To My; Friends, Family, Colleagues, Associates, Constituents in Canada and around the World,
As the Co-Chair for School Advisory Council for Citadel High School, in Halifax, Nova Scotia (former city) part of my duty was to sit on the School Discipline Committee, this comittee assemled guidelines provided forced me to enforce the
expelled 20 Kids from school and regular learning activities, the affects of making these decisions as a 25 year old young man
during that time, 19 of them where “African Canadian”. The development of the DMF Energy Security & Climate Change Leadership Program, is led by Ashish Ranjan, a Senior Engineering Consultant and leader
In 2008 when I ran for city council there was a public speaking event CBC Nova Scotia covered called “Why black youth don’t vote”, (http://bit.ly/20TLrfu) you can tell I was annoyed with the title but even more so when an older community leader tried to justify the apathy in the youth, Ray Lewis gave a passionate speech recently about ending violence, the Footballer in me shares that passion and determination for change.
At 23 I didn’t realize how cold the world could be, but today at 31 despite recent and on going tragedies and challenges I remain Determined, Motivated and Focused on “being the change” as Gandhi once said and with this new political landscape, I’ll be putting these words to the test for the current government. I’m joining the reserves because I want to fight for Peace and because Lester B. Pearson did, if Justin Trudeau’s favorite Prime Minister is Wilfred Laurier, The Honorable Lester B. Pearson, would definitely be mine, his globalization accomplishments bringing peace to the world through diplomacy over war and violence is inspiring to me.
We all have our short comings, that’s just life, but despite the darkness in our most desperate hours I believe the future is very bright! To my community and loved ones in Halifax who in 2008 took the time to vote for me in the Halifax Municipal Election, thank you for continuing to believe in the best of me.
Please save www.chcdi.org in your bookmarks.
Love > Fear.
Yours truly,
JD