ENTHUSIASM

"Fires can't be made with dead embers, nor can enthusiasm be stirred by spiritless men. Enthusiasm in our daily work lightens effort and turns even labor into pleasant tasks." 

-James A. Baldwin

It is true. That gritty drive and persistence described by many of the most successful people may seem daunting and tiresome to those who struggle to just get out of bed in the morning, much less take over the world...their own world. This is not so once you have discovered your passion. Yes, a journey of hard work likely lies before us, especially if we are interested in accomplishing anything of value and meaning, but the fire in our hearts for the goal we are pressing toward will give us the drive and tenacity we'll need to get there. Either this, or you will be a drag on our forward march. We will work hard, but we will be having a blast while doing it. Why work hard under any other circumstances? Do you think marathon cyclists aren't working hard, such as those who travail the 2200 mile Tour De France? Chile please!!! Those who complain about being drained at their office setting job will get tired just watching them for one day. Truth is, if you're not burning yourself out from sheer passion, you're not tired, you're uninspired. I want you to know that the work that we are engaging in, institutionalizing group economics among Atlanta's Black LGBT citizens as a model for all Black People and minorities groups worldwide, do you get how powerful that is? It is indeed possible. The worst case scenario, you will end up at least a millionaire within 10 years or less. You know most people have no plans of ever attaining a million dollars in their lifetimes. And you have it here, based upon how scientific we are in our approach in systematizing it for duplication in other cities by packaging and franchising our educational program, our magazine and other marketing platforms, our networking apps and tools and our investment apps and tools. Atlanta is one of the best laboratories for us to get this done. You know by seriously engaging in this work, we stand to make history and change the course of the destiny of our people, no less significant than the March on Washington or the Selma March. The million dollar question is, will we have half their passion? Can we march 27 miles in our efforts of the 54 miles they marched under mortal danger for the right to vote and change their destiny, our current situation? Do we not owe them this, at least our best attempts to take it to the next level? I can not answer that for you. It is really then all up to that. We have a plan, we have the intelligence, it is legal, it is sensible, it is possible, our intentions are pure and noble all we need is the gasoline of passion to get this car rolling. Think about that, between now and our next meeting on January 9th, and when it is settled join us then ready to work. Otherwise, let us know now that we should look for another. 

Just before our last meeting on 2016, Harold Leffall agreed to come on board with us as our Dean of Education if we should have him. There will be plenty of time between now and when we official sign the legal paperwork on our officers to get to know this man and confirm his fitness for this position. Just to give you a preview, he has taught entrepreneurs the world over and counseled 2 million dollar corporations. Do you then think we are in good hands, not only for forming our unique educational program of using business and entrepreneurship to improve and edify a community, but good guidance for us to get up and running on solid ground? 

After then, our Deputy Director and I met for what will be our at least quarterly Director huddles to map out the direction for the 1st quarter of 2016 and more detailed in the 1st month of January. 

The BOTTOM LINE goal for us by the end of the 1st quarter of 2016 is to be in a position to goal public within the 2nd quarter of 2016. That means beginning to host Business Presentation and Networking Socials.

To achieve this BOTTOM LINE, these are some of things we will need to get done of the next 90 days: 

1. Completing Constitution and Bylaws
2. Completing Business Plan for the first 2 years
3. Fully Recruiting Board of Directors
4. Incorporating
5. Contracting all officers of the First Administration of The Baldwin Project Board of Directors 
6. Setting Initial Budget
7. Securing Funding For Initial Budget
8. Establishing as a fully functioning business with all necessary parts.

We set our calendar pattern to progressively get this things done. To increase the organization among ourselves, we are adding a Saturday Morning Conference Calls on those Saturday's we are not schedule to meet in person at 10 AM for about 30 minutes to 1 hour for the sole purpose of "Tying our shoelaces" getting updates, touching bases and getting prepared for our meeting the following Saturday where we must "RUN" in making progress and getting work done on our agenda.  We will have these briefer meetings facilitated round-robin by members of the board, to give each board member the opportunity to give us a deeper insight into the overall developments within their department of the organization and direct us from that vantage point.   

While we will still need to come together in person on the same bi-weekly schedule to for our 2 hour sessions, giving more detailed updates and determining, proposing and voting on next moves, we are going to need to alternate this format with a (work-til-we're-done) workshops wholly focused on one project at a time and nothing else, such as putting together our constitution and bylaws, and then our business plans and other projects we may need to work on together as a group. To give us the time, we may need to start our workshops earlier such as 2PM and work until we're done and I can probably find another location for us to meet where we will be able to bring food and get work done. At our next meeting, we can fine tune these proposals to scheduling needs of our group. 

So to name these formats:

Biweekly 30 min-1hr "Catchup" Teleconferences

Bi-weekly Huddles alternating between 2 Formats:

1.) D DAYS: Report and Decision Days (monthly)

2.)Workshops: Group Projects (monthly)

We should also begin scheduling fun social events ONLY for Board Members to build camaraderie and friendship ideally once a month, but at least quarterly.

So to start us off with this pattern this will be our January Calendar of Meetings: Please connect with our Google Calendar for this: Please Bookmark it.

Saturday, January 9th 4PM: D-DAY (Introductions of ourselves and 2016 calendar pattern and goals, rescheduling of meeting originally set for December 16th, 2015)

Saturday, January 16th, 10AM: Catchup Teleconference facilitated by Executive Director, Branden Mattox

Saturday January 23rd, 2PM: Workshop (Constitution and By-Laws)

Saturday, January 30th, 10AM: Catchup Teleconference facilitated by Deputy Director, Cleon T. Day

MONEY

"Money, it turned out, was exactly like sex, you thought of nothing else if you didn't have it and thought of other things if you did." -James A. Baldwin

Could it possibly be that money's ability to remove the concerns surrounding survival allows our minds to be able to tend to the more spiritual, altruistic and purpose driven matters of life?

Preparing to head into the 1st Quarter of 2016, we must make this period about establishing ourselves on Terra Firma. By the DEADLINE of March 26th, 2016. These are our goals. 

1. Completing Constitution and Bylaws
2. Completing Business Plan for the first 2 years
3. Fully Recruiting Board of Directors
4. Incorporating
5. Contracting all officers of the First Administration of The Baldwin Project Board of Directors 
6. Setting Initial Budget
7. Securing Funding For Initial Budget
8. Establishing as a fully functioning business.
9. Begin Business Presentation Parties.

As you can see starting off the year, we've got our work cut out for us so might as well get ready to roll up our sleeves. To increase the organization among ourselves, I am going to propose that we add Saturday Morning Conference Calls on those Saturday's we are not schedule to meet in person at 10AM for about 30 minutes to 1 hour for the sole purpose of "Tying our shoelaces" getting updates, touching bases and getting prepared for our meeting the following Saturday where we must "RUN" in making progress and getting work done on our agenda.  We can have these briefer meetings facilitated round-robin by members of the board, to give each board member the opportunity to give us a deeper insight into the overall developments within their department of the organization and direct us from that vantage point.   

