I recently received a phone call from a friend of mine. He was stressed out, confused and scared.

He recently went through a divorce that resulted in his accumulating more than $60,000 in debt. As if the events leading up to the divorce weren’t overwhelming enough, he’s now dealing with the mounting pressure of trying to make payments on this new debt in addition to paying the rest of his bills and expenses, eating and having a life.

The pressure was getting to him. Things were tight! He needed some wiggle room in his budget and he needed it fast. He thought he found the “magic pill” to his problem when he saw a commercial on television offering debt negotiation services. The pitch was: “Cut your debt in half! Pay off all your unsecured debt in under five years with minimum payments! Don’t trash your credit report by filing bankruptcy! Allow our law firm who specializes in “debt settlement negotiations” to work on your behalf. Never deal with a creditor or collection company again!

Business series

MAY 27—The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will host their Business Program Series at 12:15-1 p.m. at the Downtown & Business branch, 612 Smithfield St. The topic is “Get Your Portfolio on Track in 2010 and Beyond.” Robert Fragasso, chairman and CEO of Fragasso Financial Advisors, will discuss the necessary investments to build a strong financial future—how to prepare for retirement and not outlive one’s money, the effects of inflation and how creating a balanced and allocated portfolio can reduce the risk. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 412-281-7141.

Having free will, we are in constant conflict between our needs and our wants. The battle continuously rages for our resources, our time and our relationships. The enemy is omnipresent and constantly attacks us. We are being subjected to a war within ourselves and we don’t even know who we are fighting.

The casualties of these inner personal wars are all around us. They can appear as the financially overextended or even bankrupted; they can be either stressed out, chemically dependent or even mentally ill; they can be in a family feud or divorce court or even end up on the police blotter. The war zone is in our head, with our needs on one side and our wants on the other.

The concept of leadership and leadership development has been major topics in the urban community for decades, but yet, Leon E. Haynes, executive director of the Hosanna House, Inc. feels that there is still a need for emerging leaders within the community. Addressing the issue, his organization recently conducted the Emerging Leaders Forum outlining key characteristics and responsibilities necessary for to day’s leaders.

A WEALTH OF INFORMATION—Speakers, round table participants and Hosanna House officials take time out during the Emerging Leaders Forum. Shown are from left: Annita Haynes, A. William Schenck III, Esther L. Bush, Judge Cheryl Lynn Allen, Scott L. Brown, Leon Haynes III, Dr. Howard B. Slaughter Jr., David J. Hopkins, Gil Duncan IV and Yvonne Cook.

Often defined as having vision, being innovative and possessing honesty and perseverance, speakers William C. Richardson, Ph.D.; Yvonne Cook, A. William Schenck, Edward LaPuma and Gil Duncan concur that leadership is composed of such traits. “Leaders are developed and leadership is earned. Leaders humble themselves, have a willingness to serve and are good followers,” said Cook, president of the Highmark Foundation and vice president of Community and Health Initiatives.