Ready Or Not: They're Ready, They're Coming!

At least twenty protesters participated in the die-in front of the Office of Police Complaints by McPherson Square

One by one they dropped to the ground with signs saying "Black And Brown Lives Matter" and "Demilitarize the Police".  They laid there for four and a half minutes in front of the McPherson Square Metro. The four minutes represents the four and a half hours the body of 18-year-old Michael Brown lied dead on the ground in Ferguson, Missouri.

This was one of the many protests that are happening across the country after the public heard Ferguson's police officer Darren Wilson would not be indicted.

The DC Chapter of the Black Youth Project 100 will hold protests for 28 hours.  BYP100 said every 28 hours a black person dies at the hands of a vigilante or a police officer. The activist group will hold two more protest today while handing out letters that ask for a police review board.


Khadijah McCaskill the organizing chair of the BYP100 said the letter has a lists of demands that BYP would like to see implemented at the Office of  Police Complaints.

Jonathan Lykes explains the Black Youth Project 100 and the institutional policies and systemic racism the affects
African-Americans.

"One of the main complaints and one of the main demands that we have is to create a citizen's review board or rather reinstate it because it was there before," said McCaskill "We'd like the citizen's review board to be reflective of D.C. as a whole, add communities that are adversely affected by police brutality."

McCaskill said in order to help eliminate incidents dealing with police brutality the black youth must "stay awake" and become aware. She said they must realize that this is "a movement not a moment" and that this movement requires a lot of persistence.

This is the letter of demands to the executive director of the Office of Police Complaints, Michael G. Tobbin

 Jonathan Lykes held a bullhorn while explaining the demands that public officials need to meet in order to keep black youth safe. The groups call and response could be heard loud and clear. They said "We're Ready, We're Coming". Two of the members of BYP100 delivered the letter during the demonstration. Some of the agendas in the letter included demilitarizing law enforcement, increasing community oversight and accountability over law enforcement.

"We understand that this is a long-term strategy to undo the systemic and intuitional racism in our society. Point Blank. So that's what we're hear to declare, the love and the appreciation of black life. And we're here to call out institutional policies," said Lykes.

BYP100 said they are a non violent organization and they are strategic. The organization started at the Metro Police Department early this morning and they will go to the city council in the afternoon.

There will be protest in Mt. Vernon Square at 7p.m. Protestors will march from Mt. Vernon Square to Chinatown.

Video of Jonathan Lykes talking in front of Office of Police Complaints after delivering the letter to Michael G. Tobbin's office.

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Chatting 101: Intern Lunch with CEO Michael Elliot

This morning, all of the ONE Campaign interns were invited to an intern lunch with the CEO, Michael Elliot. The lunch was insightful and Mr. Elliot discussed some of the things college professors may not hone in on when talking about success in your career. Elliot's mentions three important things that seem to be overlooked, but they make a big difference in your career choices. He said, sweat the small stuff, luck is important and remember to pay the rent/mortgage.

Sweating the small stuff is understanding the little things that will be important to you in the workplace. The small things include the size of your workplace(large or small company), the timing of your commute, work attire and what you want your office to look like. These so called "small things" could make or break a job choice. It's almost the same things you think about when choosing a college. It's similar to wanting a small classroom setting, choosing live close to campus and wanting to be at a campus, which has activities nearby. It's the exact things that make you choose one college over the other. These small things that people overlook can be the reason they may loathe their job or they feel as though they don't fit it.

Secondly, luck also known as coincidence. My supervisor discussed this with me yesterday. How it was luck when I asked about her job. Sometimes you meet the right person and they can open your eyes to a world wind of opportunities. My proffesor told me you have to be ready when you see an opportunity. Mr. Elliot added, that not only luck would get you to your next opportunity, but also being prepared. This personally resonated with me because there are plenty of times there's an opportunity being offered, but the timing of not having your life in order can stifle it. You can be so close, but you're missing other experiences that will make you the perfect fit for a job. Be prepared for the next opportunities you want and own your opportunities and be exceptional in the job you currently have. That's when luck happens, when you're ready to receive your next task in life because you are prepared to tackle it based on your past experiences.

Lastly, pay your rent/mortgage. This one is in my opinion most important because you always need to have your priorities in order. You can not fall behind in this area because it may put a hold or a burden on other tasks. But I also believe you shouldn't let the lack of money influence your dreams so much until they never become a reality.

Love 
The "Learning After College" Phoenix

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Monday Morning: First Day

Hello Everyone,


Tomorrow will be my first day as the communications intern for The ONE Campaign. I'm excited and ready to learn more about the company and help them grow. Wish me good luck! Also, I will try to blog once a week about my experiences and adventures in D.C.

Love,
The "Intern" Phoenix

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Returning To D.C.

Hello Everyone,

As you guys may know, I'm a Florida A&M University alumna. Upon graduation, I've applied to full-time jobs, paid internships and fellowships. I enjoyed living in D.C. last summer and I can finally say I will be returning to the city this year. I have just accepted the communications internship with The ONE Campaign. I wasn't expecting this organization to pick me because I was a little discouraged about other internships/jobs turning me down. I'm really excited to intern for The ONE Campaign and I look forward to helping this world become a better place through education and awareness.

I'm hoping to grow as a person and to make lifelong connections. The hardest trial in life, especially in the age of technology is to be present. I vow to be present and open myself to all opportunities even the ones I feel I may not be ready to receive. The world does not wait to give you opportunities when you are ready. No one is ever truly ready, but they become comfortable and they understand the challenge. With understanding a challenge you must be able to find courage and be brave to accept a challenge. I encourage everyone today to take a leap of faith and apply positive energy and beliefs to actions that you would normally stray from because that represents growth. You have to push yourself in a direction that you have never been.

As the rapper/singer Drake says, "When's the last time you did something for the first time?"

*Also if anyone knows of places in D.C. for rent near McPherson Square, let me know.*

Love,
The "Back to D.C. Living" Phoenix

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