Where Will “Highway 2025“ Lead?

On Saturday, January 25, 2025, the I.P.N. will present its first in a series of digital and live Town Hall events of the year.  “What Lies Ahead“ will assemble emergency preparedness and response experts, engineers, military and law enforcement personnel, community activists, and religious leaders to help provide a spiritual balance in an open public discussion about some of the most probable and dangerous threats the nation and world will be facing in 2025 and, most importantly, what the public must begin doing to prepare for them … physically, emotionally and spiritually.

This will include discussions about the devastating wildfires that have burned through communities across the greater Los Angeles area, leaving tens of thousands homeless, over 27 dead, and causing billions of dollars in property damage.  In addition, unscrupulous insurance companies canceled the policies of thousands of homeowners living in vulnerable areas such as the Altadena community that was hit exceptionally hard by the fires. 

Many of the homeowners in the area were African Americans who settled in the area in the late 50’s and early 60’s due to redlining practices that prevented them from living in other areas of California. The lack of insurance coverage will have a devastating impact that many of the residents will never fully recover from. The ‘What Lies Ahead’ Town Hall will speak to this situation along with many others that are looming over the horizon such as massive cyberterror attacks by state-sponsored and independent hacking groups against critical national infrastructural targets such as our antiquated and highly vulnerable electrical grid, water treatment facilities, nuclear power plants, air and rail transportation systems.

There is also the very real possibility that the avian flu could eventually develop into the next pandemic.  If it does, it will probably make COVID seem tame in comparison.  These events along with a mix of other natural, technological, environmental, and civil disasters, several science, space, and computer tech-related events that can only be described as paradigm-shifting and revelatory will make 2025 one of the most challenging years of the new century.  The Town Hall will provide the public with experts sharing their knowledge about how they can prepare themselves for these challenging events and most importantly, survive them. 

The Town Hall will also include a discussion directed by I.P.N. Executive Director Aton Edwards about how Ibogaine, an extract drawn from a Tropical Rainforest shrub found in Gabon, West Africa can be used to help turn the tide of the opioid crisis that kills over 100,000 Americans annually. In perspective, this is roughly 34 times the amount of fatalities from the 911 WTC attack in 2001, fifteen times more than the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and, nearly twice the amount killed during the entire nineteen-year-long war in Vietnam. Ibogaine has amazing properties that when used therapeutically by people with substance use disorders can diminish or completely arrest their craving for many types of drugs including heroin, cocaine, crystal meth, alcohol, and even nicotine from cigarettes. It can also help people suffering from Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, and PTSD.

This will be the first of several presentations offered by I.P.N. and the Afroprep NOW initiative as part of the I.P.N.’s It’s A Disaster campaign created to motivate elected officials to formally classify the opioid crisis as a disaster. It’s a long overdue declaration as the death, illness, misery and staggering financial costs of this crisis (1 trillion dollars annually) exceed the amount spent on disaster relief for the past 30 years. The I.P.N. is committed to making this a reality in 2025 and will work with organizations such as ibogaine For The World and others.

TOWN HALL SPEAKERS

The Town Hall will be hosted by:

I.P.N. Executive Director and Afroprep NOW creator Aton Edwards.

Aton Edwards is a world-renowned expert in emergency preparedness, response, self-reliance, and sustainability. A disaster manager, author, and media contributor, he was honored with TheGrio History Makers Award in 2012 for his groundbreaking work. Through his innovative approaches, Aton continues to inspire individuals and communities to prepare for crises and embrace sustainable living.

Bob Ponce,  Planning Coordinator, Harlem Emergency Network Bob and his Harlem Emergency Network

Bob serves as the Planning Coordinator for the Harlem Emergency Network, where he leads a dedicated team committed to addressing critical gaps in emergency communications for vulnerable urban communities. His team specializes in creating robust, reliable communication infrastructures tailored to the unique needs of underserved neighborhoods—areas that are often overlooked during disasters and emergencies. By focusing on proactive planning and innovative solutions, Bob and his team work tirelessly to ensure that these communities have the tools and resources necessary to stay informed, connected, and resilient in the face of crises. Their work is a vital lifeline, empowering residents and improving outcomes in times of need.

