Quote of the Day: Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Philanthropy is commendable. But, it must not cause the philanthropist to overlook the circumstances of economic injustice which makes philanthropy necessary." ~Martin Luther King, Jr., Civil-Rights Leader (1929-1968)

Philanthropy for Everyone: Part Two

This is a continuation of the article I wrote yesterday, Philanthropy for Everyone: Part One. We each have the opportunity to actually participate in philanthropy. The pepsirefreshproject provides $1.3 million each month in grants to individuals, organizations and corporations who submit their ideas for funding. By voting for your favorite ideas (up to 10 votes each day), you have a voice in which projects get funded. Is that awesome or what?

Currently, there are more than 1,000 submissions competing for your vote. If your time is limited and you want some ideas on what projects to support, I can help. (Of course! The point of the article! LOL). I spent about three hours reading, ranking and eliminating projects to come up with a top ten list. These projects will each get one vote per day from me. Perhaps you can find an idea to support among them. Following are the second five on my list. Click on each title to visit their proposal page.

#6: talbert House Community Correctional Center
Proposal: Provide GED Preparation Materials to At Risk Youth
Grant Amount: $25,000
Idea Location: Butler, Warren & Clermont Counties, OH
talbert House Community Correctional Center is a non-profit agency that offers drug and alcohol rehabilitation to the community. The education department works hard to help students who were unsuccessful in previous exposure to school settings and dropped out. We offer a 2nd chance to them.

#7: Minga
Proposal: Educate Youth about the Child Sex Trade
Grant Amount: $25,000
Idea Location: Brookline, MA
My friends and I learned that in the U.S. the average age of entry into prostitution is just 13 years, and that more than 325,000 children are exploited each year. We decided to take action, and founded a nonprofit group called Minga. This year we want to produce PSAs to more directly reach youth.

#8: Integral Yoga Institute of San Francisco
Proposal: Train disabled persons to become Yoga instructors.
Grant Amount: $25,000
Idea Location: San Francisco, CA
I've been leading Yoga teacher training programs in San Francisco for ten years. I've also been teaching yoga to people with disabilities for 14 years. I found that many of my students with disabilities had overcome amazing obstacles and were ready to become yoga teachers themselves.

#9: The Tommy Foundation
Proposal: Educate & Support Autism Families across U.S.
Grant Amount: $50,000
Idea Location: Lancaster, PA
The Tommy Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the autism community and the family unit as a whole. From offering presentations on advocacy and communication, to direct one-on-one assistance and awareness events, we serve the entire community. Based in Pennsylvania, but we serve the entire U.S.


#10: Music National Service - MusicianCorps
Proposal: Fund musician corps teaching in public schools.
Grant Amount: $250,000
Idea Location: Chicago, New Orleans, Oakland, Seattle, San Francisco
Music National Service (MNS), creates music programs that reach, teach and heal. MNS is piloting a musical peace corps called MusicianCorps. MusicianCorps serves in public schools and other high-need settings. MNS was named a 2008 "Top-Ten Social Innovation to Strengthen U.S. Communities" by the Aspen Institute. MNS currently serves Chicago, New Orleans, Oakland, San Francisco and Seattle, with plans to expand.

Quote of the Day: Bertrand Russell

"The qualities most needed are charity and tolerance, not some form of fanatical faith such as is offered to us by the various rampant isms." ~Bertrand Russell, English Logician and Philosopher (1872-1970)

Philanthropy for Everyone: Part One

Like many kids, when I was young I dreamed of one day becoming rich. Typical dreams of big houses, fancy cars and exotic vacations. When I matured into young adulthood however, those dreams changed. I realized that if I were rich I could have something far better than material comforts...I could have the power to impact change, to improve the plight of others. I dreamed of becoming a philanthropist. I know, it's crazy. But read on....

Now you and I both have the opportunity to actually participate in philanthropy. The pepsirefreshproject provides $1.3 million each month in grants to individuals, organizations and corporations who submit their ideas for funding. By voting for your favorite ideas (up to 10 votes each day), you have a voice in which projects get funded. Is that awesome or what?

Currently, there are more than 1,000 submissions competing for your vote. If your time is limited and you want some ideas on what projects to support, I can help. (Of course! The point of the article! LOL). I spent about three hours reading, ranking and eliminating projects to come up with a top ten list. These projects will each get one vote per day from me. Perhaps you can find an idea to support among them. Following are the first five on my list. I will publish Part Two tomorrow. Click on each title to visit their proposal page.

