Currently a homeless unemployed data/technology/web/marketing consultant in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, I'm working to find sustainable income and health care benefits as well as growth from regional issues that continue to plague low income people in the Arkansas Delta. I grew up in the Arkansas Delta. K-12 success in math and science led to many academic awards including the Bauch and Lomb Honorary Science Award. I accepted a pre-engineering scholarship to attend the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB). After working 3 years as an Engineer Trainee Intern in Portland, Oregon I switched my major to Computer Science. I also got involved in UAPB campus politics, serving as President of the UAPB Engineering Association, Student Senate and Student Body Vice-President. Eventually, I ran out of money, resources and emotional energy during my senior year. I returned home and became a community activist: organizing small communities to become incorporated as cities to get access to federal block grants; organizing small farmers into cooperatives; registering voters; getting citizens active in education, city and county issues; organizing community centers for youth activities and community meetings; and working on presidential election campaigns. After being blacklisted for my political activities, I returned to Portland, Oregon and soon became a computer technology consultant. However, community service continued calling my name. Soon I began working with various community based organizations in Portland on education, economic development, housing, transportation, regional planning, environmental services, water management, green energy, worker rights, energy conservation and technology transfer issues. At one point I even ran for the city-wide political office of Portland City Commissioner. Blacklisted again for my political activities, I moved to Atlanta, GA and after being robbed near the airport, entered the ranks of the ranks of the Atlanta homeless. After one year in Atlanta, I have returned to the Arkansas Delta as a homeless man in Pine Bluff. I would like to leverage internet technology transfer to help low income citizens of the Arkansas Delta finally rise above the tragic history of regional economic depression, mis-education, high unemployment, high crime and high incarceration rates. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act education, WIA training and energy efficiency dollars can be utilized toward this goal. Jerry Watson PO Box 9087 Pine Bluff, AR 71611 jwatsondp@yahoo.com
