Impact Ventures’ Post

𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬. 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐳𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐬. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐳𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧. 𝐈𝐟 𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂-𝐬𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐭'𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. Public servants must be #trustworthy. The Congressman was apparently found to have lied about his entire resume, including ❌Getting degrees from Baruch College and NYU (not true) ❌Working on Wall St for Citigroup and Goldman Sachs (not true) ❌Having grandparents who fled nazi Germany during the Holocaust (not true) ❌That his mother was in the Twin Towers on 9/11 (not true) Other reported abomination: Representative Santos reportedly used made up loans and contributors' credit card information to inflate his campaign Santos joins an ignoble group of 5 other members of Congress who were expelled, going back to the Civil War. And seems to have taken the cake in terms of brazenly fabricating a life story not based on fact. He peddled a boatload of astonishing lies. Boil appropriately lanced. What would you think of someone in your organization's ranks facing the same damning accusations? Those are the lenses to use in this instance, so please refrain from political ideology comments if you choose to engage with this post. #PublicServant #leadership https://lnkd.in/gkjCGM8y

Who exactly is JD Vance, the Republican Vice Presidential candidate? JD Vance has become a prominent figure in American politics, capturing national attention with his compelling personal story and sharp political insights. A Yale Law School graduate, Vance authored the best-selling memoir "Hillbilly Elegy," which delves into the challenges faced by working-class Americans in Appalachia. His journey from a troubled youth to a successful author and venture capitalist embodies the American dream, resonating with many across the political spectrum. Usha Vance, JD's wife, is an accomplished attorney in her own right, having clerked for Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. Her legal acumen and steadfast support have been instrumental in Vance's political career. Together, they represent a formidable intellectual partnership, combining a deep understanding of America's heartland with elite educational credentials. __________ But why did Ramaswamy fall by the wayside? The meteoric rise and subsequent falter of Vivek Ramaswamy in the political arena serve as a cautionary tale about the volatility of modern politics. Despite his dynamic presence and innovative ideas, Ramaswamy's campaign struggled to gain sustainable traction amidst an increasingly polarized electorate. His inability to resonate with a broader base and effectively counter the established political narratives contributed to his decline. _____________ JD Vance's ascension as the Republican Vice Presidential candidate underscores the party's strategic pivot. By selecting Vance, the GOP signals its commitment to addressing the economic and cultural anxieties of Middle America. Vance's narrative isn't just a personal triumph; it's a symbol of hope for many who feel left behind in today's rapidly changing world. His candidacy offers a blend of authenticity and intellectual rigor that could redefine the future of American conservatism. With political uncertainty at its height, the Vances' story is a testament to the enduring power of resilience and the belief that anyone, regardless of their beginnings, can make a significant impact on the nation's trajectory.

The Powell Memo https://lnkd.in/gBvs6mUb Written by Lewis F. Powell, the Powell Memo has come to be known as the blueprint for corporate dominance in American politics. Here is the full text. Lews F. Powell #powellmemo

Our MD, Lydia Idem will be at Stanford University today for a panel discussion on “Redesigning Finance”. She will be sharing lessons from two decades of experience as a Black woman in Investment & Finance. 💪🏽 #womeninfinance #stanford #fmcapitalgrp

