This is the time of the year when I turn to my friends, family, and network to support a cause that is near and dear to my family’s heart.
In 2006, our twins boys were born at 20 weeks. They were way too small and underdeveloped to survive, and even if they would have lived, their defects would have been crippling.
My wife and I have turned the tragedy into something positive and we now raise money during the annual March of Dimes, March for Babies.
Our goal this year is to raise $5,500.00 dollars (my personal goal is to raise $1,500), and with your help, we’ll reach our goal.
If you’re one of my Facebook friends or follow me on Twitter, I’m not going to stop talking about this.
We have 33 days to reach our goal, so please donate now, or share this post with a friend or colleague.
How fast can a person go from zero to hero? In this digital age, it all depends. Some people work for years to develop a product, service, or their personal brand online. Others blow up overnight.
In 2011, we already have our first viral sensation. His name is Ted Williams. He spent his days panhandling along a Columbus Ohio intersection. At night he slept in a blue tent smaller than the average office cubicle. That was until a print news reporter with a video camera decided to dig a little deeper into Williams’ story. Once it was uploaded to YouTube, the video took on a life its own.
Video can be powerful when a good story accompanies it. I saw it on Facebook on Monday, and shared it immediately with my network. It starts out simple enough. The reporter drives to an intersection and starts talking to a guy who is down and out. Next thing you hear is his amazing voice. Williams explains that his radio career was sabotaged by drugs and alcohol, but says that he’s clean and sober now, and trying to bounce back.
It is almost impossible not to feel some form of compassion for the dude. It appears that millions of others felt the same way I did. On Tuesday, I saw that he had been offered a job, a home, and the media train was running at full speed. Williams was featured on CNN, and CBS. He even opened the Today Show.
This is a made for TV story. Just about every broadcaster can appreciate his talent, and we as humans are all about giving second chances. On Tuesday I got teary eyed as I watched Williams being interviewed about the instant turnaround.
As much as the media is enamored with covering the crime of the day, fires, and scandals. Stories of triumph are even more powerful. Watching the Williams’ story makes you feel good. It gives you hope in humanity. It makes you appreciate the little things in life that mean so much.
Williams’ sign said that he had a God given talent which was almost squandered by bad decisions. I wonder how many people drove by him at that intersection and never slowed down to speak?
Stories are everywhere, and all it takes is capturing the moment to make someone’s day, and possibly change their life.
I am planning to build on my experiences from 2010. One of my primary goals is to create some additional streams of income. I have been talking about this for a couple of years, but I want to develop a multi-media training program, and/or classes to help people improve their production skills. Video is big, and I should be sharing my knowledge to help others master its power. I also started writing a book about video production.
Though I’ve been vlogging here since 2006, I’m feeling that it’s time for me to launch amanichannel.com. MyUrbanReport has been a labor of love, but it’s time for me to grow my personal brand and services through my real identity.
I also plan to work on being a better husband and father. Marriage takes time, effort, love, and patience and I need to work on the foundation that has allowed me to remain married for almost 10 years (our anniversary is in May).
Financially, it’s time to get rid of the debt and start building wealth. I have to thank my social media/tech colleage Adria Richards for the timely business tips and advice.
We’re going to get it in 2011.
Thanks for riding on this journey with me. I’ve met so many people, and reconnected with so many friends through social media.
I’m in California spending my first Christmas with my family in Los Angeles and the Bay Area. I haven’t seen my aunt and uncle in about 10 years, which is almost unbelievable.
It’s a good feeling to be with family this time of year.
Enjoy your blessings, there is abundance, and life is good.
OliverWillis – Shirley Sherrod may be considering returning to the USDA.
Police in Orlando, Florida tazer a 3-year-old boy (WFTV-TV) BlackWeb2.0 shares a list of the 100 most powerful Black women.
Fantasia Barina speaks out about her suicide attempt. (NecoleBitchie)
Being fat can cost you at an Atlanta nail salon. (StraightfromtheA)
BlackTreeTV interviews Spike Lee about his new Hurricane Katrina documentary that is airing on HBO (Pt. 2 is tonight)
