Home > What do you want?
What You Focus on Becomes Reality
As the Greater Downtown Waco Plan Workshops are upon us, I am reminded of the expression, “what you focus on becomes reality”. On December 5, 2007, my first blog entry tells you what I was focused on:
Extreme Make-over Needed
I’ve decided that the quota has been filled on what I don’t want so I’m taking a different approach. It’s all about what I DO want. I’d love to hear what you want for East Waco as well. I figure with what you want and what I want we’ll come up with a vision of what we’d like East Waco to look like. Then we’ll write the vision so that those who see it can run with it… (Okay, so I borrowed that from the Bible.)
My family moved to EW when I was seven years old and that was over 40 years ago (never mind how many over 40). You would think in 40 plus years there would be some growth and development, but take a drive down East Waco Drive and Elm Street and compare it to other areas in Waco…hmmm, I rest my case.
Which brings me to my question, what do you want? Well, besides safety, I want people to have a reason to come across the bridge and spend money. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a hotel on the corner of Elm and MLK in place of those “colored” buildings that suggest to me you are entering the “colored” part of town? Whose idea was that? Anyway, what about a classy dinner theater down from the hotel - something modern and sophisticated with live music. A black history museum would be a cool addition to the Quinn Campus.
A grocery store on Waco Drive or Elm wouldn’t be a bad idea. The over-priced convenience stores seem to have fared well for years, so I’m sure EW could support a major grocery store that could provide reasonable prices. I’m not talking about a mom & pop grocery store nor a super Wal-Mart or a mega H-E-B, just a modern grocery chain with competitive prices and gas pumps in front. It would also be nice if it was African American owned.
There’s no particular order to my random musings. These are just a few of the things I’d like to see. What about you? What do you want? Just remember, this is not about what someone is or isn’t doing, it’s just about what you want. I promise I won’t knock your dreams if you don’t knock mine. So, what do you want?
I’m more than a little excited that we are at the point of ‘writing the vision so that those who see it may run with it’.
I hope to see you at one of the workshops as we ‘stay focused’. Click here for more details www.imaginewaco.com
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Register Now at Imaginewaco.com
There’s something very powerful about knowing what you want. We’ve been blogging for 2-years now about what we want for EW and now a vision is beginning to emerge. You really must participate in this next phase of the dream. I know there’s a voice in the back of your head saying, “what’s the point, we’ve had visions before and nothing happened”, but may I suggest you tell that voice, “just in case you’re wrong, I’m going to show up and put my two cents in anyway”.
Click here www.imaginewaco.com for more information and to register for one of the free, open to the public, interactive workshops.
Greater Downtown Waco Plan Workshops are scheduled for October 26th, 2009 5:30pm-8:30pm Waco Outreach Foundation (Phoenix Ballroom)
October 27th, 2009 5:30pm-8:30pm City of Waco Multi-Purpose Center (on Quinn Campus)
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EW Fanner of the Flame Passes
I was surprised and saddened by the news of the passing of EW property owner, Doug Brown. From the time, I started blogging about EW, Doug continously encouraged me to keep the flame burning for development in EW. He believed EW had gotten a raw deal and he had a wealth of historical and statisical data to back up what he believed. I didn’t always understand everything he said, but I knew that he could be counted on to keep the flame-burning for an extreme make-over in EW. Farewell Doug and my deepest sympathy to your family.
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2050 Plan: A Vision for the Heart of the City…
There was quite an air of excitement at the city council meeting tonight announcing the kick off of the master plan for the development of the greater downtown Waco area that is to include parts of EW. Given that it is no secret that I want an extreme make-over for EW, I listened carefully with an open mind for how EW will be affected by this process. Based on my understanding of the population projections I heard, the target market for future development seems to be young professionals and aging baby boomers.
I can see that it will be extremely important for EW residents to fully engage in the process to ensure voices are heard that do not necessarily represent that market. We are all Wacoans and downtown Waco should be one we can all enjoy and afford to live, work, and play in. This is an exciting time for EW. Tell your neighbors, your friends, your church members, local business owners, current and future entrepreneurs, everyone you know - stay engaged.
