Commit 2 Action is a subsidiary of Crane Enterprises. We are a professional counseling and inspirational seminar service that promotes Diversity Education and Higher Education Guidance Counseling, with an intercultural perspective and spiritual foundation.
Commit 2 Action was founded in 1998 as the first service to be offered by Crane Enterprises.
Our international diversity education program will enhance your ability to appreciate differences among various people that you come into contact with on a daily basis. We can create a customized diversity educational/training program for your place of business, and/or community organization. We specialize with conducting diversity audits to gage the sensitivity and appreciation your establishment has for diversity. Our diversity counselors can serve as conference/keynote speaker(s), skilled workshop presenters, or as breakout session facilitators.
As an educational counseling service, we provide focused programs for high school students and families to learn and become comfortable about the college search process. We offer independent guidance counseling for high school students which may include a customized college search plan to guide you through the post secondary search process. Commit 2 Action publishes a comprehensive Post-Secondary Preparation Guide that will give families a step by step tool to use as they navigate through the college/university process from the initial search to matriculation.
Past Events
- May, 2011 Women of Standards Retreat Kansas City, MO My Husband….My God Panel Speaker
- April, 2011 Great Plains Association of College Admissions Counselors Overland Park, Kansas Counseling Diverse Populations PresenterMay 2010 Michigan Association of College Admissions Counselors Rochester, Michigan Commitment to Diversity Presenter
- April 2010 MDOT Metro Region Youth Development and Mentoring Program Southfield, Michigan Plan for Excellence Guest Speaker
- May 2009 Michigan Association of College Admissions Counselors Grand Rapids, Michigan Counseling Diverse Populations Presenter
- April-2008 Michigan Association of College Admissions Counselors Troy, Michigan Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (Diversity Presentation) Presenter
- Jan.-2008 Liberty Tax Services Detroit, Michigan Rapid Refund Tax Course Instructor
- April-2007 Resources for the Education of Adults in the Chicago Area Professional Development Day and Scholarship Luncheon Des Plaines, Illinois Multicultural Communication in the Workplace Workshop Presenter
- Jan.-2007 Family Hospice Center Addison, Illinois Diversity Training Workshop Presenter
- Nov.-2006 Triton College Student Life Office;Power packs Leadership Series River Grove, Illinois Diversity in Leadership Presenter
- Oct.-2006 Illinois Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers Annual Conference Itasca, Illinois Living Diversity Closing Speaker
- Oct.-2006 Triton College Fall Faculty Mini-Series River Grove, Illinois Influences of Hip-Hop on Learning Presenter
- Sept.-2006 Triton College Student Association Leadership Retreat River Grove, Illinois Leading a Diverse Student Body Presenter
- August-2006 Westchester Public Library Westchester, Illinois The Diverse Librarian Presenter
- June 2006 Richland Community College 6th. Annual Conference DeCatur, Illinois Diet, Exercise, Diversify Presenter
- Nov-2003 Multi-Ethnic Perspectives Conference Alexandria, Virgina Building a Multicultural Community Presenter
- Nov-2003 Multi-Ethnic Perspectives Conference Alexandria, Virgina Cross-Cultural Communication Co-Presenter
- Nov-2003 Association of College Administration Professionals Baltimore, Maryland Building A Multicultural Community Workshop Presenter
- Jun-2003 Washtenaw Community College; Interpersonal Comm. Course Ann Arbor, Michigan Communicating Diversity Guest Lecturer
- Nov-2002 Multi-Ethnic Perspectives Conference Virginia Beach, Virgina Recruitment of Diverse Populations Presenter
- Nov-2002 Multi-Ethnic Perspectives Conference Virginia Beach, Virgina Retention of Diverse Populations Presenter
- Nov-2002 Valparaiso University; Peace and Justice Symposium Valparaiso, Indiana Creating A Multicultural Community Presenter
- Jul-2002 Team Challenge Youth Football Clinic Country Club Hills, Illinois Parenting College Success Presenter
- May-2002 Valparaiso University; Brandt Residence Hall Symposium Valparaiso, Indiana A Dialogue About Racism Facilitator
