Blogs

"You too, can learn to be as resilient as the grass. You may be cut down on a regular basis, yet your strength is in standing up, dusting yourself off, and starting all over again. Even when grass is covered in concrete, it finds a way to grow up through the cracks...Take a 'leaf' out of the grass’ book. Connect with your own resilience, and keep on growing."

- Jane Powell

From A Writer's POV is preparing for the 2011 editions. We are now taking several submissions for feature spots in our magazine and print magazine.

These are the open spots and are available on a first come, first serve bases.

January 2011

Poet of the Month- http://fromawriterspovmagazine.com/issue/december-2010/article/poet-of-the-month

February 2011

Literary Event- http://fromawriterspovmagazine.com/issue/december-2010/article/cover-story-feature

Poet of the Month- http://fromawriterspovmagazine.com/issue/december-2010/article/poet-of-the-month

Ebook of the month- http://fromawriterspovmagazine.com/issue/december-2010/article/ebook-feature-of-the-month

Book Trailer of the Month- http://fromawriterspovmagazine.com/issue/december-2010/article/book-trailer-of-the-month

Business Owner of the Month- http://fromawriterspovmagazine.com/issue/december-2010/article/business-interview-ad

March 2011

Literary Event- http://fromawriterspovmagazine.com/issue/december-2010/article/cover-story-feature

Book Trailer of the Month- http://fromawriterspovmagazine.com/issue/december-2010/article/book-trailer-of-the-month

Author Spotlight- http://fromawriterspovmagazine.com/issue/december-2010/article/author-spotlight

Upcoming Author- http://fromawriterspovmagazine.com/issue/december-2010/article/upcoming-authors-spotlight

Poet of the Month- http://fromawriterspovmagazine.com/issue/december-2010/article/poet-of-the-month

ebook of the Month- http://fromawriterspovmagazine.com/issue/december-2010/article/ebook-feature-of-the-month

Business Owner of the month- http://fromawriterspovmagazine.com/issue/december-2010/article/business-interview-ad

Click the links to find out more on these features or email us at fromawriterspov@gmail.com

Thanks!

Dominique

New scholarships posted everyday)

Students Seeking Education by Experiencing Academic America (S.E.A.)

an Houston, Texas based mentoring program for high school students, students at risk, and college bound students who want to attend an Historically Black College / University. (HBCU).

S.E.A will post a scholarship for minority students each day. If you are a high school senior, junior, or a transferring college student, these scholarships are for you. FREE MONEY! We all know through life there is nothing Free; you have to apply to receive this money. Your cost is time. The time it takes to fill out the scholarship application. Look for the S.E.A. blog each day, highlighting a new scholarship listing 2010/2011

SCHOLARSHIP OF THE DAY

12-05-2010

Accenture

Scholarship Program for Minorities

Open to: College Junior, Senior Graduate

Scholarship is Restricted to: No state restrictions were provided

Application Deadline1/31:

Award Range: $2,500

Minimum GPA: GPA requirement not reported

Eligibility Criteria:

Must be a minority student in at least the third year of coursework and enrolled full-time

Application Requirements: Online application • Essays

Website for Application Download:

www.careers3.accenture.com/Careers/US/DiversityInclusion/Scholarships/

Scholarships_Minorities.html

Institutions that Scholarships Can Be Used At: Consult scholarship provider

Renewable? Consult scholarship provider

Contact: Deidra Willson

Accenture Scholarship Program for Minorities,

Scholarship America

One Scholarship Way, PO Box 297

Saint Peter, MN 56082

(507) 931-0407

Website: www.careers3.accenture.com/Careers/US/DiversityInclusion/Scholarships/

Scholarships_Minorities.html

p.s. If you need help in your scholarship search, please contact S.E.A. c/o

NORRIS COLEMAN @ mr.nncoleman@yahoo.com

*As part of .E.A. Mentoring Program, we want to build our Mentees vocabulary. S.E.A. has chosen to italicize words and statements in blue for our Mentee to understand and use in their vocabulary

I can't contain it...I feel like something great is about to happen in
2011. Lets connect and cheer each other as we go to higher levels and
new seasons in our life!

