A new CHANGE in Philadelphia

How often is it that we hear people complain about things that are NOT happening in the community and nobody does anything about it? Some people will talk but never make any changes.

Andrea Walker is not one of those people.

Both Andrea and Matthew Myles are bringing change to their hometown, Philadelphia. They have recently launched a non-profit organization called I.N.E.R.D Inc. in Philly. I've known Andrea for years and she is someone who is about to make a major impact on her city. I recently interviewed her to find out more about her new movement.

I.N.E.R.D Inc., a new, local non-profit organization plans to launch Campaign I.N.E.R.D. An innovative, thought provoking, empowering, dual educational mentorship and resource initiative, whose “goal is to focus on empowering youth and young adults in our local communities, to nurture, mold and develop a superior understanding of the importance of intelligence,” says Co-founder Matthew Myles. They will begin first by implementing their Sisters Sittin Pretty mentorship program this June 1, 2013. This program will target inner city youth girls ages 6-16. Sisters Sittin Pretty will encourage sisterhood and foster self-respect and self-esteem. It will explore every platform from the controversial conversations that most parents dread having, such as, safe sex, rape, peer pressure, abstinence, and teen pregnancy to life skills, team building, leadership skills, bullying, to high-school and college preparation. The girls will engage in meaningful, thought provoking, and age appropriate activities which will help them develop self-respect and empower them with a core understanding that intelligence is “cool”.

Founders and Philadelphia natives Andrea Walker and Matthew Myles believe that, by getting the necessary resources to the youth, you equip them with the tools required to lead a successful and productive lives as upstanding citizens of the communities. However, deprive a child of knowledge and engage them with substandard community resources and they become the criminals that bombard our media outlets with hate crimes, gang on gang violence and other senseless acts that rip through the communities. “They can’t do better if they don’t know better”, says Co-founder of I.N.E.R.D Inc., Andrea Walker. For Myles, I.N.E.R.D stands for I Never Ever Rely on Dummies an acronym he coined three years ago while living in the inner cities of DC, but for Walker, I.N.E.R.D stands for Imagine New Emotions Rediscovering Dreams, an acronym that speak volumes to her personal struggle with her mother’s diagnosis of HIV. Any way you look at it, I.N.E.R.D stands for a change and the founders of I.N.E.R.D plan to do just that beginning in Philly’s own backyard with hopes of one day operating on a national level. 

Sisters Sittin Pretty mentor ship program is just the first of many aids to be implemented by I.N.E.R.D Inc. The organization is also in the process of developing a Soup Kitchen in Camden, New Jersey, as well as a Financial Literacy Program, a Global Language Program, and Trade/Organizer Blend Workshops which will include youth prevention/intervention programs. Walker plans to partner with local AIDS activist to launch a HIV/AIDS Activist outreach and Support Program which will be a dedication to her mother. She plans to make children aware of the epidemic and provide counseling and support for them and their family members, something she wishes would have been provided for her as she struggled with the harsh reality that her mother was battling the disease. Walker says “no longer should people be in fear of the disease HIV/Aids, just like they aren’t about Cancer. Its 2013, it’s not taboo anymore. People contract this disease every day and many times, they are unaware.” 

1. What made you decide to start this venture in Philadelphia? 

We were all raised in Uptown Philadelphia and most of our team still lives in the city so starting this venture to give back to the city that has molded so much of our lives was an easy decision. That, along with the cities painfully obvious lack of community involvement and the crisis that we see our youth struggling to overcome when it comes to such issues as education or other significant resources. This was an answer for that calling. 

2. What separates your non-profit organization from others that may be

somewhat similar? 

What separates us is that we are a collective of young urban professionals who have achieved different degrees of success in our individual pursuits but we all intend to push forward together. Very often, people focus on themselves and create non-profits after they have “made it.” We feel that success is a journey rather than a destination and we intend to share that journey with our community as well as one another.

