The 100th Monkey Story posted by Lee Green, Administrator, Group AdministratorSaturday, November 28th 2009 @ 5:34 PM (1 ratings)    post viewed 1791 times

The study of morphogenetic fields is an attempt to scientifically document and describe how the human consciousness is shared. The Morphogenetic fields also plays the main role in the idea that humanity at one point in time will go thru a dramatic collective shift in consciousness. It will happen when the critical mass for a shift is reached, or in other words, when a certain number of spiritually awakened individuals are reached.

The Hundredth Monkey
by Ken Keyes, Jr.

A story about social change

The Japanese monkey, Macaca fuscata, has been observed in the wild for a period of over 30 years. In 1952, on the island of Koshima scientists were providing monkeys with sweet potatoes dropped in the sand. The monkeys liked the taste of the raw sweet potatoes, but they found the dirt unpleasant.

An 18-month-old female named Imo found she could solve the problem in a nearby stream. She taught this trick to her mother. Her playmates also learned this new way and they taught their mothers, too. This cultural innovation was gradually picked up by various monkeys before the eyes of the scientists.

Between 1952 and 1958, all the young monkeys learned to wash the sandy sweet potatoes to make them more palatable. Only the adults who imitated their children learned this social improvement. Other adults kept eating the dirty sweet potatoes.

Then something startling took place. In the autumn of 1958, a certain number of Koshima monkeys were washing sweet potatoes—the exact number is not known. Let us suppose that when the sun rose one morning there were 99 monkeys on Koshima Island who had learned to wash their sweet potatoes. Let’s further suppose that later that morning, the hundredth monkey learned to wash potatoes.

THEN IT HAPPENED!

By that evening almost everyone in the tribe was washing sweet potatoes before eating them. The added energy of this hundredth monkey somehow created an ideological breakthrough!

But notice. A most surprising thing observed by these scientists was that the habit of washing sweet potatoes then jumped over the sea …Colonies of monkeys on other islands and the mainland troop of monkeys at Takasakiyama began washing their sweet potatoes!

Thus, when a certain critical number achieves an awareness, this new awareness may be communicated from mind to mind. Although the exact number may very, the Hundredth Monkey Phenomenon means that when only a limited number of people know of a new way, it may remain the consciousness property of these people. But there is a point at which if only one more person tunes-in to a new awareness, a field is strengthened so that this awareness is picked up by almost everyone! …

You may be the "Hundredth Monkey"…

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What Were Black People Talking About on Twitter Last Night ... posted by Lee Green, Administrator, Group AdministratorWednesday, November 25th 2009 @ 11:53 AM (1 ratings)    post viewed 1285 times

Here's the link to the Twitter article:

http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/what-were-black-people-talking-about-on-twitter-last-night

Here's the link to the Demographic::

http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/17-Twitter-and-Status-Updating-Fall-2009.aspx?r=1

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The Eagle Story Part 1 & 2 posted by Lee Green, Administrator, Group AdministratorFriday, November 20th 2009 @ 11:28 PM (3 ratings)    post viewed 1325 times

Once there was a chicken farmer who had a barnyard of white leghorn chickens. Hard times befell the farmer, and the chicken business wasn't doing too well. A friend of the farmer came to him one day and said, "I have an idea how you can make yourself some extra money."

Of course, the farmer was all ears. The friend went on to say, "Up there in the mountains I spied an eagle last week. Now, if you set a trap for her and capture her, you can bring her down, show her off, and charge admission to see her."

The farmer thought that was a good idea. So he built a big trap, went up in the mountain, and finally caught the eagle. He brought her down and tried to transfer her from the trap to a big viewing cage he had built.

But the eagle was too used to freedom, so she bit him, she clawed him, she fought him every time he tried to get near the trap. The farmer became so angry he killed the poor eagle who only wanted her freedom.