While we will still need to come together in person on the same bi-weekly schedule to for our 2 hour sessions, giving more detailed updates and determining, proposing and voting on next moves, we are going to need to alternate this format with a (work-til-we're-done) workshops wholly focused on one project at a time and nothing else, such as putting together our constitution and bylaws, and then our business plans and other projects we may need to work on together as a group. To give us the time, we may need to start our workshops earlier such as 2PM and work until we're done and I can probably find another location for us to meet where we will be able to bring food and get work done. 

So to name these formats:

Biweekly 30 min-1hr "Catchup" Teleconferences

Bi-weekly Huddles alternating between 2 Formats

D DAYS: Report and Decision Days (monthly)

Workshops: Group Projects (monthly)

We should also begin scheduling fun social events ONLY for Board Members to build cameraderie and friendship ideally once a month, but at least quarterly.

We should work on putting together our 2016 1st quarter calendar with these meetings at our next meeting this Saturday, December 19th. 

ORGANIZING BOARD

Harold Leffall who will be interviewing for our Dean of Education position is scheduled to be vetted on Saturday, December 19th at 11AM.

We will still continue our process for recruiting for the remaining position on our board using the process listed below.

Please view our system for recruiting, by clicking HERE.

Right now our Board looks like:

Executive Director: Branden Mattox

Deputy Director: Cleon T. Day III

Executive Administrator: Kacey Frierson-Nixon

Treasurer: Steven T. Austin

Steven is to follow up with Lee Perrimon for Director of Public Relations

Soon enough we may need to schedule a workshop session where will phone bank our contacts to set up meetings with prospective nominees for our board.

CONSTITUTION

At our next Board Meeting we will need schedule one of our bi-weekly meetings to be wholly devoted to a workshop on putting together our Constitution. To get prepared for this, please answer the questions below.

So far, Cleon has begin adding his input to the constitution.

Questions for us to begin answering:

What impulse happened to bring us to the resolution to create The Baldwin Project?

After the racist statement hung on the front and back door by Blakes’ management, the Atlanta Black GLBT Community needed to make a stand. “Black Lives Matter” even in the gay community! 

Why are we doing this in the first place? What is the need? What is our purpose?

We are doing this to fill a void, to transform a community who has been asking to have a seat at the table for years. It's time for us to make our own table, build our own chairs, then sale them and keep the dollars flowing in our community.

What if we don't do this?

The profound saying comes to mine, “if not us then who and if not now then when”.

What's possible for us when we do pull off a success with The Baldwin Project?

The Black heterosexual community will finally get it and realize it took gays, lesbians, Bi-sexual and Transgender to show them how to create community wealth!
What is that worth?

It could possibly put a dent in homophobia in the Black heterosexual community when they see we are more than an orientation.

How will we know when we've succeeded?

We know when The Baldwin Project has succeeded when the Black heterosexual community comes to us to get a piece of the pie or even duplicate our model. 

What is our mission?

Our mission is to create and set into motion wealth building principles within the Black GLBT community.


What is our vision? What is our Manifest Destiny?

I believe our vision is to support Black GLBT in their vision to become successful business owners, entrepreneurs and inventors through providing finance, education and mentorship. Our Manifest Destiny is truly having our real "Black Mecca".

What is our overall strategy for achieving the mission of The Baldwin Project?

Our overall strategy for achieving the mission of The Baldwin Project is maintaining our integrity throughout our vision.
How do we need to be organized to execute these strategies?

First of all, we need to keep an open mind, to listen, defy logic and maintaining our faith in "the process".
To begin drafting this, I will email this to you through the Google Groups so that you can plug in your answers. Once, we're done, I will organize your answer into a draft we can begin revising together.



PREPARING THE FIELD


SURVEY

Intentions:
To stimulate public awareness to the social constructs which pose a challenge to the development and achievement of The Baldwin Project, and begin considering how to make changes to support what The Baldwin Project promises.

To provide an accurate picture of the field in which the The Baldwin Project will be operating to assist The Founder's Committee and Board with smart planning.


Survey link: https://www.quicksurveys.com/s/n9S2Gb

Sample invite script: "Please take part in this survey to help the board of "The Baldwin Project" strategize for the implementation of a group economics, investing and entrepreneurial program among Atlanta's Black LGBT Community. After completing, please share this with at least 3 other members of our community. Our goal is to poll 500, but at least 100. Thank you!"

Marketing Strategy:

1. Use the link above to email to 10 Black LGBT Atlantans in your email list, asking them to share with 3 others.

2. Please directly Facebook IM 10 Black LGBT Atlantans asking them to share with 3 others.
Over the course of 30 days.

3. share the link above in 1-3 discussion groups for with a Black LGBT audience at most daily, at least 3 times a week.

4. Respondent Goal: 550

5. Status toward achieving this goal: was 3% last meeting, now 4% with 20 respondents

Our next steps beyond this is now under debate. Please read the details about this debate determining our next direction HERE and be prepared to vote at the next or following Board Meeting. 

BOOK CLUB

Intentions:

To condition our market for the psychology conducive to enterprise, entrepreneurship, creativity, community leadership and hope.

For our new book selection in December, I have been polling this group to set the best meeting time.

We now a have a facebook discussion group for this. We are hosting it at Black Gay Owned Lounge, Studio No. 7. 393 Marietta St Atlanta GA 30313

NEXT MEETING Saturday, December 19th at the Decatur Library 4p-6p.

THE STRUGGLE

"Anyone who has ever struggled with poverty knows how extremely expensive it is to be poor."

-James A. Baldwin

Truer words may never have been spoken when considering, interest rates, insurance, healthcare costs brought on by poor health stemming from economic stress, lacking of time and space to exercise and how food is more expensive and at a lower quality at corner convenience stores in economically distressed parts of town. The school districts are lacking in competence and material which depresses opportunities for higher education which often can only be obtain by the poor through burdensome school loans which damages credit and causes high interest rates. If you think education is expensive, try ignorance. Because of the desperate condition of the poor, car dealers, renters, bankers, creditors, realtors, pawn shops, title loan sharks, check cashing facilities often take advantage of their situation and make hand over fist in dealing very shrewdly with them. So, if you can afford to be poor, you can certainly afford what it takes to become RICH!

Our Next Meeting will be our first official BOARD MEETING with the Board Members we now have in place assuming their positions.

ORGANIZING BOARD

We will continue our process for seeking and vetting members for our board, but in order to attract decent talent, we will be adding to our compensation package, not only the stipend, but ownership in the corporation at 11% for all members of the first Board of Directors and a seat on the Founders Committee. This adds Gratuity (stipend), Ownership and Legacy.

Harold Leffall is excited to help out with provided us a curriculum and organizing our educational program as our Dean. I will need to send him the information regarding that position and if he wishes to move forward, we will schedule a confirmation interview before inviting him into our Founders Committee.

