Creating Equity in Fact: A Plan

 Creating Equality in Fact: A Plan

I.             Creating Equality in Fact: Phase One

A.  Opening Comments

B.  The Protests of 2020

C.  Impact of Protests

D.  The Reality of Racism, For Now

E.  Diffusing the Bomb

F.   Public and Private Sector

G.  Understanding the Demographics

H.  The Real Inner City

I.    Business Opportunities

II.           The Starting Point

A.  Have a Solid Plan in Place

B.  Simultaneous, Steady Implementation

C.  General Time Line

III.         Phase One Components

A.  National System of Youth/Community Centers;      

B.  Inner-City Gangs: Creating Alternatives

C.  Equal Educational Opportunities: Bridging the Gap

D.  Engaging Businesses: Jobs; Training; Facility Oversight

E.   Connecting Attorneys and Residential Treatment Centers Throughout the United States;

F.   Maximizing the Unlimited Potential of the Entertainment Industry.

         Phase One: National System of Youth/Community Centers

A.  Understanding the Target Population

1.   The Basics

2.   The Gaps

3.   No Internal Operating System

B.      Benefits Created by Youth/Community Centers

1.   Safe Haven

2.   Life Changing Curriculum

3.   A Place to Exercise and Socialize

4.   Fills Many Gaps

D.  Structural Components

1.   Staffing

2.   Private Sector

3.    Infrastructure

4.   Economic Model

5.   Oversight

E.  Funding

1.   Business Community

2.   Professional Sports Franchises

3.   Business Franchises

4.   Foundation Grants

5.   Government Grants

6.   General Population

7.   Tax Credits

F.   Model Youth/Community Center

G.  Final Thoughts

A.  Opening Comments

The purpose of this post, and the five which follow, is to present an overview of a potential starting point, and several year plan, which is designed to dramatically improve the climate and opportunities for citizens in the Inner Cities of America.  Millions have been awakened to the horrific racism which pervades the inner city and life in general for the African American and other discriminated against minorities. As much as they want to help however, they do not know how. It is my hope that the proposal being made will show many ways to participate and turn that passion for equality into something tangible.

The proposal is macro in concept and content as it must be in order to successfully change the trajectory of negativity which exists within the disenfranchised element of the inner city. Multiple strategies must be ongoing simultaneously to turn around the mass of negative energy referred to. Fortunately, this is governed by the laws of physics, which means if the right triggers are created, positive energy will be released in the recipient. A good job creates a nice amount of positive energy. A nice home and a safe environment likewise. As these come into being, along with a wide range of services, the negativity is, to a very large degree, eliminated.

The first component part of the plan, A National System of Youth Community Centers, will be discussed in this post following some general thoughts.

First, the likelihood of eliminating all incidents of racial violence by public servants and every citizen in the private sector is zero. Substantially reducing, yes; eliminating, no; for the foreseeable future, there will be those for whom racism is a way of thought. The net effect of this reality is that other incidents will happen each of which has the potential to ignite a repeat, or worse, of what is currently being experienced in the streets of America. Those triggering incidents may be less frequent, but the result of their occurrence will be no less violent.

Second, steps to dramatically change the generational and systemic deprivation and discrimination under which residents of the inner city have been subjected to for decades, must be implemented. Nationwide protests and rioting have clearly raised awareness and have resulted in many Americans taking concrete steps on an individual level to do something to help, for which every thinking and caring individual must be grateful; however, increased awareness and singular actions are not enough.

B.  The Protests of 2020

Similar protests have been seen before. The race riots and violence of the 1960’s were explosive; likewise as to the protests, riots, burnings and lootings of the 1990’s sparked by the beating and injustices inflicted on Rodney King; the protests of the current decade in Ferguson following the killing of Michael Brown, and now the vicious murder of George Floyd, and the national outrage and destruction which has followed.  As one recent protestor proclaimed: ‘I can’t believe I have to do this again!’.               

C.  Impact of Protests

What has come out of these protests? Great legislation to be sure. The Voting Rights Act and Civil Rights Acts are great pieces of legislation and stand for the highest values of equality. The War Against Poverty sounded good and looked good. There are many great pieces of legislation. It is abundantly clear however, that this great legislation has not accomplished its desired objectives. Tragically, voter suppression is alive and well today in America; discrimination and bigotry continue to pulse through the veins of millions of United States citizens, and obviously, the war against poverty has failed miserably. Legislation and government are NOT the answers. They may facilitate the process, but they do not provide a solution.

D.  The Reality of Racism, For Now

I honestly believe a time will come when racial intolerance will be so far removed from the world as to be confined to cult status and considered fringe at best. That time however, is not at the present moment, so the strategy must incorporate the reality that racists are out there and they will, until removed from relevance, perform repugnant acts of racial violence. The question then becomes the following:

If the acts which ignite racial violence can’t be eliminated, with the resulting potential for explosion always present, what can be done to prevent the explosion in the streets when such an event occurs?

The answer is the same as if you were dealing with any explosive device: you eliminate the components that make it explode. If you have a square box which contains one pound of gun powder tightly packed which is ignited, the explosion would be deafening to anyone nearby, and would kill anyone too close to it.  If, however, the container was opened and 98% of the gun powder were removed before it was ignited, there would be no explosion.

E.  Diffusing the Bomb

           In the present situation, the device getting ready to explode is inhabited by a mass of humanity that has been systemically battered and discriminated against forever. All of the elements for a high-level explosion are in place. No jobs, no money, limited education, all causing seething anger, and the worst is the perceived daily reality that there is no way out. This is the day to day, year to year, generation to generation reality many people in the inner-city face. As these underlying causes are treated successfully, the explosive power of the energy is proportionately diminished.

           It follows therefore, that in order for a plan to succeed, the underlying causes of the potential volatility must be successfully addressed. Success does not mean there won’t be outrage and anger when a stupid and pitiful act of racism shows its face. What it does mean however, is that these acts will be impacting upon a population which has seen its life dramatically change for the better. People have jobs and education, the power and dignity of the ability to purchase goods and services, and they are eating healthy and are surrounded by opportunities to better their lives. They will understand that there are many white Americans who embrace their color and ethnicity. The net effect of these positives is to create a totally different perspective and processing mechanism when something once capable of igniting rioting occurs.

F.   Public and Private Sector

The solutions to the current problems will necessarily involve the public and private sectors. The public sector can be very instrumental in education and in the overall process as a facilitator. The majority of the infrastructure however, must come from the private sector and must be powerful enough to change things on a massive scale-a change so powerful that it changes the very trajectory of energy from the negative to the positive. The abuses under consideration have occurred in many cases for hundreds of years, and of particular relevance throughout the past five decades, linking all live generations in the process. This creates a very difficult barrier which must be understood and overcome.

G.  Understanding the Demographics

In order to do that, there must be an accurate picture of the inner-city population that the plan is targeted to address, and particularly, the impact upon the of systemic long-term abuse and discrimination on this population. Such a picture will reveal precise target areas which need to be addressed, and will thus provide a solid foundation from which a plan can be created. I believe it is essential that those who read this have the greatest understanding of the target population possible, so that when the various proposals are made, the connection between what is being advocated as a treatment, and the target population is clearly seen, i.e., to create a more accurate lens for processing.

H.  The Real Inner City

 Most mainstream Americans have never been in the inner-city and have a picture in their minds based upon television, print and other media. The perception, particularly right now, is one of anger, gangs and streets filled with individuals ready for violence. That element is certainly present, but the reality of the inner city is much more that that. I had the privilege of spending nearly a decade working in East Los Angeles, in the public, quasi- public and private sectors. This provided the opportunity to interact with a very large number of highly intelligent, successful individuals who live and work in the inner-city, as well as the gang members and Inner-City youth I was working with. People with restaurants, some of which are elegant inside and a variety of well-maintained stores and businesses. There is a special dignity in the inner city which accompanies this level of success. Therefore, to accurately understand the composition of the inner city, one must include the fact that there are many talented, wonderful and successful individuals within the geographic boundaries that also house those desperately in need.

