Behhind the scenes is where the real action is!
I had the pleasure of taping a show this past weekend as part of the Make A Difference Day National Event in which we showed our youth who were interested in
behind-the-scenes careers in radio and televsion.
I had the pleasure of being blessed with a new assistant who's interested in becoming a stylist (Who wouldn't want to get paid for shopping?) who did a wonderful job in assisting me on this project. Her name is Alisha Sistrunk, a young lady on a mission who's also working on publishing her first book! Can't wait to read it! She has an awesome story that will help parents with their children.
Working behind the scenes doesn't usually put you in the spotlight, but that doesn't mean that you're not making a difference. Several years ago I facillitated several Networking Strategy workshops for the NSBE (National Society Black Engineers)
where I had the pleasure of meeting an awesome young man who is making a difference in the lives of others. Today, I share a story with you about this inventor. "America's High Tech "Invisible Man" By Tyrone D. Taborn You may not have heard of Dr. Mark Dean.
And you aren't alone. But almost everything in your life has been affected by his work. See, Dr. Mark Dean is a Ph.D. from Stanford University . He is in theNational Hall of Inventors. He has more than 30 patents pending. He is a vice president with IBM. Oh, yeah. And he is also the architect of the modern-day personal computer. Dr. Dean holds three of the original nine patents on the computer that all PCs are based upon. And, Dr. Mark Dean is an African American. So how is! it that we can celebrate the 20th anniversary of the IBM personal computer without reading or hearing a single word about him? Given all of the pressure mass media are under about negative portrayals of African Americans on television and in print, you would think it would be a slam dunk to highlight someone like Dr. Dean.
Somehow, though, we have managed to miss the shot. History is cruel when it comes to telling the stories of African Americans. Dr. Dean isn't the first Black inventor to be overlooked Consider John Stanard, inventor of the refrigerator, George Sampson, creator of the clothes dryer, Alexander Miles and his elevator, Lewis Latimer and the electric lamp. All of these inventors share two things: One, they changed the landscape of our society; and, two, society relegated them to the footnotes of history. Hopefully, Dr. Mark Dean won't go away as quietly as they did. He certainly shouldn't. Dr. Dean helped start a Digital Revolution that created people like Microsoft's Bill Gates and Dell Computer's Michael Dell. Millions of jobs in information technology can be traced back directly to ! Dr. Dean. More important, stories like Dr. Mark Dean's should serve as inspiration for African-American children.
Already victims of the "Digital Divide" and failing school systems, young, Black kids might embrace technology with more enthusiasm! if they knew someone like Dr. Dean already was leading the way. Although technically Dr. Dean can't be credited with creating thecomputer -- that is left to Alan Turing, a pioneering 20th-century English mathematician, widely considered to be the father of modern computer science -- Dr. Dean rightly deserves to take a bow for the machine we use today. The computer really wasn't practical for home or small business use until he came along, leading a team that developed the interior architecture (ISA systems! bus) that enables multiple devices, such as modems and printers, to be connected to personal computers. In other words, because of Dr. Dean, the PC became a part of our daily lives.
For most of us, changing the face of society would have been enough. But not for Dr. Dean.. Still in his early forties, he has! a lot of inventing left in him. He recently made history again by leading the design team responsible for creating the first 1-gigahertz processor chip.. It's just another huge step in making computers faster and smaller. As the world congratulates itself for the new Digital Age brought on by the personal computer, we need to guarantee that the African-American story is part of the hoopla surrounding the most stunning technological advance the world has ever seen.. We cannot afford to let Dr. Mark Dean become a footnote in history. He is well worth his own history book. "
Now that you know there's someone like you who's making a difference, what can you do? What will you do? The world is waiting! Don't let your talent be wasted! You've got waaaaaaaaaay too much to give, to not use it!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
inspiration from ex-offenders
Rev. Louis Flowers of the West Side Minister's Coalition facilitated the 2nd Chance Opportunity Fair for Ex-Offenders this past week on Chicago's West Side. Many leaders in the community talk about change, but this Minister walks the talk! He doesn't assign tasks and supervise, he's there in the trenches making sure the job gets done and people get the services they need!
