TheUnsungI ssue November /December201 9.Vol ume5.I ssue1 1
THEPEOPLESCHOI CE:COMMUNI TYSERVI CEHEREOS UNSUNG HERO :A CONVERSATI ON W I TH DONALD CURTI S&JI MMI EJENKI NS MOEMONEYW I TH KELSYEADAMS ADAM LEVI NE&THE60 YEARLEGACYOFCOMMUNI TYSERVI CE ATTHEW ASHI NGTON MUSI C CENTER
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Letter fro m the Ed i to r
The Unsung i ssue hi g hli g hts tho se w ho se q ui et g ra c e ha s a llo w ed thei r c o m m uni ti es to pro sper. These spec i al peo ple, d ri v en by thei r pa ssi o n fo r i nd ustry a nd o thers w o rk d a i ly to keep the fi eld s o f pla y a li ttle m o re ba la nc ed .Thi s m o nth,yo u w i ll rea d a bo ut tw o m en w ho ’ ve d ev o ted thei r li v es to keepi ng o ur yo uth o ff the streets a nd i n the c la ssro o m . Yo u’ ll lea rn a bo ut w ha t g o es o n behi nd the sc enes o f po li ti c s fro m a w o m a n w ho stra d d les the li ne betw een c o nserva ti sm a nd c o m m uni ty a c ti vi sm .A nd , yo u’ ll g et a c ra sh c o urse i n the m usi c i nd ustry fro m a m a n w ho se fa m i ly ha s pla yed a m a jo r ro le i n d ev elo pi ng D . C. ’ s li v e sc ene. I n li ne w i th thi s them e,Im ust a lso a po lo g i ze to tho se w ho w ere w ri tten o ut o f M a rv i n’ s hi sto ry i n la st m o nth’ s i ssue. Espec i a lly Sheld o n Sc o tt, w ho se c o ntri buti o ns to the M a rv i n bra nd w ent c o m pletely una c kno w led g ed . W hen i n fa c t, i t was hi s c o m m uni ty bui ld i ng a nd fo rw a rd -thi nki ng tha t helped pro pel M a rv i n to suc c ess.I t’ s o nly ri g ht tha t w e o pen thi s i ssue o f The Bri d g e by pa yi ng respec t to a truly unsung hero .
- C la ud i a M .W a tts
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ThePeopl esChoi ce OnI ns t agr am weas kedwhoyou t houghtwes houl dhonorf ort hei r wor ki nt hecommuni t y. Weappr eci at eyourpar t i cpat i on andacknowl edgeyour nomi nat i ons . Let ’ sr ecogni zedt hes e1 2 i ndi vi dual sandor gani zat i onsf or t hei ri mmeas ur abl ei mpactont he wel l bei ngoft hehumanr ace. Checkt hem outonI G.
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Unsung Hero Whenyout hi nkofas uper her owhatcomest omi nd?Of t ent i mes ,peopl eenvi s i ons omeonewi t hs uper humanpower ss oar i ngt hr ought hes kydoi ngher oi cdeeds . Wi t hi nourowncommuni t i es ,t her ear eever ydaypeopl ewi t hs uper power s ,t houghatfir s tgl ance,wemaymi s st hei rher oi s m.Tooof t en,t hepeopl eont hegr ound doi nggoodar en’ tr ecogni zedf ort hei rher oi cpower s .Whatwoul dhappeni fwes uppor t edt hepeopl eatt hegr as s r oot si ns t eadofj us tt hegr as s t ops ?Theper s onwho wasneveri ni tf ort hems el ves ,butf oundt hei rcal l i ngbywayofbei ngpr es entf oranot her ,andt hr ought hatcommi t mentt r ans f or medi nt oaher o. dCur t i s , f ounderandCEO ofSOUL, t hedes i r et ohel pot her ss t ar t edwi t hhi sbr ot herwhos ai d, “ I ’ l lpl aybas ket bal l , i fyoucoachme. ”And, f orJi mmi eJenki ns , ForDonal f ounderand CEO ofManPowerand CoFounderofTheGar denSchool ,t hatper s onwashi sbes tf r i end who waski l l ed whenhewasat eenager .Fort hel as tt wo decades ,Donal dandJi mmi ehavebeen bui l di ngcommuni t i esofs uppor tf oryout handf ami l i esl i vi ngi nWar ds7and8t hr oughat hl et i cs ,ment or s hi p,andbei ngr eal l i f eexampl esofhopef orwhati spos s i bl e. Youmaynotcat chCur t i sorJenki nswi t hacapeon,butl ookoutf oramanwi t hahoodi e,j er s ey,orflychecker edt ai l or mades ui t ,andr emember-t hey,t oo,have s uper power s . TheBr i dge,coor di nat edameetupbet ween Ji mmi eandDonal datSpaces ,Donal d’ sNor t heas tbas edcowor ki ngoffice.Joi nedbyt hei rchi l dr enandJi mmi e’ swi f e, JanaeHughes ,Spaceswast heper f ectl ocat i onf ort heki dst opl aywhi l et het wof at her shadar ar emomentt os i tbackaspeer si nt hewor kt ohaveahear t t ohear t t ot het uneofchi l dr en' sl aught erandchat t eri nt hebackgr ound.