#1: WaggleForce Job Clubs
Proposal: Get 10,000 people back to work.
Grant Amount: $250,000
Idea Location: New York, NY
WaggleForce is led by Tory Johnson, CEO of Women for Hire, Workplace Contributor on ABC's Good Morning America, and New York Times best-selling author. She is joined in this grassroots effort by a team of experienced career club leaders, trainers and multimedia gurus dedicated to job search success.


#2: DonorsChoose.org
Proposal: Refresh libraries in public schools across America.
Grant Amount: $250,000
Idea Location: New York, NY
DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that makes it easy for anyone to help students in need. Started in a Bronx high school, we improved public education by enabling every teacher to be a change-maker and any citizen to be a philanthropist. Teachers ask. You choose. Students learn.


#3: EDAR (Everyone Deserves A Roof)
Proposal: Distribute mobile homeless shelters.
Grant Amount: $250,000
Idea Location: Los Angeles, CA
EDAR is a nonprofit organization that provides mobile shelters to the homeless. Based on a cart design, the EDAR unit allows for storage and mobility during the day. At night, the EDAR unfolds into a one-person bed, providing shelter and an alternative to a cardboard box or cold concrete.


#4: Sav-A-Vet.org
Proposal: Provide more housing to disabled veterans and law enforcement.
Grant Amount: $250,000
Idea Location: Lindenhurst, IL
Sav-A-Vet.org is a nonprofit organization that provides free housing to disabled veterans and law enforcement personnel in exchange for taking care of retired military working dogs that would otherwise be euthanized after service.


#5: One World Youth Project
Proposal: Expand to 3 U.S. Universities in 2010
Grant Amount: $50,000
Idea Location: Washington, D.C.
One World Youth Project facilitates high quality partnerships between schools for cultural exchange and collaborative service-learning toward the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals. OWYP is preparing the next generation for a globally-integrated world.

Quote of the Day: Kahlil Gibran

"There are those who give little of the much which they have - and they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome.

And there are those who have little and give it all.

These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty."

~Kahlil Gibran

Perspectives on Jackson's Life & Legacy

Like myself, you are probably burned out on the endless news coverage of Michael Jackson. The night before his memorial, I discovered something that I wanted to share…particularly with my family. But, I thought I should wait for the media madness to die down a bit. With the recent airing on Dateline of the Jackson tapes, there is no end in sight. So, I've decided to publish it now.

As reported previously here, my cousin visited Michael in 1984. Because of the great sense of gratitude I felt towards Michael, I was an ardent defender of his for two decades. But I must confess, that during the 2005 trial I began having serious doubts about Michael’s innocence in the abuse cases that surrounded him. Certainly I am not alone in my experience of conflicted feelings, about this curious, and occasionally disturbing, Iconic personality. After reviewing accounts of the evidence presented at the trial, and reading extensive discussions on both sides of the argument, I’ve resolved the issue for myself based on three observations:

First: In America we live by the rule of law. Not the least of which, is the presumption of innocence. All too often, we exclude those with fame from this basic right. The more salacious the charges, the less likely we are to presume their innocence. Logically, we understand that those with fame and power are susceptible to extortion. (Recent events with David Letterman and John Travolta come to mind.) Celebrities are often targets of extortion...and very often with false charges. Sadly, the more famous they become...the more likely they are to be victimized. But emotionally, we don’t give that fact equal weight in our rush to pass judgment.

Second: Matthew 7:1 tells us to “Judge not, that you be not judged.“ Many Christians consider this citation overused and misunderstood: that we should not judge the person, but that we are able to judge one’s behavior. Perhaps. But further examination reveals in Wesley’s Notes to: “Judge not any man without full, clear, certain knowledge, without absolute necessity, without tender love.” Additionally, the People’s New Testament extrapolates that “What [Christ] designs to prohibit is rash, uncharitable judgments, a fault-finding spirit, a disposition to condemn without examination of charges.”

Which brought me to my Third observation: Michael Jackson was found innocent by a jury of his peers. Considerable evidence exists to support the possibility that this man was in fact extorted, repeatedly. Reports indicate that the payoff made in the 1993 case, which many point to as "evidence" of his guilt, was done at the urging of his advisors. In 2005, again urged to do otherwise, Jackson refused to pay off his accusers and to stand trial instead. He did so to find vindication, which most still refuse to afford him. Jackson was once quoted with stating that: "Before I would hurt a child, I would slit my wrists."