I.    Business Opportunities

While our strategies must be focused on the victims of historical discrimination in conceptualizing the target we seek to reach, it is important to understand what else is in place. The existence of thriving businesses clearly indicates the potential for more. Many of these businesses make regular donations to those in need within the inner city, and their presence clearly demonstrates the viability and profitability of a wide range of businesses within the inner city. This has great relevance to any long-term strategy put in place.

With these preliminary thoughts concluded, I will begin to present the proposal.         

II. The Starting Point

A.  Have a Solid Plan in Place

First and foremost, have a plan in place. The magnitude of the challenge is very significant, and must be overcome with a very solid strategy. In this instance, there needs to be a macro national strategy since the issues being addressed are national in scope. There also needs to be a strategy for implementation on the local level, since this is the most important to the residents of the respective Inner City. Good planning will include members of this community.

l Like any new endeavor of significant magnitude, it takes time to develop the best model, but the basic components would not be that hard to assemble in each of the six component parts of the proposal.

B.  Simultaneous Steady Implementation

Overcoming the deprivation and discrimination of many generations cannot be accomplished piecemeal. A positive element must be generated on multiple fronts, simultaneously.  The proposal suggests that each of the component parts begin at roughly the same time, and at a level that is sensible and can be maintained. Once individuals see how much good is being accomplished, the implementation will be quicker and easier.

C.  General Time Line

Integral to the plan, a time line and strategy for addressing each of the elements stated above should be in place. By way of illustration:

1.   The time line for implementing the start of the Youth/Community Centers in a designated location, and generally what will be offered; (This will be going on simultaneously throughout the United States on a relatively flexible, yet solid, predetermined roll out schedule.)

2.   The time line and concrete steps that will be taken to address the root causes of gangs and gang activity and to create the start of a pathway to a better life; What are some of the programs that will be offered, and when?

3.   Which business will create programs which employ members of the inner-city population and when will this start? Who will provide job training? Which businesses will step up to help with the oversight of the youth centers, or satellite youth centers, in a designated area?

4.   What are the programs to be implemented which will educate and accelerate movement toward education and jobs; what programs can the educational system in connection with the private sector that can lead to gainful employment? What ESL programs will be put in place?

5.   Which law firms, in each city across the United States, will step up and work with abused and neglected children in their communities?

6.   The level of importance for the entertainment industry is so vast that it cannot be distilled into a short description. Suffice it to say, through existing channels or newly created channels, the vast power of the media must be used to release positive energy, and generate funding for programs. 

D.  The Importance of a Plan

There are many reasons why it is important to have a plan in place. Most obvious of course, is being able to plan and coordinate the implementation of the various component parts which comprise the plan. Implementation is far more complex than creating the structure. It requires creating strategies for financing operations; acquiring personnel to assist; time lines for a multitude of programs; mobilizing various sectors of society; creating a technological structure that will make high level distance learning and meaningful communication possible.

 The second and equally important reason that it is extremely important to have a plan in place is because it creates a solid foundation for the most important initial and sustaining ingredient: Hope. There are very sophisticated channels and networks of communication in the Inner-City, the same as anywhere else. Once a plan is in place, word of it will spread and it will be discussed. When the question of what is being done is presented, as it has been for decades, this time there will be an answer, and it will be a good one. People will be aware that good things are coming. Once those good things do in fact start coming, people are listening more closely, cooperation begins, and seeds of hope are planted. I have observed and participated in this phenomenon on a very personal and professional level in the inner-city as well as detention centers.

               III. Phase One: Six Initial Components

A.  National System of Youth/Community Centers;

B.  Inner-City Gangs: Creating Alternatives

C.  Equal Educational Opportunities: Bridging the Gap

D.  Engaging Businesses to Sponsor Inner-City Employment, Job Training and to Assist in Oversight of Youth/Community Centers

E.  Partnership Between the United States Legal Community and Residential Treatment Centers Throughout the United States;

F.   Maximizing the Unlimited Potential of the Entertainment Industry.

Phase One: National System of Youth/Community Centers

A.  Understanding the Target Population

1.   The Basics

2.   The Gaps

3.   No Internal Operating Mechanism

B.  Benefits Created by Youth/Community Centers

1.   Safe Haven

2.   Life Changing Curriculum

3.   A Place to Exercise and Socialize

4.   Fills Many Gaps

C.  Structural Components

1.   Staffing

2.   Private Sector

3.   Infrastructure

4.   Economic Model

5.   Oversight

D.  Funding

1.   Business Community

2.   Professional Sports Franchises

3.   Business Franchises

4.   Foundation Grants

5.   Government Grants

6.   General Population

7.   Tax Credits

E.  Model Youth/Community Center

A.  Understanding the Target Population

Throughout this presentation, I have attempted to create an accurate picture of the mindset and pain of a large portion of the population of the Inner-City, and will elaborate further below. This is essential so that the connection between programs and clientele is made. There are certain clear common needs among the target population; programs directed to these common needs will ensure that programs will reach a large segment of those who need services.

1.   The Basics

In 1984 I went to work in California’s Group Home system for abused, neglected and incarcerated minors. One of the things that became immediately clear was that the children I was working with were universally lacking in fundamental areas common among mainstream teenagers. When one observes the characteristics that make up the mainstream American child, one will see that she or he maintains a certain level of hygiene; has an appropriate level of education; generally, follows the rules; displays an appropriate level of social skills; eats relatively healthy and does some exercise. While there certainly are other characteristics that might come to mind, these allow me to best illustrate my point.

2.   The Gaps

Most of the thousands of children I worked with in locked facilities and residential treatment, over four decades, were severely lacking in all of the categories noted above. Poor hygiene, horrible eating and no exercise; no social skills, little or no education. Obviously, this is not the fault of the child, but the child which is produced out of that environment is a different life form which needs to be reprogrammed in order to have a free, happy and productive life which, I assure you, is what most of them want.

I saw this most vividly when working in residential treatment, for I was part of every aspect of their lives, from the morning routine, through dinner and into the next day. I saw how little they knew about something as basic as brushing or flossing their teeth, changing their sheets, social manners, and how to conduct themselves at the dinner table. I saw many such areas, ‘gaps’ I called them, and I theorized that the more gaps I could fill, the closer the child was to the mainstream prototype he needed to be to succeed.  Once enough gaps were filled, the theory was that the child would have a clean shot at success. This proved to be case.

3.   No Internal Operating System

In addition to having the characteristics noted above, mainstream American children have a series of routines they perform on a daily basis, ranging from hygiene to school, a chore perhaps, homework, or a sport, and other events on a regular basis. Most of the children I worked with had no such system, and could best be described as randomly moving from point A and bouncing off a wall and moving somewhere completely random. I theorized that if I could create a structure which would supply an internal operating system, behavior problems would be greatly reduced. This also proved to be the case.

At this point, I understood that if enough gaps were filled, behaviors, attitudes and ultimately life itself would change. I saw this repeatedly for the five years I worked in residential treatment, and to a meaningful extent, in detention. However, while I saw tremendous value in residential treatment and detention in addressing these gaps, it provided a very small percentage of the children who needed help, particularly those released from detention into society. I questioned how the necessary services could be provided on a much larger scale. How could these ‘component parts’ be put into place? How could a child receive education, life skills instruction health and fitness and everything he or she needs to have a clean shot at life? Furthermore, how could this be done in a time effective, cost effective manner. Solutions which are too time-consuming or expensive are stopped before they can begin. Everything must be based on reality.