The friend came again, saw what had happened, and said, "Look, brother farmer. I believe that eagle laid a couple of eggs. Go get those eggs of hers, bring them down, and put them under one of your setting hens. Then, when the eggs hatch, those little eaglets won't know who they are. They will think they are chickens, so they won't fight back and bite you. They won't claw you. They will be peaceful and calm because they won't know who they are. Then you can show them off in that big viewing cage, charge admission to see them, and make yourself a whole lot of money."

The farmer got the eagle eggs and put them under one of his setting hens. In time, one of the eggs hatched, and a little eaglet came out. He didn't know who he was. He thought he was a chicken. The farmer was happy. When he went near the little eaglet, the eaglet got frightened and ran away as fast as his little legs would carry him. The farmer called him Tom.

Tom ran around with the chickens and was very happy until one day he saw himself in the stream of water that ran through the barnyard. He saw he was not white like the chickens. He saw the feathers on his head did not lie down slick like the feathers on chicken's heads. He became so ashamed of his color and his head feathers, he took some cream and rubbed it over his feathers to lighten them up. Then he put some on his head feathers to make them lie down. Now Tom felt happy that he was beginning to look more like a chicken.

By and by the other egg hatched. Now this eagle stood his ground when the farmer stamped his foot. The farmer called him Turk. The other eagle, Tom, began coming over to give advice to Turk. "Here's some cream to put on those feathers so you can lighten them like mine and the rest of our brother chickens. Then do something about that head. You really need to do something!"

When Turk refused and shied away, Tom whipped out a silk cloth. "Well, at least put this silk rag on your head to do something to those feathers up there."

But Turk said, "I kinda like my color and my head the way they are, thank you."

Tom turned away in disgust, and happily joined the other chickens in play, leaving poor Turk all by himself.

The only joy for poor, little, lonely Turk, was in looking up at the sky for long periods of time, because somehow he felt that was where he belonged.

One morning while he was looking up in the sky, a speck appeared. The speck got larger and larger until it became the largest bird he had ever seen. You and I know it must have been an eagle...Well the eagle saw little Turk on the ground and came in on a branch overhanging the barnyard. The eagle looked down at Turk and said, "What are you doing there with those chickens?"

"Why, I am a chicken," replied Turk.

The old eagle laughed, and said, "You're no chicken."

"Then what am I?" asked Turk.

"You are an eagle."

"An eagle?" asked Turk. "What's an eagle?"

"An eagle," bellowed the old eagle, "is the ruler of the skies. Spread your wings and come up here on the branch so I can tell you who you are."

But poor little Turk, with tears in his eyes, said, "I can't. You know chickens can't fly that high."

The old eagle became very angry at Turk. "I told you that you aren't a chicken. You're an eagle. Now spread those wings."

Turk spread his wings out, as far as he could spread them.

"Now flap them," said the old eagle.

Turk began flapping them, faster and faster, and to his surprise he rose higher and higher - higher than he had ever risen in his life - and came in on the branch beside the old eagle.

"Now settle down," said the old eagle, "and I will tell you who you are. I will tell you your history. Your father, as all eagles are, was king of the skies. No bird was as strong. No bird could fly as high or as far as your father without rest. And your mother, as queen of the skies, ruled the skies alongside your father. And you are their son."

"But, but, but what about my color?" asked Turk. "You see, the chickens are white, and I am deep brown."

"Don't you know what that color represents?" asked the old eagle, "It represents royalty.
"
"That's heavy," cried Turk. "But what about the way the feathers are on my head?"
 
"That's your crown. I told you, you are a king."

"That's deep," said the young eagle. "Let's tell Tom." Spying Tom on the ground with the chickens, Turk called down, "Tom, Tom! This eagle up here is telling us about our history. It's so beautiful."

But Tom shouted back, "I don't want to learn anything about our history, I'm too busy getting these crumbs off the ground. Anyway, you better come down out of that tree before you get us all in trouble."

The old eagle shook his head sadly. "Come, let us fly away to our destiny."

They took off. Pretty soon they flew over a deep valley. The young eagle was frightened. "We'll fall."