Service Providers were on location to offer emergency housing, health services, jobs, and pretty much everything one needs to get back to being a productive member of society. I was simply there to help where I was needed.
During my presentation, I was pleasantly surprised to hear a young man by the name of Lee, who owns a trucking company. He offered words of wisdom to keep the faith, because he was once an ex-offender and now ears a six figure salary. This is not something you hear everyday on the street. No one will tell you that you can overcome. People have a tendency to tell you that it can't be done.
I am simply thrilled to be a positive change in the lives of those who want to improve their lives. I met upcoming film/script writers, authors, beauticians, barbers, chefs, resturaunt owners, truckers, artists, singers, entertainers, and the whole nine yards. It thrilled my heart to see the thousands of people who showed up and have not given up!
That's my message to you today. It doesn't matter what you're going through, remember, it is just that, going through. The situtation did not come to stay. It only showed up in your life to see what you are made of, and how you will handle it.
If someone who has made a bad choice in their life and now has an EX on their back, it's really just the beginning! If they can do it, so can you! Question is, what will you do now? Where will you begin?
Network! Network! Network! Be out and about! Don't shut yourself in. Remember, closed mouths don't get fed! Speak up! Speak out! And Get Going! Stay on purpose, no matter what!
*********************
Service Providers were on location to offer emergency housing, health services, jobs, and pretty much everything one needs to get back to being a productive member of society. I was simply there to help where I was needed.
During my presentation, I was pleasantly surprised to hear a young man by the name of Lee, who owns a trucking company. He offered words of wisdom to keep the faith, because he was once an ex-offender and now ears a six figure salary. This is not something you hear everyday on the street. No one will tell you that you can overcome. People have a tendency to tell you that it can't be done.
I am simply thrilled to be a positive change in the lives of those who want to improve their lives. I met upcoming film/script writers, authors, beauticians, barbers, chefs, resturaunt owners, truckers, artists, singers, entertainers, and the whole nine yards. It thrilled my heart to see the thousands of people who showed up and have not given up!
That's my message to you today. It doesn't matter what you're going through, remember, it is just that, going through. The situtation did not come to stay. It only showed up in your life to see what you are made of, and how you will handle it.
If someone who has made a bad choice in their life and now has an EX on their back, it's really just the beginning! If they can do it, so can you! Question is, what will you do now? Where will you begin?
Network! Network! Network! Be out and about! Don't shut yourself in. Remember, closed mouths don't get fed! Speak up! Speak out! And Get Going! Stay on purpose, no matter what!
*********************
Sunday, October 14, 2007
inspiration in the media
How does the media affect your life?
If you think it doesn't, think again.
You're programmed from the time you get up in the morning, until what time you go to bed at night! Don't be embarrassed or ashamed about it, because the world is. It's not just you alone.
Wonder why we don't do certain things, a certain time of the year?
Wonder why we don't wear certain colors (White!) after labor day? That's because we allow the FASHION INDUSTRY to dictate what's in our closets. How often do you wear a BLACK TOP with your jeans, as opposed to any other color?
How often do you make it your business to be the FIRST IN LINE, or the FIRST IN YOUR BLOCK, JOB OR GROUP to get the latest in technology? (Crackberries, IPODS, ZUNES, CD's, DVD's, etc.)
Do you trade your car in every few years or so?
Do you take vacations at where the experts say you should go?
If you recognized yourself in any of these situations, then you've been simply branded, or as they say in the movies, YOU'RE IN THE MATRIX! NOT A BAD PLACE TO BE, OPPOSITE DEATH!
This is not to make you ashamed, simply to make you aware.
