I have not been to the local mall since last year.  Before you acuse me of not supporting the effort, the FEDEX and UPS trucks know my address better than the postman, as I prefer the on-line experience. My youngest daughter cajoled me into experiencing a real mall experience as we made our way back to college, yes back to school shopping.

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The only other shopping season that surpass back to school is Christmas.  I was in for a rude awakening at my real mall experience.  Sure the anchor strore were still there, but severl store windows were darkened, or new enterprises occupied old store fronts.  I find myself looking at the mall map to get around.  I was witnessing the aftermath of our economic Katrina.  A cautious mood at best is in the air.

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 Ladies, you our chief purchasing agents have spoken.  Take a look at the latest trends

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Although women have been affected less from an unemployment perspective , 73 % of women shared that this recession has changed the way they think about saving and spending.

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Given this, others are adopting to the new consumer reality.  Here are a few tips shared by Marti Barletta, a leading thinker on marketing to women.

• Price overshaows value – brand loyaly loses
• Thrift counts more than convienence – time saving is taking a back seat.
• Sustainables trump disposables – resuables are in
• Essentials eclipse indulgences – upscale products are hosed.
• Online shopping in in vogue- the internet offers more ways of finding savings

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One of the winners in all of this is Walmart. Their pricing and convienence continue to bring them consumer success even in this terrible recession.  They also have another powerful weapon that needs to get more profiled because of its success.  It is Walmart’s use of social media through their elevenmoms blogging program.

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 Wal-Mart equipped eleven mommy bloggers known for their shopping smarts with a video cameras, makeovers, a photo shoot, and an opportunity to turn their frugal ways into short videos of money-saving tips.

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Take a listen to some of the wisdom these ladies share.

The genius of Walmart’s success was a well managed and efficient supply chain. 

Now they have added a new component, social media personified in these bloggers.

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So Mr/Mrs. small Business , here is some food for thought, who are your business evangelist(s)?

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Want to find some golden cultural treasure?

click on this link to take you there!

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Here is a hint! It is not in the heart of DC, but is a stone throw away around the Belt Way at Northern Virginia Community College.

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So you were not in Berlin to see Bolt, why miss an opportunity to meet Basil Dawkins, the Bolt of Jamaican theater?

Basil Dawkins, Award winning playwright

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He and his award winning team came to Northern Virginia and delivered a spectacular performance of their award winning play, which Way is out

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This play tackles some huge societal issues , bring the tension of the issue to its full consciousness, use humor as a powerful teaching vehicle, and delivers redemption of the human spirit as the curtain closes.

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Want to have some fun giving your non-patois friend a express lesson in listening skill, this play delivers.

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Call 540 370 0300 for ticket info.

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Click to listen to interview with actress Maylynne Walton

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Come on folks, you need to be there !  There is no other place to receive such high quality cultural value!

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The Jamaican Observer pegged it just right! 

Master playwright got his groove back.

This play critic was talking about playwright & producer, Basil Dawkins’ latest work,

“Which Way is Out”.

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 Basil Dawkins

For those who may not be aware of the magnificent breadth and scope of his work, let me take a moment to share.

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Celebrating over 30 years in theater as actor, producer and multi award winning playwright his latest offering Which Way Is Out? Follows a long tradition of issue oriented plays rooted in the Jamaican experience which theater goers all over the world continue to find relevant current engaging and entertaining.

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His list of successfully written and produced plays include Flat mate, Parson and Mrs Jones, Couples, Champagne and Sky Juice, Same Song , Different Tune, / God Bless, Power Play, Toy Boy, Feminine Justice, What The Hell Is Happening To Us, Dear?, Forbidden, No Dirty Money, A Gift For Mom, No Disrespect, Hot Spot, Uptown Bangarang, Uptown Bangarang 2. 

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Basil has through the years served his community and his industry well. He has been President of The Jamaica Association of Dramatic Artists, he has served on the Government of Jamaica Advisory Board on Arts Culture and Entertainment, The Ward Theater Foundation and currently serves as a member of the Advisory Board of the CHASE fund set up by the government of Jamaica to fund projects in Arts and Culture.

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His plays have continued to be selected by amateur and professional theater groups for performances in Canada , USA , Great Britain and the West Indies . In his country he was recognized for his contribution to the development of theater when he was awarded the prestigious Musgrave Medal. He has been awarded Keys to several USA cities and for his works he has been awarded numerous Actor Boy Awards by the International Theater Institute – Jamaican Chapter, in the categories, for Best Script, Best Productions, Best Dramas, and Best Comedies

This Saturday & Sunday, your opportunity to experience the cultural excellence of the Caribbean.