- Apr-2002 Bethelehem Temple Missionary Baptist Church; F.U.T.U.R.E. Program Harvey, Illiinois How To Be Successful In College Presenter
- Oct-2001 Indiana Association of College Admissions Congress Annual Fall Conference Indianapolis, Indiana Private Colleges and the Digital Divide Co-Presenter
- Sep-2001 National Association of College Admissions Counselors 57th. Annual Conference San Antonion, Texas Diversity 2001; A Multicultural Training Model Presenter
- Sep-2001 Marketplace Ministries/Wabash YMCA–Expo for Today’s Youth Chicago, Illinois Family Relationship Building Panelist
- July-2001 Team Challenge Youth Football Clinic South Holland, Illinois Parenting College Success Presenter
- Jul-2001 Twenty First Century Community Learning Centers Holland, Illinois College Fun Speaker
- Jun-2001 Valparaiso YMCA Aquatic Staff Valparaiso, Indiana Diversity Training Workshop Presenter
- Jun-2001 Bethelehem Temple Missionary Baptist Church; Youth Explosion Week Harvey, Illiinois Consider the Possibilites Guest Speaker
- May-2001 H. L. Neblett Center; See It, Believe It, Achieve It Youth Workshop Owensboro, Kentucky Consider the Possibilites Guest Speaker
- Mar-2001 Chicago Public School; Office of High School Development College/Financial Aid Fair Chicago, Illinois How Technology Affects the College Planning Process Presenter
- Mar-2001 Illinois Council for College Attendanced 14th. Annual Professional Development Conf. Joliet, Illinois Obstacles for Minority Students from the Two-Year to Four Year Process Co-Presenter
- Feb-2001 Chicago Public School; Office of High School Development College/Financial Aid Fair Chicago, Illinois How Technology Affects the College Planning Process Presenter
- Jan-2001 Valparaiso University; Office of Multicultural Programs Valparaiso, Indiana The Power and Pain of Black Love Co-Facilitator
- Jan-2001 Valparaiso University; Martin Luther King Celebration, “Justice Not Just Us” Valparaiso, Indiana King 2001; Same Dream, Different Era Presenter
- Jan-2001 Valparaiso Univeristy; Martin Luther King Celebration, “Justice Not Just Us” Valparaiso, Indiana Peaceful Violence Presenter
- Nov-2000 Valparaiso University; Office of Admissions/Financial Aid Retreat Valparaiso, Indiana Multicultural Diversity Training Presenter
- May-2000 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; Annual Freedom Fund Banquet Owensboro, Kentucky Collaboration; The Importance of Dialogue Master of Ceremonies
- Mar-2000 Kentucky Association of Secondary and College Admissions Officers Conference Erlanger, Kentucky Building A Multicultural Community Presenter
- Mar-2000 Owensboro High School; Black History Month Celebration Owensboro, Kentucky Black History is American History Guest Speaker
- Feb-2000 Owensboro Middle School–Career Exploration Program Owensboro, Kentucky College/Career Development Guest Speaker
- Jan-2000 Tenth Street Baptist Church Mentoring Committee Owensboro, Kentucky College Preparation Workshop–Ready, Set, Go Speaker
- Jan-2000 Owensboro Career Development Commission; Annual Martin Luther King Commemoration Owensboro, Kentucky The Saga Continues (Tribute) Speaker
- Oct-1999 Kentucky Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers Conference Barkley, Kentucky Using Alumni for Recruitment Co-Presenter
- Sep-1999 Indiana Association of College Admissions Congress Annual Fall Conference Indianapolis, Indiana Recruitment of Diverse Populations Presenter
- Sep-1999 National Association of College Admissions Counselors 55th. Annual Conference Orlando, Florida Retention/Institutional Commitment Presenter
- Jul-1999 National Association of College Admissions Counselors Annual Workshop for Counselors of Color Washington D. C. Recruitment of Diverse Populations Presenter
- Jul-1999 National Association of College Admissions Counselors Annual Workshop for Counselors of Color Washington D. C. Retention / Institutional Commitment Presenter
- Mar-1999 Kentucky Association of Secondary and College Admissions Officers Conference Lexington, Kentucky Retention of Diverse Populations Presenter
- Mar-1999 Kentucky Association of Secondary and College Admissions Officers Conference Lexington, Kentucky Using Alumni for Recruitment Co-Presenter
- Mar-1999 Kentucky Association of Secondary and College Admissions Officers Conference Lexington, Kentucky The Admissions Profession–Tools of the Trade Panelist
