Life is about choice and options, in neighborhoods across America, at risk children have neither. However, they desire a life changing encounter with the performing arts. Without a caring trailblazing and passionate family member, pastor, teacher, mentor or performing arts center most at risk children will not live to experience this encounter. Children need performing arts in their life. Performing arts can drastically change a child’s perception of their environment which ultimately changes their vision of self and community.
A performing arts environment fosters change and keeps at risk children off the street and out of harms way. Performing arts can foster a desire for a better life and change begins to unfold spreading from child to family then to the community. Without performing arts in a child’s life, most will never dream of a better life and will live unfulfilled lives. Performing arts is a gift that facilitates change and creates hope in the life of an at risk child.
Many at risk children end up experiencing performing arts through movies such as “Fame.” Many city councils across America allow bars and party stores on each corner. While others sale bonds to build more juvenile and prison facilities. In disadvantaged homes across America, at risk children are surrounded by inner city blight and deteriorating urban conditions. Instead of building juvenile facilities and prisons which further embeds a lack of hope in children, communities should begin to build performing arts centers.
Many parents of at risk children are so concerned with day-to-day basics such as lights, gas, and rent. Many don’t even know about schools for the performing arts. While, many who do, view performing arts as part of dance routines, acting, singing and theatre. True, these are the obvious; however, many parents lack the vision to see that their child could build a sustainable career based on core principles and life skills that are taught in addition to the arts.
The performing arts teaches an at risk child to be assertive and become future leaders and positive role models while building character, integrity, and social skills. This allows an at risk child to dream bigger dreams like being the first college graduate in their family. In addition, it also fosters an environment to a whole new universe of self discovery. Performing arts also opens a mind to unlimited possibilities.
At risk children, dream just like children from affluent communities. The performing arts can help an at risk child reach back into their community and provide hope for others. Without performing arts a child may never dream of a better life for themselves, their family, and community. The performing arts, spreads hope for change throughout all communities no matter the economic situation. Without performing arts the community lacks hope for a better tomorrow. Performing arts is a social and life changing tool that bridges children, schools, and communities. If you want to see a community with at risk children thrive, build a performing arts center.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
What about Haiti?
When help is needed the most, most often the people who need it receive it late or not at all. I truly want to give to a charity since the day the devastation occurred. However, Wycliffe’s charity “Yele” had a couple of issues because his organization was receiving millions while the legacy, trophy, or corporate top-heavy charities were not even coming close. Then someone decided to slow his growth by publicizing a situation that he publicly says that had corrected some time ago.
There is so much in-fighting amongst the different organizations. In addition, people are starving and dying by not being rescued in a timely manner. Ask yourself, how does this help those in need? It does not. I too was horrified when the rescuers were only paying major attention to the one hotel that housed our fellow Americans. Realistically, more people should have been rescued had the efforts been fair across the board. I begin thinking just maybe the hotel built by better specs, from the looks of it the answer is probably not.
Where is our humanity? When you help someone is it supposed to be fair and just or is it to be selective and or conditional? The people of Haiti are still God’s children too. I’m thankful our soon to be “one-term” president sent aid sooner than later. Note that in previous times, the Haitian people have been turned away from our borders while others have selectively have been allowed to enter legally/illegally. You do the math. There is enough wealth in the world to feed the Haitian people 3 meals a day!!! Cut out all the greed, nepotism, bigotry and focus purely on a humanitarian effort to meet the needs of the people.
There is so much in-fighting amongst the different organizations. In addition, people are starving and dying by not being rescued in a timely manner. Ask yourself, how does this help those in need? It does not. I too was horrified when the rescuers were only paying major attention to the one hotel that housed our fellow Americans. Realistically, more people should have been rescued had the efforts been fair across the board. I begin thinking just maybe the hotel built by better specs, from the looks of it the answer is probably not.
