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To our hosts, John Miller, April Janney and the MW Regional staff, our training coordinators for the MW Society of African American Professionals, ANDREA ARRINGTON and LINCOLN ELLIS, all Club professionals in attendance and guests . . . GOOD AFTERNOON!

Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to participate in this unique training for African American professionals in the MW Region. You are to be commended for convening such a terrific seminar with cutting-edge topics for professional success. I am honored to be here.

The very first formal meeting of the Society of African American Professionals was held in St. Louis on September 17 & 18, 1999. This September we will celebrate our 5th anniversary and have continued to be dedicated to promoting and advocating for the equitable and sustained development of African American professionals in our Movement.

Dean Dantzler and Assistant Dean Ellis have been magnificent torch bearers illuminating our paths for success and advancement. We are indebted to them for their leadership and unwavering commitment that has enabled the mission and vision of SOAAP to thrive. It is a privilege for me to be one of the founding members.

This afternoon I'd like to spend some time with you to highlight three things: Give you a thumbnail sketch of the landscape of the State of Black America and its implications for all of us. Share my seven career tips that can propel us to success. Close with a reflective message about the meaning of SELF-DETERMINATION, your seminar theme.

Let's begin by taking a critical look at the State of Black America. This week, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., the National Urban League released its annual report, "The State of Black America." Urban League President Marc Morial cited the complexity of Black progress as he highlighted why we are on shaky ground.

Overall, the report paints a bleak picture of the economic status of African Americans, using a new "equality index" that measures disparities between African Americans and whites in economics, housing, education, health, social justice, and civic engagement. According to the report's finding, AA lag most behind whites in economics, and only out measure whites in civic engagement.

Since the Brown vs. Board of Education decision to desegregate public schools 50 years ago on May 17, 1945, the African America middle class has quadrupled, their poverty has been cut in half, and there are more African American Ph.D.s, doctors, lawyers, corporate executives and elected officials. But the picture is not rosy! Has INTEGRATION been achieved?

A new analysis of the latest census date shows that most black and white children are living in increasingly segregated neighborhoods, especially in major metro areas in the MW and NE.

The findings carry unsettling implications for race relations in a nation that, while more racially and ethnically diverse than ever, still has major urban areas where white and black children are interacting much less frequently, if at all.

The problem for minority children is that, on average, they are growing up in neighborhoods where they are the majority, and that is NOT the world they live in.

Of the top 50 metro areas, the MOST SEGREGATED, by neighborhood for black and white children were, in order: Detroit, Milwaukee, New York, Newark, Chicago, Cleveland, Miami, Cincinnati, Birmingham, AL, and St. Louis.

Other report findings indicate AA are denied mortgages and home improvement loans at double the rate of whites, leading to fewer than 50% of AA's families owning their own homes, compared to 70% of whites. AA males' mean income is 70% of white men, a gap of $16,876. AA men are 6% of the U.S. population, but are 44% of the prison population. Life expectancy for AAs is 72 years, vs. 78 years of whites. AA attain college degrees at 63% the rate of whites. And 56% of African Americans rate public education in their own community as fair or poor. The African American male death rate from all cancers is 40% HIGHER than white men. For prostate cancer, AA men are likely to die TWICE as often as white men. AA women die of cancer at a rate of 20% HIGHER than white women. The racial gap with all AA's has GROWN with health care and its WIDER than it was 30 years ago!

We cannot enjoy civil rights or voting rights or economic rights or academic rights or employment rights or ANY rights if we are not healthy!

The great strides we have made over the last three decades ought NOT be countermanded by unnecessary waves of cancer, HIV/AIDS, obesity, diabetes, hypertension an other PREVENTABLE diseases.

We are compelled to acknowledge the BRILLIAN foresight of social scientist, W.E.B. DUBOIS who wrote at the turn of the century, "the problem of the 20th century is the problem of the color line."

So when you look at the data in 2004 State of Black America survey, it suggests that the problem of the 21st century will definitely be RACE as well as ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, HEALTH and EDUCATIONAL equality.

So what can we do to equip ourselves for the tumultuous 21st century that lies ahead? What are the rules of engagement for the workplace? Hard work, longevity and loyalty are no longer enough! Here are my seven rules:

RULE #1: KNOW THYSELF Keep in mind that there are MILLIONS of vocationally JOYLESS people in this country-people who are DEAF to their true CALLING." Only when you know your calling-your deepest talents, passions and values-can you bring your true sense of self to your work. When you bring all your strengths to the table, you are not motivated by external benefits like money or a job title. You are motivated from within-and you ultimately stand a far better chance of being effective in your work and successful in your career. A career certainly pays the bills, and it might help gain a sense of power and status, but I can guarantee that it is not enough to fulfill you.

Use the 1 minute formula: G+P+V= your calling. The G stands for your GIFTS; the P is for PASSION; the V equals VALUES. Taken together, they add up the one thing you love so much that you would do it for FREE! Aristotle once said, "Where your talent and your passions cross, therein lies your calling." If you use your gifts on something you feel passionate about, you will put yourself on a pathway to finding your life's work.

