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Table of Contents Cover Story Events Calendar Taste Buds Publisher's Note TO DONATE Anniversary
Celebration
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Publisher’s Note - April
2008 by Robert L. Jeffrey
– Malcolm X “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much it is whether we provide enough for those who have little.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt COLORSNW'S SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY This year is a test for our country, our state, our community and ourselves. This election year will define our generation either as a catapult to real change or the continuation of the status quo. Our country has become fractured and disillusioned. People want to believe in something and not feel bamboozled. They hope that our political leaders will do what our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan do every day: “Put others before self.” Since the passage of I-200, our state – while pretending to have equal playing fields for all business owners – has seen the percentage of state, county and local government contracts given to minority-owned businesses dropping to paltry levels. Meanwhile, our government tries to find creative ways to work around I-200 while avoiding the most reasonable and direct thing: to repeal the law. Our communities fight among ourselves for crumbs while the pie has left the table and is being divided away from us. Since we started ColorsNW seven years ago, we have seen a change in how our country has divided itself by wealth, class and race. This election has made me aware that we all need to be inspired and we all want to have hope and it’s OK to dream that this world can change and actually work and believe together. Two years ago, ColorsNW decided to realize the dream that not only can we deliver quality stories about our rich communities, but also make a direct change by being a conduit to businesses and organizations in providing employment assistance. We did this through our ColorsNWCareers.com job portal, our Staffing and Executive Search Services and our interactive JOBTINI events. In addition, we felt it was important to provide Diversity Training and Consulting Services to businesses and organizations so they can foster a more culturally competent work force and create diverse work environments where all can thrive. Not only have we decided to expand our services, but we have decided we need to do more to assist nonprofits throughout the Northwest that focus their services toward communities of color. At ColorsNW, we receive many requests for support from small nonprofits that need help but lack the infrastructure to secure major funding. That’s why we have started the ColorsNW Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization to help nonprofits and support programming that adds to the depth of our region’s dialogue on race. If you believe we can look beyond the possibilities of today and see how, if inspired, we can be a force in delivering change, please help build the future by donating at least $100 to the foundation today. You can also help support the foundation through our Anniversary Celebration, which will donate a portion of ticket sales to support the foundation. Our goal is to raise $250,000 this year and with your help we can easily achieve it. This year, I hope you have decided that the status quo is no longer acceptable and hope and inspiration shouldn’t be the exception but the rule. We love to hear from our readers! Tell us what you think and send a letter to the editor naomii@colorsnw.com or 1319 Dexter Ave. N., Suite 250, Seattle, WA 98109. |
