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Wednesday, March 29, 2006
The Paradox of Black Unity
¶ 3/29/2006 06:25:00 AM 0 comments
There was the Million Man March, Million Woman March, Million Youth Movement/March, Million Mores Movement.... and I guess I must ask. 'to what end was all this show for?'
It seems our own infatuation with being called minorities was supposed to give us a sense of freedom or independence but in the end it seems that it only led to divide Black folks amongst; and against themselves. I say this due to the show of unity, power and strength exhibited by the Latino community this last week. I say this from their continued show of force in Topeka at the State Capitol. I say this due to their ability to come to this country and become better business owners than those Black folks who have never even left the shores of America to visit a foreign country. It seems that while Black folks want to be seen in the ride nicer than their friend, have titles more impressive than their Black peer, or have home addresses to show they can flee to neighborhoods in which they are definitely a minority... everyone else who have migrated to this country understand that regardless of the status of their peers, united they must stand; or divided they will fall.
It is apparent that the majority of Black folks have given up!
Given up on their beliefs that they can be achievers. Given up on believing they hold answers and solutions to their own problems. Given up on believing that although they may not have the answers, someone else might. I think the term is best defined as 'pitiful'.
While the Latino Familia garners strength and support for immigration rights, Black folks seem resigned to just accept their marginal positions as a whole. In other words, 'as long as it ain't me; it's okay for it to be you'. Wow, that's a sad commentary.
Unless I missed something, the Latina Familia stood up for that which is impacting them all. In other words, you don't see the 'me'ism' in their stance. And unless I missed an email or two, they did not need to ask Black folks for the okay, approval or to even come and stand with them. I guess they got the message that there comes a time in which you must handle your individual issues if you want to properly address them. It was awesome to see them coordinated, city to city, with one voice and agenda. It is refreshing to see what real action and unity is about.
Turning to the Black Familia, what have we done as a collective to deal with the problems we know apparent and out of control beside a bunch of talk and limited action?
Unemployment - Nothing
Incarceration - Nothing
Black on Black Crime - Nothing
Black Teenage Pregnancies - Nothing
Black Business Empowerment - Very Little,,,,,but more than the above four
*I must note that none of the above areas are of a pandemic proportion in the Hispanic/Latino community, as I have shared such stats over and over again!
It seems Black folks are scared to sit down and address their issues at hand as if it will make other minorities mad at them. What causes this fear? Is it that we may all find there is no solution? Is it that a few with nice titles, white friends or fancy trinkets and all don't want it known that they don't have a clue about strategy and execution; regardless if they are chosen to sit at the table with decision-makers who could make a difference and initiate change? Is it because of a fear of getting fired if bossman finds out they've met to discuss issues that make us all look inept?
So, the recent show of Latin unity gives the rest of the world something to gauge Black folks by as it relates to their own significant problems. What do you think the other immigrants and the majority are thinking about Black folks right now?
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Monday, March 27, 2006
The Importance of Writing a Will By Heather K. Scott
¶ 3/27/2006 04:49:00 PM 0 comments
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You and your spouse happily return from the hospital carrying your beautiful new bundle. Youre looking forward to spending your first days at home marveling at your baby. As time goes by, your days quickly blur into a blissful pattern of naps, midnight feedings, and hours spent enjoying the miraculous little person sharing your life. During this new life chapter, few first-time parents want to think about writing a will.
After ushering a baby into the world, it is difficult to think about ones own mortality. But taking the time to write a will now is one of the most important things you can do for your child. Losing a parent at any age is difficult, and making sure your baby is cared for financially, emotionally, and physically will alleviate anxiety for you and your partnerand prevent undue stress for your child and extended family should a trauma indeed occur.
Choosing a Guardian, Trustee, and Executor
The first thing youll need to think about is a guardian for your child. For many families, this can be as simple as choosing the babys godmother and/or godfather. Other families choose one of the parents siblings. Remember that the person or couple that you pick will be taking on the lifelong commitment of caring for your child. The law center at http://www.nolo.com/ suggests asking yourself the following questions when considering a guardian:
Do you have confidence in the individual(s)?
Is your choice able to handle the physical requirements of being guardian?
Does he/she have the time?
