OE Report: May 2009

OE Report: May 2009

Catch up on Diary of a Single Mom Season 1 at www.pic.tv; Season 2 airs this fall

At One Economy, we believe there is a nexus between the quality of a person's life and the quality of information they receive. The Internet offers unmatched opportunities to create that nexus for low-income people. However, for broadband to reach its potential to improve lives-and stimulate our economy-it must be available, affordable and adopted. Public-purpose media is the key to adoption. It's programming that is engaging, informative and facilitates action. 
 
One Economy and award-winning actor, director and producer Robert Townsend have teamed up to create the very best in public-purpose media: Diary of a Single Mom, a ground-breaking online series that chronicles the lives of three single mothers trying get ahead despite obstacles that all single mothers face, such as childcare, health, education and finances. Diary of a Single Mom was first screened in Los Angeles and Atlanta. This month's special release of Season 1 provides an opportunity for viewers to see episodes and become new fans of the series prior to fall 2009 launch of Season 2.

The series centers around 27-year-old Ocean, played by Monica Calhoun ("Sister Act II," "Love and Basketball"), who juggles raising her son, daughter and teenage niece with earning her GED and finding a new job. The show spotlights One Economy's innovative efforts to connect low-income families with online resources to help them improve their lives. Townsend's experiences growing up in a single-parent household in Chicago inspired the seasoned director to create this Web series in partnership with One Economy.
 
"Having been raised by a single mom myself, I know first-hand the kind of struggles these women encounter," said Robert Townsend, the show's executive producer and director. "I'm especially proud to bring a show of this caliber to the Public Internet Channel, which allows viewers to be entertained by the program while providing access to critical resources. In today's economy-where we have an unemployment rate twice as high for female-headed households as it is for married women-this is more important than ever."
 
Award-winning playwright and screenwriter Cheryl L. West has already finalized scripts for the upcoming season, which shoots this summer. Season 2 also features the return of the full Season 1 cast including acting icons Billy Dee Williams and Richard Roundtree.

One Economy and Cisco Launch the Rwanda Beehive, a Clinton Global Initiative Commitment   

 On Thursday, April 23 2009, One Global Economy launched the Rwanda Beehive portal at the Laico Umubano hotel in Kigali.  The portal, developed in collaboration with Rwanda Development Board and with the participation of local NGOs, is designed to equip Rwandan individuals and households with information and tools necessary to improve the quality of their lives and enter the global economic mainstream.  Towards that goal, the Beehive offers local residents access to best practices and localized resources on a wide range of community development themes, including education, health, finance, jobs and careers, as well as entrepreneurship and micro-enterprise development.  

The Rwanda Beehive is part of Cisco Systems' multi-country commitment to the Clinton Global Initiative in sub-Saharan Africa.  Through the initiative, Cisco Systems supports five non-profit organizations - One Global Economy, Inveneo, Tapuah, Habitat for Humanity, and Teachers Without Borders - to develop comprehensive, technology-based solutions to issues of poverty alleviation, healthcare, youth training and community development.  All five partners are cooperating to building an eco-system of 'Community Knowledge Centers' where residents can access relevant content and receive corresponding training.  
  
The Launch was attended by Mr. Alphonse Zigira, Director of Rural & Community Access of the Rwanda Development Board; and Mr. Wilson Muyenzi, Project Manager of the e-Rwanda Project, who committed to localizing the Beehive to all 30 Districts of the country where the government is locating Community Knowledge Centers.  In addition, the launch was attended by a number of participating local NGOs, as well as Ms. Zika Abzuk of Cisco, Public Benefit Investment, responsible for Europe, Middle East and Africa; Mr. Moustafa Mourad, President of One Global Economy; and representatives of the five international nonprofits involved in the initiative.

Shad Ireland and the Public Internet Channel Raise Awareness about Kidney Disease

Shad Ireland, a physically challenged triathlete who competes without kidneys, began a bicycle ride across the United Statesfrom May 1 to July 31 to help raise awareness around the prevention of kidney disease as part of his 4,000-mile "What Inspires You" tour. Ireland, a dialysis patient, will encourage other patients to pursue their dreams while also delivering his message of education and prevention regarding the various health risks associated with kidney disease.

One Economy's partnership with Shad Ireland will use online tools to help deliver his message to underserved and at-risk populations across the United States during the tour. Together, One Economy and Ireland will produce a new Public Internet Channel show, What Inspires You?, with footage and conversations from his tour.

Ireland was the first dialysis patient to ever complete an Ironman Triathlon consisting of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run. Shad remains on dialysis and competes in triathlons despite not having kidneys after being diagnosed with kidney failure at age ten and surviving two failed kidney transplants.

Obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of kidney failure in the United States. Ireland's message of education and prevention is aimed at the more than 26 million Americans who suffer from Chronic Kidney Disease, while another 21 million remain undiagnosed. More than 70,000 Americans die every year due to kidney disease and another 600,000 are on dialysis. More than 88.6 million people are affected with kidney failure and diabetes in the United States.

"I look forward to working with One Economy as we strive to make a positive impact in the lives of dialysis patients and millions of others at risk for kidney disease across the country," said Shad Ireland. "We hope to show that through education, being informed of the various health risks and through the benefits of regular exercise that there are truly no limitations, only inspiration.

Jobs at One Economy

-Director of Communications & Media Relations

-Sales Engineer

-Project Manager

-Controller

-Interns: Public Policy/Business Development, Junior Web Editor, Communications