When I was growing up, our house was home to some of the greatest names in jazz and swing. Not a cocktail hour or dinner passed without the presence of Benny Goodman, Stan Kenton, Erroll Garner and – my personal favorites – Billy Eckstein and Sarah Vaughn. Our extended family – in stereo. My parents Read more

My first love was Susan Morasky, but my second – and far more enduring – has been Africa. For that I credit Mrs. Walden, my third-grade teacher, who encouraged us to think big. Sadly, even the loves of your life can let you down. In Nairobi last week to promote the Africa Board Fellowship, our Read more

Some time ago I promised to report out on my high school reunion [‘Time Machine’ below].  Sadly, it’s taken me this long to recover. I’m kidding.  Sort of. I’m not sure what I expected, having been gone so long.  A band?  The Welcome Wagon?  Headlines?  ‘PRODIGAL SON RETURNS.’   ‘MYSTERY SOLVED: CONNECTICUT MAN REAPPEARS AFTER 40-YEAR Read more

There’s a rule of thumb in microfinance that says a small working-capital loan to an entrepreneur typically benefits not just him or her, but as many as five people – a spouse, a child, an employee, or maybe a student. This morning I saw that benefit multiplied exponentially. Loan officers at Akiba Commercial Bank manage Read more

I used to live next door to Ernest Hemingway in Paris. It’s true – in a manner of speaking. He rented rooms at 117 rue Notre Dame des Champs, above a saw mill, with his first wife, Hadley.  I had an apartment at the top of No. 115, a six-story Art Deco wedding cake with Read more