If you haven't seen how media controls America, then be sure and log on to www.cantv.org and watch the media marathon, Sunday Oct. 14th, 9am - 5pm on Ch. 21. If you missed it, log on to the site to see when it will air again.
And you wondered why radio stations play the same 12 songs over and over and over and over and over and over and over.........
If you think it doesn't, think again.
You're programmed from the time you get up in the morning, until what time you go to bed at night! Don't be embarrassed or ashamed about it, because the world is. It's not just you alone.
Wonder why we don't do certain things, a certain time of the year?
Wonder why we don't wear certain colors (White!) after labor day? That's because we allow the FASHION INDUSTRY to dictate what's in our closets. How often do you wear a BLACK TOP with your jeans, as opposed to any other color?
How often do you make it your business to be the FIRST IN LINE, or the FIRST IN YOUR BLOCK, JOB OR GROUP to get the latest in technology? (Crackberries, IPODS, ZUNES, CD's, DVD's, etc.)
Do you trade your car in every few years or so?
Do you take vacations at where the experts say you should go?
If you recognized yourself in any of these situations, then you've been simply branded, or as they say in the movies, YOU'RE IN THE MATRIX! NOT A BAD PLACE TO BE, OPPOSITE DEATH!
This is not to make you ashamed, simply to make you aware.
If you haven't seen how media controls America, then be sure and log on to www.cantv.org and watch the media marathon, Sunday Oct. 14th, 9am - 5pm on Ch. 21. If you missed it, log on to the site to see when it will air again.
And you wondered why radio stations play the same 12 songs over and over and over and over and over and over and over.........
Sunday, October 7, 2007
not so inspiring
know this is supposed to be an inspirational column, but sometimes you just need to vent. Today, I am venting, hopefully you'll get something inspirational from it. Hopefully, you won't make the same mistake.
I recently attended a gala where a local representatives were supposed to award some college students scholarships for school. About halfway through the program it appeared to me that this function was more about the WHO'S WHO in Chicago, and had little to do with awarding funding for school.
How so? After I thought about all the money that was frivously spent for hosts and emcees, bringing in top name entertainment, $500 a plate dinners, and not to mention the $5,000 tables that sponsors bought (Where NO ONE from that organization showed up!)
I was really ticked off! How could we in good conscious support such an event in a community that doesn't provide economic security for the people who this organization is supposed to represent? How can we spend thousand of dollars in a downtown hotel that cares less about us as a people, but will take our dollars. We could have taken those same dollars and invested them in our own community with people who live in our community, and look like us.
I guess the fact that we can afford to rent these fabulous rooms, drive our luxury cars and wear our designer gowns and tuxes, is a sign that we've arrived. But have we really?
The only thing I could see from this event that we arrived at is the fact that we still don't know how to invest in ourselves. Now I wonder which corporate sponsor they can get who can provide a scholarship to do that?
I recently attended a gala where a local representatives were supposed to award some college students scholarships for school. About halfway through the program it appeared to me that this function was more about the WHO'S WHO in Chicago, and had little to do with awarding funding for school.
How so? After I thought about all the money that was frivously spent for hosts and emcees, bringing in top name entertainment, $500 a plate dinners, and not to mention the $5,000 tables that sponsors bought (Where NO ONE from that organization showed up!)
I was really ticked off! How could we in good conscious support such an event in a community that doesn't provide economic security for the people who this organization is supposed to represent? How can we spend thousand of dollars in a downtown hotel that cares less about us as a people, but will take our dollars. We could have taken those same dollars and invested them in our own community with people who live in our community, and look like us.
I guess the fact that we can afford to rent these fabulous rooms, drive our luxury cars and wear our designer gowns and tuxes, is a sign that we've arrived. But have we really?
The only thing I could see from this event that we arrived at is the fact that we still don't know how to invest in ourselves. Now I wonder which corporate sponsor they can get who can provide a scholarship to do that?
Sunday, September 30, 2007
pocketbook monologues
Inspiration is an inside job.