- Nov-1998 Mount Calvary Baptist Church; Annual Men’s Day Service Owensboro, Kentucky God Wants A Man Guest Speaker
- Jul-1998 National Association of College Admissions Counselors Annual Workshop for Counselors of Color Atlanta, Georgia Recruitment of Diverse Populations Presenter
- Jul-1998 National Association of College Admissions Counselors Annual Workshop for Counselors of Color Atlanta, Georgia Retention / Institutional Commitment Presenter
- Jul-1998 Correctional Educational Association Annual Conference Yankton, South Dakota Jailed Dreams Keynote Speaker
- Mar-1998 Yankton Quarterback Club Luncheon Yankton, South Dakota Educating Athletes Guest Speaker
- Feb-1998 United States Department of Justice Federal Prison Camp; Black History Month Celebration Yankton, South Dakota Race and Justice Guest Speaker
- Jan-1998 Mount Marty College; Noon Forum Yankton, South Dakota Martin Luther King; One American Perspective Guest Speaker
- May-1996 Illinois Association of College Admissions Counselors Annual Spring Conference DeCatur, Illinois Hoop Dreams…Dashed Moderator
- May-1996 Illinois Association of College Admissions Counselors Annual Spring Conference DeCatur, Illinois Black Males on Predominately White Campuses Co-Presenter
Questions About Race
In February 2004, J. C. Crane delivered a powerful and insightful presentation at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The presentation, “Building A Multicultural Community,” was so inspiring and thought provoking that J. C. was asked to participate in a question and answer session with students from Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication classes. The following are the actual questions from students with J. C’s answers.
Why is it so hard for people to welcome diversity?
Why is there so much racial tension between the Black race and the White race?
Why are some Southerners still very racist?
Why are people against interracial couples/marriage?
Why is there still such an ethnic division throughout America?
Do you think it is essential that ethnic groups stay self-contained in our society to maintain a sense of cultural identity, or is it more important that they all integrate for the American “melting pot?”
Why do most minorities favor affirmative action even though it is viewed as another form of racism?
Why do Americans have to have personal space while other countries mainly Western Europeans are more open and touchy feely?
Why are other countries more open about sex, and Americans treat it as a taboo subject?
When I walk through the halls or out in public I find that a lot of Hispanic men stare at women. Why??
Why do people of different backgrounds keep distance away from each other? For example, a nun or a Hindu woman may prefer to sit alone instead of sitting together.
How do people really feel about inter-racial marriage, relationships, and children. I read an article stating that Asian men and Black African American women are most affected most by this subject, because they are less likely to date outside of their race. Is this true?
Why is it that the media stereotypes African Americans more than other races? They seem to portray them in a negative light and ignore other cultures.
Why can a white person without a degree get a good job, but a Black man can apply for the same job with a degree and be declined?
Why is it so hard for many people to welcome someone from a different culture into their own communities?
Once when I was about 7, I went to an after school program called the Peace Center. It was predominately Black and I was racially insulted almost every day, even though I am partially Black. Where do children learn such hate like that?
Why does anger exist between the Black race and the White race?
My friend’s mother has a boyfriend who is Native American. However, my friend is racist against Black African Americans and Hispanic/Latino Americans. These minorities have their share of racial troubles. What’s up with that?
Why do we put so much value into names like the “N” word and other racial name calling? They are just words.
Why is it that Blacks always say “the White man,” yet when I come to class there are only one or two Blacks in class? If any?
Why do people assume that you are a racist?
Do you think the Black race and the White race will ever let go of the past? They need to.
