Addressing Failing Schools In Atlanta, Georgia To Find A Solution

by C. Henry Adams

On April 14th 2015, I had the opportunity to sat in the Collier Heights Community Association Meeting held at Berean Seventh Day Adventist Church located on H. E Holmes Drive or what eventually becomes Georgia State Route 280 in Atlanta, Georgia.

There I heard Georgia State Representative Sheila Jones present the State Bills that passed in the State of Georgia House of Representatives and Senate.

One bill that stood out in the Community to which I live and thrive is SB133 or 2015-2016 Regular Session - SB 133 Opportunity School District; establishment; provide for definitions; supervision of public elementary and secondary schools that are failing

Furthermore, on that very day, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Jerry Baxter gave out some serious sentences to convicted Educators of the Atlanta Public Schools. 

Oglethorpe University President Lawrence M. Schall, recently gave a pretty fair assessment of these sad state of affairs in an opinion article written in the AJC.

Both, the Georgia Bill SB133 and the conviction of Former Atlanta Public Schools Educators will likely not solve the problem of failing schools particularly in Atlanta, Georgia.

If failing Schools equal failing Children in learning, retaining and advancing in Life as a whole, what are we as a Community not doing as a whole?

When a similar question was posed to State of Georgia House of Representative Shelia Jones, she stated that the Community needs to get involve with the schools.  

I concur with State of Georgia House of Representative Shelia Jones and all the concern Citizens at that Meeting.  WE as a Community need to get involve with the schools in our Community.

So, what might be some of the ways we could help?

Perhaps as Responsible Citizens go to the school to offer assistance through various programs such as the following:

1) Offer Tutoring to Students via the Schools
2) Offer Tutoring to Students via Non-Profit Organizations, as well as, Churches, Synagogues and Mosque
3) Offer Leadership & Responsibility Workshops, Programs and Events ( Article, Video ) to Students.
4) Offer Mentor-ship to Students via the Schools, Communities & Neighborhoods
5) Help broaden the horizon of a Child by sponsoring Community or Neighborhood events that take the Kids to places never explored or realized nearby.

Perhaps I'm a dreamer, but here are some solutions mentioned above that could help further the advancements in education.  So, what are your thoughts, what do you think?





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Can Instilling Responsibility In Our Youth Revive An Economy?

by C. Henry Adams

Recently, the historical neighborhood to which I had the honor and blessing to grow up in devise an Exploratory Clean Up and Bike Ride for the Youth living there.

This event was not a method worked out to humiliate, harass, disrespect or put down anyone.  In fact, it was design to perform the opposite.  It was to motivate, encourage, show great respect and admiration to the Youth, as well as, their Parents or Guardians in an effort to revive the Community.

If people care for others, as well as, themselves - perhaps they could live or co-exist peacefully.
So, let's take that thought further.  Living and prospering in a safe environment could possibly reduce stress in a person and promote healthy living.

What if giving back to your own environment in a positive manner, revive the economy in the area to which you live?

Its just a thought, but I would hope we all enjoy beautiful scenery.  Many healthy people have found a number of ways to relieve stress.  Exercise alone with proper dieting or in other words eating a balance meal could help.

But, that is not enough.   Positive Self-esteem of oneself and good mental health practices also play a role as well to say the least.  I can hear someone say,  " What on Earth could possibly give me positive self-esteem and good mental health? 

Well, what if just being happy or placing oneself in a state or enviroment to becoming "Happy", promotes positive self-esteem and good mental health practices?

I recall a few years back, a famous attorney was having a business discussion with me and stated,
" If it is in your power to perform a task, do it. "

In essence, let's say you are walking in the front yard of your home. Then, you come across some paper on the ground.  Well, observing the paper and making a conscious effort to pickup that paper, then dispose of it in the proper trash or recycle bin, perhaps, just made you change or maintain a healthy environment not just for yourself, but others as well.

I can imagine someone, somewhere saying to themselves, it is not that simple.

However, I beg to differ.   Why?  Well, here are the following things you likely change in your environment, neighborhood, community and perhaps your city to which you live.