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Fanning the Flame…
Hats off to Sophia Strother for a job well done to keep the flame burning for an extreme make-over for EW.
Not only did she bring MLK III and the Realizing the Dream team to Waco, she also brought the key players of Waco like the mayor, city manager, District I councilman, chamber leaders, preachers, teachers, friends, and neighbors together to focus conscious attention where I believe it is most needed.
Many thanks to *everyone that worked with her to make it happen and all those that endured the heat of the Listening and Learning Poverty Tour and townhall meeting. I understand MLK has plans to come back and will provide a report to help identify and strategize steps to move forward.
- Time for Change Committee Sophia A Strother, Coordinator LaKisha Wooden, logistic chair Laveda Brown, a time change investors brunch chair Tracy Lyons Williams, east waco walking tour/town hall chair Joleen Eiklenborg, tx state dept of health partner Waco transit - trolley sponsor Residence Inn by Marriott - lodging/reception sponsor Dr. Gilbert Gillum, Jr Living Word COGIC- host to east waco walking tour/town hall NeighborWorks Dannie Archie City of Waco Delsin Allen - Assistant
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MLK III & LaDainian Tomlinson Coming to Waco & Marlin
For those interested in an extreme make-over for EW and Marlin, check out the article below from Sophia Strother, founder of Empowerment Driven by Knowledge Coalition, a local nonprofit organization…
Martin Luther King III and Realizing the Dream, Inc. (an organization he founded to continue his father, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s, passion for equity and fairness for all) are partnering with Empowerment Driven by Knowledge Coalition to host their national “Looking, Listening and Learning Tour on Poverty in America” in East Waco and Marlin, Texas, Tuesday, July 7 - Thursday, July 9, 2009.
Marlin & East Waco affect over 24,000 people with over 40% of population living in these areas at or below the poverty line. Both communities are in obvious decline and we want to combat the issues that result from such high poverty rates.
To accomplish this we are inviting citizens, influential businesses, community leaders and educators to gather together to develop, pledge, and execute a tangible plan of action for Falls County and East Waco. Branson, Missouri is a prime example of overwhelming success that resulted from a handful of citizens getting together, one project at a time and rebuilding their community to one of the most sought after communities in the United States. We want to create an increased opportunity for entrepreneurship and employment to be able to retain talent and grow city revenue and population.
LaDainian Tomlinson, #21 of the San Diego Chargers, a native of Marlin & Waco, has agreed to support the initiative and will be the special guest at “A Time for Change” Investors Brunch in Waco on Thursday, July 2. The investor’s brunch will be hosted by the Central Texas African American Chamber of Commerce at the City of Waco Multi-purpose Center for a donation of $30.00. This meeting will inform people how they can invest in East Waco & Marlin and clarify the benefits and far reaching effects this will have on thousands of families,” said CEO of CTAACC, Laveda Brown.
Empowerment Driven by Knowledge Coalition will host the annual “A Taste of Falls County” on Monday, July 6 at the BTW Alumni Association’s Building in Marlin before the “Official Listening & Learning Poverty Tour” begins. “A Taste of Falls County” is a festive occasion that brings everyone from Falls County together for a wonderful evening of dining, entertainment, vendors and dream making. A $5.00 donation for educators/students and $10.00 general admission will enable you to feast on delectables from over 15 restaurants throughout Falls & McLennan County while enjoying live entertainment. All of the proceeds will go toward the “Make Your Mark on Education Scholarship”. This scholarship can be used by Falls County residents toward GED classes and/or college tuition.
On Tuesday July 7, 2009, the official “Listening & Learning Poverty Tour in America” will begin with a Walking & Talking tour of Marlin by Realizing the Dream, elected official, community leaders, and more. The events in East Waco & Marlin that will follow from Tuesday, July 7th - Thursday, July 9th will be replicated across the nation, including other southern states and urban areas. The tours include neighborhood visits, strategy sessions with select elected officials and community leaders and Town Hall Meetings. The outcome will be a written report for national distribution, a national network of baseline cities and a comprehensive strategy for a national initiative against poverty in America. They will discuss increasing educational and occupational opportunities for people who are disenfranchised, as well as affordable housing, economics and creating coalitions to bring about consistent and on-going change.