𝗝. 𝗗. 𝗩𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿-𝗘𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲 Excerpts: "Former president Donald Trump’s selection of Ohio senator J. D. Vance as his running mate has generated much commentary. The mainstream media has tried to frame Vance as a postliberal 'threat to democracy,' while Trump’s supporters have celebrated him as a bridge to a new generation." "But there is a deeper story here. The Vance selection is not a gambit to secure a particular demographic or region—white men are Trump’s base; Ohio is a safe red state—but an effort to cultivate an emerging counter-elite that could make the second Trump administration substantially more effective than the first." "This story is built into J. D. Vance’s biographical arc. He was the all-American kid who rose from humble beginnings to make his way in the world: the Marines; Yale Law; venture capital; a best-selling book. He learned the language of the prestige institutions, cultivated powerful patrons, and quickly climbed the ladder in academia, finance, and business. He had made it." "Then, his story takes a turn. Having entered the ranks of America’s elite, Vance became disillusioned and disenchanted with it, correctly identifying it as a force of hypocrisy and corruption. He defected—first, by parting ways with the respectable conservatism of the Beltway, and then by embracing Donald Trump." "𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝘆𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲. 𝗔 𝗰𝘆𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗿é𝘀𝘂𝗺é; 𝗩𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗺, 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗯𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗽, 𝗮𝗻𝗱, 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄, 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁, 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗵𝗮𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘁𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱." "Now, not only has Vance been selected as a vice-presidential nominee; more significantly, he has charted the path for an emerging new conservative counter-elite." "The political balance is beginning to shift. A significant cohort of power brokers in Silicon Valley and on Wall Street have publicly moved toward Trump in this election cycle. Some of the names are familiar: Elon Musk, Marc Andreessen, David Sacks, Bill Ackman. But hundreds of other influential figures are assembling behind the scenes to support Trump’s campaign." "Trump’s selection ... could prove to be one of the most consequential vice presidential choices in modern history." by Christopher Rufo Article: https://lnkd.in/easHj2WC City Journal 

Get It Together: Troubling Tales from the Liberal Fringe - Jesse Watters In "Get It Together: Troubling Tales from the Liberal Fringe," Jesse Watters takes readers on a bold and sometimes unsettling journey into the heart of what he calls the "liberal fringe." Known for his sharp commentary and fearless approach, Watters offers a collection of essays that dissect the most controversial and divisive issues gripping modern American politics. From the outset, Watters pulls no punches. His writing is as direct and unapologetic as his on-screen persona. He dives headfirst into topics that are sure to raise eyebrows, challenging readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the left-leaning ideologies that have gained traction in recent years. One of the book's strengths is its ability to provoke thought and discussion. Whether he's critiquing cancel culture, dissecting the complexities of identity politics, or delving into the rise of socialism among young Americans, Watters presents his arguments with conviction and clarity. Agree with him or not, his perspectives are thought-provoking and serve as a rallying cry for those who feel disenfranchised by the direction of progressive politics. Throughout "Get It Together," Watters weaves in personal anecdotes and experiences, adding a human touch to his political analysis. These anecdotes provide insight into his own journey and how he has come to form his views, giving readers a glimpse into the mind behind the commentary. However, it's worth noting that this book is not for the faint of heart. Watters doesn't shy away from controversy, and some readers may find his viewpoints confrontational or even offensive. Those seeking a more moderate or nuanced approach to political discourse may find themselves put off by the book's unapologetic tone. In conclusion, "Get It Together: Troubling Tales from the Liberal Fringe" is a bold and timely addition to the ongoing conversation about the direction of American liberalism. Jesse Watters delivers a no-holds-barred exploration of the issues that are shaping our political landscape, challenging readers to confront uncomfortable truths along the way. Whether you agree or disagree with his viewpoints, this book is sure to spark lively debate and reflection on the state of our society today.