Sometimes inspiration is the triange that separates your thighs.
When was the last time you had a look down there?
What did it look like? Where is down there?
Down There has numersous names, some of which you may or may not be familiar with. If you've seen the Vagina Monologues, you'll have an idea. If you still don't have a clue, then it's time you do. This time, it's from the perspective of the African American Woman.
Sharon McGee, News Anchor on Chicago's ONLY African American Radio Station has listened to her heart and followed through with a simply superb version of the Vagina Monolouges with The PocketBook Monolouges.
Saturday night at Malcolm X College was THE place to be. If you haven't seen it yet, might be too late. The PocketBook Monologues is off to a 10 city tour with Chicago's own Radio & Televsion Divas LaDonna Tittle, (InTheMiddle) Bonnie DeShong and Deborah Crable. There's even a youth version of the monologues included. (Can't tell you what who and what that is, it's a surprise!)
Coming from the South (Mississippi) I thought I'd heard it all, that is until I attended the PocketBook Monolouges. I never knew all the words associated with Down There, such as "Lil Sister, Ms. Murphy, butterfly, candy, punani, velvet pouch, bun (for the hot dog), and a whole lot more. Sharon McGee says, "Whatever you call it, you must protect it!"
That's the true message of the PocketBook Monologues. She tells the story of how women are losing the battle to HIV/AIDS. African American Women are the Number 1 Growing face of this disease! It's an epidemic among us! We must do something! NOW!
The message comes across as soo funny, you almost forget about the tragedy. Without giving away the whole story, I'll simply say this, IF and WHEN it comes back to Chicago, make it your business to call all your womenfriend (Mothers, Aunts, Sisters, Neices, Grannies, Dads, Uncles, Nephews, Sons, etc.) TAKE THE WHOLE FAMILY!
The world needs to see this. It needs to be in the Public School System ALL OVER THE COUNTRY! DON'T MISS IT IF YOU GET A CHANCE TO SEE IT. You will get a chance to see BEHIND THE SCENES coming soon in November on ZTV!
(Sundays Midgnight on Channel 19)
Parnts and Caregivers, take the time and talk to your girl and boy children about sex affects their lives and how it just might be the death of them. You'll be glad you did. If you don't know how, get them a copy of the book, The PocketBook Monologues. Invest in our youth today.
The life you save could be your own!
Remember, inspiration is an inside job!
Sometimes inspiration is the triange that separates your thighs.
When was the last time you had a look down there?
What did it look like? Where is down there?
Down There has numersous names, some of which you may or may not be familiar with. If you've seen the Vagina Monologues, you'll have an idea. If you still don't have a clue, then it's time you do. This time, it's from the perspective of the African American Woman.
Sharon McGee, News Anchor on Chicago's ONLY African American Radio Station has listened to her heart and followed through with a simply superb version of the Vagina Monolouges with The PocketBook Monolouges.
Saturday night at Malcolm X College was THE place to be. If you haven't seen it yet, might be too late. The PocketBook Monologues is off to a 10 city tour with Chicago's own Radio & Televsion Divas LaDonna Tittle, (InTheMiddle) Bonnie DeShong and Deborah Crable. There's even a youth version of the monologues included. (Can't tell you what who and what that is, it's a surprise!)
Coming from the South (Mississippi) I thought I'd heard it all, that is until I attended the PocketBook Monolouges. I never knew all the words associated with Down There, such as "Lil Sister, Ms. Murphy, butterfly, candy, punani, velvet pouch, bun (for the hot dog), and a whole lot more. Sharon McGee says, "Whatever you call it, you must protect it!"
That's the true message of the PocketBook Monologues. She tells the story of how women are losing the battle to HIV/AIDS. African American Women are the Number 1 Growing face of this disease! It's an epidemic among us! We must do something! NOW!
