President & CEO's Blog

Presidential Candidates at 2007 NUL Conference

2007-07-30T17:37:00.001-04:00

Last week, I attended the annual Conference of the National Urban League. One of the plenary sessions I participated in, was a panel discussion of the four leading democratic candidates, for the president of the United States. The four candidates were Dennis Kucinich, John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama. While all of the candidates had similar ideas around Health Care, Education, and Civil Rights, it appears Clinton and Obama are the front runners. My question is America, are you ready for a female or African American President?

2007 NUL Conference

2007-07-24T11:32:00.001-04:00

We’re gearing up to attend the 2007 National Urban League Conference in St. Louis, Mo. This year’s theme focuses on “You, Your Money, Your Future.”

The Highlights of the Conference will be:

Career Fair with over 100 Fortune 500 Companies and access to the online employment network and free on-site career coaching
Keynote presentations from America’s most sought after thought leaders
Young professionals summit for emerging leaders – with daily networking & workshops geared to today’s young professionals
Concerts, receptions & evening events
Women of Power and Legends Awards
Over 350 Interactive exhibits including a music soundstage

I am looking forward to attending the NUL Conference. The information obtained, will be tremendous in making our organization more productive in the community.

http://www.nul.org/2007-Annual-Conference-Resources.html

Self-Evaluation and Leadership

2007-07-16T10:06:00.001-04:00

Self-evaluation and leadership can take a person a long way, in both their personal and professional life. Self-evaluation can be defined as a personal process geared towards gathering and analyzing necessary information both in strengths and weaknesses, in order to grow internally. Looking back over the course of your life, you can draw direction for those that have left impressionable marks in your life. Leaders are those that put their foot in the mixing pot towards change, rather than talking about the changes that need to be made. Leaders focus on things changeable and take responsibility for the outcome of those they lead. They know their value and worth towards the goals they seek. Beginning each day with a clear plan of action, they strive to build functioning relationships both in and outside the workplace. Just ask yourself, what does it mean to be a leader?

Effective Policing

2007-07-09T17:15:00.001-04:00

One of the really hot topics up for public debate in our community is, whether or not there is a need for a Citizen Review Board for police departments in Champaign and Urbana. I have worked tirelessly over the past two years on this issue and both cities are entertaining the ideas of establishing them. Can the Review Boards make a difference in ensuring quality and effective policing?

Increased Shooting Violence

2007-07-02T10:00:00.000-04:00

Since May, there has been a marked increase in shooting violence in Champaign and Urbana. Most of this violence is Black on Black crime, but not exclusively and it has culminated in the shooting of three Champaign Police Officers. While I understand the shootings of the officers was done by a clearly disturbed individual. I am concerned that if a clear plan of action is not put in place, these incidents may continue to escalate, until an innocent person is shot or we become a community polarized with a combated police department and living life in fear.