3. What has been the biggest challenge in launching this movement? 

The biggest challenge has been coordinating everyone’s schedules as we are all very active, busy people with responsibilities and goals of our own. Other than that, our shared passion for our cause has made the process relatively smooth. What has been the biggest reward? There are two. The first is being surrounded by such powerful, positive, energetic young people. The second reward comes from knowing that we are going to make a difference in the lives of families and children. We are creating a legacy that will live beyond us. We are creating something much bigger than anyone of us alone could ever do.

4. Where do you see your organization being five years from now? 

In five years, we see ourselves running full after school and summer programs that will provide safe, nurturing environments for at risk youth. We see ourselves providing our community members with information that will have a lasting impact on their lives and the lives of their children. Such information will come by way of empowering them with basic to in-depth understanding and ability to manage their finances, to realizing the strength and power that we as a people possess, if we stand together. We see I.N.E.R.D Inc. as a bridge in the disconnect between the generation that once lacked intelligence for fear of scrutiny and the generation who will possess and use it as effortlessly as texting on a cell phone. We see ourselves forming lasting relationships with like-minded organizations such as The Boys and Girls Club, Blues Babe Foundation and Black Girls Rock. We see ourselves providing scholarships for deserving young people who might otherwise not be able to continue their education. At the VERY least, we will be a strong, consistent positive influence on our communities. We may very well save some lives.

While I.N.E.R.D. Inc. is the nonprofit sector of the brand, I.N.E.R.D is clearly not limiting themselves to any one area of expertise. I.N.E.R.D is a one stop shop. From a dope t-shirt and hoodie line to a “feminine, flirty, and sexy line” known as Tulip, by I.N.E.R.D’s own fashion designer Amber Cuff. There is also their music division which is spearheaded by the one and only Verso a.k.a Verse Mega, “The Voice of Reason,” “Dignity in the Flesh,” “An Emcee’s Emcee,” Jamaica-born, Philadelphia-bred lyricist. With unremarkable talent, Verso works alongside some of I.N.E.R.D’s best new and upcoming artist such as Uptown Tone and Friends and the No Names. Although the clothing line and the music division are platforms for the designers and artist, these entities also create opportunities for youth in the areas of internships and shadowing. Members of the mentorship programs are granted a behind the scenes look at how music is created, what goes on in the studio, to live performances, as well as a day in the life of a fashion designer. There are many events that can easily turn into a field trip for the mentees at any given moment.

I.N.E.R.D Inc. is on the move to take back its community. It is calling for any and everyone who has a voice to join them. They believe strongly in their youth and will stop at nothing to empower them with the message that intelligence is cool with the hopes of planting a seed to grow and nurture upstanding citizens of our communities. To learn more about their efforts, donate, or purchase a t-shirt, or to sponsor a child please visit their website at www.inerdinc.com

Media Inquiries:

Andrea Walker

Co-Founder and CEO

I.N.E.R.D Inc.

www.inerdinc.com

andreawalker@inerdinc.com

baggage claim

What does HE bring to this relationship?

What does SHE bring to this relationship?

Sometimes we are consumed with this thought when thinking about the other person. It doesn't matter if it's a friendship, relationship, or marriage. More often, we don't take the time to address the ISSUES that WE bring to the relationship. And we all have issues. Some are big. Some are small. But we all have our own issues.

I remember when I was in high school I vowed to never deal with a chick who already had a kid. I was young and single and didn't want to deal with that whole element. Was that fair? No. But that's how I felt. I never stopped to think of what or who I may pass up in the process. It's the same way now. If a dude says that he won't date a woman with kids, then he's limited his options.

Kids aren't the only issues. Almost everybody brings something from their previous relationships. We'd like to think that we don't but we do. Those issues aren't always bad. They help mold our current relationship. There are things that you did in a previous relationship that you won't do in your current one/next one.

Some of us have family issues. Broken homes. Broken relationships with parents/sibling. There is always some dynamic to ones family that will affect their personal relationships. It could be positive or negative. Family issues can be a huge burden on a relationship because you have to deal with family. You can't avoid em.

Like I said...we all have our own issues. I like to refer to the issues as bags. When you board an airplane, you've gotta bring your bags with you. We all have bags. Some bags are big and some are small. You can't ignore the bags as you watch them on the coveyor belt at baggage claim. You have to do what everybody will have to do...identify your baggage...pick it up...and take it with you.