But the old eagle smiled and said,"Don't be afraid. You won't fall. This is the Valley of Oppression. You will fly safely over the valley because you have the strength of kings in your wings. Fly on!" And they flew safely over the valley.
 
They came to a big desert. Again, the young eagle was afraid. "I don't see any trees on which to rest." But the old eagle said, "This is the Desert of Mediocrity - the Desert of Don't Care - the Desert of Only a C Average.

But you don't need to rest. You will fly safely over the desert because you have the strength of queens in your wings. Fly on!" And they flew safely over the Desert of Mediocrity.

But straight in front of them loomed a high mountain. Young Turk then asked, "Will we crash into the mountain?"
The old eagle smiled. "No we won't crash. This is the Mountain of Injustice that we will fly safely over because we have the strength of the ancestors in our wings. Fly on!"

And both eagles, young and old, flew over the mountain.

Part 2 ...

Once on the other side of the Mountain of Injustice, they found a very old and tall tree to sit on. Still a bit overwhelmed by his journey, Turk wanted to ask so many questions. He was almost dizzy. He wasn't quite sure if it was from the heights he had just flown or from the thoughts racing through his young mind. It was a lot for him to grasp all in one day, so he slept.

The next morning when he awoke he wasn't quite sure at first, if it had all been just a dream. Did he really leave the barnyard and his brother, Tom? Was he ever going to see any of them again? How would he fend for himself? What will he do now with this new found freedom?

As if on que, the elder Eagle slowly descended down from above. High in the cloud he appeared, swooped out of sight for a moment and then swiftly landed nearby.

"Come and eat", he said to Turk, who hadn't ever eaten anything on his own. He was always fed by the farmer or the farmer's wife.

"What is it?", Turk said as he looked at this freshly caught fish. "Its food", said the Eagle. "You don't know how to fish either?". "No, I never had to", said the young and now intimidated young Eagle. The elder Eagle just laugh a little as he ate. "There is so much for you to remember", he said.

"Remember? I never, ever knew how to fish before ... really", said Turk.

The elder Eagle stopped ... looked him square in his eyes and said, "YOU are an EAGLE!". "Once an Eagle, always an Eagle ... so remember THAT!"

Turk, took part in his first meal in his new environment. As he ate, he noticed that he really liked it. He was amazed that he even knew how to pick the bones and not let them get caught in his throat. He was good at eating fish, he thought to himself. He could really get use to this and in a hurry!

After their meal, the elder Eagle took off ... without a word.

"Where are you going?" Turk cried out. "Don't leave me alone. I don't know what to do or where to go."

In the distance, he could faintly hear as a whisper ...."Remember, who you are."

Days and nights passed and Turk left alone with only a small portion of the left over fish was somewhat frightened. He didn't know where to turn.

So, he spent his mornings flying around in hopes of seeing his friend, the elder Eagle.

In his search, he noticed that his vision was sharp. He could see very long distances. This amazed him. On the farm, he didn't have to look very far for anything. He was on the ground and everything was close by or near him. Everything, he thought, but his freedom.

As he flew, he also began to recognize that his wings were strong and could capture the air currents allowing him to glide effortlessly through the air. He thought to himself, this is a whole lot easier than walking like the chickens do.

As night approached, he would somehow know exactly where to perch and rest himself. His fear of being alone left after just a few short days and he was now ready to go fishing for himself. Afterall, he was tired of eating leftovers.

At morning, he found himself flying over a beautiful river. There were lots of fish there, but he wasn't quite sure how to approach getting to them. He didn't think that he could swim like they could, but he was getting hungry.

After a while, as he watched the fish swimming and jumping playfully up and down in the water. He couldn't help himself. Something came over him. He thought again, "are they taunting me".... "You can't catch me. You can't catch me." He could swear he was hearing them say, "Nah, Nah, Na-Nah, you can't catch me." He felt he had to do something about that quick, fast and in a hurry!

