The city of Allentown is currently in transition.
The resignation of former mayor Ed Pawlowski marks the end of an era, and the beginning of another for the city.
During his 12 year tenure as mayor, Mr. Pawlowski successfully improved the city's infrastructure, lowered the crime rate, and restored multiple parks.
Even though his legacy is in question after the conclusion of his trial, I firmly believe that Mr. Pawlowski had the best intentions for the city.
It is unfortunate that as of now it has been determined that the actions behind his intent did not fall within the legal parameters of the law.
Before Mr. Pawlowski transitions into the next stage of his life, I sincerely want to thank him for his efforts to improve the city of Allentown.
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During the Summer of 2017, Mr. Pawlowski and I had a conversation on Facebook in reference to the basketball rim issue at Irving Park.
Below are some screenshots of that discussion.
The details of that conversation will provide some context for this post.
That was the end of the conversation.
Here is a link to the full thread:
Facebook Conversation
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During the Summer of 2017, Mr. Pawlowski and I had a conversation on Facebook in reference to the basketball rim issue at Irving Park.
Below are some screenshots of that discussion.
The details of that conversation will provide some context for this post.
Here is a link to the full thread:
Facebook Conversation
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I feel like the discussion above is a small example of the disconnect between the citizens and government of Allentown.
I feel like the focus of the next mayor of Allentown should be bringing the people of the city together.
Allentown needs a leader with positive energy, innovative ideas, and a forward thinking mentality.
This individual also needs to be a people person that can identify with and find a point of commonality between the diverse population of the citizens within the city.
The new mayor should be able to motivate, empower, and inspire that same diverse population.
That person then needs create, improve, and promote systems both inside and outside of government that give citizens the resources to improve, grow, and bloom individually.
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On Sunday March 18th, 2018, Mr. Pawlowski and I had another conversation.
This time it was over the phone.
I wanted to pick his brain.
I wanted to know what it took to be the mayor of Allentown. I wanted to know what the day to day responsibilities of the job were. I wanted to know what he felt like going forward were the most pressing needs of the city.
I wanted to get a clear understanding of the job.
I wanted to see if being the mayor of the city of Allentown is something that I not only could do, but something that I would really want to do.
After our 18 minute and 44 second conversation, I was totally convinced that I would be able to do the job.
Mr. Pawlowski was not.
After giving it a few days and taking everything into consideration, I have decided that I am not going to run for mayor.
Even if I wanted to, I would be ineligible to apply for the position because I am not a Democrat.
Prior to making that decision, I began drafting a proposal that included some changes that I would make to the city if I were the mayor.
Instead of just keeping it for myself, I figured I would share it with the public.
Parts of that proposal are included below.
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Allentown
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On Sunday March 18th, 2018, Mr. Pawlowski and I had another conversation.
This time it was over the phone.
I wanted to pick his brain.
I wanted to know what it took to be the mayor of Allentown. I wanted to know what the day to day responsibilities of the job were. I wanted to know what he felt like going forward were the most pressing needs of the city.
I wanted to get a clear understanding of the job.
I wanted to see if being the mayor of the city of Allentown is something that I not only could do, but something that I would really want to do.
After our 18 minute and 44 second conversation, I was totally convinced that I would be able to do the job.
Mr. Pawlowski was not.
After giving it a few days and taking everything into consideration, I have decided that I am not going to run for mayor.
Even if I wanted to, I would be ineligible to apply for the position because I am not a Democrat.
Prior to making that decision, I began drafting a proposal that included some changes that I would make to the city if I were the mayor.
Instead of just keeping it for myself, I figured I would share it with the public.
Parts of that proposal are included below.
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Allentown
Allentown is really a great place to live.
The next mayor of the city needs to effectively convey that sentiment to the people.
The diverse population gives residents an opportunity to experience multiple cultures.
The PPL Center brings international entertainment to the heart of the city.
