Claudy Chapman: Core team conversations with an invitation
Claudy Chapman
This letter is addressed to both of the teams that I am passionate
about the Men and Chicago Core teams. Since the conclusion of the 2011
summit event in Chicago this past August, my world was and is
transformed. I wake up every morning looking forward to creating
possibility around every corner of my life.
Exactly five weeks ago Friday night, the International Black Summit
began with a look at “Be with what is.” I almost missed my summit
experience, being host and transporter. When I gave up those positions
I experienced a tremendous breakthrough which is still with me and
continues to expand and transform me into who I truly am. Understand
this is not some self-esteem seminar program created by the Summit,
although I can see how my many communications to you might give you
that impression, rather after attending six summit events starting in
Detroit 2006, I have grown. And step by step I removed all the bullshit
that I kept in my head about everyone else and I, through the inquiry
and conversations facilitated by a community of Black People of African
descent. Even after the 2011 summit the conversation continues. On the
last day of the 2011 summit many of the summit participants identified
areas of interest that they would like to continue the summit
conversation around.
I jumped at the opportunity to work with the men of the summit and the
Chicago Area team. In the five weeks since the summit event I have
participated in five men’s calls, two Chicago calls, and one summit
share. I have exceptionally high expectations for what is possible when
we come together, and I was very excited when so many signed up to work
on the various distinctions inside the declaration of the International
Black Summit like:
• The Expression of Our Spirituality
• Ending the Murders of Our Men, Women and Children
• Building Economies Responsible for Funding Our Community
• Maintaining Wellness of Being In Our Bodies
• Providing Human Services
• Establishing Nurturing Relationships
• Altering the Conversation of Who We Are In the Media
• Empowering our Youth
In the past five weeks our calls and shares started with modest to
large numbers and then thin down to a hard core group. In the case of
the men’s call, we stepped up our game considerably. Our calls are real
work and begin with the question “What’s at stake for me to be on this
call?” The calls are not treated as a get together, did you see last
night’s game type of call. There is real work to do and is being done
around building nurturing relationships and building economies. To make
the time spent worthy of who we are, and what we are up to, there is
serious rigor inside the distinctions of the International Black
Summit. To that end the core team of the men’s group has invited many
men to our general calls. What we have learned over the past year, is
that at first they are curious and feel extremely fortunate to have
found the conversation. Only a few return. This pattern has led us to
recognize that our calls are an acquired taste, ie there is a
commitment asked for and once accepted the rigor of the conversation
takes on a life of it’s own.
I took on leading the Chicago Area team and in many ways found my
ambition running ahead of the organization of the team. Thanks to
Llenar and Kania, our first core team call was a lesson in foreplay;
developing the team, enfolding the membership, enrolling the
membership, sharing the workload, and being coachable. What’s at stake
for me in the Chicago Area Team is building economies for myself, to
produce tangible, measurable results such that the Chicago Area Team,
grows and replicates the visions of its participants through the work
and distinctions of the International Black Summit.
On September 24th at 3:00 PM the Chicago Area Team will host its second
summit share event at T & T Foodservice, located at 3824 S. Morgan. If
you participated in the 2011 summit event, join us, and share what you
have been up to, what your breakthrough was and is, how the
conversation of the summit affected your relationship with you. I
invite you to bring a friend to hear what you and others have to share
about the work inside the summit conversation. Help me build this
community, and help me get clear when you see a space for such. I see
at least three opportunities for Summit Prerequisites before the 2012
event. I see the Chicago Area team making real contributions to eight
declarations outlined above. I see the Chicago Area team as a prototype
for Summit Area Teams around the world. So if you are ready to
transform yourself, the Chicago Area and the world, confirm that you
will be at the Summit Share on September 24th. On the other hand, if
your life is all that it can be, please share with me how that’s
working for you. In either case I look forward to hearing from you.
Claudy E. Chapman, M. Ed.
9033 S. Bennett
Chicago, Il 60617
Phone: 773-768-5518
Cell: 773-491-3840
Fax: 773-768-2373