Was his mind playing tricks on him? Could he really catch a fish on his own? Well, the only way to know for sure was to try. And so he took off, rose high in the sky and then suddenly turned in mid air and made a swooping dive straight toward the water.

As he approached he couldn't see any fish and so he turned upward again just before hitting the water. Again and again he made his diving approach. Each time getting better and better at spotting a potential catch. He worked on his timing and then, as if he had been doing this all his life, he dove in and caught the biggest fish he had spotted all morning.

Upward he flew, high in the sky. The fish firmly in his claws grasp. He wasn't going to drop this big ole thing. He then landed on a high ledge along side, what he now called, "Freedom Mountain". Mission accomplished.

Turk ate alone and he ate good! He enjoyed his catch, but he was somewhat saddened that he couldn't share it with the elder Eagle who helped him to freedom, or even with Tom .... Poor old Tom, stuck on the farm with the chickens.

They had the same opportunity, but he was now here and Tom was left there.

As be pondered, a great big shadow covered him from above. It was his friend the elder Eagle. Turk said, "I did it! I caught my first big fish, come and dine with me."

The elder Eagle just looked down and nodded approvingly ... "Good, that what Eagles do, he said." And then again, took off into the blinding rays of the sun. Turk tried to see where he was going, but he flew too high and the sunlight was in Turks young eyes. Before he knew it, the elder Eagle was out of sight again.

Turk rested. Weary from a full day of new adventures and slept that night looking forward to "remembering" all that Eagles do. "I am an Eagle", he thought for the first time to himself, "I am an Eagle".

Part 1 - copyright (c) Center For Violence Interruption
Part 2 - copyright (c) 2005, 2009 - Lee Green, NBBTA, Inc.

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Is Your Business the Internet's Best Kept Secret? posted by Lee Green, Administrator, Group AdministratorFriday, November 20th 2009 @ 8:33 PM (2 ratings)    post viewed 1152 times

Are you doing all you can do to promote your business opportunity or have you chosen to keep it a "well-kept secret"?

From a consumer's perspective, there is nothing wrong with having a few well-kept secrets. Everyone has one. It might be a favorite restaurant, or a bar that only you know about. It’s a great little place to hang out, it’s never crowded and the people are friendly. The food is good and the drinks are cheap. The service is personal and the place is always clean.

In five years, that place is going to change. It’s going to become crowded, expand, hire new staff and raise their prices. Either that, or it’s going to shut it’s doors for good.

You see, in business, it’s never good to be a well-kept secret. You need loyal customers, for sure; but you need a certain amount of them to become, and remain successful.

You might have a couple dozen die-hard fans at your website who think you’re all that, but if that fan base doesn’t grow your site is going to tank.

After all, that’s why we spend so much time trying to drive traffic to our sites, isn’t it? That’s why we use videos, write email campaigns, do article marketing, comment on other people's blogs, use and abuse social media and pay for advertising.

The problem is this: that well-kept secret restaurant of yours might be located on a main thoroughfare. There might be plenty of people who drive by it every day, see the signs, and never stop in.

Why is that? Because the restaurant is an unknown quantity. They don’t know whether the service sucks or whether the food tastes horrible. They need something else to convince them.

That’s where your couple dozen die-hard fans come in. The oldest and best proven marketing technique in the history of business is simple word of mouth. You need to recruit those fans, get them to talk about your site, your product or your business. Get them to rave about it on message boards, convince them to tell their friends and coworkers.

Word of mouth alone doesn’t lead to more sales. However, when you combine it with increased traffic, you’re bound to see an upswing.

These two elements – customer loyalty and customer recruitment – are the twin imperatives of any successful business marketing campaign.

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How are YOU Perceived in the Marketplace? posted by Lee Green, Administrator, Group AdministratorWednesday, November 18th 2009 @ 12:36 PM (4 ratings)    post viewed 1244 times

How you are perceived in the marketplace, may make you or break you this year and beyond. There is really no room for error. Like never before, perception is everything in the online business world today and in life, as a general rule.