In addition to being a place for international talent, The PPL Center is also the home for local talent as well.
As of right now, that is not how most Allentown residents feel.
That perception needs to change.
Here are some ideas on how to change it.
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The two biggest structures in Allentown are the PPL Building and the 8th St. Bridge.
In my opinion, the next mayor of Allentown should have a positive mantra created that gives Allentown a collective identity
The theme of this mantra should revolve around those two distinct representations of the city.
The theme of this mantra should revolve around those two distinct representations of the city.
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PPL is an energy company.
As of right now, the energy of the people in the city of Allentown is negative.
A positive mantra will create positive energy.
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The 8th St. Bridge... is a bridge.
As of right now, there is a generational and cultural disconnect between the citizens of Allentown.
This proposed mantra should also serve as a proverbial bridge between these generations and cultures.
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In my opinion this mantra should be created by a panel of Allentown students from all grades, backgrounds, and ability levels.
This mission statement will empower the students, create positive energy, and be the foundation of a new culture.
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My daughter is a 7th grader at South Mountain Middle School.
She is on the basketball team.
While recording the final seconds of her last game, this is what I saw:
This is the culture that exists in our schools.
This culture eventually evolves into the crime in our neighborhoods.
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The children are the future of this city, and future of this world.
Allentown is the 3rd biggest city in Pennsylvania, and in a prime location nationally.
The city of Allentown should be a place where our children can grow up to become equipped to be successful anywhere out on the world.
It should also be a place that has the infrastructure that equips its citizens with the necessary resources to be able to change the world from here.
The infrastructure in Allentown is improving.
It is the culture that needs to change.
The infrastructure in Allentown is improving.
It is the culture that needs to change.
Here are some specific ideas on how positive energy can be created in an attempt to positively influence the culture in the city of Allentown.
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Paint the City
There is a wall at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. BLVD and Junction St that connects the east and west sides of the city.
I feel like it should painted.
I think it would be a good idea for a group of Allentown students from all levels to collectively create a mural on that wall.
The paintings would be a visual representation of the collective mantra that was created by the previously selected student panel.
It will also be designed in a way that features the individual expression and creativity of the students.
Here is what the wall currently looks like:
This is my vision for the proposed wall.
Since the wall is on Martin Luther King Jr. BLVD, I feel like the wall should include some his imagery.
I also feel the theme of the mantra that the student panel will create should revolve around Dr. King's intentions.
I think it is important to empower the students by having them be a part of the decision making process.
As the adults, it should be up to us to communicate with the students by both asking what they want and clearly conveying why a Dr. King message would be the best option.
In order to empower future generations, we really need to listen to what they want for their futures.
In order to prepare them for those futures, we need to let them know what worked for previous generations as well as give them ideas on what may work in an ever evolving world.
In addition to contributing to the mantra, I feel that it is important to have them have a say in what is going on in the creative development of the community and educational resources that they are using.
As a community we also should be preparing our children to thrive in a way that is going to prepare them for a future that they want, not a future that older generations think that they should have.
As adults we also need to instill values in our children that will inspire them to envision a more positive future.
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The back of the wall actually has some very nice graffiti on it.
I feel like the city should clean up the shrubbery behind the back of the wall.
The city could then use the back of this wall as a dedicated area that encourages graffiti artists to create.
Here are a few pictures of the back of the wall in its present condition:
Below are some examples of what I am proposing:
The picture above is from mural event that was held in New Brunswick, NJ.
Below is a link for more pictures and a synopsis of the event:
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As pictures of the of wall in Allentown indicate, there isn't much that needs to be done.
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I am friends with local Allentown muralist named Matt Halm.
Here is some of his work:
Below is Mr. Halms website displaying more of his work
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I am also friends with a gentleman who goes by the artist name "KidWiseman." He routinely coordinates these types of projects in Los Angeles, CA. The population he works with is similar to the population of the children who attend Allentown School District public schools. Below are some highlights of a mural that he and a group of students created at an event that was sponsored by Red Bull:
Below is a video synopsis of the event from KidWiseman's Instagram.