Where is our humanity? When you help someone is it supposed to be fair and just or is it to be selective and or conditional? The people of Haiti are still God’s children too. I’m thankful our soon to be “one-term” president sent aid sooner than later. Note that in previous times, the Haitian people have been turned away from our borders while others have selectively have been allowed to enter legally/illegally. You do the math. There is enough wealth in the world to feed the Haitian people 3 meals a day!!! Cut out all the greed, nepotism, bigotry and focus purely on a humanitarian effort to meet the needs of the people.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
03 24 09 What Would You Do?
The ABC network has a show called "What Would You Do", basically it’s a show about honesty, character, morality, and how the real you would react in certain situations.
Tonight’s program will be about dating...what would you do if someone misrepresented themselves on the phone/online/or in text message and you meet them in person on a date and they aren't the same!!!
This program should be really funny, in fact it should educate us all, if a person lies and you meet them in person (at a public place) and they aren’t who they said or what their photo said...then you have the right to give yourself permission to call them on it and leave without looking back!
Common sense should kick in here are my thoughts on this subject:
-During the course of several conversations did a red flag alert you about something the other person said...a contradiction of sorts...did you call them on it...or did you just dismissed it?
-If the person is not whom they say they were...that's an INTEGRITY issue...don’t mull it over…jus run far far away.
-This person is lying already and you don’t even know them yet
-If a person lies about something really small…can you trust them on anything else?
-You cannot change the other persons conduct only your own.
-Live in a manner that you don't attract such personalities.
-Are you one of questionable reputation?
-Do you need to be led around...do you let your friends decide for you.
-Are you a good judge of character?
-Does the same thing keep happening? If the answer is yes, it’s time for you to make changes in your own life.
-What do you really think and what would you really do...talk to me!
Tonight’s program will be about dating...what would you do if someone misrepresented themselves on the phone/online/or in text message and you meet them in person on a date and they aren't the same!!!
This program should be really funny, in fact it should educate us all, if a person lies and you meet them in person (at a public place) and they aren’t who they said or what their photo said...then you have the right to give yourself permission to call them on it and leave without looking back!
Common sense should kick in here are my thoughts on this subject:
-During the course of several conversations did a red flag alert you about something the other person said...a contradiction of sorts...did you call them on it...or did you just dismissed it?
-If the person is not whom they say they were...that's an INTEGRITY issue...don’t mull it over…jus run far far away.
-This person is lying already and you don’t even know them yet
-If a person lies about something really small…can you trust them on anything else?
-You cannot change the other persons conduct only your own.
-Live in a manner that you don't attract such personalities.
-Are you one of questionable reputation?
-Do you need to be led around...do you let your friends decide for you.
-Are you a good judge of character?
-Does the same thing keep happening? If the answer is yes, it’s time for you to make changes in your own life.
-What do you really think and what would you really do...talk to me!
Monday, March 9, 2009
03 09 09 Expectations
On a daily basis we confirm with every breath every thought and every action; who we are, what we are, and what we are striving to become. All along thinking and believing it is well within our grasp.
As wars, the thought of wars, financial disaster, market declines and life in general take its toll on the soul, keep living, looking, thinking, and expecting a better tomorrow. With every breath, every thought, and every action know that all hope is not lost.
As wars, the thought of wars, financial disaster, market declines and life in general take its toll on the soul, keep living, looking, thinking, and expecting a better tomorrow. With every breath, every thought, and every action know that all hope is not lost.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
02 24 09 What were you Thinking?
Think before you post. Is this statement something new or is it an idea going the ways of the 8-track tape, Windows 98, or the CD player and the like. As a teen I had a disagreement with a friend who had loose lips and repeated an earlier conversation we had; her father settled it by simply saying to me; “If you don’t want it told don’t tell it”.
With ever increasing friend or foe networks as I call them many people use these environments to either rant or rave, call someone out publically that they didn’t have the nerve to in person, tell your business and theirs, spy on each other or, flaunt their goods so the rest of us will admire them more all the while throwing caution under the preverbal bus. Then there are some who are more responsible; to you I say thank you encourage others to follow.
