By Lybroan James
Nu Delta Chapter, UCLA
What does it mean to be a part of an organization? What does the phrase "there is power in numbers" really mean? And if we are part of an organization, what differences has this made in our lives and the lives of those people who live in our communities?
I ask these questions, because I am concerned about the future of our organizations, primarily the "African-American organization"-- our communities. I have been a member of Phi Beta Sigma for ten glorious years. I have also been a member of other organization, such as the UCLA Alumni Association, the United Teachers Association and the World Futurist Organization. The amazing thing about organizations is that they can affect change and create benefits for its members, if run correctly.
Currently, I am Vice President of a non-profit organization in Los Angeles that is creating an economic infrastructure to support black businesses and to provide them with information that will help them compete (globally) in the future. We are creating a Cooperative Infrastructure where the members of the organization all share in the ownership. The power of joint ownership and joint investment is overwhelming. As a mathematician, I have studied this phenomenon, and I ask you to please consider the following MODEL (which my organization is building in downtown Los Angeles).
1) We have a membership of 1,000 small business owners who have paid $1495 for a years membership.
2) This gives us, collectively, $1,495,000 to buy equipment, do research and market our collective businesses. We can also leverage (borrow against) this amout to $10,000,000.
3) This allows us to set up our own internet network, provide professional management to our membership and for us to promote our businesses. Not to mention the loans we could offer our members that banks will not give us.
I make these few points to show you (us) the power of numbers, WHEN we self invest. Now in terms of Zeta Phi Beta Sigma, I am curious as to how many of you would like to be a part of such an organization, or would like to create a similar infrastructure for our organizations? We have the structrue, we have the numbers and we have the communications (especially through the great work of ZPBS TIMES). The question is whether we have the know how (which I have access through from research gathered on Corporate America) and whether we are intelligent enough to invest in ourselves rather than everyone else.
I am sure you know that African-Americans have a spending power of over $400 billion a year in America. My goal for us is to circulate that money through our communities, via businesses that we own, operate and support. This is not a new plan, because every other race of people has done it to survive.
The only question is whether us "educated" black folk will do the same before we perish.
This was written with concern and Love for the Blue and White family so that we may save the Black family. If you have any questions or would like to participate, please e-mail me at LJMathman@aol.com GOMAB... our cause speeds on its way.
Email: LJMathman@aol.com