James Thomas Webb Says No To Black And Unemployed In America

James Thomas Webb says "NO" to Black and Jobless in America

One Hundred and Twenty Two Billion Dollars for CRA Reinvested spent in low income and in African American communities across America since 1977? Right, sure it was. We all know where the money went. Downtown redevelopment of high-rise buildings, river front high end development and many other areas which lined the coffers and pockets of all But the poor and the needy, is where the money went.

American Greed at its worst. Gentrification pushing the original inhabitants out of their native land into less desirable conditions.....the natives...does this sound familiar...has this happened in our blessed America before? Was it even when we discovered America? Surely some things have changed in appearance,-..But maybe not in substance..

Maybe I would feel better, if of the 122 Billion Dollars spent in the name of CRA that some substantial funds, at least created jobs for the tens of millions of young men and women who were indeed the natives to our inner cities. Not only were jobs Not created for the natives, but large Development interest worked sagaciously to justify their poor "good faith efforts" to find them and put them to work. Oh yea, but they were not registered in the minority business registry. You are right they were not because they, my friend, were not even invited to the meeting by their own leadership. Some of their leadership was too busy cutting deals "for first class" office space and salaries, to consider the needs of these,..(the least of these).."First tier laborers" .
Well just Hang on fellows, there are some who have not forgotten "The Common Man" of all races. There are still many from all ethnic, social and religious persuasions that have the ability to look beyond themselves and to think about the least of these. One is James Thomas Webb.

James Thomas Webb works day and night building relationships with tradesmen. Hardworking men and women who are serious about going to work and continuing to work rebuilding distressed affordable homes. Some have tools and equipment; others have to be teamed under those who are better equipped. His motto is come just as you are. But be serious about the trade. James Thomas Webb tries to instill in the teams which he works with to grow, that they, Act Justly, Love Mercy, and that they Walk humbly, with Their God. He looks for the best in people.

And history shows that if serious and hard working men and women are given a chance and provided with sustained jobs, not only will they excel but they will far exceed our Wildest Expectations. It is a powerful thing to believe in People, Webb says, it is bigger than us, and when we believe in others, favor is stacked up in HIGH PLACES. That Favor which will Save America.

James T Webb
Master Builder

... from the WAHM mailbox

‘Dear Mr. James Webb

I really respect and admire what you do. I have been wondering for a while how we can build our communities. I started an organization in undergrad called, Black Men for Change, and we focused on repairing the links of manhood for young Black males. Your financial component is much needed piece to the puzzle. I always thought that being in business for yourself was the way to true freedom and success. In that same mindset, i think that we have to build our own communities and take responsibility for your situation. I would love to be involved with what you do. I look forward to learning from you.’

Shaun Andrews

March 18 at 5:59pm

Father's Day Prayer and the Power of Neighborhoods

WHEN FATHERS PRAY TOGETHER, GOD MOVES ...

There is a very special power which manifests itself when Fathers decide to come together and to pray. As Father's Day approaches, my thoughts turn to a very special Father's Day Prayer. One of appreciation, a deep understanding and nostalgia.

No matter how tough my father was on us growing up, whether it was the tough love of a belt, stick or a brick, when the need for discipline met up with our youthful imaginations of just how far we could push the limits of his compassion. Or, the sagaciously executed intellectual sanctions against our most desired forms of entertainment, when we broke the well defined boundaries set by our father, discipline became the order of the day.

Yes, when we grew up our fathers kept us in line. Not only one's paternal father but even my friends' fathers would toe the rope to keep us in line. If we were to come home and mention that we received discipline from our friends father for a misdeed, we received - not sympathy, but at least the equivalent discipline again under our same roof top.

Our fathers meant serious business, especially when it came to bringing up strong men.

However, any time there was trouble with one of us, sickness, or other major problems the word quickly went out and there was a circle in the community among the fathers which embraced our survival. The fathers of our community would join together not just in social support, or get well wishes but they went a bit further than that.

I remember many nights at prayer meeting, when we would all have to go up to the alter as children and stand with our fathers. I remember many times as one father would start to pray, before he could finish his prayer, another father would pick up and continue to pray, then before he finished then another, and then another, and then … I remember my father bringing it on to the next spiritual level.

He would talk to God as if he was standing there staring at God at the threshold of Heaven and he would Speak with the authority of David making specific partitions of God on behalf of the young men going through trouble in our community. It was as if you could feel God's hand reaching out beyond everyone in the room and going to the neighborhood street corners touching weak and downtrodden spirits, giving them new life.

In our neighborhoods, we saw lives change America. We saw young men revived, and sustained. Fathers across America Today: It is time to “go back” to that ole landmark.

It is time to Pray.

Fathers show your sons the power of prayer. Teach them that God moves in mysterious ways and that they must always remember that prayer has the power to change things. No matter what their circumstances they must always know that Prayer brings on POWERS by which POSITIVE results are accomplished.

Decades in the hood: Rebuilding and renewing

James T. Webb has 26 years of experience, rebuilding a world of affordable housing and creating jobs
in the 'hood.

From the beginning, his commitment has been to the people who want to invest in their neighborhoods.

Read more at:  Star-News 04.16.1989

What Was James T Webb doing in 1989? REBUILDING the HOOD.

Yes, in 1989, James T. Webb was rebuilding the hood.

Webb was a man with a mission, and a dream. Just as he is a man with a mission, and a dream.

Miami Beach, FL (BlackNews.com) - African-American Affordable Housing and Jobs Activist, James T. Webb is nearing settlement with the SEC. Webb, one of only a handful of Black Builders in America, has been building professionally for 24 years (since 1985). Webb also served as state youth chairman of the NC NAACP in 1980, as well as an ACT-SO Gold medalist (Miami, FL 1980). In 1984, Webb served as President of the Student Body at North Carolina Central University.

