In a pivotal meeting on Friday, January 5th, members of the CELT Committee ( Community Equity Leadership Team) gathered with Dr. Taylor, the Superintendent of Wake County Public Schools to address community conflict and harm. The committee, comprised of 22 service providers and organizational leaders who felt excluded from the hearing process came together to establish a connection with Dr. Taylor, who had assumed the position in October 2023.  

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The Peacekeeping Circle Approach 
Geraldine Alshamy took the reins as the leader of the discussion, utilizing a peacekeeping circle approach to create a safe and inclusive space for everyone involved. This method allowed each participant to express their thoughts and concerns openly, ensuring that every voice was heard and valued. The circle format encourages active listening, empathy, and mutual understanding, setting the stage for constructive dialogue. 

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Individual Perspectives on Equity: 
One of the powerful elements of the meeting was the opportunity for each participant to introduce themselves and briefly share their perspective on what equity means to them. This exercise not only allowed for a diverse range of voices to be heard but also highlighted the multifaceted nature of equity. Participants shared personal stories, experiences, and visions for a more equitable educational system, contributing to a richer and more nuanced conversation. 

KCSSU Kevin Bobbit

Building Stronger Relations: 
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to building stronger relationships and fostering more meaningful collaborative efforts between the CELT Committee and Wake County Public Schools. The promise to establish a continuous and open line of communication signifies a positive step towards addressing the concerns raised by the committee and ensuring that the needs of the community are acknowledged and addressed. 

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Implications for the Future:    
The collaborative and open dialogue between the Celt Committee and Dr. Taylor sets a precedent for future engagements between community groups and educational leaders. The use of the peacekeeping circle approach proved effective in creating an environment where concerns were addressed, and a sense of unity and understanding was cultivated. The commitment to ongoing collaboration signifies a shift towards a more inclusive and equitable educational system in Wake County.

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Conclusion:
The meeting between the Celt Committee and Dr. Taylor marks a significant step forward in fostering equity and collaboration within Wake County schools. By employing the peacekeeping circle approach and encouraging open dialogue, the committee and the superintendent have laid the foundation for a more inclusive educational system. As they move forward with their promise to build stronger relations, the community can anticipate more positive and impactful changes in the pursuit of educational equity.

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Dreamkeepper-4

An Essential Historical Preface to My Fellow Futurists

Every American of African descent descends from a prior generation that refused to give in and give up, amidst racial oppression. Due to our unique history in the Americas, we can all lay claim to a unique superpower of epigenetic resilience, born of individual and collective refusal to lay down and give up the ghost, while held within the inhuman and impossible captivity of the ships of the middle passage that reached  American shores. We are the remnant of the strongest of the strong survivors. Mind you, we are now 46.8 million strong.

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Our ancestors were futurists, even within the shackled hold of the ships, before the word was even conceived! Long before the middle passage. We were the futurists of ancient kingdoms: Kemet, Cush, Songhai. So many. 

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Having survived 246 (1619-1865) years of captivity in America, by sheer force of will, faith, and self-preparedness, there is a collective legacy of resilience and God-given brilliance that is currently a  “sleeping giant” within each of us. 

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It re-emerged, during Reconstruction to result in unapparelled  collective recovery, revival and thrival.  So effectively did we educate, organize, churn our dollars internally and begin to build infrastructures for the future, that a collective backlash of fear resulted. Their fear of karma. Jim Crow laws ensued, bringing to a halt our marvels of futurist expression.   Our “sleeping giant” of faith, knowledge acquisition, and collective economic mobilization would re-awaken, briefly during the Niagara Movement, and the Civil Rights Era.

Every Single Right Niagara Founders

The power of African American collective futurism has become submerged in the decades following, in preference for self-absorbed acquisition, consumption, and self-centered expenditure of our 1.6 Trillion disposable income, which we send out and beyond our community 365 days a year. 

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African Americans have become full of contradictions in their economic priorities. What did we forget to save, give, spend wisely, and invest in kinship community, uplift and fortify the two parent family? We seem to have forgotten the power of  “churn”, reciprocity, kindness, togetherness, intentionality, practiced by our ancestors. We have become oblivious to the fact that, no matter our affluence, we remain captive to the same 1619 Legacy economy and hegemony that profiteered from the bondage of Africans during slavery, and now profiteers from the financial, strategic, and spiritual unpreparedness of all citizens, regardless of ethnicity, in 2023. We are still in the Plantatrix.  

