My Last $20… Truly God Given December 11, 2008

My last $20. It’s burning in my pocket. 20 singles, 2 tens, 4 fives, or however you wanna look at it. There is so much you can do with a $20. Contrary to what we have been forced to believe. In college that $20 alone could last me a whole week! Every fast food chain now has a dollar menu, gas is at an unbelievable low, and you can catch a matinee movie, local play, or buy an awesome bargain outfit. I know because I did it. Last night, while out on the town I realized I had one last $20 in my pocket. As I rummaged my purse for the endless amount of money that was supposed to be there, I realized it was down to just that one bill. I still had not eaten, been on my outing for the night, nor put gas in my car. I immediately looked up to the sky and said, “Why Me!!!”. I decided you know what, I’m going to make this $20 work.

First, my girlfriend and I headed downtown to a the 1st ever Chozen Awards held at the historic Hammond House. The awards were honoring Atlanta’s hottest entrepreneurs professionals, entertainers, trendsetters, and other movers and shakers in the city. And best of all it was FREE! I’m learning, more and more, that’s some of the most awesome and gratifying event in the city are free events or put on at a minimal cost by Non-profits and other community organizers. There was free food and free drink ( they even had my favorite wine!). Anyway, afterwards we headed down to this jazzy little sushi bar and I was able to purchase a tasty little special for $7.50.  My girl grabbed the tip and we headed a bit further downtown to a swank little jute joint and heard some amazing artist on open mic night! The cover was $5. Yes, I still had $7.50 in my pocket.  It’s funny but God works in mysterious ways, and will make you realize just how fortunate you are in a split second.  As I went to grab my cell phone I realized that it wasn’t in my purse and I had to have misplaced it somewhere. Aaagghh!!!

We began to frantically retrace our steps and call around to see if any often places we had been had found a cell phone. Nothing. I put the remainder of my money in my gas tank and decided to ride back over to where our night began, at the West End at the Awards Ceremony. As I finished putting gas in my car, I went to reach for the door handle and it broke off! Yes, I somehow HeManned my car door handle it just broke off! Okay, so I look back up to the sky and apologize. I mean honestly, and sincerely. I had been having a wonderful night, with $20 in my pocket, and here I was being ungrateful and frustrated over a cell phone. Completely not acceptable. So, I managed to open my door and we headed back to the West End, Upon arrival my friends phone rang, and one of the ladies who organized the Awards Ceremony had indeed found my phone and had left it with the individuals who ran the museum. It was now closed for the night, but she assured me that I would be able to pick it up today. I headed back down to the West End today and picked up my phone. There is was, in perfect tact.

I spoke with the museum’s Executive Director and I began to share the details of my eventful night. He started to tell me to always be thankful for what I had and that everything in life happens a certain way for a reason.  It’s not like it was the first time I had heard those words, but at that moment they became so true and so real. After talking even more about my profession and about my recent degree in Public Relations that I acquired from Morgan State, he offered me a job!  “You’re kidding me , right?” I was not only shocked and excited but I also felt so fortunate and ashamed. The director told me I would go very far because of my gracious personality and attitude, and that I had a spirit that drew people to me. As I left the museum I kneeled my head and prayed. “Thank you Father for being so gracious and merciful. I was so undeserving of everything that had happened to me in the last 48 hours, yet I had received so much. I even received some of the kindest words I had ever heard amidst my poor attitude. I will do better, I promise.” I wanted to share this story because all to often we think what we have is minimal or meaningless. I stared my night frustrated with only $20 in my pocket. I questioned God and was very ungrateful. Even so, I ended up having great fun, getting my lost cell phone back, and a job! If that’s not the beauty of our Father in Heaven, I don’t know what is…

Jobs Industries That Will Withstand the Recession December 8, 2008

5 Recession-Proof Industries That Pay
When the economy is down, you can still move up!
By Cherise Asato

With health care costs, food prices, and the unemployment rate on the rise, you need to do everything you can to protect yourself – and your career – from the danger of recession.

