Editor’s Note: The story of three friends from Galveston, Texas, seems less a tribute to upward mobility than a study of obstacles in an age of economic inequality. Each showed the ability to do college work, even excel at it. With little guidance from family or school officials, college became a leap that they braved without a safety net. Their story resonates as our foundation’s vision is that all low-income and/or first-generation students will have a caring and committed mentor to help get them get to and through college.
“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.”
Editor’s Note: The Bond by the “Three Doctors,” is a continuation of their first book, The Pact. In The Pact, Sampson Davis, George Jenkins and Rameck Hunt tell how they became friends in high school and promised to graduate from college to become doctors. The Bond, co-written by our friend Margaret Bernstein of the Plain Dealer, goes even further into their friendship and ways that they have set out to mentor other children who are growing up in similar homes. Their story resonates as our foundation’s vision is that all low-income and/or first-generation students will have a caring and committed mentor to help get them get to and through college.
Editor’s Note: After a difficult day with a delusional friend I took a run and this song came on my iPhone. As I listened to the words, I came to realize it was not my job to make him tell the truth; rather, I only need to know my own truth.
John Wooden, the legendary coach of UCLA basketball, told his players on the first day of practice each year: “you can either discipline yourself, or someone else will.”
Editor’s Note: In the video below you will see Candace Klein, founder and CEO of both Bad Girl Ventures and SoMoLend, make the winning pitch for SoMoLend at Finovate, a conference that showcases the best new innovations in financial and banking technology. SoMoLend is a peer-to-peer lending platform that connects business borrowers seeking loans with investors looking to make a return on investment, doing well by doing good. NEO Fund, the CDFI in Ashtabula, plans to partner with SoMoLend in 2013 to make its lending administration process more effective and efficient.
Editor’s Note: A sobering fact from the article I wanted to highlight: “A small portion of philanthropic efforts are aimed at helping those who most need it. A study by Rob Reich, an associate professor of political science at Stanford University, concluded that only a small share of charity redistributes income from the wealthy to the poor. “
"What we see depends mainly on what we look for."
Editor’s Note: If you aren’t an anxious person and/or don’t believe in psychiatry – don’t read this book. But for those of us who suffer anxiety issues, as I do, and believe in paying attention to our mental health similar to working out for our physical health, this is a good summary of reminders. I noticed it on sale at the book store so just picked it up for curiosity and lo and behold, most of the chapters are things I’ve worked on for years and two chapters (5 and 12) gave me new things to practice. This little book will be a holiday gift for my anxious family members and friends. Enjoy.
Editor’s Note: Probably one of the most oft-covered songs in history, this was originally a French ballad, by the same name, written in 1942. This version is my favorite, covered by Natalie Cole. In terms of meaning, I see it as more than a love song. That is, I see it as the blessing of something more than forgiveness; wishing others well, even after we disagree.
