Darrell Davis

What's In Your Wallet?

One major failing among African Americans is our lack of financial education. In general, most people are lacking, but in terms of the percentage of Black people impoverished, we have some work to do.

Before I became ill a few years ago, I made a nice salary. But when I was out on sick leave, it wasn't long before I became homeless. A hard way to learn a lesson.

Their are enough websites out there that teach the basics of finance. There are sites that teach you about the beauty of investing in stocks and bonds (I love how that sounds ;-).

And if you do nothing else, take an empty coffee can and start putting one dollar bills and quarters in it. The temptation will be to spend it-Don't! The exercise here is to begin to develop habits that lead to a better financial future. One Love.

Promote Chess in The Community

I recently saw an ad on-line for a weekend chess instructor for youth. I love chess, used to teach it and could hold my own against some U.S. Ranked Players. I responded to the ad. The next day I received an email telling me that enough kids didn't sign up. I was deeply disappointed.

The problem I had was that we need to be promoting chess in our communities. I still, in my day-to-day planning, think like a chess player. I plan my day, visualize contingencies and plan a reaction. It is the best game for teaching young people (and not so young) about preparing for life's challenges.

To get past my disappointment, I decided to do what I hadn't done in over ten years; Play some chess. I set my computer to a fairly tough level and went on to get crushed three straight times.

Dating Seth Godin

Before I piss off Seth (or worse, his spouse), we are not really dating. I recently added a link to Seth's Blog on this site. A surprising number of readers- mostly African Americans - told me they read him and that he is "the Bomb" (really good in Ebonics).

Obviously I agree. Because Seth is such a brilliant, real and down to earth intellectual( make no mistake-Seth can talk a language few would understand if he wanted too), he makes you want to hear what he has to say next. With that, every morning, before 6 am, I have a date with SethGodin.com.  We do coffee.

I Don't See No Spare-ribs On The Menu!

Be careful when you set out on the road to riches.  It is indeed paved in gold.  As my company 125thstreetinnovations continues to grow, I find myself in places I hadn't totally prepared for.  Like fancy restaurants.  Pay attention- this is important.

This was a meeting I was trying to get for a few months. I arrived before my potential client.  The restaurant had people outside in uniforms asking for the keys to my car.  At first, I thought it was the repo man. I was a little edgy. I gave them the keys.

When I walked in the establishment I was blown away by how beautiful it was inside.  It was amazing!  It had red carpet everywhere, the soft lights from candles on the tables made the leather seats wink. I was escorted to my seat.

It seemed that everyone in the place was wearing a suit.  I was in casual dress.  I felt a little intimidated.  I had three waiters; all I could think of was what if my business date doesn't show.  Would I have to tip all three?

Anyway, as I waited for my appointment, the waiters started putting stuff on my plate.  Some of it looked like potpourri.  I didn't know if I was supposed to eat it or smell it! 

Finally, my appointment showed!  I breathed a big sigh of relief.  Here is my advice for restaurants that are out of your league: First, If you never heard of the place or more importantly-can't say it- wear a suit!  Second, when they put potpourri on your plate, peek over at the next guy and see if he is eating it or smelling it.  Finally, always ask your date to order for you because you forgot you glasses ( trust me, this will keep you from being laughed at by the waiter).

Bon appe'tit!

In Honor of Dr. King

At some point, we who claim to want to help people must step up, even when it is not the popular thing to do. Martin Luther King was such a man. Once a year so many come out nationally to honor this man and his legacy. The problem is, for the rest of the year, too many put their heads back in the sand for fear that doing the right thing might cut into their profits! That is not leadership, nor is it real success coaching!

Marion Jones, Barry Bonds , and Michael Vick are all being lynched. And we stand by and say nothing! We know what is going on. But where is the courage to speak up? It takes courage to step out of the norm and start your own business. Where is that courage now?

Before We are Men

One of our regular readers asked me recently about resources for raising African American boys. Even the most conservative thinker must admit that Black males are disproportionately arrested for crimes that whites commit more often. Having said that, this is not to say that so many of our young don't hand it to law enforcement on a silver platter.

For Mr. Black Boushy (bourgeois), who thinks that he is not connected to this young person, let me ask a couple of questions: You own your own business? Who is your market? You want to run for office? Who is going to vote for you? Felons can't vote.

To address these issues, I point you to the master- Jawanza Kunjufu!
Although not a part of the popular Black literature, or one of the "accepted" Black militants, he is the man.

If we are to prosper as individuals or as a group, have the courage to defend the young-boys and girls!

Friends In the Air

I just returned from a much needed vacation in lovely Florida! In my last article I spoke of the need to rest your mind and body to perform at peak condition. Well, I think I did that and now I am ready to take my goals and plans to a new level. My focus remains the same: help as many people as possible to empower themselves politically and on a personal level.

