Ms. Alsobrooks was totally awesome in her composure, knowledge of subject matter and presentation. She totally impressed me so much so that I sent a donation this evening. In a subsequent publication, I will go further into the debate and share my choice for Senator from Maryland.
Baltimore’s Mayoral Debate
This evening’s (i.e., April 17, 2024) mayoral debate held at Morgan State University’s Murphy Fine Arts Center was outstanding. In attendance was former Mayor Shelia Dixon, Mayor Brandon Scott, former prosecutor Thiru Vignarajah and businessman Bob Wallace.
There were four (4) persons on that stage and from each you got the feeling of love for Baltimore. For heartfelt passion, that passion that comes from the gut, I would go with Bob Wallace and Thiru Vignarajah. This is in addition to their knowledge of the issues which face Baltimore and their plans of action to address them. And there were some good ones articulated.
I was very impressed with Mayor Scott, how he handled himself (except calling folks liars. He seems to use that word quite often), his accomplishments and his plans for the future. Former Mayor Dixon presented some ideas from her time as mayor. My ranking of performance: Mayor Brandon Scott and Bob Wallace tied for first place with Thiru Vignarajah coming in at a close second.
Again, great debate from some extraordinary individuals who want the best for our City of Baltimore.
Missive to Candidates for the Office of 7th Maryland Congressional District.
This below email was sent to each of the Democratic and Republican candidates running for the office of 7th Maryland Congressional District. As of close-of-business February 1, 2020, I have only heard from 1 Democrat and 1 Republican. Hopefully, I will receive commitment from the majority of candidates. If not, we all should be concerned that our serious issues are not being acknowledged or discussed.
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Dear Candidate
I am writing to you because you are running for the seat vacated by the untimely death of Representative Elijah Cummings. I cannot tell you how important this election is. Whoever fills that seat will have an awesome responsibility to the constituents of the 7th Maryland Congressional District, of which I am one. This district covers many diverse populations, all with their own diverse issues.
One of the main concerns of my organization is the plight of the Black families in Baltimore City, specifically female headed households without a father present.
Statistics show that in the 7th district, there is:
1. A concentration of households making less than $25,000 a year,
2. A high percentage of households living below the poverty level,
3. A high level of children under the age of 18 living below the poverty level,
4. A 40.6 percent poverty level for female-headed families with children
under age 18 and no father present.
This situation is at the root of many of our communities problems and must be addressed. This is just one of the many issues facing our community but it is key to beginning our recovery as a people.
There was a time not too long ago that Black America had a higher percentage of nuclear families than White America. I am a product of that period. We had hope and that hope resonated from within our strong family structure.
Laws and policies such as Aid to Families with Dependent Children (with the stipulation that females could not work and could not have a man present), 3 Strike Out and Zero Tolerance helped to destroy our families.
During your campaign I would like for you to acknowledge the fact that our families are in serious trouble and we, together, must address the issue. I don’t expect you to have any recommendations at this time but just the fact that you acknowledge the issue gives hope to those in those hopeless situations.
I have over ten (10) years of analytical data, interviews, commentaries and many ideas on how we can make a difference and change some lives. If you decide to make this one of your campaign pledges, I can be of assistance.
I can be reached at 443.467.3155. Thanking you in advance for considering my request. And best of luck during the campaign.
Yours in Friendship,
Larry C. Smith, President
Look Forward My Brother, LLC
www.lookforwardmybrother.org
Linkedin/Larry C. Smith
January 29, 2020
Upcoming Baltimore Mayoral and Maryland 7th Congressional District Elections
We have two very important elections coming up soon here in the State of Maryland. There will be the Baltimore mayoral election (primary April 28, 2020 and general November 3, 2020) and the Maryland 7th Congressional District election (primary February 4, 2020 and general April 28, 2020). This will fill the seat of Congressman Elijah Cummings who passed away October 17, 2019.
Both of these elections have plenty of candidates and plenty of issues affecting the Black community. I am continuing the process of attending candidate forums and requesting information on their positions. I will then use those data to determine who should be supported in their effort to become either Mayor of Baltimore or Maryland 7th District Congressperson.