Please view our system for recruiting, by clicking HERE.

Right now our Board looks like:

Executive Director: Branden Mattox

Deputy Director: Cleon T. Day III

Executive Administrator: Kacey Frierson-Nixon

Treasurer: Steven T. Austin


Steven is to follow up with Lee Perrimon for Director of Public Relations

CONSTITUTION

So far, Cleon has begin adding his input to the constitution.

Questions for us to begin answering:

What impulse happened to bring us to the resolution to create The Baldwin Project?

After the racist statement hung on the front and back door by Blakes’ management, the Atlanta Black GLBT Community needed to make a stand. “Black Lives Matter” even in the gay community! 

Why are we doing this in the first place? What is the need? What is our purpose?

We are doing this to fill a void, to transform a community who has been asking to have a seat at the table for years. It's time for us to make our own table, build our own chairs, then sale them and keep the dollars flowing in our community.

What if we don't do this?

The profound saying comes to mine, “if not us then who and if not now then when”.

What's possible for us when we do pull off a success with The Baldwin Project?

The Black heterosexual community will finally get it and realize it took gays, lesbians, Bi-sexual and Transgender to show them how to create community wealth!
What is that worth?

It could possibly put a dent in homophobia in the Black heterosexual community when they see we are more than an orientation.

How will we know when we've succeeded?

We know when The Baldwin Project has succeeded when the Black heterosexual community comes to us to get a piece of the pie or even duplicate our model. 

What is our mission?

Our mission is to create and set into motion wealth building principles within the Black GLBT community.


What is our vision? What is our Manifest Destiny?

I believe our vision is to support Black GLBT in their vision to become successful business owners, entrepreneurs and inventors through providing finance, education and mentorship. Our Manifest Destiny is truly having our real "Black Mecca".

What is our overall strategy for achieving the mission of The Baldwin Project?

Our overall strategy for achieving the mission of The Baldwin Project is maintaining our integrity throughout our vision.
How do we need to be organized to execute these strategies?

First of all, we need to keep an open mind, to listen, defy logic and maintaining our faith in "the process".
To begin drafting this, I will email this to you through the Google Groups so that you can plug in your answers. Once, we're done, I will organize your answer into a draft we can begin revising together.

PREPARING THE FIELD


SURVEY

Intentions:

To stimulate public awareness to the social constructs which pose a challenge to the development and achievement of The Baldwin Project, and begin considering how to make changes to support what The Baldwin Project promises.

To provide an accurate picture of the field in which the The Baldwin Project will be operating to assist The Founder's Committee and Board with smart planning.


Survey link: https://www.quicksurveys.com/s/n9S2Gb

Sample invite script: "Please take part in this survey to help the board of "The Baldwin Project" strategize for the implementation of a group economics, investing and entrepreneurial program among Atlanta's Black LGBT Community. After completing, please share this with at least 3 other members of our community. Our goal is to poll 500, but at least 100. Thank you!"

Marketing Strategy:

1. Use the link above to email to 10 Black LGBT Atlantans in your email list, asking them to share with 3 others.

2. Please directly Facebook IM 10 Black LGBT Atlantans asking them to share with 3 others.
Over the course of 30 days.

3. share the link above in 1-3 discussion groups for with a Black LGBT audience at most daily, at least 3 times a week.

4. Respondent Goal: 550

5. Status toward achieving this goal: was 2% last meeting, now 3% with 18 respondents

FORUM

Intentions:

To publicly stir the conversation surrounding the need for an organization like "The Baldwin Project"

To convict an audience into our first group of supporters and followers to fill any remaining Board Positions or committees not yet filled, to join The Founder's Committee if we have not reached 10 members, and those committed to attending, supporting and promoting our first social.

Primarily, we will be capturing emails from the survey to form the base of our market to invite to this forum.

Our first Business Presentation Party (BBP) is scheduled at Kacey's house in Jonesboro, Saturday, January 30th from 3PM-5PM with a game of Monopoly for those who wish to stay after 5PM for a more social setting. Starting small, each of us would be expected to focus on inviting only ONE friend to this event who may have the slightest interest in what is developing with The Baldwin Project. We can potluck this event. This event is to be given to Kacey's direction (You're the leader on this.) 

I have some fundraising ideas to include in this which will be given to Steven's direction.

BOOK CLUB

Intentions:

To condition our market for the psychology conducive to enterprise, entrepreneurship, creativity, community leadership and hope.

For our new book selection in December, I have been polling this group to set the best meeting time.

We now a have a facebook discussion group for this. We are hosting it at Black Gay Owned Lounge, Studio No. 7. 393 Marietta St Atlanta GA 30313

NEXT MEETING Saturday, November 7th at the Decatur Library 4p-6p. RSVP HERE

THINKING VS. ACTION

"When a man asks himself what is meant by action he proves that he isn't a man of action. Action is a lack of balance. In order to act you must be somewhat insane. A reasonably sensible man is satisfied with thinking."
-James A. Baldwin


MEETING #6: DOWN AND WE KEEP PUSHING FORWARD- Thanks, Steven and Kacey!

FOUNDER'S COMMITTEE CURRENT AGENDA:

ORGANIZING BOARD

It looks like we will not be meeting our deadline of rounding out our board by November 21st. So per the suggestion of our candidate for Deputy Director we will forge ahead with who we have and reach into our community to recruit able persons to complete our board from the survey and upcoming community forum.

I have met with Antoine Nolan Carter and he is interested in assisting whoever will be serving as our Treasurer with accounting, but can not at this time accept any leadership responsibilities on our board. 

Harold Leffall is excited to help out with provided us a curriculum and organizing our educational program as our Dean. I will need to send him the information regarding that position and if he wishes to move forward, we will schedule a confirmation interview before inviting him into our Founders Committee.

Please view our system for recruiting, by clicking HERE.

Right now our Board looks like:

Executive Director: Branden Mattox (Candidate)

Deputy Director: Cleon T. Day III (Candidate)

Executive Administrator: Kacey Frierson-Nixon (Candidate)

Treasurer: Steven T. Austin (Candidate)


Steven has nominated: Lee Perrimon for Director of Public Relations, Brian Moon for Dean and Jonathan Andry for Director of Public Communications and Aubry for Publisher. Great job, Steven! We will follow up with Steven on this at our next meeting.

CONSTITUTION

So far, Cleon has begin adding his input to the constitution.

Questions for us to begin answering:

What impulse happened to bring us to the resolution to create The Baldwin Project?

After the racist statement hung on the front and back door by Blakes’ management, the Atlanta Black GLBT Community needed to make a stand. “Black Lives Matter” even in the gay community!

Why are we doing this in the first place? What is the need? What is our purpose?

We are doing this to fill a void, to transform a community who has been asking to have a seat at the table for years. It's time for us to make our own table, build our own chairs, then sale them and keep the dollars flowing in our community.

What if we don't do this?