All I would like to ask is “Have you lost your mind?” By now everyone knows that every email, every text, every online photo, every online chat is being permanently stored in someone’s massive network database for future use. You should not have to read the small print to know this.
It is my belief that often times; companies are forgoing the typical survey because they know we would have to come to a dead stop in order to complete one and none of us are going to give up that much time; myself included. In order to better market their products; instead they track monitor and solicit information in a new form that is the FREE friends network; here they see read and monitor your actions conversations and so on; giving them all the information to customize and tailor their goods and services, these companies retain billion bytes of information on a daily basis. Don’t act as if you’re shocked, you’ve already been warned; nothing is really FREE.
It should be a well known fact by now that the person i.e., company/website making the rules changes them as they suit their own interest not the consumer the user of the product. Analysts everywhere are trying to properly educate online users but it does appear their helpfulness is falling on deaf ears.
Users are told to be discreet online and they do just the opposite and wonder why an employer or co-worker may treat them just a little different. “People wake up” if you put it out there then know that potentially the whole world will see hear read and or print it. Case in point on one of those FREE friends network sites every time you update change or add an item to your profile that information is immediately shared amongst your entire fan base; I for one have looked for the off switch; to my knowledge there isn’t one.
Think before you post anything online line whether it’s a friendly chat, email, or even text…it’s a paper trail and all that evidence can and will be potentially used against you. Ask yourself who really owns the information? Remember what you do in your youth and beyond could very well comeback and bite you and that you’re “Actions speak louder than words” and remember “If you don’t want it told don’t tell it”.
With ever increasing friend or foe networks as I call them many people use these environments to either rant or rave, call someone out publically that they didn’t have the nerve to in person, tell your business and theirs, spy on each other or, flaunt their goods so the rest of us will admire them more all the while throwing caution under the preverbal bus. Then there are some who are more responsible; to you I say thank you encourage others to follow.
All I would like to ask is “Have you lost your mind?” By now everyone knows that every email, every text, every online photo, every online chat is being permanently stored in someone’s massive network database for future use. You should not have to read the small print to know this.
It is my belief that often times; companies are forgoing the typical survey because they know we would have to come to a dead stop in order to complete one and none of us are going to give up that much time; myself included. In order to better market their products; instead they track monitor and solicit information in a new form that is the FREE friends network; here they see read and monitor your actions conversations and so on; giving them all the information to customize and tailor their goods and services, these companies retain billion bytes of information on a daily basis. Don’t act as if you’re shocked, you’ve already been warned; nothing is really FREE.
It should be a well known fact by now that the person i.e., company/website making the rules changes them as they suit their own interest not the consumer the user of the product. Analysts everywhere are trying to properly educate online users but it does appear their helpfulness is falling on deaf ears.
Users are told to be discreet online and they do just the opposite and wonder why an employer or co-worker may treat them just a little different. “People wake up” if you put it out there then know that potentially the whole world will see hear read and or print it. Case in point on one of those FREE friends network sites every time you update change or add an item to your profile that information is immediately shared amongst your entire fan base; I for one have looked for the off switch; to my knowledge there isn’t one.
Think before you post anything online line whether it’s a friendly chat, email, or even text…it’s a paper trail and all that evidence can and will be potentially used against you. Ask yourself who really owns the information? Remember what you do in your youth and beyond could very well comeback and bite you and that you’re “Actions speak louder than words” and remember “If you don’t want it told don’t tell it”.
Monday, February 23, 2009
02 23 09 How does one Truly Recession Proof a Career?