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We had the distinct privilege to share a few moments of conversation with Maylynne Walton one of the fine actress of his latest work.

Maylynne Walton

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Maylynne studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and was awarded a scholarship to Emerson College in Boston . With 15 years of ballet and 10 years of professional theater in Jamaica , she also stars in Jamaica ‘s longest running soap opera, Royal Palm Estate, and has done 5 local films. Her nominated theater roles include Joey Clarke’s Making a Killing, David Heron’s 4Play and University Players’ After Mrs. Rochester. For Basil Dawkins’ Productions, Maylynne has played in Uptown Bangarang and Uptown Bangarang 2, making Which Way Is Out? her third outing with Basil Dawkins Productions.

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Get a sneak  peek of what this play offers

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What a special opportunity if you are in the DC metro region:

• A cultural treat of the highest caliber.
• The satisfaction of supporting a worthy cause – the eradication of polio.
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Here is how you can attend.

Call 540 370 0300 to get your tickets now

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This performance will lift your spirits and provide a belly full serving of laughter.

Now, do your friends a huge favor and pass the word about this spectacular. 

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Usain Bolt is not only rewriting records, he is overshadowing historical personalities such as Jesse Owen .

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And let me add, modifying  nursery rhymes . Try this one on for size.

And bionic Bolt stands alone.

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Yes Usain Bolt owns the world stage. 

No Phelps, no Woods, no Federer, no Williams sisters, no LeBron James, no Kobe, no Tom Brady!

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The Germans, who hosted this summer’s track and field top event,  seized on the opportunity to erase the memory of Hitler  at the 1936 Olympics by donating a 3 ton piece of the wall, the smashed  wall .This symbol of division is   now redeemed into a symbol of honoring the bionic Bolt, a means of immortalizing Bolt’s magnificent feats.  They too appreciate the enormous scope of his achievement.

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The New York Times produced a powerful graphic to put Bolt’s achievement into historical perspective.  Take a look.

• In addition, sports medical science are trying to understand how a 6 ft. 5 inches guy can take 41.5  strides in his 100 meter dash.
• Superbowl champion wide receiver Hines Ward muses about seeing Bolt in the American football game.
• The minister of Tourism Bartlett wants to leverage Bolt’s flamboyant presence to bolster the tourism economy.

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Bolt is clearly a multiple generational phenomena.  Jamaica is extremely blessed with Bolt being in our family.  We need to take a larger strategic look on how we can multiply the positive impact of Bolt.

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The leverages to date has been focused on external implications.  We look at his physical accomplishments , beat our chest, rerun the events, and through our national pride further the storyline.

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Let me suggest an additional component to make us reap even a richer blessing from his presence.

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Let’s face it. Our young men are in trouble.  Strong role models are needed to provide a positive influence.  Bolt is not only physically blessed, he has a mental toughness, and focus that are important ingredients in developing social intelligence.   This is an enormous responsibility to place on his shoulder, but his promotion of clubs like Scouts, or other male-oriented institutions could provide a renaissance to these character building groups.

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• How about a series of public service announcement with the Governor General promoting  the ” I believe in Jamaica “ theme.
• Would it be great to see Bolt and the entire track and field team promoting farming as a career choice for the young ?

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Well, I know you have your own thoughts.  How can Bolt be used to transform the Jamaican community beyond his athletic prowess?

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 More than our pocket books are affected during our season of economic turmoil.

A recession of the spirit can blanket our psyche. Our personal pain tend to lead us to become tight-fisted and closed-hearted.

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It take strong leadership to challenge us to see beyond our personal circumstances and practice a spirit of abundant living.

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I was privileged to meet such a leader at the Independence celebration a few Sundays back.

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As I was leaving the event, I was met at the door by a gent passing out a colorful postcard.  It was an invitation to a Jamaican play that will be benefiting the fight against polio.  My curiosity got the better of me and I needed to find out more, so I exchanged contact information with the card giver.

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Turns out that this civic promoter was Mr. Horace McCormack, president and CEO of HGM Management and Technologies Inc.  This is an award winning company that provides businesses with the capabilities they need to effectively compete in the 21 century.  This Jamaican giant practices the ethics of deep social engagement as he is also the district  Governor of many rotary chapters in Northern Virginia.

He is spearheading the presentation of a block-buster Jamaican cultural event on Saturday, August 29, and Sunday, August 30.  It  will be held at northern Virgina Community College,( NOVA).

