26 days to fulfill on iPromises

In January, I charged friends, family, and strangers with creating a promise that they'd fulfill by the end of this year. It was born out of my frustration around people thinking that electing President Obama was going to result in the change we wanted to see. I am clear (as was he in his inaugural speech everyone seems to forget) that it takes many.

iPromise is an online video campaign to increase engagement. If we only kept our promises, oh what a world we'd have. We'd spend quality time with our children and parents, we'd keep small businesses open, we'd be healthy, we'd be married, and we'd be out of jail - to name a few impacts.

This is a simple reminder to those who made promises... how'd we do?

Read promises HERE or watch promises below.

iPromise from Jan/Feb 2010 on Vimeo.

iPromise - 27

NAME: Izetta Henderson
LOCATION: Brooklyn, NY
PROMISED ACTION: Help 100 moms reach their goals

iPromise - 26

NAME: Onaje
LOCATION: Brooklyn, NY
PROMISED ACTION: Three acts of kindness a day

Making a Difference Radio

Not too long ago, a good friend was featured on Making a Difference Radio.

Until she sent us the info to hear it live, I had never even heard of the online radio show.

I, of course, tuned in.

And tomorrow, Ashley and I will be featured to discuss two projects she and I have been working on this year - iPromise & Gratuity Included movement.

So exciting!

Tune in Tuesday, 3/9 at 2PM EST by visiting the site (click here). Or call in to listen or take part at (347) 637-3192.

If you miss it, you'll be able to hear it on iTunes in the future.

iPromise - 25

NAME: Aaron Clubb
LOCATION: Brooklyn, NY
PROMISED ACTION: Developing Dreamline Corps, an after-school program that builds leadership and connects Brooklyn youth to members of the community who will help them fulfill their dreams

Untitled from Aaron Clubb on Vimeo.

Brooklyn, representin'

iPromise - 23 and 24

NAMES: Raquel Wilson & Mya
LOCATION: Merrillville, IN

PROMISED ACTIONS:

Mya - Read two books/month with book report, and read twice a week with grandparents or mom with summary to improve vocabulary

Raquel - Help one young person each month realize a goal or dream within 30 days

iPromise with Mya & Raquel Wilson (23 February 2010) from Raquel Wilson on Vimeo.

Sent! Finally...

I finally got the call out to my family and friends via e-mail today.

Felt good to press send.

(Click on the image to get a closer look!)

To view submitted iPromise videos, click here.

Cornel West's Note to Barack Obama

Professor West asks President Barack Obama, "How deep is your love for poor and working people?"

I ask you, who are reading this, "How committed are you to 'change'?"

Like Al Dale said, the battle cry was "Yes WE can!" not "Yes HE can!"

Quotes that support iPromise

"Personal transformation can and does have global effects. As we go, so goes the world, for the world is us. The revolution that will save the world is ultimately a personal one."

-Marianne Williamson

iPromise Grows

Thank you to all who have participated!

Student's iPromise

My girl Caits showed the iPromise invitation video to her youth today. A quote from a student who didn't want to be shot: "I promise to fit in the rest of the world into my heart, feeling their pain, anger, hearing their voices but most importantly, sharing their cries." -Lissa

iPromise - 22

NAME: Marisha Scott

LOCATION: Brooklyn, USA

PROMISED ACTION: Deliver children's book, A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM, to a publisher

Who else will help move us in the direction of Truth & Love?...

iPromise - 21

NAME: Ashley Mui

LOCATION: San Francisco, CA

PROMISED ACTION: Find creative ways to give thanks, share exercises & ideas of how we can be more thankful with the possibilities of creating a community that lives a life of gratitude

"What's your promise?" -Ashley Mui

iPromise - 20

NAME: Clarence "Jah C" Fruster

LOCATION: New York, NY

PROMISED ACTION: Contribute to 6 people who made a contribution to my life by offering them expertise in event production & marketing

Paying it forward... Who will be next?

iPromise - 19

NAME: George W. Mitchell
LOCATION: Philadelphia, PA
PROMISED ACTION: Educating a group of Black teens about the power of politics



Who will take their iPromise video to the next level?!

iPromising...

This project was born out of my frustration that people were/are actually holding President Barack Obama accountable for the things we can control simply from our sheer numbers.

If millions of us can vote, millions of us can recycle, compost, volunteer, educate ourselves about global issues, teach someone to read, deliver food to those who cannot leave home, give blood, ride bikes and walk, grow food, use less water when we bathe, remove "can't" from our vocabulary, write a letter to our local representatives, attend town hall meetings, tithe to a nonprofit, support a local business, send a thank you to a mentor, repurpose household items, start a workout group, drink more water, use homeopathic healing, spend time with a nearby elder, consume less - create more...

Watching the iPromise videos brings me to tears. If even 5 people kept their promise in 2010, what a phenomenal improvement on our existence it would be.

I thank the heavens that I was the conduit for this project - that I get to bear witness to the magic, and empowerment, and declaration that is being generated.

I pray that people watch them and find ways to support those who have made a promise, or make promises of their own.

Thank each and every one of you whom have taken this on with me. Please share this amazing online video campaign with someone you love.

iPromise - 18

NAME: Tyrice Coates

LOCATION: Bronx, NY

PROMISED ACTION: Recycle

We are preserving our planet in 2010! Who will be next?!

iPromise - 17

NAME: Jamilah Seifullah

LOCATION: Brooklyn, NY

PROMISED ACTION: Aid 50 young people in fulfilling on a dream

2010 is going to be extraordinary! Who'll be sharing next?

iPromise - 16

NAME: Naima Arbaoui

LOCATION: Brooklyn, NY

PROMISED ACTION: Take a picture everyday of something I love to inspire others to do something they love

Who's gonna promise to help transform our society next?

iPromise - 15

NAME: Jenay Copeland

LOCATION: Brooklyn, NY

PROMISED ACTION: Create an art show to display her work to inspire young artists to pursue art & do what they love

Youth inspiring the youth... Who will be next?