Perhaps, One Positive Act Of Selflessness Can Do The Following:

1) Improve One's Health
2) Improve One's Self Esteem and outlook on Life
3) Improve the Environment by removing waste and possible toxicities.
4) Improve the 'Economic Outlook' by attracting Consumers, Businesses and Non-Profit Organizations to the area who possess similar mindsets as yourself.
5) Motivate others to follow suit living in this positive developing or re-developing area.
6) Lower the crime rate.
7) Reduce the blight or the sense thereof.
8) Display to visitor of your Neighborhood, Community or even City that People who dwell within it truly care.

Alright, I will stop here.  But, what do you think or what are your thoughts?









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Kevin Heights Neighborhood Exploratory Beltline Ride / CleanUp

By C. Henry Adams


Following the March 2015 Atlanta NPU-I Meeting at Adamsville Recreational Center located off MLK Jr. Drive, the focus of attention in the Kevin Heights Neighborhood was building responsibility within the Youth living there and perhaps the Community as a whole.  Being responsible for one's actions in Life could lead to creating a Good Value System in a person.  Possessing a Value System in Life, perhaps could suggest that you care for others, as well as, yourself.  Thus, Good Ethics plays a role in this proverbial picture.

Therefore, the idea to give kids bicycles (limited supply, on a first come, first serve basis) while training them to be responsible in the neighborhood could help to keep the area clean.  Studies have suggest that if a Community practice Good Policing, it could possibly lower or resolve issues that cause crime.

Recently, a Non-Profit Organization called, " Urban Creek Conservation and Recreation Corps
" received a donation of bicycles from a private donor.

The President of " Urban Creek Conservation and Recreation Corps " happens to be a recently Retired School Teacher and the President of the Kevin Heights Neighborhood Association.

Through his collaboration with Homeowners, Small Business Owners and City Leaders, the " Kevin Heights Neighborhood Exploratory Beltline Ride / CleanUp was established

The event will be held on Saturday, April 11th 2015 starting at 9:30 am and ending promptly at 5:30 pm.

An Agenda set forth for the event suggests the clean up of the Neighborhood Streets (parts of Linkwood Rd, Tribble Lane, Hermer Circle and Kevin Court), a trip to Historic 4th Ward of the City of Atlanta where the bike ride will start, then culminate into a 'Spring Break Picnic' in Piedmont Park.

Click link to download Agenda:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3zMnOB0CuuBTWhVenFISXgtWms/view?usp=sharing

Kevin Heights Neighborhood is asking for Sponsorships and Volunteers from Local Small Business Owners, Non-Profit Organizations, as well as, Homeowners / or Tenants. We will need Reflective Vests, Gloves, Trash Grabbers, 50+ gallon trash bags, Picnic Utensils, Food, Beverages (Mostly Water) to say the very least.

Note: For more information regarding Sponsorship and Volunteering,  please call 404-502-2876 James Tyler or 404-348-8319 C. Henry Adams.

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Stop The Gun Violence In West (NW/SW) Atlanta - Multiple Shootings In Delmar Lane Area

by C. Henry Adams

Today, March 14th 2015, five (5) People were shot in the Delmar Lane Area.  Enough is enough, we want to live in a peaceful environment.  Hearing constant gun fire, having Children experience and grow up in this Community ( Collier Heights / Adamsville ) where there are people being shot is not the answer.  

We need to call a meeting with City Councilman CT Martin, the APD Chief, Zone 1 Major, NPU I Leader,   all Neighborhood Leaders, all Homeowners and Renters fed up with this violence.  We must stay together to stop this criminal activity or we will surely be divided when People of a Criminal Nature tear us apart.

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Somebody Else Said, "What Is Economic Adjustment Assistance!?"

by C. Henry Adams


For clarifications purposes only, Broadcasting Interest Enterprise, Inc. (404) 348-8319 is a business development and telecommunications consulting firm.

It is also the parent company of BIE Media Group, LLC; an advertisement agency. 

Again, this article is in relationship to a most recent Grant Release by the EDA.