My experiences in the Inner-City confirmed something that was obvious on paper, but up close had a much different impact-the very deprived children of yesterday become very deprived adults of today. One major difference between the categories however, is the reality of being uneducated and unemployable as a way of life has hit the adult in a much different way than the youth who somehow hopes to find a way out. That being the case, the adult population needing or desiring services must be included in a plan that seeks to make a major impact on a societal level.

In 1984, I concluded that the solution could be achieved by creating dynamic, learning driven Youth/Community Centers which provided all of the services, or access to those services, which could fill the gaps of life within this population. A ‘one stop shop’ where people can dramatically improve the quality of their lives.

The services required to rectify past deprivation are extensive. If these services were to be sought out individually, it would be extremely time consuming and costly. In addition, assuming services could be found, transportation issues to get to destinations would often be prohibitive. A properly designed and operated Youth/Community Center would provide all of the services necessary to enable anyone who truly desired a new life and new opportunities to obtain them.

B.  Benefits Created by Youth/Community Centers

1.   Safe Haven

2.   Life Changing Curriculum

3.   A Place to Exercise and Socialize

4.   Fills Many Gaps

5.   Adults Benefit Equally from Youth/Community Centers

C.  Structural Components

1.   Staffing

2.   Private Sector

3.   Infrastructure

4.   Economic Model

5.   Oversight

D.  Funding

1.   Business Community

2.   Professional Sports Franchises

3.   Business Franchises

4.   Foundation Grants

5.   Government Grants

6.   General Population

7.   Tax Credits

E.  Model Youth/Community Center

F.   Final Thoughts

A.   Benefits Created by Youth/Community Centers

1.   Safe Haven

           First and foremost, Youth/Community Center provides a safe and reliable place to go.

For many children in the Inner-City, chaos is a way of life. Moving from place to place so often that many do not know the address where they currently live, just how to get there. I have seen many children booked into custody who do not know their address.

A Youth/Community Center would provide a place where ‘everything is OK’. Somewhere that is reliable, and a constant. There are organizations that provide such facilities in their communities, but these rarely appear in the core of the Inner-City. Within these areas there are children roaming the streets who have nowhere to go. 

In addition, many of the children are hungry. I have seen this personally in East Los Angeles and in Bradenton Florida where I was dean of students at an extremely high-risk high school. Once the principal and I started serving pancakes, eggs and sausages three days a week, attendance and behavior improved dramatically.

Having a nice, clean safe place to go, where individuals can eat and feel good about their surroundings is great first step and will get them into the building. At that point, services can be delivered.

2.   Life Changing Curriculum

Second, a Youth Community Center will provide a high-quality curriculum which simultaneously bridges the gap between standard academic performance while elevating highest level thinking skills.

It is impossible to overestimate the importance of delivering high quality content by inspired, well prepared instructors. Thought patterns of hopelessness and anger need to be replaced with thoughts of optimism and hope, which themselves must be predicated upon content, not hype.

Many of these individuals need and crave education and that education must be supplied through the Youth/Community Center, particularly for those who are high school level or older who test out at 2nd to 4th grade in academics. Many of these children are highly intelligent, but dropped out of school for a variety of reasons.

The curriculum within the Youth Community Centers for which I am advocating would simultaneously work on programs involving the highest-level thinking skills, as well as basic core subjects. The availability of high-quality online education creates opportunities for very efficient delivery of a wide range of content. Supplement this with mentors from the community, in person or online, and there is a piece of the infrastructure in place.

The programs that I would focus on are the following:

1.   Decision Making;

2.   Character Education;

3.    Philosophy;

4.   Life Skills;

5.   Health and Fitness;

6.   Tutoring Programs;

7.   G.E.D. Programs;

8.   E.S.L.;

9.   Individual Rights

‘

The goal is to create a uniquely designed ‘mini school’ within the Youth/Community Center which will resonate within the communities served. The essence of the curriculum is that someone could walk in the door seeking to create a new and better version of her or himself, and walk out the door with education, job skills, physically fit, and whole new attitude on life. Everything to create this new and improved version would be available.

My experience has universally been that the children want to learn and enjoy learning when material is presented in a way that resonates. The life lived by many of the children has created a very high intellectual dimension which can engage in high level thinking.

3.   A Place to Exercise and Socialize

Third, a Youth/Community Center provides a place where people can exercise and socialize.

Most people who are reading this have a nice home and many options for entertaining themselves. During this brief period of quarantine, many have come to realize how wonderful it was to go out at night, to a movie or out to dinner. Or to go to the gym to train, or play golf and tennis. These options are taken for granted by mainstream America, to the point where they are currently willing to risk a deadly disease so they can go the beach and do what they want.

For many in the Inner-City there is are no such opportunities. Reality is such that it is expensive, and sometimes dangerous to go out at night. There are no golf courses in the Inner City and maybe one or two tennis courts, and rare movie theatre.

A Youth/Community Center would be a place to stay healthy and fit and to perhaps go for a movie or other program being presented. This could easily be done at all satellite facilities as well. Now people have somewhere to go which they can be proud to be associated with. Moreover, if they take advantage of the educational and job opportunities available, they have amazing new options as well.

                                   4.  Fills Many Gaps

           The essence of a properly equipped and funded Youth/Community Center is to present a venue where virtually all of the gaps can be filled. High level learning, a place to train and socialize that is first class venue, will help heal many wounds. I have seen the pride in the children and adults who are part of something that anyone would be proud to be a part of. This is doable.

                                   5. Adults Benefit Equally from Youth/Community Centers

In addition to the clear benefits for youth, the opportunity to reach adults at the same time is also present. Most of those rioting, looting and calling for violence, are adults who were once children in the Inner-City. If these adults can receive meaningful services and opportunities as well as the juvenile population, change will occur at a much faster rate. 

The needs of the adults are essentially the same as the juvenile population, but a much more exacerbated version. Many adults in the Inner-City are trapped by the simple fact that they cannot speak English or have no job skills. Contrary to the belief of many, these adults would love to be part of America, and would do so if the tools to make that a reality were in place. Adults would benefit from the same programs as the children. Job training, basic education, nutrition, exercise and the opportunity to spend time in a clean, positive environment would do wonders for the Inner-City morale and the communities in general.

C. Structural Components

At the outset, I want to point out that use of the term ‘Youth/Community Center’, is not limited to a single structure, but envisions a central structure with satellite centers throughout a designated district. The use of the term ‘National’ is not to indicate that a federal program is being suggested, but a statement of scope, and continuity of curriculum. The Youth/Community Centers would be created at the state and local levels. The term “Community” is being used to emphasize that the programs and benefits of the Center are available to the whole community.

1.   Staffing

Staff who work at the facilities must be properly trained, highly committed and paid appropriately. The services performed are invaluable, and if social change is really desired, people who give of their hearts, minds and souls to helping those in need are entitled to compensation which allows them to pay their bills and live a good quality of life just like other members of society. As a former law professor with a nice salary and lifestyle, I can assure you that living on minimum wage created a whole different mindset and attitude toward daily existence. The hard working child care workers in America need to be paid.

2.    Private Sector

The involvement of the private sector is essential if this is going to work. Assistance from the private sector is not simply directed toward money, although that obviously will be needed at some level. Every facility will need equipment, office supplies, and a wide range of products to operate a facility. Contributions from the private sector of ‘in kind’ nature are invaluable to a Youth/Community Center.

Mentoring is critical. Many Inner-City children and adults cannot read or do basic math. Many have no idea how to open a checking account. I have had some ask me how to address an envelope. The lack of the basic skills necessary to function in society is devastating. A good mentoring program which explains the basics necessary to function would be invaluable. This could be done online or at the Youth/Community Center.

