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by Melissa Bailey | Apr 30, 2007 2:10 pm

(9) Comments | Commenting has been closed | E-mail the Author

Ask anyone in this room: There’s no network of support for young black men and women starting careers in New Haven. Trading business cards and collecting names from New Haven and beyond, a new group started to build one.

The event: A kick-off meet and greet for a new group called CALLED, for young professionals of African descent to get connected in the social, business and political arenas. The group, targeted towards people ages 21 to 35 in Connecticut, was founded by Gina Calder (pictured at top, at left) and Jesse Phillips. Click here to read their mission statement.

“This is something you never see,” said Jason Jackson (pictured at right), a New Haven police officer who joined a crew of young pros from as far as Stamford in New Haven’s Center Street Lounge for the event Friday night.

Fred McKinney, who runs the Connecticut Minority Supplier Development Council, which supports the growth of minority businesses, helped sponsor the kickoff. “This is very important stuff that you’re doing,” he told them, reminding them how one handshake can be a career-changing opportunity: In his case, a chance encounter helped him get into the Yale economics department, where he ended up getting a PhD.

“I’m 25, I’m about to get my master’s in May [in social work], and this is the first time I’ve had anything like this,” said Faeisha Morrison (pictured at right, with Joy DeYounge) of New Haven, echoing a sentiment heard throughout the crowd.

p(clear). Co-founder Jesse Phillips (pictured at left), who’s from Newhallville and works in the mayor’s office, told the crowd the group would do more than just party: “Our cities are struggling, and there’s no type of giving back… We still got family that’s getting shot, family that can’t read or write—we need to support that!”

p(clear). Phillips hopes to link up with young black pros groups in other cities and work together advocating progressive issues: “We need to build our cities—we ain’t going to do that unless we unite.”

p(clear). “We have a lot of young people who slip through the cracks,” said Charmion Kinder (pictured). A graduate of Hillhouse High School, she has a job in NYC at the Ad Council , but still lives in New Haven. She’d like to see the group set up a mentoring program to encourage young New Haveners to think seriously about their careers.

p(clear). Phillips and Calder (who both have their sights set on aldermanic seats) said they also see the group as a place of support for African-American politicians, like the recently elected Ward 22 Alderman Greg Morehead, who showed up with his wife.

p(clear). “I didn’t know there was this many young professionals in New Haven,” said Emeka Ajiduah (pictured at right), who works in information technology. He chatted with Linda Alila (at center) from the Yale School of Public Health, and Alfred Guante (at left), who does HIV education at the Hospital of St. Raphael.

p(clear). Nodumiso Tembe, of South Africa chatted with Neka Okam, an accounting student at SCSU, and Chi Chi Nwoko, who works at Channel 8, both from Nigeria (pictured right to left). Danielle Smith, a Yale medical student, jumped in the photo at left.

p(clear). Chris Rector, a consultant for Holt, Wexler & Farnam, said he’s lived here two years and hadn’t met 90 percent of the night’s attendees. It’s good to see people doing something with their lives, he said. The older generation thinks the younger generation is “looking out for ourselves, not for others—we’d like to dispel that myth.”

p(clear). To get involved, email here.

Comments

posted by: charlie on April 30, 2007 2:56pm

Great article! It’s good to see these networking groups getting together and making a difference in people’s lives. It is so much better than the meaningless, online “social networking” version.

posted by: Lovebabz on April 30, 2007 8:58pm

OO-OOP! Deltas rule! What a fabulous article! Ahh to be Young, Gifted and Black! Much love to Gina and Jesse.

posted by: However on May 1, 2007 1:04am

Great to see it…One question hwy did it have to be segregated. It’s like the new class room for only black kids, in fact boys. Have we not learn yet that this is the right avenue, but not when it is segregated. Many Asian, Latino and Caucastions need to network too. The concept should be community, not race

posted by: Jesse on May 1, 2007 11:08am

Just wanted to thank everyone who attended the launching event of The C.A.L.L.E.D (COMMITTED, ADVOCATES, LEADING, LEARNING, EDUCATED & DESTINED)We had 300 people attend from as far as New York, Stamford, Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford. Just to also add that our organization is a young professional group that has linked with other young professional groups from across the state of connecticut to create a legislative agenda, sponsor event, to recruit as well as retain young professionals and to unite to bring about real change in connecticut urban centers, the article also failed to mention several others founders, Sherese Ward, Makia Burgess, Makenzie Burgess, Taiwo Stanback. There is new African American Leadership starting to rise up, please join us.

posted by: THREEFIFTHS on May 1, 2007 5:00pm

Can Somebody Tell Me What Is The Difference Between This And First Fridays.

posted by: Tamiko Jackson-McArthur on May 1, 2007 5:03pm

BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

posted by: Selam on May 1, 2007 5:34pm

Thanks for C.A.L.L.I.N.G

Great job put by the organizers!!

posted by: C.A.L.L.E.D. on May 2, 2007 4:41pm

Greetings:

The below information will provide a more detailed perspective of the mission, goals, objectives and structure of C.A.L.L.E.D. For detailed information or to become better involved e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Mission:
C.A.L.L.E.D. is dedicated to cultivating, retaining and enriching quality of life for young professionals of African descent, ages 21-35, across urban centers in Connecticut. While serving as ambassadors for all professionals of color, C.A.L.L.E.D. supports economic equity, affordable housing, career advancement opportunity,community service and culture within all communities across the state.

Goal:
To function as an effective unit of Committed Advocates: Leading, Learning, Educated & Destined to impact political and social change in the state of Connecticut and beyond.

The organization’s main objectives include: retaining young professionals in communities of color across the state; providing professional, academic, and social enrichment for members and urban youth; promoting volunteerism and community service; and establishing a policy centric agenda purposed to inform, activate and mobilize civic participation among members and surrounding communities.

Committees:
- Cultural Awareness

- Economic Empowerment

- Political Action

- Community Service

- Fundraising

- Membership

We believe that each and every one of our members has a true purpose in life and that we are all C.A.L.L.E.D. to do something great! And we invite you to contact us to becomed involved.

Sincerely,
C.A.L.L.E.D. Leadership Team

posted by: GINA on May 3, 2007 12:16am

Thank you so much to everyone who joined us at the launch of The C.A.L.L.E.D. and made our event a huge success. Thank you also to all of you for your congratulatory remarks. We look forward to working together to affect societal change throughout CT. You all are part of history in the making. THREEFIFTHS, and anyone else, please feel free to email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or contact me directly at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with any questions. We want to make sure you understand that we are an organization with a purpose and a calling, and we would love to have you on board.

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