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Phot ogr aphy For r es tGi vens |I G:@f or r es t gi vens
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JI MMI E -How di dyougeti nt ocoachi ng? D O NA LD -Iwentawayt os choolandmybr ot hergoti nt os omet r oubl e.So,mygr andmot hercal l edmel i ke,yourbr ot heri smes s i ngup.Youneedt ocomehome.Icamehome. Donal d’ s7yearol ds oni nt er r upt s -“ Is pi l l edhotchocol at e. ”Whi l ecl eani ng,hecont i nues . D O NA LD - Sor r y,s o-mygr andmot hercal l edmeandas kedmet ocomehome.Iwasonmywayt oHous t onf orgr ads chool .WhenIcamehome,Iwentt ohi sbas ket bal lgames-t hefinalt wooft he s eas on,andIt ol dhi mt hi si sgonnabei t .You’ l lbedone.Hewasl i ke,“ Iwannagopl aycol l egebas ket bal l ,butIai n’ tgotnol ooks ,Iai n’ tgotnooffer s . ”SoIwasl i ke,l et ’ st akeal ookatAAU.Wegot hr ough t hi swhol epr oces sandfindat eam.Wei nVi r gi ni a.Hewasl i ke,“ I ’ l lpl ay,butIdon’ tl i ket hecoach.I fyoucoach,I ’ l lpl ay. ”So,IcameonasAs s i s t antCoachandIj us tl ovedi t ,Iwasl i keImi s st hi s .Whenhe gr aduat ed,Ij us tkeptoncoachi ng.I twasoneoft hos et hi ngst hatkeptme.If oundpur pos ei nt hi sconnect i onr i ghther e( poi nt satt hewor dSOULont hehear tofhi ss hi r t . )Ij us twant edt odot hatonet hi ng i nt hatmoment .So,t hat ’ show Igoti nt ocoachi ng. JI MMI E -So,t hi smi ghts oundcr azy-butoneofmybes tf r i endswaski l l ed.Meandmybes tf r i endandmybr ot herwer eabout1 5, 1 6year sol d.Andt heyoungerguysar oundmywaywer eabout1 0and 1 1 .So,whatweus edt odoi scoacht hem.Weus edt ol i kemakej er s eysandwr i t eont hem wi t hcr ayons .So,Ial waysbeenki ndal i kecoachi ng,Ihadt hatal r eadyi nme. W henIgr aduat edf r om hi ghs chool ,Idi dn’ tgor i ghtont ocol l ege. Ihadmyfir s tchi l d.If el tl i keIl os tmys chol ar s hi p.So,t hes choolr eachedoutandputmeonf aci l i t i esandt heywant edt omet ocoacht he gi r l svar s i t yt eam.Idi dn’ tknow,t hen,Iwoul dbr i ngt hem t opl ayoffsf ort woyear s .Il ef twentt ocol l ege,andwhenIgr aduat edIcamebackandIr eal i zedt her ewass omet hi ngmi s s i ng.Fort hr eeyear si na r ow,Is aw gr eatt al entnotgot ot henextl evel . D O NA LD -Yeah JI MMI E -So,Is ai dmaybeIneedt ogeti nvol ved.Iwasdoi ngmys ummercampsandt henIs t ar t edcoachi ngatmyol dhi ghs chool ,whi chwasnow ami ddl es chool ,andIas kedhi m,“ CanIcoach?”They wasl i ke,“ Wedon' tdos por t s . ”Imean,Il i t er al l ywal kedi nt ot hegym wi t ht heCOO oft hebui l di ngands ai d,“ Lookatt hi s ,t hes ear et hes amebanner supf r om whenIwaspl ayi ng,wewer e,yaknow,as por t s dr i vens chool ,l ook,weneedt ogetas por t spr ogr am backher e. ”Thi swasPer r ySt r eetandt heyt r us t ed,t heyi nves t edi nt oi t . D O NA LD -OK JI MMI E -Somet hi ngInot i cedi nhi ghs chool ,wasal otoft hem di dn’ thavet hei rdadi nt hehous ehol d.Andnow adays ,t heydon’ tevenhavet heuncl esorbi gbr ot her sl i keweus edt ohave.I t ’ sbi gger t hant heX’ sandO’ s-i t ’ sbas i cal l yt eachi ngt hem t he“ why”aboutl i f e,andt hat ’ swhyIam i nt ocoachi ng. D O NA LD -It hi nkt het r ans i t i onf orme,wasl i ke,whengr owi ngupi npover t yoracer t ai nway,youdon’ tknow i t ,i t ’ sj us tt hewayi ti s .And,t hen,l i ke,youhaveal i t t l ebi tmor et hant heper s onnextt o you,andyou’ r el i ke,“ he’ spoor ,I ’ m ai ght . ” JI MMI E -Yeah,yeah D O NA LD -Andt henyear sl at er ,Igott ocol l ege-Idi dn’ tr eal i zeIwasi npover t y,It ookacour