“There’s nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come.”

Saul Williams has never been one to mince words, and now more than ever his words are ringing true.

Whether you look to the political realm, the world stage, or just right outside your door for proof of what an idea can look like long after it’s been thought it up, it’s evident that ideas are forever changing the way we live.

Never one to be behind on the changing seasons, Fresno City College, too, has been overtaken with the new and bold ideas that its students bring.

One such example is FCC student Eddie Rashad. Studying computer networking and only in his second semester of classes, Rashad has already taken it upon himself to lay claim to the power of an idea.

“Da Forum” is Rashad’s shot at making an idea a reality. Being held on September 11, Da Forum will serve as entertainment and as an avenue for people to talk about the problems they feel are important.

The entertainment aspect will include spoken word, hip hop performances, and Dj Gaint, who is a mainstay at the Soul Tree Lounge on Wednesday nights at the Smokehouse Grill and Bar.

“We wanted it to be enaging,” explained Rashad. “We wanted it to be entertaining so we added the entertainment aspect draw and cater to the youth because really, it’s all about the youth.”

While the entertainment may be the appetizer, the actual forum will act as the meat and potatoes.

Da Forum is an open communication line between speakers and the audience. Several speakers are lined up to relay their messages and address questions and comments from the audience,” explained Rashad.

“I believe that 80 percent of the information you hear you already know about. A lot of the times we’re just reaffirming things we already know about. So we want to make sure that the audience is engaged and that their voice is being heard because it’s all about them. This is not only a show, but a network. We hope to bring together organizations and people to a centralized location so they can communicate. The sky is the limit with this.”

Eight months in the making, “Da Forum,” will focus on some of this generation’s most pressing topics and address the desire that young people have to make their name in the world.

“We have what I feel are some really compelling topics,” exclaimed Rashad. “We’re going to be talking about H.I.V and AIDS awareness. We also will be displaying some information that I would call dire to the furthermost progression of H.I.V and AIDS awareness in 2008.”

“We also have a segment on starting a business,” added Rashad. “We want to encourage all young people who have a dream and have a drive to achieve something.

We want go give them the tools to go forth with that.

There are alot of young people who arre trying to start up their own businesses, but with all the things that are going on in the world they migh not have the knowledge to go about doing somethin as major as starting up their own clothing line or record label. So we’re going to have a step by step blueprint on how to go about doing.”

Like others who have a knack for helping people, Rashad decided to do this not for the recognition or the glory, but simply for the sake of helping others.

Like all ideas that are new and outside the box the inspiration is plentiful.

“I’m inspired by all those around me,” said Rashad. “I absorb everything around me and take it in. I feel like when someone does well it not only helps them, it helps everyone.

So when I do something to help someone I feel like I’m helping not only that person, I’m helping everyone that possibly relies on that person. Everything comes back. We are all connected, but definitely one of my biggest inspirations is my grandmother.”