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Letters to the Sons of Society By Shaka Senghor

WRITTEN BY PLUS ONE SOCIETY, April 23, 2022, Champions, Activism, Author, Black Culture, entrepreneur, Mass Incarceration, Mental Health, New Book, PLUS ONE society, Shaka, Shaka Senghor, Social Justice, writer, 0

Author, speaker, entrepreneur and investor Shaka Senghor’s main focus is shifting societal narratives through storytelling and developing workshops with high entertainment value and deep social impact. In January of this year, Senghor released his second book, Letters to the Sons of Society. Continue reading to get a description of his new book.

Shaka Senghor has lived the life of two fathers. With his first son, Jay, born shortly after Senghor was incarcerated for second-degree murder, he experienced the regret of his own mistakes and the disconnection caused by a society that sees Black lives as disposable.

With his second, Sekou, born after Senghor’s release, he has experienced healing, transformation, intimacy, and the possibilities of a world where men and boys can openly show one another affection, support, and love. In this collection of beautifully written letters to Jay and Sekou, Senghor traces his journey as a Black man in America and unpacks the toxic and misguided messages about masculinity, mental health, love, and success that boys learn from an early age. He issues a passionate call to all fathers and sons—fathers who don’t know how to show their sons love, sons who are navigating a fatherless world, boys who have been forced to grow up before their time—to cultivate positive relationships with other men, seek healing, tend to mental health, grow from pain, and rewrite the story that has been told about them.

Letters to the Sons of Society is a soulful examination of the bond between father and sons, and a touchstone for anyone seeking a kinder, more just world.

Learn more about Shaka Senghor and get his new book, Letters to the Sons of Society here.

“Our pasts don’t have to dictate our futures. We all have the potential to flourish and grow when given love and support.” -Shaka Senghor

Black Women are the Blueprint

WRITTEN BY PLUS ONE SOCIETY, March 14, 2022, Champions, Artists, BlackOwnedBusinesses, BlackWomen, BossLady, Businesses, CEO, Dance, entrepreneur, PLUS ONE society, Products, womens history month, 0

In honor of Black History Month, PLUS ONE society had the opportunity to produce the #MyBlackIsTheBlueprint campaign in partnership with Self Enhancement Inc., a nonprofit organization located in Portland, Oregon, dedicated to guiding underserved youth to realize their full potential.

In honor of #WomensHistoryMonth, we want to continue acknowledging Black being the blueprint by highlighting Black women who have exemplified the true meaning of Black excellence while contributing to society and who continue to create inroads.

Chloe Arnold is a professional international tap dancer, Emmy-nominated choreographer, actress, director, producer and founder of Syncopated Ladies. Learn more about Chloe Arnold here.

Destinee Graham is Canadian-born, Los Angeles-based founder of Kiki Kreme, a skincare line with 100% vegan and organic multipurpose body butter. Graham created this product while pregnant with her child. Learn more about Destinee and Kiki Kreme here. Use discount code POS20 to receive 20% off of Kiki Kreme products.

Stephanie Williams is the creator and founder of Oh-Mazing Foods. Her alternative snacks became a hit in her family and she then went on to develop the perfect granola recipe for her company and for everyone to enjoy. Learn more about Stephanie and Oh-Mazing here.

Maud Arnold is an international tap dancer, entrepreneur and founding member of Syncopated Ladies. She has performed for Beyoncé’s Ivy Park activewear clothing line launch and on ABC’s Good Morning America, The Ellen Show and numerous sold-out concerts in the U.S. and abroad. Learn more about Maud Arnold here.

Dr. Priscilla Johnson is a Water Resource Engineer and founder of Eco Daisy, which provides eco-friendly products safe for the planet, people & pets. Dr. Johnson has been an environmentalist since she was 13 years old and was always aware of the toxic ingredients she found in cleaning products. Learn more about Dr. Johnson and Eco Daisy here. Click here to receive a discount on Eco Daisy products.

Tommi Vincent is an author, podcast host, chef, public speaker and accredited transformation coach. She has made speaking appearances for Essence Festival, Soul Magazine, The Undefeated and more. Vincent has two podcasts, “Stay A While Podcast”, and “Stay A While Cooking Show.” Vincent also hosts her annual Vincent Country Women’s retreat which is a three-day gathering for women to reach and search for emotional nourishment. Learn more about Tommi Vincent here.