My vision in inviting MLK III and his organization, Realizing the Dream, to East Waco and Marlin is not to invoke a blame-game scenario, instead it is to allow for hope to be reignited into thousands of families between these two communities so they can heal and move forward. I founded Empowerment Driven by Knowledge Coalition with the vision of “EMPOWERING” people to take control of their own future. Our vision is to be known as the starting point for tomorrow’s leaders. We believe that years from now, the Empowerment Driven by Knowledge Coalition will be viewed as the organization that helped to launch careers, businesses, and community leaders. We partner with businesses and organizations that enable innovative and quality programming that responds to the needs of the community and its residents. This contributes to the economic and social health of our communities.
Realizing the Dream, Inc., with headquarters in Atlanta, Ga., is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making Dr. King’s dream a reality by helping make the American dream possible for all. Realizing the Dream seeks to continue the legacy and work of Dr. and Mrs. King in wiping out poverty and injustice through programs that foster peace and nonviolent social change, empowering poverty-stricken communities and developing strong leaders among the nation’s youth.
Here’s a list of the scheduled events: For more detailed information please visit www.trustworthyconsult.com.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
A Time for Change Investors Brunch 11:00am - 1:00pm
Special Guest: LaDainian Tomlinson
(254) 235-3204 for more info
Monday, July 6, 2009
A Taste of Falls County 6:00pm - 8:00pm
BTW Alumni Building, Marlin
( 254) 412-1172 for more info
Official RTD “Listening & Learning Poverty Tour” Begins
(Everything FREE & Open to Media and Public)
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Walking Tour of Marlin 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Tour begins at Bible Way Church Family Worship Center, Gresham Street
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Walking Tour of East Waco 2:00pm - 6:00pm
Tour begins at Living Word Church Dunbar Street
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
MLK III hosts East Waco Town Hall Meeting 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Town Hall Meeting at 1020 E Waco Drive, Waco Across from G.L. Wiley
Thursday, July 9, 2009
MLK III hosts Marlin Town Hall Meeting 10:30am - 12:00 noon
Town Hall Meeting at Coach Carter Impact Academy - Kendrick Street
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In the Meantime…
Like you Mikey, I’d love to see brick and mortar going up tomorrow on the east side of the river the way it is going up on the west side, but I am convinced that the wheels are in motion for that to happen. In the meantime, perhaps EW could learn from it’s neighbors in NW. Check out the article below on Waco Community Development
Coming together
By Walker Moore
Hope: it sustains humanity. Yet there are places where hope goes to die. For years, Parkside Village has been one of those places. Drug dealers controlled public spaces and law-abiding citizens hid in their apartments, afraid to take a stand because of fear of the all-too-real threat of retaliation. Yet, in the midst of this dreadful situation, hope is emerging.
It all started in summer 2007 when a small group of women decided that they had had enough. They came together to take a stand against the drug dealers and substandard housing. They did this knowing full well they were putting their lives and their families’ lives in danger. In the midst of this threat, they persevered and shut down a “crack house”, advocated for and received better lighting, and helped organize a school supply giveaway. Sadly, this residents’ council dissolved, but these women would not be denied in their pursuit of justice.
Determination Prohibits Failure
These women began attending Brook Oaks Neighborhood Association (BONA) meetings and shared the Parkside Village story with association members, neighborhood churches, community non-profits, schools, Waco Police Department (Waco PD), and our city councilman. Their stories galvanized these groups to take action. What started as a small group of women became a coalition of neighborhood organizations committed to bringing safety to Parkside Village.
