Hip Hop, is it Ruining Young People?

Are you a parent of the next Lil Wayne or Wiz Khalifa, yet until they BLOW UP, you can't get him/her to get a job or go to school. How many young people are destroying their lives because of a desire to be a rap star? For every Drake there are thousands of young people that NEVER MAKE IT. How many young people have you seen selling CDs in the mall parking lot, during the day time instead of at work or school? Tune in this Saturday for a special "Ray Bell Show on Blogtalk Radio." Watch live on raymondbell.blogspot.com. My in studio guest will be several up and coming rappers. Spread the word! Given young people a VOICE! 

Great line from Notorious B.I.G from the track Flavor in your ear!

The Ray Bell Show Online Radio by Raymond Bell | Blog Talk Radio

The Ray Bell Show Online Radio by Raymond Bell | Blog Talk Radio

Great Parenting - A candid Conversation about Moma Cole 12/17 by Raymond Bell | Blog Talk Radio

Great Parenting - A candid Conversation about Moma Cole 12/17 by Raymond Bell | Blog Talk Radio

Ballou High School Graduate vs. American University Graduate

When I was a a high school graduate, I ran downtown to take the civil service exam to get me a GOOD GOVERNMENT JOB.  Stayed there for about 15 years.  That was many years ago.  Today the Ballou graduate that applies for an entry level admin position, will compete against the recent American University graduate, with a degree in English.  Back in the day kids would come to DC just to get a college education and then they would pack up and go home.  Those days are long gone.  Now kids are STAYING in the DC area, because the JOBS are here!  So when my company has an opening for an entry level position, it would be a waste of time for me to submit the resume of a recent Ballou graduate, they will stand no chance of even getting an interview because of the level of competition.  This is why we created the HOPE Project to give socially and economically disadvantaged young people a marketable skill to compete for entry level employment.  It's working, the class of 2011 have an average starting salary of $38,500.  HOPE is REAL! follow me on twitter.com/raybelljr.  Visit our website for details about the HOPE Project, www.hopeprojectdc.org

Developing Young People for the JOBS that exist Right NOW!

Today I spoke with the I.T. recruiter that hired a recent HOPE Project graduate.  It was so refreshing to here the Recruiter talk about how prepared student was on day one.  Although we are an unfunded program, we have taken the time to properly prepare our students for the skills that are in demand.

The Help Desk Analyst position that pays the HOPE Graduate $44K a years, requires the following skills
1.  VoIP Support
2.  Knowledge of Active Directory
3.  Troubleshooting Microsoft Outlook
4.  Remote support
5.  Using HEAT ticketing software
6.  SharePoint Support
7.  Blackberry Support and Configuration.

Visit us on the web for more information about the HOPE Project.
www.hopeprojectdc.org

DDCA employees help others through the HOPE Project

DDCA employees help others through the HOPE Project

The Prison Industrial Complex

I have a message to the companies that are part of the prison industrial complex., all the businesses that are profiting off sending young black men to prison.  I'M GOING TO PUT YOU OUT OF BUSINESS.  So you better start looking for a new hustle.  We are all tired of watching our kids feel that they have to break the law to survive. We are going to replace your jails with jobs and careers. A "Ray of HOPE" is coming and YOU CAN'T mess with a Divine MOVEMENT. You will LOSE this fight, BECAUSE YOUR ARMS ARE TO SHORT TO BOX WITH GOD. Believe that!