Tuesday, July 30, 2013
So Fresh Saturdays: created by residents for residents
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Let us Live Peace March today!!! 12 noon Downtown
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
In lieu of the nation's uproar regarding the Trayvon Martin killing and the subsequent not guilty verdict for his killer, Project HOOD has organized a collaborative group of your pastors, youth leaders and community workers from across the city to come together for a peaceful one mile march in downtown Chicago today.
Clearly the country is divided as a result of the verdict and several issues have surfaced, from racism to a flawed legal system. The cry for justice is loud and being fueled by a bigger humanitarian issue.
It is the goal of Project HOOD to offer hop rto youth everywhere in memory of all of the Trayvon Martins across the American who will never get the same media attention.
The march has been named the Let Us Live march, taken from the premise in the Human Rights Act that every human being has a right to live. We are attempting to galvanize thousands of youth between the ages of 10-25 to participate,
The march will assemble at the corner of Roosevelt and Michigan , I twill then proceed north. ending at the Tribune building with a sit in and a State of the Hood Address.
Project HOOD and every young person in this city needs your commitment to march with us and help tp get the word out by lending your voice and influence. I trust that your heart is as sensitive to this issue as the young people negatively impacted by the verdict. They need thr restorati9on and healonhand we can help empower them in a positive way by leading them peacefully in a march but radically by stirring up their human nature to help their fellow man.
Corey Brooks
Project HOOD
Friday, July 26, 2013
LEGENDARY R&B GROUP LOW RIDER HEADLINES THE 3RD ANNUAL TASTE OF WVON
Chicago’s Urban Talker continues its 50th Anniversary Celebration with a day of entertainment, food, and family activities at the 3rd Annual Taste of WVON.
Internationally acclaimed R&B band Low Rider will headline the 3rd Annual Taste of WVON, Saturday, July 27th beginning at 10am. Legendary
Soul Group Enchantment, and Gospel Recording Artist Kim Stratton are
featured performers at this summer’s most highly anticipated
neighborhood event. The Taste of WVON is a daylong festival showcasing
the best local and corporate businesses in the Chicagoland area.
The Taste of WVON will be held at Lorraine Dixon Park,
8701 South Dauphin Avenue in Chicago (two blocks east of Cottage Grove)
from 10am to 8pm (CST). The
festival features over eighty merchant and
food vendors, a farmers market, family activities, and a special
Children’s Pavilion that includes clown performances, face painting, a
petting zoo, crafts, and pony rides. Additional live performances by
Reggae band Raw Dawg, Comedian Reggie Reg, Yemi Marie, and Chicago’s
First Lady of Blues – Nellie ‘Tiger’ Travis. WVON personalities Matt
McGill, Perri Small, Mark Wallace, Salim Muwakil, Kendall Moore, and
the “Governor of Talk Radio” – Mr. Cliff Kelley will be on site
to engage attendees, participate in event activities, and host a full
day of live broadcast programming.
This event is free and open to the public. The Taste
of WVON is sponsored by The Illinois Lottery, Com Ed, Chicago White Sox,
PNC Bank, Toyota on Western, and the Black McDonald Operators
Association. For artist interviews and additional press inquiries,
please contact Angelique Westerfield at (p) 312.489.7636 or angelique@wvon.com.
AfriCOBRA at the DuSable OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION!!!
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| In Chicago 1968, a group of artists came together and began to define a uniquely black aesthetic in visual arts. They sought to make art that spoke directly to the needs, aspirations and experiences of black America, and that celebrated what was beautiful and heroic about black culture. The seed of what would become the AfriCOBRA collective was planted at the “Wall of Respect,” a mural on a Chicago building that depicted black heroes and leaders. The wall became both a meeting place and the community’s visual affirmation of African American cultural, intellectual and political heritage |
TONIGHT!
Come join #AfricobrainChicago at the #DuSableMuseum for their Opening Night and Reception!!!!
Entertainment including #DiscoPoetKhariB, #LeeEngland and poet #AngelaJackson
Hear Professor Richard May and look for book signing by Wadsworth Jarrell!
Catered by Lenore's Kitchen
ADVICE about GENTLEMEN from a WOMAN
Some Black men in Chicago say...
"you cant be nice to some of these women"
To which we offer this advice from a sister who replied to one of our posts about Black men.
" Our Black Brothers are wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just stop turning from the fellas that speak, open doors, and ask you if you need help with something. (That's not thirsty) THAT'S WHAT REAL MEN DO!!!!!! "
Social service organizations; Help or Hindrance?
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Happy BDay to the greatest RB ever- #34Sweetness-#Walter Payton
He wasn't the fastest of his time. Nor the biggest.
Yet he was easily the most determined and intelligent running back we have ever seen. Equally capable of running, catching and throwing touchdowns, Payton was by far the most impactful player of his generation.