Volunteers are always welcome at generally greatly needed. Volunteers can tutor, counsel, encourage, and teach. Every positive person that interacts with this population contributes to creating hope.

The private sector can become involved in the delivery of services online or in person, and with any support it may bring to the table. The opportunities are limitless.

3.   Infrastructure

It is essential to have the necessary infrastructure solidly in place for success to be achieved. I have seen, worked and consulted for programs that are fully funded and have everything necessary from a physical standpoint including: plenty of space; fully equipped weight rooms; basketball court; tutoring center; computer lab and tremendous community support. I have seen these same facilities empty, and ultimately close, because there was no infrastructure to support it.

4.   Economic Model

A solid economic model must be built to start and assist programs as needed. What does the prototype Youth/Community Center look like? What staffing positions need to be filled and what is the cost of filling these positions? As a general proposition, what are the operating costs for successfully running a Youth/Community Center? The precise costs are beyond the scope of this introductory piece; however, these need to be computed and to the greatest extent possible, standardized.

This is where staffing and the support of the private sector come into prominence. Surely there is a way to figure out a pay scale and staffing structure that will enable the Youth/Community Centers to attract and keep committed individuals. The private sector could help here with anything from donations to sponsorship. Private donations will be made, particularly when a plan is in place and results in donors’ immediate cities are seen.

5.   Oversight

The private sector can assist greatly in helping with the business operations of the Youth/Community Center in its area. The operations of a Youth/Community Center can be a very complicated endeavor which includes donations, grants, events, insurance and licensing requirements, $budgeting among other matters. Many executive directors of programs find themselves in complex business and administrative matters for which they are not trained. Enormous amounts of money are wasted, not for lack of caring, but for lack of understanding how to properly use and allocate assets that are made available. Business professionals would be invaluable in this area.

D. Funding

1.   Business Community

2.   Professional Sports Franchises

3.   Business Franchises

4.   Foundation Grants

5.   Government Grants

6.   General Population

7.   Tax Credits

At the outset, I would like to state what I believe is very obvious. There is plenty of money to create a national system of Youth/Community Centers. There are billions of dollars available through diverse channels in the private sector to make this a reality. The real question is whether people who are shouting for equality and justice are willing to open their bulging pocketbooks to make it happen.

There is one other thing very obvious to me. If Society does not rectify the nightmare of the Inner-City, race discrimination and horrific poverty existing in the wealthiest nation on earth, nothing will stop the horrific consequences which will be inevitable. The one per centers will have to leave the United States to escape it. No walls or security systems, or private police force can stop it.

With those introductory comments in place, let’s take a look at the funding sources available.

1.   Business Community

There is so much money available at the high end of the business community that the whole project could easily be funded. Amazon, IBM, Google, Wal Mart, and the list goes on and on of companies that are literally rolling in cash. It is time for these very financially successful companies to understand their moral obligation to the United States. I am not suggesting that these companies forego the massive profits they make every year. I am simply suggesting that they share some of this with those desperately in need. I also encourage these companies to remember what is coming if social justice in not achieved;

.

2.   Professional Sports Franchises

This multibillion industry is a perfect fit for a national system of Youth/Community Centers. Athletes make millions of dollars and organizations make billions of dollars. I see athletes and owners talking about doing the ‘right thing’. Taking a knee is statement of conscience and feelings. How about taking that conscience and those feelings and opening the pocketbook? I am not suggesting that the burden for funding should be on the athletes; just some help for running the centers. The owners obviously should open their wallets and step up.

There are 149 major league sports franchises in the United States. In 2019, the following amounts were generated in baseball, football, basketball and hockey. Major League Baseball generated $9.9 billion dollars; the National Football League generated $15 billion; the NBA generated $8.76 billion; National Hockey Association generated $5.09 billion.

Every professional sports franchise should fund at least one Youth/Community Center in its city and I would submit, beyond. The four sports noted above generated nearly 40 Billion Dollars in 2019. One per cent of that amount would equal $400,000,000 which in turn could fund 400 Youth/Community Centers at a budget with a very generous budget of $1,000,000 per year.

3.   Business Franchises

There are a large number of business franchises that could easily step up, and make a major difference without even putting a nick in their bottom line. In 2019 McDonald’s generated $21.08 billion dollars; Subway generated $10.2 billion; Burger King $1.78 billion; Wendy’s $1.71 billion. Starbuck’s generated $26.51 billion. These numbers represent PROFITS, not total sales generated by the company.

The total profits from these five franchises is about $61.29 billion. 1% of $61.29 billion dollars is $612.9 million. This is enough to fund another 612 Youth/Community Centers at the generous $1,000,000 budget noted above.

The point is obvious. There is an abundance of capital out there that could be used to fund Youth/Community Centers on a national level. I have presented only a handful of franchises from the food industry. I could do the math for the automobile industry, oil and gas industry, telecommunications industry and many others. 

The time has come to share some of this wealth to those currently in the streets fighting for survival. I personally prefer someone to give because they are spiritually aligned with what is right; however, money from those who simply finally understand that if they don’t give a little up, they will lose it all, is equally welcome.

4.   Foundation Grants

In 2015, non profit foundations reported $2.54 trillion dollars in revenue. Obviously, there is plenty of capital here to make a major contribution to any organized effort to achieve social justice in America.

5.   Government Grants

I much prefer the private sector to the public sector as a source of funding and oversight for the Youth/Community Centers. From what has been clearly demonstrated above, the private sector has more than adequate resources to create the system being advocated. Nevertheless, that money is available and if needed, should be used.

6.   Private Contributions

The total amount of contributions by private individuals in 2018 was $292.09 billion. If one per cent of that money were allocated to Youth/Community Centers, the amount would be $2.92 billion. I understand that there are many worthwhile causes out there, but I believe that keeping America from going up in flames should be the number one priority. If America is not in working order, none of the giving will matter.

7.   Tax Credits

The IRS creates charitable deductions as part of the IRS code. Statutory provisions currently in place create a structure where giving can be written off as a charitable deduction. Further incentives could be created if necessary, to make giving to a Youth/Community Center more likely.

           It is obvious that there is plenty of money available to create a National System of Youth/Community Centers. The real question is whether Americans with the resources will come to the realization that it is time to step up and help those desperately in need. I reiterate that if social justice is not achieved this time around, nobody will have anything.

E. Model Youth/Community Center

           The link below is to a five-phase plan pertaining to a National System of Youth Community Centers, as it looked in 2001. The drop-down menu has five parts. Part 5 deals with systems of implementation. The content in Parts 1-4, is designed to create the most accurate context possible through which to process implementation in Part 5.

           https://pathwaystoexcellence.us/phase5C.html         

F Final Thoughts

           I have spent nearly four decades working toward creating equal opportunities for people living and working in the Inner City. I have written numerous proposals, implemented programs which have been successful in multiple settings, but have never seen anything happen on a scale that would make a dent in the massive negativity and oppression in much of the Inner-City population. A movement of major magnitude is necessary to affect change. Anything less will not slow the tide of the negativity and the ultimate ending will be the same.

           I had almost completely given up on ever getting anyone listen, and was moving on to other things. Then Minneapolis happened. Partly out of frustration, I republished an article I had written five years ago predicting current events, as well as explaining some of the mindset that is accompanying what is happening. I was very surprised by the number of people who viewed the article and this fact, as well as the continued push in the streets, motivated me to write this communication.

           Everything going on can be fixed. At the end of the day, these processes are governed by the laws of physics just like everything else. If enough positive energy is released on multiple levels, through multiple channels, things change. We have the power to do this. I have done my best to contribute with this communication. If this first step is of sufficient interest, I will complete the other five pieces. If not, I will return to what I was working on prior to Minneapolis and will always be available if anyone ever wants to talk.