The profound saying comes to mine, “if not us then who and if not now then when”.

What's possible for us when we do pull off a success with The Baldwin Project?

The Black heterosexual community will finally get it and realize it took gays, lesbians, Bi-sexual and Transgender to show them how to create community wealth!
What is that worth?

It could possibly put a dent in homophobia in the Black heterosexual community when they see we are more than an orientation.

How will we know when we've succeeded?

We know when The Baldwin Project has succeeded when the Black heterosexual community comes to us to get a piece of the pie or even duplicate our model.

What is our mission?

Our mission is to create and set into motion wealth building principles within the Black GLBT community.


What is our vision? What is our Manifest Destiny?

I believe our vision is to support Black GLBT in their vision to become successful business owners, entrepreneurs and inventors through providing finance, education and mentorship. Our Manifest Destiny is truly having our real "Black Mecca".

What is our overall strategy for achieving the mission of The Baldwin Project?

Our overall strategy for achieving the mission of The Baldwin Project is maintaining our integrity throughout our vision.
How do we need to be organized to execute these strategies?

First of all, we need to keep an open mind, to listen, defy logic and maintaining our faith in "the process".
To begin drafting this, I will email this to you through the Google Groups so that you can plug in your answers. Once, we're done, I will organize your answer into a draft we can begin revising together.

PREPARING THE FIELD


SURVEY

Intentions:

To stimulate public awareness to the social constructs which pose a challenge to the development and achievement of The Baldwin Project, and begin considering how to make changes to support what The Baldwin Project promises.

To provide an accurate picture of the field in which the The Baldwin Project will be operating to assist The Founder's Committee and Board with smart planning.


Survey link: https://www.quicksurveys.com/s/n9S2Gb

Sample invite script: "Please take part in this survey to help the board of "The Baldwin Project" strategize for the implementation of a group economics, investing and entrepreneurial program among Atlanta's Black LGBT Community. After completing, please share this with at least 3 other members of our community. Our goal is to poll 500, but at least 100. Thank you!"

Marketing Strategy:

1. Use the link above to email to 10 Black LGBT Atlantans in your email list, asking them to share with 3 others.

2. Please directly Facebook IM 10 Black LGBT Atlantans asking them to share with 3 others.
Over the course of 30 days.

3. share the link above in 1-3 discussion groups for with a Black LGBT audience at most daily, at least 3 times a week.

4. Respondent Goal: 550

5. Status toward achieving this goal: was 2% last meeting, now 3% with 18 respondents

FORUM

Intentions:

To publicly stir the conversation surrounding the need for an organization like "The Baldwin Project"

To convict an audience into our first group of supporters and followers to fill any remaining Board Positions or committees not yet filled, to join The Founder's Committee if we have not reached 10 members, and those committed to attending, supporting and promoting our first social.

Primarily, we will be capturing emails from the survey to form the base of our market to invite to this forum.

Deadline for putting on the forum will be (This may need to be adjusted toward the beginning of the year after completing the survey.

We may need to being with an intimate setting of 10 at a home with committed individuals discussing the questions and responses to the survey and setting up next steps from there.

BOOK CLUB

Intentions:

To condition our market for the psychology conducive to enterprise, entrepreneurship, creativity, community leadership and hope.

For our new book selection in December, I will be polling this group to set the best meeting time.

We now a have a facebook discussion group for this. We are hosting it at Black Gay Owned Lounge, Studio No. 7. 393 Marietta St Atlanta GA 30313

NEXT MEETING Saturday, November 7th at the Decatur Library 4p-6p. RSVP HERE

FACING UP

MEETING #4: DOWN AND WE KEEP PUSHING FORWARD- Thanks, Steven and Kacey!

FOUNDER'S COMMITTEE CURRENT AGENDA:

ORGANIZING BOARD

Right now our initial board is taking shape and we now have a system to follow to get that done, complete and ready to go by Saturday, November 21st- 20 Days.

Please view our System, by clicking HERE.

Right now our Board looks like:

Executive Director: Branden Mattox (Candidate)

Deputy Director: Cleon T. Day III (Candidate)

Executive Administrator: Kacey Frierson-Nixon (Candidate)

Treasurer: Steven T. Austin (Candidate)

Steven has nominated: Lee Perrimon for Director of Public Relations, Brian Moon for Dean and Jonathan Andry for Director of Public Communications and Aubry for Publisher. Great job, Steven! I will email you by tomorrow a form email your personalize to get them the necessary details for them to begin making their decisions.

CONSTITUTION

Not yet tended to but begin brainstorming. Our deadline to visit this concern will be Saturday, November 24th- 23 Days.

Questions for us to begin answering:

What impulse happened to bring us to the resolution to create The Baldwin Project?
Why are we doing this in the first place? What is the need? What is our purpose?
What if we don't do this?
What's possible for us when we do pull off a success with The Baldwin Project?
What is that worth?
How will we know when we've succeeded?
What is our mission?
What is our vision? What is our Manifest Destiny?
What is our overall strategy for achieving the mission of The Baldwin Project?
How do we need to be organized to execute these strategies?

To begin drafting this, I will email this to you through the Google Groups so that you can plug in your answers. Once, we're done, I will organize your answer into a draft we can begin revising together.

PREPARING THE FIELD


SURVEY

Intentions:

To stimulate public awareness to the social constructs which pose a challenge to the development and achievement of The Baldwin Project, and begin considering how to make changes to support what The Baldwin Project promises.

To provide an accurate picture of the field in which the The Baldwin Project will be operating to assist The Founder's Committee and Board with smart planning.


Survey link: https://www.quicksurveys.com/s/n9S2Gb

Sample invite script: "Please take part in this survey to help the board of "The Baldwin Project" strategize for the implementation of a group economics, investing and entrepreneurial program among Atlanta's Black LGBT Community. After completing, please share this with at least 3 other members of our community. Our goal is to poll 500, but at least 100. Thank you!"

Marketing Strategy:

1. Use the link above to email to 10 Black LGBT Atlantans in your email list, asking them to share with 3 others. 

2. Please directly Facebook IM 10 Black LGBT Atlantans asking them to share with 3 others.
Over the course of 30 days.

3. share the link above in 1-3 discussion groups for with a Black LGBT audience at most daily, at least 3 times a week. 

4. Respondent Goal: 550

5. Status toward achieving this goal: 2%

FORUM

Intentions:

To publicly stir the conversation surrounding the need for an organization like "The Baldwin Project"

To convict an audience into our first group of supporters and followers to fill any remaining Board Positions or committees not yet filled, to join The Founder's Committee if we have not reached 10 members, and those committed to attending, supporting and promoting our first social.

Primarily, we will be capturing emails from the survey to form the base of our market to invite to this forum.

Deadline for putting on the forum will be (This may need to be adjusted toward the beginning of the year after completing the survey.

BOOK CLUB

Intentions:

To condition our market for the psychology conducive to enterprise, entrepreneurship, creativity, community leadership and hope.