If he/she has a family, are their kids close to the age of your child?
Can you provide enough money to raise the childand if not, can your prospective guardian cover the costs?
After youve made the decision, choose an alternate guardian to include in your will. He or she will take care of your child in the event that your primary choice is unable to do the job.
When first beginning a will, Mike Palermo, attorney and certified financial planner suggests, Focus should be on the people chosen as guardian(s) and/or trustee(s)not only in terms of parenting skills, but also managing money. These two roles can be separated.
Many parents follow this route and select one person to care for their child (a guardian) and another to watch the checkbook (a trustee). This is a wise choice for any family. Thought should be given to writing guidelines for the guardian(s) and/or trustee(s) to follow, so they can make the same kinds of decisions that the parents would make. But it all starts with choosing the right people, Palermo adds. His book, Crash Course on Wills & Trusts provides additional information and will be published through Barnes & Noble this September.
After picking a guardian and trustee, youll need to name an executor: someone to carry out your will and complete the necessary paperwork after your death. For your estate to transfer successfully, these three people will need to work together. Think about how your choices for guardian, trustee, and executor will interact in your absence. To help things move smoothly, you may consider including a letter with your will outlining how youd like your child raised and educated, how you want your funeral to be presented, and so on.
Remember, a will isnt just for dictating who should inherit your assets or care for your children. There are many other things a will can be used for, such as making contributions to charity or donating organs, as well as specifying funeral arrangements. You can also outline your preferences for life support by creating a separate form called a living will.
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." - Arthur Schopenhauer
IBSA, Inc.
Independent Marketing Associate
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Thursday, March 23, 2006
Online Resources to Market the Kansas Business Community
¶ 3/23/2006 01:39:00 PM 0 comments
| Dear Fellow Kansan:
Looking to make big things happen? Look no further than the Kansas Brand Toolkit, a free online resource to help market your community or organization. Together we can build a strong | |||
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Fw: Summer Federal Job Opportunities for Students in Kansas
¶ 3/22/2006 01:54:00 PM 0 comments
March 15, 2006 To: Job Placement Officials at High Schools, Vocational Schools, and Universities Subject: Summer Federal Job Opportunities for Students in Kansas The Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) provides Federal employment opportunities to students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment as degree seeking students taking at least a half-time academic, technical, or vocational course load in an accredited high school, technical, 2 or 4 year collage or university, graduate or professional school. Enclosed is a STEP Vacancy Announcement for a temporary Office Automation Clerk in your geographical area, $9.91 or $10.82 per hour. This position is open only to students who meet the qualification requirements in the announcement, and are enrolled or accepted for enrollment as degree seeking students taking at least a half time academic, technical, or vocational course. Please make the announcement available to your students who meet these requirements, who may be interested in this opportunity, and whom you believe will perform successfully in this type of position. Please notice the closing date of the vacancy announcement. If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact Jerel Devor, Human Resources Manger, 785-271-2713, or Julie Koch, Human Resources Assistant, 785-271-2714. Thank you for your consideration of this matter. | |||
Should Black Churches and Organizations Unite Financially Based on Collective Banking?
¶ 3/22/2006 01:33:00 PM 0 comments
Black Churches in Texas Unite Financially Based on Collective Banking Program in Marylandreleased on 03/22/06 at 09:01:34 African-American church leaders say blacks aren't treated fairly by local banks, so they pooled their resources to bring economic equality to their communities. They formed Texas Churches United for Empowerment (TCUE) to represent African-American churches in Central Texas and ensure equal treatment from financial institutions. Rev. Pastor Joseph C. Parker, Jr., the pastor of David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in East Austin heads the nonprofit. They've come up with standards and criteria for banks to adhere to when dealing with the African-American community. The TCUE bases its plan on the Collective Banking Program of Maryland, which represents nearly 200 black churches with more than $100 million in approved loans and $130 million in deposits. Full Article http://www.news8austin.com/content/headlines/?ArID=157666&SecID=2 | |||
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Top Honors....