s ei ncol l ege.I twasl i kepover t yi nAmer i cameansmaki ngl i ke$1 0, 000orl es speryear .Iwasl i kedangt hat ’ s t r i ckybecaus ewemakel es st hant hat .Idi dt heFAFSA ,Ifil l edoutt hei nf or mat i onf ormymom,butyoudon’ tr eal i zei t . JI MMI E -Yup D O NA LD -Your eal i zes omet hi ngi sdi ffer enti nt hos eenvi r onmentwhenyougett os choolbecaus et heyadj us tal i t t l ebet t er .Theygett hi st hi ngi ncl as st hatIdon’ tget .Theynet wor kal i t t l edi ffer ent l y t hant hewayInet wor k.Li kewi t hme,Iwentt os chool .Af t ers chool ,Iwoul dcomebackhomeandwal kwi t hmybr ot her .WhenIs t ar t edcoachi ng,Idi dn’ twantt oneces s ar i l ycoachbas ket bal l ,Iwast her e f oracademi cs uppor t .Ij us twant edt omakes ur et hes eguysgetwhatt heyneed. JI MMI E -Yeah,Yeah D O NA LD -And,t henovert i met hi ngspr ogr es s edandt hi sandt hat .I t ’ scr azy,t heevol ut i onJI MMI E -I ti sman.And( s i gh)yaknow. .So,myt hi ng-andIdon’ tr eal l yt al kabouti t ,butIhadaki dImethi s1 0t hgr adeyear .Youknow youki ndaunder s t andaki di sgoi ngt hr oughs omet hi ng.Thef ami l y wass t r uggl i ngatt het i me. Hecamet omet ot al kabouti t . AndIs ai d, Godhadpos i t i onedhi mt of eelcomf or t abl eenoughf orhi mt ot el lmeabouthi ss i t uat i on. Hi ss i t uat i onwasal otwor s eofft hanIt hought i twas . D O NA LD -Mhmm JI MMI E -Wher eIhadt or eachoutt oot herf ol kst ogetr es our cest ohel pt hef ami l y.Hegott os eni oryear ,andhewasonl yabl et opl ayonegame.Whathappenedwas-peopl edon’ tunder s t and-as youwor kwi t hki dsandt hei rt r aumaandwhatt heygoi ngt hr ough.I t ’ sj us tr eal l ymaki ngt het r aumaal i t t l ewor s et hani twas .Becaus enow hei sas eni or ,he’ sol der ,he’ sgotmor epr es s ur ewi t hcol l ege,but hei ss t i l lgoi nghomet ot hat . . . D O NA LD -Yeah JI MMI E -Andnow,he’ shavi ngt hos ei s s ueswher ehef eell i kedon’ tr eal l ywanti tt obeknownhe’ ss t r uggl i ng,s ohes t ar t sact i ngout . D O NA LD -Mhmm JI MMI E -Andt hes chooldi dn’ tunder s t and,butIunder s t ood.So,It ol dhi m,Is ai dl ook-t heygonnat akeyouoff t het eam,r i ght ?Andyougonnaacceptt hat ,r i ght ?Butt her eal i t yi st hi s ,asmes ayi ng I ’ m yourcoachandcommi t t edt oyou,I ’ m gonnagetyoui ns chools oyoucanpl aycol l egebal l .Att het i meIwas n’ ts ur e,butIknew t hat ’ ss omet hi ngIhadt os ay.Wewentl ongdaysl ongni ght s .Now he’ s ont hecol l egefloor ,he’ satCheney. D O NA LD -Uhhuh,yeah JI MMI E -I t ’ samazi nghow wear eus edt onavi gat ef ol kst hr oughadi ffer entr out et hatwewi s hwewoul dhavehad. D O NA LD -Evenwi t ht hewhol et r aumat opi c.IcoachatHD Woods on.Sowegott hes e,yaknow,youngguyswhogoofft ocol l ege.Wecangett hem t her e,r i ght ?Thechal l engei swhent heygett her e. It hi nk,That ’ swhatpeopl eof t enmi s s ,t heyt hi nkof t ent i meswhatwedoi sonedi mens i onal . JI MMI E -Yup. . . D O NA LD -Whatwet r yi n’t odor eal l yi scr eat et hi swhol es ki l ls ett hatt heycanus ewhent heyar et her e,wher et heycans ur vi vewi t houtusbei ngt her e.Thechal l engei st hatt heys t ar ts of arbehi ndi t ’ s s er i ous ,yaknow,Icanpoi ntt or os t er si ns chool sandt el lhow manyar ei ns chool ,j ai l ,her eort her e.Youhavet eamst hathavewonchampi ons hi psandIcans ay89oft hos epl ayer sar edeal i ngwi t ht he cr i mi nalj us t i ces ys t em,ort hi s ,ort hat .Ever yt hi ngwepr ovi det r i est odevel opt hei rs ki l ls etbutt her e' ss omanyot hert hi ngst hatar