Change The Way We Converse

...and we ain't talking bout the Chuck Taylors on your feet. Last night, James Andrew (BKA "The Key Influencer") and Hill Harper hosted a web chat on Harper's social media network forrealsolutions.com. What was unique about this conversation was the interactivity of the chat as participants phoned in, typed in the chat rooms, and sent updates via twitter - all in the name of social change. A single mother from Atlanta phoned in with her concerns about having men around her young daughter. Hill Harper responded to the caller's concerns by telling her that "...not every man is a predator to your daughter. If you sequester her away from men, the only relationship she knows with men will be sexual and that is dangerous." Meanwhile, people in the chat room shared links and programs for her to look into, including the blogger from whataboutourdaughters.com

One of my mentors, Dr. Walter E. Fluker, talked frequently about what Howard Thurman termed the "Beloved Community," often prompting discussions about the condition of the modern "Black Community" and the way it has changed post integration? I believe I stumbled upon a glimpse of what our community will look like in the future. We are a community of concerned individuals, of all races, who refuse to see any of its members suffer a social, economic, educational or political death.

IndieBusiness: Question: So is owning a business a civil right issue? If blacks are hardest hit by economic downturns, isn't business ownership essential as opposed to just a good option? I think so. Others?

Wealth_Builder: @IndieBusiness..business ownership is going to be essential for blacks, as in my opinion, we are experiencing the disappearance of the middle class.

The conversation spanned the spectrum from economics to entertainment, but two words were consistently tossed around: "Grassroots" and "Social Media". There is no doubt that the marriage of technology with the grassroots and social media movements will result in a formidable change for all. Be a part of the conversation and help facilitate the change.

For more information, check out these links:

• Hill Harper makes history using social media..." by Wayne Sutton on SocialWayne.com
• Join the conversation at http://www.forrealsolutions.com/
• Find out more about the host and Key Influencer, James Andrews at his blog, www.thekeyinfluencer.com/channel/

Change the Channel

Don't call it a comeback. Bob Johnson has announced the plans for his new Urban Television venture, which sounds like a long needed innovation for the world of Televison. Johnson says he likes " the idea of companioning a broadcast concept with an interactive platform ... Why do we always have to go back to that old model that says this is how television has to be?"

Read the Reuters/Hollywood Reporter article here: http://www.reuters.com/article/televisionNews/idUSTRE4B11I520081202

Check out the official press release from The RLJ Companies below:

BETHESDA, Md., Dec 08, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Robert L. Johnson, founder and chairman of The RLJ Companies today outlined additional details of his proposed programming model for Urban Television, LLC, pending the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) approval of recently filed applications seeking share-time licenses that will enable Urban to broadcast programming on a digital channel of ION stations in 42 markets.

Johnson's plan is to develop a new and innovative broadcast model rather than provide programming under traditional broadcast models where programming, content, and advertising are solely controlled by the broadcast owner. His vision is to create a "content mall" where programming ideas would be solicited from the creative/talent community, as well as major advertisers. This model also includes an opportunity to align the broadcast programming content with an interactive Internet site which would provide for interactive programming, e-commerce, and more robust programming opportunity.

Mr. Johnson explained, "Think of this model as a creative television content mall where you find broad, mass-appeal content that serves as the anchor and niche programming that fills out the channel. Using this concept, our 24-hour continuous programming will be designed to attract creative entrepreneurs and to meet the interests and lifestyle of a variety of urban viewers."
Johnson has taken proactive steps to contact members of the African American creative, editorial, and entertainment community like producer Tyler Perry, Linda Johnson Rice, President and CEO of Ebony Magazine, and singer and actress Beyonce Knowles to inform them of the opportunity to participate in content and programming, as well as ownership.

"I have informed the entertainment community that if this is approved by the FCC, I will be able to provide distribution on Urban Television to provide them with another avenue to produce additional programs," Johnson stated. "If Ebony magazine wants to create programming that is based on their magazine content, or Beyonce wants to showcase her fashion clothing line and tie in an e-commerce link, I could provide her with a programming time slot and she can produce and own her program," he added.

