Resume
** Resume Philosophy: I feel, with the job market flooded
the way it is, I might as well tell my full story and try to get a JOB that
way, as opposed to only give a brief sketch of myself in my resume, the way the
job professionals want one to do. This way, if there is something a possible
employer doesn't like He or She can just pass me by instead of wasting his or
her time and mine with an interview. Also: the professional JOB finders say to
NEVER, EVER let a potential employer know about your ethnic background. I find
this silly and ridiculous. Any potential employer who will NOT respect me as a
Black man doesn't deserve to even consider getting me as an employee.
I AM--Brother Tracy Gibson - Consultant - Businessman -
Educator - Writer - Visionary - Organizer - Fund Raiser , Child and Youth
Advocate, International Progressive Activist, Philanthropist ; 213 South 49th
Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19139-4205; Phone: 1 (215) 921-2065; E-Mail
Address: BLockBoi75@Yahoo.Com
OBJECTIVE:
Make my business profitable and expand; and / or find
suitable work as a staff diversity consultant; or a staff consultant for
community outreach, youth issues and services; work on Peace, Education and
Prosperity issues for the poor and left out; fund raising; writing; and / or
Public Relations and / or Promotional Work...
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Brother Tracy Gibson & Associates, Inc.; April of 2002
to the Present. [And Subsidiaries] Planning, researching, reconstructing and
building my businesses and developing and implementing policy for our parent
company [Brother Tracy Gibson & Associates, Inc. ]--a growing Public
Relations, Research, Community Relations, Grass-Roots Advocacy and Education
firm dedicated to and specializing in developing survival tactics for people of
color [especially disenfranchised Black People and other economically
disadvantaged groups of people so such groups can flourish into the future. I
have been filing the proper papers with local, state and federal agencies to
continue to carry on in a legal and legitimate fashion; I have placed
advertising to expand and stabilize profitability and generate and expand on
our client base; bring our Wed Page back on line [www.btganda.com]; I am
advocating for progressive causes such as: good, solid community based schools;
proper funding of effective Charter Schools; Health issues for Black men;
proper funding for the City of Philadelphia’s troubled programs; more people of
color in leadership positions at the Free Library of Philadelphia; Health
issues effecting the City of Philadelphia’s Pharmacies; Better roles in film
for people of colour; and summer jobs for Black youth.
PROGRESSIVE WRITING HISTORY:
I presently have a Blog Entitled: ``The Politics of Real''
which can be accessed by clicking onto: http://thepoliticsofreal.blogspot.com.
I have also written for several other publications including: ``The Black
Star,'' ``The Leon Williams Journal'' ``The Walnut Hill Community Association's
Newsletter,'' [I served as the editor for One year]; ``SBC Magazine''; ``Au
Courant Newspaper''; and ``Male Box Magazine.'' From March of 2001 to Present.
OTHER JOB HISTORY:
Careers USA: 18th and JFK Boulevard Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania--Edited law briefs and other legal documents such as wills. I also: Provided registration materials for
Doctors attending a National Cancer Conference; and did clerical work in a
psychiatrist's office. I also served as a male receptionist for the Jewish
Federation--1995 to 2001.
TV Guide Magazine: Manhattan, New York; and Radnor, Penn.
Wrote and Edited TV listings and program evaluations as I became literate on a
new and innovative computer system. January 1981 through November 1995.
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE:
As part of My life-Long Business Experiences I served as a
cashier for various Department Stores including: Staples, Macy's, Gimbals and
Sears.. I also started my work career by working at McDonald's in West
Philadelphia [40th and Walnut Street] when I was 16; and also worked at
McDonald's temporarily, part time [for about a year] to help pay for college
expenses during my years at The Ohio State University [ September 1974 to
August 1978] in Columbus, Ohio...
LIFE'S JOURNEY
I enjoyed a significant honor in helping care for my elderly
Mother, Mrs. Jessie M. Gibson, before she left this place of existence on June
5th, 2006. It took a great deal of coordination, work, dedication, Love,
endurance, and--most of all--courage to interact positively with a sometimes
hostile Health Care System on behalf of my aging Mother. I learned a great deal
through this process. My Mother was a fantastic lady who believed strongly in
education and motivating Black students to do their best and helping the less
fortunate [traits I have taken up through my corporation]. My Mother taught me
many life lessons, including NOT to hold grudges against people, and to Love
people even when they are wrong or have different ideas and opinions than I do.