Baba A. Mondesire – Ifá Priest – Baba Ijo / Oluwo of Ilé Ijuba Ifá Obàtálá Öya -colloquially known as a “Babalawo”

Affectionately known as Baba Tony, he serves the Community as follows;

• Spiritual Mentor and Collaborative Prayer
Facilitator

• interfaith /intrafaith ambassador, Educator (focus on health and wellness)

• Advocate for women, children, and like himself – Elders that are differ-entially abled, aka. the “disability” community.

• Interdisciplined thought, and processes, drawn from experience in the music and regional/urban, transportation planning

Davina Bussey – R&B Singer/Musician Artist, Hip Hop 50 award nominee, organic/permaculture farmer and, the Executive Director of the Earth Rhythms Foundation.

Davina Bussey’s Earth Rhythms Foundation is dedicated to teaching organic farming/permaculture and sustainable living to children, women, and urban and low-income communities across the nation and around the world. A long-time advocate for emergency preparedness and self-reliance, Davina will use her music to inspire people to live sustainably and protect Planet Earth for future generations, along with being prepared for disasters and becoming self-reliant. Most recently, Davina’s music was featured in the Jennifer Lopez film Unbreakable streaming now on Amazon

GodIs Shani Asantewaa Sheryl Strothers, Civil Engineer, Transportation Planner (MIT ’84) 

GodIs Shani Asantewaa Strothers is the mother of 4 successful adults and a Co-founder of the Organic Nutritional Energy Co-operative She has been an environmentalist since attending the first Earth Day 1972 is a student of Nation Building and is a Cultural Activist, Girl Scout, Cyclist, Competitive Athlete Belly Dance & Fitness Instructor;  Outdoorswoman, and the Founder and Developer of Watoto Wazuri International Home School for the Investigative Sciences. 

She is also a Talk Show Hostess. Check the archives “Blogtalkradio.com ClearHeartLife with Asantewaa”

GodIs Shani Asantewaa Sheryl Strothers is a Devotee of Saraswati Kamala. (Purifying Fluent Self Expression) And as such illuminates and clarifies many subjects.

Rudolph T. Muhammad, EMT-Basic Emergency Medical Responder, Fire & Life Safety Instructor, Founder of C.A.R.E. Unit #9-1-1 and Save-A-Life Rescue Squad.

Rudolph T. Muhammad is a distinguished first responder with over three decades of dedicated service in emergency response and disaster preparedness. As the former Chief of Operations for the renowned Bedford-Stuyvesant Volunteer Ambulance Corps, he played a pivotal role in providing life-saving care and training to his community. He is also the visionary founder of Care Unit #9-1-1 and the Save-A-Life Rescue Squad, organizations committed to improving emergency response systems and saving lives. A proud military veteran, Rudolph brings a wealth of knowledge and discipline to his work, coupled with years of experience as a disaster preparedness expert. His unwavering commitment to public safety, combined with his leadership and expertise, has made him a trusted figure in both his local community and beyond.

Rootsgrinder is a registered nurse with over 20 years of experience specializing in pediatric critical care, transplant, and private duty nursing. Her passions include genomics, medical and genealogical research, racial healthcare disparities, and Africana cultural studies. She will be presenting a slide-based discussion that examines critical dynamics in public health.

Byron (Popâ UR-Mää) Burke is an American record producer/DJ, who has worked in the music industry for over thirty years.

Byron is a founding member of Ten City, the iconic Chicago-based House music band that rose to prominence in the 1990s and played a pivotal role in pioneering the genre. Beyond his musical achievements, he is a dedicated community activist and a former Boy Scout with a lifelong passion for emergency preparedness.

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