Topeka Sam is the CEO of The Ladies of Hope Ministries, a program with a vision to end poverty and incarceration of women and girls. She is also a senior advisor for New Yorkers United for Justice. Learn more about Topeka and her brands here.

Erika Jordan is an all-around entrepreneur and founder of Janee Se Quoi, Inc. She specializes in global brand expansion, business development strategy and events. Learn more about Erika Jordan here.

Tamara Brown is the co-founder of Black Adoption Matters, an organization dedicated to decreasing the number of Black children in foster care, group homes, and aging out of the system. She is also Chief of Staff at Think Common Entertainment and President of Imagine Justice, whose mission is to bring justice to communities of color where bias, injustice and disparities exist. Learn more about Tamara here.

LaToya Kamara Manley is a marketing and merchandising maven and is the Director of Global Footwear Product for the Jordan Women’s brand at Nike. Her expertise in marketing has led her to work at other big companies such as Converse and Adidas. She is passionate about brand leadership and initiatives to improve products through creative processes. Learn more about LaToya Kamara Manley here.

Join us in celebrating our favorite Black women with practical action – follow them on social media, share their content, purchase their products and services!

“Our unity is our strength, and our diversity is our power.” – Kamala Harris

28 WAYS TO CELEBRATE BHM BY CUPID ALEXANDER

WRITTEN BY PLUS ONE SOCIETY, February 1, 2022, Blueprints, Barack Obama, Black History Month, Black Lives Matter, BLM, Build Power, Celebration, Community, Community Service, Equality, Event, February, History, Influential Justice, Kamala Harris, Kwanzaa, Oprah, PLUS ONE society, Social Justice, 0

PLUS ONE society comrade and community servant, Cupid Alexander has developed a handy-dandy list covering all things BLACK JOY, BLACK HISTORY, BLACK HAPPINESS, uncomfortable truths, music, art and politics to guide us through the next 28-days.

There is no way around, so let’s go through…together!

February 1: Learn of the origins of BHM HERE.

February 2: Invest and share The Self Enhancement, Inc. Blueprint. Black-Founded. Black-Owned. Black-Led since 1981 – HERE.

February 3: Revisit the legacy of MLK & appreciate his work HERE.

February 4: Support black-owned businesses. Here’s a compelling reason why.

February 5: Lean into the uncomfortable truth – learn more about the middle passage and enslavement HERE.

February 6: Lean further into the uncomfortable truth – learn more about enslavement from this excellent autobiography by “Equiano” HERE.

February 7: Lean even further into the uncomfortable truth – learn more about Jim Crow, segregation, and America’s caste system HERE, HERE and HERE.

February 8: Enjoy black art. This book may help, find it HERE.

February 9: Want to understand the December celebration of Kwanzaa? Find that HERE.

February 10: Share black Joy- THESE pictures bring a smile to my face.

February 11: Haven’t heard of AFROPUNK? Now you have.

February 12: Kamala Harris & Shirley Chisholm. Black Women Political leaders- and the first in their roles in our Nation. Deserving.

February 13: Want to learn more about the black influence in technology? Peep AFROTECH.

February 14: OPRAH!, OPRAH!, OPRAH!

February 15: James Baldwin. Toni Morrison. Authors worth reading.

February 16: Everything from Olympic wins, to world champions, the African American diaspora has made great contributions to the world of sports. THIS insightful website covers it.

February 17: Tennis your sport? You’ll love Althea Gibson.

February 18: View the works of Kehinde Wiley & Amy Sherald – and their Obama presidential & first lady portraits HERE.

February 19: Black Actors & Actresses have been groundbreaking. Revisit the legacies of Sidney Poitier and Cicely Tyson.

February 20: Read THIS intriguing article by Ta-Nehisi Coates on our compound debt – and the call for action.

February 21: President Obama. First Lady Obama. Enough said.

February 22: The Black Panthers. No, not the influential political and community service entity. The 761st Tank Battalion in which Jackie Robinson served. Intrigued? Learn more HERE.

February 23: The hero we need but didn’t deserve. Wakanda forever.