Let me be a bit more specific:

The internet currently has over 108,000,000 million websites with over 29,700,000,000 billion webpages. That's a lot of potential "surfing". With lots of places to go and things to see. Access to information is at an all-time high and the stake is getting higher to grab and hold peoples attention.

Can you see now why its so hard for you to get the attention your company, business, product or service deserves. And why you may need help?

Wait ... It gets worse - hundreds of millions of new websites are appearing each year - each one of them is also competiting for your customer/prospect's attention.

So while the suppy of available attention is strictly limited and diminishing with each passing day - the demand for attention is growing exponentially.

In essence, prospects/customers have never had so many choices for solving the problems they have or getting the solutions they seek. Too many choices leads to 'analysis paralysis'. It’s a big problem when people can't pay attention.

There are 6,600,000,000+ people on the planet and 1,086,250,903 people on the Internet world-wide and 229,138,706 people in the United States on the Internet. And if not a single one of them is ordering from you, it's not the economy ... it's not Black people, "the man", the product you're selling or the sales process that's at fault, it may just be you!

Believe it or not, if you'd talk to people you meet in the street, at a social function or in any public setting, the way marketers "talk" to prospects online, they'd think that you were a total fanatic, in a cult of some kind or a total fool.

The harsh reality today is, prospects don't like "hypey salesman types". They like network marketing, but don't trust "nutwork" marketers. And when you send the message that you're just another "one of those", they don't like or trust you. Nothing personal here ... it’s just business.

They're not going to waste their time nor attention on you. They're not going to search for you, check out your ads, click on your links or respond to your emails. And forget about getting a credit card number ... that's out.

I'm not kidding ... It’s like the difference between being a "party crasher" or the "guest of honor". Which would you prefer?

Some people think that they're being "clever" or "crafty", in their attempts at marketing or "attention-getting". You may as well have just said, "Hi. I'm a business opportunity junkie". You know - one of those people you hate to see coming and would do just about anything to get away from? Now, give me your attention so I can sell you something."

Do that and you'll be the winner of the "Company Car and $100,000 Bonus" - Yeah right, keep dreaming.

Seriously though, put some thought into this ... sales miracles begin when you make the transformation from the “party crasher” to the “guest of honor”.

Just let that sink in for a minute.

Let's say you're going to a party. You're all swagged up in your finest clothes, the babysitter's on the way, and you're ready to rock the night away.

Would you rather be the lame who crashers the event - totally uninvited - get guests rolling their eyes and sucking their teeth (not to mention a possible toss out of the door) ...

Or would you rather be the guest of honor, name displayed in big bold letters for everyone to see and everyone applauding and cheering as you entered the room?

That should be a no-brainer, right? Everyone would rather be the guest of honor ... right?

The same principle works in your marketing efforts. When you "intrude" on a community with hypey sales copy and a me-too product pitch, you're crashing a party you weren't invited to ... and you're going to get your butt thrown out. It’s just that simple.

Now pay attention. Things are changing and prospects/customers don't have time for pushy/over-the-top sales people.

This is what's OUT:

* "Sell the sizzle not the steak"
* Hype
* Price gimmicks
* False scarcity
* Manipulation
* Exploiting dreams and hopes
* Titilating tease, but no give
* "Sell, sell, sell"
* "A, B, C - Always Be Closing"

This is what's IN:

* Commit to life-long learning
* Become an expert
* Become an authority
* Earn the attention of your market
* Spread the word
* Build your own brand (You.com)
* Provide intrinsic value
* Give away your best ideas

The only real questions to ask yourself are these .... Are you ready, willing and able to make the changes? Do you believe that it’s necessary?

Perhaps you don't think that this applies to you and you will continue your "make it do what it do" approach to marketing in the coming new year.

I would strongly suggest that if you're not sure, that you seek counsel. Ask some of your closest advisors how you are perceived in the marketplace. If you can't get honest answers, change advisors. That may be one of the problems.

