Children (44)

Focus on Achievement-#6 in a Series of DiscussionsBy Joan E. Gosier, CEO of HBCU kidz, Inc.Definition of GAP [a problem caused by some disparity] Pronunciation: \?gap\ Function: nounScience +Math +Artifacts of Culture +Reading +Test Taking Tips=Gap ClosureDid you know that there is a 18% gap in parents reading to children at home between black and white parents?Source: US Department of Education NCES Status and Trends in the Education of Blacks pg.24My parents brought me a set of World Book Encyclopedia shortly after I was born. My older sister used to send me annual subscriptions to Ebony Jr. A few months ago, I purchased a used set in good condition on sale at the public library for only $6.00. It came complete with a matching Childcraft series. Something that has positively impacted and lasted me for a lifetime was purchased for less than a movie ticket.My mom used to take me to the library regularly. I recall picking out books and tapes and returning them back on time. It gave me great pleasure to fill out the application for library cards when my youngest reached the required two years old age limit.I used to sit and try to decipher my older siblings college textbooks lying around the house. I recall trying so very hard to figure out my brother's calculus book problems. It was a mystery that I was determined to grow up and explore. It was a private joy to receive an 'A' on my college course when I finally reached that level of understanding.My daughters and I have our favorite books we read. Daddy has identified his favorite ones of his own with the girls. Books were introduced to me at birth. I loved each and every one of them and now almost 4 decades later some of my favorite ones are still around in the hands of my munchkins.My husband reminds me that some parents do not get introduced to the importance and joy of reading until adulthood. He falls in that camp. He instills the importance to the girls because he now sees how important the skills are in life.Reading fine print on contracts, scouring over newspaper classifieds or even following an engaging blog discussion online can be a challenge for some parents.Some habits are hard to manage. Experts all cite the importance of a child being read to at the earliest of ages. It doesn't even matter what you read. Just let them know that words on paper have meaning.What are our favorite ways to instill the love of reading? Did you know that Afrokids.com has created a wonderful collection of books and DVDs that combine an appreciation for diversity with classical stories?Our family designs unique and educational unity gear for babies with reading in mind. Every time we put on a shirt with writing on the front, we use it as a teaching moment. We read it, point out the letters as we sound out the words and explain what it means. If it is not positive and inspiring for our kids to know, then they do not wear it. It really works for us and we hope that others choose to give it a try at home. Babies love to learn. Feed them knowledge. You will grow a great reader and a happy literate adult.Visit sites such as http://www.blackparentconnect.com and www.AchieversinTraining.com and find a gift that will inspire a love of reading. Every child deserves a special gift that reflects your hope for their future.This series is intended to be a work in progress. What I am doing as an individual, and what others are doing as well. Together we can learn some new things and reinforce some things we already knew. What do you think? Can we work together?The Achiever in Training(TM) and S.M.A.R.T curriculum are exclusive copywritten and proprietary programs developed by HBCU kidz, Inc.For more statistics about this problem, please visit www.achieversintraining.com and click on "Resources." To comment on this article, visit the HBCU kidz blog. To communicate with other concerned Black parents, please go to www.blackparentconnect.comFor more information about the program or the limited edition gift collection visit www.AchieversinTraining.com. The site contains information and ideas to proactively promote positive images for African American children and their families.Contact Joan Gosier at 1-888-HBCU-kid.CONTACT:HBCU kidz, Inc.954-302-4540JoanGosier@HBCUkidz.com
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I am a newly published author!

...and so very excited about it! You can share in my excited by purchasing my book The Purple Rose. Click here and get your credit card ready.
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New Release: The Purple RoseBy Michelle R. YisraelCover design and illustrations by Marguerite WrightBook DescriptionThe Purple Rose is a book of poetry written as tools for healing, self-inspiration and encouragement. She wants women to understand clearly that there is hope in God, that they have within them the power needed to change the circumstances in their lives which they in fact feel powerless to change. Not wanting to be just another greeting card poet, the author consciously utilizes recorded literary mechanisms in her work. Determinedly studying the mechanics of the sonnet, the ballad, and free verse; Michelle writes with premeditation. The Purple Rose tell of a woman’s journey as she replaces self-doubt, low esteem, and anxiety with confidence, optimism, and enthusiasm utilizing poetry, prayer, and praise as tools for restoration. She encourages women to discover a constructive inner voice, launch a promising life of faith, and build a great new and healthy relationship with God and man.BiographyMichelle R. Yisrael has been honored to empower women and children for well over 20 years. She has a Master’s degree in English from Chicago State University, a Soul degree in Love, and possesses a passion for nurturing the human soul. She currently teaches English at Chicago’s Kennedy King College and is Curriculum Planner for Banner Academy South Alternative High School.The Purple Rose is available at www.publishamerica.comOr call (301) 695-1707 to place your order.
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Andrea's Insider

According to Target Market News, in 2005 Blacks/ African Americans spent $719 billion dollars on goods and services. It is projected that the buying power of Blacks/ African Americans will be $1 trillion dollars by the calendar year 2010. When I recently Googled 'black buying power' I was surprised by the number of professional articles I found that talked about how to market to Black/ African American people. Of the few articles I perused, not one of them talked about their corporate/ organizational responsibility to the communities they want to fleece. Not one of them mentioned the needs that exist in many of our communities. I was only five or six articles in when I got a clear image of a world (with few exceptions) that wants to take everything they can from us and give NOTHING back in return.An adage that I was taught many moons ago simply states: He who has the gold rules. It seems to me that since we as a race have the gold we should be ruling. I am so very happy to see the numbers of our people who are beginning to network with and patronize one another in greater numbers than ever before. I'm so happy that our value and worth are now being recognized and our historical accomplishments are no longer being hidden from our youth. But I am very curious and concerned about one thing. What is going to happen when our hard earned dollars are circulating in our own communities several times? What will happen as more and more sisters revert back to natural hair styles and patronizing black only nail techs in order to break the back of the Asian Connection that is not only taking over the hair care industry but is making inferior copies of black produced products while systematically nudging us out of the market? What is going to happen when there are lines outside of black owned grocery stores, liquor stores and gas stations while those that are owned and managed by other ethnicities become virtually empty? What is going to happen when our children are able to find summer jobs and internships within our own communities? What will happen as a result of us using our wealth for our own sustenance, empowerment, and glory?Personally, I don't think the rest of the world will stand idly by and let that happen. I suspect that at the very least we will all have a bunch of new found friends whose main concern will be to win our business away from our own family (I love that term as opposed to the n-word and it is soooooo fitting - my brothers and sisters). As that time approaches and as we deliberate regarding how to handle the opposition that is sure to come, let us remember that people of many nationalities would not hire one of us for any reason; and many of those who did required us to work for minimum wage money under the table, doing work that is beneath them so we would not be entitled to any working benefits or unemployment. Let us remember that many of them treated us like second or third class citizens while we were patronizing their establishments. Many of them intentionally cheat us and our children then get an attitude when we bring their -ah hem- error to their attention. I'm so glad that growing numbers of us are finally working in concert toward leveling the playing field. But remember, just because we deserve to benefit from the power of our own buying power doesn't mean they will sit by idly and let us.BTW: They in this blog specifically refers to people who are either not ethnically recognized as being Black or African American or supporters of the equal rights and entitlements of Blacks/African Americans.
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