Check out these 5 stable, growing industries. Many feature careers that pay $50,000 and more!

1. EDUCATION

Education isn’t just for kids. In fact, in 2003, the U.S. had over 75 million students of varying ages at all levels – from elementary school to college and beyond!

Having an impact on young minds and sharing your knowledge can be a rewarding, steady career. You can get started on a teaching career with a 4-year college degree in teacher education. If you’re already a teacher, you can prepare to advance to a principal position with a master’s degree in educational leadership or educational administration.

The Pay Off: Salaries for kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers average about $47,000 to $52,000 a year.* Principals have an average annual salary that ranges from $40,000 to more than $80,000! Learn more about education and teaching programs now.

2. ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING

Now more than ever companies are being held responsible for their financial reporting. Add evolving financial laws and regulations and the increasing number of businesses into the equation, and the result is an in-demand, stable industry with a wealth of employment opportunities.

Get started on a recession-proof accounting career with a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in accounting, and then broaden your opportunities and salary range with an accounting master’s degree. Or you can get your feet wet with an accounting diploma or accounting certificate program.

The Pay Off: The median annual salary for accountants and auditors in 2007 was $63,180.

Another Plus: Accounting is a broad industry with many specialties. Want to work for the IRS? Explore government accounting programs. Interested in investigating financial wrongdoing? Try a forensic accounting program.

3. HEALTH CARE

It’s no surprise that one of the most stable industries – even when the economy is in poor shape – is health care. No matter what the state of the country, there will always be people in need of quality health care services.

Train to coordinate and plan the delivery of health care services with a health services administration or health care administration degree. Want to assist doctors and care for the sick? Consider a nursing diploma or degree program. Or prepare for a supporting role with a one-year dental assisting and short-term medical assisting programs.

The Pay Off: Medical assistants make an average of $13.59 an hour – over $28,000 annually. Dental assistants make an average of $15.52 an hour which can add up to about $32,000 annually. Registered nurses averaged over $62,000 per year in 2007. Medical and health services managers can make over $80,000 annually.

4. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Constantly evolving technology means continued growth and stability for careers in the information technology industry. Consider studying to become a computer systems analyst or computer software engineer.

To get started, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field, like information security.

The Pay Off: Computer systems analysts can earn an average annual salary of $75,890. Computer software engineers, who design, develop, test, and evaluate computer software and systems, earn an average of $85,000 to $90,000 a year!

5. SECURITY

Following 9/11, national security became a top priority. Factor in a growing population and increased concern for public safety, and you see an industry full of lucrative, stable careers.

Although you can join the police force with only a high school diploma, a degree in law enforcement, criminal justice, public administration, or other industry-related areas can help you get ahead in this line of work. To work as a probation officer, you’ll need to start with a bachelor’s degree in social work or criminal justice.

The Pay Off: Police officers earn an estimated $50,670 a year. Detectives and criminal investigators earn an estimated annual salary of $62,500. Probation officers have a median salary of $47,980.

Another Plus: With three years of full-time related work experience, and the right degree, you could meet the criteria for employment as an FBI agent!

*All salary data from Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor

Time For Change November 4, 2008

Today is a day that I have prayed for for my entire young life. It’s a day that has never come before in history and one that will always be remembered in the future. Today, there is an African American man at the top of the ballot running as the presidential candidate for the United States of America. It’s nice to acknowledge that this campaign and the support of Barack Obama is not only because he is a Black man, but a qualified one. Yet it is important to recognize the important of a man of color being able to run. There was a time, not too long ago, when African Americans could not stand in line with whites, dine in restaurants with whites, or attend schools with them. Blacks were raped, beaten, enslaved, and lynched for things as simple as looking at their white counter parts in their eyes, not saying “yes Maam” or “No Sir” when being spoken to, or speaking out against the harsh and cruel treatment that they had been subjected to. The confidence and dignity of an entire race was stripped and if it was not for the most admirable Civil Rights activist such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Frederick Douglas, and Rosa Parks to name a few, we would still be waiting for a chance to be considered equal. During The Civil Rights movement racial segregation and the disenfranchisement that took place made blacks feel as though they would never be treated as equals to their white counter parts.