enotaddr es s ed. JI MMI E -Yup,yup D O NA LD -Li keyeah,t heper s onwenther e,butwhent heygott her e,anddeal twi t hr aci s m,orf el tdi s connect edf r om t hei rpeer si naway.Thenwhent heycamebackhome,andever yt hi ngt heyf eel connect edt oi st her ef ort hem,t hepeopl et hats uppor t edt hem whent heyhadnot hi ng,s t i l lar es uppor t i ngt hem.Hones t l y,whent heycomebackhomei t ’ sl i ke,“ Yeahyoudi dt hatt hi ng, ”buti nourmi nd i t ’ sl i keyoudi dn’ tfini s h.AndIknow whenIwoul dcomeback,t her ewer et hes euncl esl i ke,“ Youneedt obedoi ngt hi s . ”Butnow i t ’ ss obl ur r ed. JI MMI E -Il ovet hatwedoi n’t hi sbecaus eal otoft het hi ngsyoudoi n’ ,I ’ m doi n.Webei nt hes ameci t y,t hes amear ea.Butal otoft i mes ,t hel abori ss oi nt ens e,s owedon’ thavet i met oconnectwi t ht he f ol kswhodoi n’t het hi ngwe’ r edoi n’ ,becaus ewe’ r edoi n’s omuch.Thet i met hatwedohavel ef tover ,wegot t apourt hati nt oourwoman,ourki ds ,andourf ami l i es .So,wedon’ tgett obr eat heoneach ot herandweupl i f teachot her .Thi si sabl es s i ng,i t ’ sbi ggert hant hi ss egment .I t ’ sgoodt ohearands har ewi t hanot herbr ot heronal ll evel s . D O NA LD -I ’ m al laboutcol l abor at i on,s t ar t i ngs omet hi ngf r om t hegr oundup. . .WhenIt hi nkaboutSOUL,att hebegi nni ng-nooner eal l yunder s t andswhatyou’ r edoi ng,s oyougetal otmor ecr i t i ci s m t hans uppor t .Thenwhenyougett oyear3,4,or5-peopl ewannas t ar tgi vi ngyouwor dsofwi s dom.But ,It hi nkaboutt hefir s tear l yyear sandIas k,“ whatwoul dhavemadet hi spr oces seas i er ?”I fyouhad peopl ewhoal r eadyhadt hi sgoi ngonandwehadr oundt abl es .Inot i cedmor eaffluentor gani zat i onshavet hes econver s at i onsal lt het i me,andt heyr ai s emoney.Att hegr oundl evelt her e’ snotawhol el ot oft hatgoi ngon. Peopl eof t ent hi nkwear efight i ngf ort hes amet hi ng, And, wear enot . Wear efight i ngf ort hes amet hi ng. But , weneedt obet hi nki nghow canwet akeourr es our cesandputt hem t oget her att heci t yandnat i onall evel .Wear ej us tmeet i ngeachot herandt al ki ngaboutwhatwebot hhavei ncommonandt hati shappeni ngt hr oughoutdi ffer entpocket si nt hecount r y.How canwehavet hat pl at f or mt hats ayst hi si swhatweneed,t hi si swhatwewantt ohavedone,t hi si show gover nmentcanbemor eaccount abl et owhatweneedt ohaveaccompl i s hedi nourcommuni t i es ? JI MMI E -Thi si swher ewemi s soutont heaccount abi l i t ypi ece,becaus el eader s ,s t akehol der s ,f ol ksal lar oundwhohaves ays oi nt hedol l aramount sgoi ngt opeopl el i keus ,t heyf eell i ket heycanput t hi sl i t t l emoneyher eoral i t t l emoneyt her e,j us tbecaus ewedon’ thavenot hi ngcompr ehens i ve.Wedon’ thave,t hevas tmaj or i t yofusatt het abl et oget her ,t al ki ngabouts omet hi ngcompr ehens i ve.I ft hey f eell i kewecanget20f ol ksoverher et oar gueaboutt hi st hr eehundr edt hous andand20f ol ksovert her edoi ngt hes amet hi ng.Ever ybody’ sdi s t r act eds onow ever ybodyi sbeefin’wi t heachot herabout t hi st hr eehundr edt hous and,whenwecoul dal lbehavi ng80peopl eatt het abl e,t al ki ngaboutt hr eehundr edmi l l i on.That ’ swhatwear emi s s i ng,t hatr oundt abl econver s at i on.Then,s omepeopl eget t i n’ t i r edoft heconver s at i on,andar eas ki ng,“ whatcanwedor i ghtnow?”Thi sconver s at i oni t s el fmot i vat esmet oknow wegots omebodyel s edoi ngt hi swor k. D O NA LD -Yes ,s ame-Idefini t el ywannaf ol l ow up.
