Operation: Ground Game is an organization dedicated to serving the underserved predominately minority and disadvantaged  citizens of Charlotte, N.C. and surrounding areas. Conceived in 2008, this organization was created out of necessity. The founder, Bob Willis has been actively involved in community affairs and as a life-long resident of the community recognized the need for drastic changes in regards to the people. Unfortunately, the minority community has underutilzed availalble resources due to lack of information and poor communication.  Operation: Ground Game seeks to address these concerns and others. We hope that inherently by our efforts, learning will be an enjoyable and useful experience.

Operation Ground Game seeks to provide links to the community that serve as teaching mechanisms. As we navigate through the 21st century we have to be able to use the internet in new ways. This is a great time for those serious about education and the stimulation of our minds.

 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Addresses Crowd

 

GET INVOLVED!

It’s Time to Get Involved!

Throughout the decades, we have changed our country. We have influenced national policy, left our mark on pop culture, and changed our workplaces and families for the better. We are still active. We are still engaged. And now we have a great new opportunity to expand our influence.

Through volunteering, we can be a positive influence on young lives, help older individuals remain independent in their own homes, clean up the environment, offer our professional skills to local nonprofit groups, and lend our talents and experience to strengthening our communities in countless other ways.

Finding the volunteer opportunity that best suits your skills, availability, and expectations can make all the difference. The Get Involved! search engine, sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service and powered by VolunteerMatch, is one of the largest and most advanced on the Internet. Just enter your interest area, type in your zip code or state, and click the “Find Opportunities Now” button to gain access to hundreds of thousands of real-time volunteer opportunities that are tailored to the skills and experience of those age 55-plus.

Thanks for choosing to Get Involved!

The 100 best Web sites for African Americans
EarthLink

AUTOMOTIVE 

www.onwheelsinc.com
award-winning online magazine spotlighting the love affair between African Americans and their cars.

BUSINESS

www.blackenterprise.com
highlights profitable business opportunities for African Americans.

www.nationalbbc.org
organization empowering blacks through entrepreneurship and capitalistic endeavors

www.blackstocks.com
get a grip on stock information from industry insiders.

www.targetmarketnews.com
analyzes black consumer spending and its impact on the economy

www.diversityinc.com
a look at diversity in the corporate world

www.african-americaninvestor.com
up-to-date investment source for African Americans who want to keep their hands on their money

CULTURE 

www.agoodblackman.com
dedicated to loving, honoring, uplifting and celebrating men of African descent and men of color.

www.socialstep.com
don't step out without checking this national information guide

www.afronet.com
move over Yahoo and Google; now there's afronet.com

www.africana.com
gateway to black entertainment, arts and history.

www.savoymag.com
lifestyle resource for young black professionals.

www.thekingcenter.com
be one of the 6,000 annual visitors to the center dedicated to the late Dr. King.

www.harlemlive.com
want to know what's going on in Harlem?

www.jack-and-jill.org
family organization enhancing the beautiful minds of African Americans with cultural, social and civic activities.

www.juneteenth.com
learn more about the oldest known celebration of freedom from slavery.

www.melanet.com
forum for African American intellectuals and economists.

www.aawc.com
African American art, poetry, entertainment and general information for the whole family.

www.blackplanet.com
don't quit before networking and finding a new job at this community site

www.everythingblack.com
finally! a black search engine, and it's growing by the minute.

www.niaonline.com
online fashion and lifestyle magazine for the stylish and confident black woman

EDUCATION

www.blackhistory.com
learn about black history three hundred and sixty-five days a year.

www.blackfacts.com
world's largest free online database of black history information.

www.blackhistory.eb.com
Encyclopedia Britannica's a-z guide to Black History.

www.aachild.com
information for the nurturing and raising of African American children

www.abetterchance.com
a useful resource for identifying, recruiting and developing leaders among young people of color.

www.uncf.org
the United Negro College Fund, America's #1 African American education assistance organization.

www.raaheroes.com
salutes hundreds of African Americans who have made a difference

www.naaas.org
provides annual conferences dealing with African American studies and its affiliates

www.kulturezone.com
fun and educational site catering to kids and parents of color.