Below is a written synopsis of the event that is currently posted on the RedBull website.
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I am also friends with another Los Angeles muralist who goes by the name of _slaymaker_
Below is a collaboration he recently did with Rayban...
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This is something that is happening all across America.
In my opinion, this is something that should happen in Allentown.
Imagine a beautifully painted mural in the middle of Allentown displaying a positive message that was created by Allentown kids.
All of this could be paid for by corporate sponsors.
That would be awesome.
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Pictured above is Toomey Anderson.
He runs an organization named Lehigh Valley Basketball Rankings.
In addition to a variety of services that LVBR provides, this entity routinely coordinates major events that involve the youth of the city.
Mr. Anderson has been the long time co-director of the Allentown Throwdown, a high school basketball tournament that was the flagship event of what was once the Allentown Sportsfest.
His organization also creates events for middle school and elementary school children.
Below are some pictures of "Camp Awesome," an event that has been routinely held by Mr. Anderson and the LVBR.
Mr. Anderson would be an awesome addition to the implementation of this project.
Not only does Mr. Anderson have the background and experience to help get the job done, he and his team would serve as role models for the children creating the mural.
Mr. Anderson is a college graduate, business owner, and teacher... in addition to being a father, coach, and a husband.
He is also a minority that can relate to these children.
Mr Anderson makes being positive, smart, and doing the right thing socially acceptable.
He is the literal embodiment of what the children of Allentown can become.
This is the intent of the programs that Mr Anderson creates, which is why I would have Mr. Anderson come on board to assist with the project.
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The painting of the wall could become a community event.
I am confident that the city could get both local and national sponsors to fund it.
The event would include food, wellness workshops, and games.
I recently talked to my friend Tracy Yatsko, PBS reporter.
She said she would love to cover such an event.
She recently moderated a televised conversation between local students and prominent members of the community in response to the recent escalation of violence in schools.
Here are some pictures below of the event:
She also has her own show.
We have talked about how Allentown needs more positive press.
She could cover this event for PBS.
All of the other local news outlets would cover the event as well.
This event could serve as the transition into a new era for the city.
Along with the PPL building and the 8th St. Bridge, this wall would become the 3rd big visual representation of the city.
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The city would benefit from by having the wall serve as positive visual imagery.
Positive visual imagery subconsciously creates positive energy in a person.
When people see things they like, it puts them in a better mood.
A multitude of people commute on MLK BLVD each and every day.
This wall would serve as a visual inspiration on the way to their destination.
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I love the idea of having lights from offices in the PPL Building displaying visual imagery as well.
Here are a few examples...
I think it would be a good idea to change the created light image on the PPL to a permanent smiley face.
Imagine the PPL with the expression below.
At the conclusion of the event, it could culminate with the lighting of the PPL with the smiley face.
That moment would instantly change the energy of the city.
Having an image of a smiley face on the PPL building would subconsciously create positive energy throughout the city.
Imagine a person driving home from work seeing a positive stimulus in the form of a smiley face on the side of a building designed to supply energy.
Imagine an out of towner visiting or driving into Allentown and being welcomed by a smiley face.
You can see the PPL from virtually all directions into town.
Positive visual imagery is both a low cost and easy way of subconsciously changing the mood of the city
I am laughing just by thinking about it.
Lets make it happen.
...The 8th St. Bridge should remain exactly how it is.
The completed renovation of the bridge is beautiful, and in my opinion should remain unchanged.
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After painting the wall, Allentown should continue painting the city.
As currently constructed, Allentown is visually cold and dreary.
A little color will help make the city visually warm and vibrant.
It will also encourage outside activities like walking, biking, and jogging.
Businesses and homeowners could paint their establishments and homes.
Inspirational images on buildings around the city would connect to the centerpiece on Martin Luther King BLVD.
