WePrepareUs

  THE "ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL" PREPAREDNESS GUIDE How to Prepare Financially, Strategically, and Tactically Before the Next Shutdown by Pamela Kelly Millions of Americans are living financially, strategically, and tactically unprepared. This reality is validated by sobering statistics showing that nearly 67% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck — including approximately 40% of six-figure earners. Many people assume they are safe because life appears stable today. But stability can disappear overnight. COVID proved that. During the pandemic, a critical divide emerged between those classified as “essential personnel” and those who were not. Entire industries were halted. Jobs vanished. Supply chains failed. Families found themselves scrambling for food, cash, medicine, communication, and certainty. I was fortunate. I was classified as essential utility personnel and continued working during the shutdown. Had I not been considered essential, the financial consequences for...

  By Pamela Kelly ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In recent months there have been many conversations in the African American social media community about re-building Black Wall Street, both virtually and brick and mortar, as it existed in Greenwood, Hayti, and so many Black communities in the 1880's through the 1950's.  It was apparent then, that you can't have a "Black Wall St." without the presence of a Black Banking infrastructure.  Those born in the 70's and beyond have no recollection or awareness of the origin of Black Banks, as a necessary strategy in response to segregation and discrimination. This financial activism thrived through the Jim. Crow era, only to be curtailed in the 60's, after Eurocentric owned banks opened their doors to African American account holders.  That lack of cultural memory becomes problematic of every conversation about re- creating "Black Wall Street."  ...

  For generations, we have been taught to measure security almost exclusively through money, income, and material wealth. Yet history repeatedly reminds us that financial systems are fragile. In moments like 9/11, the 2008 recession, and other economic shocks, fortunes evaporated almost overnight. Retirement accounts collapsed. Businesses disappeared. Careers ended. Some people lost not only their wealth, but also their hope. This reality forces us to confront an uncomfortable truth: Money is valuable — but it is not the highest form of security. There are intangible assets that cannot be seized by inflation, market crashes, layoffs, or bank failures: Faith — the spiritual strength to endure uncertainty Preparedness — the discipline to anticipate adversity and act before crisis arrives Trust — the social glue that enables families and communities to survive together These three forces formed the original survival infrastructure of African Americans long before acces...

  "A preparedness-driven economy is the ONLY remedy,  to achieve Preparedness Equity and a more socially just society in  America." - R.A.W.News Executive Director, Pam Kelly  -------------------------------------------- Enter a new frontier in your Journalism career...Co-Editors and Content Contributors WANTED for R.A.W.- Radical. Activist. Wellthy. -  a Monthly Preparedness Activism Publication, in Downloadable Interactive PDF  "Responsiveness is priceless." Visit https://RAWNew.Us for details. 

The Persistence of Time - Salvador Dali   People respond to what's and who is important to them. We are all like that. Human nature. I get it.  Question: Who is important enough to you that  you never say,  "I'm busy. I'll call you tomorrow". Your mother, your father, your spouse, your children?  Perhaps I'm just too "old-school."   I find it better etiquette to say, "Can't respond right now.  I'll get back to you as soon as I can."   Texting has become so acceptable and accessible. Yet some shorthand answers miss the important nuance of kindness. In today's increasingly perilous world, never presume there will be a tomorrow for everyone.  Time is eternal. Tomorrow is not. Value responsiveness. 

  -------------------------------------- Is preparedness important to you?  -------------------------------------- Responsiveness is the behavioral expression of preparedness. You can have supplies, plans, skills, and strategies—but if you do not respond in time , none of it matters. In today’s world, speed, clarity, and follow-through have become survival traits—personally, economically, and culturally. -------------------------------------- Who do want in your "Foxhole"? Someone who is responsive or withholds response. It is important to note that responsiveness is not reactionary, which is a kneejerk behavior out of fear and desperation. 1. Responsiveness is Applied Preparedness Preparedness is what you store, learn, and plan . Responsiveness is what you do with it—on time . A stocked pantry is preparedness. Feeding your family when supply chains fail—that’s responsiveness. Emergency cash is preparedness. Using it to avoid desperation decisions—that’s respo...