An ominous prediction awaits our children, and their children, if we do not resurrect and deploy the futurism of our forefathers. By 2053, African American median wealth is predicted to fall to zero. What does this mean? Life-long labor, life-long debt, no hope of retirement, and diminished quality of life. 

What would the ancestors say, of our state of affairs today? 

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When God gives you something to do, he will not leave you alone. He will send calamity to turn your attention back to Him, and God alone. 

My wake up call, came in 1996. 

I am graduate of University of San Francisco, with a BA in Business Administration. I achieved honors certification in Computer Aided Design Drafting from Durham Technical Community College. I have over 30 years of combined experiences in amateur radio technology, digital graphics, website development, and cross-platform Android/iPhone mobile app development. 

In spite of all of my acquired education and certification, all of that meant nothing, when I found myself, in 1996, totally devastated financially and strategically, in the aftermath of hurricane Fran. By faith, and a refusal to give into self-loathing and despair, I revived. 

It was then, that I decided to never again find myself, or my young children at that time, in such a vulnerable position again.  I could not blame my situation on a failed marriage, “The Man”, or Satan. One must change. Pam Kelly became a prepper. 

Futurist Pam Kelly
Since 1996, in the after math of Hurricane Fran, Pam Kelly self-identifies as a prepper, not the doomsday sort, or the or the TV show “Survivor” type. There is, perhaps a futility in being a doomsday prepper, if that variety’s numbers are only 10%. The remaining 90% of the unprepared have an arsenal too: being the majority!  It is in society’s best interest to promote and provide equity of access to financial, strategic, and spiritual preparedness for all. 

From a cultural standpoint, people of African descent in America, will continue to experience personal and collective “doomsdays”, no matter our social standing, celebrity, or affluence,  as long as we are immersed in a in a 1619 legacy economy and society that continues to dispense justice and injustice based upon the antiquated supremacist construct of race. Race must become dismembered and retired. A preparedness-driven economy has the economic power to do that. By establishing equitable access to preparedness for all, there remains only one human race, and two kinds of people: The prepared and the unprepared. 

“There can be no enduring social justice and access to economic opportunity for all Americans until a preparedness-driven economy is a part of it.” - Pam Kelly, Founder, iPrep2Thrive

The time is coming when skin color will not matter. Who do you want in your foxhole? The prepared or unprepared. Pam Kelly faced her decision in 1996.  The COVID Pandemic forced others to make their decision too, setting aside all man-made distinctions of “race”, in preference for being prepared and associating with those who value its benefits. Culture, ethnicity, tribe will always remain, as God divined human attributes. 

Pam Kelly now self-identifies as a “Futurist Prepper” or “Life-Cycle Prepper”.  She believes in better  futures, in spite of how the present looks, and prepares for it; financially, strategically, spiritually. 

Cyber Futuristiprep2trive works to prepare us for a bright economic future.

Along her journey, Pam Kelly shared her situation with an A.M.E. Minister, Rev. M. Jordan, who said to her, “Pam, you must learn to live at less than 100% of your dollar”.  Recently divorced, with two young children, and a home to maintain, she listened to his advice and politely responded, “I can’t do that right now, Reverend.” He compassionately said, “It’s tough for you now. Just start where you are, with just a dollar. Save each week and you will arrive there. You must also give. Reduce your spending. Many things you don’t need. You will stumble along the way, but never give up, on yourself. You’ll get there.”  Awakening.

5-10-10-75™ 

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From the Reverend’s compassionate wisdom, Pam Kelly devised a system: 5-10-10-75™. Hardly a new invention. It is an innovative application of traditional financial wisdom. 

Invest in your kinship community 5%, , Save 10%+, Give back 10% , Spend 75% or less of your dollar, and you will prosper.  Financial Preparedness pays. 

Furthermore, Pam Kelly has boldly launched a  mobilization towards a  5-10-10-75™ prepared populace, that saves, gives back, spends wisely, and supports their kinship communities, and offers the best hope of revival and survival of all of us, as one human “race.” There is no black or white, only the prepared and the unprepared. 

Pam Kelly is committed to dismembering the 2053 economic prediction within her kinship community, by every legitimate means necessary, with all deliberate speed. She is not alone, her futurist ancestors surround her: Tubman, DuBois, Malcolm, Dr. King. So many. 

The Solution

Support the CyberBears

Pam Kelly innovated the 5-10-10-75™ Preparedness Pays program as a “Tier 1” Financial preparedness solution, towards a preparedness-strong household, culture, and community.