Positive images of this re-created culture would become clearly visible all throughout town.
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The biggest impact of having an abundance of positive visual imagery in the form of art around the city is the fact that it will inspire creativity.
In the very near future, that creativity is going to be needed.
Here is an excerpt from the above article:
The study by McKinsey Global Institute, a think tank that specializes in business and economics, says that nearly 70 million U.S. workers would have to find new occupations by 2030. This will happen due to advances in robotics, artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Link to the entire article:
Article
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A lot of the occupations that Allentown residents currently have are going to be eliminated very soon.
Our children's educational systems and even adult transitional programs need to be geared towards the industries of the future.
There are young teenagers around the world who are setting e-commerce networks on the internet and doing in person trade shows in reference to things that they create.
There are children making sustainable incomes at young ages.
Those same children are turning bedroom internet pocket money hobbies into actual storefronts and thriving small businesses.
We should be developing our youth to become owners, and not just workers.
Our educational systems should have this intent.
If an individual does not want to become a business owner, Allentown has a solid higher educational options and a solid job market with a variety of different industries to choose from.
Our educational systems need to have this need met as well.
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I recently spoke to a few former and current inmates in Lehigh County Prison.
I heard stories of inmates who were incarcerated for non-violent crimes such as parking tickets and child support.
Some of these inmates were waiting up to a year to be transitioned into the work release program, due to the work release program being at capacity.
In my opinion, that program needs to be expanded.
Low security inmates could be doing meaningful work in the community as opposed to sitting in a cell or hanging out on a pod for 23 hours a day.
We should have those low risk inmates complete work around the city as part of their sentence.
These inmates could do gardening, landscaping, and other home improvement work for the city.
The city would benefit benefit aesthetically and financially.
Allentown would be clean.
This would give inmates an opportunity to pay off their debts, learn a trade, and get some fresh air.
Everyone wins.
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Urban Gardens
There are a lot of abandoned homes and empty lots in downtown Allentown.
Some of the houses look too damaged to be repaired.
Instead of rebuilding homes on all of these plots of land, I feel like Allentown should make a concentrated effort to creating more urban gardens.
How will this benefit the city?
The residents in low socioeconomic areas of Allentown will have access to fresh fruits and vegetables as a result. The corner stores in Allentown currently have a selection of mostly junk food. These urban gardens will provide healthy food for those citizens who wouldn't otherwise have access to it.
These gardens will also create a demand for more small businesses. Allentown has little to no vegan/vegetarian only restaurants. Implementation of this idea would help fill that void.
These gardens would also become small businesses themselves.
I just spoke to a farmer. She told me that reclaimed materials like old wood and scrap metal could be used to set up the infrastructure. She also told me that if this project began today, food from the first harvest could be in stores by July.
Greenhouses provide even more options. Since the environment is controlled, you can get fresh food in Allentown neighborhoods during the winter months.
The benefits of having urban gardens throughout Allentown will also filter into other systems. You could have children from the high schools work at designated gardens as part of their curriculum. That would teach them a skill that would potentially evolve into a career. The curriculum at the very least will teach children how to garden, and teach them the importance of having a healthy diet.
Like I previously mentioned, you could have low risk inmates from Lehigh County Prison work at a designated gardens as part of their sentence.
The community will have access to fresh, healthy food all throughout the year.
Everyone wins.
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Co-Living/House Restoration
There are a lot of beautiful homes in downtown Allentown.
Some of these homes have 5+ bedrooms.
When buyers renovate these homes, they should consider the changing of the times when renting out their properties.
Instead of solely renovating these homes to accommodate families, landlords should design these homes with the intent of renting them as "Co-Living" spaces.
These houses would cater to college students, recent graduates, and young professionals.
The landlords can play with the breakdown of the bedrooms.
A landlord could rent out the rooms individually, or have people share rooms.
The residents would share the bathrooms and common areas.
