If books didn't matter, nobody would try to ban them.In a nation struggling to cope with polarization, disinformation, acrimony, the power of books-to inform, enlighten, and inspire-is more important than ever. To honor Joyce Meskis, the legendary bookseller who founded Denver's Tattered Cover and became a champion of First Amendment freedoms, a team including some of today's leading publishers, booksellers, authors, and free speech activists offers reflections on the vital role of books in our nation's cultural, civic, social, and economic life. Why Books Still Matter includes: U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper on bookselling as a mission-driven form of entrepreneurship-a way of nurturing communities and enriching culture while helping city economies flourishFreedom of speech activist Chris Finan on a century of battles against censorship and the crucial role of books and booksellers in defending libertyBook marketing guru Carl Lennertz on how a generation of innovative booksellers transformed the magical process by which authors and readers discover one anotherBookseller Clara Villarosa on creating one of the nation's greatest Black-owned bookstores-and why representation on the printed page is so important for Americans of every backgroundLibrarians Nick Higgins and Amy Mikel on why they decided to make banned books available to young people from communities across the U.S.-and how they did itCivil liberties attorney Steve Zansberg on a new way to think about the right to free expression and its vital role in a democratic societyBookseller Carole Horne on how independent bookstores from Cambridge to Austin to Salt Lake City pioneered the "buy local" movement, glorifying what makes every city and town unique. . . and other noteworthy figures from the worlds of publishing and bookselling providing unique insights into the glorious past, the embattled present, and the essential future of books. All proceeds will be donated to the American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom.
Microfinance-providing low-interest loans and other financial services to help the poorest people lift themselves out of poverty-was pioneered by the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh. In 2006, the bank and its founder, Muhammad Yunus, were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and microfinance has since gone on to serve over 100 million people-mostly women-on five continents.First published in 1996, Small Loans, Big Dreams is the classic account of the origins and development of microfinance, from the $27 in loans given by a young economics professor to liberate poor villagers from loan sharks to its present status as a sometimes-controversial global phenomenon. Alex Counts, a protegé of Yunus and founder of the Grameen Foundation, paints vivid portraits of the determined women he came to know whose lives have been transformed by the opportunity to launch a small business, first in the countryside of Bangladesh, then in downtown Chicago, where an experimental project brought the microfinance method to America.In this new edition, Counts traces the history of microfinance, exploring the ways Grameen Bank has evolved in response to challenges from economic downturns to environmental crises. He depicts the various forms-some highly effective, others less so-that microfinance has taken in countries around the world, including Grameen America, the rapidly growing microfinance enterprise now headed by Andrea Jung that serves thousands of women across the U.S. Finally, Counts responds to critics who have questioned the value of the Grameen model and describes the lasting legacy of Yunus's remarkable vision. Small Loans, Big Dreams shows how microfinance can play a critical role in reducing the scourge of inequality by enabling underprivileged people to participate creatively in the global economy.Now with a new Afterword: Muhammad Yunus and the Monsoon Revolution of 2024
Bunyan Bryant grew up in a poor neighborhood in Little Rock, Arkansas, where the streets were unpaved and where Blacks like him had to step aside when a white person walked by. By the time he was in high school, his family had moved to Flint, Michigan, where the racism was less overt but the schooling was, if anything, a little worse for a bright but alienated Black teenager. Bryant fled a soul-killing job at the local Buick plant by enrolling in college-despite his belief that a Black kid could never get a fair shake from a white teacher, let alone a white society still grappling with Jim Crow. College changed Bryant's life forever. He ended up earning two graduate degrees and helping to found one of today's most important social science disciplines-the field of environmental justice. Educator and Activist is Bunyan Bryant's story-a vivid account of his journey as an educator and activist in the movements for civil rights, students' rights, women's rights, international peace, and a healthy environment for all. As a young professor, Bryant was chosen to launch the University of Michigan's pioneering Environmental Advocacy Program. Through U-M's Environmental Justice Initiative, which he directed, Bryant and his students helped poor communities across America fight dangerous practices like strip mining and demand fair treatment from businesses and government. Bryant went on to travel the world, studying and supporting battles for environmental and social justice. He pushed agencies like the EPA to take the problem of environmental equity seriously, and he mentored a generation of passionate young advocates that are carrying on his work today."Things have changed," Bunyan Bryant has said, "but for me, they haven't changed enough." Educator and Activist captures a life dedicating to making change happen-from college classrooms and legislative chambers to communities around America and the world.
One of today''s most acclaimed books on nonprofit leadership, Changing the World Without Losing Your Mind is a down-to-earth guide to mission-driven leadership. Drawing on his decades of experience as an acclaimed nonprofit leader, Alex Counts offers practical advice on such vital activities as fundraising, team-building, communications, and management. He shows you how to run an organization-and your own life-both effectively and sustainably, giving joyfully to those around you while also caring generously for yourself.Changing the World was named one of Forbes magazine''s 12 Must-Read Books for Nonprofit Employees, and selected as the Chronicle of Philanthropy''s Editor''s Pick among nonprofit books of 2019. Now it''s available in a revised edition, including a new epilogue on leading in times of crisis, responding to the challenging realities nonprofit leaders have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stephen Holton is an Episcopal priest who lives and works in the Hudson Valley region of New York. One day during morning prayer, he found himself arranging words "like puzzle pieces" in the traditional syllabic structure of Japanese haiku. Creating these simple three-line poems turned into a daily ritual-Holton's way of capturing and exploring momentary emotions, observations of nature and the world, and insights into faith and life. Friends and followers relish Holton's haiku as they appear on social media. Now some of the best have been gathered for this book.
