The new book by Patricia Wilson-Smith, “Believing in Obama: Essays from the Historic 2008 Election and Insights for 2012 hits August 1,
2012! Stay tuned!

Joplin Missouri Tornado Devastation

As a native Missourian, it’s been heart-breaking watching the almost total devastation of Sunday’s tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri. The stories of pain and loss are gut-wrenching, and if you’re far away from the Midwest, especially in these shaky economic times, it would be easy to feel helpless. But the American Red Cross makes it easy to play a small part in helping the people that are suffering re-build, and it couldn’t be easier.

To donate $10 through the American Red Cross to help recovery in Joplin, MO, text JOPLIN to 90999 from your cell phone.

The additional information that follows came directly from Missouri’s Department of Public Safety on the best way to make a difference in helping Joplin—volunteer, donations, ways to contact family in the area, and the United Way 2-1-1:

-Missourians interested in volunteering to assist should first call (800) 427-4626 or 2-1-1, instead of reporting directly to a command post or the disaster area. Those with medical skills interested in volunteering should go to:https://www.showmeresponse.org/.

-Missourians who need disaster information, shelter information or referrals are urged to call:
The United Way’s 2-1-1 service number is now available for most areas in Missouri. In areas where the 211 number is not operational, citizens can call 800-427-4626.

-Missourians wishing to make donations to help with the relief effort can go to http://www.sema.dps.mo.gov/recover/donations.asp or call (800) 427-4626 or 2-1-1.

-Residents affected by the tornado who wish to notify their friends and family that they are safe should go to:https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php. Friends and family who would like to check on their loved ones in the affected area can use the same site.

Please do what you can to help – $10 from millions of Americans will make all the difference once the media has gone home, and the next newsworthy event takes hold to our collective attentions. The people in this ravaged area will still need help then, so do your part now.

Listen to Patricia Wilson-Smith and Brenda Johnson of Black Women for Obama on WAOK 1380 Atlanta! 

The Georgia Black Women for Obama Chapter is SO excited to announce the first ever fundraiser for Senator Barack Obama!

 “A Night At the Atrium: A Fundraiser for Obama for America” will be held on November 10, 2007 at 7 pm at the historic “Atrium at Sweet Auburn”, located at in the heart of Atlanta at 236 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, 30303. What better place to come together to celebrate the candidacy of man who promises to bring all the people of our nation together than Sweet Auburn Avenue!

If you are in the Atlanta area, you are in for a MAJOR treat! The ladies of BWFO will be in attendance, along with some of the most influential people in the Atlanta area. WAOK’s host of “The Right Side”, Shelley Wynter will be speaking, as will Reverend Wilbur Purvis  of Destiny World Church.

We have worked tirelessly to spread the word about Senator Obama over the last several months, but let’s face it – in the end, it’s about how much money can we get flowing into his campaign coffers, and the dynamic women of the Georgia Chapter of Black Women for Obama headed up by Joyce Spraggs has done amazing things to pull this all together!

Why is it important to get the money flowing? Money = exposure. Air time. Campaign materials, rent for offices, etc. The candidate who can get his message out the most often will have the greatest chance of resonating with voters. Here at BWFO, we are certain that the voters need only here in detail about the message of hope that Senator Obama brings to America to be swayed!

If you are in the Atlanta area and you wish to attend, please contact us at 770-232-9201, or email us at RSVP@blackwomenforobama.org. The event wil be an excellent networking opportunity as well, so bring your business cards! Yours truly will be in attendance, and everyone who’s anyone in the ATL!

Today’s “Obama Video of the Day” is short, but sweet – it’s a call to action, donated by YouTube-r ‘Rorchik’. And I love it.

It’s another example of how technology has made it possible for anyone to express themselves, and a continued testament to the impact that Senator Obama has already had on our society, just by running for the highest office in the land.

You don’t hear about it much – how people of all races, ages, socio-economic backgrounds, have all found a common hope in Senator Barack Obama – the news media won’t make the point, and clearly the conservative talk show kooks won’t shout it out loud. It’s only through the individual expressions of amateur videographers, the jittery hands of Obama supporters holding cell phones and camcorders, and posting their content all over the web for the world to see – technology run rampant – that we see the unifying miracle that is the Obama Movement:

 [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1bgd61JH6E]

I’ve never been part of a movement – I never cared to be. The real miracle here is that pretty much everyone I talk to who has gotten involved in the Obama campaign has a similar tale to tell – one of exclusion, cynicism, and political detachment. It took Senator Obama to awaken a sense of hope in me and so many others, which is how Black Women for Obama was born!

Long after Senator Obama takes office, millions of Americans will have a  renewed sense of citizenship that will serve us all as a nation, and unite us in away that we’ve never been united before. So yes – I’ll endure the twangy rock music in this video, because it was produced by one of my brothers – a fellow Obama supporter!

Man, this is a BEAUTIFUL time to be an American! Obama ’08!!!!

Today’s video of the day was found on YouTube, and is an ‘offering’ by Sara Haile-Mariam. You’ll get the joke in a moment.

This video, called ‘My Five Bucks’ is a cute, artsy call to action, and part of a movement really, to encourage the youth of America to donate whatever they can to the Obama Campaign. I love this video, because it speaks to those who think that their meager donations can’t make a difference, when nothing is farther from the truth!

As most people know by now, Senator Obama has out-raised every other candidate in the ’08 race, Republican or Democrat! He has raised double what any Republican candidate has managed to, and out-raised Hillary Clinton by millions of dollars. The reason? My five bucks – your five bucks. He has inspired over 250,000 individual donors to quite literally set themselves up on a payment plan for donating to his campaign. (Yikes – my next payment is due today. Better get on it).

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCfYRrUeMOg]

The metaphor of the United States ‘stuck’ in a parking space is clever; the little girl is cute and lends a measure of innocence to the video, but in the end, the message is the most powerful part of this video – even a donation as small as five bucks can make a difference.

The Obama campaign’s ability to reach the ordinary Americans who support the Senator, and show them that they can make an impact a little at a time is why they’ve been so financially successful. So ante up! It doesn’t hurt if you do it a little at a time, and un-sticking our great nation is worth the sacrifice. I know on the day when Senator Obama is sworn in as President of the United States, I’ll be sitting on the edge of my seat, overcome by emotion, and proud as I can be that my contributions in some way played a part in helping the nation move in a new and better direction. 

To donate, go to http://www.barackobama.com/donate. It’s quick and easy,  and your donation will ensure your place as part of the coolest movement in the history of modern politics!