12 Voices
We All Have Failed By Carl West 12 Voices I’m overly saddened and disappointed with my elders, the very people who I’ve admired, respected and wanted to emulate as leaders for my community. T h e s e are men and women Carl West who were supposed to guide an emerging revolution of prosperity for their children’s children. The next generation has looked to them for clarity and unsolved answers. I’m also hurt by the actions of my local elected officials who’ve failed at being true leaders. The very people who pledged to fight on behalf of progress and opportunities. And we can’t forget the pastors, priests, and reverends of our beloved congregations who’ve deserted their flock for seven pieces of silver. These are the wicked disciples of God! (See Judas and Peter)
Instead, collectively, they continue to contribute to select communities suffering under the regime of the status quo. They each align themselves with the very people who’ve misguided, for instance, black people. And I ask, for what? I hear their excuses. I witness their attempts to be fair and balanced, but it’s not for the benefit of the people. I see select activists wearing shirts and buttons waving the flags of people who’ve clearly been unkind to their own! I see business leadership organizations that are supposed to be unbiased and bipartisan in their attempts to build new leaders. But instead, they wave a certain flag and expect for their newly created emerging leaders’ group to follow suit. It shames me when I hear them say,”’ This person (incumbent or candidate) gives black folks the best chance at ‘winning.’” Winning what? Really what they’re saying is that ‘they give them the best chance at ‘winning’ while being aligned with the right color flag. Because most times, their victory is not black folks win. I’m so confused and torn! I wanna serve and be great as a leader who can stand strong and not succumb to
the evils that men do. I also wanna build wealth and provide for my friends, family, and community. But, at what cost is freedom? When can a black man truly be a black man? No other race is asked to denounce their own people in order to be accepted into an already hostile society. How has this hurtful ordeal been allowed to fester inside the community’s internal souls for so long? I don’t even see mature men anymore. I don’t even smell the scent of real women, anymore. I see slaves to the rhythm of life. A rhythm that has caused greed and acceptance to be at the forefront instead of freedom. I’m speaking from a place of absolute pain and despair. The election for aldermen and the mayor is next week on April 2. I don’t know what the outcome will be, but what I do know is that many people who do not deserve to serve as an alderman will sit in seats of power either for another term or as a first-time player. The mayor’s race, which is similar to the 1800’s California Gold Rush, will conclude with a candidate who most likely was not the people’s choice. Yep, people will vote,
but just because someone wins doesn’t mean that he or she was the people’s champ. See President Donald Trump. I wanted to see new and fresh blood in control during my most prosperous, progressive and mature years serving my city for the next ten years, at least. What a disaster for my generation. I wanted to see my generation stand up and take control of their future. But we bowed down to the status quo and gave away our future which should’ve consisted of new leaders, acquiring power, gaining influence and building more wealth. What happened to a Kurt Summers? Where did our dreams of seeing a person like Larry Rogers, Jr. surpass his own ambitions and compete for mayor? Seeing those two brothers battle it out would have been exciting and inspiring. Our generation would’ve had real choices for our future. Amara Enyia would have been a refreshing burst of flavor. Which is something so terribly needed for my generation’s progress! Will there come a day when Christian Mitchell, Art Turner, Jr., Marcus Evans, Juliana Stratton, Charise Williams, Adrienne Irmer, Tara Stamps, Will Cal-
loway, Nicole Johnson, Stephanie Coleman, Keiana Barrett, and others are names on ballots for real contention for Mayor, Governor or even Cook County Board President? We need a change. And, I fear that we blew it! This was the opportune time. My people played themselves and it’s written on walls from downtown to the north, west and south sides. The internal memo has been sent out: “Black folks had the chance to dictate their own future in this city and state, so they know, again, have themselves to blame!” This is what happens when millions of black people have denounced and lost that inner connection to their Motherland (Africa). Once (you) lose the love, touch, and feel of your mother’s womb, you lose your souls. You lose the will to live as free black people! I feel so sorry for my folks! We’ve failed each other! Carl D. West is the CEO/Publisher of TBTNews and founder of the TRUTH 4 Literacy Foundation, Leadership Luncheon, Legend and Pioneer Awards, all powered by Midwest Gap Enterprise.
Community Bill Winston holds Business and Leadership Conference By Marshelle R. Sanders Procurement Technical Assistance Defender Contributing Writer Center, the International Trade Center, the CEPD program, Global Business Prayer Network and the Business leaders and entrepre- Carver Innovation Center. neurs gathered at the 2019 Busi“I believe the world is expeness & Leadership Conference, riencing a crisis of leadership hosted by Dr. Bill Winston and the across the “mountains” of our Joseph Business School. society, whether that mountain is The conference, which began business, education, religion, govin 1998, took place from Thurs- ernment, arts and entertainment, day-Saturday, March 21-23, at Liv- or media,” said Winston, founder, ing Word Christian Center, 7600 and president of Joseph Business W. Roosevelt Rd., Forest Park, Ill. School. “And as the leadership The Joseph Business School is goes, so goes a company’s ema global institution that equips en- ployees, a church’s congregation, trepreneurs and individuals using or country’s citizenry.” practical and biblical principles to This year’s Business and Leadstart companies and create wealth ership Conference listed as its to transform desolate places into speakers business and media flourishing communities for the moguls, as well as industry elite glory of God. Its ecosystem in- in technology, aviation and leadcludes the Joseph Business School ership development. These elite Campus and Online entrepreneur- national and international speakial programs, the Illinois SBDC at ers help train and develop leaders the Joseph Business School, the 6 March 27 - April 2, 2019
Bill Winston from every sphere of the marketplace to take the lead. The conference has had several names over the past 21 years, including Missions and Marketplace Conference and the Economic Empowerment and Leadership Summit. In 2019, it returned the name Business and Leadership Conference. Keynote speakers included www.chicagodefender.com
Winston and Dr. Samuel Chand, CEO of Sam Chand Leadership Institute. Presenters included Ibukun Awosika, chairman of First Bank of Nigeria; The Rev. Gary Keesee, author, entrepreneur, founder and president of Forward Financial Group; and founder of Faith Life Now Dr. Donte’ Hickman, Baltimore housing commissioner, entrepreneur and community leader. Donald Lawrence, multiple Grammy and Stellar Award winner, producer, and songwriter; Devon Franklin, Hollywood executive and movie producer; and Bill Walton, senior pastor of Southern Baptist Church, also spoke at the conference. Attendees who registered for the Shark Tank Diversity Tour casting audition also had the opportunity to pitch their inventions and business ideas to producers from
ABC’s hit show Shark Tank. Once chosen, these entrepreneurs will appear on the reality show where five business titans could help them turn their ideas into multi-million-dollar businesses. There was also a Career Fair with career enhancement sessions to help job seekers navigate the job market and gain an understanding of how to build a career path in the digital age. Other workshops continued the focus on Innovation, Creativity, Leadership, and Going Global. The goal of the 2019 Business & Leadership Conference is to empower attendees to rise to the top of their industries through superior leadership and godly wisdom and be a catalyst for positive and lasting change in their communities, cities, and nations. For more information visit blc. billwinston.org and www.jbs.edu. THE CHICAGO DEFENDER