A Grand Time With Granville and Other Friends -- June 2003

-By James Clingman Jr.

The last three weekends in May 2003 will always provide fond memories for me. I had the pleasure of visiting three cities and speaking to my brothers and sisters about two of my favorite subjects: Economic empowerment and entrepreneurship. It is always good to see and be among relatives I have never met before, and it’s especially good to bring the message of empowerment and true freedom to our people. So, for three straight weekends I basked in the sunshine of Black men, women, and youth, evangelizing the word of economic freedom – and the pleasure was all mine!

I started with a speaking engagement at the Africentric High School in Columbus, Ohio, at the invitation of Brother Richard Lundy, Director of the Kemetic Institute. It was refreshing, first of all, to see an African-centered high school, and then to be among conscious brothers and sisters who would carry on the message of economic empowerment beyond the walls of that particular venue.

My next stop on the speaker circuit was Baltimore, Maryland, at Sojourner Douglass College, for the Reality Speaks Series, sponsored by Brother Jabari and the Conscious Views Bookstore. Once again, it was fantastic to meet more of my long lost relatives, and to top it all off I shared the stage with one of this nation’s greatest entrepreneurs: Mr. Ray Haysbert, former owner of Parks Sausage. What a thrill it was to see him again, and then to hear him speak to the audience in support of my message on economic empowerment; that made my year!

Then came the final weekend of my whirlwind tour. Brother Michael Artson, President and CEO of the Granville Academy of Northern Virginia, invited me to speak at the Academy’s graduation ceremony. In case you haven’t heard of Granville Academy just pick up a copy of Black Enterprise Magazine (June 2003) and see the feature on Kidpreneurs -Youth Entrepreneurship.

Granville Academy was started in 1983 by William Granville, Jr., a brother from the “hood” of Trenton, New Jersey, who decided, with a little nudge from one of his teachers, to change directions in his life before it was too late. After retiring from a very successful career as a senior executive for one the world’s largest companies, Mobil Oil, Brother Granville went to work again, this time doing what many of us just talk about. He set out to “give something back” by repaying the support and time his teacher invested in him. Granville established the academy to train inner city youth in the dynamics of business and entrepreneurship.

Twenty years later Granville has 12 chapters along the east coast from Waterbury, Connecticut, to Tampa, Florida, and in Cleveland, Ohio. Bill Granville started the Academy with his own funds and continues to “invest” in his people by instilling in our youth what many of us only celebrate once each year: Kujichagulia, Ujamaa, et al. Bill Granville, currently attending divinity school to pursue his third career as a minister, also founded a charter school in Trenton, New Jersey, which serves K-12 students. He says, “Our goal is to open a charter school in each of the states where our affiliates operate.” And wouldn’t you know it, he’s still not satisfied. He told me he is working diligently to start a Black College somewhere in New Jersey as well. Here we have a Black man, and I do mean a “Man,” who did quite well as a high paid executive in corporate America, passing on his knowledge, his financial resources, and his example to our youth.

I was especially excited about the fact that entrepreneurship is being taught at Granville, along with technology, of course. It was a pleasure to see Michelle Artson, who will attend Delaware State University, Bill Granville’s alma mater, present her prize-winning business plan to the audience. The other students participated in various aspects of the ceremony and demonstrated their skills and talents in several areas of endeavor. You would be hard-pressed to find a better group of young people than those at Granville Academy.

Yes, I had three great weekends during the month of May 2003. Granville Academy was the icing on the cake. Thanks to my brothers, Richard Lundy, Jabari, and Michael Artson for your confidence and support. Thanks to those of you came out to hear the message. And, thanks to the young brothers and sisters who will be well prepared to receive the baton and run swiftly toward the goal of economic freedom and independence.

To all of our people, young and “seasoned,” to Brother Ray Haysbert, to my sister entrepreneur, Jernay Freeman, who made a special trip to Fairfax, Virginia for the Granville affair, and to all the parents who came out in support of their children, “Thank You.” You are the reason I do what I do.

To the readers of this column, I simply ask you to support these organizations with your money and your time, and support those in your respective cities. When we get the spirit of entrepreneurship and true economic freedom into our children, they will be armed for the struggle ahead of them; they will have the ultimate fighting weapon not only to survive in this country, but also to thrive. Love, peace, and blessings to you all.

James Clingman He is an Adjunct Professor, Univ. of Cincinnati, Dept. of African American Studies on "Black Entrepreneurship". He is the founder of the Greater Cincinnati African American Chamber of Commerce, served as its first Executive Director and President. Hosts the radio program, "Blackonomics" at "1230TheBuzz.com", sponored by Visions 2000 and is the author of the book, Economic Empowerment or Economic Enslavement – We have a choice (www.enterzone.com/power). Contact him at P.O. Box 6722, Cincinnati, OH 45206, 513-489-4132.

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