These spaces would include a full kitchen, a finished basement that would serve as a creative area/entertainment space, and a communal area without any technology in the living room.
The cost to live at one of these homes would have a lower flat monthly fee than renting a studio apartment.
These houses would be designed with the intent of looking like the pictures below:
Those pictures are from a New York Times Article in reference to co-living spaces in downtown Manhattan.
A few excerpts from the article:
“We live in a super-disconnected city that has tons and tons of people, but it can feel really lonely here,” said Harrison Iuliano, who until last week worked as the programming director of Pure House, which rents out rooms to about 40 people in nine apartments in various buildings around Williamsburg. “Our goal is to make that a nonissue.”
“How cool is it that I walk in the door and they ask me, ‘How’s your day?’ And I am genuinely interested in hearing from them,” said Mr. Jackson.
Co-living has gained traction on the West Coast, particularly among the tech crowd in places like Seattle and the Bay Area. Rambling Victorians have been turned into “hacker houses” peopled with young tech entrepreneurs plugged into their laptops like a scene plucked from “The Social Network,” the 2010 film about Mark Zuckerberg, a Facebook founder.
Full New York Times Article
NYT Article
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While this can be done with warehouses and Victorian homes, this can also be done on a bigger scale as well.
Imagine renting the space below...
In the building below...
"Shared living spaces are booming in major cities as young people seek a more sociable lifestyle, according to the entrepreneurs behind the "co-living" accommodation trend.
A cross between student housing and hotels, co-living spaces offer tenants serviced rooms in shared apartments with communal lounges, kitchens and bathrooms."
"Scott said the movement reflects how young people, who accept they can't get a foot on the property ladder, now value experiences over possessions."
"He points to Uber, rental bike and car services, mobile phone contracts, Netflix and Kindle as examples of how Generation Y are choosing to do away with belongings."
"I don't have possessions anymore, I'm all about experiences and it's high time that our workspaces and living spaces caught up," said Scott. "There's definitely a future based on this whole co-movement."
Full Article... CoLiving
Even though these spaces are designed for generation Y and beyond, anyone who is interested in this lifestyle would be welcome.
The point of commonality in these spaces is energy.
It isn't age, race, or status.
I have personally stayed at locations like this on both the east and west coasts.
I had amazing social experiences each time.
Downtown Allentown has a few empty spaces right now that would accommodate both the small and large scale shared living models.
Once these spaces are in place, an instant community would be created.
Google, Youtube, and a multitude of other entities have what have become campus like setups.
Corporate entities also come together to create these spaces.
Lehigh Valley Health Network or St. Luke's could renovate that building and designate it for its employees.
That place already has the bones.
It just needs the right buyer with the right intentions.
The neighborhoods in Allentown would be a mix of these co-living spaces, apartments, and traditional homes.
These homes will be filled by the traditional families, people from co-living communities who want to start families, as well as people who just want more space.
Residents from these newly created spaces will also filter into Five City Center and The Waterfront.
I think this idea would serve as a great intermediary option or a permanent choice.
While negotiating real estate deals on these empty spaces, these ideas should be presented.
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Once all of the above is in place, the demand to be downtown would increase.
Corporate store fronts stores on Hamilton St. would compliment small businesses.
A population of young people with a more expendable income due to this proposed urban development would make a location like downtown Allentown more appealing to big business.
People from Allentown would no longer have to drive to the Poconos or Philadelphia to shop at a big name retailers.
Five City Center, The Waterfront, or Hamilton St should eventually have them.
Imagine living in a co-living space on Hamilton St, and going to a Nike Store corporate store that is located down the street.
That is how Allentown should be.
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In addition to adding both big and small businesses to Allentown, I feel like Allentown should focus on getting even smaller.
A bridge from creativity to being a small business owner should be constructed, and a vendor/flea market subculture should be created.
Imagine having the finished wall painted on MLK BLD, with people from the community setting up vendor stands selling their creative work.