¶ 3/19/2006 02:23:00 PM 0 comments
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Published Sunday, March 19, 2006 - It's your business
REAL ESTATE Toni Shenk, a sales associate with Coldwell Banker Griffith & Blair has been named to the Coldwell Banker International President's Elite. Only the top 3 percent of the more than 126,000 sales associates worldwide in the Coldwell Banker System qualified for the award. ================================================== Coldwell Banker Griffith & Blair has been named to the prestigious Coldwell Banker Chairman's Circle, one of only 127 Coldwell Banker companies throughout the world to receive the distinguished award. Coldwell Banker Griffith & Blair has received this honor for 18 consecutive years. The company was also named as the No. 1 company in closed adjusted gross commission income in Kansas for the Coldwell Banker system in 2005 among independently owned and operated Coldwell Banker companies. ================================================= Early lessons Shenk is a Topeka native who grew up in a two-bedroom home at 1415 S.E. Washington. During Shenk's sixth-grade year, her family moved to a house at S.W. 11th and Plass. As homeowners, her parents taught her the value of home ownership. Deeply religious, her family believed all people were created equal. She attended kindergarten at Monroe School, the site of the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site. "One of the uproars over Brown v. Board of Education was kids were forced to go to substandard schools," she said. "But I went to very good schools." She attended first through fifth grade at Washington School under principal Merrill Ross, who maintained high standards and attracted top teachers,,,,,, Read Rest of Story Here: http://www.cjonline.com/stories/051604/bus_diversity.shtml ============================================================================== | |||
| Agent Name | Phone Company|||
| TONI SHENK, CRS, GRI | 785-271-0351 COLDWELL BANKER GRIFFITH & BLAIR, INC.|||
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Fw: Why is Tavis Smiling and Why Are We Watching?
¶ 3/18/2006 02:13:00 PM 0 comments
By Leutisha Stills
"Every year, radio/tv commentator Tavis Smiley holds a forum that brings together "the best and the brightest" African-Americans from academia, political, economic and health care, to hold panel discussions on what's wrong with Black America, and how we Black Americans should go about fixing it.
This is a good gesture, if we truly believe it will bear positive fruit in the lives of African-Americans, to the point of where we will actually be motivated to take action to improve and take back the communities that serve to develop and nurture us. I cling to that hope, for in many instances, the hope of a better future is all we, as African-Americans, have left to sustain us........"
http://www.izania.com/forums/articles.php?action=viewarticle&artid=66
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Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Fw: New statewide child mentoring program
¶ 3/14/2006 10:08:00 AM 0 comments
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Looking to help youth in the community?
Both asked during a Statehouse news conference for leaders of community, school, business and faith-based organizations working with children to register on the site -- www.ksmentors.ks.gov -- so Kansas Mentors could document support programs that are in place and identify areas of need in Kansas. "We have too many children in Kansas who really need a caring adult role model and who need some encouraging words and someone involved in their lives who is promoting success," Sebelius said. Snyder, who retired last year as K-State's football coach, is leading the program for the governor. Sixty-two of the state's 105 counties have registered programs with the state, but increased publicity about the site should allow others to make their presence known. "The ultimate goal is to provide an opportunity for quality, caring mentoring for every youngster in Kansas," Snyder said. "It's going to take a little time for it to come to fruition." The Senate included in a budget bill $250,000 that Sebelius requested for the program, but House members pulled funding from its version of the bill. Rep. Brenda Landwehr, R-Wichita, said some House members were uncomfortable with a lack of details about the mentoring initiative. "As stewards of the state's money, we're supposed to know how the money is to be spent," she said.
Anthony S. Bush/The Capital-Journal
Former Kansas State football coach Bill Snyder, chairman of Kansas Mentors, introduces the organization's new Web site with Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Monday in her office at the Statehouse. The two hope the site, www.ksmentors.ks.gov, helps foster a statewide partnership.Governor, ex-coach tout online coalition
Click here to check for reprint availability.
Sebelius said she was optimistic legislators eventually would understand the potential of a statewide mentoring partnership. However, she said, there is an alternative to state funding. "If, at the end of the day, they decide not to fund it, I'm happy to go out and find private funders who will do just that," Sebelius said. "I feel very strongly that this is an important way to help children." Tim Carpenter can be reached at 296-3005 or | |||
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Fw: You've Been Fore-warned!