Then American Housing Foundation (AHF), the owners of Parkside Village, came forward and said that they too were sick and tired of the situation. At the March BONA meeting, the air was cleared and the foundation for a new tomorrow was laid. AHF apologized for past mismanagement and presented a compelling vision for the future. They also reported on the their recent improvements to the property, including improved lighting, cameras to monitor drug hot spots, painting, guard rails, and new kitchen cabinets. In turn, the coalition presented a set of expectations and target dates that AHF willingly accepted. Waco PD talked about AHF’s efforts to join the Crime Free Multi-Housing program, a program that significantly reduces crime in certified apartment communities, and AHF committed to having Parkside Village fully certified as a Crime Free Multi-Housing community in the coming months. Finally, churches and non-profits discussed ways to use their resources to support positive changes at Parkside Village. Truly, hope was emerging.
After the meeting, one of the Parkside Village residents beamed with hope. She had been at the first residents’ council meeting and had continued to work for a better Parkside Village. In the midst of adversity, she had persevered, and now she saw the fruit of her work. She simply could not contain her contagious smile as she recalled the journey that had led her to this point.
Still Work to Do
Crime is still all too frequent. Parents are still scared for their children’s safety, but there is hope. The problems remain, but for the first time, there is progress towards a solution. The journey will not be easy, but this group of women and their neighborhood partners, will not stop until Parkside Village is a place anyone can call home and of which Waco can be proud.
About Us
Waco Community Development Corporation was established in 2001 a Christian-based organization committed to promoting housing, economic, and community development throughout Waco.
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Sounds Like a Good Place to Start
It appears EW is on the radar screen - this is a good time to get involved. http://www.wacotrib.com/news/content/news/stories/2009/05/05/05052009waccounciladv.html
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This is Interesting…
A friend of mine shared this with me as a peek into the vision of our former mayor, the late Dr. Mae Jackson. You may have seen it around, but for people like me that want an extreme make-over for EW, it’s worth another look.
Message from a friend: “I have attached a copy of the Elm Avenue Improvement Plan as well as the City Memo that indicates this was at the initiative of Dr. Mae Jackson. This was after she had the TIF Board hold a meeting at the East Waco Library with several attending.
Also attached are the minutes of that meeting with a list of those attending.
This was while she was a Councilwoman, but I believe it was the inspiration for her Visioning process, which she was able to implement after becoming Mayor.”
> Elm Avenue plan with city notes (PDF)
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What a Privilege
What an inspiring privilege it was to speak to Ramona Curtis’ Servant Leadership class at Baylor recently about the vision of an extreme make-over for EW. I am always reinvigorated when I get to talk to someone about the possibilities for EW and doubly inspired by people who get it and want to be a part of it.
I am often asked, “what can I do to help”. After you capture the vision, my answer is always a couple of questions, what do you do best and what do you enjoy most? But Greenleaf gets to the heart of the matter as servant leaders try to figure out what they can do: Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And, what is the effect on the least privileged in society? Will they benefit or at least not be further deprived?
When we each answer those questions we capture the vision and then we do what we do best and what we enjoy most.
We will all benefit from an extreme make-over for EW. Where do you fit in?
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Neighborhood Services for EW
What does that look like to you?
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What a Day This Was…
Like many of my friends that did not make the trek to DC, I sat glued to my television set today watching tearfully and joyfully as history passed right before my eyes. I was most impressed by the words that our new commander-in-chief (who was elected by ‘the content of his character and not by the color of his skin’), pointed us back to the importance of character and values as we together face the challenges that affect us all.
I like the fact that he challenged us all to put away childish things like greed and selfishness and replace them with mature traits like generosity and selflessness.
As we open our eyes to what that might look like in our city, I challenge you to take a drive from the east to the west and the from the north to the south and notice where there might be pockets of greed and selfishness and if you notice as I have that there are differences, may we be led to take ACTION that will demonstrate generosity and selflessness for all of Waco.
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Happy New Year!
I know you thought I had forgotten all about my dream for an extreme make-over for EW - well I haven’t. I’ve seen the Rick Sheldon vision and I’ve read the mayor’s Q&A on education and downtown revitalization and I see bits and pieces of hope for EW, but it still does not seem to be as high on the list of priorities as I would like it. I want to see EW in the front of the line. I want to see the powers that be look at EW and say, we are going to focus some time, money, and attention on EW, not as an incidental, but on purpose.