www.spelman.edu
find out more about the college ranked #2 In acceptances of African Americans into US medical schools.

www.morehouse.edu
information on the nation's largest liberal arts college for men

www.famu.edu
find out about the 108 undergraduate degrees or 60 graduate degrees at Florida A&M university.

www.cau.edu
more information about higher education at Clark Atlanta University

www.howard.edu
everyone has heard of Howard University, now get all the information on how to go there

www.tusk.edu
Booker T. Washington made way for the school of opportunity -- take advantage.

www.homeworkhelppage.com
selected as a "Best Bet" on the USA TODAY Education Web Site.

www.hbcu-central.com
free information about Historically Black Colleges and Universities nationwide

ENTERTAINMENT

www.bet.com
America's premiere black entertainment source

www.blackvoices.com
stories of the moment in news and entertainment from a flavorful perspective

www.alvinailey.org
put one foot in front of the other as you follow the legendary dance troupe.

www.eurweb.com
get dally news on the likes of Shaq, Denzel and Prince for free

www.radioblack.com
a collective guide to black radio stations around the world.

www.hollah.com
log on and hear a truly expressive and unique style of humor

www.newblackcity.com
featuring controversial radio, shopping and business expansion opportunities

www.y2g.com
where hip-hop, sports, style and allure collide

www.urbanentertainment.com
production, exhibition and distribution for animation, shorts and full-length films created by African Americans

FITNESS AND HEALTH

www.omhrc.gov
a minority healthcare resource from the Office of Minority Health

www.healthquestmag.com
has shaped and led the discussion on Black Health Issues

www.blackhealthcare.com
culturally oriented information provider dedicated to addressing the special health problems of African Americans

FILM

www.blackfilm.com
links the black film community and gives a forum for filmmakers, scholars and fans

www.blackmovie.com
selling films as a way to help you "bring the urban experience home"

www.3blackchicks.com
these three are "reviewing life with flava"

www.afrigeneas.com
a site devoted to African American genealogy

www.rootsweb.com
free genealogy site for those in search of their roots

HUMOR 

www.blackcomedydirect.com
come get your laugh on

www.ucomics.com
"the best comics site in the universe"

LITERATURE

www.qbr.com
black book reviews online

www.nubianpoets.com
praises the excellence of poets past and present. end highlights the poets of the future

www.timbooktu.com
stories, poetry and essays with an African American flavor

www.allblackbooks.com
a 100% black owned online bookstore catering to the black reader`s needs.

www.aalbc.com
team about black authors, read excerpts, listen to poetry and join in online discussions.

www.thegrits.com
online book club for anyone interested in the diversity of contemporary African American Literature

www.blackwriters.org
striving to expand appreciation of the Black literary tradition

MUSIC 

www.afrovoices.com
focuses on African American performers and composers and on vocal music forms they influenced, especially opera, art forms and Negro spirituals composed for concert performance

www.aka.com
where the artist, promoter, manager, and advertiser put out there what they want

www.blackgospel.com
hallelujah! a one stop shop for gospel music and information

www.jazzusa.com
get the latest information on everything going on in jazz

www.vibe.com
here is another way to enjoy Vibe magazine.

www.thebluehighway.com
today's music would have no soul if it weren't for the blues

NEWS

www.blackheadlines.com
the top news from a black perspective

www.blackpressusa.com
well received Web site featuring exclusives from black journalists and community publicists

www.nnpa.org
with over 200 black newspapers, there has been no competition for this news service since 1970

POLITICS

www.tbwt.com
join the information revolution moving toward the empowerment of black people

www.matah.com
a site focusing on black support of black owned businesses

www.nul.org
enabling African Americans to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power, and civil rights

SEARCH ENGINE

www.blackwebportal.com
black owned and operated, and equipped with the largest conglomeration of products, information, and services.

www.searchblack.com
black owned and operated site, putting control at the fingertips of the user

www.btackamericaweb.com
Tom Joyner's venture into credible news and information for all aspects of African American life