¶ 3/09/2006 08:37:00 PM 0 comments
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Pressing
Fw: Jury Rigged
¶ 3/09/2006 04:42:00 PM 0 comments
| This is for real!
Scam: Identity thieves trick the unwary into revealing their personal details by telling them they've failed to report for jury duty and warrants for their arrest are being issued.
Example: [Collected on the Internet, 2005]
Origins: This helpful heads-up began appearing in inboxes in August 2005. While this particular attempt to coerce information from potential identity theft victims is not new, it is real. In a number of U.S. states, con artists have been contacting people by phone to assert those they've targeted have evaded jury duty and announce warrants are being issued for their arrest. When the about-to-be-duped protest they never received such notifications, that surely a mistake has been made, the sharpies go after what they really want, which is their pigeons' personal and financial information. Under threat of being hauled off in paddy wagons unless they succeed in straightening out this terrible mess, many folks who would otherwise be more wary about what they reveal of their personal data will find themselves reeling off their birth dates and social security and credit card numbers in an effort to convince their callers the notifications that never arrived actually went to other addresses or were never meant for them in the first place.
However, these calls conclude whether those who have been approached are left with the impression they've failed to show up for jury duty and are still expected to discharge their civic duties, or that a big misunderstanding has now been resolved their true purpose has been accomplished: the scam artists now have the information necessary to open accounts or charge goods in the names of their victims.
The scheme outlined in the message quoted above might be categorized as a "social engineering" scam a technique which preys upon people's unquestioning acceptance of authority and willingness to cooperate in order to extract from them sensitive information.
On 22 August 2005, the Minnesota Judicial Branch issued a warning about the bogus calls. The Minnesota Judicial Branch points out its courts always use the mail to send jury service summons, communicating by telephone only after prospective jurors have returned completed summons information forms.
In New Mexico, Rep. Tom Udall has been warning citizens about the scam. As he points out, Federal courts do not require anyone to provide any sensitive information over the telephone. Most contact between a federal court and a private citizen is conducted by mail.
The Superior Court of California has posted an alert on its web site, warning that identity thieves posing as court officials have been trying to get confidential information through phone calls about jury duty. Once again, callers have been telling potential victims they failed to report for jury duty, then demanding their Social Security numbers. While court personnel may occasionally call people at home, "We never ask for Social Security numbers or personal identifying information," said Marita Ford, chief deputy executive officer for Riverside Superior Court.
Though the 'jury duty' information-gleaning scam has been garnering attention in 2005, it is not new. In 2004, residents of Franklin County, Ohio, were hit by this scam. At least five people called the Franklin County Municipal Court in September 2004 to ask where they were to report for duty after someone telephoned to obtain personal information. In Ohio, as in Minnesota, jury summonses are sent by mail and court workers do not call potential jurors to ask for Social Security numbers or dates of birth.
In February 2004, the scam was active in Charles County, Maryland. Once again, the fraud came to the attention of authorities via residents who had been contacted by phone afterwards asking the County Clerk about the attempts to wheedle personal information from them. They too had been asked for birth dates and Social Security numbers, that time by callers who claimed such intelligences were needed to assemble a pool of jurors for selection in upcoming trials. The Charles County Circuit Court does not telephone residents who are selected for jury duty. Potential jurors are sent notices in the mail.
