The Return To Glory Foundation -- Executive Summary

THE RETURN TO GLORY FOUNDATION

Return To Glory (RTG) is a ten year old nonprofit education and outreach organization that visually and orally personifies the courage, glorious legacy and contributions of people of African descent to world civilizations in general and to the history and growth of the United States of America, in particular. Its purpose is to inspire personal growth, courageous acts and limitless achievements among people of African descent; promote individual healing; and encourage cross-cultural and racial respect, understanding and cooperation.

RTG has developed, published and distributed books, films, and music CD’s; provided training in a variety of venues, and made presentations throughout North America, South America, across the continent of Africa, parts of Europe and the Caribbean.

Now being developed is an RTG curriculum to be implemented by RTG trained facilitators and presented in secondary education schools, colleges and universities, corporations, and community and faith based organizations. An RTG history text book and collections of historic artifacts and documents will serve as supplements to the training. RTG will develop partnerships with organizations that have as their goal to change behaviors and to uplift people and communities. They will use the RTG resources to educate and motive their constituents in ways that build their will to make positive changes in areas such as are teen pregnancy, violence and HIV/AIDS prevention; incarceration and re-entry; academic achievement; economic development and community revitalization

RTG supporters include organizations such as the World Alliance of Mayors, Blacks in (U.S.) Government (BIG); National Association of Blacks in Education; National Coalition of Pastors Spouses, Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA), TRI Association (Caribbean, Central and South America) and many, many others. Some of RTG’s collaborators in the music industry include True Life Entertainment, the Hip Hop artist, “NAS” and George Okudi, 2004-2005 Kora Award –Best Male Artist on Continent of Africa.

It is RTG’s belief that when a race of people does not know its history or, their history is distorted so completely that it is shattered beyond recognition, they are left with a deep sense of psychological loss and confusion about their place or purpose in the design of humanity. To paraphrase noted journalist and writer Alex Haley, “You can’t know where you’re going, unless you know where you’ve been.” We also believe that the story of the Black race must start from their beginnings… ancient times… when the people were whole and the history was accurate. It should not start with slavery, apartheid or colonialism when the people were broken and torn and their history was altered.

Some of RTG’s inextricable and somewhat unique values are that of non-partisanship and never denigrating any race or culture of people. As Dr. Ivan Van Sertima, author and historian, so eloquently articulates in the “Return to Glory” film:

“It is not out of envy or hatred of any race that we seek at times to proclaim the great achievements of our own. We do this because we know that no race has a monopoly of intelligence or enterprise or genius. There is a great deal left to be done in this world, the race of man is only just beginning. There is room for all of us at the rendezvous of history.”

BCF was founded by two gentlemen:

(1). Don B. Griffin, M.A., Senior VP of Human Resources for a large company in New Jersey....
(2). Dr. Joel Freeman, internationally sought after speaker, former mentor/chaplain for the NBA Washington Bullets/Wizards and co-author of Return To Glory: The Powerful Stirring of the Black Race and four other bestsellers.

~ Return To Glory Foundation ~

T H E R T G D I S T I N C T I V E S

African American history is being and has been exhibited in various ways for decades. However, BCF’s purpose is not to simply provide education about the history of a people, but its underling goal is to present the information in a way that ignites positive change inside and outside of the Black community. Its goal is to unite people through basic human commonalities, not divide them over human differences; engender respect not disdain; create dreams not dwell on nightmares; inspire greatness, not yield to despair; encourage achievements beyond expectations, not crush the will to even try; and point towards values and qualities that sustained African Americans through much degradation, not glamorize behaviors and attitudes that undermine productivity, achievement, dignity and self-respect.

To achieve this, BCF brings the following assets:

1. Partnership with the Return to Glory Collection

The RTG’s hands-on approach combines the Joel A. Freeman Black History Collection. RTG documents the ancient history of the Black man and four hundred years of African American history through multi-media products. RTG’s book, “Return To Glory: The Powerful Stirring of the Black Man”, endorsed by such notables as Bill Cosby, Ben Carson, Julius Erving, Joe Frazier and many others, provides the springboard for the “Return To Glory” film. (Want to order book or DVD?) RTGF will screen the Return to Glory film every hour-on-the-hour in every RTG-affiliated Gallery and Museums internationally in the language specific to that region of the world. Additionally, other RTG resources will be offered in RTG-affiliated Galleries and Museums and RTG will integrate programming for the benefit of their respective audiences.

Describing the Return To Glory book, Julius Erving, legendary basketball great, asserts:

"The book you now hold in your hands is the product of much research. I encourage every African American to read this powerful book. Don (Griffin) and Joel (Freeman) have captured the essence of the pain of the black experience in America and have given us a road map to wholeness. You will not exit this gripping book the same way you came in. I also encourage every non-African American interested in racial healing to read Return to Glory. It will enhance their understanding of what people of color deal with on a daily basis."

RTG and the Joel A. Freeman Collection of African American History incorporate a visual experience with historic truth in a way that will literally surround visitors with the images and stories of courageous Black figures. They will convey to our nation’s schoolchildren and adults alike, the critical importance of having a strong grasp of African American History in their personal, social and professional lives.

2. A Black History Curriculum -- K-12

Blah, blah, blah...

3. Music Projects

Blah, blah, blah...

4. Youth- Friendly books and DVDs

Blah, blah, blah...

5. National Junior Curator Program.

Blah, blah, blah...

6. Graphic Novels (Comic Books)

Blah, blah, blah...

7. Outreach programs

BCF’s outreach programs take African American history to the streets, schools, and any forums where people gather. Multimedia, literature and clothing resources will be incorporated to tell the story in an exciting way.

8. Interactive Web Site

Blah, blah, blah...

9. Major public relations and marketing tool.

Blah, blah, blah...

Return To Glory Foundation Mission Statement

To serve as a vehicle for education and motivation in a manner that visually and orally personifies the courage, glorious legacy and contributions of people of African descent to world civilizations and in the history and growth of America; To inspire personal growth, courageous acts and limitless achievements among people of African descent; and, To promote individual healing; and cross-cultural respect, understanding and cooperation.

The Return To Glory Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization under
the umbrella of NHF in the State of Virginia. Send your generous
tax deductible donations to the address below.