The message comes across as soo funny, you almost forget about the tragedy. Without giving away the whole story, I'll simply say this, IF and WHEN it comes back to Chicago, make it your business to call all your womenfriend (Mothers, Aunts, Sisters, Neices, Grannies, Dads, Uncles, Nephews, Sons, etc.) TAKE THE WHOLE FAMILY!
The world needs to see this. It needs to be in the Public School System ALL OVER THE COUNTRY! DON'T MISS IT IF YOU GET A CHANCE TO SEE IT. You will get a chance to see BEHIND THE SCENES coming soon in November on ZTV!
(Sundays Midgnight on Channel 19)
Parnts and Caregivers, take the time and talk to your girl and boy children about sex affects their lives and how it just might be the death of them. You'll be glad you did. If you don't know how, get them a copy of the book, The PocketBook Monologues. Invest in our youth today.
The life you save could be your own!
Remember, inspiration is an inside job!
Sunday, July 29, 2007
inspiration while shopping
Yesterday was truly an adventure. I did something yesterday I have not done in a looooooooonnnnnnnng time. I went shopping for wardrobe for the weight loss reality show
I'm hosting (www.thintutioncompetition.com ) something I really don't like doing.
You're probably thinking, "What is wrong with her?"
Shopping is a woman's favorite thing to do. Not really.I'd rather point and click on the internet and have it shipped to me.After trying on several outfits,
I was pleasantly surprised to seeI'd gone down a size or two.
(depending on the design)When one puts their mind to doing something, results will follow.
As you may or may not know, as host of this show, I need to show some results as well.
(See results in upcoming ZTV Show on Ch. 19, Sundays at Midnight)
Several of the contestants have lost over 50 pounds withoutdieting or surgery,
(Just practicing the principles of Thintuition)so I really had to step up to the plate.
(excuse the pun)It's really inspiring to see somany people of all ages and backgrounds
follow this plan(Eat only when you're hungry!)and have fantastic results.
It just goes to show the power of the human spirit,once you make up in your mind
what you're going to do.I've seen one contestant who was diabetic, decrease his medication becausehe's learning to eat only when hungry.
Living in a society that drowns us with junk food, and the meet to eat mentality,
it's a daily struggle. Nothing worth having is easy.So remember that the next time you're tempted to indulge in your drug of choice.(Food, alcohol, gambling, sex, shopping, sports, etc.)
The greatest gift we have in this life is the gift of life and how we choose to live it.No matter where you are in life, you have the power of choice to do something different,if you don't like where you are in life now.So, what do you need to make up in your mind?
Higher Learning begins within. Take some time, sit down and get quiet.
You'd be surprised at what you can do when you do this.Begin within.
There lies all the answers to your problems.
It's no fun shopping when you can't try on a new size smaller than your regular size.
but it's definitley empowering when you can see some results from your hard work!
That's empowering!
It's also empowering when you make up your mind, one day at a time.
If you want real inspiration, do something to inspire yoursefl.
So! What will you do to empower yourself today?
I'm hosting (www.thintutioncompetition.com ) something I really don't like doing.
You're probably thinking, "What is wrong with her?"
Shopping is a woman's favorite thing to do. Not really.I'd rather point and click on the internet and have it shipped to me.After trying on several outfits,
I was pleasantly surprised to seeI'd gone down a size or two.
(depending on the design)When one puts their mind to doing something, results will follow.
As you may or may not know, as host of this show, I need to show some results as well.
(See results in upcoming ZTV Show on Ch. 19, Sundays at Midnight)
Several of the contestants have lost over 50 pounds withoutdieting or surgery,
(Just practicing the principles of Thintuition)so I really had to step up to the plate.
(excuse the pun)It's really inspiring to see somany people of all ages and backgrounds
follow this plan(Eat only when you're hungry!)and have fantastic results.
It just goes to show the power of the human spirit,once you make up in your mind
what you're going to do.I've seen one contestant who was diabetic, decrease his medication becausehe's learning to eat only when hungry.
