Diablo Black Mens Group

East Bay Kwanzaa Celebrations – December 26th to January 1st!

A week of celebrating Family, Community, and African culture in the East Bay!

December 26^th is the first day of Kwanzaa. After seven days of celebrating it ends on the first day of the year.  Each of the celebration days has a topic.  The final day is focused on Imani – Faith, “…the faith to believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, our righteousness, and the ultimate victory of our struggle.”

For each of the seven days’ celebrations, a specific place in the home is chosen to display the symbols of celebration.  A table is spread with a beautiful piece of African cloth.  The mat is placed on the cloth, and all of the other symbols are placed on it which symbolizes the deep roots of traditions.  Next, the candle holder is placed on the mat and the seven candles are placed in the candle holder. The colors of the candles are black, red and green; black for the people, red for their struggle, and green for the future and hope that comes from their struggle – one black candle, three red candles, and three green candles.

The table is then set with two ears of corn, and the Unity Cup. The ears of corn symbolize that all of us are social parents of the children of our community. The Unity Cup is used to pour the “libation” to the ancestors in remembrance and honor of those who paved the path down which we walk and who taught us the good and beautiful life.  Finally, the table setting is added to with African objects and books on the life and culture of African people to symbolize their community to heritage and learning.

The last day of Kwanzaa, January 1^st,  is for African people a time of sober assessment of things done and things to do, of self-reflection and reflection on the life and future of the people and of recommitment to their highest cultural values in a special way. It is a time to ask and answer soberly and humbly the three Kwanzaa questions: 1) Who am I;  2) Am I really who I say I am; and, 3) Am I all I ought to be? And it is a time to recommit ones self to the highest ideals of what it means to be both African and human in the fullest sense.  We all need to honor and hold special the many cultural celebrations of this world. Kwanzaa is one of those special celebrations.  The Diablo Black Men’s Group  is promoting all it’s members to consider the principles of Kwanzaa as part of their Holiday Celebrations.  All of us start 2009 with high expectations of an unforgettable year of special moments with our loving family and friends. Here’s to every aspect of your magnificent life coming true in 2009!  Until next time…I remain, your humble East Bay Real Estate  lifestyle detective.

Diablo Black Mens Group

East Bay Annual Event – San Ramon Wind Festival!

Diablo Black Mens Group knocked them dead with the “Cobbler Shack” today!

OK, so I am the “rookie” with the Diablo Black Mens Group.  But, what I didn’t know is that their annual food booth at the San Ramon Wind Festival was selling peach cobbler and ice cream.  The “rookie” gets to be the ice cream scooper.  I am 60 years old and do you have any idea what scooping ice cream does to one’s tennis elbow and carple tunnel syndrome?  Well, I am at home tonight with ice on my right arm, a glass of wine in my left hand, and I have already taken three Advil.  Who would have even imagined that there would be such an action packed fund raiser within two weeks of joining this group.  And, I just completed the 18th Annual Blackhawk Food, Wine & Film Faire at the Blackhawk Car Museum for my Rotary club last week, which was another over the top event from an effort and planning standpoint.  You will find me down at Body Works in Danville this week for a serious deep tissue massage.

All kidding aside, there was a ton of money raised by the DBMG for their scholorship fund the past two days at the San Ramon Wind Festival!  It was a lot of hard work, but it will contribute a significant amount of funds to scholorships to young African-American men starting college. We even sold out of the cobbler and ice cream by 3:30PM today because of the crowds that kept lining up for this great treat at the Festival.

So, I am through with the breakdown of the booth, loading the truck, and high-fiving the DBMG crew, and I am walking to my car.  I run in to lots of friends attending the event asking how it went with our fundraiser.  And, who should I run into is Dr. Brent Waterman - the doctor that assisted me with completing so many high endurance sporting events over the past 20+ years.  He is my chiropractor, and he is the past president of the Danville Lions Club and the past Lions Club member of the year!  Dr. Brent is not only a dear friend, but he is a giant in the world of community service in the East Bay.  He was standing in the middle of the walkway passing out coupons for the Taste Of Danville Event coming up next week.  I promised him that I would assist him in passing out the fliers to the real estate community.  And, I promised him that I would give the event a plug on my blog site.  So, here are the details.  It is the 14th Annual Spring Restaurant Walk in Danville – 6PM to 9PM.  It is the only “Progressive Dinner” in the East Bay;  The Peasant & The Pear; Tower Grille; Primo’s Pizza; Beverages & More; Starbuck’s Coffee; Sideboard; La Ultima New Mexican Food; Bridges Restaurant; Amber Bistro; Basil Leaf Cafe; China Paradise; FAZ; Masala Indian Fusion; and Taqueria El Balazo!  Can you believe the ticket price is ONLY $25!!!  Call (925) 275-1990 for tickets!  It is always a sellout, so call TODAY!  Your East Bay real estate detective continues to explore all of the events you will ever want to know about!!!

Diablo Black Mens Group

East Bay & National News: Jim Walberg & Joshua Packwood Share A First!

A white East Bay Realtor / Community activist, and a white graduating college senior continue to blur the color lines of our world.