February 24: Event planning & Activation with a social justice lens? Black women lead the way. Check out this innovative consultancy HERE.

February 25: Heard about Juneteenth but unsure what it is? THIS may help.

February 26: Jordan Peele – learn about his masterfully disturbing and hilarious cinema HERE.

February 27: Heard of David Walker’s Appeal? The more you know.

February 28: Black History is American History. We can begin to heal together, and difficult conversations WILL lead to shared prosperity. “The Sum of Us”, by Heather McGhee, may help.

LA SENTINEL REMIX

WRITTEN BY PLUS ONE SOCIETY, January 29, 2022, Champions, Black Lives Matter, blog, Community Service, Criminal Justice Reform, Event, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Indiana Pacers, Kristen Ingram, LA Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA Teams, PLUS ONE society, Social Justice, 0

One thing that is for sure, PLUS ONE society will make an impact! LA Sentinel had the opportunity to talk with CEO and Executive Producer of PLUS ONE society, Kristen Renee Ingram.

“As I’ve evolved not only as a human but also working through how to use my gifts,” Ingram shared with LA Sentinel. “You’ll see our services evolve as well, like celebrity social responsibility mapping: creating a roadmap for celebrities and influencers to integrate social responsibility into their brand so they can be profitable and at the same time contribute to something greater than themselves.”

Since the beginning of PLUS ONE society, many celebrities, sports leagues, and organizations have received Ingram’s 13 years’ of expertise in marketing, event production, social responsibility, diversity and inclusion and more.

For example, partnerships with NBA teams, such as the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers strategically addressed issues of criminal justice through Play for Justice, a Represent Justice program.

“Kristen Ingram is a visionary. She and the PLUS ONE team bring creativity and expertise to the intersection of sports, entertainment and impact. Her passion for people and commitment to driving change produces transformative experiences, like the Play for Justice program that brings together incarcerated communities and NBA teams across the country” said David Dietz, Social Responsibility Director for the NBA.

Even through a pandemic, the work does not stop. During the lockdown, PLUS ONE created virtual events with celebrities like DeVon Franklin and Cynthia Bailey.

For more information, read this feature about the work PLUS ONE does every day.

PEACE, 2021

WRITTEN BY PLUS ONE SOCIETY, December 31, 2021, Team Wins, Black Lives Matter, Community, Community Service, fiserv, Kristen Ingram, PDX Hip Hop Week, PLUS ONE society, Social Justice, Telly Award, 0

2021 established a new meaning for resourcefulness at PLUS ONE society – community.

PLUS ONE ushered in the year with solid intentions to make up for lost time and get back to producing live events in the “new normal.”

As a marketing and events agency focused on social justice and racial equity, our work throughout the year yielded tangible results driven by our clients’ and partners’ shared goals for social impact:

Garnered over $600K in Promotional Media Value for Regina King’s Directorial Debut of One Night in Miami for Amazon Prime
Raised $625K for LIVE FREE to continue its work creating a movement of community safety
Produced the Black Panther Party Celebration of Activism and Play for Justice: Indiana Pacers
Provided over 40 Black-owned Businesses with an opportunity to leverage the $20MM media pledge by NBCU
Curated System-Impacted Art Installation for NYC Cannabis-Inspired Pop-up Activation
Directed Funds from Khris Middleton to (15) Incarcerated Fathers’ Children
Advised Fox & Rob Richardson Campaign to End Life Without Parole in the U.S.

We were fortunate to receive investments from Fiserv and Jrue & Lauren Holiday that enabled us to be a resource for other deserving Black women in the community.

In recognition of our exemplary social impact work and innovative approach of leveraging hip hop to advocate for policy reform, PLUS ONE was honored to receive the 2021 Trailblazer Award Presented by PDX Hip Hop Week as well as a Telly Award for our production of Play for Justice.

Additionally, PLUS ONE is excited to announce that in 2022 our CEO + Executive Producer Kristen Renee Ingram will be pursuing a Masters of Arts in Justice and Advocacy at Fuller Theological Seminary which will further inform the work at PLUS ONE to “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.”

Social justice is LOVE applied to systems, policies and cultures and spreading that LOVE is our movement.