Payton at one time simultaneously held the league career records for rushing yards , TDs, carries, yards from scrimmage, all-purpose yards, and many other categories.
Payton is remembered as perhaps the toughest running back to ever play pro football. Payton missed ONE GAME in a 13 year career which stretched from the mid 70's to the late 80s when the physical dominant linebackers appeared, thus making his games played count even remarkable. He was actually a FEARED blocker often flattening blitzers who would then be leery of streaking into the Bears backfield.
He was elusive, strong and punished tacklers. He eseentially could run over, around or through tacklers. Payton also was a viable QB option, throwing 12 career TD passes.
He averaged 4.4 yards per carry playing for some of the worst offenses in history against defenses totally geared to stop him. He was often the ONLY highlight of many Bears games and the main attraction to many who ambled into cold Soldier Field to see many mediocre Bears teams.
He is easily the most beloved Chicago Bear and the hero to the greats after him including Emmit Smith, Ladanian Tomlinson and Adrian Peterson.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETNESS!
Smoothie for today....Mango Banana Cream
Health benefits: Protects your heart, quiets a cough, strengthens bones
1 mango, ripe but not too soft, peeled
1 frozen banana, pre-sliced
½ cup lite coconut milk
½ cup low fat milk
¼ teaspoon pure rum extract
Local Political POWER is the GREATEST of then all.
What about - the crooked alderwomen and aldermen who handle BILLIONS in city monies?
What about- downstate legislators? who play political games with education and who often waste BILLIONS in program dollars that never hit the hoods and trainees they're meant for?
What about - the bourgeois Black business men and women who take pride in the fact theyre not where "they" are?
Most of the things that affect our daily lives actually are debated and handled on state, county and local levels- do we really know this? Do we spend too much time following Obama and Co and not enough time following our local city council? Do we spend too much time looking at outdated conspiracy theories while the whole world has moved on? Brothers ask you to read the Protocols of the Elders of Zion with out realizing the current GDP of China- MUCH MORE relevant believe me...
Some brothers can tell you 5 great conspiracy books but not the name of 5 state legislators- yet the legislators have more impact in their life directly than the Rosicrucians they imagine to control the USA through their relationship with Zionist Israel blah blah blah ,,,,
If we do not get our heads out of the clouds and get to change thats real, from an inside out path politically- we will perish, while we either believe in or blame an Obama.
So ask yourself..
Who's my alderman?
Whats their real function and what commissions do they sit on?
Who's my state rep? State Senator? US Congressmen...?
What resolutions has the City Council recently passed and how did my rep vote?
Who shall I call about this vacant lot?
Questions, questions, questions instead of simple hope...
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Is Chicago ready for the return of the Supper Club?
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| El Grotto- 6415 s Cottage Grove. |
Not for decades has Chicago's Black community been able to dine in polished ambiance and elegance while seeing a top flight musical act or dance show.
For decades in clubs such as the Rhumboogie Cafe', partly owned by Joe Louis and located at 343 e 55th, patrons could see top flight acts such as Sarah Vaughn or Chicago's own Dinah Washington. Also playing there before was "The Dream Band" which included Charlie Parker and other heavyweights. The famous Club DeLisa hosted the greats, such as Dizzy, the Duke, Satchmo and a host of others.
There are some small clubs hosting jazz events these days but these are mostly weekly series events where jazz is sometimes "spun" and not performed! There is no modern R&B or hip hop based equivelants to these great clubs of yeateryear, with their dapper dress standards and be there to be seen status.
Today's young Black adults seem to prefer a club like or lounge like atmosphere for event heir most formal affairs- would they be interested in dinner and a show?
Or is it that the Supper Club has never been presented to them?
The older, more laid back Blacks in the 35 and up range appear as the most possible purveyors of the new Supper Clubs and to them as well as the Twentysomething Sophisticateds we ask a few questions.,..
Would such a club interest you now? Has the concert replaced the supper club for good? What would be good locations for such venues now?
Let us Live
#ChiTownUnity
#Peace
#LetusLive
#JusticeforTrayvon
#WeloveHadiya
Come join Pastor Corey Brooks- the Rooftop Pastor- and thousands of youth pastors, community leaders and others from across the city in a peaceful one mile march and sit in downtown
Named Let us Live after the Human Rights Act which states that every human being has the right to LIVE.
Assemble at the corner of Roosevelt and Michigan Ave where we will proceed north to the Tribune Tower for a sit in after the State of the Hood Address.
If you have a group who wants to participate, please call 312-813-5211
#Peace
#LetusLive
#JusticeforTrayvon
#WeloveHadiya
Come join Pastor Corey Brooks- the Rooftop Pastor- and thousands of youth pastors, community leaders and others from across the city in a peaceful one mile march and sit in downtown
Named Let us Live after the Human Rights Act which states that every human being has the right to LIVE.