Creating a trendy tourist area down Elm sounds cool, but we need more than that in EW. Work with me. In 2009, EW is still the Cinderella story - while everyone else is dressing up for the ball, we’re still in our grimy old clothes, scrubbing the floors and getting the crumbs. I want to dress up, go to the ball and enjoy the full meal deal! Let’s work it out, let’s work together - EW is more than Elm Ave.
It’s our time. I know it is and I want to see some things happen.
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The Education Summit
Given my dream of an extreme make-over for EW in the areas of economic, residential and educational development, the education summit was the place to be. When you consider a quote from the summit, “Quality of life and economic vitality of a community are directly tied to the strength of educational opportunities and achievements of its students. Education means a higher standard of living and a greater quality of life for all of us” - Bingo! A community expectation of higher education for all students is a natural fit.
I sat in on the Media workgroup and learned one of the best kept secrets in Waco - the Texas Workforce Commission - it’s way beyond the Texas Employment Office from ‘back in the day’. Lot’s of opportunities there for someone short on funds that would like to further their education.
There were lots of people at the summit and lots of ideas which means there’s lots of work to be done to become a community engaged in the support of the educational process of its students from birth through post-secondary.
I hope you’ll take the time to investigate and find a place to get involved.
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May I Have Your Attention, Please…
Because there are so many demands for our attention, this significant opportunity could easily be overlooked. The Greater Waco Education Summit on November 19-21 at the Waco Convention Center is the place to be if you are interested in being on the same sheet of music with people who are setting goals to maximize our quality of life and enhance our economic future.
Oftentimes working people like me miss out on events like these because they are typically held during working hours. However, the planning committee of the summit has made every effort to eliminate that challenge by repeating the daytime workshops in the evening as well. Click here for details and registration http://educatewaco.com.
The ultimate mission of the summit is to develop a COMMUNITY expectation of higher education for ALL students that will maximize OUR quality of life and enhance OUR economic future. Please do not miss this opportunity. Failure to participate could adversely affect the future of our community. I hope to see you there.
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We Have in No Way Given Up…
I can see why my friend Early would ask if we have given up on an EW make-over, but no, no, no - we have not given up. In fact, I know that a make-over is headed for EW. What I don’t know is whether people that look like you and me will take advantage of the opportunities.
Tell me, if you could participate in an EW make-over by owning or managing a business, on Elm Street in particular, what would it be? Would you be willing to manage if you couldn’t own? Would you be willing to make an investment? Would you be willing to partner with a property owner? Would an EW make-over characterize cultural diversity? Or would you do nothing and when someone else did, would you criticize them for not spending their money the way you thought they should?
The question remains, what do you want and what are you willing to do to get it? You might have to take some risks. You might have to step out of your comfort zone. You might have to be flexible and give and take a little. You might have to work a lot. You might have to invest a lot.You might even have to learn something that you don’t know that you don’t know.
Ahhhhhhh, but wouldn’t an extreme make-over in EW be worth it?
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I Need Some Help…
It’s been 9-months since the What Do You Want blog was conceived. That means something should be born about now, yet I need some help with the delivery. Is there a doctor or mid-wife in the house to help put all this together to see what has come from 9-months of discussion? Anyone have the impetus to chart it into a report?
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And Like I Was Saying…
I still want an extreme make-over for EW and I don’t care who helps to make that happen. An extreme make-over for EW will benefit all of Waco. The prospect of revitalization continues to excite me and I still believe it can happen. Losing G. L. Wiley was not what I wanted, but in reality, there’s give and take in getting what you want. Yet, I believe knowing what you want is a key component to getting at least some of what you want.
I believe collaboration is vital to growth and development in EW. I would love to see leaders in EW come together with leaders in ‘other Waco’ and discuss the needs of the community and what is the best plan for making it happen in the shortest amount of time.
