The Bronx Museum just launched an exhibition called The Road to Freedom, a stunning collection of photographs from the Civil Rights era of 1956-1968. These powerful images remind us of Dr. Martin Luther King’s message that the road to freedom was destined to be long and hard. But so long as we kept our faith and determination, that rough and rugged road would finally lead us to the promised land. Read the rest of this entry »

Ten years into the new millennium, the successful organizations have realized that their survival requires operating on the ever-expanding frontier of innovation. It’s time for our politicians to realize this too. Our generation celebrates the successes of those who came before us, and now we have a new mandate to give only to those politicians who are ready to keep up with the pace of our lives.

Read the rest of this entry »

Congratulations to Marc H. Morial and the National Urban League (NUL) for the thought-leadership and success of the I Am EMPOWERED campaign. This effort has inspired youth across our nation to act as agents of transformational change. It starts by acknowledging that access to education, sustainable employment, affordable housing and quality health care are unalienable rights. In return, these rights demand a commitment from us. A commitment to civil engagement, entrepreneurship and environmental responsibility.

Read the rest of this entry »

At the beginning of any revolution, few people have the foresight to realize what’s about to happen. The textile worker on the eve of the Industrial Revolution, the filing clerk just before the invention of the microchip, and the music executive the day before the release of Napster. None of them had any idea how their worlds were about to be transformed overnight.

Read the rest of this entry »

NEW YORK - JUNE 11: Jimmy Smits (L) and Rosie Perez (R) are seen during the Puerto Rican Day Parade June 11, 2006 in New York City

America has always felt a profound duty to uphold one sacred principle: the right of self-determination. Not just for us, but for all peoples.

Fifty years ago the people of Puerto Rico were suffering from devastating unemployment. My family, like thousands of Puerto Ricans, gathered their meager possessions and headed to a land where they could seize their own destiny: America.

Those thousands of Puerto Ricans started with nothing. They worked hard, raised families and reached for that most American of values: self-determination. America gave them that opportunity. Now all Puerto Ricans deserve the same. Read the rest of this entry »

Our generation realizes that success in today’s global marketplace requires new ways of thinking. We need to be innovative and flexible, constantly upgrading our skills through lifelong learning and education. Part of that education means connecting to the world beyond our borders. 

In the 21^st Century, America is networked to the planet in unprecedented ways. The next great technology is as likely to be born in Calcutta as California. Traveling, experiencing and working in foreign cultures is critical to obtaining an awareness of what’s next. Sadly very few of us enjoy that opportunity.  Read the rest of this entry »

Most people have probably never heard of the Child Nutrition Act (CNA). But without the CNA, many of our poorest and most vulnerable families would never enjoy the healthy, nutritious meals they need and deserve.

The CNA is the umbrella legislation for our most important and effective national nutrition programs. Every five years this law comes before Congress for review and reauthorization. The CNA permanently authorizes programs like the School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program, but other important programs must be reauthorized each time. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s no secret that our public education is failing across the nation. As a proud product of New York City public education from K through graduate school, I know how fortunate I was to receive a first-class public education.

Kids today aren’t as lucky as I was. I know a flawed system when I see it. We’re no longer just failing our children; we’re now producing failure as the status-quo. In NYC alone, nineteen schools were recently approved for either closure, reorganization or conversion to charter schools. The political tension this has caused in New York is echoed in city councils and state governments across the nation. Read the rest of this entry »