DARTS

Most critically acclaimed Pulitzer, prize winner
Best storyteller thug narrator my style's greater
Model dater, big threat to a lot of you haters
Commentators ringside try watchin my paper
Almost a decade, quite impressive
Most of the best is in the essence
for this rap shit that I stand for
Expandin more to the big screen, Bill Gates dreams
But it seems you'd rather see me in jail with state greens
Want me off the scene fast, but good things last
like your favorite MC still makin some mean cash
First rapper to bring a platinum plaque, back to the projects
but you still wanna hate, be my guest, I suggest

NaS (Hate Me Now)


I love to watch the world evening news on NBC. Every night, I'm in front of the tube at 6:30. I dunno why. Maybe it's because I like to look at the world globally. I really don't like the local news. I probably SHOULD watch it for more than the weather. But if you watch the evening news here...you'll be depressed within 10 mins. It doesn't matter if it's the story about the high school kid who was gunned down, the mother of 3 who was stabbed to death, or the people who were shot outside of a nightclub. I can't watch it b/c it's soooo much bad news. I'm not suggesting that the world news is much better. Especially when you see the scenes from Iraq. But the crime that happens here locally is unreal. I heard a story about a month ago about a 17 yr old kid who accidentally shot his mother who was in the next room in their house. He was cleaning his AK-47 and the bullets discharged. He wasn't charged with a crime but my immediate thoughts were..." what the hell is he doing with an AK???"

What is wrong in this country? Are we desensitized by the crimes that we read about? Do we even care? As long as it doesn't happen in our hood...is it really an issue? I have to point the finger at myself sometimes b/c I' sometimes wonder if I am solving anything by looking the other way. For example, I saw these 3 kids standing on the corner in the middle of a school day. They should have been in school but they were pushin rocks. I know it and so did everybody that passed them that day. Did I stop my truck? Did I try to talk some sense into these lil knuckleheads? Did I show them that there is a better way of life? They weren't in my nice, middle class, suburban neighborhood. Why should I give a shit? Those 3 kids weren't my sons!

I did nothing. I drove by and gave them a look and that was it. Then I pumped up the Jay Z cd and sped off. Were those kids mine? No! But I am responsible for them to a degree. The life that I've built for myself is one that they could relate to if given the opportunity. I'm not LeBron James or Jay Z but I can have more influence on these kids as a role model before they could. I am a role model. Not just for my 3 sons but for any young person with whom I come in contact with. And you are too! Live your life so that you can set for the example for others to follow. Not only should you do that but you should also give your time. We always find reasons NOT to give our time but then we complain when these kids are on the news...or worse...in jail. There's a continual cycle that MUST be broken. I can't change the world but I can do my part. And so can you. We can't afford to walk around with our heads stuck in the sand.

Sorry for the sermon, y'all...but I had to say somethin.

Hollatchaboy...

Keep It Real

I got this email from my boy Mike P yesterday...

Okay, check THIS scenario.

I'm walking out of WaMu (Washington Mutual Bank) up here and there is an older white lady standing in the doorway holding the door open yelling back into the store.

She yells, "I'm talking to that black n****r behind the counter. She's in the wrong...that black b*tch."

She said it loud as hell. Now I'm utterly confused at this point as to how to react.

I've handled my business before when I'M confronted with racism, but how deep do I get into it, when it is not directed exactly to me? I'm not even gonna front, I stopped in the doorway for a hot second, ice grilled her husband who was trying to get her out of the bank and then I just bounced. How would you handle that situation?

My initial advice to Mike P was to "put his PIMP hand down on both her and her punk azz husband." But if I would have hit her it would've been trouble for me. A black man slappin a lil white lady? In the South? Ohhhh hell no!!! I would've caught a case for attempted murder and they would've tied me to the bodies that Marlo left in those row houses (The Wire...inside joke...lol)

So what would YOU have done? Do you let it ride? Do you keep it real? Do you confront the punk azz hubby? If it had been a sista yelling the same thing...would you have even cared??? This isn't a diss on white folk. I'm about my people. Period.

Holla bakk.