Mar. 29, 2017
Scholar of the Week - Masake Fofana
The Legacy Band
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Civic Beat FUNdraising Good Times
Four things to consider when approaching corporate or philanthropic decision makers. One way to help sustain your organization is to build and nurture relationships with decision makers who can provide finances and resources. Be intentional as you expand the number of decision makers who know your organization. It takes time for an executive within a corporation – or a board within a foundation – to decide to make a major gift or grant. While many executives have the authority to make discretionary grants, in most cases these are substantially smaller than grants made through the formal grant making process.
be prepared when you do so. Research their business priorities, locations and target markets. Learn about their philanthropic priorities. Find out if they have a foundation, and how it operates. When you do meet, ask for insights into the different ways in which gifts and grants are made. Funding may be available through business divisions or departments, through a corporate foundation or division of social responsibility.
“...fundraising is all about: mutually beneficial partnerships and relationships.”
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March 30, 2017 6:30pm-8:30pm
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Here are some things to consider. 1. If you know an executive who can make a discretionary gift, be sure to speak with them about giving to your organization. But
Letter To The Editor
2. Foundations invest research and thoughtful discussion before defining their giving priorities. They know the impact they want to make. As with corporations, take the time to understand their focus and desired impact. If you know a program officer or executive, talk with them to learn what continues to page 11
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Urban Views Weekly | March 29, 2017
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ViewPoints
By Dr. T
Are WE in The Sunken Place? When reality becomes increasingly unbelievable, when mis-information and outright falsehood is spoken as truth, something is happening. When the idea of compassion for others is considered a weakness instead of humanitarian citizenship and the idea of citizenship itself turns into a Me, Myself and I ideology instead of “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…” as the vision for America, WE (all of US) just might be in The Sunken Place. The Sunken Place is a reference to the symbolic brainwashing of Black people through a process of hypnosis and imbedded “cultural triggered responses”, with which we are ALL familiar. This “process” keeps Black people silenced, marginalized and paralyzed in a manufactured state of denial, collusion and compliance, while allowing white folks to continue to dominate and write the narrative they want us ALL to live.
peaked mainly because of the critical discourse and impassioned conversations the movie has inspired around the country, on social media, and in RVA. The images, storyline and parallels drawn by the screenplay’s content and perspective all resonated within my psyche and were immediately affirmed by my “lived experience” as a Black woman in America. Are WE in The Sunken Place? Many people continue to be amazed and astounded by what the media calls “unprecedented” when describing current events, or proposed BIG policy changes like Health Care or Travel Bans. Recently, even the basic determination of what America stands for and what she stands against has become less and less clear to the citizens of this nation and even more confusing to other citizens on a global scale. Why has it become so difficult to name what is True, Truth, and to call that which is false a Lie? Where is the outrage of those we once called Patriots to step up and protect us when our nation has been attacked by a foreign power in an effort to undermine our electoral process and weaken confidence in our democracy? Where is the moral and ethical courage to “speak TRUTH to Power” and demand integrity in our governing bodies? All three governing bodies – the Executive, the Legislative and the Judiciary – must be held accountable to the Highest Standards.
“This “process” keeps Black people silenced, marginalized and paralyzed...”