Most people in Maryland don't even know they NOW have the RIGHT to choose their electricity provider. Much like thede-regulation of telephone local-long distance service in the 80s, you can nowdirect BGE or PEPCO to use an alternate energy provider. BOTTOM LINE ..you getthe same electricity BUT at cheaper prices - a savings of 10-20%.

You still remain the customer of BGE or PEPCO and continue to get the samequality/emergency service ...and continue to get billed by BGE or PEPCO. ANDyou help the environment at the same time!!!

ENROLLMENT IS ABSOLUTELY FREE. NO CONTRACTS, NO CREDIT CHECKS, NO FEES, NOCANCELLATION CHARGES! AND IT ONLY TAKES 2MINUTES OF YOUR TIME. Still notconvinced - watch this Fox News Video:

http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/money/finding-the-best-electric-provider-for-you-092310

Pepco Customers call me, Sherita Mack (202) 409-4473

BGE Customers visit napower.com/sheritamack

Due to a terrible accident, I found myself sitting in traffic instead of enjoying the wonderful Holiday Tour at The White House with some of my CMI colleagues.

As I turned around to make my drive back home, I found myself crying and pouting like I was a 5 year-old. I felt I had let Nell Merlino, and the rest of the Count Me In Group down. I am sure you have heard the phrase “When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade.” This ageless proverb has long served as a beacon of hope and comfort to grieving souls worn by life’s most complex and heart-wrenching difficulties.

Why am I thinking about Lemons?

While driving back home, tired and cold, I received a telephone call and at first I hesitated to answer it, and then a voice inside of me said go ahead, you have nothing better to do.

I answered the phone with a bit of attitude and said, “This is Diane, how may I help you?” The deep, masculine voice on the other end responded by saying, “Maybe we can help each other.” I immediately changed the tone in my voice and hung on every word the caller was saying. The caller started by stating he would like to start an affiliate program to help sell my book and, since he deals with military bases throughout the U.S., he would also like to introduce my company to some of his clients.

We chatted a little longer about how one would go about getting a government security clearance and the terrible unemployment rate, and I really started to feel a little better. We are women, we are use to disappointments in life, right? After the conversation ended, I realized several things:

1. Nell and the Count Me In group will be there as long as I need them.
2. I can sign up for The White House Tour anytime.
3. I can send President Obama and Michelle the questions I had about the unemployment rate by email.

So, “Count Me In” while I make lemonade out of my lemons—with a slice of chocolate cake, tonight!

Diane Security First & Associates

www.securityfirstassociates.com

(New scholarships posted everyday)

Students Seeking Education by Experiencing Academic America (S.E.A.) an Houston, Texas based mentoring program for high school students, students at risk, and college bound students who want to attend an Historically Black College / University. (HBCU).

S.E.A will post a scholarship for minority students each day. If you are a high school senior, junior, or a transferring college student, these scholarships are for you. FREE MONEY! We all know through life there is nothing Free; you have to apply to receive this money. Your cost is time. The time it takes to fill out the scholarship application. Look for the S.E.A. blog each day, highlighting a new scholarship listing 2010/2011

SCHOLARSHIP OF THE DAY

12-03-2010

Oracle / UNCF Corporate Scholars Program 2010

Sophomores, juniors and seniors who are enrolled in UNCF Schools and any other Historically Black Colleges and University are eligible to participate in an 8 week paid summer internship at an Oracle location in either Redwood Shores, California or Reston, Virginia. Students are assigned summer projects in the areas of accounting, business, marketing, computer science, engineering, finance, MIS, information systems, software development and human resources. Upon successful completion of the internship, students are eligible to receive a $10,000 need-based scholarship.