LIVE FREE TURNS 10

WRITTEN BY PLUS ONE SOCIETY, November 15, 2021, Champions, Community, Criminal Justice Reform, Empowerment, Equality, Event, Faith, Hope, LIVE FREE USA, Pastor Michael McBride, PLUS ONE society, Race, Social Justice, 0

2021 marked ten years of LIVE FREE committed campaigning work to build a movement of community safety.

To celebrate, in partnership with LIVE FREE, PLUS ONE society produced an event at the CIEL Creative Space in Berkeley. Special performances from Goapele, MAJOR, and Tef Poe illuminated the stage, as speakers Mr. Fab, Warryn, and Erica Campbell talked about the mission of LIVE FREE to end gun violence and mass incarceration.

The night started with a Funders’ Mixer with a curated conversation around the ten-year movement. The discussion reflected the four themes of LIVE FREE: Reducing Gun Violence, Ending Mass Incarceration, Transforming Policing, and Civic Engagement. Our donors and supporters listened as we shared the collective success of the network and future work and goals.

Following the Funders’ Mixer, Steve Kerr and W. Kamau Bell hosted the 10th Anniversary celebration. CEO and President Pastor Mike McBride and LIVE FREE National Staff and local partners filled the room, honoring the past, present, and future of LIVE FREE.

The largest faith-based grassroots organizing network, LIVE FREE, with the lead of Pastor McBride, is a national movement dedicated to ending gun violence, mass incarceration, and systematic racism.

“A decade ago, we began a small campaign to end gun violence and mass incarceration, and now we’ve grown, thanks in large part to the Faith in Action team, into a national movement of systems- impacted people, faith leaders, peacemakers, youth, and a range of community-based organizations,” said Pastor McBride.”Becoming an independent organization will allow us to pivot to answer the needs of organizers and communities across the country as we enter this new chapter.”

PLAY FOR JUSTICE 2.0

WRITTEN BY PLUS ONE SOCIETY, October 15, 2021, Uncategorized, Community, Community Service, Indiana Pacers, PLUS ONE society, Social Justice, 0

In partnership with the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) and REPRESENT JUSTICE, PLUS ONE society produced Play For Justice in the 2019-2020 NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, Milwaukee Bucks, and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Due to the pandemic the program was put on pause, along with the rest of the world, March 2020. After 18-months, Play for Justice 2.0 kicked off with the Indiana Pacers players, coaches and leadership at Putnamville Correctional Facility on Oct. 15, 2021.

The program consisted of a heart provoking roundtable conversation and a basketball game where Pacers players coached two teams of prison residents. The Last Mile, a nonprofit which teaches technology and business training in the facility, served as the community partner along with ARC.

The Pacers organization (from the coaches/players to owner Steve Simon) were not only physically present but showed up with a mindset focused on leveraging their platform to make a positive impact on the criminal justice system. “I think today was important for me and my teammates, ” Pacers player Malcolm Brogdon said. “To come here and see people in these situations, who’ve made mistakes but are trying to do something better.”

The program brings together players, policy influencers and community organizations to uplift narratives of hope and redemption and break down stigmas associated with individuals — disproportionately people of color and the poor — who are impacted by the justice system. The involvement of policy makers like Indiana Lt. Gov. Susan Crouch and Rob Carter, Commissioner of Indiana Department of Correction, are critical to effecting equitable policy reform through empathy derived from this amazing human experience.

“The criminal-justice system is, obviously, the sole source of racial tension in this country [USA] or the key institution to resolving the opportunity gap. It is a part of the broader set of challenges that we face in creating a more perfect union.”

Barack Obama

THE REAL GATEWAY OF CANNABIS

WRITTEN BY PLUS ONE SOCIETY, September 21, 2021, Intentional Service, cannabis, Her Highness, House of Puff, Last Prisoner Project, Mass Incarceration, PLUS ONE society, The Stone Age, Tonic, 0

Currently 40,000 US citizens are incarcerated for cannabis offenses.

Cannabis is legal in 36 states (for medicinal purposes) and fully legal in 15 states. Industry sales are expected to exceed $24B in 2021 nationwide. Full legalization is more critical than ever — despite virtually identical rates of consumption, Black people are nearly 4x more likely than their white peers to be arrested on cannabis charges.

