Going Big

I'm always impressed by people who aren't afraid to go big - Tiger Woods has won 14 majors and 70 tour events; Michael Phelps has won enough olympic gold medals to make it his retirement plan; Bloomberg has a networth of $16 billion and has dominated most of the financial services market. It's amazing what people can do for themselves, but when it comes to solving the problem of poverty and educational inequality, there has not been an answer that withstands the test of time, or a person's political term. But I came across The Harlem Children's Zone started by Geoffery Canada, a native of the South Bronx of New York, which positively influences inner city children from within the womb all way through college. He is absolutely convinced that poverty can be beaten through quality education in the home and in school, and he is on a mission to see it through. The funny thing is that everyone has known and agrees with Canada's preaching, but can't make it work on a grand scale. Mr. Canada is somehow making it happen. I aspire to be like this man who truly affects change and brings tranformation to entire communities.

Click on the logo (left) to listen to a 30 minute segment on Mr. Canada on This American Life. Click on Colbert (right) to see a hilarious 5 minute interview with him. Frankly, I don't know what makes people decide to be a guest on Colbert's show. They'd be better off appearing on a jumbo screen being pantsed by a drunk friend at a Giants' game. G. Canada holds it together though.

Oh to be as savvy as Geoffrey Canada and as witty as Stephen Colbert.