Assemble at the corner of Roosevelt and Michigan Ave where we will proceed north to the Tribune Tower for a sit in after the State of the Hood Address.
If you have a group who wants to participate, please call 312-813-5211
Deb Mell in as 33rd Alderman.- Is this yet another nail in the coffin of Rahm's image as reformer?
View more videos at: http://nbcchicago.com.
His quote that it "would be unfair not to appoint her because of her last name" is ironically hilarious because for all intents and purposes she is being appointed for that very reason. What about a search for a authentically independent Hispanic candidate in the now mostly Hispanic 33rd? Is Daley, I mean Rahm, truly interested in moving the city forward or more so in moving hsi agenda forward utilizing the underlying machine?
Your thoughts?
10,000 BOOKS TO 10 CHICAGO COMMUNITIES!!!
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Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Check out Blerdology's Blerd’s Night Out Summer Tour in Chicago
Blerdology Announces Blerd’s Night Out Summer Tour
STEM social enterprise hosts mixers in Orlando, Detroit, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, New York City,
& San Francisco
Washington, DC July 8, 2013 – Blerdology is thrilled to announce Blerd’s Night Out (BNO), an 7 city
social summer series designed to meet blerd eco-systems where they live, to
aggregate social change and to foster community fellowship. Focused on both
established and emerging tech scenes, the Blerd’s Night Out Tour will strive to
make an impact in cities across the country including Orlando,
Detroit, Atlanta,
Chicago, Dallas, New York, and San
Francisco.
BNO will offer
blerds the opportunity to meet and greet with like minded individuals in their
area and hear from the top leaders in their market in an informal and
fun-filled setting. Community partners for the events include BlackStartup.com,
the black business focused crowdfunding platform, The Root - who's web
based Twitter measurement platform, the Chatterati, will be the official social
media tool for the tour and SF35, an organization for
high-performance capacity entrepreneurs from under-served communities.The tour will kick off on July 13 at
12 pm at entrepreneurship hub CoLab Orlando followed by a 5 pm Blerd Mixer at
Loft 55. The events will continue weekly with the dates scheduled as followed:
JULY:
13- Orlando – Blerdology.co/bno/orlando
20- Dallas – Blerdology.co/bno/dallas
27- Chicago – Blerdology.co/bno/chicago
13- Orlando – Blerdology.co/bno/orlando
20- Dallas – Blerdology.co/bno/dallas
27- Chicago – Blerdology.co/bno/chicago
AUGUST:
2- New York City – Blerdology.co/bno/newyork
9- San Francisco – Blerdology.co/bno/sanfrancisco
16- Detroit – Blerdology.co/bno/detroit
23- Atlanta – Blerdology.co/bno/atlanta
2- New York City – Blerdology.co/bno/newyork
9- San Francisco – Blerdology.co/bno/sanfrancisco
16- Detroit – Blerdology.co/bno/detroit
23- Atlanta – Blerdology.co/bno/atlanta
“One of our
favorite things to do is meet blerds in their communities and see the
incredible things happening in black STEM around the country. We are so excited
to cross the US
this summer celebrating the amazing blerdiness happening everywhere,” says
Blerdology CEO, Kat Calvin.
Blerdology is a
social enterprise designed to support, engage and grow the Black tech and
startup community around the country. Widely known as the first organization to
host hackathons specifically targeting the African American community,
Blerdology has since expanded to tech policy events in addition to working with
local, state and federal governments as well as public and private corporations
who are interested in hiring and marketing to the Black professional community.
To RSVP for a Blerd’s
Night Out in city near you visit Blerdology.co/bno
For more
information about Blerdology please visit Blerdology.co
"Auntie Kimmie can we go with you?" Haves and Have Nots in Black Chicago
What about your cousins you "dont mess with"?
Chicago has a sizable population of what one would call "affluent" African Americans. In fact there are several known pockets in "Black" parts of the city with millionaires including The Highlands and Pill Hill, Kenwood and Oakland.
There is also Pocket Town, Zircon City, the Wild Wild's, Jeffery Manor, Lakeside and a host of other sections of undeniably poor residents.
Sitting between these two classes of folk both geographically and economically is a fast dwindling middle class, such as the Valley below Pill Hill which itself neighbors a poor area beginning west of Stony Island.
What this entails is exposure vs a marked lack of exposure to what the city offers for many of its Black residents. It is a fact that impoverished residents seldom travel far out of their own neighborhoods for anything other than interaction with city/state agencies and to visit relatives. Lil Man doesnt leave the hood for anything other than court, the Aid office and to see his cousins at NanaNem's house.
Add to this the general lack of inclusion into social circles via the cyber world, as well as a tendency to ignore mainstream news outlets, and VOILA! A 17 year old from 69th and Dorcester has no idea that R. Kelly is performing at the Pitchfork Festival.