We now a have a facebook discussion group for this. We are hosting it at Black Gay Owned Lounge, Studio No. 7. 393 Marietta St Atlanta GA 30313

NEXT MEETING Saturday, November 7th at the Decatur Library 4p-6p. RSVP HERE

PEOPLE PAY FOR WHAT THEY DO

MEETING #4: DOWN AND WE KEEP PUSHING FORWARD- Thanks Cleon, Steven and Kacey!

FOUNDER'S COMMITTEE CURRENT AGENDA:

ORGANIZING BOARD

Right now our initial board is taking shape and we now have a system to follow to get that done, complete and ready to go by Saturday, November 21st- 33 Days.

Please view our System, by clicking HERE.

Right now our Board looks like:

Executive Director: Branden Mattox (Candidate)

Deputy Director: Cleon Thelton Day III (Candidate)

Executive Administrator: Kacey Frierson-Nixon (Candidate)

Treasurer: Steven T. Austin (Candidate)


CONSTITUTION

Not yet tended to but begin brainstorming. Our deadline to visit this concern will be Saturday, October 24th- 5 Days.

Questions for us to begin answering:

1. What impulse happened to bring us to the resolution to create The Baldwin Project?
2. Why are we doing this in the first place? What is the need? What is our purpose?
3. What if we don't do this?
4. What's possible for us when we do pull off a success with The Baldwin Project?
5. What is that worth?
6. How will we know when we've succeeded? 
7. What is our mission?
8. What is our vision? What is our Manifest Destiny?
9. What is our overall strategy for achieving the mission of The Baldwin Project?
10. How do we need to be organized to execute these strategies?

PREPARING THE FIELD


SURVEY

Intentions:

To stimulate public awareness to the social constructs which pose a challenge to the development and achievement of The Baldwin Project, and begin considering how to make changes to support what The Baldwin Project promises.

To provide an accurate picture of the field in which the The Baldwin Project will be operating to assist The Founder's Committee and Board with smart planning.


Survey link: https://www.quicksurveys.com/s/n9S2Gb

Sample invite script: "Please take part in this survey to help the board of "The Baldwin Project" strategize for the implementation of a group economics, investing and entrepreneurial program among Atlanta's Black LGBT Community. After completing, please share this with at least 3 other members of our community. Our goal is to poll 500, but at least 100. Thank you!"

Marketing Strategy:

1. Use the link above to email to 10 Black LGBT Atlantans in your email list, asking them to share with 3 others.
2. Please directly Facebook IM 10 Black LGBT Atlantans asking them to share with 3 others.
3. Over the course of 30 days, share the link above in 1-3 discussion groups for with a Black LGBT audience at most daily, at least 3 times a week. 

Respondent Goal: Using this formula for guessing the number of Black LGBT citizens in the Atlanta Metropolitan region:
1.) Population Atlanta Metro- 6,162,195 32% Black.
2.) Atlanta City Proper- 4,515,419 54% Black
3.) Out General LGBT Population of Atlanta identifying as LGBT- 4.2%
4.) Number of participants in Atlanta Black Gay Pride 2014: 65,000

Average of 1 (1,971,902) and 2 (2,438,326) = 2,205,114
Identifying as LGBT = 92,615
Probable maximum reality of 42%= 926,145
Black Pride attendees, guessing 1 in 10 attended. = 650,000
Average of those identifying as out, probable maximum reality, probable indication of Pride attendees= 556,253
To survey just 1% would be= 5,562 should be our maximum goal, though to be realistic we can begin deducing reliable data between 56 respondents to 560. 1%-10% of our target market
So our goal of 30 days, end of November will range between (56-560)

FORUM

Intentions:

To publicly stir the conversation surrounding the need for an organization like "The Baldwin Project"

To convict an audience into our first group of supporters and followers to fill any remaining Board Positions or committees not yet filled, to join The Founder's Committee if we have not reached 10 members, and those committed to attending, supporting and promoting our first social.

Primarily, we will be capturing emails from the survey to form the base of our market to invite to this forum.

Deadline for putting on the forum will be Friday, November 20th- 31 Days.

BOOK CLUB

Intentions:

To condition our market for the psychology conducive to enterprise, entrepreneurship, creativity, community leadership and hope.

We now a have a facebook discussion group for this. We are hosting it at Black Gay Owned Lounge, Studio No. 7. 393 Marietta St Atlanta GA 30313

NEXT MEETING Saturday, October 10th at the Decatur Library 4p-6p. RSVP HERE

WHITE WORLD DEFINITIONS

“The power of the white world is threatened whenever a black man refuses to accept the white world's definitions.” -James A. Baldwin


You just gotta love the don't give a fig expression on his face. Why? Because he was the truth.

MEETING #3: DOWN AND WE KEEP PUSHING FORWARD- Thanks Cleon!

FOUNDER'S COMMITTEE CURRENT AGENDA:

ORGANIZING BOARD

Right now our initial board is taking shape and we now have a system to follow to get that done, complete and ready to go by Saturday, November 21st- 48 Days.

Please view our System, by clicking HERE.

Right now our Board looks like:

Executive Director: Branden Mattox (Candidate)

Deputy Director: Cleon Thelton Day III (Candidate)

Executive Administrator: Kacey Frierson-Nixon (Candidate)

Treasurer: Steven T. Austin (Candidate)


CONSTITUTION

Not yet tended to but begin brainstorming. Our deadline to visit this concern will be Saturday, October 24th- 20 Days.


PREPARING THE FIELD


SURVEY

Intentions:

To stimulate public awareness to the social constructs which pose a challenge to the development and achievement of The Baldwin Project, and begin considering how to make changes to support what The Baldwin Project promises.

To provide an accurate picture of the field in which the The Baldwin Project will be operating to assist The Founder's Committee and Board with smart planning.

You can access our developing survey by:

Step #1: Go to www.quicksurveys.com

Step #2: In the Upper Right Corner Click "Login"

Step#3: Enter "bgmattoxwfg@gmail.com" for username.

Step #4: Enter "resurgens" as the password

Step #5: Click "sign in"

Step #6: Click on the first survey titled "Building A New Black LGBT Atlanta That's Ours".

Please add questions you might have which might glean useful data for the above intentions or respond to this email or talk it up on our facebook discussion group.

Our deadline for completing this survey and getting it ready for release to the public with a plan for dissemination is Saturday, October 10th, 2015- 6 Days.


FORUM

Intentions:

To publicly stir the conversation surrounding the need for an organization like "The Baldwin Project"

To convict an audience into our first group of supporters and followers to fill any remaining Board Positions or committees not yet filled, to join The Founder's Committee if we have not reached 10 members, and those committed to attending, supporting and promoting our first social.

Primarily, we will be capturing emails from the survey to form the base of our market to invite to this forum.

Deadline for putting on the forum will be Friday, November 20th- 47 Days.

