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We've noted that, as the group works to create business in the Quindaro area, drug dealers, addicts and other negative elements seem to be moving out or gaining the respect [for] the people who are "doing right."

Not even the hardest of cynics could deny that their clean shops, their dedicated volunteers and the businesses that are starting up are impressive. This is in an area that has been all but forgotten by investors and potential business operators.

As a community model program, one of several conducted around the country, it could provide answers to the most unanswerable of woes - what do you do about poverty and blight in the inner city?

However, to ask citizens to develop businesses, run by volunteers, and eventually give the businesses back to the original property owners or other citizens who have devoted their time to it is probably more than you could ask of any community.

Still, this is what they are doing, according to James 2X, national secretary of the organization. 2X does not claim that they will do the impossible, and that's to reclaim an entire community that many believe to be beyond help. 2X says, if it was doable, it would have already been done. But so far, what they have done, has been impressive enough to consider it a start in the right direction.

The United Nation of Islam is a tax exempt non-profit organization which focuses on charitable, educational and scientific purposes. They don't consider themselves a religion nor do they deny participation from people of various religions according to 2X.

Their work is done by volunteers and funding come from other chapters of the organization throughout the country. The group is not a part of the Nation of Islam which is headed by the often controversial Louis Farrakhan. Their national leader is Solomon, who created the "new idea" concepts taught by the United Nation of Islam. The new idea is the coming together of persons who have the will to do right.

The KCK project is a community model project, soon to be reproduced in Missouri and other parts of the country. Several cities are being focused on as models by the United Nation of Islam.

The philosophy is simple: Life is a university and 2X said it is the responsibility of those who have life skills to pass them on to the children. The enemy is ignorance, the solution is knowledge.

One of the business is Your Diner, a restaurant focusing on healthy food. The spotless diner is located at 18th and Quindaro. Even the parking lot, which was once a collection place for trash, loud music, loiter, is clean. Your Supermarket and Bakery is located on 17th and Quindaro. The group owns its own farms in other areas and ships in much of its produce to the store. They serve the needs of a community that does not have any other grocery stores in the area.

On 13th and Quindaro, there is Your Service Station. There is a business center, a construction company, a sewing factory, a trucking company, a cleaning company an import/export business and farms.

They are planning an employment agency, a clothing store, a thrift store, a full-service Laundromat and a health food delivery service.

Their students are the volunteers in their Quindaro businesses. They learn job training skills by doing the job. As they learn the business, they can move on to other businesses with practical knowledge gained.

The project is worthy of keeping an eye on its progress, and the businesses are worthy of the community's support.