All of this takes place in the satirical horror movie called “GET OUT” written by comedian Jordan Peele. The movie is much more than it portends as mere entertainment. It is a critical commentary and a socio-political critique of our culture and the historic legacy of race and racial politics in America. The film uses the stylistic form of the traditional horror movie to capture and to dramatize long-held beliefs, practices and traditions pervasive among the dominant culture and validated, by a Manifest Destiny kind of mystique. The movie demonstrates the ways in which the marginalized “blacks” are objectified, controlled and neutralized as incapable Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph.D. to pursue any type of actual freedom, liberty or selfFounder and Artistic Director determination. I am not a fan of horror movies in general and reluctantly went to see GET OUT. My curiosity was
The Conciliation Project and Associate Professor Virginia Commonwealth University
DrT@Margins2theCenter.com | www.theconciliationproject.org
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Urban Views Weekly | March 29, 2017
All things considered, past and present…we are clearly in an alternate space. What is happening? Where are we right now? What are we becoming? Are we paralyzed by imbedded “cultural responses”? If we do nothing…how will we survive? It appears we might be in The Sunken Place? #GETOUT #TheSunkenPlace
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The Deal
By Nathaniel Sillin
What Can We Learn from the Tiny House Phenomenon? You may not have seen one in your neighborhood yet, but the tiny house phenomenon has spread across the country. For some, the move is driven by a desire to downsize and live a minimalistic lifestyle. Others see it as a way to decrease their impact on the environment. Economics are often a large part of the equation. Buying and maintaining a tiny home is relatively inexpensive, and the savings can help many people on their path towards financial freedom. Tiny-home living (often shortened to tiny living) isn’t for everyone. However, tiny living requires ingenuity and resourcefulness and we can all learn something from those who choose tiny. Freedom from debt is priceless. Living within one’s means is a foundational belief to many within the tiny living community. Between labor and materials, a tiny home could cost about $20,000 to $60,000 to build. By contrast, the U.S. Census Bureau found the median sale price for a new home in December 2016 was $322,500. The relatively low price gives you a chance to own a tiny home without having a mortgage that’ll take three decades to pay off. The ongoing savings in the form of lower utility, tax and maintenance bills also make it easier to pay off non-housing debts, such as student loans, and live a debtfree life.
That being said, you can live in a larger home and still look for ways to lower your monthly expenses and fight lifestyle inflation (spending more as you make more money). A common tip is to allocate half of your next raise or bonus to your savings or use it to pay down debts. But why not challenge yourself and use your entire raise or bonus to build your net worth? Make room for things that are important. Moving into a tiny home can require major downsizing, but some view that as a feature rather than a disadvantage. It’s not about getting rid of things that aren’t absolutely necessary, after all sometimes “unnecessary” decorations turn a house into a home. Rather, from furniture to clothing, you have to decide what’s important to you and leave the rest behind. It’s easy to fill a large home with clutter and then attempt to clean every spring. Perhaps a better approach would be to take a tiny-home mindset to the store with you. Don’t get bogged down by asking yourself if you can live without something — you can live without many things — instead, try to only spend money on things that add meaning and joy to your life. You have more space than meets the eye. Watch a tour of a tiny home, and you’ll see that great organization skills and original storage ideas are a must. Tables turn into benches and chairs double as shelves — everything seems to have at least two purposes.
How could a little imagination transform your home? Might a new shelving system and selling items that aren’t important to you anymore give you more room? Inventiveness and thinking outside the box are keys to making the most of what you have. High-quality products are worth the investment. Many tiny-home owners are keenly aware of the waste they’re putting back into the world. Some even choose to live in a tiny home because it’ll reduce their ecological footprint. The savings that come from tiny living and this approach to life often lead to investments in long-lasting products rather than cheaper alternatives. Quality over quantity is certainly a worthwhile mentality to adopt. Put it into practice by looking for companies that offer lifetime warranties on their products. You might be surprised to find that from socks to power tools there are dozens of manufacturers that uphold this promise. How will you make use of these lessons? Simple living and conscious buying aren’t exclusive traits of tiny-home owners. Regardless of the size of your home, you may find that incorporating these principles and practices save you time and money. Two valuable resources that should never be wasted. Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs. To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: www.twitter. com/PracticalMoney
SCREEN TO SAVE: Colonoscopy African Americans have a greater risk of colorectal cancer than any other racial group. A colonoscopy can detect cancer early, when it’s most treatable, and even prevent its development by removing precancerous polyps. If you’re between the ages of 50 and 75, you need to be screened. To schedule a colonoscopy call: (804) 827-0045 or learn more at masseycolorectalcancer.com
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The Legacy Band Carves Out a L On Friday, March 10th, the Urban Views team visited Loft 17 during Richmond’s first ever Black Restaurant Week. What began as an extension of support for a black-owned business turned into the discovery of a local gem. We’re not talking about the restaurant, though everything from the sweet whiskey wings to the caprese filet mignon were remarkable. We’re talking about the live band whose soulful sound cascaded through the quaint restaurant. Appropriately named for the lasting impression they leave on the audience, the Legacy Band wowed the crowd with covers of songs each generation of patrons knew and loved.
