Why are you doing this?
This is my personal attempt to start a dialogue that results in the black community coming together to make a better future for ourselves. The black community is facing a crisis of epidemic proportion. Despite the “progress” we have seemingly made over the years, marked by the election of the first black man as President of the United States, our community continues to suffer disproportionately in almost EVERY social ill in this country: The high school graduation rate of our young males is the lowest of any group, our children are reading at levels way below their counterparts, unemployment rates for black people is higher than any other group, 75% of our children grow up in single parent homes. I can go on to talk about teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS rates, poverty, incarceration… you name it. If it’s a bad stat, most likely black people are disproportionately represented. Not to mention the image and perception portrayed of our community in the main stream media. Recently, I’ve been inspired by something that I first heard from Louis Farrakhan, but has been uttered by so many of our leaders throughout history. “Why does the black community continually wait for others to do for us what we can do for ourselves?”
What are your objectives?
I have 4 main ones, 1)Highlight Great POSITIVE Stories in the Black Community. 2)Highlight Black Businesses (I'm real big into starting to recycle dollars in our community,.. buying black. I believe that's a good start to help fix some of the ills in our community) 3) Raise Money for “It Takes a Village, To Save A Village” Scholarship (Ideally get 1,000,000 donors pledging at least $20 per year for 5 years) 4)Discuss the state of Black America with everyday people and start to create concrete solutions.
How Will you Support Yourself?
This is a working journey ;-) Throughout the journey I will be doing a few things to bring in revenue. 1) Selling Silicon Bracelets for $2 that say "It Takes A Village, To Save A Village" 2) I will be looking for Black Owned Businesses to become a part of the Black Business Directory (Suggested donation $20 BUT we will take as little or as much as you choose to give. Click Here to join. 3) Businesses can sponsor specific days of the journey starting as low as $10, but increasing as the journey continues Click here for more info. 4)Lastly, I can use the support of the village, ESPECIALLY, in the beginning. Donations of $1 $5, $20 or whatever you can spare would be greatly appreciated. We've set up a PayPal Link if you'd like to help.
Do You Know Where you'll be going?
I have a tentative idea. however I want to be flexible enough to go to different things based on whats happening in black America. The most update information regarding my tentative itinerary can be found on "The Journey" Page
How Long Will You be Doing This?
365 Days, However I will not be riding the bike everyday. I will be stopping to spend a little more time in certain places and to give my legs a rest.
Where will you sleep?
Ideally, A few people along the way will open their doors for me to grab some sleep, and do some work. But if worse comes to worse I'll have to sleep at a hotel. (Can you say... I could use a national hotel sponsor!)
Are you scared?
I'd be lying if I didn't say kinda.I will be riding through some sketchy parts of the country. There are some crazy folk out there. Especially those who may not quite understand what I'm doing and why I'm doing it.
Can I ride with you?
Absolutely, if you can find me. I'd love some additional company. Professional riders may be a little mad because I'm new to biking. But I hope to pick it up pretty quickly.
How can my business become a part of the Black Business Directory ?
There is a "suggested" donation of $20 to become part of the directory for a year. (However we will accept as little or as much as you like.) This fee helps to support the journey so we need as many black owned businesses as possible. Click Here for more information. Preferably your business is at least 51% black owned, however it is meant to be more inclusive then not. Also, professionals who work off commission are welcome to participate as well. (Insurance Agents, Financial Planners, Real Estate Agents,etc)
How can my business become a sponsor?
We are looking for business who need more exposure and are looking to be associated with a wonderful initiative. Businesses and Organizations can sponsor one of the 365 days of the journey OR work with us to develop other sponsorship packages In kind sponsorships are welcomed as we have a number of items that will help the success of the event (i.e. Hotel Accommodations, Bike and Equipment, Laptop, Cell Phone, Broadband Card, etc) For more information about becoming a sponsor, Click Here.
What is the Together AsOne Foundation and the "It Takes A Village, To Save A Village" Scholarship Program?
The Foundation and Scholarship Program started from a simple concept. If 2000 people pledge JUST $20 per year for 5 years,we can send a black child to college for 4 years. That child would not only get funding for 4 years of college,.. but a mentor, enrichment programs, a lap top, college tours. Most importantly, the child would have 2000 people financially vested in their success. So when that child considers being an architect, we have a village of 2000 people who can help expose him tp that career. Or when they decide they want to go to Howard University, maybe someone in that village is an alumni of Howard and can look at for them. You can find out more at the website www.togetherasonefoundation.org
Why is your ride focused on the black community?
It seems like every social ill that affects society, (low graduation rates, HIV/AIDS rates, teenage pregnancy, incarceration. poverty , unemployment, children in single parent homes, literacy rates, etc) most likely black people are disproportionately represented. My journey is aimed at addressing those disparities. In my opinion, the Black experience in America (particularly for descendants of slaves) is unique. Needs unique solutions.
Do you not like white people?
On the contrary... I love humankind! I have a few white friends (jk) In all seriousness, my journey is not about a disdain of any other group. It's about a love of self, a love of our culture and addressing the disparities.
What happens after the journey?