Here are some pictures from a flea market in Los Angeles:
I know a multitude of people in Allentown who have Etsy shops, E-bay shops, and websites where they sell their products.
Imagine if we got all of these people together regularly and had them all sell their products at the same place.
You bring in the baseball card/knick knack flea market culture, and you bridge another gap.
While selling their products, these people could also be sharing their knowledge.
If these vendors become truly committed to their craft, these hobbies could develop into legitimate business.
Let me give you an example of how far this can go:
The picture above is of my friend Bart Cooper backstage at the BET Experience, an annual international event that was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA this past summer. Mr. Cooper is an artist who grew up in Allentown, PA. He has lived in Los Angeles for the last 10 years. He was hired to paint a mural and have his art featured at this internationally televised show. I was fortunate enough to consult with him on this project.
Below is a 15 year old picture of myself and my friend Tramell playing in the Black Heritage Day basketball tournament in a t-shirt designed by Mr. Cooper. He would routinely outfit our sports teams.
Mr. Cooper's art and creativity eventually expanded.
His business acumen began to expand as well.
In 2018, he has become an internationally known artist.
This all began as a hobby.
A vendor/flea market subculture bridges the gap between a hobby becoming a business.
As leaders in the community, we need to create these platforms.
We also need to provide potential entrepreneurs with examples of people like Mr. Cooper who came from humble beginnings and went a long way.
The artists or creators of Allentown need this medium.
Too many people get discouraged and let their dreams go because the steps to success are too far apart from each other.
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In Allentown, these pop up vendor/flea markets could occur everywhere.
When the weather is cold, vacant office buildings and businesses could rent out their spaces for particular days or even an entire weekend for these events to occur.
Vendors would pay a small fee to the building owner to set up their stands each day.
The events would be marketed on social medial and through other mediums.
The South Mall already does something like this.
There are plenty of vacant spaces on Hamilton St. where this can begin immediately.
If the facility has the capability, you could even rent the space to food vendors.
You could also encourage Food Trucks to go to the pre-determined location.
When the weather gets warm, these events could occur outside.
The events would be spread out to all parts of the city, so all of its residents will have access to this subculture.
West Park, Midway Manor, Rose Gardens, Fountain Park, Stevens Park, and Trout Creek, are just a few of the spaces throughout the city that immediately come to mind when thinking about one of these events.
The park setting would create the opportunity for these events to expand.
There could be food stands, live music, magicians, wellness booths, etc. etc.
The options are limitless.
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The leaders and influencers of the community need to then create systems that funnel people into the vendor/flea market subculture.
This needs to be done through school curriculum, after school programs, other life skills programs throughout the city.
The intent isn't merely to develop business owners.
We are attempting to develop creativity.
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This is going to spill back into the schools.
I just got off the phone with Mr. Cooper.
While Allentown has a few art schools, the city public schools art programs have been drastically cut.
We talked about him potentially bringing in a subcontracted art program into the public schools.
It is something that he said he would definitely consider.
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Per the USC Website:
Tiffany “Jimini” Bong is an international hip-hop dance artist, educator, community leader and entrepreneur with a background in original hip-hop/street and social dance forms. She holds a BA in Theatre & Dance and a BS in Psychology from Santa Clara University as well as a Professional Designation in Arts Education from Los Angeles County Arts Commission.
With 15 years of experience in dance education, Bong draws on her expertise in 21st century hip-hop pedagogy and curriculum design to bring next-level teaching practices and programs into learning institutions. She is a master teaching artist for The Music Center: Los Angeles County Performing Arts Center, and guest lecturer for Cornell University, Loyola Marymount University, and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).
She received a recognition award as the founder and executive director of UniverSOUL Hip Hop, a community-based, cultural education company that brings cutting-edge hip-hop residencies and performances into diverse K-12 school communities throughout the Greater Los Angeles Area. In 2016, she partnered with The Music Center to choreograph for the Blue Ribbon Children’s festival, which introduced over 18,000 fifth-grade students to hip-hop dance vocabulary, culture, and performance.
