John "Hope" Bryant | LOVE LEADERSHIP: The New Way to Lead in a Fear-Based World

The Conversation
Dr. Cecil "Chip" Murray, former pastor of First A.M.E. Church in Los Angeles, now the Tanzi Chair of Religious Studies at USC and John "Hope" Bryant, sat down and discussed the business of economic empowerment through Love Leadership, which is appropriately the title of Mr. Bryant's current book.

Essentially, "Love leadership recognizes that you want to do well in life, but also suggests that the best way to do well and to achieve true wealth over the long term is to do good. I've learned that you'll never go bad doing good, and you'll never be wrong doing right." Says Mr. Bryant.

The Setting
Leo Stallworth of ABC7 was the moderator. The conversation flowed beautifully, as we all sat and enjoyed the scenery of the Santa Monica shores.
Kim Anthony, who spearheads The Urban Leadership Network, placed everyone in an environment that was conducive to harmony. Ms. Anthony selected the Annenberg Community Beach House, in Santa Monica, CA -http://beachhouse.smgov.net/ to use as a back drop, and it was lovely.

The Purpose
To free your conscious mind, which will in turn, help all those who come in contact with you in your daily network.

The Challenge

I dare you to stop by EsoWon Book store and pick up a copy, read the book, and let me know how it has helped you, as it has helped so many others gain control over their finances, thus, freeing them, even during this current global economic, as Mr. Bryant calls it - re-set! - YES!

Annenberg Community Beach House - http://beachhouse.smgov.net/
Dr. Cecil "Chip" Murray - http://www.usc.edu/about/people/murray.html
John "Hope" Bryant - http://www.johnhopebryant.com/john_hope_bryant_/
Kim Anthony Urban Leadership Network - http://urbanexcellence.groupsite.com/main/summary

Leo Stallworth - ABC 7 (818) 863-7777
Eso Won Book Store - http://www.esowonbookstore.com/

The Twentieth Anniversary of the Demise of the Berlin Wall - 1989 - 2009

Reflection

Nov 6, 1989, I sat in amazement in my flat in London, UK, watching the BBC News, as they discussed the fact that the Berlin Wall was coming down. Being an American, studying abroad, it had occurred to me that I could either continue to watch the news in the UK, or take the Hovercraft, from Dover to Calais - http://www.ferries.co.uk/france.html, then hop on a train and head to Germany - and that is exactly what I did. Nov 7, 1989, I was on my way.

It was such an interesting time in the history of Germany and changing the dynamics of Western Europe, symbolizing the fall of communist governments in Eastern Europe forever. Many people paid the cost for wanting their freedom in Germany. Many died fighting for freedom in Germany...

While on the train travelling first class, through Bavaria, Germany, I was so deeply enthralled in the book that I was reading until when I finally looked up and saw at least 6 people looking at me through the glass - faces staring at me in amazement.

I was reading the book, 'Bearing the Cross', by David Garrow, who had mentioned the positive, brotherly relationship that Rev. Ralph Abernathy had with Dr.Martin Luther King Jr., and it seemed to catch quite a few people's attention on the train(I'm guessing..). At least 4 people asked if they could come into my compartment and talk, and I said yes. They wanted to know if I knew Rev. Ralph Abernathy and Martin Luther King Jr.. They asked if I knew Michael Jackson . There were so many kind, polite Bavarian people asking me all kinds of questions regarding America and the status of Black people in America. They sincerely wanted to know how we as a people were faring.

I arrived at Barzel and Priscilla's home in Würzburg Germany, just in time to eat dinner, shower, and watch more news. The next morning, I repacked my bags and headed out to witness history, and also to get a "piece of the Berlin Wall". All the while thinking, 'The Berlin Wall must come down!'

Created in 1961, and often referred to as the "Wall of Shame", by western countries, the separate and much longer Inner German Border (the IGB) demarcated the border between East and West Germany. Both borders came to symbolize the Iron Curtain between Western Europe and the Eastern Bloc. Before the wall, people wanting to escape the Eastern Bloc would simply cross the boarders into West Germany, which then would allow them to travel to other Western European Countries, and this had to end. Thus, the erection of the Berlin Wall.
Apparently, so many people felt what I was feeling. I mean, if you were in Europe, you just had to pick up your bags and get to The Berlin Wall as soon as you could. That was real.

That is something that I will never forget. The day the Berlin Wall started tumbling down. The significance is soooo deep. I also got my piece of the rock...

