Written by Wendy Franklin Muhammad

In the wake of President Barack Obama becoming the 44^th President of the United States of America and the first African American President to hold the office, I've found myself, yet again, urged to write on the subject of change. As I watch the universe shake things up (on a number of different levels) and the spiritual and physical focus of the world change, I too felt transformed and validated.

I was especially excited for the cities of Chicago and Washington, DC both of which have recently been thrust onto the international scene. The grass roots movement of Chicago that is so greatly influenced by numerous cultures, religions and mindsets, helped to produce the first African American President. I anticipate that Washington, DC will become the new center and focus for emerging leaders and entrepreneurs; and that the great city of Chicago will earn its 2016 Olympic bid and have an opportunity to transform its international image. These great cities have always been my personal favorites and both have a long standing reputation for producing great leaders. They are culturally diverse cities, with lots of unsung heroes and numerous business and professionals opportunities that often go unnoticed.

As I watched the news reports weave the story and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. into the celebration of the historic inauguration, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for those who helped to make this day possible. Dr. King was a revolutionary, who, like many great African American leaders, paid the ultimate price for not only the upliftment of his people, but for all of humanity. I felt the spirit of Abraham Lincoln and the energy from his mind that hovered over the mall on Tuesday. The African American movement, both through Dr. King and other influential grass roots organizations has largely been a non-violent movement with an emphasis on self-improvement, spirituality and responsibility. Great feats like The Million Man March and countless other organizations that often go unmentioned; have always encouraged personal responsibility and discouraged violence. Many don't realize that African Americans have often been encouraged throughout history to not carry as much as pen knife and that the weapon of choice should be our great minds and our connection to our Creator. I was happy to see that this theme, which continues to be the foundation of many African Americans, has been transformed into an international beacon of hope and change. I'm elated that those of us who have adopted the mission of hard work, education, personal responsibility and a non-violent pursuit of perfection have now received a tremendous amount of recognition and validation.

While we all know that things will not change over night and that our new President is not a rain-maker, we can all celebrate the inspiration and the fire that he has ignited in people across the globe. We are all better today because of what he publically represents. He has ushered in a new mindset and a new way of thinking that I am certain will change and improve the world in which we all live.

We must all strive to live as one. We should respect and celebrate our differences. Let's throw away the old packaging and labeling and role up our sleeves to create a global treasure chest of opportunities from which we can all benefit, nurture and enjoy. I now realize that my vision of myself on an international stage is a reality and not a fantasy. I am excited because it's a new day because our minds are renewed, transformed and validated.

I send a prayer of thanks to all those shoulders we stand on today. May your legacy live on.