Now of course many in the "know" didnt know R Kelly was there but that's a manifest of the poor marketing many in our community undertake and is another story for another day.
So many in life live in prisons made without walls or guards and others look down from lofty perches and assume the less affluent choose to be ignorant but this is not always so. How many times has a promoter skipped a certain "crowd" to promote to because he/she "dont want no straight up niggas" there?
Also in allusion to the economic reality of it all we must ask: YOU GOT GAS MONEY?
Another dirty little issue is the tendency for mankind to magnify social and economic differences intentionally out of ego. This is especially marked in Black communities and is in fact one of the hidden causes of drug dealing- "we're all shit but I got money"...
Also what this Class War means is that the cousin who made it doesn't WANT his other cousins to know what he knows or see what shes,...
Otherwise, how would I be special?
Has anyone at the dance theater your child is training at representing cultured activities beyond that juking "those other kids do" reached out to the children of Englewood ? Some larger churches dont interact with the communities they sit in for anything other than a clothes giveaway. Benzes and BMW's leave mega churches carrying Black professionals who drive past impoverished residents thirsting for knowledge and opportunity.
What about you?
Did you ever think to offer to ask the mothers streaming into your social service agency would they be interested in your storyboard class?
Or do you want them there?
TIME FOR CHANGE....
I must admit I love a good quote. Some of my all time favorites are about change. I am clearly I am a fan of change because I started a business that is all about change and included a synonym for change (transformation) in the title. Change is constant and so necessary; however, it is rarely easy. There are five stages of change:
- Precontemplation: you don’t think you need to change
- Contemplation: you recognize there may be a problem but you haven’t decided it is worth the work to resolve it right now
- Preparation: you are ready to make some changes but you haven’t started yet
- Action: you are currently engaged in making changes
- Maintenance: you have completed the change and you are maintaining the new lifestyle.
Start Small: If your goal is to go to bed at 10p and you currently go at 2a, start by going to bed at 1a and work toward getting to 10p.
Check your motive: You should be changing because you want to for the betterment of yourself and your family; not because you are following a trend.
Ask for help: If you know someone who has made the change you want to make; ask how they did it. Oh and listen to what they say. It may or may not work for you but it’s a starting point.
Plan: The idea of waking up one morning and changing sounds great but isn’t very realistic. Create a plan of attack.
Remain positive: Each day you make an effort to change should be celebrated. If you are headed in the right direction you will get there.
Be accountable: Tell someone what you are trying to change. That way you will have to give an account for what you are or aren’t doing.
“And that is how change happens. One gesture. One person. One moment at a time.” ~Libba Bray
For daily wellness motivation and tips:
http://totaltransformationcoaching.com/
“Like” us on FB at: www.facebook.com/ttwcoach
Follow us on Twitter: ChangeAgent78
Saturday, July 20, 2013
gangster savior
it would not be an exaggeration to call the frame that holds me up an old bag of bones
yet i drag them around like ten commandment sized dog eared tomes
heavy they seem
bearing the afflictions of many -
most who did not even ask
i carry on
cutting off pieces of my flesh to feed those who seek to devour me
i am nourishing them, i tell my self righteous conscience
in truth, i know they seek to overtake me
no one is my enemy - only myself
me - she who would expel her own soul to save the Morning Star from eternal outer darkness
how could he have known, dear YHWH?
you and i are the only ones who are all seeing and all knowing
the peace that you were supposed to have instilled in my soul I give back to you
forgive him - as i die for the children your payments of mercy can no longer support
this unasked mother is tired
where is their father?
matriarchal supreme being forced to perform patriarchal parts
i am brother to the night
sister to the light
cousin to the Bros
kin to the Folks
both Black, Stone and Moe
Moor than El Rukn
thine Vice and thine Lord
King and Queen of Latins lost
both god and goddess of the Four Corners
Pushing Rainbows
under pissed on El tracks
a spray painted deity
on cathedral doors and liquor stores in an unforgiving Windy City
a silent prayer under a viaduct (vi-lot) before an eye-witness news reported drive by
and a wish kissed on a cross to make it back home
ignored by mayors
banned by Parks and Recreation
these old bag of bones will keep dragging on
offering salvation at existences cost
saying are eye pea to Suns and Daughters
sacrificed in Struggles of the Cause and Soldiers and Sistahs to the Struggle
unable to save those wheeled out on Leaks and Gatling biers
crown me savior to those who are still here
and the forgotten ones
called on too late by many
seeking all hails and praise
worshiped by none
What do you owe yourself?
I don’t owe you anything.
I was having a conversation with a friend one day and he looked me in the eye and emphatically said those words. As someone who is pretty independent most of the time and that tries to ask people for very little my feelings were definitely hurt hearing that. However, it got me to thinking. I could argue what is owed to me by others in the name of friendship, human decency, etc. but after I took the emotion out of it I concluded, regardless of what anyone else does or does not owe me, I owe myself!
