Posts

Victory Lap

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Why I Support Mamdani’s Ambitious Ideas People are so… well, I won’t call names. But if you really think folks voted for Zohran Mamdani just to “pass go” on a bus fare, that’s missing the point. It’s not about a free ride — it’s about ideas that are really for the people. Big or small, bold or simple, he’s bringing a different conversation to the table — one that talks about helping everyday New Yorkers, not the corporations that capitalize off us. Even if his ideas are radical or highly ambitious, he’s being ambitious for me and you. Meanwhile, others want you to keep believing they’re for you, when in reality they’re controlled by the same forces you claim to despise. Why do people keep going along with the normal political banter — the same talking points, the same empty promises — when these are the same folks who once voted for Obama because they wanted change? We’ve seen the scandals — Eric Adams with a RICO investigation, Cuomo with his issues — and yet when someone ...

Run and watch them follow

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 General Public Solution Services  “Run—and Watch Them Follow”: The Unspoken Energy That Moves Crowds, Hearts, and Life Itself Ever notice how if you start running—just take off in a sudden dash—dogs will chase you? It's almost instinctual. They don’t know why they’re chasing; they just do. Now imagine doing the same thing in a crowded room. You bolt toward the door. At least a few people will follow, maybe more. Why? Fear? Curiosity? Survival? Or is it something deeper—something unspoken, universal, scientific? This isn't just about dogs or people in a panic. It's about energy. It's about motion. It's about attraction. The Energy of Movement: How Action Becomes Magnetism There’s something magnetic about movement. Action draws attention. People are drawn to motion, to momentum. In physics, we talk about kinetic energy—the energy of motion. But in life, it’s more than science. It’s social energy , too. The faster you move, the more visible you become. And the mor...

From the Ground Up (The 3 C's in your community)

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 Urban Uplift Report From the Ground Up: Reclaiming Our Communities with Power, Purpose, and People The Problem: The 3 C’s of Control In far too many Black and underserved communities, real estate developers have followed a predictable pattern: introduce fast profits with the 3 C’s – Coffee, Chicken, and Crab. These symbols have become shorthand for businesses that do not serve the health, wealth, or well-being of our people. Coffee shops often signal the start of gentrification – places with overpriced lattes but no spaces for cultural exchange or ownership. Chicken spots flood our neighborhoods with unhealthy food, while fresh produce is miles away. Crab, both literally and metaphorically, represents division – overpriced shellfish in places lacking quality options, and the crab-in-a-barrel mentality that discourages unity. The Call: Reimagine, Reclaim, Rebuild It’s time to stop accepting what is given and start demanding (and building) what we deserve. 1. Reimagine the 3 C’s: Le...

F.E.A.S.T. Open Street Collaboration with Street Labs and NYC D.O.T.

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A Community Without Walls: FEAST Open Street Coming Summer 2025 FEAST Communities is teaming up with StreetLabs and the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) to bring an exciting, transformative initiative to Crown Heights, Brooklyn, in the summer of 2025. The FEAST Open Street will be a one-of-a-kind outdoor community center—a center with no walls—providing a hub for activities, workshops, and support in the heart of the neighborhood. The Vision: A Community Center Without Walls Imagine a space where neighbors can gather, learn, and grow together under the open sky. The FEAST Open Street will transform a Crown Heights roadway into a vibrant, multi-functional space for the community. From art workshops and fitness classes to resource fairs and live performances, this outdoor community center aims to uplift residents while fostering a sense of belonging. What Makes FEAST Open Street Unique? Activities for All Ages: Youth mentoring sessions, family-friendly art classes, an...

The Fabric of Our Lives: What Community Truly Is

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  The Fabric of Our Lives: What Community Truly Is Community is more than just where we live; it’s the fabric that binds us, each thread woven together to create something stronger than the individual strands. But in today's world, the fabric of our communities is being stretched thin. Displacement, gentrification, and lack of resources threaten the very essence of what keeps us connected. What if, instead of unraveling, we strengthened our communities by reclaiming the power that is rightfully ours?  That’s where Community Land Trusts (CLTs) come in. CLTs are about more than just land ownership—they are about taking control of our shared destiny. They give residents the ability to own the land collectively, ensuring it remains affordable and accessible for future generations. Through this model, community members aren’t just inhabitants; they become stewards, protectors, and visionaries of their own neighborhoods. Pushing for the Community Land Act (CLA) is a necessary step ...

Trump, Hip-Hop, and the Dangerous Illusion of Connection: A Deeper Dive into the Misplaced Empathy

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Trump, Hip-Hop, and the Dangerous Illusion of Connection: A Deeper Dive into the Misplaced Empathy There’s a peculiar admiration for Donald Trump within certain segments of the Black community, particularly within the hip-hop culture that has, for years, glorified wealth, power, and a certain ruthless approach to success. The brash former president, once a darling of rap lyrics and a fixture at the VIP tables of Black celebrities like Diddy and Russell Simmons, has found a strange kinship among some of the street-educated men in the hood who see in him a figure worthy of some misplaced admiration. But as we peel back the layers, this connection reveals itself to be nothing more than an illusion, a mirage in the desert of American capitalism where Trump thrives but has no true kinship with the people who idolize him. To understand this, we must first grasp why Trump became a figure of reverence in hip-hop culture. During the ’90s and early 2000s, as rap music gained mainstream prominenc...

No More Whack-a-Mole: Why We Need Big Solutions for BIPOC Communities

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No More Whack-a-Mole: Why We Need Big Solutions for BIPOC Communities Remember the game Whack-a-Mole? You know, the one where you smash down a mole just for another one to pop up in its place? It’s a fun arcade game, but when it comes to addressing the social and economic challenges faced by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities in America, playing Whack-a-Mole is getting us nowhere fast. The Problem: Band-Aid Solutions Aren't Cutting It For far too long, we've been treating the symptoms of deeply rooted problems with quick fixes—essentially slapping Band-Aids on issues that require major surgery. Yes, small wins matter, but when the challenges are so widespread and diverse, playing catch-up with temporary solutions feels like trying to plug a dam with chewing gum. The social and economic issues plaguing BIPOC communities are interconnected and systemic. Housing, healthcare, education, economic opportunity, and environmental justice aren’t isolated moles yo...