The objective of "Bronzed Connections" is to serve as a support network, as a motivational tool with positive undertones. This newsletter is not a resource for "griping" or blaming, but rather it is a forum for African American men, women, and children to communicate with, to share experiences, to enlighten and encourage one another. An opportunity to connect with their own race and with other races to find solutions. Before you can truly embrace others, you must first embrace yourself. Before you can appreciate and respect other racial groups, you must first appreciate and respect your own.

Bridging the Economic Divide Starts With Bridging the Education Divide
You can become part of the solution
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The original publication of "Bronzed Connections" was issued locally as hard copy November 1, 2006. Excerpts from that issue will be found within this online publication along with additional articles and updates. The decision was made to share with as many people possible. What better way than the global internet system?

The information currently being displayed on the following pages pertain to issues of a local nature. Issues from the Eastern Shore of Virginia. However, this information can easily be equated to relevant issues in all other communities facing similar difficulties, similar concerns. All human beings are connected and journeying on the same tracks in life. Just traveling on different trains. The advice given in this Mears Management newsletter can be applied to everyone, everywhere.

Escaping
Small Town Politics

The Eastern Shore of Virginia has often been described by writers as "quaint and beautiful." And as Martha Stewart would probably say, "that's a good thing." But it's not enough to sustain the people who reside along the coastline.

Living in a small, rural community has advantages and disadvantages, just as larger towns and cities. I guess it depends on who you ask as to what falls under each category. We're all familiar with the adage that "one man's trash is another man's treasure."

Anyway you look at it, there are limited options for socialization, employment, education and job training on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The shore is mostly comprised of small family businesses. Success is dependent upon being in the right place at the right time and being accepted as part of the extended family.

Some people have never been good at playing political games that are considered standard procedure. So they never learned the passwords and were often unwilling to accept the methodologies offered to get ahead. Not fault, just fact.

When young people leave the area seeking opportunities and options for financial success, folk act as though they don't understand why they do so. If everywhere they turn there is no evident support system, they wisely seek needed assistance and security elsewhere.

Networking is a factor in beating odds that seem to be stacked against you. And I say "seem" because some are often guilty of blocking their own fortune. The internet has quickly become a dynamic resource to connect with others. It is not intended to replace relationships between real people, in real time, in real space, doing really productive things together. But computers are our current escape from small town, and even big town limitations. So there is definite need to become more computer savvy.

This website has been developed, written and edited by:

Ollie K. Mears
(Click for profile)

Owner of Mears Management

Hopefully  you will find it interesting enough to spark a fire within your spirit to produce significant change in your life and in the lives of those around you.

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On Bridging The Cultural Divide:
Learning From Other Ethnic Groups

My definition of "The Cultural Divide" is the unwillingness to socially and professionally interact with people of different cultures from your own. It includes the disparities in racial, gender and generational class (status) created by bias and discrimination, by lack of self-motivation and mostly by the lack of knowledge. This phenomenon has been ongoing and difficult to penetrate because many people simply feel more comfortable with others who are playing in the same sand box as themselves. The overall impact is unrest, blame, fear and repression.

Bridging the cultural divide begins with bridging the education gap. And bridging the education gap includes not only advancing academically, but it also involves progressing socially, learning life skills for transitioning into our globally diverse society, getting job training and career development insights. Since it takes a village to raise and educate a child, why limit interactions to only certain villages, especially since one will eventually have to associate and work with others who’re not part of his/her group?

African Americans should consider communicating with White Americans who are willing to mentor and provide clues to reaching goals. Consider communicating with those people born in other countries who come to America and are able to find a way to adapt, to adjust their lifestyles and grasp opportunities that are offered to them or create opportunities when they are not offered any. Many of these people are not only surviving, but actually thriving. Learn from their persistence, their perseverance. Discover how they were able to learn a foreign language, gain citizenship, get an education and/or job training, find employment or create their own businesses, maintain careers, secure homes, take care of their families, etc. Find out how they managed to beat all odds and remove or navigate around the many barriers placed before them.

The differences between one ethnic group and another are often seen as things that divide. But when we’re able to see the connections that we can make by interacting with, communicating and sharing information with people whose culture is different from our own, that’s how social bridges are built, bonds are made and the harmony that everyone claims to want so badly can actually become a reality.

For it is our differences that make us all special. Rather than fearing and running from the unique characteristics of another person, it would behoove us to move toward and attempt to see what lessons that individual or group of people can bring to our life and what lessons we can bring to theirs.

Physical Address:
21384 Burtons Church Road
Melfa, Virginia  23410

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 787
Onley, Virginia  23418

Phone: 757-787-7016