Now, this is far from a history lesson but it is important to understand our history and to understand the pride and excitement and long awaited justification that many minorities feel. My grandmother picked cotton in the fields of Southern Georgia and cleaned houses for white families to support her own. She fought hard to make a better life for her children and shed tears when the idea of a man of color being elected to president became more than an idea, but a fact. In this country there were many injustices besides those towards just African Americans. Native Americans were forced off their land and killed, Hispanics, many Caribbeans, Asians, and many other minority groups were treated as second class citizens. America, the land of the free, has not always lived up to it’s ” Land of the Free” name and instead taken a “Holier Than Thou” approach. But today is a new day, a new time, and change is coming. The new generation is much more accepting and understanding of others.

We are a generation of HOPE! A generation of CHANGE! And a generation of ACCEPTANCE! It’s time that we band together and love each other to support the change that Americans needs. We all live in this great country and it is up to us to be the change that we hope to happen. Regardless of who you vote for, this election in monumental. The opportunity for a woman to become vice President, the opportunity for a Black man to become President. Either way, we are changing our future one vote at a time. Please take the time to vote. Show your sincerest gratitude for those who came before you to sacrifice their pride, their humanity, and often times their lives to give you the opportunity to let your voice be heard. There are places in this world still today where citizens have no voice and no right to oppose the way in which the country the live is ran. It is something that should not be taken for granted. I encourage those who think that their 1 vote cannot count, to do their homework. In elections past each of those single votes did count, and even if they were not to make the difference in their candidate being elected, do it for the ancestors.

It is bigger than a candidate being black, it is about a candidate being an advocate for love and acceptance of all. One who is interested in changing this country and ultimately changing this world. You decide, but Obama, You’ve got my VOTE!!!

What a Party!!! September 7, 2008

So this past Friday I had the amazing opportunity to put together and host my first listening party for a new artist I represent. His name is Cottyand he is a hip-hop artist as well as an actor and model. I was fortunate enough  to have made some connections in the UK with some promoters and business owners so I figured what an opportunity to have a listening party and expose them to this amazing talent we have here in Atlanta while they were here for a visit. What an immense success! We also had the most amazing spoken word artist by the name, Archie the Messenger, and two budding comedians buy the names of Tracey and Water Boy. The night was one to remember.

Cotty,  the south’s newest lyrical phenomenon has been mystifying the music scene with his music for over 7 years. An unsigned talent like his is rare and his chameleon like style of flow and smooth delivery has all of the biggest labels seeking to find out what all the commotion is about. Cotty’s ability to incorporate R&B, Jazz, and elements of pop into his hip-hop flavor have guaranteed his mass appeal to fans words wide. When our UK guests came and were able to see him perform they were astonished and eager to find out when he would be bringing his show to Europe! You can check Cotty out on his myspace page at Myspace.com/cottyatl.

Lights, camera, action! As the DJ spun the latest tracks, our guests  danced, sang, played in the hot tub, ate Atlanta’s best Jamaican food, and were exposed to the whirlwind of excitement that I am able to call my life. Another highlight of the night was having the critically acclaimed,best selling author/publisher extraordinaire in our presence by the name of Relentless Aaron. Relentless had a display of his 30+ novels for guest to peruse and before you know it he had snagged a brief interview with the owner of the house, Zenobia.

She then began to talk about her journey to the top and how her law firm and incredible network of entrepreneurs, government officials, and other super importants became so. Like I said it was truly a night to remember and even more so it was a night for the stars! More to come for sure! Take a look at the Zenobia’s brief interview and if you don’t feel inspired, Im sorry for you!

Eight Black Students From North Carolina Central University Participating in Summer Journalism Internships at Duke University July 23, 2008

According to the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, eight black students will be traveling across town from their North Carolina Central University home to Duke University to participate in a summer internship program.

This opportunity will give more minority students the chance to learn about the field of journalism at a very competitive university. Of the nearly 53,000 editorial workers in newsrooms across the United States only 2,790 are black.