I work as a cashier at K-Mart. I greeted a White lady and a Black man, who were in line and I began to sort their items for purchase. While scanning their items, The White lady must have asked me a question, but I did not hear her. The man asked me a question and I answered him. After their purchase was completed the man came back to the counter because I had forgotten to include an item he had purchased. At this time, he called me a racist and stated that I purposely did not give him the purchased item and he was going to talk to the manager. What do I do in that situation?
Why is it more socially acceptable for Blacks to use racial slurs against Whites than it is for Whites to use them against Blacks?
Why are there groups for just White women and Black women? Why not combine these groups and decrease the separation.
Why aren’t there more television shows with a mixture of Whites and Blacks, instead of shows that are all White or all Black?
Why are people always accusing the other race saying “you” or “me” when it was ancestors and there is nothing we can do about it. It just causes more hurt and problems.
How do you overcome the situation of having to face someone who is prejudice and has power in the workplace?
How do you get along with White people? For me it’s hard to deal with them because they seem like they’re always up to something else or are always scheming below the surface.
How does it feel to know that everyone stereotypes regardless if they try to prove they do not?
What is the most harmful/dangerous comment you have ever heard during one of your discussions/lecturers?
How would you relate your experience in college with the way that you view college diversity today?
When speaking of race relations do you feel that our society has evolved or regressed?
Do you feel the choice you made to be beneficial to you as a Black male?
Was your household hard or easy to grow up?
While in school did you face a lot of racism?
As an African American Male was it easier or harder to adjust to the Drake University atmosphere?
Commit 2 Action is a subsidiary of Crane Enterprises. We are a professional counseling and inspirational seminar service that promotes Diversity Education and Higher Education Guidance Counseling, with an intercultural perspective and spiritual foundation
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Higher Education Financial Planning
There are three areas where students can gain financial assistance to afford a college undergraduate bachelors degree. These areas are institutional aid/scholarships, government financial aid, and private scholarships. Institutional Aid/Scholarships are funds that a particular college/university will give a student to attend that specific college. These awards are usually given to students who are high academic achievers, athletes, and/or students who are participatory in student organizations/activities. In addition, students who have shown some volunteer experience and/or community service participation may also receive institutional aid/scholarships. College/University personnel use the admission application as the primary tool to evaluate students for these funds. However, some higher education institutions require students to complete a separate scholarship application. In addition, some colleges/universities host scholarship competitions for students to compete for higher level awards. Students may receive their institutional aid/scholarship award at the same time that they receive their acceptance letter to the college/university. Later, if the student applies for government financial assistance, they will receive an award letter that will show the institutional aid/scholarships, and it will contain their government financial aid awards. In short, this award letter will show the total financial assistance a student has to attend an institution of higher learning.

Government financial aid consists of funds that are awarded to students based on the family’s financial income. High school seniors should visit www.pin.ed.gov. to obtain their PIN (Personal Identification Number) prior to completing the financial aid form. It is imperative that the family complete their income taxes as soon as possible after January 1, of the student’s senior year of high school. High school seniors will need this information to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form can be found at www.fafsa.ed.gov. This form should also be completed as soon as possible after January 1, of the student’s senior year. Although the published deadline to complete this form is May 1, this is NOT the deadline a family should use.
You are competing against every senior in the country who is seeking financial aid. Therefore, students will need to apply EARLY because once the money has been depleted…that’s it!. The longer you procrastinate as time nears the May 1 deadline, the less money you will receive. I strongly suggest that the parents file their taxes, and the student complete the FAFSA by February 14 (Valentine’s Day) of the student’s senior year. If you complete these tasks by February 14, you should receive an award letter that will contain the total amount of your government financial aid, and any institutional aid/scholarships from each school you list by March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day). (The maximum amount of schools you can list on the FAFSA is 8.)