Well, we will continue spanning the US for great black businesses, events and people doing extraordinary things... perhaps not by Bike though:-)
This is my personal attempt to start a dialogue that results in the black community coming together to make a better future for ourselves. The black community is facing a crisis of epidemic proportion. Despite the “progress” we have seemingly made over the years, marked by the election of the first black man as President of the United States, our community continues to suffer disproportionately in almost EVERY social ill in this country: The high school graduation rate of our young males is the lowest of any group, our children are reading at levels way below their counterparts, unemployment rates for black people is higher than any other group, 75% of our children grow up in single parent homes. I can go on to talk about teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS rates, poverty, incarceration… you name it. If it’s a bad stat, most likely black people are disproportionately represented. Not to mention the image and perception portrayed of our community in the main stream media. Recently, I’ve been inspired by something that I first heard from Louis Farrakhan, but has been uttered by so many of our leaders throughout history. “Why does the black community continually wait for others to do for us what we can do for ourselves?”
What are your objectives?
I have 4 main ones, 1)Highlight Great POSITIVE Stories in the Black Community. 2)Highlight Black Businesses (I'm real big into starting to recycle dollars in our community,.. buying black. I believe that's a good start to help fix some of the ills in our community) 3) Raise Money for “It Takes a Village, To Save A Village” Scholarship (Ideally get 1,000,000 donors pledging at least $20 per year for 5 years) 4)Discuss the state of Black America with everyday people and start to create concrete solutions.
How Will you Support Yourself?
This is a working journey ;-) Throughout the journey I will be doing a few things to bring in revenue. 1) Selling Silicon Bracelets for $2 that say "It Takes A Village, To Save A Village" 2) I will be looking for Black Owned Businesses to become a part of the Black Business Directory (Suggested donation $20 BUT we will take as little or as much as you choose to give. Click Here to join. 3) Businesses can sponsor specific days of the journey starting as low as $10, but increasing as the journey continues Click here for more info. 4)Lastly, I can use the support of the village, ESPECIALLY, in the beginning. Donations of $1 $5, $20 or whatever you can spare would be greatly appreciated. We've set up a PayPal Link if you'd like to help.
Do You Know Where you'll be going?
I have a tentative idea. however I want to be flexible enough to go to different things based on whats happening in black America. The most update information regarding my tentative itinerary can be found on "The Journey" Page
How Long Will You be Doing This?
365 Days, However I will not be riding the bike everyday. I will be stopping to spend a little more time in certain places and to give my legs a rest.
Where will you sleep?
Ideally, A few people along the way will open their doors for me to grab some sleep, and do some work. But if worse comes to worse I'll have to sleep at a hotel. (Can you say... I could use a national hotel sponsor!)
Are you scared?
I'd be lying if I didn't say kinda.I will be riding through some sketchy parts of the country. There are some crazy folk out there. Especially those who may not quite understand what I'm doing and why I'm doing it.
Can I ride with you?
Absolutely, if you can find me. I'd love some additional company. Professional riders may be a little mad because I'm new to biking. But I hope to pick it up pretty quickly.
How can my business become a part of the Black Business Directory ?
There is a "suggested" donation of $20 to become part of the directory for a year. (However we will accept as little or as much as you like.) This fee helps to support the journey so we need as many black owned businesses as possible. Click Here for more information. Preferably your business is at least 51% black owned, however it is meant to be more inclusive then not. Also, professionals who work off commission are welcome to participate as well. (Insurance Agents, Financial Planners, Real Estate Agents,etc)
How can my business become a sponsor?
We are looking for business who need more exposure and are looking to be associated with a wonderful initiative. Businesses and Organizations can sponsor one of the 365 days of the journey OR work with us to develop other sponsorship packages In kind sponsorships are welcomed as we have a number of items that will help the success of the event (i.e. Hotel Accommodations, Bike and Equipment, Laptop, Cell Phone, Broadband Card, etc) For more information about becoming a sponsor, Click Here.
What is the Together AsOne Foundation and the "It Takes A Village, To Save A Village" Scholarship Program?
The Foundation and Scholarship Program started from a simple concept. If 2000 people pledge JUST $20 per year for 5 years,we can send a black child to college for 4 years. That child would not only get funding for 4 years of college,.. but a mentor, enrichment programs, a lap top, college tours. Most importantly, the child would have 2000 people financially vested in their success. So when that child considers being an architect, we have a village of 2000 people who can help expose him tp that career. Or when they decide they want to go to Howard University, maybe someone in that village is an alumni of Howard and can look at for them. You can find out more at the website www.togetherasonefoundation.org
Why is your ride focused on the black community?
It seems like every social ill that affects society, (low graduation rates, HIV/AIDS rates, teenage pregnancy, incarceration. poverty , unemployment, children in single parent homes, literacy rates, etc) most likely black people are disproportionately represented. My journey is aimed at addressing those disparities. In my opinion, the Black experience in America (particularly for descendants of slaves) is unique. Needs unique solutions.
Do you not like white people?
On the contrary... I love humankind! I have a few white friends (jk) In all seriousness, my journey is not about a disdain of any other group. It's about a love of self, a love of our culture and addressing the disparities.
What happens after the journey?
Well, we will continue spanning the US for great black businesses, events and people doing extraordinary things... perhaps not by Bike though:-)