"What Is Economic Adjustment Assistance!?"

Some people might consider this a money question or the answer to distress communities experiencing adverse economic changes.  In fact, let's go with this quote for an objective of Economic Adjustment Assistance below:

"Objectives (050):

To address the needs of distressed communities experiencing adverse economic changes that may occur suddenly or over time, and generally result from industrial or corporate restructuring, new Federal laws or requirements, reduction in defense expenditures, depletion of natural resources, or natural disaster. Economic Adjustment Assistance grants are intended to enhance a distressed community's ability to compete economically by stimulating private investment in targeted areas. Current investment priorities include proposals that focus on (a) Collaborative Regional Innovation, (b) Public/Private Partnerships, (c) National Strategic Priorities, (d) Global Competitiveness, (e) Environmentally-Sustainable Development, (f) Economically Distressed and Underserved Communities. For more information on these investment priorities and current funding opportunities, go to http://www.eda.gov."  

https://www.cfda.gov/index?s=program&mode=form&tab=core&id=3ac6994423c6fedeff43efd378eb9e61

We hope this information provides an answer and gives insights into how to help boost the economy in your area or community.

These are our thoughts, so what do you think?

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Somebody Said, "What Are CFDA Numbers!?"

by C. Henry Adams

For clarifications purposes only, Broadcasting Interest Enterprise, Inc. (404) 348-8319 is a business development and telecommunications consulting firm.

It is also the parent company of BIE Media Group, LLC; an advertisement agency. 

Recently, we shared the EDA ( Economic Development Administration ) for the US Federal Government release of a Grant Opportunity.

Within this grant document located on Grants.gov, the acronym 'CFDA' became a question mark.

In essence, somebody said, " What are CFDA Numbers? "

Well, to answer that question, perhaps its wise to know what CFDA stands for in the US Federal Government.

CFDA is the 'Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance'.  CFDA in quote, "(CFDA) provides a full listing of all Federal programs available to State and local governments (including the District of Columbia); federally-recognized Indian tribal governments; Territories (and possessions) of the United States; domestic public, quasi- public, and private profit and nonprofit organizations and institutions; specialized groups; and individuals."

CORRECTION: Perhaps, a CFDA Number identify PROGRAMS in a US Federal Government Entity.


Here is what we are thinking.    So, what are your thoughts?


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EDA Release 2015 Grant Opportunity To Non-Profit Organizations

By C. Henry Adams

On Tuesday Morning - Feb. 9th 2015, the EDA (Economic Development Administration) for the US Federal Government released a Grant Opportunity.

When learning of this release, we immediately read, research it, shared it in an email and post it on social media.

To my surprise, we received little response regarding it. 

Eligible Applicants For Grant:

State governments
City or township governments
Special district governments
County governments
Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility"
Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Private institutions of higher education


Well, I'm not a preacher and this is not a sermon.   However, it is understood that it is better to give then receive.   Look at it this way, let's say you share the Economic Development Administration's Grant Opportunity with a Non-Profit Organization that did or did NOT have a 501(c)(3) status.  By the way, both types of Non-Profit Organizations are eligible.

Anyway, what if that particular organization wins a grant from the EDA.   Well, let's safely assume they follow the guidelines that goes along with that Grant , then in the process contract your small business to perform some work based on the funding received.

Is not that a WIN - WIN situation?   I'm just saying, so what are your thoughts?



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BIE Networks Suspends Broadcasting Events

Greetings Everyone,

I hope this email or blog finds you all well.  As of January 28th 2015, BIE Networks will suspend attempts to broadcast streaming media.  For now going on roughly two years, we have tried

to make a dream, a reality.

One summer in the late 1980s or early 1990s, I spoke with my late father, Marion L. Adams stating that I wanted to own  a radio station.  He did not discourage me because of the color of our skin or the financial status that we currently resided in at the time.

Instead, he encouraged me to dream the impossible dreams, focus on making them come true and with my late Mother's ( Mrs. Emma S. Adams ) wise advice - always put God 1st.

Since then, I have met many outstanding people and some great mentors to guide me alone the way in making this dream real.