Is there such a thing? If so, how would you recession proof your own career? I would truly incorporate some of the following:
•Adapt to an ever changing culture/work environment
•Proactively think outside your defined role
•Develop a new skill set
•Telecommute or relocate
•Interests change over time inspire yourself to pursue new educational goals
•Aggressively inspire and mentor coworkers on your team
•Reduction in salary – How does one cope with a reduction in salary – it better than having no salary at all
•Implement those skills you’ve developed on your own personal time
•Learn a new word…If you hear a new word and don’t know its definition or point of origin look it up and learn its meaning and begin implementing the new word in both written and oral formats
•No matter how hard things get never ever put your integrity on the line as it will be tested in the most unproductive and unusual manner
•Stop using age as a factor there is a place for everyone…youthful vitality and independent wisdom now that’s a winning TEAM
•If you aren’t a person that reads a ton of books newspapers and or online articles than begin to change this and become an avid reader first you can begin with topics that most interest you
•Even if your role isn’t in the customer service dept the role belongs to every employee of the company
•Tell yourself on a daily basis there is always something new…put yourself on a quest for knowledge the universe is a vast place…share with others that which you have learned it may inspire further growth in others
•Remind yourself that everyone will eventually have their moment to shine and you are not on this journey alone
•With an open mind it will never matter what age you are…the question is are you willing to learn something new
What are some things you can do if you have already lost your current job
•Perform an internet search and find out the top 50 technology jobs
•Obtain financing to return to your educational pursuits and obtain a Bachelors or even a Masters
•Update your resume and stay informed on current resume formats and trends look at resumes online and determine if your resume has eye appeal is it neat in appearance does it contain typo’s is it grammatically correct does your resume reflect and or mirror the job description for which you are applying
•Read numerous job boards and begin to apply – incorporate some of those skills that you do as hobby
•Really read job postings that you may not even qualify for and determine the skill set that’s needed and if you are interested then begin to pursue that particular skill set
•Often times it only takes a class or two a few hours a month
•Major bookstores have café areas and tons of reading areas go and park there for a couple of hours
•That hobby that passion that item that holds your attention when you are off the clock this item can potentially become a side business and or lend itself to becoming a new skill on your resume
•Maintain a healthy outlook on your current situation it will be instrumental in the days ahead
•Apply for jobs that may be parttime 2-6 months in length your willingness to adapt to one of these situations may lead to full time employment
•Utilize your own network base and/or develop and new network entirely
Volunteer your time it will be much appreciated. While unemployed, I found myself on three separate occasions volunteering at a job fair that was totally out of my industry. Why did I volunteer? I have had so much experience writing resumes and still consider it a great gift to yourself and others to volunteer and give back.
Each time I took my two laptops so that someone who showed up without one could type...only one laptop out of 5 was attached to the printer so we all transferred files via a USB flash drive...each time we were able to help a minimum of 100 people whom genuinely appreciated getting their resumes typed. This experience put me on the other side of the table again so that I could extend the greatest kindest customer service that consisted of dignity and mutual respect. It is all anyone wants in these tough economic times.-Learn not to be judgmental and critical of others instead find common ground and new levels to co-exist.
You are only as good and profound as you allow yourself to be so, be the sunshine you seek!!!
