George C. Fraser
In his book “Success Runs In Our Race,” George Fraser convinced me that networking was vital to professional and social success. On Tavis Smiley’s Covenant With Black America, Fraser asserted that African-Americans were the only Americans who sought political power before economic power upon arriving in this country or what would become this country.
You have to love being at a cookout or mixer when intelligent topics like this come up. The radical brother points out that we arrived in the hulls of ships and in bondage; political power was needed first just to keep citizens and the government itself from harming us or restricting freedoms.
The conversation then turns to the age-old Booker T. Washington vs. W.E.B. Dubois argument. When I was young, Dubois’ push for education and college degrees appealed to me. As I grew older, Washington’s focus on job training, business ownership and finance made more sense.
Helen Blocker Adams is bringing George Fraser to Augusta, Georgia, on October 14, 2010, and I must go hear this noted author because we are in rapidly changing times. While some in our community are bracing for a political nightmare if the conservatives take the House and Senate back, those of us who grew up reading Black Enterprise Magazine are wondering how we will adjust, maintain and prosper. Southern Black voters are generally moderate to conservative but more importantly resilient when the government doesn’t care—and the government often doesn’t care so stop looking to them and save yourself.
During this campaign season, I imagine Fraser’s networking principles would recommend meeting and listening to everyone—don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. I think young people miss the networking opportunities they could experience from following politics. If you go listen to everyone or volunteer, the professional benefits will come.
Fraser’s new book is “Click: Ten Truths to Building Extraordinary Relationships.” The current political candidates need to read this one and come to the event at Paine College.
http://www.georgecfraser.com/ Check out his video
Project Logic Ga 
We’re at an amazing turning point or tipping point of our lives. On one hand the Tea Party Movement (as they call it) is exploding. Like their politics or not, you have to give them credit for creating enough noise and influence to get their point across. They are getting people elected. I’ve always heard the saying ‘the squeaky wheel gets the oil.’ But there’s another group of people, and I believe they represent all spectrums of political ideology and complexions, and those are people who want to see Unlikely Allies (www.hbagroup-intl.com) coming together, more civility versus hostility, bridges mended, alliances made, more communication and understanding of differences. I’ve always felt this group of people exist, but I’m convinced their presence is more widely known now, more than ever. This October 14th event will be indicative of this. I’m expecting to see Republicans, Democrats, Liberterians, black, white, young, old and everyone in between at this event. Coming together to network and learn strategies on how to strengthen their business relationships and create economics for themselves. Oh, I’m sending information today to every statewide candidate running for political office in Georgia. I’m expecting to either see them, in person, or an appropriate representative. We must see our elected officials (or those that want to be) at events that cater to diverse audiences and we must see them BEFORE the November 2nd election. As I get confirmations of their attendance, I will make it known publicly through my social media outlets. I think it’s important to see who’s for ALL of Georgia and who is NOT. We’re expecting business and community leaders, non-profit execs, small business owners, sales people, customer service reps, and many more to attend this event. If you’re interested in attending this business networking event, then you can visit my website at http://www.helenblockeradams.com for the details and how to purchase tickets.