Take special note of the high caliber of the writer, producer , directer, and cast.

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Click to meet and listen to the wisdom of Horace  McCormack.

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We have a great opportunity to have an enjoyable evening and support a worthy cause.

Call 540-370-0300 or 202-467-8034 to get your tickets.

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This performance will lift your spirits and provide a strong stimulus for your funny bone.

Do your friends a huge favor and pass the word about this spectacular.  We will because we are a people of…..

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We are all excited about the Herculean feat of Usain Bolt in the great showdown in Germany.

On August 16, 2008, he blazed to an Olympic record of 9.69 sec.

Well, on August 16, 2009, he turbo-charged his performance to  9.58 seconds that puts him in the league of the immortals.

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We need to celebrate this marvelous performance, the new Berlin Express. 

However, is our hearts and minds large enough to give a powerful affirmation to the Honorable Marcus Garvey, an extra ordinary national hero?

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August 17, 2009 marks Honorable Marcus Mosiah 122 nd. birthday.

His vision and perseverance gave millions of people a sense of unified purpose  that still have practiced principles that can resurrect and knit together our scattered communities.

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It was indeed our privilege to have a conversation with several of the leaders of the Marcus Mosiah Garvey Institute.

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They shared some key insight to this giant of a man.

Click here to listen to the wisdom of the Marcus Garvey Institute

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Do yourself and your youngster a huge favor. Pour a tall, cold glass of lemonade, or iced tea.  You will certainly be inspired and get a new sense of the possibility!

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A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.

Marcus Garvey

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Think with me for a few moments.

Take a journey back in time to your teenage years.

Yes, you had hair back then in the right place.

You had hopes and dreams of conquering the world.

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You may have had a parent , grandparent, a teacher, pastor,  coach, church member, friend, boss who believed in you, and gave of themselves, because they believed in you.

Their contributions were large and small.

They paid for music lessons.

They provide rides.

They put some chance in you pockets.

They had you over for dinner and a pep talk when you were down.

they sent you to summer camp.

They sent you care packages.

Do I need to say more?  Yes it took a community to realize our metamorphosis.

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Well, when we believe that the way we progress as a people is by practicing the principle of the survival of the knitted.

The Jamaican Nationals Association is launching their Fall campaign to ensure that all of our aspiring kids will have the extra boost they need to enter the circle of  champs.

Click to listen to Ms. Jennifer Asher, executive board member describe the campaign.

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Inve$t Today! 

Jamaican Nationals Association

P.O.Box 77641
Washington, DC 20013

Telephone:202-452-7646

E-mail Addresses:

jamaicanationals@yahoo.com

Reading maketh a full person;

Speaking  a ready person

Writing a exact person

Bacon (revised)

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Celebration without contemplation leaves one giddy and moor-less.

So I have made as a part of my annual Independence day happening, attendance at the Service of Celebration held at Dunbarton Chapel on the campus of Howard University.

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The chapel is usually enveloped with the sounds of the best in choral and instrumental renditions  that Jamaicans can offer.  This year was particularly superb with a rich variety of soloists, giving new meaning to freedom songs that swell the heart with gladness.  We were indeed blessed from the music of meditation to the postlude
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I was however particularly struck  by the speaker of the day, The Right Reverend E. Don Taylor, Vicar Bishop for New York and Rector , Kingston Parish Church. I was struck by his determined humility.  He struck a cord by placing his message within the context of a frustrated leader, the prophet Elijah.  Elijah needed divine refreshment to complete the mission.
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47 years of unrealized hope that was given birth on that magic midnight can become dis-heartening. When you think about it, it only took the Israelites 40 years to make it to the promise land!

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Until we realize that for Jamaica to complete her journey to the goal of greatness, she will need to rely on divine power to afford a successful journey.

Sure economic development is important, however it has to be set on a solid foundation of faith.

 The Right Reverend E. Don Taylor

“I believe in Jamaica has to be superseded by I believe in God “

is a summary statement of his superb sermon. 

To that, I say amen!

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Words are relatively cheap if not bolstered by strong action, and this is what give me even a greater hope in Reverend Taylor, in addition to his thundering prophetic voice.  Reverend Taylor has a heart for social justice. After establishing  successful parishes  in New York  city that included the revival of his denomination in some blighted urban settings (my description), he answered the call of service to the parish in the heart of Kingston.
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Without the promise of an earthly reward, and the enormous social challenges that are holding sway in Kingston, he like Abram answered the call to serve this demanding parish.  He clearly has a transformative vision for Kingston.  I pray that this prophet will find honor in his home community, and not just be remembered as the lad that was stoning the neighbor’s tree for mangoes.
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This type of sacrificial modeling for those of us in Diaspora could just triggered a new era of giving that could infuse Jamaica with additional energies to allow her to realize her true destination.

