Dear President (Elect) Barack Obama,Thank you. I speak on behalf of me and my family and perhaps many families not only from across the nation, but from around the world. Thank you for answering the call of leadership, thank you for making the selfless sacrifice of your personal life to give of yourself to change the world for the better.I can see the great joy of the ancestors, as they celebrate this day. I see the enslaved Africans who toiled to build the very White House that you and your family will reside in for the next four years. Their spirits are rejoicing this day.Fannie Lou Hamer, who was sick and tired of being sick and tired and the countless others who fought and died for us to have the right to vote are rejoicing this day. All our leaders and warriors of the past, yes President Obama, they are rejoicing to know that their labor was not in vain this day.President Obama, I am the eldest of nine. I have 8 brothers and sisters, 40 nieces and nephews and over 40 great-nieces and nephews and two children and 5 grandchildren. I along with my family have endured the struggle of overcoming great odds to uplift our family from a political-social-economic vacuum only to watch as the systemic policies and practices picked off one by one the males in my family, the pressures of living in the "hood."Yet we strive to live beyond just surviving. How proud to know that my 68yr old mother worked the polls all day long and played a role in your election. How proud to hear my family talk about how they encouraged neighbors to go and vote.President Obama, this past Nov 4th was no doubt an historic event and the entire world understood it. But for me personally, it was even more. Because that evening my 10yr old grandson called me from Florida and I live in New York and what he said to me, I could not hold back my tears, when he said, "Grandma, now the whole world knows that a Black man can be more than just a rapper or a basketball player, they now know that a Black man can be President of the United States of America."President Obama, my grandson is 10 years old. For this alone, I thank you.Aminata Njeri GillCEO Leadershipology, Inc.Pastor Kenami MinistriesCreator "God Has A Word For You E-Telecast"Creator "Word4UTVNetworkRead more…
The more I push forward. The more obstacles come my way but you know what. You have to KEEP ON PUSHING and MOVE ON UP.On May 9 my 31 year old younger brother just died. with no warning or anything. This was the first blow of the summer until my grandmother died on July 9. So I have been in NY most of the month still pushing and moving.since I have 2 children I have no choice but to keep on pushing and moving. It is hard but ya got ta do what ya got ta do.After all of the drama I still rise. God is so good. I am still here. My business is still rolling. I got many things that are brewing and I am still moving.I also have to take time out for myself.Yesterday I had a birthday party to take my daughter to. A million errands to run prior to 1:30pm, I decided I had to get my bushy eyebrows attended to. I sat down and decided to take the time out for a pedi also. Even thought I felt guilty at the time, everything worked out and I was able to just sit down for a moment and do something for myself.I wonder did my grandmother ever have the chance to do anything for herself. At 91 I recall she worked until 80 something. Can you imagine that???? I know socially life had to be hard back then. I wonder if she was able to do the things that she wanted to do in life. I know of a couple of things she wanted to do but could not. She did keep pushing and to me life is the greatest gift. God granted her a long one and I hope he will do the same for me.So I will keep on pushing and moving on up.Thanks for listening. I pray that August will bring me more joy and peace.Valerie
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