The People's Voice

In this Issue:
1. David Yassky for NYC Comptroller 08.18.09
2. Global Syndicate: Bill Clinton & Unity Congress
3. The Haitian Roundtable
4. The Council of Urban Professionals (CUP)
5. Top Talent (job seekers & providers)
6. Jamie Hector (The Wire & NBC's Heroes) presents "A New Day"
7. Editor's Two or Three Cents

1. David Yassky for NYC Comptroller-- Please join me along with Assemblyman Jonathan Bing, Council Member Dan Garodnick, Virginia Davies, Olga Alexakos, Shannon Anderson, Corey Boddie, Dale Burnett, Lisa Marie Castronovo, Mary Beth Colucci, Jake Dilemani, Kenneth Ebie, Allie Feldman, James Francis, Jeremy Goldberg, Gary Grant, Jason Haas, Mark Halverson, Howard Hemsley, Jake Itzkowitz, Susan Jennings, Robert Kennedy III, Leah Kozak, Heather Leifer, Alex Leopold, Justin Manning, Steve Mantz, Tara Martin, Amy Miller, Steven Newmark, Obinna Onyeagoro, Lawrence Penn, Jacques-Philippe Piverger, Dan Phillips, Gloria Pitagorsky, Keith Powers, Tarrus Richardson, Matt Rising, Ted and Serena Roosevelt, Roberta Semer, PD Shaw, Deborah Slott, Jesse Strauss, Chet Whye and Grace Yu at a fundraiser for our friend and next Comptroller, David Yassky. The event will take place at the home of Virgina Davies and Willard Taylor(299 West 12th Street, PH A) on Tuesday, August 18th from 6p-9p. In order to attend email Arthur at arthur@davidyassky.com and copy me at: jacques@thesoleilgroup.com. Attached are the invites. And, yes this will be a fun event! If you wonder as to why you should support David please read my note below. You must RSVP right away. We are almost out of tickets!

Dear Friend,

It is with great excitement that I encourage you to join me in supporting David Yassky’s bid for Comptroller of New York City. The Comptroller’s race is important—especially given the current economic turmoil that we are experiencing. Of all the excellent candidates that have placed their hat in the ring to serve our city David is by far the most competent. He is on the right side of the issues that matter to us and he has the political, business, and human experiences that are necessary to deliver on his vision.

Some of the issues that I am most passionate about are economic development, education reform, equal opportunity for all New Yorkers, and embracing environmental challenges of this millennium. Over the last several years I have gotten to know David quite well and he has shown time and time again that he will not just speak from a great reservoir of knowledge, but that he will deliver on his promises. On Education: In the last year alone he opposed the Mayor’s cuts to the education budget in the face of significant opposition. On Environment: He wrote the law that put gas-electric hybrid taxis on city streets, reducing air pollution by replacing obsolete gas guzzlers; and he’s pushed for the City to use biofuels instead of conventional heating oil whenever possible. On Economy: He has worked towards invigorating the economy through the creation of jobs through innovative programs that have encouraged the film and television industry to expand here in New York, created low-cost space for manufacturers who want to start up or expand in New York City, and proposed a unique micro-lending program for entrepreneurs and other small businesses. On Inclusion: As an avid participant in the development of programming and policy surrounding diversity and inclusion I can unequivocally state that David has been as supportive of our interests as anyone out there irrespective of race, color or creed from the perspective of time, capital, and passion.

For all these reasons and innumerable more I ask you to stand with me in support of David’s candidacy. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Sincerely, Jacques-Philippe Piverger

2. Global Syndicate: Bill Clinton & Unity Congress-- First a big congratulations to The Haitian League and Drs. Moise and Lauredan and Stuart Leiderman and Pierre Brunache, in particular, for their leadership in coordinating an excellent "Haiti Unity Congress" in Miami this weekend. It truly accomplished its key objective of unity by bringing thought leaders from accross the globe together on the topic of restoration of prosperity and peace in Haiti. Individuals like ex-President Clinton, Prime Minister Michelle Duvivier Pierre-Louis, Senators and major investors from NYC and Miami to Taiwan and Paris were in attendance. I've attached an overview of Bill Clinton's remarks. The Prime Minister gave a very honest and profound speech on why "Unity" is so important right now. I moderated and spoke on sessions related to investments, economic development and NGO participation. The Global Syndicate was well represented and continues to be well positioned to receive tremendous support for its programming as people are thrilled by the dynamism of the team. Last month a handful of folks and myself sat down with ex-President Clinton for about 2 hours discussing our plans for developing Haiti. I must say that I was absolutely struck by the time President Clinton has made available for dealing with this issue. It looks like our creation of the Global Syndicate's Haiti Project was absolutely timely and the outcome should be a good one! We have Stephen Jacob organizing a massive event to support the campaign in Chicago on August 27th. We also have Daphne Dufresne spearheading a DC effort for this September. And we have an army of folks dispersed throughout the Continental United States and abroad. Attached is the Project Summary Package and the organization's manual which describes most of the functional roles and lists many of the current leaders. If you wish to be involved let me know asap. You can learn more about The Global Syndicate on our website as well: http://www.theglobalsyndicate.org/.