to sing. I competed at the allcity and all-state levels, and then I went from there. I did it because I was “supposed” to, having no idea singing would actually bring me this far.”
Jose Pomier: “My father is a musician. One year, my grandfather bought me a guitar for Christmas, and my father heard me trying to mimic him while playing. From that point, my parents and grandparents really dedicated their time to helping me hone my skills. I owe all of my success as a musician to them; my grandfather, my mom and Kai’la Valdez, Lead Singer my dad were instrumental in me really perfecting my craft and growing as an artist. They kept me involved with music, exposed me to all types of Everyone from the bar to the upstairs lounge danced instruments, and never stopped backing me.” along as the musicians put their unique spin on classic hits. A week later, we sat down with two members of the JMH: It’s wonderful that both of you had supportive adults powerhouse group, lead singer Kai’La Valdez and guitarist in your life who actually fostered your interest in the arts, Jose Pomier to discuss how their musical journey led even as a career path. We don’t see enough of that, but I them to performing in packed houses. Turns out, they’re think the arts is so important for our youth today. just getting started. KV: I’m grateful to have Janna M. Hall: “First, I’d parents who encourage like to start by saying me being an artist. My you two are incredible mom, even to this artists; the minute I day, comes to all of heard you at Loft 17 I our shows, and even knew I had to sit with manages me. Thinking you guys. When did you of all the time and discover you were this effort she, as a single talented?” mom, poured into my musical growth, I know Kai’La Valdez: “I always I couldn’t be what I am knew my voice was without that foundation. different, but I didn’t My dad, too. He played know I had a gift until such a huge role. So high school. I had a I definitely think our Jose Pomier, Guitarist teacher, Ms. Woolridge, youth today, in a time who always pushed me where they feel hopeless 6
Urban Views Weekly | March 29, 2017
Jose Pomier, Kai’la Valdez and Dav
about a lot of things, find hope in the arts and they need a support system for it all. JMH: So how did we get from that initial seed being planted and watered by your parents, to the Legacy Band? JP: We both had gigs with artists around town, and we partnered to do a private engagement for the bike race that came to Richmond last year. Folks asked us if we had a full band to perform at future events, and we reached out to our musician friends to see who was available. We eventually built the band with Corey, LC, Junie, Julius, Tommy, and Jeremy, our drummer. Demand for live performing grew, and that’s how Legacy Band started. KP: Collectively, we all knew that we were each talented in our own right, but when we got together we meshed well and worked well together. That was the “it” factor for us. Initially, we didn’t know what to expect, but our energy as a group just works.
Lane for Live Performers in RVA
By Janna M. Hall
potentially sound good, and he’s always right.
big Richmond was until I put myself out there. You’ve got to create your own space and create the art you want to hear. Everything Legacy does and stands for is faith and seeing our visions manifest. We all believe it’s possible. That’s what ties us together: we understand that we each offer a special gift and talent, and we need one another. So when things get challenging, we push each other and keep ourselves motivated.