I also learned that to be human is to honor human beings, no matter what colour
they are or what religion they are. Recently I helped tend to my Father's
Health Care needs [ Mr. Charles Saint Clair Gibson ] who was 85 when he passed
away while on Hospice Care at home on July 10th, 2012. Dad helped me to care
about people's basic needs while still being frugal and responsible. He was a
dedicated and concerned Landlord for most of his life.
EDUCATION:
* I am planning to take a class to improve my business
skills starting before November, 2014.
* In May of 2014 I took a class at the University of the
Arts in Philadelphia in Social Media Marketing.
* In October of 2013 I attended the University of
Pennsylvania's Wharton School [In Philadelphia] and took a class in Personal
Finance & a class in Entrepreneurship.
I received certificates for both classes.
* On May 31, 2012, I completed the Business Plan Development
Program--a ten-Week course--at Temple University's Small Business Development
Center at 1510 Cecil B. Moore Avenue, Suite 200, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
19121. My instructor was Ms. Cynthia Moultrie. ``The Knowledge Hut Business
Plan’’ can be found on my Blog.
* I also attended the Delaware Money School to learn more
about personal finance, thrift and budgeting from January 2008 to August 2010.
* I took continuing Studies Classes at the Pan African
Studies Community Education Program [PASEP] at Temple University where I
studied: personal finance and budgeting; Civil Liberties Law; housing
rehabilitation [I was a Landlord for 25 years]; alternative music industry
analysis and progressive rap music indium's with Attorney Michal Coard; the
advantages of the vegetarian lifestyle and vegetarian cooking. At Temple
University's Center City office I took Business Management. I also enjoyed
classes in and essay writing and basic writing at Community College to brush up
on my writing skills. January 2002 through May 2014 [not continuously]. [I plan
to attend Temple’s PASEP in February of 2014.]
*Graduate School -- Temple University--13th and
Berks—Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. September 1980 through January 1982. Studied
communications, script writing and journalism after being awarded a scholarship
from the Scripps-Howard Foundation in 1981. I have NOT received my Master's
Degree at this point.
*The Ohio State University, Columbus Ohio September 1974
through August 1978. Received a B.A. in Journalism and Public Relations with a
Minor in Black Studies. While at Ohio State I wrote for the alternative Black
newspaper, The Our Chocking Times and received a commendation from the Ohio
State Association of Black Journalists. I also wrote for the school’s daily,
the Lantern for class credit.
PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENTS:
I have served as a Leading Member and an officer of a Same
Gender Loving Black men’s organization—ADODI-- a support group for several
years. I helped chair meetings; facilitate meetings; develop meeting topics;
and host meetings in my home for over seven years. I also helped found Adodi
Philadelphia Inc., and was a leading core member for this support group and
support system for Same Gender Loving Black Men. Adodi has since evolved into a
National Organization that holds a National Retreat each year at different
locations. They also hold different constructive meetings and workshops during
the year in various parts of the United States.
Served as a Block Captain for the 4600 Block of Sansom
Street for seven years when I lived on that block. In elementary school [Lea
Elementary School at 47th and Walnut Street, in West Philadelphia] I served as
a Crossing Guard and a Hall Monitor. [I have always been concerned about
people’s safety, well-being and health.]
I am presently slowly implementing a youth employment and
empowerment program for my corporation in the neighborhood in which I live and
am seeking grant money and investors to help with the financing and
implementation of this program.
I received a Community Service Award from Men of All Colors
Together of Philadelphia in April of 2005.
I ran unsuccessfully as a write-in candidate for the U.S.
Senate from Pennsylvania in 2005.
I served on the Board of Directors of The African American
Freedom and Reconstruction League for one year [The League was constructed as a
result of the positive energy that materialized from the Million Man March in
October of 1996]. They develop strategies to advocate for the Black community's
inclusion in getting our fair share of the Economic Pie in America through
creating community initiatives that generate support for the community itself.
The League also holds an annual luncheon to respectfully recognize the work our
elders are doing to uphold the community and the community’s positive values
and various self-supporting economic initiatives.
I also served on the Board of Friends of Somafco for seven
years [Friends of Somafco delivers support services such as educational
assistance; and food for the temporarily disenfranchised [especially children]
in South Africa through Rosie's Kitchen a soup kitchen in that African
Nation.]Friends of Somafco once ran a school in South Africa while I was on the
Board of Directors.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:
* I am available to speak on a number of topics. Please call
about availability and topic.