Doug E. Fresh Star Studded Extravaganza - Lakers vs. Clippers After Game Party

When Sheila E. http://www.sheilae.com/ decides to throw a party, you'd better put on your 'Glamorous Life' outfit and role with it!
Let me fill you in on the background because so much was happening in one night! My first stop was at the Staples Center, where the Michael Jackson film This IS IT was playing. The VIP parking and entrance to the party was smooth. It was a greatfilm - go see it - great food and music!
http://www.michaeljackson.com/us/home
Then, staying, focused, everyone was heading over to the Conga Room after the This Is It party, on the roof of the Staples Center http://www.staplescenter.com/index.php - and after the Lakers vs. Clippers game at the Staples Center was over.
I stepped on over to the Nokia Center , where Shelia E. was in the house, and her crew at the Conga Room give the best customer service! Antonia and Tristan were on the one!
http://www.lalive.com/ As the evening progressed, the crowd grew larger and larger. I looked around and there were Lakers and Clipper ball players all in the room - my goodness, it was standing room only!

Sheila E. took the microphone and the drums and rocked the house with DJ Eque, but from early on, DJ 2 Green Dollar from Australia did a wonderful film tribute to Michael Jackson.

"Six minutes! Six minutes! Six minutes Doug E. Fresh you're on! Uh uh on! Uh uh on!...."
When Doug E. Fresh took the stage, everyone got on their feet. Doug E. said," When I say Don't - you say Stop!" Don't - Stop! Don't - Stop!

It was a party that was off the hook! Doug E. Fresh, you are on it!

Stevie Wonder's radio station - www.kjlhradio.com sponsored the event in conjunction with the Conga Room - www.congaroom.com and My Friend's House LA - www.myfriendshouseLA.org who was accepting canned goods to feed the homeless in LA.

First Lady of California, Maria Shriver Minerva Awards Ceremony 2009

Thanks to a random act of kindness on behalf of Lia Keith, Lena Cole-Dennis and I attended the 2 - day California's First Lady Maria Shriver's Women's Day Conference - including last evening's Minerva Awards ceremony - at the Long Beach Arena, in Long Beach, CA. (http://www.womensconference.org/ ) . Four remarkable women were honored for reaching out and practicing the each one teach one technique.

Helen Devore Waukazoo of Friendship House in San Francisco, Dr. Jane Goodall, Agnes Stevens and Kathy Hull of the George Mark Children's House were selected, each receiving $25,000.00 to further their quest to make this world a better place.

Alicia Keys was an excellent choice to close out the 2 day empowering event. Not only does she write/produce/act and sing, she also has an organization called www.keepachildalive.org.

Please join in and assisting these various organizations if you can.
First Lady Maria Shriver - http://www.firstlady.ca.gov/

Helen Devore Waukazoo - www.friendshiphousesf.org
Dr. Jane Goodall - www.rootsandshoots.org/
Agnes Stevens - http://www.schoolonwheels.org/

Dr. Barbara Beach - www.georgemark.org/

Precious - The Lionsgate film - Remember, we are all precious

I got a chance to preview the film, 'Precious' last evening and, in my opinion, it will change lives.
New Precious Film Trailer (HQ)
There are so many children that are mentally and physically abused every hour, here in the United States and all around the world, and their cries for help fall on deaf ears.
In Precious' house, the cat gets treated more humanely then she.
"Precious, don't forget to pick up the kitty litter and my cigarettes!" Her Mother (Mo'Nique) yells as Precious steps outside the front door.

Lee Daniels' - Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, is a story about the life of a 16 year old girl, Clareece "Precious" Jones,(Gabourey Sidibe) who is forced to try and function normally in a chaotic, abusive home. After the school finds out that Precious is pregnant, they send her to an alternative school, "Each One / Teach One", which is the gate through which she finds a bit of normalcy. Precious is fortunate enough to have several positive people appear in her life; primarily Ms. Weiss (Mariah Carey), a social worder that shows Precious how much she cares about her by insisting that the 16 year old girl opens up and talks about her current living situation. Well, at her new alternative school, "Each One / Teach One", the new teacher that she encounters in the corridor after a bout with morning sickness, Ms. Rain (Paula Patton) mentally shines a bright light on Precious, opening up her thoughts and expanding on ideas about creating a better future for all of the students, by writing down what one is thinking and working towards the common goal of achieving a G.E.D. Ms.Rain, via her actions, prove that she is an advocate for the students in her class, not giving up on them even when the odds are stacked against them. Ms. Rain was remarkable!