SHOPPING

www.shopnow.com
save yourself the drive and try out the online mall

www.cushcity.com
blacks can skip over amazon.com and come straight here

www.urbanstyle.com
shop neighborhood-style from the independent retailers on this site

www.bodyinblack.com
uniquely designed greeting cards and art prints created to energize the mind, body and spirit

www.hiphopcloset.com
apparel for the hip-hop in all of us

SPORTS

www.ibcsports.com
get an inside took into black college sports

www.blackathlete.com
continuously evolving site featuring stories about black athletes written by top black journalists

www.blackbaseball.com
keeps the legend of the Negro leagues alive

www.nbs.org
if you didn't know black people skied, now you do

www.mgaa.com
for any minority who wants to be like Tiger

TECHNOLOGY

www.theconduit.com
African American source for the latest technological information and conspiracy theories

TRAVEL

www.africanamericantravel.com
get great deals and fares while knowing where to go when black support is needed

www.blackopolis.com
lifestyle information ranging from business to leisure

www.bdsummit.com
travel resources for African Americans airfares, hotels, cruises, you name it

www.blackchicago.com
dedicated to the African American community in the greater Chicagoland area

www.blacktravelonline.com
voted "Best Site" by The Atlanta Journal Constitution (May, 2001); Voted "Best of the Web" by Y2G, The Best of Life (2000), and Official Travel Website of the Los Angeles Black Business Expo & Trade Show -- need we say more

www.soulofamerica.com
plan your vacation with culture and soul

WOMEN'S INTEREST 

www.blackliving.com
black women, there are people to talk to

www.blackgirl.org
created for black women who love themselves and for those who love them

www.clickonbeauty.com
comprehensive resource for all hair care and beauty needs

www.blackwomenshealth.com
dedicated to the health and wellness of today's African American woman

 

 

 

 Purpose

To pursue positives outcomes for the minority community in a variety of areas of importance such as:

* Education

* Employment

* Crime Reduction

* Homelessness

* Parenting

* Youth Activities

* Senior Activities

* Politics

* Community Pride

* Volunteerism

 

Steps to Becoming Involved

 

 

 

Seven Steps for Planning a Community Initiative

HOW CAN I INVOLVE MYSELF IN MY COMMUNITY?

 

1. Research the causes and issues important to you.

Look for a group centered around issues you feel strongly about. You might already be giving money to one of these organizations, and that might be a good place to begin your volunteer experience. If you can't find such an organization, here's a challenging and intriguing thought: why not start one yourself? Rally neighbors to clean up that vacant lot on the corner. Patrol the neighborhood. Paint an elderly neighbor's house. Take turns keeping an eye on the ailing person down the street. Form a group to advocate for a solution to that dangerous intersection in your neighborhood. There is no end to the creative avenues for volunteering, just as there is no end to the need for volunteers.

2. Consider the skills you have to offer.

If you enjoy outdoor work, have a knack for teaching, or just enjoy interacting with people you may want to look for volunteer work that incorporates these aspects of your personality. Many positions require a volunteer who has previous familiarity with certain equipment such as computers, or who possess certain skills, such as ability in athletics or communications. For one of those positions, you might decide to do something comparable to what you do on the job during your workday, or something that you already enjoy as a hobby. This sort of position allows you to jump right into the work without having to train in preparation for the assignment.

3. Try something new.

Perhaps you would like to learn a new skill or gain exposure to a new situation. Consider seeking a volunteer opportunity where you'll learn something new. For example, volunteering to work on the newsletter for the local animal shelter will improve your writing and editing abilities — skills that may help you in your career. Or, volunteering can simply offer a change from your daily routine. For example, if your full-time job is in an office, you may decide to take on a more active volunteer assignment, such as leading tours at an art museum or building a playground. Many non-profits seek out people who are willing to learn. Realize beforehand, however that such work might require a time commitment for training before the actual volunteer assignment begins.

4. Combine your goals.

Look for volunteer opportunities that will also help you achieve your other goals. For example, if you want to lose a few extra pounds, pick an active volunteer opportunity such as cleaning a park or working with kids. If you've been meaning to take a cooking class, try volunteering at a food bank that teaches cooking skills.

 

5. Don't over-commit your schedule.

Make sure the volunteer hours you want to give fit into your hectic life, so you don't exhaust yourself, frustrate your family, shortchange the organization you're trying to help, or neglect your job. Do you want a long-term assignment or something temporary? If you are unsure about your availability, or want to see how the work suits you before making an extensive commitment, find out whether the organization will allow you to start volunteering a limited number of hours until you get the feel of things. Better to start out slowly than to commit yourself to a schedule you can't or don't want to fulfill.