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Phot ogr aphy DeeDwyer|@deedwyer j ont s
Moe M o ney wi th Kelsye A d a m s
Thef aceofpol i t i csi sget t i ngamakeover ,andi tl ookss omet hi ngl i keKel s yeAdams .The28year ol dfinancedi r ect orandcommuni t yact i vi s t j oi nst hes l ew ofmi l l enni al swhoar es haki ngt hedemogr aphi csofpol i t i cs .I n201 8,mi l l enni al sonl ycompos ed6% ofs t at el egi s l at ur esacr os s t hecount r y.Thatnumberi ss ett ot akeas har pi ncr eas ei nt hecomi ngyear sasmor eandmor eyoungpeopl ear eopt i ngt or unf orofficeon l ocal ,s t at e,and f eder all evel s .Localpi oneer sl i ke Janees e Lewi sGeor ge and Mar kusBat chel orar e hopi ng t o become di s r upt er si na movementofl eader st hatBat chel ordes cr i besaswant i ngt o“ bemor er adi cal l yhones taboutwher ewe’ r eati ns oci et y. ” Bat chel or ,D. C.St at eBoar d ofEducat i on member ,announced hi scandi dacyf ort hei ndependentat l ar ges eatf or2020 i n Sept embert o i mpl ement“ bi g,bol ds oci et alchange. .f orpeopl ewhohadbeenf ai l edbyt hes ys t em overandover . ”Bat chel or ’ ss pi r i tofact i vi s m andci vi c engagementbegani nhi ghs choolandf ol l owedhi mt hr oughouthi scar eeracr os st hemayor ’ sofficeandi nt ohi scur r entcampai gn. Bot hLewi s Geor geand Bat chel orar egear i ng up f orcampai gnsr oot ed i n unapol oget i chones t yand ur gency,and al l ow us ,asBat chel orr eflect s ,t o “ wi t nes s ,fir s t hand,youngpeopl echangi ngt hef aceofl eader s hi pi nt hi scount r y. ” s hi p,however ,t akesmany f or ms ;i ti sof t en t he peopl e behi nd t he s cenest hatmove t he pi ecest hatpr opelchange.Behi nd t he Leader campai gn,t her ei sat eam ofl eader st hats uppor tt hemi s s i onoft hecandi dat es . Kel s yeAdamss er vesmanyr ol es ,mos tnot abl yasDi r ect orof Fi nance f orRal ph Nor t ham and Execut i ve Di r ect orofLong Li ve Gogo,an or gani zat i on ai med atpr ot ect i ng D. C.cul t ur e and cr eat i ng nat i onal l yr ecogni zedmovement sl i keMoechel l at heMi l l i onMoeMar ch. Asas el f pr ocl ai med “ pr of es s i onalf undr ai s er , ”Adamshaswor ked herwayup t hepol i t i call adder ,wor ki ng behi nd t hes cenest o gener at e campai gn f undi ng t hr ough gr as s r oot sor gani zi ng.Whi l es t i l la s t udentatVi r gi ni a Commonweal t h Uni ver s i t y,Adamst ook on a finance i nt er ns hi pwi t ht heDemocr at i cPar t yofVi r gi ni abef or ebecomi ngafiel dor gani zerf oraguber nat or i alr acet hef ol l owi ngyear . I nherfir s ts t r i de asafiel d or gani zer ,Adamsand hercol l eaguesnotonl yas s i s t ed t he,t hen,l i eut enantgover nori nas ucces s f ulcampai gn,t heyal s ofli pped s ever als eat si nCongr es s .Bef or es heknew i t ,s hewascanvas s i ngar oundt heVi r gi ni asi nhopest ofli pt heHous eandSenat echamber s .