        Creating Equality in Fact: A Plan

I.             Creating Equality in Fact: Phase One

A.  Opening Comments

B.  The Protests of 2020

C.  Impact of Protests

D.  The Reality of Racism, For Now

E.  Diffusing the Bomb

F.   Public and Private Sector

G.  Understanding the Demographics

H.  The Real Inner City

I.    Business Opportunities

II.           The Starting Point

A.  Have a Solid Plan in Place

B.  Simultaneous, Steady Implementation

C.  General Time Line

III.         Phase One Components

A.  National System of Youth/Community Centers;      

B.  Inner-City Gangs: Creating Alternatives

C.  Equal Educational Opportunities: Bridging the Gap

D.  Engaging Businesses: Jobs; Training; Facility Oversight

E.   Connecting Attorneys and Residential Treatment Centers Throughout the United States;

F.   Maximizing the Unlimited Potential of the Entertainment Industry.

         Phase One: National System of Youth/Community Centers

A.  Understanding the Target Population

1.   The Basics

2.   The Gaps

3.   No Internal Operating System

B.      Benefits Created by Youth/Community Centers

1.   Safe Haven

2.   Life Changing Curriculum

3.   A Place to Exercise and Socialize

4.   Fills Many Gaps

D.  Structural Components

1.   Staffing

2.   Private Sector

3.    Infrastructure

4.   Economic Model

5.   Oversight

E.  Funding

1.   Business Community

2.   Professional Sports Franchises

3.   Business Franchises

4.   Foundation Grants

5.   Government Grants

6.   General Population

7.   Tax Credits

F.   Model Youth/Community Center

G.  Final Thoughts

A.  Opening Comments

The purpose of this post, and the five which follow, is to present an overview of a potential starting point, and several year plan, which is designed to dramatically improve the climate and opportunities for citizens in the Inner Cities of America.  Millions have been awakened to the horrific racism which pervades the inner city and life in general for the African American and other discriminated against minorities. As much as they want to help however, they do not know how. It is my hope that the proposal being made will show many ways to participate and turn that passion for equality into something tangible.

The proposal is macro in concept and content as it must be in order to successfully change the trajectory of negativity which exists within the disenfranchised element of the inner city. Multiple strategies must be ongoing simultaneously to turn around the mass of negative energy referred to. Fortunately, this is governed by the laws of physics, which means if the right triggers are created, positive energy will be released in the recipient. A good job creates a nice amount of positive energy. A nice home and a safe environment likewise. As these come into being, along with a wide range of services, the negativity is, to a very large degree, eliminated.

The first component part of the plan, A National System of Youth Community Centers, will be discussed in this post following some general thoughts.

First, the likelihood of eliminating all incidents of racial violence by public servants and every citizen in the private sector is zero. Substantially reducing, yes; eliminating, no; for the foreseeable future, there will be those for whom racism is a way of thought. The net effect of this reality is that other incidents will happen each of which has the potential to ignite a repeat, or worse, of what is currently being experienced in the streets of America. Those triggering incidents may be less frequent, but the result of their occurrence will be no less violent.

Second, steps to dramatically change the generational and systemic deprivation and discrimination under which residents of the inner city have been subjected to for decades, must be implemented. Nationwide protests and rioting have clearly raised awareness and have resulted in many Americans taking concrete steps on an individual level to do something to help, for which every thinking and caring individual must be grateful; however, increased awareness and singular actions are not enough.

B.  The Protests of 2020

Similar protests have been seen before. The race riots and violence of the 1960’s were explosive; likewise as to the protests, riots, burnings and lootings of the 1990’s sparked by the beating and injustices inflicted on Rodney King; the protests of the current decade in Ferguson following the killing of Michael Brown, and now the vicious murder of George Floyd, and the national outrage and destruction which has followed.  As one recent protestor proclaimed: ‘I can’t believe I have to do this again!’.               

C.  Impact of Protests

What has come out of these protests? Great legislation to be sure. The Voting Rights Act and Civil Rights Acts are great pieces of legislation and stand for the highest values of equality. The War Against Poverty sounded good and looked good. There are many great pieces of legislation. It is abundantly clear however, that this great legislation has not accomplished its desired objectives. Tragically, voter suppression is alive and well today in America; discrimination and bigotry continue to pulse through the veins of millions of United States citizens, and obviously, the war against poverty has failed miserably. Legislation and government are NOT the answers. They may facilitate the process, but they do not provide a solution.

D.  The Reality of Racism, For Now

I honestly believe a time will come when racial intolerance will be so far removed from the world as to be confined to cult status and considered fringe at best. That time however, is not at the present moment, so the strategy must incorporate the reality that racists are out there and they will, until removed from relevance, perform repugnant acts of racial violence. The question then becomes the following:

If the acts which ignite racial violence can’t be eliminated, with the resulting potential for explosion always present, what can be done to prevent the explosion in the streets when such an event occurs?

The answer is the same as if you were dealing with any explosive device: you eliminate the components that make it explode. If you have a square box which contains one pound of gun powder tightly packed which is ignited, the explosion would be deafening to anyone nearby, and would kill anyone too close to it.  If, however, the container was opened and 98% of the gun powder were removed before it was ignited, there would be no explosion.

E.  Diffusing the Bomb

           In the present situation, the device getting ready to explode is inhabited by a mass of humanity that has been systemically battered and discriminated against forever. All of the elements for a high-level explosion are in place. No jobs, no money, limited education, all causing seething anger, and the worst is the perceived daily reality that there is no way out. This is the day to day, year to year, generation to generation reality many people in the inner-city face. As these underlying causes are treated successfully, the explosive power of the energy is proportionately diminished.

           It follows therefore, that in order for a plan to succeed, the underlying causes of the potential volatility must be successfully addressed. Success does not mean there won’t be outrage and anger when a stupid and pitiful act of racism shows its face. What it does mean however, is that these acts will be impacting upon a population which has seen its life dramatically change for the better. People have jobs and education, the power and dignity of the ability to purchase goods and services, and they are eating healthy and are surrounded by opportunities to better their lives. They will understand that there are many white Americans who embrace their color and ethnicity. The net effect of these positives is to create a totally different perspective and processing mechanism when something once capable of igniting rioting occurs.

F.   Public and Private Sector

The solutions to the current problems will necessarily involve the public and private sectors. The public sector can be very instrumental in education and in the overall process as a facilitator. The majority of the infrastructure however, must come from the private sector and must be powerful enough to change things on a massive scale-a change so powerful that it changes the very trajectory of energy from the negative to the positive. The abuses under consideration have occurred in many cases for hundreds of years, and of particular relevance throughout the past five decades, linking all live generations in the process. This creates a very difficult barrier which must be understood and overcome.

G.  Understanding the Demographics

In order to do that, there must be an accurate picture of the inner-city population that the plan is targeted to address, and particularly, the impact upon the of systemic long-term abuse and discrimination on this population. Such a picture will reveal precise target areas which need to be addressed, and will thus provide a solid foundation from which a plan can be created. I believe it is essential that those who read this have the greatest understanding of the target population possible, so that when the various proposals are made, the connection between what is being advocated as a treatment, and the target population is clearly seen, i.e., to create a more accurate lens for processing.

H.  The Real Inner City

 Most mainstream Americans have never been in the inner-city and have a picture in their minds based upon television, print and other media. The perception, particularly right now, is one of anger, gangs and streets filled with individuals ready for violence. That element is certainly present, but the reality of the inner city is much more that that. I had the privilege of spending nearly a decade working in East Los Angeles, in the public, quasi- public and private sectors. This provided the opportunity to interact with a very large number of highly intelligent, successful individuals who live and work in the inner-city, as well as the gang members and Inner-City youth I was working with. People with restaurants, some of which are elegant inside and a variety of well-maintained stores and businesses. There is a special dignity in the inner city which accompanies this level of success. Therefore, to accurately understand the composition of the inner city, one must include the fact that there are many talented, wonderful and successful individuals within the geographic boundaries that also house those desperately in need.