In 2001 the Erie County Commissioner of Jurors reported someone in that area had been staging telephone scams about jury duty in Chautauqua, Seneca, and Jefferson counties, seeking information about home addresses and bank accounts allegedly "for reimbursement purposes." Targets of that fraud were being told by the swindlers attempting to deceive them that this information was required for the purpose of directly depositing their
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Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Mini-Sites Highly Targeted Sales Generators
¶ 3/08/2006 02:11:00 PM 0 comments
| Mini-Sites Highly Targeted Sales Generators
If you're looking for a highly effective method of increasing your Internet sales, then mini-sites may be your answer. Mini-sites are one of the most effective marketing tools online. Not only are they effective, but they're also very inexpensive and easy to create. The concept is simple. Create a one or two page website that completely focuses on one specific topic. Everything within that page should have one purpose -- getting the visitor to take action. This page should be neatly designed in standard HTML with no Flash or fancy plug-ins and very few graphics. There should be no banners or outside links of any kind and nothing that will distract your visitor's attention. The sole purpose of a mini-site is to attract highly targeted traffic. The more targeted the better. For example, if you have a website that sells a number of products, a good mini-site would focus on one specific product instead of all of the products. You could create a mini-site for each product you offer. Designing Your Mini-Site Each mini-site you create should be optimized for that one specific product. Concentrate on just a few keyword phrases, as this will help you to tighten your targeting. Remember ... the tighter the targeting the better. Killer Internet Marketing Strategies is a product of Web-Source.net | |||
Covenant with Black America
¶ 3/08/2006 11:54:00 AM 0 comments
| Hello Black Business Owners, Many have watched the C-Span airing of Tavis Smiley's "Covenant with Black America" program. We are looking to take action on the eight covenant regarding "ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT BUILDING and LEVERAGING WEALTH IN BLACK AMERICA". We invite anyone receiving this email to join the efforts of agencies such as IBSA, the Kansas Black Chamber of Commerce (KBCC), and the National Black Business Trade Association (NBBTA). This is our time to lead by example and come together as Black business owners and entrepreneurs. There is no excuse or reason big enough not to, as others have been doing so for some time. Whatever business you are in ... whatever your aims and aspirations ... a collective of organizations will assist you in reaching your goals by creating wealth through entrepreneurship. Help us to fulfill this covenant. Every person of African descent who is in business or thinking about starting a business venture need to join cohesive groups that are preparing to make a difference in our community and economic well-being. For those not in business but who want to help recycle Black dollars, we encourage you to join us as well. Get started today. You have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain. Lee Green NBBTA - the number one Black business organization in terms of popularity on the Internet! Join Here>>> http://nbbta.org/randomize.html?97 Lazone Grays IBSA http://www.kansassmallbizpromotions.com/ibsabiz.htm Frank Clay KBCC http://www.kansasblackchamber.org/ | |||
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
News From Across the Diaspora
¶ 3/07/2006 11:36:00 AM 0 comments
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Keys to Black Empowerment Sunday, February 19, 2006; Page F01 What is the economic state of black America? That is the question radio and television hosts Tavis Smiley and Tom Joyner will be addressing in Houston on Saturday. The two men, who have the ears of millions of African Americans, are hosting a symposium called "State of the Black Union 2006: Economic Empowerment -- Building and Leveraging Wealth in the African American Community." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/18/AR2006021800173.html ==============================================
 Trends in African American Philanthropy
Myth: African Americans don't give to charitable causes. Fact: African American households give 25% more of their discretionary income to philanthropic activities than Whites (Chronicle of Philanthropy, 2003). The question is where do they give? http://www.onphilanthropy.com/tren_comm/tc2006-03-03.html =================================================
Rewarding our Friends and Punishing our Enemies - February 2006 Many of us have experienced the negative aspects of standing up for Black people, and I am sure most of us have wondered why we have to fight against our own people in order to help save our Race. But remember Harriet Tubman and Marcus Garvey, just to name two; they had the same problems. Remember Denmark Vesey, Gabriel Prosser, John Brown, and Nat Turner; Black folks told on them. So it is not surprising that we still do the same things to our warriors today. Thus, individually, we will continue to experience similar struggles among our people. http://www.blackonomics.com/content.ihtml?cmemstep=1&nid=5491&catid=:catid | |||
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Fw: What Groups are Responsible for the Academic Failure of African American Students?
¶ 3/02/2006 11:34:00 AM 0 comments
| by Matthew Lynch Emerging Minds Magazine When African American Children cry out for help by failing academically or acting out, who is responsible for them falling through the cracks? If you ask teachers, the parents are to blame. If you ask the parents, teachers are to blame. If you ask administrators, the fault lies with the lack of parental involvement and quality teachers. If you ask the community, schools are to blame. The truth is that it is everyones job to effectively guide African American students through their formative years to adulthood. My Brothers and Sisters, if we fail to nurture and cultivate the next generation of Black leaders, who will uphold our legacy? Now ask yourself, which groups should be held accountable? Here is my list: http://www.emergingminds.org/magazine/content/index.php?itemid=3244 | |||