In order for our values to manifest themselves, we need to work in an environment where we don't feel constricted, where we don't have to check ourselves at the door. A place that allows us to breathe life into our gifts and passions. A place that feeds our soul. If we don't work in that kind of environment, all we have at the end of the day is a paycheck.

EXCELLENCE is a survival skill. And excellent performers know their core strengths and passions, which they leverage in environments that honor their values. If you put them up against people who simply work for status, a paycheck or are ego-driven instead of mission-driven, who do you think will win?

RULE #2: FIND AND BE A MENTOR Always identify mentors to help your personal and professional development. They don't always have to look like you! Link with individuals in the organization who have an excellent leadership track record with the company. Mentors often present opportunities to their protégés. Also, look for leadership opportunities outside of your organization in professional groups like SOAAP, where there are plenty of exceptional mentors, charitable organizations, civic associations or church. Church was once the ONLY place where African Americans could be visible leaders, find mentors, use skills and get recognition for their outstanding contributions!

In a fast paced business or Club environment, where everyone is working hard just to keep up, few people take the time to mentor or coach. Yet, that is precisely what is needed! Superb mentoring often occurs across racial and gender lines. Let us NEVER forget whose shoulders we are standing on to be where we are today. We cannot afford NOT TO GIVE BACK.

RULE #3: BE PREPARED Successful careers do not just happen. They are MADE. A successful career is not the result of a lucky break like an actress waiting tables and is discovered when a movie producer walks in!

As a professional in an evolving workplace, you have to do more than look good and talk smart. You have to implement organization-wide initiatives, take on high-level assignments, and be known as the go-to person in a pinch.

Be solidly grounded and develop a reputation as a person who can be counted on. What are you know for? What is your specialty?

Understanding the politics of PERFORMANCE is vital for career survival. You are ALWAYS under pressure to be consistently outstanding often performing ABOVE what is expected. Only the STRONG survive!

Always do your homework and read everything you can to stay cutting-edge and up-to-date! Use every opportunity to gain new skills, new perspectives and new contacts. Read newspapers, trade journals, books on the latest topics and trends.

We can never lose our profession competitive edge. What are you doing to keep yourself relevant, up-to-date, a commodity that is in demand?

At the senior levels of management, the only option is to perform exceptionally well. Nothing is left to chance. It can be an all-or-nothing game.

RULE #4: TAKE RISKS You have to be able to take risks. It takes GUTS not to be afraid and sometimes have nerves of STEEL or be MENTALLY TOUGH. You cannot be afraid to step out on faith to succeed. If you are fearful, you will never move forward. Be true to yourself and your convictions.

RULE #5: BE AUTHENTIC Be real. I dislike PHONIES! The authenticity with which you make decisions about your life will lead you where you want to go.

Once you make that leap of faith to live your life based on a consistent set of principles, you are empowered to do great things.

RULE #6: THINK BEFORE YOU ACT Think before you act but do not fail to act. Trust your GUT instinctsusually they are right. Always follow your first intuitive thought.

NEVER write anything down when you are so angry your blood is boiling. Wait 24 hours, sleep on it and return to the situation refreshed with a more rational mind. Remember, ONCE IN WRITING, ALWAYS ON RECORD!

RULE #7: SMELL THE ROSES There is no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, so enjoy the rainbow as you go along. Do a lot of sight-seeing on your journey to success.

As a nation, we now clock more time on the job than any other worker on earth, some 500 hours a year more than the Germans, and 250 hours per year more than the British. But the true heavy lifters in the productivity parade are American men.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, men work longer hours in every industry, including those traditionally identified with women.

WE ARE ON 24/7! All of us have to CALIBRATE the value of work in our lives. Do we live to work or do we WORK to LIVE???

Unfortunately, most companies continue to reward workaholism. Employees respond far more favorably to well-rounded managers with outside interests. They willingly work harder for such managers because they know that when the team is reaching its goals, their personal lives will be respected as well. These are my seven rules of engagement.

They work for me-and they may just work for you. In closing, I would like to leave you with a profound illustration of SELF-DETERMINATION. I think that it is fitting at a seminar by the Society of African American Professionals to share a writing from MALCOLM X who dramatically experienced a personal journey from petty criminal to spiritual leader before he was tragically assassinated at the age of 40 in 1965.

Malcolm transformed himself intellectually from a preacher of racial hatred to an advocate of interracial and international brotherhood. His most enduring message remains one of Black self-respect and self-help combined with his uncompromising rejection of RACISM.

See "Self-Determination" by Malcolm X, "The African American Book of Values."

We should all take a lesson from Malcolm X: African Americans must take control of their own destiny. Thank you!

By: Mrs. Judith J. Pickens, M. Ed. - Senior VP of Program & Youth Development Services
Boys & Girls Clubs of America