Private Scholarships are often unknown to parents/students, overlooked, and/or not taken seriously. You can receive these funds for community service, involvement in faith based institutions, parent’s employers, etc. In short, private scholarships consist of any funds awarded to a student by an outside agency. These outside agencies are usually not affiliated with a particular college/university, state government department, and/or federal government agency. However, it is expected that these funds are to be used to pay for college/university expenses. Each private scholarship has its’ own criteria, and deadlines. If you are awarded one of these scholarships you receive a two-party check made out to you and the particular college/university that you wish to attend. The student signs the check and gives it to their financial aid officer who applies it to the students total cost to attend the institution.
IF THE AMOUNT OF THE PRIVATE SCHOLARSHIPS IN COMBINATION WITH THE INSTITUTIONAL AID AND GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL AID EXCEED THE TOTAL COST TO ATTEND A COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY. THE INSTITUTION WILL DEDUCT THE LATTER TO EQUAL THE TOTAL COST OF THE COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY.
You will be surprised as to the types of scholarships you can obtain to attend a college/university. As a matter of fact, it might be a good idea to practice your duck calling. It could help you land a college scholarship. Perhaps you should buy an Arabian horse, get a ham radio, become a vegetarian, study the Klingon language, work on your knitting skills and/or research the family tree.There are college/university scholarship opportunities in all of these obscure areas.
Here Are a Few Others To Consider:
The Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Scholarship. Students who are talented in the feeding call, the comeback call and the mating call can earn $1,500.If you win, it might be a good idea to slack off on the mating call once you get a dorm room.
The William Zekan Memorial Scholarship. Applicants must demonstrate an interest in Arabian horses. Don’t laugh. The scholarship is worth $2,500. William Zekan Memorial Scholarship is awarded by the Arabian Horse Trust. Must demonstrate an interest in Arabian horses and financial need. Applicants must be high school seniors or college freshman. $2,500.00.
The Kor Memorial Scholarship, given by the Klingon Language Institute of Flourtown, Pa. Yes, it is for “Star Trek” fans who are fluent in Klingon. The application form doesn’t say anything about being able to hold your fingers apart.
The National Make it Yourself With Wool Competition. A $2,000 scholarship for students who can knit items from wool.
The Patrick Kerr Skateboard Scholarship. Open to skillful skateboarders.
The Billy Barty Foundation Scholarship for students 4-foot-10 or shorter. It’s only fair, since they have scholarships for tall people.
The Michigan Llama Association Scholarship. Open to students whose parents are members of the association.
The Martin J. Greer Sr. Memorial Scholarship. To be eligible, a student must belong to a ham radio family.
The University of Akron 8-Ball Scholarship. Not only offered to talented 8-ball players but also skilled 9-ball players.
The American Fire Sprinkler Association Scholarship. Open to students who write an essay on fire sprinkler safety.
The Van Valkenburg Memorial Scholarship. Offered to descendants of Lambert and Annetje Van Valkenburg, who lived in Amsterdam in the 1600s.
The Vegetarian Resources Group Scholarship. For students who have promoted vegetarianism in their school or community.
The Milk Mustache of the Year Award. It is based on academics, athletic performance, leadership and community service. You must be willing to sport a milk mustache.
The Bunny Y. Burns Scholarship. A $1,000 award to attend the University of Nevada in Las Vegas to learn how to be a bar maid. Remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.
Lambert and Annetje Van Valkenburg Memorial Scholarship Must be a descendant by birth or legal adoption of a Van Valkenburg. Variations of the spelling of Van Valkenburg are permissible. $1,000.00.
Helen James Brewer Scholarship. Must be a descendant of a Confederate soldier, sailor or marine. Must be from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee or Virginia. Must study Southern history or literature at an accredited college or university. $1,000.00.
American Fire-Sprinkler Association Scholarship. You must write an essay about a successful fire sprinkler activation in your town, area or state. $3,000.00.
National Rifle Association Scholarships. Must be an NRA Junior Member. Must attend one NRA basic firearm training course, earn at least one rating (Pro-Marksman, Marksman, Sharpshooter, Expert or Distinguished Expert) through the NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program, and submit an essay on Why I Became Involved in the Shooting Sports.$5,000.00.
Columbia 300 John Jowdy Scholarship. Must be a high school senior, graduating in the current year, who is actively involved in the sport of bowling. $500.00.