BOOK CLUB

Intentions:

To condition our market for the psychology conducive to enterprise, entrepreneurship, creativity, community leadership and hope.

We now a have a facebook discussion group for this. We are hosting it at Black Gay Owned Lounge, Studio No. 7. 393 Marietta St Atlanta GA 30313

Deadline for the first Book Club Meeting will be October 15th-11 Days.
NEXT MEETINGSaturday, October 10th at the Decatur Library 4p-6p. RSVP HERE

FREEDOM'S PLOW

MEETING #2: DOWN AND WE KEEP PUSHING FORWARD- Thanks Cleon!

FOUNDER'S COMMITTEE CURRENT AGENDA:

ORGANIZING BOARD

Right now our initial board is taking shape and we now have a system to follow to get that done, complete and ready to go by Saturday, November 21st- 65 Days.

Please view our System, by clicking HERE.

Right now our Board looks like:

Executive Director: Branden Mattox (Candidate)
Deputy Director: Cleon Thelton Day III (Candidate)
Executive Administrator: Kacey Frierson-Nixon (Nominee)
Treasurer: Steven T. Austin (Interested Prospect)

CONSTITUTION
Not yet tended to but begin brainstorming. Our deadline to visit this concern will be Saturday, October 24th- 34 Days.

PREPARING THE FIELD

SURVEY
Intentions:

To stimulate public awareness to the social constructs which pose a challenge to the development and achievement of The Baldwin Project, and begin considering how to make changes to support what The Baldwin Project promises.
To provide an accurate picture of the field in which the The Baldwin Project will be operating to assist The Founder's Committee and Board with smart planning.

You can access our developing survey by:

Step #1: Go to www.quicksurveys.com
Step #2: In the Upper Right Corner Click "Login"
Step#3: Enter "bgmattoxwfg@gmail.com" for username.
Step #4: Enter "resurgens" as the password
Step #5: Click "sign in"
Step #6: Click on the first survey titled "Building A New Black LGBT Atlanta That's Ours".

Please add questions you might have which might glean useful date for the above intentions or respond to this email or talk it up on our facebook discussion group.

Our deadline for completing this survey and getting it ready for release to the public with a plan for dissemination is Saturday, October 10th, 2015- 23 Days.

FORUM
Intentions:

To publicly stir the conversation surrounding the need for an organization like "The Baldwin Project"

To convict an audience into our first group of supporters and followers to fill any remaining Board Positions or committees not yet filled, to join The Founder's Committee if we have not reached 10 members, and those committed to attending, supporting and promoting our first social.

Primarily, we will be capturing emails from the survey for the form the base of our market to invite to this forum.

Deadline for putting on the forum will be Friday, November 20th- 64 Days.

BOOK CLUB
Intentions:

To condition our market for the psychology conducive to enterprise, entrepreneurship, creativity, community leadership and hope.

We now a have a facebook discussion group for this. We are now only looking for the perfect location to host our weekly meetings, preferably a Black Owned Coffee shop if you know of one, please tell us about it.

Deadline for the first Book Club Meeting will be October 16th-29 Days.

NEXT MEETING
Saturday, September 26th at the Decatur Library 4p-6p. RSVP HERE

And now I leave you with:

FREEDOM'S PLOW

When a man starts out with nothing,
When a man starts out with his hands
Empty, but clean,
When a man starts to build a world,
He starts first with himself
And the faith that is in his heart-
The strength there,
The will there to build.

First in the heart is the dream-
Then the mind starts seeking a way.
His eyes look out on the world,
On the great wooded world,
On the rich soil of the world,
On the rivers of the world.

The eyes see there materials for building,
See the difficulties, too, and the obstacles.
The mind seeks a way to overcome these obstacles.
The hand seeks tools to cut the wood,
To till the soil, and harness the power of the waters.
Then the hand seeks other hands to help,
A community of hands to help-
Thus the dream becomes not one man’s dream alone,
But a community dream.
Not my dream alone, but our dream.
Not my world alone,
But your world and my world,
Belonging to all the hands who build.

A long time ago, but not too long ago,
Ships came from across the sea
Bringing the Pilgrims and prayer-makers,
Adventurers and booty seekers,
Free men and indentured servants,
Slave men and slave masters, all new-
To a new world, America!

With billowing sails the galleons came
Bringing men and dreams, women and dreams.
In little bands together,
Heart reaching out to heart,
Hand reaching out to hand,
They began to build our land.
Some were free hands
Seeking a greater freedom,
Some were indentured hands
Hoping to find their freedom,
Some were slave hands
Guarding in their hearts the seed of freedom,
But the word was there always:
Freedom.

Down into the earth went the plow
In the free hands and the slave hands,
In indentured hands and adventurous hands,
Turning the rich soil went the plow in many hands
That planted and harvested the food that fed
And the cotton that clothed America.
Clang against the trees went the ax into many hands
That hewed and shaped the rooftops of America.
Splash into the rivers and the seas went the boat-hulls
That moved and transported America.
Crack went the whips that drove the horses
Across the plains of America.
Free hands and slave hands,
Indentured hands, adventurous hands,
White hands and black hands
Held the plow handles,
Ax handles, hammer handles,
Launched the boats and whipped the horses
That fed and housed and moved America.
Thus together through labor,
All these hands made America.

Labor! Out of labor came villages
And the towns that grew cities.
Labor! Out of labor came the rowboats
And the sailboats and the steamboats,
Came the wagons, and the coaches,
Covered wagons, stage coaches,
Out of labor came the factories,
Came the foundries, came the railroads.
Came the marts and markets, shops and stores,
Came the mighty products moulded, manufactured,
Sold in shops, piled in warehouses,
Shipped the wide world over:
Out of labor-white hands and black hands-
Came the dream, the strength, the will,
And the way to build America.
Now it is Me here, and You there.
Now it’s Manhattan, Chicago,
Seattle, New Orleans,
Boston and El Paso-
Now it’s the U.S.A.

A long time ago, but not too long ago, a man said:
ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL-
ENDOWED BY THEIR CREATOR
WITH CERTAIN UNALIENABLE RIGHTS-
AMONG THESE LIFE, LIBERTY
AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.
His name was Jefferson. There were slaves then,
But in their hearts the slaves believed him, too,
And silently took for granted
That what he said was also meant for them.
It was a long time ago,
But not so long ago at that, Lincoln said:
NO MAN IS GOOD ENOUGH
TO GOVERN ANOTHER MAN
WITHOUT THAT OTHER’S CONSENT.
There were slaves then, too,
But in their hearts the slaves knew
What he said must be meant for every human being-
Else it had no meaning for anyone.
Then a man said:
BETTER TO DIE FREE
THAN TO LIVE SLAVES
He was a colored man who had been a slave
But had run away to freedom.
And the slaves knew
What Frederick Douglass said was true.