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Ast i mepas s ed,Adamst ookabr eakf r om f undr ai s i ngandcanvas s i ngandas s umedot herr ol es .I n201 7 ,s het ookherf undr ai s i ngexper t i s et o t heRal phNor t ham Pol i t i calAct i onCommi t t ee,wher es hequi ckl ywentf r om aFi nanceAs s oci at et ot heDi r ect orofFi nance.Thoughwor ki ng f ort hegover nor ’ sPAC camewi t hi t ss har eofbackl as h,par t i cul ar l yf ol l owi ngt her es ur f aci ngofar aci s tphot ogr aphofNor t ham i nbl ackf ace i nas choolyear book.Thefinancedi r ect orr eflect st hatt hi ss i t uat i onact ual l y“ gaveanoppor t uni t yf ort hePAC t odoi t sj ob. ”Fol l owi ngt he s candal , Nor t ham r es pondedbyal l ocat i ngf undsi nt os ever alpr ogr amst ar get edt omi nor i t i es . Adamsadmi t st hat“ s hewas n’ tt ooups etabout whathappenedbecaus ei twor kedouti nherf avor ”asi thas“ openedupapas s i onf ormet owor kmor ewi t hAf r i canAmer i cans . ”
Des pi t et hedi s s entt hegover norr ecei ved,Adamsut i l i zedt hepowerofhi smi s t akest oupl i f thercommuni t yandus et het ool ss hegai nedi n herpol i t i calpos i t i onst os uppor tpeopl eofcol orwhoar er unni ng f orpubl i coffice.Shes er vesasafinanci aland s t r at egi ccons ul t antt oa numberofdel egat es , i ncl udi ngs ever alAf r i canAmer i cansr unni ngf orl ocaloffice. Asami l l enni al , Adamss eest heval ueofput t i ngnew peopl e i npowert oaddf r es hper s pect i vest opol i cyandpol i t i cs . I fmi l l enni al sar et opr os peri nt hepol i t i calar ena,t heymus tus et hei nfluenceofbot hmedi aandmoney.AsJeanneWar df or dofW. K.Kel l ogg Foundat i ons t at ed,“ Ther evol ut i onnotonl yneedst obet el evi s ed,buti tal s ohast obefinanced. ”Thes t ar kr eal i t y,Adamss i t es ,i st hat“ you don’ thave t hatmuch money,and yourcommuni t y does n’ thave t hatmuch money, ”butwe onl yf ai leach ot herby nots uppor t i ng one anot her ’ scampai gns . Thi snew br andofpol i t i csal s ol ooksl i kemovement sl i keLongLi veGogo,wher eyoungpeopl ear echar gi ngt hei rci t i est or et ai ncul t ur eand keept hes pi r i toft hecommuni t yal i ve. ehavet hepowert oi nfluencebot hpubl i copi ni onandpubl i cpol i cywhenwedeci det ocol l ect i vel ys uppor ts omet hi ng.Wi t hi n Youngpeopl oneweekofPopeye’ sr el eas eofi t sl ongawai t ed chi ckens andwi ch,t hef as t f ood companyi ncur r ed near l y$25mi l l i oni nf r eemar ket i ng, l ar gel yf uel edbyBl ackTwi t t er .Ont heot herhand,bet weenJanuar yandJul y,youngpeopl eages1 8t o34cont r i but edal i t t l eover$5mi l l i on t oDemocr at i cpr es i dent i alcandi dat es ,onl y1 0per centoft ot alcont r i but i onsamongal lagegr oups . I t ’ snos ur pr i s et hatyoungpeopl ehavet hepowert omovemar ket sandt r ends . Res ear chs ugges t st hatyoungpeopl e’ sunt appedpot ent i alas campai gndonor si sl ar gel yduet oal ackofcapaci t y,r at hert hanal ackofi nt er es t .Ci vi cpar t i ci pat i oni nt hi snew ageofpol i t i csl ooksl i ke #Dont Mut eDC,Long Li veGogo,and Mi l l i on MoeMar ch,movement st hatKel s yeAdamshaspl ayed keyr ol esi n.Mi l l enni all eader s hi p has becomei ncr eas i ngl ygr as s r oot sandi smovi ngawayf r om cons er vat i ve,t r adi t i onalways . Knowi ngt hepowerofmoneyhasal l owedAdamst onavi gat ebehi ndt hes cenest ohel pcampai gnsr ai s et hemoneyt heyneedt ocompet e wi t hi ncumbent sandmoneybackedcompet i t or s .ThePr of es s i onalFundr ai s err ecommendst hatmi l l enni al s“ putupt hemoneyf ort heot her mi l l enni al st hatt heys eer unni ng, ”eveni fi t ’ sonl y$2.“ Peopl ef ai lt or eal i zet hatal i t t l ebi tgoesal ongway,andIwantmi l l enni al st or eal l y r eal i zet hatt heycanputt hei rmoneywher et hei rmout hi s . ”Fur t her mor e,s headdst hat“ Thewhol eat mos pher eoff undr ai s i ngi sj us tuns een i nmi l l enni al s .Peopl edon’ tevenknow abouti t ,es peci al l yi nt heAf r i canAmer i cancommuni t y. ” So whet heri ti sr al l yi ng i nt he s t r eet sofMoechel l a ordonat i ng t ot he campai gnsofourpeer s ,young peopl e ar e char ged wi t ht he r es pons i bi l i t yt oi ncr eas eci vi cengagementandfinancet hepol i t i cal r evol ut i ont hatwes oof t ent weetabout . Changi ngt hef acei spol i t i csmay notbeass i mpl easchangi ngal ewk,buti tdoesr equi r es i mi l art ool s :agoodf oundat i on,as t r ongt eam,andper haps ,mos ti mpor t ant l y,money.