Tier 1 Priorities: 

1. Do a  5-10-10-75™ CashFlow Preparedness audit. Bucket your dollars and see where you are overspending. Low cost and free tools are available at www.iPrep2Thrive. 

2. Get your SHTF cash together. Sufficient emergency cash is your 1^st line of defense against desperate behaviors when #SHTF. Free Savings Schedules are available at www.iPrep2Thrive.com 

3. Spend 25% less.  With membership to iPrep2Thrive.com, receive Pam’s Top 10 Tips on how to reduce your expenditures by 25% in 3 months or less, so that you are living at 75% or less of your income dollar.

4. Increase income.    www.iPrep2Thrive.com is the only program that pays members 17% to spread the good news that Preparedness Pay$. We want everyone to acquire their cash stash by every legitimate means necessary, with all deliberate speed! 

5. Give Back. It is reparations to the sacrifices of the Ancestors. It is investment in the futurists ahead of you. It is the key to the experiencing God’s abundance meant just for you! 

Pam Kelly,  Futurist and Innovator of CashFlow 5-10-10-75™. 

“I am messenger, come to bring good news to the people. It is time to wake up the ‘sleeping giant’ within you. Wake up, Futurist!”

The TMT Youth Community Foundation has taken a giant leap into the world of sports and education with the launch of TMT SportsTV. The inaugural event, Media Day, held on Sunday, November 14th, not only marked the beginning of an exciting journey but also showcased the foundation's commitment to fostering holistic development among the youth. TMT Sports TV is not just a broadcast; it's a strategic partner, enhancing the reach, storytelling, and financial success of local football organizations." This program bridges the gap between sports and STEAM careers, offering youth a unique opportunity to explore the science of journalism and the engineering of robots. This event aims to unleash the potential of our future leaders by connecting sports enthusiasts with exciting STEAM pathways. TMT Sports TV - Media Day is where passion meets possibility and profits.” 
 

TMT Media Day

A Platform for Empowerment

It was a day of fusion of community, creativity, and exposure! TMT SportsTV aims to be more than just a sports channel; it is a platform designed to empower young minds. The foundation believes in the power of sports to instill discipline, teamwork, and resilience. Media Day was a testament to this vision, providing a unique opportunity for local football talents to shine both on and off the field. Coach McLean speaks on his team and why he coaches.

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A Glimpse into the Athlete's World

The football players participating in Media Day were not only honing their skills on the pitch but also developing crucial off-field attributes. They engaged in mock interviews, offering candid insights into the challenges of balancing sports and academics. This exercise allowed these budding athletes to express their thoughts and experiences, providing a valuable perspective for viewers and inspiring their peers.

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Beyond the Sidelines: Robotics and Technology

In an unexpected but delightful twist, Media Day extended beyond the realms of traditional sports. TMT SportsTV, in collaboration with the TMT Youth Community Foundation, introduced local students to the fascinating world of robotics. The highlight of the day was the opportunity for the young participants to drive the Cyber Bears robot, offering a hands-on experience that seamlessly blended the realms of sports and technology.

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Connecting Passions: Bridging Gaps

The integration of robotics into Media Day was a strategic move by TMT SportsTV to encourage a holistic approach to education and career development. By exposing students to the intersection of sports and technology, the foundation aims to bridge gaps between seemingly disparate fields, opening doors to diverse and enriching career paths.

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Community Engagement in Action

Media Day wasn't just about showcasing talents and fostering skills—it was a day of community engagement. TMT SportsTV, through its partnership with the TMT Youth Community Foundation, demonstrated a commitment to supporting local initiatives. By promoting a local football team's efforts to compete for the national championship, the foundation is not only nurturing athletic talent but also contributing to the pride and unity of the community.

Media Day to support local football team

Looking Forward: A Bright Future for TMT SportsTV

As TMT SportsTV takes its first steps into the media landscape, the foundation envisions a future where it becomes a beacon of inspiration for young athletes and enthusiasts. By combining the excitement of sports with the advancements of technology and education, TMT SportsTV is poised to redefine the way we perceive and engage with sports content.

In the spirit of community, empowerment, and innovation, TMT SportsTV is set to become a force that transcends the boundaries of conventional sports broadcasting. The launch event, Media Day, has set the tone for an exciting journey ahead—one that promises not only thrilling sports coverage but also meaningful contributions to the development of our youth. Stay tuned for a new era in sports media, where the spotlight is not just on the game but on the incredible individuals who make it extraordinary.