With John Brown at Harper’s Ferry, Negroes died.
John Brown was hung.
Before the Civil War, days were dark,
And nobody knew for sure
When freedom would triumph
'Or if it would,' thought some.
But others new it had to triumph.
In those dark days of slavery,
Guarding in their hearts the seed of freedom,
The slaves made up a song:
Keep Your Hand On The Plow! Hold On!
That song meant just what it said: Hold On!
Freedom will come!
Keep Your Hand On The Plow! Hold On!
Out of war it came, bloody and terrible!
But it came!
Some there were, as always,
Who doubted that the war would end right,
That the slaves would be free,
Or that the union would stand,
But now we know how it all came out.
Out of the darkest days for people and a nation,
We know now how it came out.
There was light when the battle clouds rolled away.
There was a great wooded land,
And men united as a nation.

America is a dream.
The poet says it was promises.
The people say it is promises-that will come true.
The people do not always say things out loud,
Nor write them down on paper.
The people often hold
Great thoughts in their deepest hearts
And sometimes only blunderingly express them,
Haltingly and stumblingly say them,
And faultily put them into practice.
The people do not always understand each other.
But there is, somewhere there,
Always the trying to understand,
And the trying to say,
'You are a man. Together we are building our land.'

America!
Land created in common,
Dream nourished in common,
Keep your hand on the plow! Hold on!
If the house is not yet finished,
Don’t be discouraged, builder!
If the fight is not yet won,
Don’t be weary, soldier!
The plan and the pattern is here,
Woven from the beginning
Into the warp and woof of America:
ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL.
NO MAN IS GOOD ENOUGH
TO GOVERN ANOTHER MAN
WITHOUT HIS CONSENT.
BETTER DIE FREE,
THAN TO LIVE SLAVES.
Who said those things? Americans!
Who owns those words? America!
Who is America? You, me!
We are America!
To the enemy who would conquer us from without,
We say, NO!
To the enemy who would divide
And conquer us from within,
We say, NO!
FREEDOM!
BROTHERHOOD!
DEMOCRACY!
To all the enemies of these great words:
We say, NO!

A long time ago,
An enslaved people heading toward freedom
Made up a song:
Keep Your Hand On The Plow! Hold On!
The plow plowed a new furrow
Across the field of history.
Into that furrow the freedom seed was dropped.
From that seed a tree grew, is growing, will ever grow.
That tree is for everybody,
For all America, for all the world.
May its branches spread and shelter grow
Until all races and all peoples know its shade.
KEEP YOUR HAND ON THE PLOW! HOLD ON!

by Langston Hughes

TAKE AWAYS: (These Materials are for your study between now and the next meeting.)

For your Personal/Professional/ Business & Educational Development: "The Science of Getting Rich" written in 1910 (take notes for sharing during our 10-15 minute ice breaker.)

Interrupting Nay Sayers

"Those who say it can't be done are usually interrupted by others doing it." -James Baldwin

SUCCESSFUL MEETING #1 DOWN

Work got done, thank you Kafre and Cleon!

Though enthusiasm was present, as always the case among our passionate kind, we still managed to boil our public approach down to two initiatives and have secured two nominations for our board of directors. How's that for a start?

Shooting from the two agreements that #1 We can do this and #2 We should and must do this, we had a healthy discussion upon #3 How we should do this in regards to engaging the public into our program. Those of you here who have volunteered your assistance to the production of this idea may be ready for it, but are our audience (Black LGBT Atlantans) ready for The Baldwin Project? Putting all expectations aside, where are they in their readiness, so we may meet them there, and start there? Approving of The Baldwin Project idea is not readiness. Wanting something like The Baldwin Project is not readiness. Readiness is measured in how close you are to pulling the trigger on the very ACTIONS which are going to make The Baldwin Project real and bring its promises into fruition. Putting readiness in this perspective, we are not quite sure how ready our community is for us. So far, 3 people are ready by taking action on baby step #1: Attend Meeting 1. Like when coming to pick up a friend, they're either ready or they're not. When skydiving, you'd like for your parachute to be ready for use, don't you?

Following sage agricultural principles, if the field is not ready for your crop, before planting the first seed, you must get it ready to be fertile soil for your ideas. You get your field ready by tilling an aerating the soil. We are going have to do the same thing ahead of publicly unfolding our program. We must begin breaking up the old dynamics, paradigms and social structures which are going to be resistant and non-receptive to a program like The Baldwin Project leading it toward failure. We must begin stirring up and aerating the social climate with ideas, inspiration, galvanizing decisions and hope.

How is the current field not yet fertile for The Baldwin Project?

1. (LACK OF COMMUNITY IDENTITY) Black Gay Atlanta is not yet fully aware of itself as a real and distinct community separate from White LGBT Atlanta with our OWN organizations, businesses and leaders, our OWN history, home district and culture. -Kafre

2. It has only been within the last 3 years that we have been headed in that direction with the many separate cliques now consolidating due to the uniting factors of SOCIAL MEDIA, The changed sociological focus of ITLA over the recent years, though they are failing this year, and The Gentlemen's Ball giving Atlanta's Black Gay Men something to be proud of. Though we have some more miles to travel before we are a true community -Branden

3. (THE CLOSET) We are still largely closeted. Whenever a 54% Black City puts on a Gay Pride overwhelmingly attended by Whites and still outperforms in numbers, attention and economic stimulus a Pride dedicated to our people, we have to be still a sleeping GIANT. We can blame The Old Homophobic Black Church dynamic still strong here. The inspiration of Marriage Equality is helping with this. -Cleon

4. (LACK OF TRUST) Black Gay Atlantans do not trust one another. Our life experiences are one largely leaning toward hurt in dealing with homophobia, racism and the compounding system of self-hatred from other Black Gays. We're mean to each other. Some of us are so beaten down and broken from all directions that we fail to even trust ourselves. Without self-trust, and self-acceptance, integrity is unnatural. -Cleon

5. (LACK OF HOPE) Our community has seen lots of failures due to lack of follow-through on initiatives, lack of integrity (see #4), flakiness and infighting caused by ego-clashing and elitism resulting from want of importance and self-worth. The final result is the hope for new initiatives are at a low. -Cleon

6. (LACK OF QUALITY) The Black Gay Businesses we do have are not known for producing quality products at a reasonable price and are known for poor customer service. -Cleon

7. (OTHER PRIORITIES) HIV, Poverty/Homelessness/Unemployment and Underemployment, lack of Career establishment. -Kafre

8. (COMPETITION) We struggle to achieve unity because of #1: We fail to see ourselves as one community. We operate selfishly and see each other as rivals instead of partners. Therefore our talent is out to destroy and defeat each other due to insecurity #2. Collaboration and Cooperative economics struggle because of this factor.

There you have it, 7 challenges facing The Baldwin Project before we even get started. What do we do about this? Well, in Alcoholics Anonymous, the first step in confronting and dealing with a problem is to first bring ACKNOWLEDGEMENT to the fact that it is a problem and what it is costing. We're going to need to create an AWARENESS program. We can do this in 2 steps:

1. Using the SOCRATIC method (Teaching by questions leading to awareness of the answer.) We can create a survey which will #1 get people to thinking about the problems and #2. provide us conclusive data on the real climate out in the field, the real challenges we face and perhaps ideas we have not yet considered.