For this story and many others relating to African Americans and Education please visit:

http://www.jbhe.com/index.html

Dispelling the Myths July 23, 2008

I hate stereotypes. One reason this blog was so important to me was to dispel the myths that all young women of color, particularly Blacks and Hispanics, do nothing progressive in their lives but exude sexuality, make babies, and cause trouble. The media is largely responsible for this, I know, as they broadcast the worst stories from urban communities, develop television and movie roles that play into awful stereotypes for the world to view, and exploit our music. All the while failing to acknowledge that African American only make up a dismal 13%, so how could we possibly have the negative impact and influence that is claimed when the numbers just don’t add up.

I’m a recent college graduate who graduated in the top of her class. I went to college on an academic scholarship and was involved in numerous student organizations and activities from after school mentoring, to the newspaper, to holding a leadership position in our public relations organization. But most importantly, it wasn’t just me. The friends that I surrounded myself with were more impressive than I. All of this is to say that the stereotypes are not always true. African American women are attending and graduating college at in increasingly high rate and taking on leadership roles in the workplace, and at a faster rate than their male counterparts.

See Rehema Ellis, NBC News correspondent’s article entitled African American Women: Where They Stand. http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/11/26/480738.aspx.

The truth of the matter is, it is up to us to let the truth be known. We are making change, and at a very progressive rate. Despite the frustration that I feel every time I turn on BET and there’s a video with a beautiful woman shaking her butt as opposed to speaking her mind, I know the times are changing. I have a younger sister, and she’s the single most important person in my life. It’s up to me to show her how to be a lady and make educated decisions. As she gets ready to enter her 11th grade year of high school, I am that much more determined to make my voice be heard in the hopes of a better life for her.

Below I have posted the links to a few videos clips about the advancement of African American women from NBC Nightly News:

http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-US&brand=msnbc&vid=a5cb5dd4-e890-49d9-9615-c61f6d4f6823

http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-US&brand=msnbc&vid=400f8224-0e5d-4d7c-a31e-42b8dec0e3d1

http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-US&brand=msnbc&vid=bbd35b81-c915-452c-bfe4-01433b56cf38

African Americans are Having Tremendous Success Attaining Master’s Degrees July 18, 2008

Before I could even finish my last semester in Undergraduate, I was actively researching and pursuing which direction I would be going into within the next year of my life. Grad School, here I come! Two more years of being broke, carrying a book bag, and deciphering my way across campus.

Like may of my piers, Graduate school isn’t much of an option these days, but a necessity. In a time when the economy is in turmoil and the American dollar has lost its value, going back to school isn’t such a bad idea. I mean it’s not like there’s an enormous amount of good paying jobs available, so why not go ahead and further my education while my juices are still flowing, right?

See, our parents talked to us about he importance of college while we were growing up. Like their parents taught them, they assured us that an undergraduate education would put us in a competitive position when we finally immersed ourselves in the job market…WRONG!

Today, students all across the country and graduating from college and turning right back around to go back. Some of them, because they have found fields of study that they want to pursue further, some have been blessed enough to attain jobs that reimburse students who do Master’s programs, and some are simply terrified of the harsh realities that face them post graduation, and find school as a familiar refuge.

Whatever the case, being sure about where you want to go and what you want to actively pursue in your career is key when deciding to to to Graduate school. With tuitions starting in the $20 and $30 thousand range, it is in your best interest to take the time and really think it out.

The good news is that African Americans students are going back to school as well and there has been a major surge in the number of African American students that have Master’s Degrees. Although the economy is crippling beneath us, Blacks have found a way to stay in the race.

Check out the Chart Below!

Any by the way, Barack is also all for students who want to attend college and can’t afford it. Once again Barack 08′!!!

“I will make college more affordable for every American, period. This isn’t an issue you hear John McCain talk about much. He has voted time and time again to stop us from making college affordable.”

— Barack Obama, speaking at Wayne County Community College in Taylor, Michigan, June 17, 2008