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November 27, 2003
Count your blessings!
An unfortunate consequence of an economic decline
is that projects are put on hold. Those who are eager for progress
begin to feel like they are slipping backward. Their dreams of
change seem like little more than wishful thinking. During such
times it is not uncommon for those facing dire circumstances to
become depressed and dismissive of the spirit of Thanksgiving.
While it is little consolation to those who have fallen into dire
straits, it should nonetheless be encouraging to know that projects
of great benefit to the African American community are underway.
Each of these projects has the possibility of enhancing opportunities
for minorities in Boston.
There has been a major problem for black, Latino and Asian businessmen
to launch successful enterprises in most American cities. Without
the necessary contacts, minority businessmen have had little success
in selling products and services to major businesses, colleges
and government agencies. An effort to increase business opportunities
with corporate and government purchasing agents would provide
an enormous boost to minority business.
The Business Collaborative plans to do just that. Under the leadership
of Ed Dugger, CEO of UNC Ventures, and William Van Faasen, CEO
of Blue Cross Blue Shield, TCB is enlisting major businesses to
consider collaborative arrangements with minority-owned businesses.
Another problem plaguing Boston and other major American cities
is the inadequacy of public education. There have been many programs
that purport to resolve the problem, but so far no system-wide
implementation has worked. Most experts agree that this problem
must be solved. Without a belief in the opportunities that a sound
education will provide, there is little incentive for youth to
avoid the activities that lead to crime and violence.
Well there is good news. Jeff Howard, CEO of The Efficacy Institute,
has developed a system that has demonstrated an ability to bring
students up to academic proficiency in a short time. Springfield
has already committed to the introduction of Efficacy in their
schools, and Boston is considering a similar plan. Community leaders
in Boston are vigorously in support of Efficacy.
Another problem in Boston has been the national reputation that
the city is hostile to blacks. As a consequence, many talented
blacks have been reluctant to come here. Even those who come are
skeptical. Up steps The Partnership. Bennie Wiley, CEO of The
Partnership, has been instrumental in developing programs to show
newcomers all that Boston provides.
In addition to the problems there are also great successes. Everyone
should be encouraged by the completion of the One Lincoln Project.
That is the largest office tower ever developed by minorities
anywhere in this country. This was an extraordinary project that
took political sophistication and technical know-how. The million
square foot building took 18 years from the initial concept to
construction to complete.
None of the programs cited above have been widely publicized,
so it is possible to be unaware that such important efforts are
underway. However, few could miss the impact of the substantial
minority vote in Boston on November 4 that catapulted Felix Arroyo
to second place in the at-large city council race.
The history of blacks in America has been full of disappointment,
but there is also much to lift the spirits. Be grateful for all
your blessings on this Thanksgiving Day.
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