We could brainstorm how we might all benefit from a culturally diverse community.
Quoting from a recent editorial, “Imagine if every decision we made had to meet the triple bottom line criteria; people, planet, profit. It means that to be considered profitable, the money-making activity needs to serve people, not harm them or the planet.”
Now doesn’t that sound like a game worth playing?
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WISD - Now that you have them…
Now that you have our babies from G. L. Wiley, take good care of them. Prove to us that extra curricular activities will cause their grades to go up. Prove to us that all the opportunities you say they will have at other schools will cause them to be more successful. Prove that you can do a better job of educating them than the staff at Wiley was doing. Prove that you won’t let them fall through the cracks. (Some of them may feel a bit displaced and fearful and they may not know how to deal with it.) Treat them like you would anyone that might be grieving the loss of something special. Remember they’re just babies.
And if it doesn’t work out, send them back…it was working at Wiley.
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No More Decisions About Us, Without Us…
That’s the message I’m hearing and I hope Waco decision makers are hearing. EW is ready and willing to come to the decision making table. Hopefully next time, it won’t be such an expensive lesson to learn.
We care about our babies and we care about our community. My hat is off to the men and women who decided enough is enough and took a stand for G. L. Wiley and EW.
I raised the question months ago, who are the leaders in EW? I have have found them.
More later, it’s time for me to get ready to go to work.
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An Observation…
If education was a numbers game, G. L. Wiley was coming up way short of the standard with only 200+ students expected to enroll in the fall. If it was all about dollars and cents, G. L. Wiley was not making the grade in that category either. If you graded them on parental involvement, by comparison, they probably scored less than other schools in the district. However, anyone really interested in educating kids, most especially, under-privileged kids, might look beyond those factors and say, “How might we help kids and families that lack the resources and support systems that we take for granted?” They might even ask, “How much more can we do?”
A good friend of mine in ‘other Waco’ has a son in middle school that just can’t seem to keep up with the other kids, in spite of the fact that he is very bright. My friend has spent thousands and thousands of dollars having him tested. She has spent hours helping him with his homework. She has changed schools and hired tutors. She’s had to take time away from work. His dad, both grandmothers, and other family members have lent their support in one way or another. Teachers have worked with them by allowing alternative methods to accommodate his learning style. And yes, there has been some improvement.
The difference in my friend and her son in ‘other Waco’ and the kids/parents in EW is resources and support systems. How fortunate are those who have them and how unfortunate for those that lack them and school districts that think spending more money in a challenged area is too costly.
How much time and money would you invest in your child’s education? How much time would you spend if your child had challenges at school? How many family members could you call on? How much time could you spend off work?
And by the way, how would you feel if your child was finally showing progress and was getting the attention he/she needed, right in your neighborhood, but two weeks before school started the district administrators decided to close the school and bus your child into a more crowded situation because it cost too much to educate him or her? How far would your resources and support system take you in this new environment?
God help the child…
Latest comments
Whoops, wrong street. I meant Taylor St. not Turner St.
... read the full comment by mikey | Comment on EW Fanner of the Flame Passes Read EW Fanner of the Flame Passes
I traveled though East Waco recently and noticed something very positive. First was a marked presence of police cars, 6 to be exact from the time I crossed the river until I entered Bellmead. None of them seemed to be on calls, they were just hanging out.
... read the full comment by mikey | Comment on EW Fanner of the Flame Passes Read EW Fanner of the Flame Passes
WR, I’m so sorry to hear that Early passed away. She was such an encouragement to me and such a wealth of information. She was so far away, yet she championed the cause of an extreme make-over for EW as hard as anyone right here in Waco. May she rest
... read the full comment by Carol Dugat | Comment on EW Fanner of the Flame Passes Read EW Fanner of the Flame Passes
This is to inform the East Waco Blog , that one of your faithful member, Early L. Doss passed away earlier this month in Maryland.
... read the full comment by WR | Comment on EW Fanner of the Flame Passes Read EW Fanner of the Flame Passes