Eligible Schools: UNCF Institutes, Alabama A&M University, Alabama State University, Albany State University, Alcorn State University, Arkansas Baptist College, Barber-Scotia College, Bluefield State College, Bowie State University, Central State University, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Concordia College, Selma Alabama, Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Florida A & M University, Fort Valley State University, Grambling State University, Hampton University, Harris-Stowe State College, Howard University, Jackson State University, Kentucky State University, Knoxville College, Langston University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Lincoln University-Jefferson City, Meharry Medical College, Mississippi Valley State University, Morehouse School of Medicine, Morgan State University, Morris Brown College, Norfolk State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, North Carolina Central University, Prairie View A & M University, Savannah State University, Selma University, South Carolina State University, Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, Southern University, New Orleans, Southwestern Christian College, Tennessee State University, Texas Southern University, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, University of the District of Columbia, University of the Virgin Islands, Virginia State University, West Virginia State College, Winston-Salem State University

Scholarship Value: up to $ 10000

Classifications: College Junior, College Sophomore, College Senior

Minimum GPA: 3.0

Eligible Majors: Accounting, Business, Computer Science, Engineering, Finance, Human Resources, Information Systems, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Software Development

Eligible Locations: Open

Application Deadline : Tuesday, February 15, 2011

How to Apply : Apply Online URL: http://www.oracle.com

Donor/Sponsor Name: Oracle

p.s. If you need help in your scholarship search, please contact S.E.A. c/o NORRIS COLEMAN @ mr.nncoleman@yahoo.com

*As part of S.E.A. Mentoring Program, we want to build our Mentees vocabulary. S.E.A. has chosen to italicize words and statements in blue for our Mentee to understand and use in their vocabulary.

Are you using Social Media like Twitter and Facebook to build your list? Are you building a list?

One thing you must be doing if you’re going to realize any level of business empowerment is list building.

One of the most important things in an Internet Marketing business is a list of contacts. It’s important for you to build relationshpswith your customers. Your contacts are called subscribers on your listsand they are the most important asset of your business. List buildingincorporates building relationships. Your prospects are encouraged tovisit your website through your marketing efforts. Hopefully they signup to receive your free offer which should be of value to them and youare given an opportunity to build rapport with them and share thesolutions you have with them.

You notice I said you have the opportunity to share your solutions with them. Unless you have the opportunity to build rapport andincrease the know, like and trust factor you will only share yoursolutions and never have the opportunity of actually add them to yourclient/customer community.

One way to build your list is to use Social Media.

Social media includes Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Myspace and it actually includes blogging. There are many other Social sites, however,my focus at this time is on Twitter and Facebook.

If you don’t have an account on Twitter you can go to www.twitter.com and you’ll see a prompt to register and you’ll need tofollow each one. The one thing you need to keep in mind is that thefirst impression is important having said that you need to have aphoto. If you have a business you might opt for a business logo,however, I would suggest that you have at least one account with yourpersonal name and then add another one. The other important thing is tohave a link to your blog or website. I suggest your blog or if you havea free offer (recommended) have a link on your page to direct them toyour free offer. This will also enhance your list building endeavors.You can only use one email per account.

If you don’t have an account on Facebook go to http://www.facebook.com you’ll see a link to register. Follow theprompts. Same thing with regard to your photo. Don’t post every linkunder the sun on your profile. Be intentional and don’t confuse yourfriends.

You need to know the proper etiquette for each site. Twitter is a fast mover. You can actually tweet all day, however, there is a rulewith regard to the ratio. You want to do more original tweets, followedby retweets and then maybe 20% tweets to your own offers, links etc.

Facebook is a little slower. You don’t want to post updates all day and resist posting links to your business for the majority of yourupdates on your profile wall. Your profile is for personal and there isa facebook fanpage that can be used for business.

Now back to the idea of list building. You need to know what your target market is and your goals for Facebook and/or Twitter. Withoutthis you won’t have any real results.

You’ll want to know your Twitter and Facebook strategy.

Then there are followers and friends. How do you add targeted followers on Facebook/ How do you add targeted friends on facebook?

These are all great questions. I can’t answer everything in this post however, I do want to invite you to request free access to myTele-training “I Rock on Twitter and Facebook and you can too!” Go to http://budurl.com/irocktwitterfacebook and you’ll receive immediate access.