Peace and Blessings,

Lee Green, Chairman
National Black Business Trade Association

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Changing Negative Perceptions of Black Business ...Part 1 & 2 posted by Lee Green, Administrator, Group AdministratorTuesday, November 17th 2009 @ 8:20 PM (4 ratings)    post viewed 1286 times

The state of Black business in America today is getting better. The perceptions by others outside our culture are not as extreme as in the past. Perhaps in part, to America having a Black Nobel Peace Prize, nominated President.

The problem, however, still remains within our community.

How we perceive ourselves, has been and remains a problem. It has been etched in our minds over years that somehow we are inferior in certain areas. Taking care of "business" is certainly one of those areas.

When I say "etched", I mean that we have been conditioned and programmed to have a set of beliefs about ourselves, which for the most part are negative. This programming has been handed down from generation to generation, without us in many cases, ever being aware of the invisible "mental triggers" which can control our behavior.

Don't believe me? OK then. Try getting in front of a group of Black people from varying backgrounds, age groups, education and income levels, and simply say in a volume loud enough to be heard, "A Nigga ain't ....".

And then listen, as the group will chime out on que, what they perceive is the answer to the end of that sentence. They will shout out or say the exact same four-letter-word, that starts with an "s" and ends with a "t".

It doesn't matter if those people ever even met before the proclamation was made. There would still be a "unified voice" in finishing the comment. And those that didn't utter the word, probably still thought it in silence.

That should make you go ...."hmmm". How can that be? Where did they get that idea from? Who taught us that? What's the reason behind it?

The reason is simple. We have all been programmed. The process that got us into this mental condition or state is very complex and at this late stage in the world's cultural development, still very hard to untangle.

So let's not take away from what's at hand right now, to try to delve into the "mysteries" of mind control and the "mastery's" of slave-mind conditioning. This is not about what has happened to us, as much as it is about, what are we going to do about it now.

So it doesn't matter where you live, who you went to school with, what your Mama or Pastor said or didn't say. We're programmed and conditioned to believe certain things about ourselves, consciously or subconsciously. That general perception, for the most part, is negative.

This is a big problem, especially for any Black business owner or entrepreneur. Starting a business of your own is already hard. Add to that weight, the burden of having to overcome invisible issues in a customers head. Preconceived notions about all Black business, which may cause many to fail or never start in the first place.

The obstacle is significant because, in the marketplace it translates to, "you can't do business with Black folks"; "they over charge"; "they give poor customer service"; "they do shoddy work"; "I heard bad things from a friend of a friend, who had a cousin, whose neighbor said...".

Or some prospects who are fully capable and can afford what you're offering to say, "why do I have to PAY that for YOUR merchandise? Why can't I have it for FREE" or "Where's the "hood" DISCOUNT?" or "You too HIGH".

The hidden meaning in FREE is, it's not worth paying for anyway. Give a "brotha/sista a break" or the "hook up". "High" is relative to the product/service being offered and how, when and where else you can get it.

The hood Discount refers to a belief that "why should I pay you retail when you stole it or paid wholesale for it. Why you gonna try and make a profit off me?".

This is a major problem and as Black people, we are either a part of the perpetuating of the problem or a part of the solution. Ask yourself where you side.

Are you still programmed and conditioned by invisible/internal "mental triggers" that when stimulated cause a certain predetermined behavior?

Or have you been awakened and can "see" for yourself what really is going on all around you and to the people you care about deeply?

The Black Business Builders Club, continues to grow and endure because there are some in our community that have, by whatever means, been able to break or outgrow, that mental grasp that continues to hold many others of us down and out (of control).

They have cleansed and reconditioned their minds to be strong enough to withstand the attack from within (their own minds and from their own families and friends). How they did it, I don't know. I suspect only by the grace of God.

They are home-based, full-time and part-time business owners, entrepreneurs, conscientious consumers, corporate and government workers and others in our commUNITY. They are our real heroes and sheroes.

They have decided, for whatever reason, to not only do good for themselves and their families, but to do right by the community by starting a business. Or as consumers, to work to recycle Black dollars.

