| There is a saying that when White people are in a | | | | shall pass so don't quit on yourself. There is no failure |
| recession, that Black people are in a depression and | | | | except in no longer trying," adds Fisher. |
| that is quite true in this current economic recession. | | | | With reinvention in mind, Fisher has been working on a |
| People of color, especially Black people, and most | | | | multifaceted seminar series called the Health Education |
| particularly Black men are feeling the full brunt of the | | | | Business (HEB) Summit that highlights opportunities for |
| economic recession that has often resembled a | | | | information exchange and community empowerment. |
| depression that mirrors the "Great One" of the 1930s. | | | | Clearly the words of poet Langston Hughes who |
| Articles in mainstream publications, including the | | | | chronicled much of the suffering of Black people in his |
| Washington Times and others, highlight the impact that | | | | oft recited verse, "What Happens to a Dream |
| the recession has had on Black men with almost 50 | | | | Deferred" rings true even today as the dreams of |
| percent unemployed or living in reduced circumstances, | | | | Black men are deferred because the economic |
| thus affecting their ability to work and to provide for | | | | recession, and the depression that affects people of |
| their families. | | | | color, has caused those dreams to be directed |
| "For many of us Black men, this recession has been | | | | elsewhere for survival. |
| both humbling and, at times, humiliating having to accept | | | | "As the economy attempts to rebound, I started |
| employment that's both clearly beneath our talent and | | | | running 30 minutes a day to clear my thoughts before I |
| ability to earn. The added pressure and stress of being | | | | even look at the computer and it has opened my mind |
| unable to meet the needs of your family can hit your | | | | to greater possibilities and I have shed 10 pounds in the |
| manhood pretty hard," notes Cedric Fisher, Principal, | | | | process," comments Guy Madison, Principal Consultant, |
| DesignGroup Studio, LLC. "However, it is easier to | | | | GM Consulting. "The economy has led me to find more |
| tolerate if we accept it as a temporary season of | | | | partners that bring as much or more to the table as I |
| pruning and right-sizing, and look toward a future of | | | | do and has improved my value proposition in the |
| new growth, wisdom and confidence in your ability to | | | | process." Madison is leading a number of initiatives to |
| persevere in the hardest of times." | | | | assist minority-owned businesses and non-profit |
| While Black women, who are employed heavily in the | | | | organizations to increase revenues and funding in this |
| education and healthcare field where the lay-offs are | | | | economic recession. |
| not as rigorous, have not been as impacted by the | | | | When racism and discrimination were rampant, Black |
| economic recession and have historically been able to | | | | men forged their own way and issues like economic |
| "get by on so little for so long." Black men have had to | | | | recession were mere words when the needs of their |
| become much more resilient in their efforts to keep | | | | loved ones took precedence. That mindset to |
| their heads above water during this period of recovery | | | | persevere and carry on despite the odds is reflected |
| as the limited resources that have usually surrounded | | | | today in the actions of many Black men who are |
| them continue to diminish. | | | | forging paths to progress despite the economic |
| "It's times and opportunities like this that show us what | | | | recession. From starting their own businesses to |
| we as Black men are made of. Only the strong and | | | | addressing niche opportunities that help others, Black |
| creative will survive. A lot of this is about attitude. You | | | | men still believe in the battle cry of the Civil Rights |
| may lose a few things in the transition, but do not lose | | | | movement that "we shall overcome. |
| hope. Reinvention of oneself may be in order. This too | | | | |