Almost every day I have someone ask about going to the gym with me. They say it’s so hard going alone and if they just had someone to go with them they could be more consistent. I agree it is much easier to workout with someone else and so I try to never turn anyone down that wants to join me. So off we go to the gym. However, the minute I have to travel for work and can’t go with them to the gym they fall off. Who’s accountable for that? Me? Nope, them.
As a coach I am an accountability partner. I can motivate, I can guide, I can encourage. The one thing I CANNOT do is complete the job for you. I can go to the gym and sweat it out every day and that will not change your weight the next time you step on the scale. I can shop the perimeter of the grocery store all day long and that won’t change what’s in your cart if you choose to go down the cookie and chips aisle.
Bottom line, there is no external force greater than your inner ability. When you decide to be answerable for your choices, be accountable for your actions, and take responsibility for making your goals a reality no matter what anyone else does to help or hinder you will be unstoppable! Don’t get me wrong, having support from someone else is always better, but it’s not necessary and realistically it’s not always going to be available. You must be ready, willing, and able to give yourself a pep talk when you need, cheer for your own victories, and force yourself to do what needs to be done.
Tips for becoming more accountable:
• Recognize your power: You may not have the answers but you know where you are isn’t where you’re meant to be. Start with that and learn as you go.
• Love yourself: When you love someone there is very little that you wouldn’t do for them. When you love yourself, the same rule should apply.
• Set expectations: It is easy to set expectations for others and let them know when they don’t follow through. Do the same for yourself.
• No excuses: Don’t justify subpar dedication to yourself with an excuse. Accept it for what it is and make changes.
Our motto: I am responsible for MYSELF and my choices. I have to stay focused on becoming a better ME!
Click here for Total Transformation Wellness Coaching
For daily wellness motivation and tips:
“Like” us on FB at: www.facebook.com/ttwcoach
Follow us on Twitter: ChangeAgent78
Nothing Much Has Changed in Black History in 70 Years
By Marcie Hill
Calling All Negroes
I have to admit, the headline made me laugh because this is organizing before Twitter. There was a call for Black people to meet at the Coliseum for a common purpose, and I’m sure that the place was packed with people who cared. I still say, as I said in a previous post that Black people were better when they were Negroes.
Negro Power Against the Government’s Jim-Crow Policy of Discrimination
It looks like this is a battle Black People are still losing according to The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander. I haven’t read the book yet, but the prison system is overflowing with Black and Brown people, with Black leading the pack.
Winning Democracy for the Negro
Uh, this seems to be an oxymoron in 2013.
Fight for the Right to Live, Work and Be Free
I don’t think Black people in America care about this so much these days. In order to live and work, you have to be free. Unfortunately, the minds of Black people are being controlled by mainstream media so they won’t be free until they turn off the noise, open books and begin to think for themselves. Like Carter G. Woodson said in the Mis-Education of the Negro, when you control a man’s thinking, you don’t have worry about their actions. They have been trained to do what their oppressors want. So, Black people are on mental lock down in 2012.
As long as they are being controlled, they are not going to fight for the right to live and work. They are going to settle for what’s offered to them and continue to hope for the best instead of trying to do better.
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Do you see the cooperation between all these people? That’s how stuff worked in 1942! Will we ever get there again? Only if we turned off the television collectively and started talking to each other and thinking for ourselves.
- See more at: http://www.marciewrites.com/nothing-much-has-changed-in-black-history-in-70-years/#sthash.xHcjKQdD.dpuf
Who Am I? Better Yet, Who Are You?
I am a daughter, sister, aunt, friend. I am funny (I think) smart, practical, outspoken. I am loyal, determined, and destined for success. I am Tiffini. I am as common as my name and as unique as its spelling. I am imperfect, impatient, and independent. I am stubborn!
I am a coach, a mentor, and a resolutionist. Even as early as 6th grade I was selected to be on a committee to listen to student disputes and help them resolve their issues.
I am strong. I am sensitive (this was a new discovery for me!). I am equipped to handle anything that comes my way. I am a jewel (my mom told me that).
Ahhh, but because I know who I am I also know who I am not. I am not a quitter, a liar, or a thief. I am not fearless (but I am working on that). I am not flawless.
I am not mean-spirited. I am not a “hater”. I am not to be taken lightly.
So now we know who I am, but the real question is, who are you? When you look in the mirror, who do you see? Who has shaped what you see? How accurate is what you see?
You see (get it, see? LOL…told you I was funny! Anyway,…) every now and then it is important to check your vision. You have to be sure that your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you and the “YOU” you see is really who you are and not someone that others have made you out to be.
Now I ask you again…who are you?
http://totaltransformationcoaching.com/
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Transformation 1: You ARE your your HABITS! Start creating a new you.