6. Non-profits may have questions too.

While most non-profits are eager to find volunteer help, they have to be careful when accepting the services you offer. If you contact an organization with an offer to volunteer your time, you may be asked to come in for an interview, fill out a volunteer application, or describe your qualifications and background just as you would at an interview for a paying job. It is in the organization's interest — and more beneficial to the people it serves — to make certain you have the skills needed, that you are truly committed to doing the work, and that your interests match those of the non-profit. Furthermore, in volunteer work involving children or other at-risk populations, there are legal ramifications for the organization to consider

7. Consider volunteering as a family.

Think about looking for a volunteer opportunity suitable for parents and children to do together, or for a husband and wife to take on as a team. When a family volunteers together at a non-profit organization, the experience can bring them closer, and teach young children the value of giving their time and effort. It can also introduce everyone in the family to skills and experiences never before encountered, and give the entire family a shared experience as a wonderful family memory

8. Virtual volunteering?

Yes, there is such a thing! If you have computer access and the necessary skills, some organizations now offer the opportunity to do volunteer work over the computer. This might take the form of giving free legal advice, typing a college term paper for a person with a disability, or simply keeping in contact with a shut-in who has e-mail. This sort of volunteering might be well suited to you if you have limited time, no transportation, or a physical disability that precludes you from getting about freely. Virtual volunteering can also be a way for you to give time if you simply enjoy computers and want to employ your computer skills in your volunteer work.

9. I never thought of that!

Many community groups are looking for volunteers, and some may not have occurred to you. Most of us know that hospitals, libraries, and churches use volunteers for a great deal of their work, but here are some additional organizations you may volunteer with:

• Day Care Centers, Neighborhood Watch, Public Schools and Colleges
• Halfway Houses, Community Theaters, Drug Rehabilitation Centers
• Fraternal Organizations and Civic Clubs
• Retirement Centers and Homes for the Elderly, Meals on Wheels, Church or Community-Sponsored Soup Kitchens or Food Pantries
• Museums, Art Galleries, and Monuments
• Community Choirs, Bands, and Orchestras
• Prisons, Neighborhood Parks, Youth Organizations, Sports Teams, and after-school programs, Shelters for Battered Women and Children
• Historical Restorations, Battlefields, and National Parks

10. Give voice to your heart through volunteering!

Bring your heart and your sense of humor to your volunteer service, along with your enthusiastic spirit, which in itself is a priceless gift. What you'll get back will be immeasurable!

Find information on local volunteer opportunities by visiting www.1-800-volunteer.org.

This portfolio of volunteer opportunities is sponsored and promoted by the Points of Light Foundation. Click here to see the Seasons Service Calendar.

 Community Quotes

 

A community needs a soul if it is to become a true home for human beings. You, the people must git it this soul. ~





~ A community is democratic only when the humblest and weakest person can enjoy the highest civil, economic, and social rights that the biggest and most powerful possess. ~

RSS Feeds (Top 10)

 

1. Go2Web20

   I like this site very much because it introduces me to all those good looking and most of the times extremely useful web 2.0 sites which are becoming popular on the internet. I have subscribed to this website and this websites gives me at least 2 – 3 new sites daily which I have never heard of. This way I make sure that whenever a happening site starts to get popular in the net, I will come to know about it before my friends. Ever since I have subscribed to Web20 my friends could never surprise me telling about the features of a new happening website cauz I already know.

2. The simple Dollar
   

1. The site description says it all. “Personal finance advice for people struggling to escape from the many-tentacled debt monster (in other words, everyone)”. That is right. It is a site in which you can find lots of information regarding how you can improve your financial situation by having more control over your income and expenditure. It also describes the day today amendments and financial offers which we come across in such detail that even a person like me with absolutely no financial educational background can understand it without any trouble. Trust me, this site can solve lots of your problems and may be get more from life.

