Lennie Chism – Black Economic Gladiator, Chism States “Get Your Black On, Let Your Black Out, It’s OK. The 13th Amendment Freed US, Get your money”
Lennie Chism, entrepreneurial activist, walks it like he talks it. In a day and age full of so-called community leaders who front, Chism rolls up his sleeves and gets busy looking out, determinedly committed to African American self-empowerment through entrepreneurship.
His track record speaks for itself. Starting out with creating a Twin Cities staple, The Twin Cities Black Pages. Chism started it in 1989 on a shoestring, literally going door-to-door drumming up listings to establish an autonomous network of business men and women. He never lost his love for enterprise. Nor his passion for activism. Chism feels we will never achieve parity without having an economic base. The great Dr. King felt that owning the lunch counter would be much more difficult than sitting there.
Lennie Chism, today, is executive director of Springboard Economic Development Corporation. Its focus is on capacity building as to be able to participate in economic endeavors of our community. Chism is the author of Mobilizing Black Wealth: A Strategy for Black Economic Enlightenment and Empowerment. The book is a practical guide to achieving financial autonomy. Chism also is a motivational speaker and released the DVD Ready, Willing and Able! produced in partnership with Minnesota Department of Transportation.
He has several You Tube videos, including one that smoothly teams him with topical comedian K Jay for an appearance on KFAI Fresh Air Radio. K Jay readily says of Lennie Chism, “Lennie wants to represent the needs of the black community and clearly has a gift. I think the kind of mission Lennie is on will impact change and bring vision to unaddressed issues that affect black people. His method of operations is grassroots, different [than a] politician. He’s a brother that I’m hoping can make big noise.”
In a day and age when it is politically incorrect not to embrace the concepts of integration and assimilation, Chism is unapologetic about being an economic separatist. Not that he has anything against white people. To the contrary, he simply has a great deal of determination to see his own people succeed. I hope to be [an] inspiration for economic parity”, says Chism, “not just social acceptance.” He refuses to accept the disparity characterizing black business in the U.S. And concretely understands that the business world is where black people need to continue forging significant inroads.
Chism looks at history’s icons with an eye on what needs to happen in our lifetime. He sagely reflects, “W. E. B. Du Bois spoke of our greatness Malcolm X spoke of our greatness. A. G. Gaston spoke of our greatness. We all owe it to ourselves to try to achieve that. As did the other [groups in] America.”
With the global economy teetering on bankrupt, with Wall Street and the White House doing an ineffectual song and dance routine of bailouts and, it’s clear that black Americans must seize the reigns of our own destiny. We can ill afford to go along for whatever rollercoaster ride the stock market has in store. Black America has to take charge of its fate.
For Chism, it is not about individuals being able to slip into the mainstream. Chism states “A spoonful of integration is not enough for the rest of us”. Nor is it about social program handouts. James Brown sang, “I don’t want nobody to give me nothin’. Open up the door. I’ll get it, myself.” That may as well be Chism’s mantra.
The fact is Chism is making a big noise. One that increasingly is making itself heard on behalf of black communities. Chism states “Get your black on, Let your black out, its ok.”
Testify Minneapolis City Council
MBW News – Corruption at Minneapolis City Hall
About the Author
Over The Hills And Far Away
|
|
BOSE 301 SERIES IV RIGHT & LEFT PAIR OF STEREO SPEAKERS DIRECT REFLECTING BLACK $115.63 |
|
|
BOSE 301 DIRECT / REFLECTING SPEAKER SYSTEM NEW (BLACK) $328.00 |
|
|
2 Bose Black 201 Series III 3 Bookshelf Surround Speakers Direct Reflecting GUC! $99.99 |
|
|
2 Bose Black 201 Series IV 4 Bookshelf Surround Speakers Direct Reflecting 8 Ohm $99.99 |
|
|
BOSE 301 SERIES V DIRECT REFLECTING SPEAKERS BLACK – MINT $225.00 |
|
|
BOSE 201 SERIES IV DIRECT REFLECTING SPEAKERS MATCHING SERIAL #’S 201 301 401 $29.95 |
|
|
Bose 201 Series IV Main Stereo Direct Reflecting Speakers $90.00 |
|
|
Excellent Black BOSE 301 SERIES III 3 Direct Reflecting Speaker Pair $319.00 |
|
|
BOSE 201 DIRECT / REFLECTING SPEAKER SYSTEM – BLACK $218.00 |
|
|
Pair of Bose 201 Series IV Direct Reflecting Speakers • Black 60W • Work Great! $0.99 |
|
|
Excellent Black BOSE 201 SERIES III 3 Direct Reflecting Speaker Pair $79.00 |
|
|