Some of Webb's construction projects over the past 24 years include ten thousand square feet Estate Homes(1). Many church construction projects, such as the New White Rock Chancel Renovation, Durham N.C. as well as over 500 renovated single family affordable homes priced in the $65,000 range(2). Webb, who has purchased and renovated over 500 affordable homes throughout America, did so after they had fallen into disrepair and were in a condemned state(3). Most of these homes have been within African-American neighborhoods. Webb, who started rehabbing in 1985, has always utilized local First Tier Labor on his projects. Many of them were ex-felons of all races, trying to enter the labor force(4).

In 2002, Webb left the Estate Home and Church Construction markets to fulfill his dream of "Rebuilding America," especially within low net worth African-American neighborhoods, which historically, have not seen much redevelopment activity. Webb, according to court documents, not only created hundreds of affordable homes and jobs during this period but also made over 20 million dollars, most of which he reinvested back into his business. He was frustrated after receiving a one million dollar loan commitment from an FDIC bank within 3 hours to build an Estate home for investment in a high net worth white community. Yet he was denied by the same bank for a $40,000 loan, pursuant for two months, to purchase and renovate an affordable home within a black neighborhood(5).

Webb took his business model to individual lenders (other than financial institutions) who financed homes for his redevelopment projects. After successfully doing so since 2002, Webb transitioned and began doing business with some former Wall Street Executives. It was time to go to the next level. After foiled attempts by the same corporate masterminds at securing Webb's historic construction data and Investor base without his permisson, he and his redevelopment companies soon became the victims of corporate raiding, espionage, illegal attachments, and black hat computer intrusions. His subcontractor lists (over 100) was unlawfully taken as well as lender/investor lists and other valuable business relationships. These efforts continued for years as they followed Webb into new markets with paid media and internet smear campaigns, and unfounded complaints launched against him and his companies, with many regulatory and other agencies, aimed at crippling Webb's redevelopment efforts. They filed petitions against everything except his driver's license. Former employees of Webb were paid thousands of dollars to dismantle his rental portfolios resulting in the torching of some of Webb's homes in North Carolina, Tennessee and Missouri. James T. Webb, Master builder, speaks out on these masterminded efforts in his new book entitled Save Your Neighborhood and Yourself, in which he teaches others to rebuild America's African-American Neighborhoods(6).

At the edge of the SEC settlement on behalf of Webb, his companies and investors, the overwhelming level of interest in the real estate investment trust (REIT) suggests that REITS are likely the new vehicle through which investors are going to own real estate. An UPREIT in the "HOOD"...? Webb says YES WE CAN!!! The main impetus for growth in the REIT market and the inner city will be the tax-favored treatment of two recently developed entities: the umbrella partnership real estate investment trust (UPREIT), and the latest variation known as the "down-REIT." Looking for opportunities for his vintage investors, Webb and his companies have presented to the SEC a complete package and information about the Company's future plans to create a REIT and an UPREIT. This is confirmation for his former investors of the company's continuity and stability as well as a device to share the benefits of both structures with vintage investors, who have provided and continue to provide, support to the company even during the most difficult periods.

In addition to the advantages of both structures, the company's new business policies are in harmony with our President, Barack Obama's 2010 budget, particularly the Department of Housing and Urban Development appropriation, which focuses on affordable housing development in economically distressed communities, including funding of $4.5 billion "to ensure that communities continue to invest in and expand economic opportunities for low income families"(7). These programs will stimulate the real estate market, especially low income communities, by revitalizing distressed housing in neighborhoods of concentrated poverty (the footprint of Webb's Redevelopment work and Jobs creation efforts).

1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgVuOJarkm0
2 http://www.thewahm.org/b/?page_id=260
3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CkG7oleOrI&feature=related
4 http://www.thewahm.org/b/?page_id=211
5 http://www.thewahm.org/b/?p=328
6 http://www.authorhouse.com/Bookstore/ItemDetail.aspx?bookid=50722
7 http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/fy2010_new_era/A_New_Era_of_Responsibility2.pdf

THIS PRESS RELEASE IS DIRECTED ONLY TO THE FORMER INVESTORS OF THE COMPANIES AND IS NOT TO BE CONSIDERED AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES TO OR FROM ANYONE, NEITHER THIS PRESS RELEASE NOR THE SECURITIES INVOLVED THEREIN HAVE BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE FUTURE COMPANY'S PLAN.

Kathleen Wells, J.D.: America Absolutely Needs a National Manufacturing Policy, Urges Senator Sherrod Brown

Kathleen Wells, J.D.: America Absolutely Needs a National Manufacturing Policy, Urges Senator Sherrod Brown

From the interview, Senator Sherrod Brown:

A year and a half ago, the Bush administration was fighting the first Neighborhood Stabilization program, and we eventually convinced him not to veto the whole bill based on that provision.

This year, we have a President, with the Secretary of HUD, who is out front on understanding urban issues and understanding what we need to do with rebuilding our country.

There are two ways out of a recession, historically, in this country. One is the auto industry, and the other is housing. We've got to do both, but what we need to do in every community is rebuild the housing so that the housing stock gives people in neighborhoods a chance.

So many people have lost their homes or have seen their neighbors lose their homes, affecting the value of their home, especially in middle income and lower income neighborhoods, but everywhere really - rural, urban, and suburbs.

from the mailbox ...

‘i hope your book reaches alot of people. we really do need to rebuild out here. not juss rebuild, but make it way better than it ever was!!! i appreciate what you're doing out there. be safe, Mr. Webb and GOD BLESS!’
BOODA