2. The Wise Bread

   This site is for the frugal in you. If you think that you don’t overspend then this site can show you n +1 number of ways to save on your day today activities. It also brings the background story behind all the financial laws and tells you what is hot and what is not. I have picked up a couple of tips from this site which has helped me save a lot (both time and money). The message which this site is trying to give is “There is a catch even in the most ordinary things of life”.

3. Life Hacker

   “Don’t live to geek, Geek to live”. That is the motto of life hacker. This is my most favorite feed. It gives me loads and loads of tips for getting things done and suggests excellent downloads and tweaks which will save you loads of your valuable time. No matter whether you are looking for the latest iphone tweaks or just wondering how you can make your life more productive, then this is the place for you. I bet there is something for all of you in this site.

4. Make Use Of

   Make use of is a site which provides you web applications, cool tips, reviews and other really useful tools. But there are other websites which does the same. The reason why I included this RSS feed in my reader is because of the new websites which they introduce to me. May be because they give more stress to quantity, the quality of the websites is on a bit of a lower side, but hey let us look at the bright side of things. Sometimes it introduces some really precious gems which other websites totally miss out.

5. Webupon
   

   Webupon is driven by users like you and I. I like it for its simplicity of design and ease of content accessibility. I have seen some really cool articles in Webupon. It has also got a popular tag and popular article section through which a user can easily access the content they are looking for. The articles in webupon are not restricted to geeky stuff which is boring to some people. There are articles which belong to the artistic, social and philosophical category. Do try it out.

6. Del.icio.us Hot List

   As every one might know, this is a social book marking site which means it is driven by user ratings. So, if some article makes it to the top of the del.icio.us hotlist, then it is surely worth reading. I have subscribed to the feed of del.icio.us hot list to make sure that I don’t miss out the articles which hundreds of people found interesting.

7. Health Mad

   Your daily dose of health related stuff. It is a very well maintained and very frequently updated site which will have tones and tones of health information. Right from how to lose/gain weight to the questions which people wished they could ask someone. You name it, they have it.

8. Google NEWS (North East West South)

   About 90 % of the web surfers will have a news site which they go through daily. In my case, I have an international news feed (Google News), a local news feed and an economic news feed. The feed which a person chooses will depend on his likes or dislikes. But you should have Google news as your international news feed. The reason why I like Google news is because it is more frequently updated than any other news feeds. You might also go for BBC which is also pretty decent.

9. Blogs

   Alright, here I am not referring to any particular link. But most people will come across a Blog once in a life time which he/she feels very attracted to. He will feel that the author and is of the same frequency or wave length (or whatever you call it) as him. I have seen many Blogs which have lots of real life experience which became useful for me when I came across the same situation as the author did. It is up to you to pick up these little gems and subscribe to the feed so that even if you forget the website later, you will get the fresh article whenever the author posts a new one. Haven’t come across any such yet? Hit the link and start browsing through the blogs. You never know when you will get lucky.

Contact Us:

If you have ideas, suggestions, or just want to get involved, then please feel free to contact us. We need you and your involvement is critical to our success!

Please contact us anytime! We look forward to hearing from you.

 

groundergamer1@yahoo.com

 

 

 BobWillis                       Founder, Operation: Ground Game  

 

www.flu.gov
 

 

http://www.redcross.org/

 

MSN SHOPPING

 

 

 

Community Advocacy

Profiles of Minority Advocacy Organizations - National

National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL)

March 13, 2006

The National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL), currently with more than 600 members, was founded 26 years ago to develop, conduct and promote educational, research and training programs designed to enhance the effectiveness of its members as they consider legislation and issues of public po...

 

But even with the best intentions, change is a slow and arduous process. It requires the same grassroots citizen involvement typified by America's move toward independence more than 200 years ago.

"It stands to reason that when communities are empowered to solve their own problems, they function better than communities that depend on services provided by others" -- from Reinventing Government

 

The formula to create a local advocacy group is a simple one. The well-organized group begins with a committed core group of advocates who can recruit, train and motivate volunteers to champion the cause. The key to a group's success is the ability to gain mainstream community support of activities. With a high level of support, a successful group can influence behavior, affect long-term systems change and attract more and more interested people.

All communities have the basics for forming an active advocacy group.

 

DO YOUR PART TODAY!!!!!