My mission in life is helping people discover and cultivate their greatness and give their gifts to the world. This book will help you do the same for yourself and your children. And, after all is said and done, isn't this what parenting is really all about?
Roland Gilbert grew up in the inner city of Los Angeles, California. He was born in 1947. His father was born, one of thirteen children, in Beaumont, Texas about 1901 and died in Los Angeles, California in 1978. Roland's grandfather was born prior to 1865 in Texas into legal American slavery. Roland's father could not read or write, but he remained married to one wife until he died and raised three children. He always provided for his family and made sure his daughter and two sons could read and write. One son went to college.
After a youth laced with drugs, violence, crime and prison God brought Robert L. Newcomb, Ph.D. into Roland's life. Bob was a mathematician and an associate professor at the University of California at Irvine. Dr. Newcomb saw the value of people within their circumstance rather than letting their condition determine their value. Robert Newcomb went to the Federal Penitentiary at Lompoc, California looking for people of value and found Roland Gilbert there. Bob became Roland's mentor and friend.
God gave Roland a new heart and a new life in Christ Jesus. Bob opened the door into a new world for Roland.
Mr. Gilbert attended the University of California, Irvine, receiving straight-A's in Economics, and earning a BA degree in Economics in 1976. He continued at UCI and, in 1978, he earned a MS degree in Administration, with straight-A's in Operations Research. Mr. Gilbert derived a mathematical formula to solve an underground construction problem for the engineering department of Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company in Anaheim, California. The dean of the graduate school nominated Roland for a Presidential Management Internship.
President Jimmy Carter selected him for national program management and appointed Mr. Gilbert to the United States Small Business Administration, in Washington, D.C., as a Business Revitalization Specialist. Roland was instrumental in leveraging $100 million into $1 billion of financing for 26 cities within one year. Who's Who in Finance and Industry® recognized Mr. Gilbert for his accomplishments.
After leaving government, he went into private practice as a small business management consultant for ten years. During five years of this time, he also taught graduate level management courses for the University of Redlands, as Adjunct Faculty, in the Whitehead Center for Lifelong Learning and he served on their Orals Committee.
God called Roland from private practice into His service. Jesus opened Roland's heart to the poor. Roland founded Simba, Inc. in Oakland, California and was Executive Director for 15 years. Simba helped inner city residents overcome self-destructive attitudes and behaviors and achieve more success in their lives.
Mr. Gilbert is the author of three books and says he has, at least, two more to write. Roland has now spent 25 years, and counting, answering God's call: "to help poor people discover and cultivate their greatness and give their gifts to the world." During the last five years, he has been working with the Skid Row Development Corporation in Los Angeles, California.
Please visit Roland at www.PowerParenting.net. You may send emails to OvercomeBeingPoor@yahoo.com. You can call Roland at (213) 293-5643.
You can write to Roland at:
P. O. Box 582
Burbank, CA 91503
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