I.    Business Opportunities

While our strategies must be focused on the victims of historical discrimination in conceptualizing the target we seek to reach, it is important to understand what else is in place. The existence of thriving businesses clearly indicates the potential for more. Many of these businesses make regular donations to those in need within the inner city, and their presence clearly demonstrates the viability and profitability of a wide range of businesses within the inner city. This has great relevance to any long-term strategy put in place.

With these preliminary thoughts concluded, I will begin to present the proposal.         

II. The Starting Point

A.  Have a Solid Plan in Place

First and foremost, have a plan in place. The magnitude of the challenge is very significant, and must be overcome with a very solid strategy. In this instance, there needs to be a macro national strategy since the issues being addressed are national in scope. There also needs to be a strategy for implementation on the local level, since this is the most important to the residents of the respective Inner City. Good planning will include members of this community.

l Like any new endeavor of significant magnitude, it takes time to develop the best model, but the basic components would not be that hard to assemble in each of the six component parts of the proposal.

B.  Simultaneous Steady Implementation

Overcoming the deprivation and discrimination of many generations cannot be accomplished piecemeal. A positive element must be generated on multiple fronts, simultaneously.  The proposal suggests that each of the component parts begin at roughly the same time, and at a level that is sensible and can be maintained. Once individuals see how much good is being accomplished, the implementation will be quicker and easier.

C.  General Time Line

Integral to the plan, a time line and strategy for addressing each of the elements stated above should be in place. By way of illustration:

1.   The time line for implementing the start of the Youth/Community Centers in a designated location, and generally what will be offered; (This will be going on simultaneously throughout the United States on a relatively flexible, yet solid, predetermined roll out schedule.)

2.   The time line and concrete steps that will be taken to address the root causes of gangs and gang activity and to create the start of a pathway to a better life; What are some of the programs that will be offered, and when?

3.   Which business will create programs which employ members of the inner-city population and when will this start? Who will provide job training? Which businesses will step up to help with the oversight of the youth centers, or satellite youth centers, in a designated area?

4.   What are the programs to be implemented which will educate and accelerate movement toward education and jobs; what programs can the educational system in connection with the private sector that can lead to gainful employment? What ESL programs will be put in place?

5.   Which law firms, in each city across the United States, will step up and work with abused and neglected children in their communities?

6.   The level of importance for the entertainment industry is so vast that it cannot be distilled into a short description. Suffice it to say, through existing channels or newly created channels, the vast power of the media must be used to release positive energy, and generate funding for programs. 

D.  The Importance of a Plan

There are many reasons why it is important to have a plan in place. Most obvious of course, is being able to plan and coordinate the implementation of the various component parts which comprise the plan. Implementation is far more complex than creating the structure. It requires creating strategies for financing operations; acquiring personnel to assist; time lines for a multitude of programs; mobilizing various sectors of society; creating a technological structure that will make high level distance learning and meaningful communication possible.

 The second and equally important reason that it is extremely important to have a plan in place is because it creates a solid foundation for the most important initial and sustaining ingredient: Hope. There are very sophisticated channels and networks of communication in the Inner-City, the same as anywhere else. Once a plan is in place, word of it will spread and it will be discussed. When the question of what is being done is presented, as it has been for decades, this time there will be an answer, and it will be a good one. People will be aware that good things are coming. Once those good things do in fact start coming, people are listening more closely, cooperation begins, and seeds of hope are planted. I have observed and participated in this phenomenon on a very personal and professional level in the inner-city as well as detention centers.

               III. Phase One: Six Initial Components

A.  National System of Youth/Community Centers;

B.  Inner-City Gangs: Creating Alternatives

C.  Equal Educational Opportunities: Bridging the Gap

D.  Engaging Businesses to Sponsor Inner-City Employment, Job Training and to Assist in Oversight of Youth/Community Centers

E.  Partnership Between the United States Legal Community and Residential Treatment Centers Throughout the United States;

F.   Maximizing the Unlimited Potential of the Entertainment Industry.

Phase One: National System of Youth/Community Centers

A.  Understanding the Target Population

1.   The Basics

2.   The Gaps

3.   No Internal Operating Mechanism

B.  Benefits Created by Youth/Community Centers

1.   Safe Haven

2.   Life Changing Curriculum

3.   A Place to Exercise and Socialize

4.   Fills Many Gaps

C.  Structural Components

1.   Staffing

2.   Private Sector

3.   Infrastructure

4.   Economic Model

5.   Oversight

D.  Funding

1.   Business Community

2.   Professional Sports Franchises

3.   Business Franchises

4.   Foundation Grants

5.   Government Grants

6.   General Population

7.   Tax Credits

E.  Model Youth/Community Center

A.  Understanding the Target Population

Throughout this presentation, I have attempted to create an accurate picture of the mindset and pain of a large portion of the population of the Inner-City, and will elaborate further below. This is essential so that the connection between programs and clientele is made. There are certain clear common needs among the target population; programs directed to these common needs will ensure that programs will reach a large segment of those who need services.

1.   The Basics

In 1984 I went to work in California’s Group Home system for abused, neglected and incarcerated minors. One of the things that became immediately clear was that the children I was working with were universally lacking in fundamental areas common among mainstream teenagers. When one observes the characteristics that make up the mainstream American child, one will see that she or he maintains a certain level of hygiene; has an appropriate level of education; generally, follows the rules; displays an appropriate level of social skills; eats relatively healthy and does some exercise. While there certainly are other characteristics that might come to mind, these allow me to best illustrate my point.

2.   The Gaps

Most of the thousands of children I worked with in locked facilities and residential treatment, over four decades, were severely lacking in all of the categories noted above. Poor hygiene, horrible eating and no exercise; no social skills, little or no education. Obviously, this is not the fault of the child, but the child which is produced out of that environment is a different life form which needs to be reprogrammed in order to have a free, happy and productive life which, I assure you, is what most of them want.

I saw this most vividly when working in residential treatment, for I was part of every aspect of their lives, from the morning routine, through dinner and into the next day. I saw how little they knew about something as basic as brushing or flossing their teeth, changing their sheets, social manners, and how to conduct themselves at the dinner table. I saw many such areas, ‘gaps’ I called them, and I theorized that the more gaps I could fill, the closer the child was to the mainstream prototype he needed to be to succeed.  Once enough gaps were filled, the theory was that the child would have a clean shot at success. This proved to be case.

3.   No Internal Operating System

In addition to having the characteristics noted above, mainstream American children have a series of routines they perform on a daily basis, ranging from hygiene to school, a chore perhaps, homework, or a sport, and other events on a regular basis. Most of the children I worked with had no such system, and could best be described as randomly moving from point A and bouncing off a wall and moving somewhere completely random. I theorized that if I could create a structure which would supply an internal operating system, behavior problems would be greatly reduced. This also proved to be the case.

At this point, I understood that if enough gaps were filled, behaviors, attitudes and ultimately life itself would change. I saw this repeatedly for the five years I worked in residential treatment, and to a meaningful extent, in detention. However, while I saw tremendous value in residential treatment and detention in addressing these gaps, it provided a very small percentage of the children who needed help, particularly those released from detention into society. I questioned how the necessary services could be provided on a much larger scale. How could these ‘component parts’ be put into place? How could a child receive education, life skills instruction health and fitness and everything he or she needs to have a clean shot at life? Furthermore, how could this be done in a time effective, cost effective manner. Solutions which are too time-consuming or expensive are stopped before they can begin. Everything must be based on reality.