Living in a society that drowns us with junk food, and the meet to eat mentality,
it's a daily struggle. Nothing worth having is easy.So remember that the next time you're tempted to indulge in your drug of choice.(Food, alcohol, gambling, sex, shopping, sports, etc.)
The greatest gift we have in this life is the gift of life and how we choose to live it.No matter where you are in life, you have the power of choice to do something different,if you don't like where you are in life now.So, what do you need to make up in your mind?
Higher Learning begins within. Take some time, sit down and get quiet.
You'd be surprised at what you can do when you do this.Begin within.
There lies all the answers to your problems.
It's no fun shopping when you can't try on a new size smaller than your regular size.
but it's definitley empowering when you can see some results from your hard work!
That's empowering!
It's also empowering when you make up your mind, one day at a time.
If you want real inspiration, do something to inspire yoursefl.
So! What will you do to empower yourself today?
Sunday, July 22, 2007
inspiration from jazz
If you can appreciate good jazz, then you can appreciate some of the best in the business. Saturday evening was a gathering of a small sample of the kind of music people of all ages appreciated as we all rocked back and forth to the sounds of horns, guitars and great musicianship.
Some of my favorites when I interned at WNUA Smooth Jazz with my mentor Denise Jordan Walker blew us all away. I remember voicing my first voice-over commercial for an artist I didn't even know at the time, (But came to love) the one and only Peter White. I never knew he was from London, because he plays a guitar. You can't tell where a person is from by the instrument he plays.
Richard Elliot had the hottest and jazziest zebra patterened saxophone I have ever seen in life! He blew us all into a jazz zone we didn't want to leave.
Rick Braun is also one of my favorites. I used one of his songs as the opening theme for my tv show when I first started ZTV! This musician is as smooth as the horn he plays.
Last but not least, the man I'd waited to hear since he came on the scene some years ago sounding like the jazz great George Benson. He took us to a place none of us expected. Besides doing his jazz best, he even showered us with his new Gospel song that left us begging for more.
I surely didn't expect to have church in the middle of a jazz concert! It was well worth the time he took to praise the most high for the abundance of blessings we were all recieving! There's nothing more powerful than a musician giving praise to the Master Musician!
This experience was something I will remember for life. Life offers many good experiences in life, but there's nothing more soothing than an experiences that re-connects you with the power of God, through music. So the next time you feel a little out of sorts, under the weather or you just need a little uplifting, then turn on some jazz (or your favorite music) and start giving praise!
Remember, when the praises go up, the blessings come down!
Some of my favorites when I interned at WNUA Smooth Jazz with my mentor Denise Jordan Walker blew us all away. I remember voicing my first voice-over commercial for an artist I didn't even know at the time, (But came to love) the one and only Peter White. I never knew he was from London, because he plays a guitar. You can't tell where a person is from by the instrument he plays.
Richard Elliot had the hottest and jazziest zebra patterened saxophone I have ever seen in life! He blew us all into a jazz zone we didn't want to leave.
Rick Braun is also one of my favorites. I used one of his songs as the opening theme for my tv show when I first started ZTV! This musician is as smooth as the horn he plays.
Last but not least, the man I'd waited to hear since he came on the scene some years ago sounding like the jazz great George Benson. He took us to a place none of us expected. Besides doing his jazz best, he even showered us with his new Gospel song that left us begging for more.
I surely didn't expect to have church in the middle of a jazz concert! It was well worth the time he took to praise the most high for the abundance of blessings we were all recieving! There's nothing more powerful than a musician giving praise to the Master Musician!
This experience was something I will remember for life. Life offers many good experiences in life, but there's nothing more soothing than an experiences that re-connects you with the power of God, through music. So the next time you feel a little out of sorts, under the weather or you just need a little uplifting, then turn on some jazz (or your favorite music) and start giving praise!
Remember, when the praises go up, the blessings come down!
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