| Lennie Chism, entrepreneurial activist, walks it like | | | | In a day and age when it is politically incorrect not |
| he talks it. In a day and age full of so-called | | | | to embrace the concepts of integration and |
| community leaders who front, Chism rolls up his | | | | assimilation, Chism is unapologetic about being an |
| sleeves and gets busy looking out, determinedly | | | | economic separatist. Not that he has anything |
| committed to African American | | | | against white people. To the contrary, he simply |
| self-empowerment through entrepreneurship. | | | | has a great deal of determination to see his own |
| His track record speaks for itself. Starting out | | | | people succeed. I hope to be [an] inspiration for |
| with creating a Twin Cities staple, The Twin Cities | | | | economic parity”, says Chism, “not just |
| Black Pages. Chism started it in 1989 on a | | | | social acceptance.” He refuses to accept the |
| shoestring, literally going door-to-door drumming | | | | disparity characterizing black business in the U.S. |
| up listings to establish an autonomous network of | | | | And concretely understands that the business |
| business men and women. He never lost his love | | | | world is where black people need to continue |
| for enterprise. Nor his passion for activism. Chism | | | | forging significant inroads. |
| feels we will never achieve parity without having | | | | Chism looks at history’s icons with an eye on |
| an economic base. The great Dr. King felt that | | | | what needs to happen in our lifetime. He sagely |
| owning the lunch counter would be much more | | | | reflects, “W. E. B. Du Bois spoke of our |
| difficult than sitting there. | | | | greatness Malcolm X spoke of our greatness. A. |
| Lennie Chism, today, is executive director of | | | | G. Gaston spoke of our greatness. We all owe it |
| Springboard Economic Development Corporation. | | | | to ourselves to try to achieve that. As did the |
| Its focus is on capacity building as to be able to | | | | other [groups in] America.” |
| participate in economic endeavors of our | | | | With the global economy teetering on bankrupt, |
| community. Chism is the author of Mobilizing | | | | with Wall Street and the White House doing an |
| Black Wealth: A Strategy for Black Economic | | | | ineffectual song and dance routine of bailouts and, |
| Enlightenment and Empowerment. The book is a | | | | it’s clear that black Americans must seize the |
| practical guide to achieving financial autonomy. | | | | reigns of our own destiny. We can ill afford to go |
| Chism also is a motivational speaker and released | | | | along for whatever rollercoaster ride the stock |
| the DVD Ready, Willing and Able! produced in | | | | market has in store. Black America has to take |
| partnership with Minnesota Department of | | | | charge of its fate. |
| Transportation. | | | | For Chism, it is not about individuals being able to |
| He has several You Tube videos, including one | | | | slip into the mainstream. Chism states “A |
| that smoothly teams him with topical comedian K | | | | spoonful of integration is not enough for the rest |
| Jay for an appearance on KFAI Fresh Air Radio. K | | | | of us”. Nor is it about social program handouts. |
| Jay readily says of Lennie Chism, “Lennie | | | | James Brown sang, “I don’t want nobody |
| wants to represent the needs of the black | | | | to give me nothin’. Open up the door. I’ll |
| community and clearly has a gift. I think the kind | | | | get it, myself.” That may as well be |
| of mission Lennie is on will impact change and | | | | Chism’s mantra. |
| bring vision to unaddressed issues that affect | | | | The fact is Chism is making a big noise. One that |
| black people. His method of operations is | | | | increasingly is making itself heard on behalf of |
| grassroots, different [than a] politician. He's a | | | | black communities. Chism states “Get your |
| brother that I'm hoping can make big noise.” | | | | black on, Let your black out, its ok. |