Written By Ryan Mack, President of The Optimum Institute of Economic Empowerment, Inc.

As the tour continues I am continuously reminded of the extreme urgency for economic solutions within the minority community…not just empty rhetoric. The response from New York City was phenomenal because 100s of people traveled to the kick off despite harsh weather conditions. The Detroit response was tremendous because 100s were empowered in a city desperately in need of an economic recovery. In each city many of those who attended the town hall meeting, according to our survey analysis, were earning an income of under $19,000 per year. There has been a stereotype that low income families won’t travel to an economic empowerment workshop but we have shown if the information is packaged right they will make the trip.  Minneapolis was no different despite being an added city of which we had not previously planned on visiting.

I received a call from a Monet Dumas who had heard about some of the work we were doing on the tour although we had never met before. Her church didn’t have a large budget and could only afford to pay for the travel and lodging of two of the Ambassadors of Action to make the trip…myself and Dr. Chris Emdin decided to go. I had told Ms. Dumas, a young corporate professional with a strong desire to empower the minority community, of the types of workshops we could set up. Originally she had only asked for a single speech, but I told her that single speeches don’t provide as much impact as actual work in the community so I requested she set up an entire agenda to maximize the use of our brief time while in Minneapolis. She was more than happy to oblige this request. Despite not having any budgeting for marketing or outreach, and despite having to put together various workshops throughout the community in a very impromptu fashion…Monet Dumas and her sister Cherice, our gracious hosts for a weekend, put together one of the most empowering weekends I had ever had the luxury to take part. I want to thank Monet and Cherice for putting this together…you are truly amazing, you set the standard for corporate professionals who want to give back to the community, and your type is necessary for the economic movement to empower the community!

See the schedule and videos below…

Friday, December 2^nd

12:00pm – We arrived to Minneapolis, dropped off our bags at the hotel, and Monet and Cherice took us straight to Patrick Henry High School to empower a group of youth.  Dr. Chris Emdin has his PHD in urban education so he felt right at home.

Ryan Mack and Dr. Chris Emdin at Patrick Henry High School

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kmhk2UkGnT0

Dr. Chris Emdin Rapping Physics and Instructing a Principal About Improving Teacher Performance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8Q2SSSwkMg

5:00pm – Later that day we met with a group of professionals who were interested in becoming a part of the “Less Talk…More Action” Train the Trainer Program. (If you are interested in being a volunteer trainer for the program to go www.lesstalkmoreaction.info, click on the “Become a Trainer” tab, fill out the information on the two links below, and someone will be in touch with you. There is no cost.)

Saturday, December 3^rd

9:00am – We met with a small group of business owners and Ryan Mack gave them the “10 Steps to Recession Proofing Your Business” course then interviewed business owners to create commercials for their businesses. If you are in the Minneapolis area we encourage you to solicit these businesses as they need your support.   

Ryan Mack Leads the Small Business Workshop Course

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjIBXuisTdk

LTMA Minneapolis Presents The Next Level Foundation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rq6WXGA2t3s

LTMA Minneapolis Presents Savage Media Film

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhTpVzq93Z8

LTMA Minneapolis Presents Norma Anderson, Insurance Agent

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqF1-3BcnyU

LTMA Minneapolis Presents Well Spring Second Chance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR5mXQ323Og

LTMA Minneapolis Presents Uniquely Attainable

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GdGCmfO0QA

LTMA Minneapolis Presents Rebirth of Eve

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blb5EwA8YBM

11:00am – We then hosted a town hall meeting for the entire community. 

7:00pm – Ryan Mack provided a keynote speech for the Minneapolis Black Chamber of Commerce annual gala. 

Sunday, December 4^th

2:00pm – We were so impressed with the business savvy of Uniquely Attainable that we had to pay a visit and highlight this unique business venture!

LTMA Minneapolis Spotlights Uniquely Attainable

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDQsDTxFJ2M

4:00pm – Before we left town we made an impromptu empowerment stop at the Salvation Army homeless shelter. What we saw was truly moving!

LTMA Minneapolis: A Poor Man’s Plea to Corporate Black America for Help

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw1YZR5-L08

LTMA Minneapolis: A Positive Testimony of Breaking Substance Abuse

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1UunthMRxo

TOUR OVERVIEW VIDEO WITH TOWN HALL FOOTAGE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-YpJoeSdD4