We know that black people are great, but how great are we choosing to be? The panelists for New Paradigm New York explain that our greatness goes as far as we choose to take it. Wealth, Education, Family and Community: A New Paradigm for Black America, is an initiative created by Syracuse University professor Dr. Boyce Watkins to reshape the trajectory of African American progress by providing 21st century solutions to 21st century problems.

Dr. Watkins has worked with a wide variety of black leaders, both old and new, to ensure that leading minds in the African American community are put to the forefront of solving problems that continue to challenge the progress of the black community. Dr. Watkins worked with Russell Simmons to get 175 celebrities, scholars and activists (Jamie Foxx, Will Smith, Jesse Jackson, Michelle Alexander, etc.) to convince the White House to end The War on Drugs, leading to the most significant drug policy announcement in the last 10 years. He also played a critical role in convincing Mountain Dew to end their endorsement deal with the rap artist Lil Wayne after he refused to apologize for lyrics that were disrespectful to the late Emmett Till.

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The first stop of the New Paradigm tour was Chicago with Minister Louis Farrakhan (you can purchase a copy of the Farrakhan/Dr Boyce Watkins New Paradigm DVD here). The second stop was New York city. The next stop is Washington DC with Dr. Steve Perry, former NBA player and author Etan Thomas, Dr. Wilmer Leon, Dr. Towanna Freeman and filmmaker Janks Morton.

You can learn more about the New Paradigm DC forum at this link.

Click Here to purchase A New Paradigm for Black America Brooklyn

James