Ultimately, they want to be solely responsible for their own destiny and financial well-being and not dependent upon someone else for earning a living or for access to the products/services of their own choosing.

Many have already started and are working to grow a successful business, the right way to provide for themselves, their families and the general community at large. They provide goods and services that are as good, if not better, than the same or similar products/services offered by other groups. They give good quality service at a fair price, while earning a reasonable profit.

As a point of unification and solidarity, many have joined the Black Business Builders Club. Not because we have the best resource, tools, benefits and training to be found anywhere. Not because we have some of the greatest people in the business world associated with us. Not because we have we have been consistently bringing value to the marketplace for a long time; or because of, or in spite of me.

They mainly join us because, membership in the Black Business Builders Club makes a statement. It says, that the member has made a concerted effort and conscientious choice to be identified as a "Black Business Advocate".

They have put their money where there mouth is and decide to be counted among the ranks of those seeking to become a part of the solution and not remain a part of the problem.

They understand the importance of organization and the need to come together in harmony around business, financial and community issues.

They know that they could probably start their own organization but choose rather to join one whose parent organization, the National Black Business Trade Association, has been around for over 16 years. That is nationally and internationally recognized, debt and (mental) disease free.

They want to unify and work with serious (but fun) people who are real everyday folk, but who are about real business. And not just start another, high priced, ego or guru-centric, "me-too" membership website (anyone can do that).

They understand that as solo business owners and entrepreneur there is value in establishing an extended network of contacts and resources.

Together, our goal is to help stem the tide of negative images, stereotypes, rumors and innuendos, that have cast a less than positive light on Black business.

By increasing our membership roles, we want to show that at this point in history, we have reached new heights in this "free enterprise" system.

The news media, currently is highlighting this fact all the time now. We want to continue to expand positive exposure for Black businesses.

Its time for us to tell our own story and have that story have a happy ending. We are writing the "story" every day. Its not just about us, but future generations coming behind us.

The story is, we are more than just "mom-n-pop" operations and we do more than trade in only ethnic items with limited distribution or customer bases.

We do more than work out of the basement of our homes. Or the trunks of our cars. Or with our kids crying in the background while we're on the phone.

We do more than run Fortune 1000 franchises. Of all sizes and annual revenues.

We do more than just sing. We run record labels and manage talent.

We do more than walk run-ways, We create fashion shows and design clothing.

We do more than network marketing/MLM. We create extraordinary incomes.

We do more than invent great products and create great new services. We provide the world with significant contributions.

The fact of the matter is ... We do it all! And the best is yet to come!

We have moved from the streets to the suites, back to the house and now around the world.

We take pride in our businesses and will protect and nurture them by uplifting, empowering and inspiring tools for their success and growth.

Also on the other side of this advocacy, we won't let anyone hide behind the "Black thing". Be they rich or poor, Black or white. Whatever.

There are some who pretend to be a Black owned business when that's not the case.

There are some who are taking advantage of our trend-setting gift and get to market first using us as front men. We will have to compete and win.

There are some who use "Black" as an excuse for poor service and higher than necessary pricing. We're not having it!

We will hold Black businesses accountable and will leave no Black business behind that seeks to grow using proper business principles.

There is no scarcity, but universal abundance for all who adhere to the universal laws of success. We want all Black businesses to prosper.

The marketplace is rapidly changing. We have made some historical miscalculations that have caused us to get off track.

Its time to make the necessary corrections and move full speed ahead.

For example, just a few short years ago, when you bought a Black book you bought it from a Black bookstore. You had no other choice.

The major chains and bookstore outlets didn't carry very many Black books at all. You couldn't go to Border's or Barnes and Noble to buy. You could only find the best Black books in Black bookstores.

Why, because for years those and other large chains, would not carry Black books, with Black subjects and written by Black authors. They didn't see a market for it.

Black bookstore owners were the enlightened entrepreneurs and retailers at the forefront of making a way for creating and growing a whole industry of Black writers, editors, printers, publishing and distribution companies.