Her artistic honors include the championship titles of Hip Hop International’s World Locking Champion, R-16’s North American Locking Champion, and Los Angeles’ International WaackPunk/Pose Champion, in addition to visionary leadership awards from established hip-hop agencies. In 2007, Bong joined a prestigious group of 30 international dancers selected to train exclusively under the legends of hip-hop through the Red Bull Beat Riders program.
She is a founding member of the female collective dance crew, The Syrenz, that has performed beside commercial artists such as Justin Bieber, Usher, and Rihanna.
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I just got off of the phone with Ms. Bong.
We spoke about potentially bringing her curriculum into Allentown schools.
She said and I quote:
"I'm neutral and open to it. If I get called there, I'll know."
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Below is a highlight reel of Ms. Bong.
Below are videos of my family members dancing.
These children need to know that there are legitimate career opportunities for their hobbies.
This gap needs to be bridged, and that vision needs to become clear.
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The next step in the revitalization of Allentown would be to create a space where the youth can come together.
Allentown needs a dedicated community center. Northampton, Forks Township, Bethlehem Township, and a variety of other Allentown suburbs have one. Our children need access to state of the art facilities as part of their development.
Allentown has great talent.
Unfortunately a lot of that talent gets underestimated, undervalued, and at times unnoticed.
If the city of Allentown took their facilities seriously, people from surrounding areas will take our athletes seriously.
Parents shouldn't have to drive their kids all over the east coast to play in soccer games, basketball tournaments, dance competitions, etc. etc.
Allentown should be a constant destination for those types of events. It shouldn't be a place where its citizens constantly leave to attend those types of events.
This would be the flagship location for all Allentown community events.
Other local entities like the Boys Club, Salvation Army, YMCA, etc. will compliment this space.
This space would also be used for events catered to older adults.
This space will be created with the intent of inclusion.
Allentown has a lot of great talent.
That talent should not have to be developed elsewhere.
Parents shouldn't have to intentionally take their children out of town or even move out of town in order to be developed.
That development should be happening at home.
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A kid like Tyrese Martin should have been getting scholarship offers from major division one schools directly out of Allen.
He shouldn't have had to go out of town to again prove his worth.
He had to do that though, because Allentown doesn't get any respect.
Building a respectable facility is the first step in getting that back.
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I really love Allentown.
I have a variety of other ideas that I think would improve the city.
It is my hope that some of these ideas can be implemented in an attempt to change the culture.
My entire family lives there, and I really want what is best for both them and the city.
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Back in March of 2017, I was sitting in LAX waiting for a flight back to the east coast.
While I was sitting down sending a message to my daughter, a man stopped directly in front of me.
We made eye contact.
It was Gary Vaynerchuk.
"Gary Vee" is an author, entrepreneur, and visionary.
He was an early investor in Facebook, Twitter, and Venmo.
During our split second moment of eye contact, I said...
"Gary Vee... from Phillipsburg, New Jersey?"
When he heard me say what I said, a connection was instantly made.
I found a point of commonality with one of the most influential people in the world.
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He had his hood up.
Nobody could really see his face, so nobody recognized him.
He was talking on the phone.
When he processed what he heard me say... he put up his index finger up and told me to wait.
Then he walked away.
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I knew that was my chance.
I had 10 printed resumes in a manilla folder.
I quickly pulled one of them out, and began writing on it.
I wrote about how I survived cancer, lived this amazing life, and had dreams of creating this innovative healing center for cancer patients in the future.
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When I completed my writing, I stood up.
I was going to attempt to find Gary Vee.
As soon as I got up, the unexpected happened.
Gary Vee came back to find me.
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There I was, standing face to face with Gary Vaynerchuk in the middle of LAX on a packed Tuesday night.
We talked for about 4 minutes.