Duck Brand Duct Tape-Stuck at Prom-Scholarship Contest. Awarded to a couple attending a high school prom that makes the best costume out of Duct Tape. $3,000.00.
The K2TEO Martin J. Green Sr. Memorial Scholarship. Preference given to a student ham from a Ham (amateur radio) family. $1,000.00.
New England Chapter-National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance Scholarship Must be a single New England high school senior who is overweight, with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Must study in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont. $500.00.
To start your scholarship search, please go to www.finaid.org, www.fastweb.com, www.gocollege.com, www.supercollege.com, and complete the scholarship profile. After doing this, you will be able to receive scholarships notifications through email that will match your profile
SPECIALIZED PRIVATE SCHOLARSHIPS
Alfred and Esther Eggerling Scholarship
American Baptist College Scholarship
ASNT Engineering Undergraduate Awards
Atlas Shrugged Essay Competition
Cesar Chavez Memorial Education
Charles R. Ford Scholarship
Coca-Cola Scholars Program
College Fee Waiver Program
Columbia 300 John Jowdy Scholarship
Datatel Scholarships
Dr. Harry Britenstool Scholarship Fund
Eric Dostie Memorial College Scholarship
Guideposts Young Writers Contest
Harry and Lenora Richardson Scholarship
Herbert Lehman Scholarships
HGA Friends of Junior Golf Scholarship
Hildegard Lash Merit Scholarship
Idamae Cox Otis Scholarship
Jaycee War Memorial Fund Scholarship Program
Kathern F. Gruber Scholarship Program
Longman-Harris Scholarship
Midland Lutheran College Scholarship
Mildred Louise Brackney Scholarship
Mt. Sugarloaf Lodge Memorial Scholarship
NCOA Scholarship Fund
Newhouse Foundation Sustaining Scholarship
Northern California Chapter Student Scholarship
NPG Population Scholarship Essay Contest
OW-U Scholarship Parent Relocation Council Scholarship Program
Phi Delta Kappa Scholarship Grants
Roofing Industry Scholarships
Rosewood Family Scholarship Fund
Sam Walton Community Scholarship Program
Student Incentive Grant(SIG)
The Sallie Mae Fund
Surface Navy Association Scholarship Program
Texas Public Educational Grant (TPEG)
Thomas Wood Baldridge Scholarship
Wal-Mart Associate Scholarship
USAA Mentor Program Scholarship
PRIVATE SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships for Women
Talbot Foundation Scholarship
Women must be 35 or older
American Association of University Women
Sorry guys!! Only females can apply for the two scholarships listed above!
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS OF COLOR/MINORITY SCHOLARSHIPS
Ron Brown Scholar Program
Zeta Phi Beta General Undergraduate Scholarships
Blacks at Microsoft (BAM)
Black/African American Students are encouraged to apply for the scholarships listed above.
RETURNING ADULT STUDENTS
This site contains scholarships for students seeking to return to college to finish an undergraduate degree program. Students must have started a college/university program, but withdrew prior to completing the program.
UNDERGRADUATE TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIP
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship honors excellence by supporting outstanding community college students with financial need to transfer and complete their bachelor degrees at ANY four-year colleges/university in the nation.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM (ISLP)
This site contains financial information for college students seeking to study abroad. Also, there is assistance for international students seeking to study within the United States.
DEBORAH PARTRIDGE WOLF INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP
This site contains fellowships for students seeking a graduate degree and/or professional degree. This includes masters degree, law degree, doctorate degree, and/or Ph.d. Consequently, students seeking a graduate degree may be eligible for the same financial awards listed above for undergraduate students.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR WHITE MALES
This scholarship is for White /European American males who are at least 25% caucasian.
RESOURCE GUIDE OF SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALANA UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS.
ALANA is an acronym for African American, Latino/a, and Native American people. This site contains a resource guide for ALANA undergraduate students seeking internships, research opportunites, and leadership development programs during the summer. Please be advised that you have to be a current college/university student to take advantage of these resources.