* I gave a full report to the public at Philadelphia's Paul
Robeson House after my trip to South Africa where I attend the World Conference
Against Racism in August of 2001.
* I presented a Major Academic Speaker to the Public
concerning the latest upheaval in Haiti after the fall of that Nation's
dictator, Baby Doc Duvale.
Possible Speaking Topics: 1) Why Black America Will soon
come around to Supporting Gay and Lesbian Marriage; 2) A Healthy Environment;
3) Working in North America; 4) Homophobia in the Black Community and How and
When to Stand Up To It...
EXPECTED PUBLICATIONS:
We are expecting to publish five books by Early February of
2015. The first book is a book of poetry that is derived from the anger and
frustration many Black men righteously feel about being left out of the
economic development and financial advancement taking place for a ``select
few'' in our country instead of ALL the people. The book of poetry is entitled:
``Let the Children Gather: A Fantasy World of Real Life Poems,'' and features
over 100 original poems written by Brother Tracy Gibson. We are hoping they
will also spark interests among Black youth, both male and female, to go
forward and read more books that are of great value and significance for us as
Black and sometimes oppressed people. The second book is entitled: ``Writing in
Wet Cement: A Grass-Roots Criteria for Liberation'' This book is dedicated to
the forward motion of Black youth especially, but includes many stories and
anecdotes [intertwined with my own life's story] that much of the Progressive
Community of social activists, environmentalists, Peace Activists and
humanitarians will find interesting and inspiring. Many Black and Latin youth
especially will also find it enjoyable to read and find its pages helpful for
instilling positive, progressive, proactive social values, education and
knowledge. Law-abiding behavior and good solid ethical behavior among the youth
who read it will also be instilled. We plan for this book to help instill the
value of good literature among Black and Latin youth--especially males, but
females, and help keep them out of trouble with the law. ``Writing in Wet Cement,’’ with a lesson plan approved for schools, will
help transform our youth into good, hard-working, positive-value oriented,
responsible, reliable and community-centered men and women. The book will obviously need the help of
positive intervention by responsible parents, teachers, other leaders in the
community concerned about students and youth, grandparents and other student
guardians. We hope our books will help our youth be of greater value and an
asset to our community instead of a detriment.
OTHER COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
I have a deep concern for the community in which I live and
I want to see people of ALL races who have been left out of the financial
process become included in the process towards positive development, a clean
environment, sustainability and economic and social equality, justice, freedom
and democracy. I have written literally hundreds of letters to Civic Leaders,
Community Leaders, Political Leaders, entertainers, business People, clergy,
government officials, and so forth, in an effort to promote the issues of youth
and adults throughout the world [but especially in the Philadelphia area]; the
left out and the economically disenfranchised; and those who might not be able
to advocate for themselves. Groups I have advocated for include [But are NOT
limited to]: The poor or economically disenfranchised; Same Gender Loving
people of Color; Black, Latin and other disenfranchised people and youth; the
Elderly; Women and Muslim women of color; Black youth; and people of ALL races
who have been left out of economic processes toward political and economic
freedom, hope and equality..
OVERCOMING ADVERSITY:
I was diagnosed as a person with bipolar illness in 1982 /
1983 and managed to work and or go to school for about 15 years after that
before I went on disability. I had many up and down points and was hospitalized
for nervous upsets. I haven't been hospitalized for the last 14 years, and
although I'm on disability, I have worked hard on writing my own books; reading
and researching numerous issues; starting a corporation dedicated to the
advancement and reconstruction of Black Youth; and caring for elderly parents.
I want to get back in the workforce and I would like to do so, most of all, as
a consultant, or as the leader of my own corporation. I am a hard worker, a
dedicated worker and an honest person. I hope you will take me on as a
consultant. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.
TRAVEL:
I traveled to Cuba, South Africa, Canada, Porto Rico and
various points within the United States such as Los Angeles; San Francisco;
Washington, D.C.; Denver and Aspen Colorado; Columbus, Dayton and Cleveland,
Ohio; Miami, Florida; and New York City [mostly Manhattan and Brooklyn] in my
continuing journey to learn and grow as a valued and gifted individual ready
and willing to share my gifts with the world.