The conversation was mostly me talking, and him listening.
I quickly summarized my past, my current set of circumstances, and my vision for the future.
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After I finished the elevator speech of my life's story, I feel like the entire world just went silent.
Gary Vee was just standing there quietly, looking at me directly in my eyes.
After a moment of silence... Gary Vee stated with an extreme amount of conviction...
"I believe in you."
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He then asked me for my Instagram.
Instagram?
I didn't have one.
He then gave me a look of disappointment.
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If I was the anomaly that I claimed to be, he told me that he wanted to see it.
He told me that my education and work experience were my linear resume.
Instagram had become the abstract resume of 2018.
If I wanted the invest of Gary Vaynerchuk, I need to have both.
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Four months later, Gary Vaynerchuk held a meet and great at the Shoe Palace store on Fairfax in Los Angeles.
Here is a video of the event:
I was literally like one of the last people in line.
After about 5 hours of waiting, I finally got to meet Gary.
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He instantly remembered me.
We smiled, laughed, and shook hands like we knew each other for years.
I had told the people who I was waiting in line with that Gary and I kind of knew each other.
Even though they believed me, they were kind of surprised that Gary responded to me in the way that he did.
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Even though there was a big crowd and he had been out there for 5 hours, he gave me five minutes of his time.
I told him I was rapidly recovering from my once diagnosed terminal cancer.
I told him about being missing my family, being homeless, and living in a van.
I told him about the curriculum I wanted to create in addition to the healing center I wanted to build and the book I was writing in reference to my cancer experience. I told him about the team of chemists, anthropologists, and doctors that I was working with in an effort to conceptualize and explain how I was healing. I told him about how I had my own psychology degree, and how I synthesized that information with my own personal cancer experiences in an effort to understand exactly what I had gone through and how I had overcome it. I showed him the Instagram that he had asked me to create, documenting what up until that point had been an amazing true story.
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After I finished speaking, everything again became very quiet.
Gary Vee was just standing there quietly, looking at me directly in my eyes.
After a moment of silence... Gary Vee stated with an extreme amount of conviction...
"E-mail me."
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A few days later, I sent Gary an email to a private email address that he gave me.
Much to my surprise, he responded back relatively quickly.
He took the time to look over my blog, my linear resume, as well as my Instagram.
After a few more interactions in reference to intentions, Gary decided to invest in me.
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Back in September of 2015, a fundraising event was held on my behalf.
That event was called Hoops for Hope. It was coordinated by Mr. Toomey Anderson.
Guest attendees included NBA player Darrun Hilliard, current Bethlehem Catholic boys basketball head basketball coach Ray Barbosa, and current Allentown Judge Rashid Santiago.
Among those individuals was pretty much every other influential member of the Allentown community.
Below are some pictures...
Below is a speech that Toomey made.
This event really gave me hope.
Now that I am healed, it is my hope that I can eventually return the favor.
Hopefully the new mayor of Allentown can implement some of the ideas that I presented in this post.
I really want to see Allentown flourish.
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Since I am ineligible to apply for mayor, I am going to continue working on my cause.
My book "The Death of a Cancer Patient" will be out very soon.
While it took me some time, I was able to simply explain what happened to me, and simply explain how I was able to recover.
I am also working on a few other creative endeavors that will help benefit the world.
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I began this post by stating that Allentown is currently in a state of transition.
In my opinion, this is a huge opportunity for the city.
I feel like the older generation needs to relinquish control, while the younger generation needs to simultaneously step up and let them know that they are ready to take over.
The gap between generations is getting wider, and it needs to bridged.
When does this shift occur?
I truly believe that the time is now.
If not now, when?
If anyone from the city would like any more of my input, I am always available for a consultation.
I could always fly in too, since I am keeping my office space in downtown Allentown.
Until then, I will be on the beach.
I love you Allentown. I wish you the best, and I hope to talk you you soon.
-Kyle <3
