent creatives worked outside the confines of cubicles but not holed up in their homes.
That's the attractive feature. I may spend hours on the phone, PC or riding public transportation and not make lasting contact with people. Vendors, online tech support reps, coders, etc. may relate to getting cramped by isolation or a blur of brief encounters. Coworking develops community through regular participation. A person may create the latest podcast show, craft jewelry or do a blueprint and then, take a break with other people.
Discipline is essential. There's a lot of socializing in coworking. The other side of the coin is still not being able to call it quits at a healthy hour. When asked whether coworking had folks turn off the PC or Mac by 5:30 PM, Todd said the issue didn't come up. It's a personal concern because I experience many days of turning on the PC at 9 AM; putting it to 'sleep' at 3 PM; and finally shutting down at 11 PM. Todd goes until 1 or 2 AM. He says there's 'coworking after hours' which mean there's some place open into the wee hours.
This isn't healthy. Don't people know that long term sleeplessness can bring on diabetes? Sleeplessness grouped with lack of sunlight and little activity is the ultimate diabetes cocktail.
Oh, about the Stuyvesant Heights coworking experience: Hush my mouth! This is the 'new Stuyvesant Heights.' I was the only person representing the 'hood. Yeah but, don't let that turn you away. Feel free to join in Fridays at Todd's place, the cellar at 247 Stuyvesant Avenue, Do or Die, baby.
Labels: Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, coworking
Another Zipster Born
Back in March, the city of New York pulled a fast one on me and my reliable, dented-but-beautiful Honda Civic. This car turned over in below freezing weather, despite not getting a tune up. Dented Beauty and I parked at a spot near the Farragut Houses, after circling the block, studying signs on poles and the gate.
I threw the car door shut and hurried to my appointment with lively silver-haired ladies. Two hours later, I find Dented Beauty gone. What happened? Did some thief steal her for her parts or for a joy ride? I kept thinking, "My car is stolen." In the meantime, NYPD trucks kept whizzing past with cars or vans trailing behind them. It dawned on me that New York City stole my car.
But why steal my car? I went to the Brooklyn Navy Yard Tow Pound. Sure enough, my car was there. Frustrated people surveyed me as I entered the reception. Some had been on line for two hours.
Jumping two days ahead....the judge looked at my photos and heard me testimony. Although there were no signs on poles or the gate; and the gate didn't have hinges or a latch to permit its opening; and behind the gate was a grassy expanse with a cement pathway curving decidely away from the gate, the judge said I parked in front of a driveway. The judge said I was supposed to read the sidewalk before moving away from my car.
I told this story to my forever novio who explained that, as a Port Authority traffic cop, he had to know both NYC and New Jersey traffic & moving violation laws. When a driver was particularly disrespectful or aggressive, he'd write summonses for violations the average motorist is not aware of. He said NYC has a law on the books that autos parked at curbside are to keep their parking lights on throughout the night. This law isn't enforced but can be.
That tip was my tipping point; I chose to surrender the car to the city of New York. Coincidentally, my auto insurance was due in two weeks, my rent in one week.
It took two months but I joined Zip Cars today. A friend told me about Zip Car and Drive Mint. She'd been a Zipster for several months but hadn't told me.
Zip Car is a great operation. It's getting harder to find parking in New York. The new residential towers will make the population denser--once the RE agents can secure tenants for all those buildings.
Hmmm....after years of getting about in my reliable Dented Beauty and paying gas, maintenance, registration, insurance, AAA membership, and inspection fees, life is different. I bought my second Unlimited Week MetroCard and study the MTA subway map even more intensely. I hope Zip Car satisfy my needs, otherwise, I'll be back to contributing to global warming, road rage, asthma and other respiratory maladies.
