Blogs
Because Downhill Battles are not Worth Fighting
Posted April 23rd, 2010 by Chester Asher

We're about a third of the way there. 30 mentors at 3 schools in Harlem & Brooklyn. Some mentorships have been wildly successful; as recently showcased by MTV's "Wise Latinas,” Where one of our Moving Minds Mentors was able to "empower" her mentee by helping her to open up and share her gift of poetry. And some have been less successful like when students have skipped out on their mentorship sessions. We're learning and strengthening our programs. Every child deserves an excellent education, but first they have to believe that they are excellent and capable of achieving it academically. It’s an uphill struggle, but we know we have the right equipment. A hand full of tenacity, a pitcher full of faith, and a bag full of tenacity. In Harlem this week we will be celebrating our mentors, our mentees, their parents, and all of their commitments to moving minds and pursuing excellence. Step up to the plate, help us. Only 70 more mentors to go: http://transformamerica.org/destination/education/mentors
Young, Gifted & On the Rise: A networking event presented by OUR TAKE and Transform America
Posted April 1st, 2010 by Daniel Mazzone
Later...
Posted October 20th, 2009 by Chester Asher
There will never be an "easier" time to make change. There will never be a time when it is "more comfortable" to engage in the process. It is not an act of convenience. You will always have a choice, a hard choice, between missing an event, a night out, a day at work, a class or sleep; and working to make change. Change won't fit neatly into your schedule between your eleven O'clock class and your two O'clock part time. It won't wait for you to finish studying. It wont suddenly appear when you have a white picket fence, two point five kids, and a dog named Bo. If that's what you're looking for, you may be on the wrong website. Change may come slow...
Change may not come at all. But we work for it as if we expect it with the rising of the sun. And for all our successes or failures, ours will be a beautiful struggle. A struggle with earnest, tenacity, and love.

"There is never time in the future in which we will work out our salvation. The challenge is in the moment; the time is always now." - James Baldwin
Next meeting Wednesday October 21st, 6:30pm 114th & 8th Ave. at Society Cafe.
Monthly Meeting... Monthly Opportunity
Posted September 13th, 2009 by Chester Asher
Transform America has bi weekly monthly meetings, every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. You said you were waiting for the opportunity to change the world... Let's go.
This month's meeting will mostly be dedicated to the park party coming up on Saturday. We're meeting this Wednesday at the park, 135th & St. Nicholas Ave. at 6:30pm. Only invite cats you think have a real interest in taking action on social justice issues.
Let's Go!

Beautiful Tweets
Posted May 3rd, 2009 by Chester Asher
Listen to our tweet. It's beautiful: http://twitter.com/ImpactforChange. Listen up for our progress on our Destination, the work of our Wings, and how you can continue to help us make a difference.
Thank You... Transform America
Posted March 9th, 2009 by Chester Asher
Thank you all!
Our First Alliance Conference was a success. Thank you to the attendees, thank you to the panelists, and thank you to all our Wings for supporting Transform America.
When I say Transform America I'm not talking about our nonprofit organization. I'm talking about the groups that together form Transform America: Latinos Unidos Con Honor y Amistad, Community Roots, the District 8 Youth Council, and the Gentlemen of Quality. I'm talking about the outstanding individuals within those groups, and the trust that we all have that each is working towards human rights principles. I'm talking about the idea that we are bigger than ourselves and the organizations we belong to; that we fight not only for our own interests but for a greater common good; that together our strength is unparalleled; and that we will, united in common ideals and humanity, create a better world.
Thank you.
Pg. 2009
Posted January 18th, 2009 by Chester Asher

2009. We have a black president in America. A supposed progressive president. What will become of the year 2009? Will it be remembered in the history books as a time of great change, the beginning of a great movement, a great drive to transform our nation? Or will it only be remembered as the year when America's first black president was elected and nothing more? Will this year be an indistinguishable blip in the chronicles of history or will it mark a new page? A page that will tell about a time when college became affordable to everyone regardless of economic status, where the youth became empowered to work for their visions reality, a time when health care became available to all those in need of it regardless of where they worked, a time when violence became detested and frowned upon as a means to police our communities and our world, a time when the concerns of the poor took precedent over the concerns of the rich, a time when we agreed to really live sustainably instead of simply sustaining rhetoric of a "green" society?
Obama may have a few lines to write in this page of history. But we are not only co-authors but also the publishers of our moment in history. Whether with Transform America or with one of our Wings, join us to help Transform America. No issue is an island unto itself. We're starting with education only as a avenue to systemic, holistic, change. Register to be a mentor for 1 hour a week. Suggest ideas that should be included in a mission statement for the New York City Department of Education.
History nor change is made with talk alone. There must be corresponding actions. Pick up your pens. Let's write history.
Maya Acuzena and Jahstix performing at Transform America's 2nd Annual Social Justice Park Party
Posted November 12th, 2008 by Haby Barry

Thank you!
Posted November 6th, 2008 by Daniel Mazzone
Thanks to everyone who made it out to Fort Greene for the Social Justice Party in the Park! We appreciate all of the efforts of the performers, the organizations and the volunteers.
Video and pictures of the event will be forthcoming.
New Date: Park Party, November 2nd, 12-5
Posted October 24th, 2008 by Daniel Mazzone
Due to the unanticipated all day rain-a-thon this past Saturday, we regretfully had to postpone the Social Justice Party in the Park. That said, it gives us more time to attract more media sources and even more attendees. This is going to be a very exciting and significant event and this delay gives us an opportunity to only make it better.
Sunday, November 2nd, 12-5pm, Fort Greene Park (No rain in site, 61 degree forecast).
Register for "Affirm and Act: A Social Justice Party in the Park" - It's Time to Change the Educational System in NYC
Posted September 25th, 2008 by Chester Asher
Register Your Organization HERE:

We have ambitious goals, we must have ambitious organizations with the audacity to work for big change. read more »
Internship Positions Available
Posted September 17th, 2008 by Daniel Mazzone
- Three internship positions are available with Transform America
- Marketing and Publicity Assistant
- Recruitment Assistant
- Impact for Change Assistant
- Details
- See attachments below for details on each position
This is a great experience for anyone who wants to work and/or lead in the non-profit sector, see what change can look like from the ground up, and work for the name of social justice. This is an unpaid internship that requires school credit.
To apply please send your resume and brief cover letter to: info@transformamerica.org
Second Annual Social Justice Party in the Park
Posted August 30th, 2008 by Daniel Mazzone
Social Justice Party in the Park
- What
- A gathering of organizations to promote social justice, recruit activists, and advance our campaign for better education in NYC.
- When
- Sunday, November 2nd, 2008
- 12 noon
- Where
- Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn
- Map
Come out and help us promote political education, increase mentorship in schools, raise money for college scholarships, and create a mission statement for the Dept of Education. More details to come. read more »
Give Us Your 2 Cents... We'll Ask for More Later
Posted August 16th, 2008 by Chester Asher
The Vote:
- Political Education (Youth Council, Democracy Matters, Transform America, GQ, LUCHA, and C-Roots) 6 votes
- Alternatives to college (Youth Council) 1 vote
- Developing a purpose for the NYC Dept. of Education (Transform America, C-Roots) 2 votes
- Making college Affordable (Youth Council, Democracy Matters, GQ, and LUCHA) 4 votes
- Increasing Mentors and Counselors (Democracy matters, Transform America, GQ, LUCHA, C-Roots) 5 votes
Democracy is not something you put away for ten years, and then in the 11th year you wake up and start practicing again. We have to begin to learn to rule ourselves again.
Chinua Achebe read more »





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