Hi Joe:
CONGRATULATIONS on the continuing development of a "meaningful conversation" regarding the various opportunities and possibilities represented by the identified constituents namely Ghana, West Africa and the United States of America.
As you and I have discussed on many occasions this is truly a mission which is dear to our organizations hearts, minds and endeavors. Over the last several years we have crossed paths several times on this "purity of purpose" undertaking. Witness, our seminal discussions and interactions with our Detroit community partners at the "Friends of Detroit & Tri-County" community learning center and mutual efforts on behalf of the "Gateway to West Africa Project" orchestrated by Chief, Nana Kwaku Yiadom. Additionally, we have participated in and supported from its inception the annual Oakland Schools "Global Trade Mission" efforts under the leadership and tutelage of Dr. Marlana Krolicki, Oakland Schools ISD, by providing real-world, subject-matter experts, leadership-speakers from the Sub-Saharan Continent of Africa namely Mr. Edo Mansaluca (2 years) of Angola, West Africa and The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Chief Nana Kwaku Yiadom (2 years) of Ghana, West Africa. Clearly, as you and I will agree these are not merely co-incidences but rather may indeed be guided by a much higher-ordered hand.
Your invitation to participate and/or endorse these continuing efforts via Mosaic Ghana Africa is well received by our organization and we wish to affirm our continuing commitment and support to this shared alignment of purpose. Of course as they say, "the devil is in the details" and without a thorough understanding of those details on our part we are unable to define the potential depths of our contributions and involvement. Perhaps a "meeting of the minds" is in order to further our base-understanding of this undertaking and to "plumb the depths" of the various possibilities this truly collaborative opportunity represents? Additionally, if you would kindly forward the Mosaic Ghana Africa Information/Media Kit (address below) as you proposed it would be much appreciated and serve to facilitate our deeper understanding.
Although I can not speak for Kent Roberts and his organization (Civility Center), nor would I assume to, I'm sure he would resonate with this collaborative missions intentions. His organization and his personal message, mission and mind would be a great addition and complement to this endeavor.
Finally, as you may or may not know "21st Century Digital Learning Environments" has been deeply embedded in the Detroit Public Schools system via Northwestern High School and the AIM Program (Achievement In Motion) for much of the last year. This is a "stellar" leading-edge technological K-12 Education Model Program under the visionary direction and leadership of Dr. Shedrick Ward, Director, Detroit Public Schools, Science Math and Technology Resource Center. Dr. Ward is also the sole-author of the Detroit Public Schools Technology Plan (2006) which in my humble opinion, is the finest example of an K-12 Education Technology Plan in this country. Perhaps there are some cross-pollination opportunities to "share the wealth" through this undertaking.
Please let us know what your thoughts might be. Much continued success!
Kind regards,
Jim
Jim Ross, president
21st Century Digital Learning Environments
41810 Huntington Ct.
Clinton Township, MI 48038
586-228-0608
Response: Dr. Marlana Krolicki, Oakland Schools Global Trade Mission
| "Krolicki, Marlana" | ||||||
| to | James Ross | |||||
| date | Mar 27, 2007 11:38 AM | |||||
| subject | RE: Mosaic Ghana Africa | |||||
| mailed-by | oakland.k12.mi.us | |||||
Thanks Jim, We certainly enjoyed Chief Nana Kwaku at GTM, and all the coaches and volunteers.
You bring valuable and interesting social capitol to the table!
thanks again!
Marlana
2 comments:
Nana:
Perhaps this "response missive" may serve our mutual purposes in the "stead" of the requested follow-on letters to Dr. Ward and Dr. Krolicki which unfortuantely, have not been forthcoming to date.
I believe it "frames" our intentions appropriately while also establishing "true-authorship" for several of our longstanding "works in progress."
Please respond here if your understanding is not fully reflected in same or requires addtional refinements and/or articulation.
Hope all finds you well my friend.
Best,
Jim
Chief:
I enjoyed our Saturday morning conversation today regarding my response to the Mosaic Ghana Africa offering.
As we also disussed regarding Kwodrow Mensa and his African Band and musical talent element, this could become a "catalytic opportunity" in that ALL things are connected. And "Arts & Entertainment" are indeed a recognized "value-chain" within our initiative. Again I think it would be prudent to contact him and see if he has a web-site and/or some existing music files that he could forward (CD-DVD) or simply forward via the internet. This would allow us to begin to "build capacity" in this arena and expose the opportunity to Heru House and Kamaal Amen-Ra as we discussed.
Having various established "musical connections" here in Detroit (Historical Musical Originating Hotbed) and Jamaica (Also Historically Originating), when tied to Africa (Aslo Historically Orginating) could bring about a "marriage of musical diversity" yet unwitnessed and of IMMENSE creative possibilities. Having said that I will defer to your instincts.
Alas, we tend to digress back into the analog (I WALK therefore I am) vs. digital (Knowledge at the SPEED of Light) discusssion which seems to be a reoccurring theme in our discussions. I will be awaiting your call as promised so that we might pick-up the conversation from there.
In the meantime this simple message may hve some bearing on our conversations;
"The world is moving so fast these days that the man who says it can't be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it." --Harry Emerson Fosdick
Hope ALL finds you well my friend!
Peace everlasting which passes all understanding.
Best,
Jim
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