3. The Haitian Roundtable-- I have the privilege of being a Founding Member of The Haitian Roundtable along with Patricia Beauvais, Reginald Canal, Raudline Etienne, Jeffrey Gardere, Jacques Jiha, Rita Jospeh, Stanley Laborde, Rodney Leon, Daphne Leroy, Patrick Lespinasse, Linda Moise-Mellon, Woody Pascal, Jacques-Philippe Piverger, Richard Roy, Brian Simon, Rosemonde Pierre-Louis, Yves-Merry Telemaque, and Frederic Toussaint. Our first event took place on August 4th featuring all of NYC's candidates for the office of Public Advocate. The New York Women's Foundation and Carib News were partners on this event and everything from the spirited debate to the ambiance was top notch. My gratitude to all the candidates and participants!

4. The Council of Urban Professionals (CUP)-- Our executive director had an article on the topic of Diversity published in The Huffington Post. Check it out at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chloe-drew/diversity-is-the-key-to-p_b_247827.html. Also, highly recommend that you make comments about the story. I perused the comments and there is no lack of unfounded commentary that needs to be balanced with thoughtful insights. And in the last month alone we hosted all the candidates for Comptroller and 10 of the state's public plans representing over $400 billion in assets. This was a first of its kind connecting capital seekers with capital providers. Through the REACH Program we also contributed over $1 million to the city's students and spurred a 21% Increase in the number of Advanced Placement Exams Passed. 35% increase among Latino and African-American students! Yes, officially rockstar status! If you have not already done so, get on the bus: http://www.nycup.org/! :)

5. Top Talent: (job seekers & providers)
Jennifer Hickman Piverger-- After 4 years of maternity leave I am looking for the right job that leverages my skills and experience in order to contribute to some subset of the areas of writing, health care, children's education, and/or general wellness in the forms of yoga, nutrition and other holistic disciplines. I have been a Writer and Researcher at such magazines as Harper's Bazaar, CosmoGirl, Marie Claire, Suede, Lucky and Glamour. I have an A.B. in English/Women's Studies and an MA in Humanities and Social Thought with particular focus on the arts and history from NYU. "The most diligent and passionate individual on the market. Plus substantial intangible value-adds in the form of networks and deep knowledge of multiple disciplines."--JPP Contact her with relevant job opportunities at hickmanjen@yahoo.com.

Quiana Hart-- Outstanding financial analyst from top bank looking to explore options across industries. Recent undergrad with strong experience across financial institutions and the nonprofit/community building sector looking for new opportunity to grow as a professional. "She has been a key member of The Global Syndicate's development and she is also involved in The Council of Urban Professionals during which time I have seen her deliver!"--JPP Contact her at quiana.hart@gmail.com with relevant options.

Silfath Pinto-- Sense Your Style is an image consulting company. She works with professionals teaching them how to refine their business attire in order to maximize their professional presence and be on top of their game. Silfath also offers image consulting services for personal attire – week-end, after work, special events, etc. Check out: http://www.senseyourstyle.com/.

Ryanne Conway, by way of Pierre Brunache-- I'm a recruiting consultant working on behalf of EngenderHealth, a non-profit organization based in NYC. I'm searching for a Director of Grants and Contracts to join our team, and was wondering if you were interested in learning about the opportunity. If you're not on the job market, perhaps you may know of someone in your network with a similar background who is on the market? I appreciate your time and consideration! Contact, rconway@jcsi.net.

Danladi Verheijen-- Verod Capital is an investment and advisory boutique that focuses on making equity investments in attractive, high-growth companies, while also providing M&A, capital raising and general financial advisory services to clients in West Africa. Verod Capital brings a unique and multi-disciplinary approach to transactions via a combination of investment banking, principal investment, and strategic consulting expertise. Verod Capital is extremely opportunistic and currently has five portfolio companies. More information about the company can be found at: http://www.verodcapital.com/. Verod Capital is seeking dynamic and entrepreneurial investment professionals to join its team. Verod Capital is based in Lagos, Nigeria. If you are interested in exploring opportunities with us, please send your CV to danladi.verheijen@verodcapital.com.

6. Jamie Hector (The Wire & NBC's Heroes) presents "A New Day"-- a Moving Mountains Production. Saturday, August 22nd, 3:30 at Brooklyn Museum (200 Eastern Pkwy). Purchase your ticket and get more info at: www.anewday.eventbrite.com. The invite is attached.

7. Editor's Two or Three Cents-- I would say the most compelling read I've had in the last month is "How David Beats Goliath", by Malcolm Gladwell. This note was forwarded to me by Alex Kiagiri who, in his own right, is one to watch. It tackles the topic of overcoming great obstacles through appropriate strategy, discipline, and hard work making a case for Pitino's "Full Court Press" even off the court. I've attached the article for you to read with the hope that you will find ways to apply it in your every day life in our eternal quest for approaching our full potential.

The only other thing that I must share is how awesome my wife and kids are. I was away this weekend on Global Syndicate and personal business and all I could think about is how great it will be when I get home and hear the sound of my 4 year old daughter running to hide (our daily ritual), and the probing stare of my 7 month old son, then there's the perennial smile of my beautiful wife who constantly lights up the room. This reminds me of a conversation I had with the incomparable Geoffrey Holder earlier this year when he said, "My wife is the most beautiful woman in the world". I second that motion and hope that all men and women experience true love every day: agape love.

Sincerely,

Jacques-Philippe

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