My experiences in the Inner-City confirmed something that was obvious on paper, but up close had a much different impact-the very deprived children of yesterday become very deprived adults of today. One major difference between the categories however, is the reality of being uneducated and unemployable as a way of life has hit the adult in a much different way than the youth who somehow hopes to find a way out. That being the case, the adult population needing or desiring services must be included in a plan that seeks to make a major impact on a societal level.

In 1984, I concluded that the solution could be achieved by creating dynamic, learning driven Youth/Community Centers which provided all of the services, or access to those services, which could fill the gaps of life within this population. A ‘one stop shop’ where people can dramatically improve the quality of their lives.

The services required to rectify past deprivation are extensive. If these services were to be sought out individually, it would be extremely time consuming and costly. In addition, assuming services could be found, transportation issues to get to destinations would often be prohibitive. A properly designed and operated Youth/Community Center would provide all of the services necessary to enable anyone who truly desired a new life and new opportunities to obtain them.

B.  Benefits Created by Youth/Community Centers

1.   Safe Haven

2.   Life Changing Curriculum

3.   A Place to Exercise and Socialize

4.   Fills Many Gaps

5.   Adults Benefit Equally from Youth/Community Centers

C.  Structural Components

1.   Staffing

2.   Private Sector

3.   Infrastructure

4.   Economic Model

5.   Oversight

D.  Funding

1.   Business Community

2.   Professional Sports Franchises

3.   Business Franchises

4.   Foundation Grants

5.   Government Grants

6.   General Population

7.   Tax Credits

E.  Model Youth/Community Center

F.   Final Thoughts

A.   Benefits Created by Youth/Community Centers

1.   Safe Haven

           First and foremost, Youth/Community Center provides a safe and reliable place to go.

For many children in the Inner-City, chaos is a way of life. Moving from place to place so often that many do not know the address where they currently live, just how to get there. I have seen many children booked into custody who do not know their address.

A Youth/Community Center would provide a place where ‘everything is OK’. Somewhere that is reliable, and a constant. There are organizations that provide such facilities in their communities, but these rarely appear in the core of the Inner-City. Within these areas there are children roaming the streets who have nowhere to go. 

In addition, many of the children are hungry. I have seen this personally in East Los Angeles and in Bradenton Florida where I was dean of students at an extremely high-risk high school. Once the principal and I started serving pancakes, eggs and sausages three days a week, attendance and behavior improved dramatically.

Having a nice, clean safe place to go, where individuals can eat and feel good about their surroundings is great first step and will get them into the building. At that point, services can be delivered.

2.   Life Changing Curriculum

Second, a Youth Community Center will provide a high-quality curriculum which simultaneously bridges the gap between standard academic performance while elevating highest level thinking skills.

It is impossible to overestimate the importance of delivering high quality content by inspired, well prepared instructors. Thought patterns of hopelessness and anger need to be replaced with thoughts of optimism and hope, which themselves must be predicated upon content, not hype.

Many of these individuals need and crave education and that education must be supplied through the Youth/Community Center, particularly for those who are high school level or older who test out at 2nd to 4th grade in academics. Many of these children are highly intelligent, but dropped out of school for a variety of reasons.

The curriculum within the Youth Community Centers for which I am advocating would simultaneously work on programs involving the highest-level thinking skills, as well as basic core subjects. The availability of high-quality online education creates opportunities for very efficient delivery of a wide range of content. Supplement this with mentors from the community, in person or online, and there is a piece of the infrastructure in place.

The programs that I would focus on are the following:

1.   Decision Making;

2.   Character Education;

3.    Philosophy;

4.   Life Skills;

5.   Health and Fitness;

6.   Tutoring Programs;

7.   G.E.D. Programs;

8.   E.S.L.;

9.   Individual Rights

‘

The goal is to create a uniquely designed ‘mini school’ within the Youth/Community Center which will resonate within the communities served. The essence of the curriculum is that someone could walk in the door seeking to create a new and better version of her or himself, and walk out the door with education, job skills, physically fit, and whole new attitude on life. Everything to create this new and improved version would be available.

My experience has universally been that the children want to learn and enjoy learning when material is presented in a way that resonates. The life lived by many of the children has created a very high intellectual dimension which can engage in high level thinking.

3.   A Place to Exercise and Socialize

Third, a Youth/Community Center provides a place where people can exercise and socialize.

Most people who are reading this have a nice home and many options for entertaining themselves. During this brief period of quarantine, many have come to realize how wonderful it was to go out at night, to a movie or out to dinner. Or to go to the gym to train, or play golf and tennis. These options are taken for granted by mainstream America, to the point where they are currently willing to risk a deadly disease so they can go the beach and do what they want.

For many in the Inner-City there is are no such opportunities. Reality is such that it is expensive, and sometimes dangerous to go out at night. There are no golf courses in the Inner City and maybe one or two tennis courts, and rare movie theatre.

A Youth/Community Center would be a place to stay healthy and fit and to perhaps go for a movie or other program being presented. This could easily be done at all satellite facilities as well. Now people have somewhere to go which they can be proud to be associated with. Moreover, if they take advantage of the educational and job opportunities available, they have amazing new options as well.

                                   4.  Fills Many Gaps

           The essence of a properly equipped and funded Youth/Community Center is to present a venue where virtually all of the gaps can be filled. High level learning, a place to train and socialize that is first class venue, will help heal many wounds. I have seen the pride in the children and adults who are part of something that anyone would be proud to be a part of. This is doable.

                                   5. Adults Benefit Equally from Youth/Community Centers

In addition to the clear benefits for youth, the opportunity to reach adults at the same time is also present. Most of those rioting, looting and calling for violence, are adults who were once children in the Inner-City. If these adults can receive meaningful services and opportunities as well as the juvenile population, change will occur at a much faster rate. 

The needs of the adults are essentially the same as the juvenile population, but a much more exacerbated version. Many adults in the Inner-City are trapped by the simple fact that they cannot speak English or have no job skills. Contrary to the belief of many, these adults would love to be part of America, and would do so if the tools to make that a reality were in place. Adults would benefit from the same programs as the children. Job training, basic education, nutrition, exercise and the opportunity to spend time in a clean, positive environment would do wonders for the Inner-City morale and the communities in general.

C. Structural Components

At the outset, I want to point out that use of the term ‘Youth/Community Center’, is not limited to a single structure, but envisions a central structure with satellite centers throughout a designated district. The use of the term ‘National’ is not to indicate that a federal program is being suggested, but a statement of scope, and continuity of curriculum. The Youth/Community Centers would be created at the state and local levels. The term “Community” is being used to emphasize that the programs and benefits of the Center are available to the whole community.

1.   Staffing

Staff who work at the facilities must be properly trained, highly committed and paid appropriately. The services performed are invaluable, and if social change is really desired, people who give of their hearts, minds and souls to helping those in need are entitled to compensation which allows them to pay their bills and live a good quality of life just like other members of society. As a former law professor with a nice salary and lifestyle, I can assure you that living on minimum wage created a whole different mindset and attitude toward daily existence. The hard working child care workers in America need to be paid.

2.    Private Sector

The involvement of the private sector is essential if this is going to work. Assistance from the private sector is not simply directed toward money, although that obviously will be needed at some level. Every facility will need equipment, office supplies, and a wide range of products to operate a facility. Contributions from the private sector of ‘in kind’ nature are invaluable to a Youth/Community Center.

Mentoring is critical. Many Inner-City children and adults cannot read or do basic math. Many have no idea how to open a checking account. I have had some ask me how to address an envelope. The lack of the basic skills necessary to function in society is devastating. A good mentoring program which explains the basics necessary to function would be invaluable. This could be done online or at the Youth/Community Center.