2. From those we engage in an online survey, capture their email addresses and invite them to a forum to discuss the problem and think tank what exactly we should do about it while presenting the Baldwin Project as one possible solution. We must have an Awareness + Solution focused discussion. They must at this time see The Baldwin Project in development and not just merely a great idea to increase their hope. We must make The Baldwin Project real to them.

NEXT STEP:
Between now and our Meeting #2 scheduled for Saturday, September 12th, we are going to shape this online survey and take it from there.

Please help by fielding me great questions in the comments section which will:

1. Give us a clear understanding of the readiness of our audience or field for The Baldwin Project.

2. Stimulate awareness and contemplation on whatever the challenges might be and what might happen if we don't do something like The Baldwin Project soon.

3. Stimulate interest in The Baldwin Project.

Are there any other challenges, I have not listed?

BOARD DEVELOPMENT:

We are adding 2 more roles to our board:

Dean of Education (Director of Education)
Publisher (Director of Magazine/Business Directory)
We are now taking nominations for all roles. Once we have at least one nominee for all board positions, this Founders group will vote in the Official Founding Executive Board of Directors.

So far we have two volunteered to be nominees:
Executive Director: Branden Mattox (me)
Deputy Director: Cleon Thelton Day III

These nominees are not official until voted in. To get the best team of directors we are capable of having, please lets have multiple nominees for each position to choose from, at least two. While I bring many strengths and talents to the role of Executive Director with a 16 year background in law, political campaigns, personal finance and community organizing and activism, if there is someone out there who can do it better than me, I pray that they show themselves and I will be fine with taking another role for which I am suited or none at all resigning to simply Co-Founder with all of you. They will have my vote.

Read the new adapted Executive Board List HERE. (You are able to comment on it if you have suggestions.)
If there is someone you can think of who would be a perfect fit for any of these roles, please put us in contact with them to see if they are interested in being nominated for a role. All that we ask is that they are Black, LGBT, are identified with Black Gay Atlanta as a community and live within the Atlanta Metro Region (Within 1 hr drive of Downtown Atlanta).
So until September 12th, we've got some work to do! So let's go in and let have!

TAKE AWAYS: (These Materials are for your study between now and the next meeting.) 

1. Initial Illustration Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1-tbo33BMb6zQp2c06tUNJTeZ3SfMYzW9Y8jT6ecCTKM/edit?usp=sharing 
2. New Adapted Proposed Design for The Board of Directors: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dG7pTayt-P-9dgmaVMoDGc7YBLgiRrNDqLT4XnN1VsE/edit?usp=sharing 
3. For your Personal/Professional/ Business & Educational Development: "The Science of Getting Rich" written in 1910 (take notes for sharing during our 10-15 minute ice breaker.)

As always:

I look forward to working with all of you on this important endeavor!

Yours in love for the cause of brotherhood,

Branden G. Mattox

404-492-4197

MEETING 1

 

Other recipients:

*DON'T GET BORED WITH THE BOARD* I hope this update finds you in good spirits. If not, the get excited anyway! The Baldwin Project is embarking upon an endeavor which has the means to lift up our entire community and you included. If done

DON'T GET BORED WITH THE BOARD

I hope this update finds you in good spirits. If not, the get excited anyway! The Baldwin Project is embarking upon an endeavor which has the means to lift up our entire community and you included. If done properly, do not disbelieve that this initiative will catch national attention and serve as an inspiration for the broader Black community to do the same and that is in believing and investing in ourselves.

During my three years as a financial advisor, I counseled my clients on the importance of diversifying their investments in indexes such as the S&P 500 companies and international currencies such as the Euro and the Japanese Yen. Hence, I was counseling my clients to send their money outside of their communities to businesses they may not even heard of and other nations for a hope for a return on their investments. Thinking of the needs of strengthening the Black Economy and the Black Gay Economy in particular on the local level, would you now consider this wise advice? What if they instead invested that money into themselves and in their communities, supporting to local startup businesses serving the needs and wants of their community? Not only would they directly benefit from that investment, imagine the return on investment? If you can not believe in yourself, why should you believe in anyone else's project or venture? THIS is WHY we're doing what we're doing!

#1: Our board will not be working for free. This project is going to take time, attention, commitment and energy. And to get quality time, attention, commitment, energy and leadership, these things should be paid for. This project deserves this quality. Don't be so altruistic to believe you're going to help your community raise its wealth and help startup businesses get off the ground and you are not going be compensated for your contributions. If you will give good work, you deserve this. There is a way we can go about the design of the Baldwin Project to ensure that you are compensated without burdening the progress toward its mission. We can design the organization in such a way that by paying you, the organization can receive more of your time without interfering with the other things you may need to do for pay to take care of yourself, and thereby it will actually help in achieving its mission. 

#2: At the same time of working to get The Baldwin Project off the ground, I am also building a school for nonviolent activism. Right now, both projects are about at the same level of development. So far, we have drew up a design for our board of directors we are in the process now of filling. I present this to you only as a format by which we may set up The Baldwin Project Board of Directors. We may take this and tailor it to whatever our needs will be. We are scheduled to meet next Saturday, August 22nd, 2015 at the Decatur Library from 4p-6p. To begin:

1. Through discussion, finalize the design of the board of directors from suggestions you may have from what I am about to present to you. (Please take notes of your input to share)
2. If there are any positions you feel you are best prepared for, please prepare a 5 minute oral resume so that we can independently see where you fit best.
3. From there, will be begin nominating for positions and voting.
4. Whoever gets designated as the Legal Counselor will draw up contracts to be signed at the next meeting to be archived by the Executive Administrator. (If we are keeping these positions.)
5. If time allows, the board can begin refining the initial illustration in the presentation to begin preparing our business plan and articles of incorporation. (Or we can save this for the next meeting.) To stay focused on task, I am in favor of taking one step at a time.

Please RSVP to our 1st meeting @: MEETING I and join our private discussion group if you have not already at: The Baldwin Project Facebook

 

TAKE AWAYS: (These Materials are for your study between now and the next meeting.)

1. Initial Illustration Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1-tbo33BMb6zQp2c06tUNJTeZ3SfMYzW9Y8jT6ecCTKM/edit?usp=sharing
2. Proposed Design for The Board of Directors: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ClD8FottbQHZdR5dOdowzsw0FAKYuKtUF8KDZ4p0Qfo/edit?usp=sharing
3. For your Personal/Professional/ Business & Educational Development: "The Science of Getting Rich" written in 1910 (take notes for sharing during our 10-15 minute ice breaker.)

 

 

Again, I look forward to working with all of you on this important endeavor!

Yours in love for the cause of brotherhood,

Branden G. Mattox

404-492-4197