Black bookstores got cut out of the loop when the large book chains saw the hand writing on the wall. This is a Black business tragedy and market miscalculation.

Now large chains have whole sections dedicated to "African American" literature, when just a few years ago their general consensus was Black do not read. What happened? They changed their minds.

Their "perception" has changed because it made good business sense. Black readers represented for them a new market. They took the market.

Black bookstores could not compete without its old customer base who was lured away from them and so many Black bookstores have disappeared. Those that remain, do so with a dogged determination to still help de-program Black minds.

And we should buy from them. When we buy from them we are not "supporting" them as in making a charitable donation. We are doing business with them. Their price is the price of the book. Yes, the chains can knock off a few pennies here and there, but should we sell out our Black bookstore for a few pennies? How do you see that?

Sometimes Black consumers only see doing business with Black businesses as charity. They equate "support" with "charity". So when you ask the Black consumer to "support Black businesses".

The "mental trigger" of that (programmed) consumer reacts with ... "when I buy from a Black business I am not really doing a business transaction, I'm helping a brother/sister out."

While that may be true, its true also when you do business with anyone. Who you spend your money with is who you help out.

But that doesn't stop the programmed mindset. The "mental trigger" makes one believe, "because I'm helping you out (negro), don't charge me the full price. Throw something "extra" in the bag, give me the 'hood' discount, or else I won't come back and will tell everyone I know ... you high!"

This is not the case and we need to deal with this as a line item issue when helping Black consumers become more aware of Black businesses. Don't support Black businesses ... patronize them.

I know, I've gotten off track but, if you are still reading (thank you). So back to perceptions.

Our perception (of ourselves) has not changed and makes no sense (or cents).

We still talk about Black people not reading. Barnes and Nobles has changed their perception, and all other large chains have changed their perceptions. Is this progress? Or what?

Black bookstores lead the way to open opportunities for others to advance and get a foothold in this economy. They provided access to good information in the form of reading materials, research and history resources, posters and Black art, by and about us. They allowed us to use their stores after hours for book clubs and community meetings. They served us well.

They helped to feed and free our hungry Black minds. They didn't think or even imagine that we would abandon them just to go to the mall.

Another example. During the Civil Rights era, there were some who lead the way for the masses to enjoy better public accommodations and equal access.

For those too young to remember, Black folk couldn't drink from water fountains in public parks or use public toilets or sit in certain seats on buses or in movie theaters.

That newly legislated "access" led to a depletion and decline of most Black businesses left in the path of the flight "downtown" to spend (give away) our money.

The leaders of the day hoped to find more education (enlightenment) for our people in colleges and universities, that we could not have historically attended.

This shift and trend, caused a "Brain drain" in our communities nationwide and within historically Black colleges. The trend also created a slow down in the development of Black businesses. People took corporate jobs under what were then called "pacification programs".

The call of the day was to "get a good job", move out of the old neighborhood and find a new set of (white) friends and spend all of your money while trying to impress.

In the process, we abandoned those who helped us get ahead. So, have we progressed as a result? How far have we gotten? How much further do we have to go? What's our next biggest challenge?

I say its economic and financial development and Black consumer awareness.

Its tackling the "free enterprise system" with a vengeance and using it to better leverage our position here as a people. So as to ensure that future generations will not be put back, put out or put under because of us misreading the times or the intent of those in our midst.

As consumers, we need to be more responsible (response able) and not merely reactionary (trends come and go). Being reactionary has only caused us more harm then good in the long run. We tend to jump quickly when that "mental trigger" is activated.

As business owners and entrepreneurs, we need to stay on top of forecasts and trends and not assume loyalty just because we're Black. We need to win back Black consumers' confidence. We need to "fight fire with fire". We need to be the best in all that we do. We need to lead and not follow. We need to take charge and lead by example. Showing others the way to financial success.

We are now living in the "Information Age", the age of the Internet and digital/telecommunications

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