JMH: How did the Black Restaurant Week gig even come about?
vid Corey, Members of Legacy Band
Part of the Legacy Band’s “meshing well” includes collaborating on the development of cover pieces and original songs. Known as the “mastermind” of the group, Pomier selects the musicians that all come together to produce that one-of-a-kind sound. His network of talented artists extends as far back as high school, and they all play a unique role in choosing the songs, while Pomier’s creative ear guides them as they tweak them for each performance. JMH: So one of the songs that stood out for me was your rendition of D’Angelo’s “How Does It Feel?” I think I speak for everyone at Loft 17 when I say that it was a highlight that night. JP: Julius, our keyboard player, suggested we play that song. He’s such a creative player as well as producer. KV: He’s intuitive; he picks up on everything that could
KV: It was honestly one of our First Friday gigs that happened to fall during Black Restaurant week. Loft 17 was our first venue when we started doing shows, and when we learned that Thomas Rogers, Drummer our performance would fall during the week, we were excited to do something special. Jose put the band together, and we were so JMH: That’s great to hear, mainly because you think that shocked at the turnout. Loft 17 is usually a very chill in a city as tight-knit as Richmond, that there’d be lots of atmosphere, but that night, there wasn’t an empty seat in roadblocks, but you guys have really carved out a lane for the house. That manifested into something great for us yourselves and support other local musicians. I applaud all because being a live entertainer in Richmond isn’t always you’re doing for the creative scene here in RVA. So what’s easy, so we’re fortunate to have people gravitate towards us next for Legacy Band? and show huge support. It was the first Black Restaurant Week in Richmond, so to be a part of it was incredible. KV: We’re working on original material, and we all have ideas and different concepts that we’re combining. This JMH: Has your experience with performing live in will be a big year for Legacy and Legacy Unplugged, which Richmond always been like this? It seems so easy to get is a show we’re doing every 2nd Monday at Grandstaff support and excitement around what you guys do with your & Stein. Our usual shows are like a party, but Legacy unique sound. Unplugged is an intimate, one-of-a-kind style of live music. Above all, we’re focusing on building our legacy. With JP: It can be difficult. everything we do on There will always stage, and everything be a lane for live we represent, we’re all entertainment in building something Richmond. It’s so easy bigger than ourselves to get caught up in the that’ll outlast us all. competition because That’s what it’s about: there isn’t a huge music Legacy. scene, but there are lots of venues that receive To learn more about live entertainment well The Legacy Band, visit and the people love them on Facebook at it. So we’re in the right Legacy Band VA. place. KV: I didn’t grasp the concept of how
David Corey, Bass Guitarist
Photos: Courtney Jones
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Simplify Fish Fridays with Sheet Pan Dinners If you’re observing Lent, Friday fish dinners could be in your future, but that’s no reason to feel limited by what you can cook. Seafood pairs well with all sorts of flavors – from chili seasoning to lime extract – and bakes quickly on a sheet pan with minimal cleanup. Follow these simple tips from Dr. Wendy Bazilian, McCormick Health Advisor and Registered Dietitian, to get your family asking for good-for-you proteins like salmon and shrimp all year long: While lemon is a great complement to seafood, think about pairing with other
citrus flavors like orange and lime. Try marinating shrimp in a mixture of lite coconut milk, lime extract, ginger and red pepper.
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TanyaFree.com/ Urban Views Weekly Poll Former Presidential Democratic Candidate Hillary Clinton has kept a pretty low profile since the election until recently when she declared, [she] “is ready to come out of the woods”. Sounds like she is ready to get back into the political arena.
