Blacksonville Community Network (BCN)

“I put on for my city, on, on for my city”, says Jeezy in one of his Hip Hop anthems. The meaning of these words express the love and the hate fellow Atlanteans have for their beloved dwelling…Atlanta, Georgia. The same feelings I have for Jacksonville, Florida.

My city has still has a lot of work to do before I would consider making a hit record about it. Though Jacksonville;s local economy was not hit as hard as many local governments, its economies-of-scale remain the best kept secret in a Good-ol-Boy Network of a few local politicians and business owners. For decades, since the days of consolidation, Jacksonville’s “elite” have silently monopolized city capital, contracts, and grants. Though crumbs still fall from the table, many Jacksonvillians fale to thrive and survive, leading to a fussilade of band aid government programs to service the cities blighted, poverty-stricken communities and residents of urban areas.

I always wondered why so many not-for-profit organizations — including way too many churches — exist on every corner of the Bible-belt. It’s common to see a pattern for miles when driving through Jacksonville’s Martin Luther King Expressway. Church one way, liquor store the other way. Church one way, rehab center the next. For those who have eyes to see, my city paints a horrific cycle of dependency and hopelessness for newcomers forced to live in the rural areas of town to avoid the 24/7 crime-ridden North and Eastside. Combine the lack of quality living and corrupt infrastructure with a blanket of dim street lights and you might think you are driving through Gothic City the next time you hit I95 coming though Duval County.

Well, there are a few great pioneers who are not blind, nor scared to Right wrong when its identified. On January 30th, at Jacksonville’s City Hall, the Racial and Economic Disparities within City of Jacksonville will be addressed in a Community Hearing organized by the FMCRC and Councilwoman Glorious Johnson.

To address these most pressing issues facing minority communities of Jacksonville , FMCRC, in partnership with Jacksonville Councilwoman Glorious J. Johnson, will officially launch AccessJacksonville at a Community Hearing set for January 30th at 2:00pm (City of Jacksonville council chambers).

The primary mission of Access Jacksonville is “The empowerment of minority communities and businesses, largely through economic access, participation and development. To pursue development and growth that meets the small business, health, housing and employment needs of minority communities that will ensure a better quality of life for all minority communities of Jacksonville ” states Councilwoman Johnson.

The Chair of the organization, Al Pina, in a recent interview with a local reporter confronts the racism and synicism in Jacksonville head on…

“I have heard that certain leaders in Jacksonville are now calling me a CONTROVERSIAL PERSON in an attempt to spin attention away from their inability to create racial and economic equality in Jacksonville . If trying to reduce poverty, reduce the infant mortality rate, reduce unemployment and reduce crime in minority communities is CONTROVERSIAL, then I am guilty as charged. Where I come from we call my actions being humane and caring. But what is coming out of these leaders is code speak, telling minority community members in Jacksonville to keep their place and not voice their concerns. This is a tool to create fear in our community that if they speak out they will be punished economically. I will continue to work with the disenfranchised in Jacksonville in hope that these leaders can allow compassion to rule their hearts and begin to bring hope back into the communities of the under served. I am now receiving threats, most of them saying that “niggers and spics” like myself better get our of Florida. I am here to stay. ” states FMCRC Chair Al Pina.

This much needed forum will happen at a critical time in Jacksonville’s history. The city struggles to overcome a major unemployment gap that was stimlutated by years of corruption in private lending and local politricks. Despite Florida’s flourishing Tech Industry (Florida Is the 4th Largest and 8th Fastest Growing Cyberstate by Tech Employment with close to 6000 jobs) Jacksonville is slow to get in the game with limited community assets for technology enthusiasts in underserved communities. This brings to light the recommendations I made a few months ago for us to raise the bar in my city.

But just as Mr. Pina stated, I am here to stay. And I will show up on the 30th with cadres from all walks of life who are committed to do the same… we put on for our city, on, on for our city!