A statement by Quincy Jones in a recent interview confirmed my long-held feelings about Michael: “He was the most lovely…most loving…man I ever knew. But, he was a tortured soul.” None of us will ever know the truth for certain. But I for one, have chosen to assume he was innocent. And I remain, not an apologist...but a defender. It pains me deeply when I read comments like: "Michael was a great entertainer, yes...but that is all. He does not deserve the kind of attention and adulation given him." What they don't realize, is that Michael was much more than an entertainer. He was one of the greatest humanitarians we will ever know. If you have any doubts, check out the massive chronology of his works here: JacksonAction. Make no mistake, Jackson liked living large. But, it's apparent that he gave nearly half his fortune away. I challenge you to find more than a handful of people who did the same, while they were still living.

Finally, I want to share something I discovered while reminiscing through some of Michael’s videos. Outside of his music, and the overwhelming curiosities we’ve been fed by the media, there is little insight into what kind of man he really was. In 2001, Michael addressed the student union at prestigious Oxford University with a speech entitled “Heal the Kids”. Some refer to the speech using the title "How to Forgive Your Father". In it, Michael demonstrates much of what his close friends keep repeating…what an intellectual, and truly loving person he was. He reveals deep empathy for the empty lives some live, despite all the success and fame they may achieve, and material wealth they may come to possess. To speak of such an inner void caused him to pause three times during his speech to weep. His speech was interrupted by four standing ovations – a rare thing at the Oxford Union, where cool headed intellectuals are not noted for being outwardly emotional.

If you’re interested in hearing the audio files, they are split into four parts and are about 36 minutes total. While the text alone does not have the same impact as the audio files, you can read it here, if you prefer: Heal The Kids.

Most importantly for my family, you will discover that Michael spoke briefly about David in his speech (located in Part 2, between 3:00 and 4:50). He does not name David specifically. And while he obviously (and perhaps purposely), has turned the facts of the story inside out, it is the profoundness of the experience that he's communicating to the audience...and I'm reasonably certain that it’s David he’s speaking of. While there may have been another child with the same experience, it's just as likely he's speaking of David, as it is someone else. Judge for yourself. Hearing it was quite moving for me, as I’m certain it will be for you. If you’re reading the text instead, you will find the discussion of David about ¼ of the way through the text.

Presented in order, here are the four parts of Michael's address:




Rest in Peace, Michael.

News: Annual S.F. Folsom Street Fair Today

The annual Folsom Street Fair brings back great memories and pride for me. For nearly ten years, I held an Open House at my apartment during the fair. My front door is a stones throw from the event. My mother even attended one year. (She was visiting me that week, and the Open House had already been planned.) Admittedly I was a little nervous how things would turn out, but she was a big hit with all my friends. (She always was.)

Folsom is the largest leather event in the world, and draws around 400,000 visitors to San Francisco each year. In 1997, New York began holding "Folsom East", and Berlin founded the "Folsom Europe" event in 2003. In recent years, the event has drawn much criticism from the fundamentalist right. But then again, San Francisco always has. Reverend Phelps holds an "Excorcism of the City" each year on Halloween. All of the leather and parties aside, the central theme of these events is fund raising. The event here, raises about $250,000 each year. Those funds are divided among a number of charities, and have included: SFPD and SFFD designated chairities, AIDS Emergency Fund, Positive Resource Center, Episcopal Community Services, and Catholic Charities. I just love irony.

I deeply miss entertaining the 30-40 friends that used to grace my home each year during this event. Sadly, some were lost to AIDS. But most have just scattered to the winds...many returning to their roots in the heartland. I love my roots too...but have roots here as well. This past June marked my 20th year in San Francisco. And, many of the friends I still have here are what I call my "West Coast Family".

I so love this city, I just can't see myself leaving. Her beauty, her weather, but mostly what she stands for: Individual freedom and liberty. A principle foundation of the American idea...and sadly disregarded in many quarters. Perhaps next year I will bring back my Open House celebration. If I'm lucky, I might be able to wrangle some of those long-ago-seen faces up in my crib. Happy Leather Pride everyone. Leather has never really been a big thing for me...but I sure love celebrating it!
(World Premier of "Milk" at The Castro Theater, San Francisco, CA)