Be About Your Money, SistaGirlz!!

It’s that time again, SistaGirlz! We are having our next “Be the Change Empowerment Series” session March 20th! The theme is    “Be About Your Money”. We will have Blondel Pinnock, VP of Carver Bank in the house to answer your financial questions! Get your tix today!

Use the Keyword: Sista

Buy Tickets Here!

Un- Model-Like Behavior

(Naomi and her Married Billionair Boyfried. He’s the reason she “allegedly” hit the limo driver. )

Short tempered model Naomi Campbell has struck again, literally. Earlier this week Ms. Campbell was accused of slapping her limo driver in the back of his head while he drove her in midtown Manhattan. She hopped out of the limo and took off on foot as they pulled to a light. The limo driver, Miodrag Mejdina called the cops and the news immediately hit the internet.

The behavior of this woman calls into  question if  these are anger management  issues or just plain ol’ case of  ”no home training”.  Since when did it become okay to strike someone? I know we all have had the urge to vent our frustration with a kind five finger greeting, but I’m hoping you didn’t do as Naomi did. And if you did, I’m sure you haven’t done it since. Have you?

What happened to manners? Have we all become uncouth? Her behavior puts a dimmer on the fantastic fashion show she organized just a couple weeks ago, in honor of Haiti relief. I guess I’ll give myself some relief and stop wondering about these celebs and their sense of entitlement.  The cycle seems to continue.  Naomi’s limo driver is now apologizing for involving the cops. Sigh.

* It’s up to Us to set the standards for our young SistaGirlz.* Be the Change You want to See in this crazy, mixed up world!

New NYC Tourist Destination: African Burial Ground Memorial

It may seem like a visit to a burial ground would bring a macabre overtone to your NYC vacation or day trip, but what you will find promises to be something entirely different.

Back in 1991 during construction of a would-be federal office building, workers unearthed a grisly scene of body parts. The remains of 419 African American women and children were disrupted, while another two hundred remained undisturbed. This finding led to African Burial Ground National Monument, which opened to little fanfare in February 201o.

The discovery of the bodies gave way to research which estimates 15,000-16,000 bodies were buried the the oldest and largest African cemetery in North America. To honor those that were buried without tombstones, in a mass grave, they have built the Monument.

The 2,500 square foot visitor’s center features four exhibit areas and boasts  a 40 seat theater which describes in greater detail, the discovery of the bodies. The pictures displayed tell the stories of African Americans during the 17th & 18th century, all the way to the present.

Admission is free and the center is open Tuesday – Saturday 9am-5pm.

African Burial Ground National Monument?290 Broadway, 1st Floor?New York, NY 10007?(212) 637-2019

http://www.nps.gov/afbg/index.htm

The picture was reshaped from actual skulls, by forensic sculptor, Frank Bender.

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Thinking About Going Back to School?

By Miss Rikki

Are you unsatisfied with your current situation?  Are you kicking yourself for dropping out when you did?  If you’re thinking about going back (even if it’s back for the first time) to college for the fall semester of 2010 here are some things you should be doing.

1. Filling out the FAFSA:  The free application for student aid is available for the school year 2010-2011.  This includes summer school in 2010.  So, after you file your taxes use that information to help you file your FAFSA.  Go to the FAFSA website and follow the instructions.  It’s not complicated and the site walks you through the whole process.  This is important because schools will not offer you a financial aid package without it. 

2. Look for scholarships:  If you will be working towards an undergraduate degree, especially, there are lots and lots of scholarships out there for you.  There are several websites out there that can help you find them.  Don’t forget to check out scholarship apps at the schools you will be applying to.  They may have deadlines coming up soon, so you want to plan accordingly.  

3.Check on application fees:  See what the fees are to appy to the school(s) you are thinking about.  Application fees can be as much as $50 or more depending on where you want to go.

4. Fill out the applications:  Do this as soon as possible.  You don’t want to wait until the last minute.  There may be essay questions that you need to answer and other information to gather.  Start filling them out, so that you have plenty of time to submit them.

SistaGirlz, going back to school is a great step towards a better future.  Even if your not completely sure, complete these tasks.  It’s better to be over prepared than not prepared at all.  Good Luck!

Not a Care for the World!

The video of a Seattle teen getting jumped in a bus terminal has been the talk of the net for a few days now.  Every time I hear the story or see the video, I am struck by the fact that NO ONE lifted a finger to help defend that fifteen year old young lady.  The play by play of this particular version of the video shows that the victim knew she was being followed by a gang of other teens.  If you watch, you can see her standing right next to the hired security guards when her attacker lands the first strike.

The thing that really saddens me is that while two teens went at it, three adult men stood by and did nothing. While the security guards have defended their actions by stating their job is to observe and report, what happened to the human factor? Where are you feelings for this child? Even after the teen was ambushed, laying on the ground, they never reached out to help her. Yes, they called for  back-up, but what about a touch, an “Oh my God”, anything! The girl beaten to an unconscious state! Yet, nothing.