Through everyone's inspiration, I have learned that every setback is perhaps a setup for something great, not seen, but soon to come.

That being said, " BIE Networks will resurface again, but at a later date."

I want to thank all the Broadcasters, Artists, Marketing & Sales Rep's from various Networks, Investors, Friends, Colleagues and Mentors for your continued support.

 

Sign,

C. Henry Adams
Broadcasting Interest Enterprise, Inc.
BIE Media Group, LLC
BIE Networks

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Dreaming About A Drone Invading My Privacy While I Sleep

By C. Henry Adams  


You know, we live in a World where far be it for me to say, advance technology exist.

However, just because it may exist does not mean that it will ever be stealthier enough to elude the human species.

Why do I make that statement?

Well, because a human being with spirit attached is perhaps one of if not the most complex creature in my professional opinion ever studied thousands to millions of times, whereas, we still don't have all the answers to how they work or operate.

I believe that only God knows us truly.

Anyway, so I had this particular dream about a Drone hovering near my home with at least one infrared night vision camera looking into my window.

Then, I woke up - thought to myself, what legal rights as a U.S. Citizen, as a Small Business Owner and just as a Human being - do I have to address this matter appropriately?

I  mean really now, I would assume that Drones are great tools and/or toys when properly utilize.

However, if you have NO business or RIGHT to operate a Drone at NIGHT, plus in a residential area, why take the risk?

Then again, mind you - I'm just dreaming this stuff up, right?

Well, I sincerely hope for those advocates of the Drone with night vision, commercialized and have the intent to invade everyday/night citizens privacy by aerial trespassing, get this message clearly.

Perhaps, You are not welcome.   Maybe, You are not without observation in return and legal recourse will be taken against You.  

OK,  (LOL) enough said, let me go back to sleep now without hearing a weird hum or buzz.

Well, those are my thoughts, what are yours?





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Kevin Heights Neighborhood - Modern Day Tribe

By C. Henry Adams



Recently, I reviewed an interactive article in a local newspaper web site that was discouraging in my professional opinion.

However informative it tried to convey awareness of criminal activity in the City of Atlanta, it might have promoted a negative message to visitors from other walks of life  regarding the municipality.

It is true and I'm not in denial when I state this,  'there is crime everywhere'.

However, there are good things or perhaps greater things occurring everywhere as well.

For instance, where I grew up and currently reside, there is no Murders, Rapes, Aggravated Assaults or even Larceny occurring in my immediate neighborhood - modern day tribe - to the best of my knowledge to date.

Yet, the picture painted for the World to see on an Open Source GPS web site begs to differ.

How can I make this comment and sleep safely at night?  Well, it's a factual statement.

To make it a valid expression, here's what the people or fellow tribe members do...

1)  Become Nosy Neighbors, pay close attention to details.

2)  Communicate with their neighbors openly through greetings when outside of their homes.
(e.g.  Hey!  How are you doing!  Have a great day!)

3)  Communicate with Neighbors via  POTS (Plain Old Telephone System).  (e.g.  Hello,  how are you? Listen, I just wanted to give  you a call to share some observations.)

4)  Communicate via Facebook and other Social Media with neighbors or fellow tribe members.

5)  Communicate via Text Message System amongst Modern Day Tribe Members, City Council Person and Police.

6)  Pickup trash around their homes, other neighbor's homes and from time to time, the entrance to the subdivision while being watchful of the community as a whole.

7)  As adults, speak openly to children when they are observed misbehaving in the neighborhood while at play; certain steps are taken.  

STEPS: 
A.  If a child is observed misbehaving, call out to that child and ask him or her to refrain from bad behavior.  
B. If the child fails to comply, contact their parents or guardians immediately to stop their bad behavior. 
C. If the parent or guardian is absent or fails to correct the child's actions, call the police.

It is very obvious that most of the time, outside elements, people or even gangs will select a place to perform criminal activity.  As a result of these negative actions, a urban blight is place over an entire area.  This economy killer must stop and will stop when a person or people get fed up with crime.

Those are my thoughts, so what do you think?


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