Volunteers are always welcome at generally greatly needed. Volunteers can tutor, counsel, encourage, and teach. Every positive person that interacts with this population contributes to creating hope.

The private sector can become involved in the delivery of services online or in person, and with any support it may bring to the table. The opportunities are limitless.

3.   Infrastructure

It is essential to have the necessary infrastructure solidly in place for success to be achieved. I have seen, worked and consulted for programs that are fully funded and have everything necessary from a physical standpoint including: plenty of space; fully equipped weight rooms; basketball court; tutoring center; computer lab and tremendous community support. I have seen these same facilities empty, and ultimately close, because there was no infrastructure to support it.

4.   Economic Model

A solid economic model must be built to start and assist programs as needed. What does the prototype Youth/Community Center look like? What staffing positions need to be filled and what is the cost of filling these positions? As a general proposition, what are the operating costs for successfully running a Youth/Community Center? The precise costs are beyond the scope of this introductory piece; however, these need to be computed and to the greatest extent possible, standardized.

This is where staffing and the support of the private sector come into prominence. Surely there is a way to figure out a pay scale and staffing structure that will enable the Youth/Community Centers to attract and keep committed individuals. The private sector could help here with anything from donations to sponsorship. Private donations will be made, particularly when a plan is in place and results in donors’ immediate cities are seen.

5.   Oversight

The private sector can assist greatly in helping with the business operations of the Youth/Community Center in its area. The operations of a Youth/Community Center can be a very complicated endeavor which includes donations, grants, events, insurance and licensing requirements, $budgeting among other matters. Many executive directors of programs find themselves in complex business and administrative matters for which they are not trained. Enormous amounts of money are wasted, not for lack of caring, but for lack of understanding how to properly use and allocate assets that are made available. Business professionals would be invaluable in this area.

D. Funding

1.   Business Community

2.   Professional Sports Franchises

3.   Business Franchises

4.   Foundation Grants

5.   Government Grants

6.   General Population

7.   Tax Credits

At the outset, I would like to state what I believe is very obvious. There is plenty of money to create a national system of Youth/Community Centers. There are billions of dollars available through diverse channels in the private sector to make this a reality. The real question is whether people who are shouting for equality and justice are willing to open their bulging pocketbooks to make it happen.

There is one other thing very obvious to me. If Society does not rectify the nightmare of the Inner-City, race discrimination and horrific poverty existing in the wealthiest nation on earth, nothing will stop the horrific consequences which will be inevitable. The one per centers will have to leave the United States to escape it. No walls or security systems, or private police force can stop it.

With those introductory comments in place, let’s take a look at the funding sources available.

1.   Business Community

There is so much money available at the high end of the business community that the whole project could easily be funded. Amazon, IBM, Google, Wal Mart, and the list goes on and on of companies that are literally rolling in cash. It is time for these very financially successful companies to understand their moral obligation to the United States. I am not suggesting that these companies forego the massive profits they make every year. I am simply suggesting that they share some of this with those desperately in need. I also encourage these companies to remember what is coming if social justice in not achieved;

.

2.   Professional Sports Franchises

This multibillion industry is a perfect fit for a national system of Youth/Community Centers. Athletes make millions of dollars and organizations make billions of dollars. I see athletes and owners talking about doing the ‘right thing’. Taking a knee is statement of conscience and feelings. How about taking that conscience and those feelings and opening the pocketbook? I am not suggesting that the burden for funding should be on the athletes; just some help for running the centers. The owners obviously should open their wallets and step up.

There are 149 major league sports franchises in the United States. In 2019, the following amounts were generated in baseball, football, basketball and hockey. Major League Baseball generated $9.9 billion dollars; the National Football League generated $15 billion; the NBA generated $8.76 billion; National Hockey Association generated $5.09 billion.

Every professional sports franchise should fund at least one Youth/Community Center in its city and I would submit, beyond. The four sports noted above generated nearly 40 Billion Dollars in 2019. One per cent of that amount would equal $400,000,000 which in turn could fund 400 Youth/Community Centers at a budget with a very generous budget of $1,000,000 per year.

3.   Business Franchises

There are a large number of business franchises that could easily step up, and make a major difference without even putting a nick in their bottom line. In 2019 McDonald’s generated $21.08 billion dollars; Subway generated $10.2 billion; Burger King $1.78 billion; Wendy’s $1.71 billion. Starbuck’s generated $26.51 billion. These numbers represent PROFITS, not total sales generated by the company.

The total profits from these five franchises is about $61.29 billion. 1% of $61.29 billion dollars is $612.9 million. This is enough to fund another 612 Youth/Community Centers at the generous $1,000,000 budget noted above.

The point is obvious. There is an abundance of capital out there that could be used to fund Youth/Community Centers on a national level. I have presented only a handful of franchises from the food industry. I could do the math for the automobile industry, oil and gas industry, telecommunications industry and many others. 

The time has come to share some of this wealth to those currently in the streets fighting for survival. I personally prefer someone to give because they are spiritually aligned with what is right; however, money from those who simply finally understand that if they don’t give a little up, they will lose it all, is equally welcome.

4.   Foundation Grants

In 2015, non profit foundations reported $2.54 trillion dollars in revenue. Obviously, there is plenty of capital here to make a major contribution to any organized effort to achieve social justice in America.

5.   Government Grants

I much prefer the private sector to the public sector as a source of funding and oversight for the Youth/Community Centers. From what has been clearly demonstrated above, the private sector has more than adequate resources to create the system being advocated. Nevertheless, that money is available and if needed, should be used.

6.   Private Contributions

The total amount of contributions by private individuals in 2018 was $292.09 billion. If one per cent of that money were allocated to Youth/Community Centers, the amount would be $2.92 billion. I understand that there are many worthwhile causes out there, but I believe that keeping America from going up in flames should be the number one priority. If America is not in working order, none of the giving will matter.

7.   Tax Credits

The IRS creates charitable deductions as part of the IRS code. Statutory provisions currently in place create a structure where giving can be written off as a charitable deduction. Further incentives could be created if necessary, to make giving to a Youth/Community Center more likely.

           It is obvious that there is plenty of money available to create a National System of Youth/Community Centers. The real question is whether Americans with the resources will come to the realization that it is time to step up and help those desperately in need. I reiterate that if social justice is not achieved this time around, nobody will have anything.

E. Model Youth/Community Center

           The link below is to a five-phase plan pertaining to a National System of Youth Community Centers, as it looked in 2001. The drop-down menu has five parts. Part 5 deals with systems of implementation. The content in Parts 1-4, is designed to create the most accurate context possible through which to process implementation in Part 5.

           https://pathwaystoexcellence.us/phase5C.html         

F Final Thoughts

           I have spent nearly four decades working toward creating equal opportunities for people living and working in the Inner City. I have written numerous proposals, implemented programs which have been successful in multiple settings, but have never seen anything happen on a scale that would make a dent in the massive negativity and oppression in much of the Inner-City population. A movement of major magnitude is necessary to affect change. Anything less will not slow the tide of the negativity and the ultimate ending will be the same.

           I had almost completely given up on ever getting anyone listen, and was moving on to other things. Then Minneapolis happened. Partly out of frustration, I republished an article I had written five years ago predicting current events, as well as explaining some of the mindset that is accompanying what is happening. I was very surprised by the number of people who viewed the article and this fact, as well as the continued push in the streets, motivated me to write this communication.

           Everything going on can be fixed. At the end of the day, these processes are governed by the laws of physics just like everything else. If enough positive energy is released on multiple levels, through multiple channels, things change. We have the power to do this. I have done my best to contribute with this communication. If this first step is of sufficient interest, I will complete the other five pieces. If not, I will return to what I was working on prior to Minneapolis and will always be available if anyone ever wants to talk.