Saluting Christopher Dennis Founder of Leaving It Behind (LIB)

Like an action packed movie that keeps you holding your breath, the life of Christopher Dennis plays the character that is able to walk away from the carnage of mass destruction that tried to kill him. However, this is real life and Christopher Dennis succeeded against the odds of life vs. death. Still getting a little emotional when discussing his near fatal motorcycle accident, Christopher has committed his life to helping people who keep going in the midst of struggles. When his motorcycle accident left him in critical condition, his injuries were so severe that doctors were uncertain whether he would survive. He continuously echoes that God’s mercy kept him, so he wouldn’t let go. Christopher knew that he survived for a reason and that reason was to put God first and be the best servant that God needed for him to be.

Christopher is the founder of Leaving It Behind (LIB), a non-profit organization that targets at risk youth. He maintains a community presence by reaching out to the youth and encouraging them to succeed through such projects as sporting events and walks for peace. Three things that made the change for the accomplishments of LIB, and continue to be its ongoing mantra include:

· Putting in God FIRST – By putting God first wipes away our differences and find the commonalities that make us who we are and how we should treat each other.
· Stop Calling our Neighborhoods the “HOOD”. Perception is reality. What we call ourselves will become our reflection. Leaving It Behind was birthed on this principle. We had to change the mentality to be able to change the reality.
· Build diversity under the power of inclusion and impact of exclusion. We have to close not only the diversity barriers of color, but also the diversity of social and economical structures to find common ground. This completed the circle of Putting in God FIRST.

Recently Christopher was named the recipient of the 2010 Martin Luther King, Jr. “Keeper of the Dream Award” in Charlotte, North Carolina. As a Market Data Operations Manager for Bank of America, Christopher was recognized for his strong commitment to maintaining high levels of operational improvements that meet organizational objectives. He serves as President of the Lockwood Home Owner’s Association, and has the opportunity to implement financial programs and other viable resources for the community, to offset the impacts of gentrification. Christopher also serves as a Master Sergeant of the South Carolina McIntire Air National Guard, where he manages the Ground Radio communication shop for the entire base.

The tragedies, adversities and victories Christopher experienced in his life, ignited his commitment to serving his community with passion, determination and dignity. He currently resides in North Carolina where he enjoys reading, writing and speaking poetry, spending time with family, working with youth, helping others and above all, putting God first. For further information, you may email Christopher at christopher.dennis@bankofamerica.com.

We salute you Christopher Dennis, founder of Leaving It Behind for your inspiration and dedication of service to the community and to the at risk youth you serve!

Heroes of the Recession

“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”
-Joseph Campbell

I’m sure that many of you saw the commercial by Allstate Insurance spokesperson Dennis Haysbert, asking the question, “Will we remember this as the Great Recession or will we remember it as the recession that made us great?” Let’s face it, things have not been easy, but as we witnessed how many people overcame the Great Depression that began in 1929 and lasted until about 1939, we too can learn from and rise above the financial carnage of this recession, and begin rebuilding our lives once again.

Incredibly, we continue to witness the growth in the amount of ordinary people unselfishly reaching out to those who are suffering, by helping out, instead of handing out. I ran across this article, “Heroes of the Recession” (http://www.beliefnet.com/Inspiration/2010/01/Heroes-of-the-Recession.aspx) and wanted to share it with you. It’s the boldness of these individuals deciding to be contributors, instead of spectators, that make them heroes in their communities. This is the thing that will make our communities resilient and stronger.

I am reminded about an email I receive a while ago where it had two pictures of people sitting around a table holding very long-handled spoons, with food placed before them. The people seated at one table were frail and looked unhealthy. The people seated at the other table were strong and looked healthy. The spoons that both groups had were about five times longer than the normal length of an eating utensil. Here’s the difference between these two sets of diners:

The frail group were struggling trying to feed themselves, but could not get the food to their mouths with the long-handled spoons. The strong group were comfortably feeding “each other” with the same long-handled spoons. See the difference? The stronger group were not self-absorbed and worked united, instead of divided.

Let’s continue to remember those who just may need a kind word to stay strong. Let’s continue to fight the perils of hopelessness just because this economy has not recoved from years of financial decline. And even when the economy recovers, let’s continue to build on those statutes that helped us to survive together and not perish solitarily.

Peace & Blessings Always!

http://www.kymgmoore.com/