This is the same type of injustice and lack of empathy put on ALAANA members and communities, women, the physically special, the poor, members of brown and black communities outside of the U.S., individuals who are emotionally special, and the list goes on and on.  

     Instead of spending the majority of time discussing the issues, Active Centralized Empowerment participants talk about solutions and how they are surviving. What skills have they learned from being in a particular situation? Basically, it is a process of owning your own authenticity. When you engage with them with this lens, you learn that they don't feel as if they have privilege because they are struggling like so many other Americans. People should be open to hearing them actively centralize themselves on their Truth. This empowers them to be Included with self-empowerment. They belong without apology and expect to be treated fairly and equally based on their cross-cultural competence. A.C.E. positions cross-cultural competency and lived experiences in a place of value to define and redefine. Are you an angry black woman or are you a passionate black woman? Are you an angry black woman because you are being treated unfairly so you should be angry? This type of thinking, understanding the human being behind every situation. Explore it. Own it. Then work from that truth. That's A.C.E.ing it. If you are racist, explore it, own it, then work from that truth. If you are brilliant, explore it, own it, then work from that truth. Freedom.

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A.C.E.ing IT METHODICALLY & HUMANLY

     For communities I use methodologies to assess what is working, what is not working and provide possible suggestions that are inclusive of the voices from the members of the community. I listen to the people. For example, I led an A.C.E. workshop and assessment consultation for a city community that did not feel included in policies, felt that their voices were not heard, and were marginalized racially, ethnically, and economically. The opportunities just weren't there and to exacerbate the situation, violent crimes within their neighborhood was on the rise. After giving a presentation on what A.C.E. is and does and after doing an assessment that included focus groups, an online survey with community members who chose to participate, an observation analysis of their community, another online survey and in-depth interviews, a presentation was done on the results.  It's important that power is found on the ground and that attention is paid to aspects that are in their control. Empowered together, we were able to come up with potential, viable solutions. Leaders were chosen, people with diverse opinions created teams, everyone was given an opportunity to offer solutions and direction, and everyone felt empowered about implementing the proposed solutions. The so called "agitators" of the neighborhood were transformed into the protectors of the community.

     It is also important to know that Storytelling creates Community. By creating and implementing stories focused on your strengths, for instance, and being Active on a Centralized Agreement and goal of Good, the Empowerment felt inside the CORE of the community and its members, Transformational changes in their neighborhood emerges as a unit. Crime went down, businesses wanting to make a profit from dire situations now includes the good of the community in their business plans with a percentage of profits going back into the community. Employment opportunities went up, and self-esteem and confidence data results went up as well. It felt and looked like the entire community came together, came back to life, found hope and everything was brighter and just simply glowed.