The real reason I’m writing is to talk about what I would like to see over the next 365 days. I don’t want to keep this post too long so I’ll just hop right in. Here are the top 7 things I’m looking forward to over the next year!

• Continued business growth for Social Saints (my baby) and my other businesses – Business has been good, but I would like to see the business grow, and even bring on some additional partners within the coming months! Interested?
• The revitalization of Bizzyness – As some of you may know Akuba and I created a website about 15 months ago called Bizzyness. The site is designed to be an online resource and conversation portal for couples who decide to explore the business world together. Though we still love the concept, the truth is we haven’t had much time lately to update it and keep it going so it is my personal desire to recharge the concept and get Bizzyness back on course!
• Traveling a little more and living in a different city – I believe this is self explanatory. Any suggestions on where I should live or where I should travel to?
• Helping my friends, and family establish their businesses – If you’ve known me more than a weeks, you know that I love business. It’s one of the things I’m passionate about and something I love to share with others. It is the desire to share that encourages me to encourage others to start businesses, so it is my wish to help them along the way.
• Making progress on our family tree – My family tree (particularly on my father’s side) is very incomplete, so I plan to make some additional progress on that so that I can continue to learn more about my family and myself.
• The arrival of baby Strickland – Two wonderful friends of mine were recently married and decided to start growing their family right away! A few weeks ago we all found out that they’re expecting and I’m so excited for them I can hardly contain myself. That’s one of the reasons Baby Strickland is on my list! Congratulations Ashley and Martavis! BTW… what do you think they’ll have? Boy or girl?
• Love, Peace, and Healing – There is just so much going on in the World that I pray that there will be more love shared, more peace lived and more broken hearts and lives mended! From friends to family, to colleagues and total strangers the world simply needs more love, peace and healing.

What do you think? What’s missing? You can be honest. What other milestones or goals should I add to this list?

Thanks for tuning in and let me know your thoughts!

-Justin

Before I get started I would like to take a moment to thank all of my peers for voting and stating your position. It is our responsibility to help define our future, instead of sitting back and allowing our elders to be the only voice heard. Furthermore, I want to say that I do not intend to offend anyone and if I do, I’m sorry. This will not be a long note and I will not fill it with fluff and meaningless information, so here we go. The following is a list(short list) of the things I won’t do regarding the recent outcome of the 2008 presidential election.

1. I WILL NOT boast and brag. Though there is an extraordinary amount of pride and triumph that fills my spirit (feelings for my parents and grandparents that I can’t even describe) because Obama’s victory, it is not my responsibility to run around as if I am any better than the next person. Yes African-Americans/Black People often times start in a hole, and once again, we have proven that kicking us, beating us, and even killing us is/was not enough to kill the spirit as strong as ours. Period.

2. I WILL NOT argue with McCain supports about the negative impact they believe President-Elect Obama will have on our economy, education system, energy policies, foreign policies, or any other issues. At this point we all, especially Christians, should CONTINUE to pray for our leadership regardless of their color. Furthermore we should all stay centered and work to find ways to make our local communities, including our families and homes, safer, smarter, more accountable and more politically sound. Period.

3. I WILL NOT let you take my joy. I am proud that for the 3rd presidential election I have been a part of, I can stand up and say that my choice actually won (I would continue to vote regardless of the outcome, so do not be discouraged if your candidate didn’t win). My first voting experience was not a pleasant one, and the second wasn’t any better, so I will not let ANYONE take this moment away from me. If you try, I WILL take it personal. Period.

4. Finally, I WILL NOT be satisfied. For African Americans and Blacks, Barack Obama’s election is not the finish line, rather a milestone. I will admit that this a huge milestone, but not the last. With that said I will say this. As a black man I will continue to hold ALL men responsible for their actions, and for black men you officially have NO excuses. Let’s focus on supporting one another,investing in one another, including Obama, and work to get our families, homes, and communities back in order. Obama can’t do it alone. Period.

I could go on, and on, but I just wanted to take a moment to define my intentions so that I can set the record straight and establish a line of expectation. With the line now drawn, I’ll say these final words. If; I ignore you when you attempt to argue, defend my joy when you attempt to take it, continue to support my friends, neighbors and family in the failures and success or shake my head in disappointment when you(Men of ANY color) let our families, neighborhoods or communities down, know this. You have been told. This election means more to this country than many can fathom, and the major issues that plague our country right now, have NOTHING to do with color. We are all citizens of this country and WE should stand up and act like it, and it all starts with self. Period.

Be blessed, I love you, and thanks for tuning in.

In other news, this is the best birthday I’ve ever had, because I’ve been blessed to experience it with you in my life.

-Justin