Here is what Barack Obama has to say about winning the Nobel Peace Prize, and I think it is amazingly humble and intelligent:

This morning, Michelle and I awoke to some surprising and humbling news. At 6 a.m., we received word that I'd been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009.

To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who've been honored by this prize -- men and women who've inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.

But I also know that throughout history the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it's also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes.

That is why I've said that I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations and all peoples to confront the common challenges of the 21st century. These challenges won't all be met during my presidency, or even my lifetime. But I know these challenges can be met so long as it's recognized that they will not be met by one person or one nation alone.  read more »

Well, I just had another moment of fame and I want to use it to highlight some cool development work.

My first moment of fame was when a Spanish film crew from Canal+ wanted to film my efforts to protest the Republican Convention in NYC in 2004. I was one of a few people highlighted in the documentary, including Amy Goodman and a graffiti artist. I hear the documentary was well-watched in Spain.

My second moment was when BBC radio contacted me about some pieces I wrote about Somalia (I think this article is one of the ones they had picked up on). They asked me to be on a radio call in show as one of four panelists. I have to say that I wasn't as good as I would have liked to be live on radio. But they must have thought I did okay because they asked me to be on again...stupidly I said "no."  read more »

Awhile ago I introduced the organization KIVA microlending to Culture Kitchen. KIVA a microlending agency that connects small businesses with small investors like you and me. KIVA works with local partner organizations to find businesses around the world that look promising and want loans to expand. Loans can be a few hundred dollars all the way up to a couple of thousand dollars. Investors like me can put as little as $25 into the pot and KIVA combines these small amounts of money until the loan is filled. They then disburse the money through their partner organizations and keep track as the business pays back the loan. When the loan is paid back you can either take back your money (you get no interest) or you can reloan to another business.

I started loaning to businesses through KIVA over a year ago. And I have felt like my loans have really made a difference to families around the world. I want to share with you one of the amazing success stories I have been a part of and I hope that it will inspire you to participate in KIVA's efforts.  read more »