Mayor’s Town Hall Meeting @ Southwest Center Mall

Monday, October 5^th
Southwest Center Mall
6:30 pm

Get an understanding of the new developments at Southwest Center Mall and what plans are in place to revitalize that area.

City Representatives from Police, Fire, Water, Code Enforcement, Economic Development, Parks and Recreation and more will be available to answer questions and dialogue with you about what's going on in the city.

Politics in the Obama Age at UTD

On Thursday, September 24^th, I was the guest of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Tau Xi Chapter for their Black Speak event at the University of Texas at Dallas. This year's event was subtitled Politics in the Obama Age, The Age of Change.

It was great to see young professional students so engaged in politics and how it affects their world. We discussed not only what Obama has done since his term began in January, but the difference between what he has sole control over and what he does not. We finally evolved into a discussion on what we must do to become engaged at this pivotal time in our political history.

We really have arrived at the "Obama" age where possibilities abound. The question is whether or not we are ready to take hold of those possibilities and leverage them for our good and that of our communities. I am still amazed at the number of people who are watching on the sidelines at such a pivotal time. There are too many issues not to pay attention.

However these young people are on the way to deeper awareness signified by their presence at Black Speak. You've all inspired me to provide more information. Thank you for the wonderful time and the return invite. It was a pleasure and an honor.

After Being Called A Liar...Getting the Job Done

Like many others, I have sufficiently reviewed the comments made in last night's Presidential address. Miraculously, when I woke up this morning Joe Wilson is still an elected official with a vote representing some of the citizens of South Carolina. And President Obama must work with he and other legislators (some who stood up and others who sat down) to create a healthcare plan that works for Americans.

As leaders in the workplace, the community and our homes, we have all encountered someone who has been less than professional in their dealings with us. My question is then, how do we really move forward? Do we truly accept the apology of others and move on to get the job done?

Based on President Obama's comments and demeanor, it appears that he moved on almost as soon as the comment was made. In order to get the job done, we have to be able to put aside words in favor of concrete suggestions, ideas and solutions.

So let's use this as a growth experience. Share how you turned a disparaging comment or a lack of respect into a finished project.

President Obama's School Fire Side Chat

This evening's news headline included concerned parents ready to keep their kids out of school in order to prevent them from being exposed to politics. When did we decide that we no longer wanted our kids to be exposed to politics? They are exposed to us every day. Maybe, it was when the President decided to speak to students and encourage them to do well in school.

Since when did encouraging children to do well in school become a political issue. If President Obama came to my class (via television) to speak about the importance of achieving academically, I would listen. I would have listened to any President of the United States of America. In fact, the fireside chats weren't just for adults.

School districts have been given the choice to determine whether our children will see the message in school. Some who are concerned that they have not seen the message, or that parents may not approve are opting to post it online for later viewing. But the students who need encouragement the most, may not have a computer with which to watch.

Seriously, the "politics" of the situation prohibit the President from saying anything questionable. The "politics" do not however, keep individuals from questioning whether a man that speaks on our behalf to the leaders of the world, can craft a non-political message to our children.

Come on, give me a break!

If you have children, let your school district, board or school know that you trust our nation's President to speak to our children about education on September 8th.

The Definition of Professional

We are told that to be professional is to be appreciated by coworkers, lauded by managers and supported by the organizations that we support for pay. However, it is clear that not all organizations run as professionally as we would like. And that even the most well-trained organizations are only as professional as their corporate culture allows.

And what does professional mean? Is it using proper grammar to transmit an email or is it refraining from shouting across cubicles even when you can see the person right there?

professional - exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession.

Based on this definition, maybe you should begin by exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, businesslike manner. Then conform to the technical or ethical standards of your chosen profession. At some point your "professionalism" may have to conform to the standards of those around you.

And if you choose not to conform, you may be in for a very lonely journey.

What do you do when confronted with the choice of being your best or accommodating to your surroundings? I would love to know.