You may have heard about the betrayal of Julius Caesar by members of the Roman Senate. Politics, the beating heart of human society. It shapes our communities, governs our interactions, and holds the power that drives our hopes and dreams. Politics is noble; politicians not. Be cautious in following or believing politicians blindly. Politics serves as the beacon of hope, lighting the path towards social change. Yet, amidst the cacophony of ideologies and agendas, lurks the shadow of corruption, threatening to tarnish the noble ideals of governance. Throughout history, there have been numerous instances of politicians who have acted in ways that contradict the noble ideals of politics. However, it's important to recognize that politics itself is not inherently corrupt or immoral. Indeed, politics has been a driving force for positive change and progress. But the current landscape of power politics, poses a formidable obstacle to progress and sustainability. This brand of politics, driven by self-interest, short-term gains, and zero-sum competition, perpetuates division, exacerbates conflicts, and undermines efforts to address pressing global issues. As these politicians prioritize personal agendas over the collective well-being of humanity, the consequences reverberate far beyond national borders, threatening the very fabric of our interconnected world. In the face of such dire circumstances, it is increasingly evident that the status quo of power politics, dominated by unchecked ambition and disregard for ethical principles, is untenable and unsustainable. Great leaders and politicians exhibit: 1. Integrity: Honesty, transparency, and prioritizing the public good. 2. Vision: Clear and forward-thinking with inspiring goals. 3. Empathy: Understanding and caring for constituents' needs. 4. Courage: Resilience and taking risks for the greater good. 5. Decisiveness: Strong decision-making amid uncertainty. 6. Empowerment: Fostering collaboration and trust. 7. Adaptability: Navigating change with agility and learning from failure. 8. Humility: Acknowledging limitations and valuing feedback. 9. Inclusivity: Promoting diversity and social justice. 10. Servant Leadership: Putting others' needs first and leading by example. These qualities inspire trust, unity, and progress, shaping a better future for all. Politics can be noble in its aspirations for the common good, politicians are fallible human beings who may deviate from these ideals. It falls upon us, the vigilant stewards of society, to hold them to account and demand the integrity and transparency befitting of their office. Participate in the political process while maintaining a healthy skepticism towards political figures, their motives, and their promises. P.S: To sum up the discussion here's a quote by Martin Luther King Jr. "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

#TheConversation hashtag#BlockVoting hashtag#groupeconomics Part 3 "Interview with Ron Lindsey, Senior Pastor at Concord Fortress of Hope Church. This is a five-part interview. We discuss the state of the black community regarding block voting and group economics, and what that has looked like here in Kansas City 35 years ago under the political leadership of the clergy and the workforce that was available at that time. We give examples of what has worked in the past to guarantee Black Kansas City a seat at the table, and who those leaders were that implemented these strategies, such as Bruce Watkins Sr. Phil Curls, and Julia Hill. Charles Hasley, Doc Holiday, Bobby Hernandez, John Sharp, and Chuck Wimes to name a few. We discussed how our political and economic infrastructure that made things work 35 years ago has been dismantled in this new era of self-gratification by our politicians and businessmen. Overall, it’s a sign of the times. One of the main topics that we led off with is loyalty and trustworthiness have disappeared, not just in our community, but in overall society. But is that an excuse for us to follow suit? Because everybody else is jumping off a cliff, do we need to, as a community, follow that narrative? We talked about starting anew, planting new seeds, and using technology and the tools that technology represents as it relates to communications. And especially Cascade Media Groups, being the largest black-owned digital media company on the planet, why haven’t we used that to bring our community together? You cannot succeed with block voting or group economics without collaboration and participation by your community. We ended up inviting everyone to join the conversation and get involved. As my friend Dr. Marj says, ‘You have to be the change you would like to see.’"

In-depth interview in the New York Times below with J.D. Vance, Republican Senator from Ohio, author, and former Silicon Valley venture capitalist, who has become a leading Trump supporter. Most Americans have come to believe that big government and big tech (especially when they collude against the public and work as allies) have monopolized power and thereby impoverished the country's neighborhoods and its industrial heartland regions such as Ohio and the rest of the Midwest. It's ironic that it's the Trump Republicans -- hitherto seen as the "party of the rich" and "party of white people" -- and not the Democrats (where is Vice President Kamala Harris on this issue?) who are voicing the most strident critiques of the status quo. A key grievance Vance taps into is that big entrenched institutions have sucked the "oxygen" out of America's public arena and aimed to impose a form of thought and speech control over educational, research and media institutions: the suffocating weight of self-censorship. One of the biggest threats to the efficacy of democracies (such as the U.S. and Canada) is the incapacity to discuss disagreements honestly and the inability to use deliberation and incentives to reach consensus. That's politics. Its lack is cultural and political paralysis: "sorry, you can't talk about that." Or, "sorry now is not the time to bring up these issues." If you can't talk about a problem honestly, how can you solve it? "Is there anything you’ve said that you regret, in the course of refusing to be policed?" "There are a ton of things I can point to where I can say, “I wish I struck this balance a little bit differently,” but I think that the real danger in American society is not unfiltering yourself, it’s filtering yourself."