I watched "Mary Poppins" today while babysitting five-year-olds. I found some of the themes synchronously appropriate for our day and age. The 'family man' sells his soul to the old curmudgeon bankers and is so wrapped up in his business of making money and climbing the company ladder that he can't enjoy and appreciate the bliss and happiness which has come into the lives of his wife, childern, and servants due to their embracing of imagination, creativity, and just looking on the bright side of life. That is, he can't appreciate those things until it goes too far and his cold heart warms up as he realizes that maybe feeding some birds in a park for just toppins a bag and flying a kite with loved ones is a better use of time, mind, body, and soul.

Please wake up, Wallstreet!

For the past year I have been increasingly aware of and involved in the activities of Empowerment Works, an international sustainable development think-tank-in-action. Recently I met with Artists-in-Action, a commitee of artists and EW partners, to discuss a monthly series of multi-disciplinary arts events dedicated to promoting socially responsible, awareness raising themes to strengthen our spirits and our community. I will let you all know as soon as we select a date for the first of these events.

Empowerment works represents a paradigm shift from the old model of non-profit organizations which behave more similarly to corporations. Often in a given city, there are multiple organizations dedicated to similar goals and they are unable to collaborate because they each must prioritize their particular agendas and financial bottom lines. Empowerment Works achieves its grass roots, local investment style of international development through the collaboration of socially responsible, globally minded businesses, educational institutions, media groups, social entrepreneurs, artists, and other non-profits. In other words, EW encourages participation and aid in whatever form possible so long as the party donating their money, time, art, or work is in line with EW's goals and ethics. In doing so, they have created a network for positive change that is truly empowering and I hope it will serve as a model for the more collaborative, collective future we are approaching.

This Saturday, August 18th, a benefit soiree will be held at a stunning Beverly Hills estate exemplifying the collaborative, multi-disciplinary spirit of Empowerment works with an art auction, dance and fire performances, live music, djs, dinner, and an open bar. Ecologist and community health expert, Dr. Suad Sulaiman, will be celebrating the end of her US tour and will share with us her solutions for a healthy, sustainable, peaceful Sudan.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.empowermentworks.org

Peace,
Aaron