WINNER--2020 Best Indie Book Awards, Non-Fiction: CaregivingCaring for a parent, spouse, or relative who cannot care for themselves due to age, infirmity, or illness is one of the noblest human activities. It's also one of the most stressful, posing challenges that can be painful, confusing, frustrating, and deeply rewarding-sometimes all at once. When Caregiving Calls is an invitation to a deep conversation about caregiving and its meaning for you. Aaron Blight has lived the caregiving experience many ways-as a family caregiver for a mother-in-law struggling with brain cancer as it stole her mental clarity and ultimately her life; as the owner of a home care company that supported thousands of families living their own versions of the same journey; and as a researcher, lecturer, and consultant traveling the world to learn from family caregivers and their professional helpers. Now he shares his insights in eighteen brief, thoughtful chapters that examine the many facets of caregiving. He explores how caregiving reshapes family relationships, challenges comfortable assumptions, and stresses your ability to manage your time, energy, and emotions. He shows how the changing mental and physical state of a loved one can lead to growing vulnerability, need, and loneliness on the part of care receiver and caregiver alike. He shares stories-poignant, funny, and often inspiring-that vividly capture the unique daily realities of the caregiving life. And he offers candid, practical advice that can help family caregivers do a better job of coping with the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual challenges they face.
In the 21st century, businesses are increasingly faced with complex, "wicked" problems--challenges with social and environmental dimensions they cannot solve on their own. This is especially common in the frontier markets of Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the former Soviet bloc. In many cases, the best solution is to create cross-sector partnerships with organizations from outside the business world--foundations, nonprofits, government agencies, and more. The resulting partnerships can generate business value as well positive social impact, thereby benefiting companies and communities alike. PARTNER WITH PURPOSE by Steve Schmida is a step-by-step guide to planning, launching, and successfully maintaining cross-sector partnerships, illustrated with vivid real-life stories from the author's work with companies around the world.
In the 21st century, businesses are increasingly faced with complex, "wicked" problems--challenges with social and environmental dimensions they cannot solve on their own. This is especially common in the frontier markets of Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the former Soviet bloc. In many cases, the best solution is to create cross-sector partnerships with organizations from outside the business world--foundations, nonprofits, government agencies, and more. The resulting partnerships can generate business value as well positive social impact, thereby benefiting companies and communities alike. PARTNER WITH PURPOSE by Steve Schmida is a step-by-step guide to planning, launching, and successfully maintaining cross-sector partnerships, illustrated with vivid real-life stories from the author's work with companies around the world.
Leading a nonprofit organization is challenging, stressful work—yet it can also be richly rewarding. Alex Counts mastered the art of mission-driven leadership through decades of trial and error, as he built from scratch one of today’s most admired philanthropic foundations. Now he shares 214 of the most powerful lessons he discovered along the way—life and career secrets you'll never learn in school. Frank, quirky, counterintuitive, and ultimately inspiring, these nuggets of wisdom cover the toughest challenges nonprofit leaders face, from fundraising, strategic decision-making, and people skills to surviving business travel, running meetings, and mastering public speaking.When in Doubt, Ask for More is Alex Counts’s gift to everyone working in the nonprofit world—employees and leaders in nongovernmental organizations, charities, foundations, government agencies, faith-based organizations, political and social advocacy groups, and more. They’ll find that Alex Counts's sage advice can help them get through the day feeling more in control while making a greater impact on the world they seek to serve.
A collection of poems by Trinidad-born Elvina Schullere, dealing with themes including the beauties of nature, the joys and challenges of family life, music and the arts, and the love of God. Schullere is a singer with the Canterbury Choir at the Church of St Barnabas in Irvington, New York.
Everyone knows the economy affects our investments. But which economic trends discussed by TV pundits and money gurus really matter—and which ones can we safely ignore? In Debt Cycle Investing, Gary Gordon explains the little-understood economic indicator that plays a crucial role in driving financial markets. Using vivid, simply-explained graphs, he shows how investors can read market trends and make smarter choices about where to put their money. Along the way, he’ll equip you to separate popular myths, fads, and fallacies from realities, helping you avoid falling prey to the flawed thinking that leads so many investors astray."Wonderful cogent analysis. Terrific book!"--Karen Zimmerman, former trading executive, Credit Suisse"An essential guide to contemporary investment thinking--very readable, with a touch of humor."--Larry Jeydel, former CEO, Almo Corporation"As a long-time Wall Streeter, I didn't think I could learn anything from a how-to-invest book. I was wrong!"--Barbara Steiner, founding partner, institutional research firm Portales Partners"Original, well-argued, and meticulously supported--an important contribution to the literature on investing that all investors should read."--John Cecil, chairman, Eagle Knolls Capital"Helps us understand complex economic and market concepts in a straightforward manner with humor."--Steve Shapiro, former principal, Concordia Capital Partners"I've rarely seen information so convincingly presented--and so logically. Valuable and entertaining!"--Steve Rosenblatt, former IBM executive
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