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W or ds Mar cusK.Dowl i ng |I G:@mar cus kdowl i ng
Phot ogr aphy Ja’ MonJacks on|@JGYSZN
A d a m Lev i ne & The 60-Yea r Leg a c y o f C o m m uni ty Serv i c e a t The W a shi ng to n M usi c C enter 1 0
“I d o n’ t hav e a ti tle here. A c tua lly, no bo d y i n m y fa m i ly ha s a ti tle here. I f yo u’ re a Lev i n,yo ur na m e i s o n the d o o r, a nd yo u d o w ha t need s to be d o ne to g et thi ng s d o ne.Tha t’ s i t. ” I fyou’ veat t endedanyt hi ngf r om anunder gr oundhous emus i cext r avaganza t oamul t i bl ockmus i cf es t i vali nt heNat i on’ sCapi t al ,t her ei saver yl i kel y chance t hat you’ ve hear d, but not s een t he wor k of Adam Levi n, r epr es ent i ngt het hi r dgener at i onofLevi nst obet hepr opr i et orofWheat on, MDbas ed ChuckLevi n’ sWas hi ngt on Mus i c Cent er .The phr as e“ t he man behi nd yourf avor i t emus i ci an’ ss ucces s ”i sanof t ent os s ed aboutt er m.I n Adam’ scas e-gi vent henumberoft i meshe’ spr ovi dedanamporgui t ar , s et up as oundboar d,orens ur ed t hatal i vemus i ci an’ smoni t ororbackl i nei s oper at i onaland abl et o pr ovi de t he hi ghes t qual i t y event exper i ence pos s i bl e-i t ’ sabs ol ut el yt r ue. Opens i nce1 958,t hes t or e-whi chi ni t i al l ypr i dedi t s el fonacknowl edgi ng t heemot i onalbond mus i ci anscr eat ewi t ht hei ri ns t r ument s ,and ens ur i ng t hat“ novi ceswhopl ayf orf unt opr of es s i onalmus i ci ans[ canpl ay]wi t ht he ver ybes ti ns t r ument satt hever ybes tpr i ces ”-s penti t sfir s tdecadeof oper at i onl ocat edat1 2t handHSt r eet s , NE. Af t ert her i ot sf ol l owi ngt he1 968 mur derofDr .Mar t i n Lut herKi ng,Jr . ,t he s t or e and i t si nvent or y wer e des t r oyed.Thus ,t hecompanyr el ocat ed t ot hes ubur bsofWheat on,MD. Whathasal l owedChuckLevi n’ st oexi s tandexcelasacompanybel ovedby t he l i kesofl egendsl i ke St evi e Wonder ,not ed i ndus t r y pr of es s i onal sl i ke Beyond St udi os pr oducer Zack Daws on and s oul f ulhar moni ca pl ayer Fr édér i cYonnet ,pl usEDM ups t ar t sl i ke3LAU i sacus t omer fir s tmi nds et t hat al s o i ncl udes a ci t yas communi t y aes t het i c t hat gover ns t hei r pr of es s i onalr et ai l ,s al es ,and/ ors er vi cedel i ver y. Adam Levi n( Chuck’ s gr ands on -Chuck,t he names ake,di ed i n 2002, Adam’ sf at herRober tpas s ed awayi n201 3)s t udi ed el ect r i calengi neer i ng andbus i nes si ncol l egeatWas hi ngt onUni ver s i t yofSt .Loui s ,gr aduat i ngi n 201 0.“ Iwasamat hner dwhodi dn’ twantt ot akewr i t i ngcl as s es ,s oIcoul d f ocusmor e on mat h,hi s t or y,and bus i nes s .Thankf ul l y,becaus e Is etmy educat i onalpat ht hatway,Ihad t heoppor t uni t yt ol ear nand under s t and phys i cs ,t o br i ng amat hand s ci encebackgr ound t o mus i c. ”Comi ng back homeandj oi ni ngt hef ami l ybus i nes swasnotneces s ar i l yi nt hecar ds ,but her e he i s ,ni ne year sl at er ,over s eei ng whatar e now l ocal ,nat i onal ,and gl obaloper at i ons . “ A mus i cs t or el ogi s t i cal l yt ouchesever ypar tofgl obaleconomi cs , ”Levi n cont i nues .