03/21/2024
*These Views and Opinions are my own, and I speak only for myself. Any opinions opposite mine are valued and respected, and I welcome our conversation.
I am beyond thankful that the looming cloud that has hung over this company for almost seven years has finally been dissolved. This utter embarrassment to Universal Companies' original mission statement and origin story is a classic case of why our communities can not prosper and find their way toward our goals.
We need trusted leadership and a sense of accountability that overrides individual temptations or agendas. My parents created Universal Companies out of necessity, not for themselves but for the advancement of a community and to create a blueprint that generations to come could model and learn from. We moved into the South Philly area over 30 years ago. A few families endured those blighted conditions during the initial stages of Universal to implement this blueprint, and it was an inspiring sight to see.
Men and women from all types of backgrounds were determined to salvage a community by any means necessary, and the more impressive measure is that it was a nonviolent engagement that took place. Men who once walked the same paths as the young men who had a portion of the city in a stranglehold from fear and addictive behaviors were able to find common ground and communicate effectively to bring about the change that we were pursuing.
Fast forward 30 years, South Philadelphia is arguably one of the city's most coveted areas where people want to live.
I'm just beginning to unpack this level of treachery, and as I dig in along with the rest of the world, I will be intrigued by what comes to mind as I revisit the journey of our former leadership.
"When You Know Better, You Do Better."
Some people lose their way.
-Caliph Gamble, Co-Founder, Sons of Legends