Making the positive outshine the negative

Recently, a good friend of mine celebrated his 77th birthday. Pastor Dr. Benjamin “Twin B.“ Brown celebrated another year just after the loss of his beloved mother in August. I have observed this man for many years and have just recently, this year, come to know him as an associate and a friend. His track record of community involvement speaks for itself. For 65 years he has served the Wilmington community. 55 of those years were in broadcasting, 45 years were preaching the gospel and 35 years of teaching our youth the principles of video production in his video production workshops. Over the course of his career he offered assistance to many people and families in this area, receiving over 51 awards for his meritorious service. For 41 years he has offered special services for shut-ins, seniors and the needy. He has received 3 honorary Doctor of Degrees after 45 years as an ordained gospel minister. Pastor Brown was the originator of leased access TV programming now on Comcast Cable Channel 28. His hallmark shows have been the Sunday morning Spiritual Revival Hour (8 AM to 11 AM every Sunday) and Reaching for the Stars Talent Showcase.

Pastor Brown is an extraordinary man. He has had challenges with the cable companies, government bureaucrats, school officials and government agencies for most of his career. His desire and dedication to the youth of our community is unparalleled. His major challenge over the past few years has been to get the City of Wilmington to get Comcast and the school districts to follow through with their contract and commitment to actualize PEG. PEG stands for Public, Education and Government access for the community. So far, Channel 22 in Wilmington broadcasts government related programs to the city. Most of the local school districts have the capability at some schools to broadcast educational programming. Recently, the City of Wilmington has agreed to broadcast educational programming on Channel 22 (however, Comcast has to provide a separate channel for this purpose).

When I was in high school, Rollins cable allowed our video facility at Newark High School to broadcast entertainment and educational programs to the cable franchise territory. Since then, the interest and commitment level hasn’t been fully utilized. Also, public access hasn’t been fulfilled by Comcast. Public access is free programming on a separate channel than leased access (pay to play). Currently, only 2 channels have been utilized and Comcast’s contract is supposed to have 4 channels. Through the efforts of Pastor Brown and LAPA (Leased Access Producers Association), many of these issues and requirements for Comcast have been addressed over the years. However, they have fallen on deaf ears. The school districts, the public and government officials as well as Comcast have done as little as possible to offer quality educational programs to the community.

In an age of information overload, many of our young don’t have the opportunity to experience true peace and community involvement. They are distracted by video games, mindless television and non-participatory parenting. Pastor Brown has offered his free workshops to teach these children the skills of video production and the skills of life mastery. Many of his students have gone on to careers in film, television and radio. His instructional legacy has had a positive impact on many young lives. What can we do to help? Visit Pastor Brown’s website for the Community Communications Corporation (a non-profit organization). View the history and programming he has to offer the community. Join him in his challenge to train our young with the values of education and community involvement. Donate your time, your talents, or your money. Invest in our youth and help a true hero. Pastor Brown is a role model for persistence and determination, which alone are omnipotent!

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." ©2009 Dean A. Banks. All Rights Reserved. Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Giving Thanks

In the spirit of this Easter holiday and the Golden Rule, I would like to recognize and give thanks to certain individuals in my community who have dedicated their lives to making a better life for others. Following, are individuals who have a burning desire and definiteness of purpose to serve their community with passion and faith. Their individual missions have influenced many other lives through their positive example.

Pastor Dr. Christopher Curry – I was retained by Dr. Curry to design the website for his church, Ezion Fair Baptist Church in Wilmington, DE. During the course of two months I was blessed with the opportunity to work with such a dedicated and giving man. I observed the willingness and action of his church to feed the community with physical and spiritual sustenance. The joy and happiness of his congregation was bestowed on my fiancée Elizabeth Sutor and me when I came to videotape his service one Sunday morning. I was truly blessed watching this man preach. His passion and fire for God is unique. He has been preaching and helping his community since he was 8 years old! To find out more visit the EFBC website.

Justen Wright, City Councilman at Large – I was retained by Justen Wright to design his website during his campaign for City Council. Justen made me aware of the pressing issues in Wilmington concerning our youth, seniors and neighborhoods. He won his council seat at age 25 and has a bright future ahead. His dedication at his age to his community is unparalleled. Justen and his family runs the House of Wright Mortuary in Wilmington, DE. To find out more about Justen, visit his website or his business website.

Pastor Dr. Benjamin “Twin B.” Brown – I have been aware of Dr. Brown’s Spiritual Revival Hour program on Local Comcast Channel 28 for some time. This program has been alive for over 46 years! I was recently introduced to Dr. Brown and have made several appearances on his program. His dedication and service to the Wilmington community and their youth is extraordinary. He has conducted free video workshops for inner city youths for many years. His motto is “Making the Positive Outshine the Negative.” I have recently joined forces with Dr. Brown by designing Wilmington’s first Web TV Station called Channel CCC. Community programs are being run 24/7 and can be viewed at CCC Media TV.

Earl Woodlen – Earl runs the Harriet Tubman Safe House on the East Side of Wilmington. Many prisoners when released from prison haven’t anywhere to go. Earl provides a safe haven where these former prisoners can be integrated back into society. I met Earl at a Mastermind Group discussing “The Secret” hosted by Sue Davis, Nancy Lopez and Mitch Dugan. His energy and passion to help those who have paid their debt to society is very stimulating. Earl has spent most of his own money on providing a safe house for those in need. To learn more about Earl and the Harriet Tubman Safe House visit their website.

Tammy Curry, Life Success Consultant – Tammy Curry is Dr. Curry’s sister. She had contacted me after I designed the website for her brother’s church. I invited Tammy to “The Secret” Mastermind Group and she volunteered to teach the group the 8 week course of Napoleon Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich.” Her focused insight into the teachings and inner passion about manifesting your dreams are most refreshing. Her personal story of rags to riches inspires the group at every meeting. Her lofty, yet reachable goals have awakened our group to the possibilities we all have. Tammy has volunteered to teach the men at the Harriet Tubman Safe House about “The Secret” and “Think and Grow Rich.” For more info on Tammy Curry, please go to her website.

The individuals listed above are some of the movers and shakers in the Wilmington community that, as Dr. Brown says are “making the positive outshine the negative.” If you know of others who have dedicated their lives to positively affecting our community, please contact me by email and I will be glad to interview them and feature them in upcoming articles. Being spiritual is not just about praying and meditating, it is also positively affecting and serving your community with the blessings you have received.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com.