If you want advanced support I invite you to learn more about my “I Rock on Twitter and Facebook Social Media Empowerment Coaching club.”You can go here
http://budurl.com/irocktwitterfbcoach there are limited spaces for the Early Bird level so I suggest you enroll now!

Let’s Rock!!

Robin aka The Empowerment Diva
The Authentic Life and Biz Empowerment
Mentor,Coach and Trainer to women across the world

Why should you listen to Robin?
Robin has a combined total of over 10,000 followers on Twitter which she accomplished au naturale’ (no gimmicks)
She was named 1 of 25 urban woman entrepreneurs to follower on Twitter

She has a nice following on Facebook and her Facebook Fanpage fans grow by the week without intentional effort, however, she plans tointensify her efforts.

As of Oct 2010, the US unemployment rate was estimated at 9%. Job loss creates tax issues and income tax returns for the unemployed are tricky. To shed light on this subject, CPA and CEO of Wealth Building CPA, Ebere Okoye, has written a new e-book, “Top 20 Tax Planning Tips for the Unemployed."

“Top 20 Tax Planning Tips for the Unemployed” provides in-depth explanations of tax questions that arise for the unemployed. Some of these questions include:

Is Severance Pay taxable?
If I sell other assets like stocks, bonds, and investment property, are they immediately taxable?
What can I do if I owe taxes and cannot pay them?
What if I withdraw money from my qualified retirement plan or IRA?
Can I deduct any of the expenses that I have from looking for a new job?
Is health insurance deductible?

Below is a free copy of the new book.

Top 20 Tax Planning Tips for the Unemployed

About the Author
Ebere Okoye is the CEO of Wealth Building CPA and a Certified Public Accountant. She holds a B.S.in Accounting and MBA from the University of Maryland. Her unique areas of expertise give her an in-depth understanding of the mistakes individuals and businesses make in their tax planning and investments. She advises clients on how sound financial strategies can lead to a steady gain in income and profitable investments. Contact us today for a FREE initial Consultation 301.830.6830.
Email: info@WealthBuildingCPA.com
Twitter: @WBCPA | Facebook

Hello My Black Business Women,

Here's your last chance to catch the Holiday crowd with your free Shop Submission for the month of December!

Stop by, check out the shops that are already in place, add your business, shop around, or place your business in the business directory.

The Black Vendors Market

Make Charitable Contributions
Consider making charitable contributions before year-end both to obtain the maximum tax deduction and to fulfill any charitable programs or commitments you may have established.

Buy a New Car
If you need a new car, now is a great time to purchase or lease. Frequently, dealers are anxious to clear out last year's inventory prior to year-end. In making your choice, consider the federal tax (and occasional state tax) advantages for buying fuel-efficient vehicles.

Examine Investments
Examine your current investments to determine those with unrealized losses. Consider selling those investments to take the loss this year. You can deduct up to $3,000 in capital losses in excess of capital gains. However, do not let the tax savings outweigh the investment potential. You might consider "swapping" for a similar company in the same industry if you like the potential of the industry.

Pay Tax-Deductible Expenses
Consider paying tax-deductible expenses prior to year-end. Some common examples are real estate taxes, quarterly state or local income taxes, investment-related expenses, and dues. These must be paid by December 31 to obtain a deduction this year. Professional guidance will be helpful here, so please call us.

Evaluate Your Progress
Evaluate your progress for the year. How close were you to your budget? Recalculate your net worth. Compare it to the value at the beginning of the year. How did you do?

All the Single Ladies: If you live in the MD, DC, or VA area, you don't want to miss a dynamic single women's conference taking place on 4/9/11 at Doubletree Hotel in Columbia, MD. Singing, panel discussions, dynamic speakers, great food, lots of vendors, etc. You know when a group of women gather together in one place, there will be magic. Vendor spots available. Attire is jeans and conference T-shirt. Tickets $45 including conference tshirt. Vendor fee$50 without food and $60 with food. Take advantage of early registration until Feb. 1. Register at:www.iamthechase.com