I think having more positive people in our community can only be a good thing. On my flight to Florida, I sat next to a beautiful African American couple and their bright eyed infant son. Across from us sat another couple. They had a couple of young children with them. I barely spoke to them during the plane ride. When the plane touched down, I turned to the young man sitting next to me and had to tell him how proud I was of him, his wife and their friends. His name was Alex, his partners' name was Celina. It was wonderful seeing the African American family-in fact two- that didn't fit the hollywood version of Black people as dysfunctional families.

I said hello to them and told them what a joy it was to see them. Not that I didn't know we have role models. It's just that we often get so caught up in the race that is life, we don't stop to see the beauty around us. Alex, Celina, and friends, keep doing your thing!

Memorial Day

As many people set out this weekend to celebrate Memorial Day, let us pause to remember that this holiday is not just about picnics.  It is about honoring the victims of war, those who died in battle.  No matter the cause or justification, I don't believe in war.  And try to pause a moment and give honor to those freed slaves who began the tradition of marching to honor those fallen in battle.

Hopefully, one day soon, there will be a holiday honoring the innocent civilians who bleed just as red. Or the hundreds of millions of victims of the transatlantic slave trade.  Hopefully societies will rediscover peace and diplomacy, and a new respect for human life that will swallow greed.

Greg Oden and Lebron James

Greg Oden and Lebron James need to talk.  Oden is the latest young,  Black,  future millionaire of basketball.  He just announced he is leaving Ohio State to play pro ball. Lebron has made a friend in billionaire financier Warren Buffett.  Even celebrity politician Barack Obama dropped his (Buffett's) name when explaining his recent controversial stock transaction.  Buffett knows investment.

In fact, Oden, Lebron and about 13 more NBA players should talk to Buffett about an investment I think is past due.  How about 15 NBA millionaires buying a NBA team?  Ouch!

Yes, what a revolution that would cause if the players, who sacrifice their future bodies for today's owners profits, decided that they would be the owners?  For all those haters who complain about professional athletes making too much money, here is a real solution.  If the team is owned by the players, the salaries could level off as the "owners" split the profits.

Now anytime we start talking about creative financing, we hear a million reasons why it can't be done.  When they do it (don't make me say who) we hear about all kinds of incentives and waivers so it can be done.  This is where Buffett comes in. I think we should give it a try.

Of course it's not my money so what do I have to lose?  Yet owning a pro sports franchise has proved to be a center of wealth and political power.  And even if the decision at the end of the day is we can't do it.  At least we are in the ball park (no pun intended).

It took a comedian, Chris Rock, to wake up many people in our community about wealth building.  To paraphase, he said Shack (Shaquille O'Neal ) is rich.  The man who signed his check is wealthy!

Greg Oden,  Lebron James, Michael Jordan,  Magic Johnson, what are you waiting for?  Permission?

Starting Your Own Business

I have hosted a talk radio show for the past 11 years in New York. Over the past 25 years, I have lectured in many parts of the country. The themes are very much similar to the topics I write about here. I tell you this to say I have heard all kinds of responses to the philosophy of self-reliance and setting up your own business.

Many of the disempowering thoughts that currently occupy the thinking processes of Black people include: "You need money to start a business," or "It's too risky, I have a family to think about." How many of us, when joyfully announcing to our significant other that we were going into business forour selves heard, "Negro, pleeeeeaaasse! you better get a Job

Let's not pretend that starting your own business is easy or that there isn't risk. But what is more risky then being at work and some loser comes in one day and says, "your fired!" Now what?

There are more than enough How to Start Your Own Business guides. Many of them very good. And learning about how money works is crucial. An excellent place to start is with Dr. Claud Anderson. But what we need to focus more on is empowering thinking.

It is here you will receive the greater return for your research.
There is very little under the sun that you must invent. Most successful businesses are modeled. Everyone pretty much does it the same way. From fast food to chain stores to banks. Every so often an innovative idea emerges that separates someone from the field. However, in time, everyone catches up.

You must start with your thinking! Begin to read books and attend lectures on empowering thinking, on being successful. You begin to change your financial status by changing your thinking. Look at things you do away from your job that you love. Do you work on cars? Do you style hair? Maybe you baby sit. What do your friends and neighbors call you for? Really think about it. Cut the grass? Open your mind to possibility. Start there and you have the seeds of a business.

At this point, I don't recommend you quit your day job. However, I have more to write that can help you on your road to success.

I am available through 125th Street Innovations for workshops on Empowering Thinking. Just send me an email for details. And don't forget to read the Hudson Valley Press.