HEADED BACK TO LA

SLID OUT OF LA ON THE LATE NIGHT TO FULFILL A REQUEST FROM CONGRESS WOMAN MAXINE WATERS. HIT THE GROUND RUNNING IN WASHINGTON DC EARLY THIS AM.
THE WASHINGTON CONVENTION CENTER WAS JAMMED PACKED TODAY FULL OF YOUNG, BLACK, EDUCATED KIDS EAGER TO LISTEN AND LEARN FROM ALL THE PANELISTS INVOLVED.

THIS MARKS MY THIRD YEAR PARTICIPATING IN THE ANNUAL CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS HERE IN DC.

THERE WERE 3 OTHERS PANELISTS ASIDE FROM MYSELF HELPING MRS. MAXINE WATERS WITH HER MESSAGE AND MISSION.

THE MESSAGE
HOW AFRICAN AMERICAN ENTERTAINERS CAN IMPACT and EMPOWER their community, locally, and globally.

WE ALL WERE INTRODUCED AND GIVEN TIME TO SPEAK ABOUT WHAT COULD ACTUALLY LEAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION UPON ALL OF THOSE IN ATTENDANCE.

HERE'S WHAT I SAID
"What do 3 out of 4 Americans on welfare have in common with

85% of percent of unwed mothers

and with 68% of those arrested in the US annually?

They are all ILLITERATE

In this decade, only 68% of students who enter the 9th grade will GRADUATE high school

and ONE-FIFTH of those high school graduate won't be able to READ their diploma.

I am speaking about the epidemic of ILLITERACY."

I WENT ON TO SAY A BIT MORE THAT, I BELIEVE IN MY SPIRIT, I LEFT THEM ALL WITH SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.