Urban Television would invite program owners to identify advertisers and develop programming and Urban would share in the advertising revenue, as well as make the distribution and channels available. Mr. Johnson envisions that Urban Television have a public interest focus. Areas of public interest programming include an all-news, all-talk channel or a lifestyle and wellness channel focused on health, an issue that disproportionately affects African-Americans. ION Media Networks has experience with health and wellness programming through their 42 existing stations where these important messages can be delivered directly to 65 million people in our target audience.

Brandon Burgess added, "Our existing stations have a strong footprint in key urban markets, including New York, Chicago, and Boston and a host of other major urban markets. We have stations in all 20 of the top 20 markets and it is our goal, partnering with Urban Television, to add broader and more comprehensive content to our existing programming while at the same time offering diversity in programming and diversity in ownership."

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About The RLJ Companies: The RLJ Companies, founded by Robert L. Johnson, owner of the NBA Charlotte Bobcats and founder of Black Entertainment Television, is a diverse portfolio of companies in the financial services, asset management, real estate, hospitality, professional sports, film production, and gaming industries. An innovative business network, The RLJ Companies seeks to target undiscovered or underserved markets; then exercise solid management to achieve results. The RLJ Companies is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, with operations in Charlotte, Los Angeles, Florida, and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit http://www.rljcompanies.com/.

Media inquiries to Urban Television should be directed to Traci Otey Blunt, The RLJ Companies for Urban Television, LLC 240.744.7858 or press@rljcompanies.com

About ION Media Networks: ION Media Networks, Inc. owns and operates the nation's largest broadcast television station group, which reaches over 94 million U.S. television households via its nationwide broadcast television, cable and satellite distribution systems. The Company owns 59 of its 60 full-power broadcast television stations, including stations in each of the top 20 U.S. markets and 39 of the top 50. ION Media's flagship general entertainment network, ION Television, features a broad mix of popular television series and theatrical and made-for-television movies. Utilizing its digital multicasting capability, the Company has launched several digital TV brands, including qubo, a channel for children focusing on literacy and values, and ION Life, a channel dedicated to active living and personal growth. It also has launched Open Mobile Ventures Corporation (OMVION), a business unit focused on the research and development of portable, mobile and out-of-home transmission technology using over-the-air digital television spectrum. For more information, visit http://www.ionmedia.com/.

Media inquiries to ION Media Networks should be directed to Amelie Tseng, ION Media Networks, Public Relations, 973.897.8868 or amelie.tseng@comcast.net

OBAMA WINS!!!

The rest is up to us.

28 Days Later

When we wake up twenty-eight days from today, our nation will be on the precipice of change. This will be the first major paradigm shift of the Twenty-First Century. The sliding plates above our ground but below the surface, the final count of our votes, will resonate high on the Richter scale for half of our country. The energy release will be universal after the long campaign process, but the momentum that has swept many into civic responsibility could be stifled if the president-elect represents an America that half of its citizens do not have faith in.

Like Danny Boyle’s film, 28 Days Later, there is a possibility of a morale breakdown of some citizens following the accidental release of a highly contagious virus. The virus? Change. Change is contagious and it is a process that cannot be reversed, although its path can be redirected…forded like a river. If the passion and momentum of this year’s election is a result of a true desire to see a change in our society – there will be one. If the intensity citizens are feeling are tied to campaigns and/or ideological representations presented by individuals running for office: a war veteran who can keep us safe (I will not use the word “Maverick” … damn, I just did), a Black man who reflects the core ethos of our society, or a woman who will keep us entertained (and Tina Fey PAID!) – a sense of betrayal could be felt if their candidate, and idea of America, does not win and they will continue to lose faith in our government. Currently, only 9% of Americans are satisfied with the way things are going in America according to the latest Gallup poll. But which America will we choose to support?

I’m no futurist. I just took a class on futurism. What will happen in twenty-eight days? We will have a new President-Elect. Will there be a public reaction? Absolutely. The change we are currently experiencing is the result of all the radical and hopeful schools of thought formed through the experiences of Baby Boomers. Have no fear. Rest assured that your Agents here at ALBC will be here to help you cope with whatever the result of the election is…and long after. We have always been committed to contributing the collective thought that will shape the next 28 years of American History. Check our track record. Change has always been here; we’re just now coming of age.