“ I t ’ sf as ci nat i ng.We dealwi t ht he t ar i ffs f r om Chi na,CI TES ( Convent i on on I nt er nat i onalTr adei n Endanger ed Speci esofWi l d Fauna and Fl or a)r es t r i ct i onson s hi ppi ng r os ewood t o ot hercount r i es ,s hi ppi ng gui t ar s , del i ver i ngas ounds ys t em t oachur ch, t heel ephanti nt her oom t hat i secommer ce,r et ai l ,i t ’ scr azy,butf un,becaus eatt heendoft heday,i t ’ s mus i c,andIl ovemus i c. ” Regar di ng hi sl ovef ormus i cand mor eoverhi sl oveofl i veeventdel i ver y, Levi nhass i mpl eadvi cer egar di ng how heens ur est hatmos tevent soccur r el at i vel ys t r es s f r eeonat echni call evel .“ Ther e’ swhati st her i ghtwayt odo i t ,andwhati st heeas i es twayt ogeti tdone.I ’ mt r ai nedasanengi neer ,s o I ’ m al labouts ol ut i ons . ”Levi nadds ,“ Ei t herIhavet hr eehour st omaket hi s happenandgett hi sgi gupandr unni ng,orIhaveal lt het i mei nt hewor l d,i t wi l ll i kel y go off s eaml es s l y,and we can des i gn s ome i nnovat i ve s ound i ns t al l at i ons ,andputmyper s onals t amponi t .Ei t herway,i t ’ sal laboutj us t maki ngi thappenandens ur i ngpeopl ehaveagr eatt i me. ” ThoughChuckLevi n’ si sar et ai ls paceandi sknownf ori t smus i calchopson al ll evel s ,t hecompanyal s odes i gns ,mar ket s ,i ns t al l s ,ands er vi ceshi ghend audi ovi s uals ys t emsf orcor por at eandgover nment alcl i ent s ,pl uspr ovi des podcas t i ngs ol ut i onsf ort hos ei nt er es t edi nengagi ngi nbr oadcas t i ngi nt he moder n er a.However ,i fyou wer et o as kAdam Levi n wher e he findshi s deepes tpas s i on as a pr of es s i onalwor ki ng i nt he Met r opol i t an ar ea,i t ’ s mus i c, and t he exper i ences at t ached t o hear i ng i ti n i deal aur al ci r cums t ances .“ DC car esaboutmus i cand hear i ng i ti n aqual i t ymanner . Notj us ti nDC,buthumansever ywher e,wewenti nt oourphonesf oraf ew year s . Now we’ r eput t i ngawayourphonesf orabi t , andar el ooki ngf ort hes e amazi ng l i veexper i ences .Peopl ecando anyt hi ng now,butt heypr ef ert o havet hes er i chl yi nt er es t i ng,connect i ve,andi nt ens el yhumanevent s . ” I nf ul l ,Adam Levi n’ st i est ohi swor k,t heci t y,andi t sr es i dent sar epr of ound, s i gni ficant ,and i nf or mt hos ewhoar ecus t omer sand cl i ent swi t has har ed s ens eofAdam,and hi sf ami l y’ s ,s i xdecadesofpr i de.“ If eelanemot i onal connect i on t o ever y event t hat happens i n t hi s ci t y, ” Levi n opi nes . “ Suppor t i ng t he mus i calpr owes sofDC i sa j ob t hat ’ spar t i al l y mi ne t o uphol d.Thes e event s happen becaus e awes ome peopl e have awes ome i deas .Be t hatatFunk Par ade,Jazzf es t ,t he Wammi es-any eventt hat br i ngst hi scommuni t yt oget her-I ’ mi n,Il ovei t .I ’ mf or t unat eenought obe i napos i t i ont ohel ps omeone,s oIdoi t . ”
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