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| The Phoenix is a legendary mythical bird representing REBIRTH. |
“Habit is either the best of servants or the worst of masters”
Nathaniel Emmons quotes
“Your net worth to the world is usually determined by what remains after your bad habits are subtracted from your good ones.”
Benjamin Franklin quotes
“Bad habits indulged in become crimes”
“First we form habits, then they form us. Conquer your bad habits or they will conquer you.”
Rob Gilbert quotes
“Procrastination is the bad habit of putting of until the day after tomorrow what should have been done the day before yesterday.”
Napoleon Hill quotes
“The best way to break a bad habit is to drop it.”
Leo Aikman quotes
“Good habits are as addictive as bad habits, and a lot more rewarding”
Harvey MacKay quotes
What habits do you need to KICK TO THE CURB?
Like your Butter pecan ice cream before you go to bed...as well as reaching for comfort food when you feel stressed
Dating the same 'person' character wise over and over again.
Not listening well
Which do you need to incorporate to make a better you?
Deep breath before yelling
A walk instead of a cigarette
Intentionally listening more and talking less in each conversation?
What NEW habits do you plan or need to use for a NEW YOU?
FEED THE PEOPLE CHICAGO | FRIDAY NIGHTS | 79TH & COTTAGE GROVE | 8:30-10PM
What is FTP?
FEED THE PEOPLE is a community lead movement toward becoming self-sustaining as a people while serving as an example of how we can care for and sharing with one another as a community. Every Friday on 79th Street (1/2 block east of Cottage Grove), the FTP team has free food and clothing available for members of the community/family. Staff consists of all volunteers and all items are donated by caring members of the community itself.
Why FTP?
There are a lot of unnecessary problems that exist within the Black community. We say unnecessary because all of our issues & problems do not have to exist!!! Of all of our challenges hunger is one of the most bizarre & blatantly unnecessary!! We have all seen the beauty & compassion of our people during times of climatic catastrophes. Unfortunately, many of us overlook the societal disasters that we as a people encounter daily!! The everyday hurricanes, earthquakes & floods of life we must address & this is what FEED THE PEOPLE is about. But 2 do this we need you!!! If everyone does a little no one has 2 do a lot. We ask that everyone donate a minimum of 2 canned goods a week & pass out a minimum of 10 flyers a week. That’s all. Power, peace & prosperity is ours!! LET’S GET IT!!!!
Some Simple Things We Can Do 2 Enhance Our Hood
*Throw ya trash in the trash can. A clean environment helps to create a clean mind; a grimy environment helps to create a grimy mind.
*Take it back 2 Alabama & Mississippi on em & Speak & Wave 2 your neighbors. There is no community without COMMUNIcation.
*Create & support positive, creative & enriching programs for our youth. Like B-ball tournaments, chess clubs, rap battles, poetry sets, mentoring programs, Saturday schools, etc. If we don’t have any programs 4 our shortys, please believe the county jail do!!!
*Make sure the churches in our communities are open not just on Sunday, but throughout the week; offering programs that will empower & enrich our community.
*Support Black business & entrepreneurship.
*Get back in touch with home remedies. Ease up on the PHARMacy & go to the real FARM; go back to nature. Please get ya self a copy of the book Prescription 4 Nutritional Healing by Phyllis Balch.
*Check out the documentary “Hidden Colors”. Watch it with your family, church, etc & have a lil round table discussion about it.
** WE WILL HAVE STRONG, LOVING & COOPERATIVE COMMUNITIES AGAIN! **
Help Us…
- Contribute non-perishable food items
- Donate to coat drive (coats, hats, gloves, scarves)
- Donate your time by joining us on Fridays
- Like/Subscribe to updates & spread the word!
CONNECT WITH FTP
www.facebook.com/WeOutHereCommunity
www.facebook.com/BrandonDaurham
For more information: 773-396-3276 / LifeIsGood83@yahoo.com
To donate food & clothing: 312-256-4739 / TiGiNiiCreative@gmail.com
FEED THE PEOPLE CHICAGO | FRIDAY NIGHTS | 79TH & COTTAGE GROVE | 8:30-10P
Circa 1971. First album release for Chicago based legends Earth Wind and Fire
In 1969, Maurice White, a former session drummer for Chess Records and former member of the Ramsey Lewis Trio, joined two friends in Chicago, Wade Flemons and Don Whitehead, as a songwriting team composing songs and commercials in the Chicago area. The three friends got a recording contract with Capitol; they called themselves the "Salty Peppers" and had a marginal hit in the Midwestern area called "La La Time".[11] The Salty Peppers' second single, "Uh Huh Yeah", did not fare as well, and Maurice moved from Chicago to Los Angeles. He then added to the band singer Sherry Scott[12] and percussionist Yackov Ben Israel, both from Chicago, and then asked his younger brother Verdine how he would feel about heading out to the West Coast. On June 6, 1970, Verdine left Chicago to join the band as their new bassist. Maurice began shopping demo tapes of the band, featuring Donny Hathaway, around to different record labels and the band was thus signed to Warner Bros. Records.[11][13] Formation and early years (1971–1973) The cover of 1972 album Last Days and Time Maurice's astrological sign, Sagittarius, has a primary elemental quality of Fire and seasonal qualities of Earth and Air q.v. (Sagittarius in the northern hemisphere occurs in the fall, whose element is earth, and in the southern hemisphere, it is spring, whose element is air., the omission of Water, the fourth classical element). Based on this, he changed the band's name, to "Earth, Wind & Fire"
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Making the Job Interview Process Work for You
A candidate’s ultimate goal from an interview is to receive an offer
of employment. The employer’s goal is to select the right candidate.