•Adapt to an ever changing culture/work environment
•Proactively think outside your defined role
•Develop a new skill set
•Telecommute or relocate
•Interests change over time inspire yourself to pursue new educational goals
•Aggressively inspire and mentor coworkers on your team
•Reduction in salary – How does one cope with a reduction in salary – it better than having no salary at all
•Implement those skills you’ve developed on your own personal time
•Learn a new word…If you hear a new word and don’t know its definition or point of origin look it up and learn its meaning and begin implementing the new word in both written and oral formats
•No matter how hard things get never ever put your integrity on the line as it will be tested in the most unproductive and unusual manner
•Stop using age as a factor there is a place for everyone…youthful vitality and independent wisdom now that’s a winning TEAM
•If you aren’t a person that reads a ton of books newspapers and or online articles than begin to change this and become an avid reader first you can begin with topics that most interest you
•Even if your role isn’t in the customer service dept the role belongs to every employee of the company
•Tell yourself on a daily basis there is always something new…put yourself on a quest for knowledge the universe is a vast place…share with others that which you have learned it may inspire further growth in others
•Remind yourself that everyone will eventually have their moment to shine and you are not on this journey alone
•With an open mind it will never matter what age you are…the question is are you willing to learn something new
What are some things you can do if you have already lost your current job
•Perform an internet search and find out the top 50 technology jobs
•Obtain financing to return to your educational pursuits and obtain a Bachelors or even a Masters
•Update your resume and stay informed on current resume formats and trends look at resumes online and determine if your resume has eye appeal is it neat in appearance does it contain typo’s is it grammatically correct does your resume reflect and or mirror the job description for which you are applying
•Read numerous job boards and begin to apply – incorporate some of those skills that you do as hobby
•Really read job postings that you may not even qualify for and determine the skill set that’s needed and if you are interested then begin to pursue that particular skill set
•Often times it only takes a class or two a few hours a month
•Major bookstores have café areas and tons of reading areas go and park there for a couple of hours
•That hobby that passion that item that holds your attention when you are off the clock this item can potentially become a side business and or lend itself to becoming a new skill on your resume
•Maintain a healthy outlook on your current situation it will be instrumental in the days ahead
•Apply for jobs that may be parttime 2-6 months in length your willingness to adapt to one of these situations may lead to full time employment
•Utilize your own network base and/or develop and new network entirely
Volunteer your time it will be much appreciated. While unemployed, I found myself on three separate occasions volunteering at a job fair that was totally out of my industry. Why did I volunteer? I have had so much experience writing resumes and still consider it a great gift to yourself and others to volunteer and give back.
Each time I took my two laptops so that someone who showed up without one could type...only one laptop out of 5 was attached to the printer so we all transferred files via a USB flash drive...each time we were able to help a minimum of 100 people whom genuinely appreciated getting their resumes typed. This experience put me on the other side of the table again so that I could extend the greatest kindest customer service that consisted of dignity and mutual respect. It is all anyone wants in these tough economic times.-Learn not to be judgmental and critical of others instead find common ground and new levels to co-exist.
You are only as good and profound as you allow yourself to be so, be the sunshine you seek!!!
02 20 09 The NAACP and the New York Post..."you missed the joke"
I received an email Action Alert recently from the NAACP. The NAACP is actively pursuing a mass email campaign to have the necessary persons responsible for the insidious “stimulus comic” to be fired.
I for one believe in free speech, however, there are such times as this that we the people must allow our individual and collective voices to be heard and speak out against such a thing. It’s sad that we are an aggressive forward thinking nation that is still hung up on the color of one’s skin verses the content of their character.
I’m further saddened that certain newspapers will hide behind their freedom of speech. In order to perpetuate a particular stereotype, while others just passively sit by and quietly accept their bad behavior masquerading as commentary and or for comic value. We the people can utilize our voices in a way that has never before been seen (since the recent election of our 44th President).
Stop advertising, supporting, reading, and passing around negative commentaries such as this. The New York Post is carrying on business as usual and operating under the same guise that this type of behavior is still favorable.
Let me state; it is not favorable according to “all the people.” Let the New York Post know that this is not a “Missed Joke” but an offensive slam to ”Democracy” and to our new Commander in Chief.
I for one believe in free speech, however, there are such times as this that we the people must allow our individual and collective voices to be heard and speak out against such a thing. It’s sad that we are an aggressive forward thinking nation that is still hung up on the color of one’s skin verses the content of their character.
I’m further saddened that certain newspapers will hide behind their freedom of speech. In order to perpetuate a particular stereotype, while others just passively sit by and quietly accept their bad behavior masquerading as commentary and or for comic value. We the people can utilize our voices in a way that has never before been seen (since the recent election of our 44th President).
Stop advertising, supporting, reading, and passing around negative commentaries such as this. The New York Post is carrying on business as usual and operating under the same guise that this type of behavior is still favorable.
Let me state; it is not favorable according to “all the people.” Let the New York Post know that this is not a “Missed Joke” but an offensive slam to ”Democracy” and to our new Commander in Chief.
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