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Precisely at midnight, on August 5, 1962,  the Union Jack- the British flag – was lowered and the Jamaican flag hoisted.

The birth announcement of an independent Jamaica went forth.

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A ceremony marking this historic event was held at the newly constructed National Stadium in Kingston. Jamaica’s first Governor-General and Prime Minister, Sir Alexander Bustamante,  and Mr. Norman Manley, Leader of the Opposition were our founding fathers.

A joining of choirs sang with gusto the new National Anthem and then  a magnificent fireworks display lit up the sky  over the stadium.

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Do you remember what you were doing  or what was happening in 1962?  Well, I was barely out of cloth diapers.

• Lt. Col. John H. Glenn, Jr. becomes first American to achieve earth orbit.
• Telstar becomes the first communications satellite intended for regular service; relays television signals between North America and Europe.
• Nike designed their first sneaker.

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And now in 2009, I find myself living in diaspora.

Iphone, Facebook, Google are a part of my daily routine, and yet these technological marvels were not even dreams back in 1962.

One of my work program allows me to deal with intellectual property  (captured in patent applications) of leading innovative companies in the world.  When one gets beyond the interaction with patent attorneys, and sense the scope of the technological future, one has to say wow!  The world has clearly advanced with technology!

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But as one takes a moment to reflect, is the technological leverage what we need to propel Jamaica into a new orbit?  We at times look at the Asian tigers with admiration on how they were able to engineer an infrastructure that allowed them to gain economic momentum.  But is technological horsepower the missing ingredient?

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Last Sunday at an Emancipation/Independence Thanksgiving service, the Governor-General exhorted those in attendance to redouble the moral authority of the church to transform the nation.  This was another presentation underscoring his “I believe in Jamaica” message.

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“The Church was at the forefront of the struggle for freedom from physical bondage and slavery. The Church must, again, stand in the forefront and give leadership in the struggle against moral, mental, emotional and economic bondage; the Church has the moral and spiritual authority. Do not drop the ball, otherwise we may all perish,” the Governor-General urged.

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Click to hear Hon. Bruce Golding’s Independence day message

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This is a challenging call, as we are called to ensure our future progress is built on enduring footing. We do need a platform where our motto “Out of many, One people “ takes on a deeper commitment for our most at risk.

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Booker T. Washington, a giant of yester years said it well.

“If you want to lift yourself up, then lift someone else up.”

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So as Jamaica enters its 47th. year of independence, my personal response to the Governor-General’s call is to practice a spirit of abundance.

When we think of abundance, we are usually tempted to limit our definition to a physical expression.  In an era of prolonged recession, this can be most challenging.

Please remember, abundance is an attitude, not a bank account number.

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• I want to practice an abundance in closeness to God.
• An abundance to enrich relationships with family and friends.
• An abundance of health in body and spirit.
• An abundance in maximizing the stewardship of time.
• An abundance in resources to get beyond cash flow limitation and help others in need.

Let’s create green shoots of  abundance & freedom!

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I invite you to invest a few moments and decide how you are going to support the PM & GC’s challenge. Set aside a time of solitude, clear your mind, and reflect on how you will answer the challenge.  Write them down, and find a means of making them actionable.

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The unemployment rate and other technical terms used to describe the impact fail to capture the anguish and human toll of the economic  tsunami.

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Like a tornado, it strike swats within communities and industries  leaving many staggering and drowning in a sea of debt and despair.

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One powerful tool that we do possess to battle the sinking feeling of despair is hope.

Hope is said to give energy to the mind to explore the possibilities of a new day. Hope stays the course even when doors are slammed, and phone calls are not returned.

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Putting a face to and sharing the odyssey of the journey from  joblessness to employment can hopefully inspire those of us in the unemployment vice.

Click and listen to a journey from despair to hope.

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We did not dare to breathe a prayer,

Or give our anguish scope.

Something was dead within each of us,

And what was dead was Hope.

article on cities with jobs

“I am grateful for all of my problems. After each one was overcome, I became stronger and more able to meet those that were still to come. I grew in all my difficulties.”

– J.C. Penney, businessman

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How can we further share hope beyond misery?

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