My choices are based upon responses to issues which are in the best interest of Black folks. It makes no difference if that individual is Democrat or Republican. It’s about what is best for us as a people. I have recommended support for numerous office holders at the federal, State and local levels since 2016, both Democrat and Republican. And to date, I have a 100% success record.
I consider myself a well-informed citizen who takes the right to vote as a very serious responsibility. I spend as much time as possible in learning the issues and facts, critically analyzing those issues and facts, coming to a sound conclusion and voting accordingly or recommending who to vote for.
The foremost issues to be addressed in Baltimore City are 1) murders, 2) female headed single family households, 3) crime and 4) number of shootings.
The foremost issues to be addressed in the Maryland 7th Congressional District are 1) murders, 2) crime and 3) disparity in median household income between Black and White households.
There are many other issues but I have determined that the candidates’ positions on these issues should be known.
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It’s Pathetic How Some Are Attempting to Turn Something Good into Something Bad
I was listening to Radio 1; station 95.9 in Baltimore, Maryland this morning (i.e., November 5, 2018) and a commentator was giving Tom Joyner and staff some information regarding the current state of the country. Judging from the somber responses/tones of Tom and staff, I thought I they were responding to news of another mass shooting. The commentator was stating how strong the economy was and how good Americans felt about the way things are going. Unemployment at record lows, consumer confidence up, etc., etc. I didn’t hear all of the commentator’s references but I’m sure the state of Black America must have been discussed prior to me tuning in. For your information, the following is a quote from a Bloomberg article titled: Black Unemployment Is at an All-Time Low, But ..- By Justin Fox, May 4, 2018.
“The unemployment rate among Black Americans fell to 6.6 percent in April, according to today’s jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics — the lowest such rate on record. The record in this case only goes back to 1972, and the overall unemployment rate (available back to 1948) was lower in the late 1960s and early 1950s than it is now. But the gap between the Black unemployment rate and the overall rate has been shrinking, so 6.6 percent may well be the lowest rate ever for Black people.”
Because this is being accomplished during the presidency of that “hated Donald Trump”, our Black leadership and those who have access to the bully pulpit will not recognize nor for the most part speak of the good that is occurring within large segments of our Black community. And that is pathetic and just plain self-serving.
At a time like this, those within our vulnerable community who are benefiting from a strong economy need all of the support and encouragement that can be provided. Many of our folks, who have not had a job in years, are now working, providing for their families and feeling good about themselves. This support and encouragement I refer too can spark a feeling of hope for those who not too long ago believed there was no hope and can change mind sets and provide visions of a bright future.
In the last year with my own eyes I have seen African Americans again working on State government crews repairing roads and doing other tasks. Not too long ago, this was not the case. In my travels, I am again seeing Black folks working in the hotel industry. Until recently, those jobs had been taken from them and given to others who do not look like us. I am now seeing more and more of our folks working in Walmart and some of the fast food chains. This is a time of rejoicing for not only the workers but their families and the country. Do you recall the phrase: Idle time is the devil’s workshop? I will coin this phrase: Enterprising time leaves no room for the destructive interference of others.
With being in a position of leadership and having access to the bully pulpit comes responsibility. And that responsibility should supersede Party loyalty and ego. Throwing negativity into the mist of positivity only dilutes the positive. And because we’ve had so much negativity in the past, let our folks enjoy the moment of something good and positive.
“Together we stand as one united people of African ancestry”
Larry C. Smith, President
Look Forward My Brother
Using Capital One For Your Business Credit Card – Not So Good An Idea
I would not recommend using Capital One for your business credit card. The reason, they regularly forward your balance and payment information to the 3 consumer credit reporting agencies as well as the business credit reporting agencies. In other words, your business debt is affecting your personal credit score. Most of the other major credit card companies do not do that. And for very good reason. Business and personal accounts are separate and distinct and should be kept that way. Mixing the two is putting you, the entrepreneur, at a disadvantage in your personal life. And that’s not good.
I don’t want to recommend any bank to use but I recommend you do the research. It should be noted that if you fail to pay on your business card over an extended length of time, all credit card companies will alert the consumer credit reporting agencies.
I had a very long discussion with Capital One about the error of their ways and how their practices are contrary to the spirit of business ownership. The representative promised to elevate my concerns to higher management. I have taken immediate action to close the account and transfer my business debt to a company more in tune with the business world and its needs.