You
are a citizen of modest means who, one day, finds yourself in the wrong place at
the wrong time, handcuffs clamped around your wrists, and serving a long prison
term--or even a death sentence--for a crime you were nowhere near at the time it
occurred.You're a brotha or sista with a terrific technological invention that will rock the world. You want others in the Black community to invest in its development and share the pot.
You're a human-rights organization with a tremendous plan to free those sympathetic to your cause from socioeconomic oppression and systematic neglect.
You're an ecological activist, former investment executive, or MD wanting to blow the whistle on dangerous activity or internal corruption.
Or you're just someone with a lot of very useful and helpful info that you want to share with the people.
Whatever your situation, whatever your cause, if it's a significant matter that affects the welfare of the people, The Ebon Run is in effect to help spread your vital messages--or your urgent pleas for help--to the masses.
"I wanted a magazine that would report only important news and info and that would allow the people themselves to write their own articles in their own words. Plus, I wanted content that you don't normally see in the mainstream media," says Keith Anderson, the magazine's founder, publisher and editor.
"I'm extremely disappointed with the Black media, just as I am with Black organizations. I see the pain. I see the complaints. I see the marches. What I don't see is planning and action! Action designed to actually get things done!"
Anderson, a craftsman, amateur writer, and part-time gym custodian, conceived the Ebon (pronounced ĕ
Even though the magazine is Black-oriented, it allows people of all races to speak their minds on the important issues. This is evident when visiting the website and clicking on "Recent Content" on the home page.
"I'm establishing a print information-network that the people can use to fight for a more balanced and equitable world order."
Anderson has been virtually a one-man army, producing and printing the magazine from home. Currently, it's a 24-page, tabloid-size publication, printed mostly in black & white from his laser and ink jet printers.
Each edition will be dedicated to a worthy or needy entity, with the monetary award of 5 cents per copy sold being donated to them to help them further their cause or fight against systematic injustice.
"A paid circulation of one million would put $50,000 into the pockets of those needing it. This is a lot of money for a death-row inmate fighting to prove his innocence or for sending young Blacks to medical school. My ultimate goal is to reach the stage where the magazine can be printed every other week in mass and in color and where I can employ underprivileged youth to distribute copies to paid subscribers. I want to get a copy into all hands wanting one at the lowest feasible prices. My ultimate, ultimate goal is to also own a press one day so that I can print for cost only, saving everyone even more money. Along with that, I'd also print for ecological and human-rights organizations at discounted prices."
Some of Anderson's other projects are the Ebon Run Business Network, a marketing network for Black suppliers of mail-order goods, and FREEDOM Industrialists, an industrial organization he hopes to develop that will bring Blacks into the Manufacturing Age. He has many more ideas on the drawing board--all, he says, designed to allow the people to progress on a collective basis.
The status of all of his projects will be publicized or updated in The Ebon Run. Four editions have been published so far, and Anderson hopes to have a fifth out with an April or May 2006 cover date. He now seeks advertisers to serve as sponsors as well as organizations and business entities who wish to raise funds by selling copies.
"I've been losing money so far. But I'm willing to lose as much as it takes. This project is extremely urgent. Most people don't realize just how critical this project is. Our people and the downtrodden need this magazine..to communicate...to connect...to solve problems!"
Keith Anderson can be contacted at: P.O. Box 4051 * Bluefield, WV 24701. His main website is Adspread.com.
Dalani Aamon is the founder of the Harambee Radio Network.