Contrary to how candidates have approached interviews in the past,
waiting for the interview to learn what you need to know to determine if
this is the right decision, is much too late. Many employers have
figured that out, too, and that is why they research candidates’
backgrounds in advance of the interview, or prefer to work with
candidates referred by a trusted source. The employer will typically
know what they need (not always) and what they are willing to pay (a
range) in advance of an interview. If they truly don’t have a range,
then it could be red flag. It may mean they haven’t researched to know
what is reasonable, or worse, don’t have a budget, which means they may
not be fiscally prepared to add to staff.
Regardless of how prepared or ill-prepared either party might be, every interview potentially ends with an offer and subsequently a negotiation. To retain a position of power throughout the process, the candidate’s negotiating strategy begins with their advance preparation, the resume they send and the first conversation. Contrary to popular belief, a strategy cannot begin after the offer is made. Any attempt to negotiate without a strategy is only a reaction or response. The person without a strategy is in a less powerful position than the one with a strategy.
The following examples illustrate how easy it is to lose your power prior to or during an interview, when there has been little preparation and no strategy developed prior to the first conversation. Immediately following are recommended actions to help a person maintain a position of power and to reinforce the ability to get what they want.
Ways to Lose Your Power:
Regardless of how prepared or ill-prepared either party might be, every interview potentially ends with an offer and subsequently a negotiation. To retain a position of power throughout the process, the candidate’s negotiating strategy begins with their advance preparation, the resume they send and the first conversation. Contrary to popular belief, a strategy cannot begin after the offer is made. Any attempt to negotiate without a strategy is only a reaction or response. The person without a strategy is in a less powerful position than the one with a strategy.
The following examples illustrate how easy it is to lose your power prior to or during an interview, when there has been little preparation and no strategy developed prior to the first conversation. Immediately following are recommended actions to help a person maintain a position of power and to reinforce the ability to get what they want.
Ways to Lose Your Power:
- Reacting to an opportunity without goals and a strategy. If you are unclear about what it is you really want, why and how you are going to accomplish it, it is impossible to present a compelling case for why you are a fit for the role or the company.
- Not preparing for the call before you speak with them. Without preparation, it is too easy to get side tracked with tough questions. People say things they shouldn’t say, and say things in ways that can be easily misinterpreted.
- Talking about money before an interviewer knows anything about you (other than what’s in you your resume). Until you have presented a case for why you are worth anything, suggesting you should have more than what they might be offering will typically close the door on the opportunity. Yes, recruiters ask what you want. Just because they ask, doesn’t mean you need to tell them. (I’d like a home in Mexico. Anybody going to pony up?)
- Disclosing current or previous compensation. Don’t compare apples and oranges. The employer wants to know they are not wasting their time. If you are changing roles or moving from an area with a different cost of living, this information is irrelevant. There are many ways to assure them you are fine with what they may offer.
- Making demands or setting boundaries about what you will consider before a formal offer has been presented. If they haven’t decided they really want you and absolutely have to have you, then it is premature to discuss what you want. It can tip the cart and actually prevent an offer from coming forth.
- Assuming who the decision maker is. Don’t take any conversations lightly. A receptionist or support person may not be listed as a participant, but they certainly may be in on the hiring decision. At the very least, information they pass on about you could make a difference in the outcome later.
- Not knowing what the interviewer’s needs are. If you over speak when talking with any interviewer (trying to sell yourself by addressing issues that are not of interest to the person in front of you), you may completely miss the opportunity to move forward.
- Making assumptions about the interviewer’s viewpoint or company’s position on key points without clarifying their needs. Expanding on your opinion about something without being absolutely certain it is in line with their thinking leaves too much to be wrongly interpreted.
- Emailing communication that can be interpreted badly or will lose translation. Conversation about any conflict, money or a concern of any kind should not have a permanent trail.
- Asking questions about “what they can do for you” before you have presented value to them. Don’t imply you will have special requests before they are clear about “what you can do for them”.