The passing of the Cannabis Law in New York has already expunged the records of over 150K individuals and has accelerated the transition from the remnants of a (faux) war on drugs.

In an effort to shift the narrative and expand awareness around the benefits of cannabis, PLUS ONE society is working in partnership with Last Prisoner Project and The Stone Age: a premiere cannabis-inspired immersive experiential pop-up in New York City.

The pop-up will focus on the human experience of cannabis — exploring the unique connections between plant medicine, creativity, awareness, and more. The space will also feature a collection of artwork from system-impacted artists made possible by Tyra Patterson, Sam Lewis, Jose Gonzales and Richie Reseda — select works available for sale on-site; all proceeds will go directly to the artists.

Additionally, we are curating dedicated space in the retail shoppe to highlight local, minority- owned cannabis businesses like Her Highness, House of Puff and Tonic.

Cannabis isn’t a gateway drug — however, for Black people it is a gateway to arrests, incarceration, death and defamation at the hands of the state. —

For more information, visit Last Prisoner Project

Image Credit: Tyra Patterson, Russell Craig, Jayme Santini

DEAR, HIP HOP

WRITTEN BY PLUS ONE SOCIETY, August 5, 2021, Intentional Service, Common, Community, Community Service, Criminal Justice Reform, HIP HOP, Kristen Ingram, PLUS ONE society, Social Justice, 0

On August 25, 2021, PLUS ONE society and CEO + Executive Producer Kristen Renee Ingram will be honored with the 2021 Trailblazer Award presented by Hip Hop Week, hosted by PDX Hip Hop Week Co-Founder and Portland Trail Blazers’ DJ, O.G. ONE in recognition of our exemplary social impact work and innovative approach to leveraging hip hop to advocate for policy reform.

In 2017, Kristen led the historic production of IMAGINE JUSTICE with Common and J. Cole on the steps of the CA state Capitol in Sacramento. As a result, four criminal justice reform bills were passed that year and signed into law – including an end to the cash bail system.

In 2018, she returned to IMAGINE JUSTICE and led the production of the HOPE & REDEMPTION PRISON TOUR: a series of live concerts in various correctional facilities featuring Common and a special guest appearance by Talib Kweli. The three-day Tour throughout California’s Central Valley restored hope in over 5,000 incarcerated men and women and inspired countless youth in the surrounding communities most affected by mass incarceration.

In 2019, she partnered with Good Films Impact to oversee production on all sports and music programs and events for REPRESENT JUSTICE – a social impact campaign that launched alongside Warner Bros.’ theatrical release of JUST MERCY, starring Michael B. Jordan, Brie Larson and Jamie Foxx – inspired by the true story of Equal Justice Initiative founder and Executive Director, Bryan Stevenson.

Currently, Kristen is serving as an Executive Producer with Grammy Award-Winning Producer, Greg Wells (The Greatest Showman) and Academy Award-Winning Artist, Common along with four formerly incarcerated artists (Bobby Gonz, Maserati E, Richie Reseda and David Jassey) to create a one-of-a-kind album that elevates the voices of incarcerated artists.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the city that raised me — our work is our protest and we fully intend to finish this race!” — Kristen Renee Ingram

FOX & ROB RICHARDSON

WRITTEN BY PLUS ONE SOCIETY, July 25, 2021, Champions, Community, Criminal Justice Reform, Fox & Rob, Life Without Parole, LWOP, Mass Incarceration, PLUS ONE society, 0

Fox and Rob Richardson are the subjects of the Oscar Nominated Documentary, Time, which depicts the story of their 20-year crusade to free Rob who received a 60-year sentence for stealing $5,000 from a credit union.

PLUS ONE society has partnered with Fox & Rob with the intent to build a national campaign focused on ending life without parole (LWOP) in the United States, beginning with their home state, Louisiana.

WATCH: New York Times ‘I Missed It All.’ What This Former Prisoner Is Fighting For

The U.S. is the only nation in the world that sentences people to life without parole for crimes committed before turning 18. Currently, there are 50,000 people serving life without parole (LWOP). States like Connecticut are setting the trend for reform by passing legislation S.B. 796 that retroactively eliminates life-without parole sentences for juveniles.

Visit Fox & Rob, for more information.

“We are out of prison, but we’re still not free.” — Fox Richardson

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