What’s your take? Should Hillary make another run for political office? Check out the story and respond to this week’s poll at TanyaFree.com and the Urban Views Weekly FACEBOOK Page. Listen to the Tanya Free and Friends Talk Show Wednesdays @ 2pm on WCLM1450AM streaming LIVE @ TanyaFree.com and BlackTalkRadioNetwork.com. You can now watch us LIVE at TanyaFree.com and ustream.tv
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Urban Views Weekly | March 29, 2017
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Scholar of the Week
Masake Fofana of George Wythe High School
GPA: 3.29 College(s) of Interest: James Madison University Major Community Service: School Advisory Council activities Strong Interests: Entrepreneurship Favorite Activities: Extracurricular activities
By Janeal Downs
With parents who immigrated to the United States from the Ivory Coast, one thing Masake Fofana does not take for granted is her education. When he first came to the United States, her father worked as a taxi driver in New York where he earned enough money to fly her mother to the U.S. Masake’s mother worked as a beautician. With a growing household, they moved from New York to Chicago, and finally to Virginia. “Being a child of immigrants gives me the courage and ambition to pursue my ultimate dream,” Masake stated in an essay. “I always wondered why my parents worked so hard, now I know the enormous role education plays in achieving success.” Masake’s parents weren’t able to get the same type of educational opportunities as she was. This is one reason why it is so important to her. Masake’s long-term educational goal is to receive a Master’s degree in business. After working her way up to owning her own hair salon in Richmond, Masake’s mother’s experience encouraged her to also go into business. Once she receives her MBA, Masake wants to work for a company, to gain skills and learn about the business industry. After gaining some years of experience, she wants to open her own restaurant featuring foods from different African cultures. “I really love food and I really love African food,” Masake said. “There’s a lot of people here that don’t know about African food and they’re really missing out.” Not only does she want to share the different types of foods with the community, Masake also wants her restaurant to have history behind it and offer a museum-like experience. While she is still in high school, Masake stays very active. She has participated in basketball, cross country, the band; she is the president of the FBLA, senior class president and even won the 2015 – 2016 citizenship award from her school. As well as participating in
community service outside of school, Masake stays busy and currently has a 3.29 GPA. “I’ve learned that although my environment isn’t the best, I make the best out of my environment,” Masake said. “I look past that and I try to achieve my goals and what I want to succeed.” After graduating, Masake’s top choice for college is James Madison University. “When I first went to James Madison, I wasn’t really sure that I wanted to go there because I didn’t see many people that looked like me,” Masake said. “But I thought about it and I was like well, I’m going to have to work with diversity when I get into the business field so I would like to know about every culture and every background.” Masake reflected on how when she was younger, though she was born in the U.S., she lived in the Ivory Coast for some years. She spoke French and her mother’s native language, Mandinka, but when she returned to the U.S. she didn’t speak English. It was hard for her to adapt and relate to the other children. This experience taught her to embrace diversity and other cultures. This is something she hopes to get out of attending James Madison. Because of her experiences as a child, not only does Masake want to become an entrepreneur, she also wants to start a community outreach program that will serve high schoolers from low-income families or with similar situations as her own family. Two of Masake’s biggest inspirations to achieve her goals and give back to her community are her mother and grandmother. “My grandma sacrificed her life to make my mom’s life better and my mom sacrificed her life to make my life better,” Masake said. “So those are the two people that are really meaningful to me.” With her family inspiring and motivating her along the way, Masake is ready to work toward her goals. She wants the community to know that she is motivated and ready to be successful.
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Urban Views Weekly | March 29, 2017
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drives the foundation’s decision making. Ask if they would consider an application, and what they would want your organization to focus on when applying. 3. In all cases where you know someone who can make a meaningful gift or grant, talk with them before sending a letter. Most unsolicited requests for funds never make it to a decision maker’s desk. Make a call, have a conversation, and then ask if it would be appropriate to submit a written request. 4. When meeting with decision makers, seek out areas of shared values or priorities. Explore how giving to your organization could help a donor or funder meet some of their business or philanthropic priorities. If your organization focuses on workforce development, a business may want to build a relationship that helps ensure the company has a pool of qualified employees to hire. If your organization is committed to community health and preventive healthcare, a hospital or medical
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While these activities may not result in an immediate gift, they contribute to a pipeline of potential donors and funders that can be cultivated over time. That is what major fundraising is all about: mutually beneficial partnerships and relationships. Take the time to introduce your organization to new leaders and decision makers. You will be investing in your organization’s future and the future of those you serve. Copyright 2017 – Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw are authors of four books on fundraising available on Amazon.com. For help growing your fundraising visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.
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