Donny Allen for President/CEO of the Minneapolis Urban League (MUL)-My solution is the best solution!
I have been one of the most outspoken critics of the Minneapolis Urban League since 2007 . Unfortunately, my predictions about the fledgling social service agency have come to pass. Rather than watching this vital agency go under, this is my solution. My goals are simple: Re-hiring of all laid off staff; a re-structuring of departments and community engagement; raising $200 Million for the agency in 2010-2011. The Minneapolis Urban League must develop community benefits agreements with organizations that come into Minneapolis to build and create business entities.
Written by Donald W.R. Allen, II – Editor in Chief/IBNN
I have no business ties to the usual suspects in North Minneapolis – but what I do have is unlimited knowledge about non-profits, how they work and over 30 years of experience in marketing and public relations. In other words, I am the best chance that the Minneapolis Urban League has to rise above mediocrity.
Under my leadership, in two years the Minneapolis Urban League will have its own Credit Union; Employment Agency; and a Foundation to assist individuals in “true” business ventures, with professionals overseeing the MUL’s investments. NO MORE MONEY CRISIS.
The MUL will never again have to depend on one major funding source. I promise this to the community.
The Minneapolis Urban League has become a shell of an agency, providing fewer services and lacking direction. Without immediate restructuring, the MUL will be doomed to catastrophic failure.
As a member in good standing of the MUL, I offer a plan of action to bring the agency back to the days when it was a force to be reckoned with.
My plan consists of a one-year phased marketing plan, which will bring in $1 million dollars in cash donation in the first three months after I am hired.
This is about the process of business.
I believe, “Sound business principals can be applied to the Minneapolis Urban League while hiring staff that was cut due to less-than-professional budgeting and fund-raising planning and/or execution.” I will work closely with the development staff and existing programs by providing leadership and direction never before attained by the Minneapolis Urban League. If the St. Louis Urban League can capture $15 million dollars in Stimulus money, the MUL can do the same thing. It’s all about relationships.
I was asked, “What about the all articles you posted on IBNN about the Minneapolis Urban League? How is it that you now want to lead the organization you have so harshly criticized?
My reply is simple, “I have kept my eye on the Minneapolis Urban League because of my belief in the importance of its mission. I remember when the MUL was a staunch advocate for civil rights and economic development. I have watched the Urban League falter with dismay, knowing that this agency can do much better, and the citizens of the community desperately need it to do better.”
I offer a way forward.
This can only be a win-win situation for the Minneapolis Urban League.
MLK Breakfast Part II: Go ahead celebrate – while your having breakfast…2 Million Black Households WITH Children Face Hunger
Minneapolis, MN – Sources tell IBNN a group of “the usual suspects” are atempting to create and develop a CDC (Community Development Council) in north Minneapolis with a local Foundation.The problem is, the individuals tasked to head up this group have not had one successful long term buiness venture north Minneapolis.
Again the community is pimped, played and starved.
This isn’t even the tip of the iceberg….
1.8 million Black Households with children are food insecure – Black households with children experiencing very low food security up 92%
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service (USDA) reported yesterday that almost one in four children living in the United States are food insecure. According to the 2009 report on Household Food Insecurity in the United States, there is a striking disparity in the prevalence of food insecurity among black children. Nearly two million black households with children were food insecure at least some time during the year, an increase of 25 percent over 2007. In 2008, there were 3.76 million non-Hispanic white households with children that were food insecure. The study also revealed that 146,000 black households with children — a 92 percent increase over 2007 — experienced very low food security, meaning that the food intake of one or more of the household children was reduced and their eating patterns were disrupted at times during the year because the household lacked money. Read more
Found…A Successful Measurable outcome, an open letter and apology to Stairstep Foundation and President Alfred Babington-Johnson
Dear Mr. Babington-Johnson,
On Thursday, July 30, 2009 I had a chance to visit with my Aunt Thelma (Thelma Buckner, pastor of Battle Temple) also at Uncle Bob’s church (Robert Lee Battle, pastor of Berean Church of God in Christ) was Aunt Luella Pittman and Aunt Wilma Battle.
Lurking in the room was my first cousin Aretta Rea-Johnson, also a pastor.
Needless to say, I was out-numbered, and in the “true COGIC (Church of God in Christ)” tradition, I was given a “Come to Jesus talk” – something you (me) try to avoid in the Battle family, not my first, and for sure not my last!
Aunt Thelma said, “Babington is my friend, and there’s something you need to know that I have never told you. Years ago, I wanted to help young people learn a skill – I had talked with Babington and he asked me, ‘What would you do?’ “I told him I would teach children and their parents how to make quilts – open a quilt making shop.”
Aunt Thelma said, “It was the best idea I could come up with and Babington thought it would be a good idea.”
Time went by and with no money, Aunt Thelma collected donations from across the Twin Cities…donations of used clothes that she would cut up and layout for patchwork to design handmade custom quilts.
After a starting the program, Pastor Alfred Babington-Johnson stopped by the quilt shop called “Granny’s Quilts” and saw the amazing work that Aunt Thelma was doing with the neighborhood children and parents and purchased more than 20 quilts from her that day. Aunt Thelma said, “Babington inspired me and gave me the drive to keep going with his kind gesture.”
This infusion of economic stimuli to “Granny’s Quilts” led to Aunt Thelma purchasing better sewing machines and taking on more children.
Because of Alfred Babington-Johnson and the “God” in him, knowing what needed to be done for the quilt shop with over 1000 children and adults learning how to make quilts; meet new people; conduct themselves in a professional manner, and of course, “Who God is,” Aunt Thelma went on to say, “The uniqueness of the idea and my drive to make this program work, along with the help of Alfred Babington-Johnson, today if you get into an accident in St. Paul, and your hurt – laying in the street, every Saint Paul Police squad car has a blanket to cover you and keep you warm until paramedics arrive made by children from Granny’s Quilt Shop in St. Paul on the corner of Selby and Victoria.
This was established and set in place by a man named Alfred Babington-Johnson and his kindness to my quilt shop. The thousands of children and parents that learned how to make quilts will be forever grateful.”
Mr. Babington-Johnson, this is a sincere apology for letting my critique of the Stairstep Foundation devolve into a person attack against you, and for failing to acknowledge the positive work that you have done in community over the years.
While we may not agree on the most effective ways to bring about real change in the delivery of services, we both surely agree that business as usual means no business is getting done in north Minneapolis.
My Uncle, the late Rev. Walter L. Battle always said, “It takes a real man to admit he was wrong – it takes a strong man to reach out to someone he has offended and make things better.”
In this world, it takes all types.
Dealing with people, process and circumstances that are sometimes out of control, I have overlooked the obvious – we are fundamentally on the same side.
Very best regards,
Donny
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