History was made last week as Jim Walberg  - an East Bay Realtor was inducted into the Diablo Black Men’s Group, and Joshua Packwood (a U-Tube Link) was chosen as the Valedictorian of Morehouse College – the all-black men’s college outside of Atlanta, Georgia. Both of these men are white and both realize that color lines are drawn by everyone, and they hoped that it would not prevent them from making a difference in worlds in which they live and serve. Both me subscribe to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s statement, “We are prone to judge success by the index of our salary or the size of our automobile, rather than by the quality of our service to others and our relationship to humanity.“

The Diablo Black Men’s Group

The Diablo Black Men’s Group began in the mid 1990’s as an outlet for Diablo Valley African American men. By 1999, the group had evolved into an organization of men who wanted to see their collective influence to enhance the lives of their members and families as well as make significant contributions to the community in which they live. They encourage each member to appreciate liberty and all that it encompasses, including embracing community involvement.

DBMG is committed to support activities with the goal of improving the health and welfare of their citizenry. In addition, DBMG is actively involved in promoting the education of the impact on heart disease, prostate cancer awareness, and health screening of African American men in collaboration with the Alta Bates Summit Ethnic Health Institute, Kaiser Permanente Hospitals, and the American Cancer Society with support from the ChevronTexaco Corporation. Additionally, DBMG helps socially and economically challenged Bay Area youth pursue cultural and educational opportunities through their college scholarship programs.

Morehouse College 2008 Valedictorian

Founded over 144 years ago in Atlanta, Georgia, Morehouse College has focused on the mission to develop men with disciplined minds who will lead lives of leadership and service. A private historically black liberal arts college for men, Morehouse realizes this mission by emphasizing the intellectual and character development of its students. In addition, the College assumes special responsibility for teaching the history and culture of black people. Founded in 1867 and located in Atlanta, Georgia, Moorehouse is an academic community dedicated to teaching, scholarship, and service, and the continuing search for truth as a liberating force.

Editors Note: Some of the Morehouse College graduates who have made a significant difference in our lives and the world: Martin Luther King Jr. led the country through one of its most transforming civic movements; David Satcher resuscitated the issues of health care disparity and access; Maynard Jackson taught the world the value of diversity and equal access as the first African American mayor of Atlanta; Donn Clenendon scored in the history annals and was part of a miracle when he was named a World Series MVP; and Shelton “Spike” Lee continues to challenge how the world views blacks in life with critically acclaimed films. These are just some of the Morehouse Men.

In 2004 Joshua Packwood became one of the “Morehouse Men”. The 22-year-old from Kansas City, Mo., graduated on May 18th with a perfect 4.0 GPA and a degree in economics. He could have gone elsewhere, to a school like Columbia, Stanford or Yale, but his four-year journey through Morehouse has taught him a few things that they could not have learned at any other university, and he makes it clear that he has no regrets. The Morehouse College professors chose the Valedictorian, and he was their candidate of choice because of his academic accomplishments and his contribution to the college. He graduated as a Rhodes Scholar finalist, and will be joining Goldman Sachs in New York City.

“I’ve been forced to see the world in a different perspective, that I don’t think I could’ve gotten anywhere else,” he said. “None of the ‘Ivies’, no matter how large their enrollment is, no matter how many Nobel laureates they have on their faculty … none of them could’ve provided me with the perspective I have now.“

It is important for all of us to make a positive difference in worlds we live in everyday. Now it is your turn. Let us know what you are doing with the legacy you are leaving behind…

Diablo Black Mens Group

East Bay’s Diablo Black Men’s Group Hosted Guy Houston Today!

As part of the DBMG’s monthly breakfast, Guy Houston was invited to update the membership on the challenges facing our State government’s current budget issues.

 Our region’s representative to our State legislature, Guy Houston, was the guest speaker at the Diablo Black Men’s Group monthly breakfast in San Ramon today. Mr. Houston gave a brief update on the budget issues facing the State, and then took questions from the audience on a wide range of topics.

Mr. Houston started off with a general description of our Governor taking the position of cutting 10% off of all aspects of the State’s budget to balance the current fiscal crisis.  But, he did expand on what a 10% cut actually means. It actually means 10% off the budget after all of line items are given an inflation increase – meaning that the actual cuts are from 1% to 2%. ( Do not try this same accounting method at home when you trim your monthly budget by 10%. At your home it will actually mean a 10% cut.)

Mr. Houston’s two areas that he aims to protect are schools – K through 12, and infrastructure – our transportion structures. Another challenge with the budget is not only the lowering of revenue, but the increased debt service from the borrowing the State has done over the recent years. This has been in the form of bonds guaranteed by the State that require interest payments. He commented that our State’s income is based on a “boom or bust” annual planning method. Some years there is plenty of income, and some years there is a significant decline. Because of this State revenue cycle, he suggested that there be a broader sales tax implemented in order to smooth out these up and down years of revenue generally based on income taxes.

A solution to our totally inadequate funding of transportation infrastructure would be to set up public/private partnerships for toll roads similar to what Orange County has accomplished in Southern California. He gave the example that in 1970 11% of the State budget was allocated for transportation infrastructure.  Today it is .75% of the budget, which doesn’t even fund the road maintenance that is required. It was an informative presenation and a lively Q&A time.  Mr. Houston will be leaving State government after this term and be a candidate for the Contra Costa Board Of Supervisors.

The breakfast forum was with a group – the DBMG, that was formed in the mid-1990s as an organization of men who wanted to use their collective influence to enhance the lives of their members, families, and their community. Besides a keen focus on providing college scholarships for economically challenged Bay Area youth, they promote awareness of prostate cancer, diabetes, and heart disease to it’s members and the communities they serve.  Please contact me if you would like more information about how to support the Diablo Black Men’s Group and their community projects.  Until next time…