On Business, the Future, and Positive Change!

Greetings! As we enter into another holiday season, thank you to everyone who has stood with The Positive Community (TPC) throughout our 25 years of loving service to the people of God. We are deeply grateful to our readers, advertisers, and bulk subscribers—Roll Call member churches and community institutions (page 7). Thank you for your encouragement and support!

The Positive Community exists today as “a business about the future.” As a 100% African American-owned media company, the work we do is inherently designed to promote positive change within the communities we serve. TPC is on the side of progress, with a focus on forward-thinking individuals, groups, small businesses, corporations, and institutions that care.

Our Philosophy

Such an example can be found in the dynamic service of two leaders on the front lines of positive change in the areas of community business and economic development. Meet our friends, John E. Harmon Sr. IOM, president and CEO of African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) and Malcolm Punter Ed. D., president and CEO of Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement (HCCI). While these men are no strangers to the TPC family, let us revisit their good works as sources of inspiration and sustainability for such a time as this.

Our philosophy: self-acceptance, self-reliance, and self-respect are the foundations of a positive, community- building ideal. There can be no real or lasting group progress or peace without the following life-affirming attributes and values:

• Self-acceptance—Know your own story. Learn it for yourselves. Teach “The African American Cultural Narrative” to a child. This is about our story in this land— the origins, history, and destiny of a people. Seek answers to the questions: “Who are we?” and “Where do we go from here?”
• Self-reliance—Teamwork. Winning in life and business does not have to be at the expense of an unfortunate loser. Spiritual and cultural unity are keys to building trust. Quality service is the essential ingredient to enduring business and community economic advancement.
• Self-respect—Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39). If you agree with the first two attributes, then this one comes easily. Do not expect someone to respect you if you don’t respect yourself or others. After all, respect is a two-way street; and love is the transcendent value that ties it all together. Bear no grudge. Forgive, heal and keep it moving—forward!

The People’s Choice

In today’s hi-tech society, business marketing and advertising places a heavy emphasis on scientific, quantitative measurement—audience metrics and size— reach. While this is very important, institutions like AACCNJ, HCCI and TPC, maintain our highest value based on qualitative relationships and quality service— touch. Who says that the profit-motive cannot be augmented by a wise, loving service motive?

One of our dear advertising clients is the popular, Two Fish and Five Loaves, a NJ-based caterer founded by Pastor Kevin Smallwood. Recently, the business was contracted by Roll Call member congregation, First Corinthian Baptist Church of Harlem, to prepare and deliver over 800 meals to families in need for the Thanksgiving holiday. Now here’s an excellent demonstration of good business and loving service in real time! A special shout-out to everyone who supports businesses that advertise in TPC media—the people’s choice!

A Positive Community . . .

The ideal American business formula: Reach (quantitative) + Touch (qualitative) = Positive Change. At the end of the day, quality service and qualitative relationships do matter! TPC is the “ happy medium”; the bridge that connects the corporate brand to our communities and their leadership in meaningful ways!

Large corporate advertising budgets notwithstanding, if qualitative touch is not baked into a community-based strategy targeting Black consumers, then the advertiser will miss the mark. Consumers have souls, too! For best results, appeal to the soul in your corporate messaging; speak to, and touch the heart of the consumer and his community. And we all prosper.

Value proposition: A positive community is everybody’s business; it really pays to care!