Precious also experiences a positive experience/interaction/relationship with a male nurse (Lenny Kravitz) while giving birth to her second child. The vast majority of people that cross her path along the way to gaining independence, were placed there because only GOD and his angels knew that Precious needed the help.

As the film progresses, Precious realizes that her Mother's negative words that echo in her ears are not true, that she CAN do something and IS valued. Against all odds, this 16 year old, with 2 children, proves that no matter what fate hands to you, you can get through it if you persevere!...

Opening November 6, 2009, in movie theatres across the globe.
View content advisory for parents
Produced by Lee Daniels Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009)
http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20090918-tows-precious-release-dates
www.tylerperry.com/premiere/precious.php
http://www.weareallprecious.com/

Taste of SOUL Festival - Music, Soul Food & Community 2009

I got up this morning in anticipation of the 4th Annual Taste of SOUL Festival. I was longing for some down home music and food. (www.tasteofsoulla.com)

BeBe Winans was just the cure. He and CeCe have a new cd out called "Close to You" and it is a must have - Do yourself a favor and pick it up! BeBe Winans( www.bebewinans.net) and one of the sisters from the Gospel Group Mary-Mary (www.mary-mary.com ) performed the hit song "Close to You". Indira Kahn, Chaka Kahn's daughter, sang beautifully as well!

When Danny Bakewell Jr., President & Executive Editor of The Los Angeles Sentinel (http://www.lasentinel.net/) Stevie Wonder's radio station, KJLH ( www.KJLHRadio.com) and 94.7 The Wave, featuring Brian McKnight(www.947wave.com ) put together the 4th Annual Taste of SOUL Festival, right in the heart of the neighborhood - You just know it's going to be great!

On Stage were some of LA's favorite Air Personalities; Aundrae Russell, Roland Bynum, Adai Lamar, Tammy Mac and Don Amiche of Mac & Amiche.

Yo-Yo is still getting audiences on their feet and singing word for word, "You can't play with my Yo-Yo" - the girl is bad! Eric Benet performed acapella and had the audience screaming. Eric Benet put the audience in a really good mood when he sang the songs " Spend my Life With You" and "Chocolate Legs", the audience chimed in with the chorus.

Michel'le is still the Bomb - she looked fabulous and still has that unique style of speaking voice but powerful vocal cords. She turned the place out with " Something in my Heart" and "No More Lies".

There was so many options when it came to selecting something good to eat! There was chicken, ribs, fish, veggies, apple and peach cobbler, sweet potato pies and the likes.

I walked around and discovered BOONE'S Fabulous Fried Fish. A Delta Juke Joint Style Fish Fry!(fishfryfridays@hotmail.com 310.538.5213 - They come to you!)

Their specialty is really good fried Swai Basa.

What is Swai Basa?
Swai Basa is Native to Southeast Asia, belonging to the Pangasius family and is very similar to catfish. It's a white-flesh fish(typically available in fillet form) with a sweet, mild taste and light flaky texture. A 3.5- ounce serving of plain fish contains around 90 calories, 4 grams of fat(1.5 saturated), 45 grams of cholesterol and 50 milligrams of sodium. The oil that they use to fry the fish in as well as the stake potatoes is a very light vegetable oil and the fish and potatoes are not greasy. I had enough Swai Basa and Steak Fries to feed 4 people and it was delicious! Everyone in my party ate until their hearts were content!

Mr. Boone caters all events. The Boones' invite you to come and taste the healthy difference!

Thanks to The Sentinel, KJLH Radio, 94.7 The Wave and MoneyGram, the Taste of SOUL Festival was a huge success!

Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to President Barack Obama - 44th President of the USA

The sun rose this morning, bringing more positive vibes to the White House and the world at large. President Barack Hussein Obama became 1 of more than 800 Nobel Laureates. The Nobel Prize is an international award administered by the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm, Sweden. Every year since 1901 the Nobel Prize has been awarded for achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and for peace. Each prize consists of a medal, personal diploma, and a cash award. In 1968, Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden's central bank) established The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.

The 44th President of the United States, President Obama, was awared the prestigious award "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples" according to the committee that awarded the honor. http://www.nobelprize.org/.

President Obama actually has given Americans HOPE. http://www.barackobama.org/

The amount awarded to President Obama is 10 million kronor ($1.4 million dollars) and he is donating those funds to charity. You see, charity begins at home. How else can we teach our children to treat people the way that we want to be treated. We can make a world of difference, one person at a time. Just start by stepping back and taking a good look at "The man in the mirror". Just try to love your neighbor as yourself everyday. Just take baby steps. Baby steps...C