- Talking beyond the business at hand before it is a done deal. If an offer hasn’t been presented for the role that is in front of you, then changing direction midstream without fulfilling their initial need can take you completely out of the game. Discussion about future options can be interpreted as if you are not interested in the original position or are overqualified. Even though the conversation seems pleasant enough, the reality of what is still left unfilled may resurface after you have left, and you could be dropped like a hot potato.
- Assuming any discussion is a formal offer when none has been made. You can’t assume that because one person loves you, and says everything is a go, that it is a done deal. Talk is cheap.
- Be clear about your goals and how a particular role or company will contribute to your being able to achieve them.
- Know what you need to know about an industry to be competitive before you begin any conversation.
- Research a company and be as aware of important information about it before you have a conversation with a recruiter or hiring manager.
- Set the stage that money is not your highest priority, but the fit and contribution to the company’s needs are.
- Deflect questions about current earnings. Don’t be pushed into comparing apples and oranges. Research the current market range and suggest it. Certainly finding out from inside sources prior to an interview is optimal if the range isn’t posted.
- Find out who the real decision maker is.
- Make sure you know what is important to every person you interview with.
- Don’t take a stand about anything. Rather than discussing your “opinion”, tell them what you have done in the past so they don’t need to guess what actions you might take when given a tough scenario to maneuver through.
- Ask open-ended questions to learn more about the role, department and company. Let them talk! Ask open ended-questions to build your awareness of their motivation before coming to any conclusions.
- Discuss complex issues in person (or by phone if that is the only option other than email).Create a positive impression with all communications.
- Save discussions about “future advancement” until they have confirmed their immediate need has been met.
- Ask for a formal offer. Get it in writing.
Business Relationship Strategies for new Entreprenuers
Just because you are an entrepreneur, or work in a startup, you can’t ignore the rules of building and maintaining relationships. Many despise these experiences in corporate environments, and leave for a startup, only to find that they have to be able to navigate a similar minefield there of workplace and business relationships to be successful.
Jan Yager, Ph.D., an author and speaker on this and related subjects, outlines in her latest book “Productive Relationships: 57 Strategies for Building Stronger Business Connections.” From my experience and hers, here are ten top relationship strategies for people in startups:
- Create a favorable first impression. You only get one chance for a first impression. Don’t miss an opportunity for face-to-face communication, where you can use body language that welcomes relating, estimated at over 50% of all communication. Limit the use of e-mail and texting for early interactions, where you miss the body language.
- Avoid negative personality types. By recognizing negative personality types, like the control freak, the blameless type, the idea thief, and the entitled, you will have a better chance of not taking his or her behavior personally. Avoid associating with them.
- Proactively form relationships with positive types. These are the people who will help you to thrive and prosper. They include real mentors, facilitators, visionaries, motivators, and negotiators. Of course, it still pays to keep your eyes open and carry your own weight.
- Find a way to motivate others to want to get along with you. Understand your own agenda, and figure out the agenda of others, hidden or obvious, to make it a win-win relationship. How can you appeal to others on an emotional level to work together?
- Reexamine your attitude toward conflict. Some conflict is inevitable. The key is how to deal effectively with it. Recognize points of view, respond to what happened, resolve what needs to be resolved, and reflect on the lessons learned. Then move on.
- Deal with the “back-off” before it turns antagonistic. Rather than have a confrontation, someone backs off. You can’t make someone want to deal with you, but you can try to increase their motivation to deal with you – like getting together for lunch, or trying to communicate in another way.
- Benefit from harsh feedback about your work. Receiving criticism is never easy. Try some recovery techniques, like taking a deep breath, give yourself time, and look at the issue from their perspective. Keep your initial response short and sweet and in control.
- Cope with the “lonely at the top” syndrome. One of the prices that you pay for being a CEO is giving up a lot of the social relationships within the company. There is a line beyond which you cannot go. You cannot compromise what is right for the company just to be liked. Join associations, or rely on your family for support and feedback.
- Say goodbye, if leaving is the best option. Sometimes it’s better to just move on, rather than endure extended pain. Even if you cannot quit this instant, you can at least start looking for a new job. Be proactive in planning for your next position.
- Use social networking to improve your work relationships. Savvy workers at all levels are using these sites to develop and strengthen their business relationships as well as to reconnect with previous business connections. Make your own luck by giving and seeking referrals.
The startup world of the past, run by a couple of autocrats, no longer works. To succeed in today’s collaborative, customer-driven, networked economy, requires real business relationship efforts by everyone involved. No matter where you are in the spectrum, there is no time like the present to kick it up a notch.
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We all need mentors. They come from all walks of life, backgrounds and genders. People helping people is how we become people. These two young ladies were very kind to me when I was a kid on the Southside of Chicago. I like to think they were instrumental in making me the man I am today.