BOSE 201 Series IV 4 Direct Reflecting Speaker Pair Black Works 100% $89.00 |
|
|
NEW BOSE 901 SERIES VI SPEAKERS DIRECT REFLECTING BLACK $1,398.00 |
|
|
BOSE 301 Music Monitor Series II Direct Reflecting Speakers Black Speaker Pair $265.00 |
|
|
BOSE 901 SERIES VI DIRECT REFLECTING SPEAKERS – BLACK $1,398.00 |
|
|
NEW BOSE 201 SERIES V DIRECT REFLECTING SPEAKERS BLACK $218.00 |
|
|
NEW BOSE 301 SERIES V DIRECT REFLECTING SPEAKERS BLACK $328.00 |
|
|
Pioneer DEH-2200UB CD Receiver with iPod Direct Control and USB Input $135.00 Pioneer’s DEH-2200UB is an affordable replacement for your bare-bones OEM system, giving you playback of WMA/MP3 files from disc or USB devices, optional direct iPod control, selectable green/red key illumination, and then some. Pioneer Car Audio SystemsPioneer’s Mobile Business Group is known for offering the kind of in-car products that make driving more enjoyable by offering h… |
|
|
Pioneer AVH-P3200BT In-Dash DVD Multimedia AV Receiver $500.00 DVD Video, DivX, MP3/WMA/iTunes AAC playback Dual-Zone Video Compatibility iTunes Tagging Compatibility Comprehensive User Interface revamp delivers intuitive touchscreen control and customizable menus. Tap, Swipe or Drag exactly the way you expect a touchscreen device to work. Advanced iPod control featuring album art display, double-tap Alphabet Search, iTunesTagging and Passenger Control mode…. |
|
|
Pioneer AVH-P4200DVD In-Dash Double-DIN DVD Multimedia AV Receiver $550.00 Also, tons of new features for 2010 make the Pioneer AVH-P4200DVD In-Dash Head Unit Multimedia Car Stereo the best A/V solution: Dual-Zone Video, SD Memory Card slot, 8-Band Graphic EQ with Auto-EQ, and more!… |
|
|
Bose WB-3 Wall Brackets (Pair) Wall brackets for Bose 201 and 301 bookshelf speakers $15.99 WB-3 bookshelf speaker wall brackets Conveniently mount your 301® Series IV or Series V, or 201® Series IV or Series V Direct/Reflecting® speakers on a wall. (Note: These brackets are not compatible with Series I, II or III speakers.) * Model name: WB-3 wall brackets Compatible products 301® Direct/Reflecting® speaker system |
|
|
BOSE 201-V Stereo Loudspeakers (Pair) – Black $218.00 In a concert hall, listeners hear a mix of direct and reflected sound arriving from different directions and at different times. Direct/Reflecting® speaker technology uses the walls and flat surfaces of your room to deliver performance more like that of a concert hall. Bose® 201 speakers create a listening environment composed of reflected and direct sound, much like that of a live performance. … |
|
|
Bose Premium Jewel Cube Speakers $104.99 Jewel Cube® speaker arrays These premium speakers-standing only 4 ½” high-use design innovations such as a nautilus-shaped port and Direct/Reflecting® speaker technology to deliver more open, spacious sound throughout the listening area. 4.5″H x 2.25″W x 3.25″D ( 11.2 cm x 5.6 cm x 8.1 cm ) 1 lbs (.5 kg) |
|
|
2pc Black 200W Speakers $14.2 2pc Black 200W Speakers |
|
|
Bose 301 Series V Direct/Reflecting Speaker System – Black $329.98 Bose’s best bookshelf speakers are updated to provide an even more spacious, natural listening experience. They’re great for stereo, or as a front- or rear-channel solution for home theater. Learn more about Bose products and proprietary technologies in our Bose Store. |
|
|
Mini-Rockers Speakers Blue $33.99 MINI-ROCKERS SPEAKERS BLACK |
|
|
Nexxtech Ultimate Portable Speakers For iPod (Speakers Only) Black UMS80 UMS-80 $9.11 Nexxtech Ultimate Portable Speakers For iPod (Speakers Only) Black UMS80 UMS-80 |
|
|
Stereo Travel Speakers Black $28.99 Memorex Ultra Compact Stereo Travel Speakers, Line In |
|
|
Reflecting Achievement – Peak Performer $129.99 A beautiful black marble base supports this elegant Reflecting Achievement acrylic award comprised of three beveled towers that appear to have a golden glow. A gold-colored mirror hidden in the base is the secret to the clear acrylic’s golden hue. The etched design on this acrylic award was inspired by our popular medallions. Natural marble veining will vary. No Set Up Fees! Free Personalization! Free Logo! No Hidden Fees! Ships in 5 Days! after final approval of artwork Purchase 7 or more and receive quantity discounts! |
|
|
Premier Mobile Theater Speakers – portable speakers $39.99 Tripp Lite Premier Mobile Theater Speakers – Portable speakers – USB – black silver |
|
|
21314TRU Cube Speakers – Black $44.99 Sakar’s 21314TRU Cube Speakers are a compact and stylish idea for traveling. |
|
|
Sony Portable Speakers – Black $52.99 Enjoy your favorite music on the go with these portable speakers. The speakers feature a stereo mini jack allowing you to quickly connect to most mobile devices so you can rock out without headphones. |
|
|
Baby Bling BBDC1009B iPod Speakers, Black $34.99 Baby Bling BBDC1009B iPod Speakers, Black |