Five years after Kiandra Blackmond was killed and the entire Blackmond family was plunged into the tragedy of domestic violence, we have created The Kiandra Miracle Trust Fund as a way to bring Opportunity and Hope to families everywhere that are afflicted with similar circumstances. Sheila Blackmond, Kiandra’s mother and matriarch of the family, has [...]

On my first trip to El Salvador in November of 2009, I was told that the country was a huge sinkhole of poverty- the remains of years of natural disasters and war. Besides cheap, reliable labor and great surfing, there was little else, said my colleague. I am so glad to have discovered a different view – glad they were wrong, and glad I didn’t listen to the dismal picture that was painted. Instead, I let the Opportunity that is El Salvador, show through it all.

The rules of business have changed forever. Change is faster and more radical than ever. Competition is greater and coming from places we never expected. Our government is in gridlock now and unless we change the rules, we will be stuck in neutral for years to come. Those of us who work in business and nonprofit organizations must lead the way to sustainable growth. We need to have a say, to make a difference. If our vote at the ballot box is not all that we want it to be we can vote in other ways. We can vote by the jobs we choose, the way we do those jobs, how and where we spend our money, and by starting and growing businesses and organizations that do well by doing good.