This reminds me of the EMS workers in NYC that refused to help a pregnant woman having a seizure, because they were on break. They told the people at the coffee shop where they were eating  (and where the woman worked) to call 911 and left the scene.  The woman later died.

What happened helping out a fellow human being?! Have we become so desensitized that nothing affects us anymore? I know in certain environments we are prone to caution, but when you see someone be injured or hurt, is it now normal to just turn our backs? What would you do?

*Share your comments*

SideHustle: Get Ya Money Up!

SistaGirlz, with the Economy on the fritz, there’s no telling if Joe Corporate will continue to keep us afloat.  This is where you turn hard times into creative times, with a side hustle.  Deja, what’s a side hustle? Glad you asked.

A side hustle is something you do to earn extra cash.  It doesn’t take the place of your regular job—at first, but it will give you gas money and help cover some of your smaller bills. Finding a side hustle could be as easy as taking stock of your life and the things in it.

Several SistaGirlz have empowered themselves by selling extra things from around the house on Ebay. Your junk could be someone else’s treasure.  Maybe you have a an old family recipe that your grandma passed down to you.  Turn that recipe to cash by selling baked goods on the job or local farmer’s market.  Did you hear about the woman in New Jersey who saved her home all from an apple cake recipe?  Angela Logan baked  filled  over 500 orders for cakes in order to make her mortgage payment! Side Hustle to the nth degreee!

Perhaps you don’t have a recipe, but you have mastered the art of selling.  Get a few pieces of jewelry and get your girls together for a jewelry party or ask your salon if you could set up a table and split the profits made  from the sales.  Are you one of those SistaGirlz that’s all about the details? Turn that anal-retentive personality into stacks by planning events for friends and family!

It’s time to stop the complaining! Woe is me! Girl, please. Woe is me, you and everybody else! Start ACTING and you’ll be surprised by what you can do and how much money you can make when you put your mind to it.

*Share your Side-Hustle with SistaGirlz.com and qualify for a free T-Shirt when you comment*

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Miss America 2010: Caressa Cameron

Isn’t she lovely? Isn’t she beautiful? We have  a new SistaGirl representing us as Miss America 2010.  Twenty-two year old Caressa Cameron won the crown and a $50,000 scholarship on Jan.31st.  The reigning Miss Virginia sang “Listen”, Beyonce’s solo song from Dreamgirls. Her platform was childhood obesity. It is her desire to  encourage kids to be active and play, rather than stay in the house watching television.

The broadcast journalism major is no stranger to winning talents, she has competed in and won many in her home state of Virginia

We’re  proud of you, SistaGirl! Caressa Cameron Miss America 2010!

Chocolate Brides.com** Yes, We DO Get Married!

Women all over the country have been up in arms over the statistics about Black women and their chances of getting married. Does the mainstream media ever look at the flip-side of that story?  Better yet, what becomes of the woman of color once she does get engaged? That’s the same question posed by Kesha Monk-Myrick, founder of ChocolateBrides.com.  While on a quest to find inspiration for her wedding, she was struck by the lack of women of color represented in the slew of bridal magazines.  While the major mags doled out advice for hair styles and make-up tips, none of these were beneficial to Kesha.

Sharing her frustration with then fiance, Eugene Myrick, the couple decided that this untapped niche was an opportunity for them to help women of color explore their culture and heritage when planning their big day. Chocolate Brides was born and has been helping women with wedding details ever since.

Just by becoming a member of ChocolateBrides.com, you are automatically welcomed into the message board sisterhood. No pledging, no hazing, just questions, suggestions and advice shared on a common theme: Weddings. Well actually, here’s the catch: even after the wedding, people still visit the site talk about the marriage, raising families, buying homes.  What started out as a way to generate wedding ideas, has become a true network; a movement of sorts. A family.

Kesha & Eugene are continuing to grow Chocolate Brides with CB Radio, an online station that spotlights wedding music and hot industry topics. You can join them this spring for Chocolate Brides Weekend in Raleigh, NC. The couple also has plans for a Chocolate Brides TV show, similar to the ones you see now, but  will feature more brides of the African Diaspora. Loves it. After all, isn’t that what it’s all about? Love & Marriage…ChocolateBrides.com

Haiti Needs Our Help!!

A powerful earthquake struck Port Au Prince, Haiti on Tuesday, January 12th, knocking down many homes and government buildings.  The quake, which registered at 7.o with after shocks being felt as far as Cuba.  Our prayers are going out to our Haitian SistaGirlz and their families.  Now is the time for action via financial funding. President Obama has pledged help in any way that is needed. The Red Cross has sent over $200,000 already and other non-profit agencies are sending money, food and water immediately.

It’s time for us to step and help out people in need. You may not be directly affected by this quake, but as a people we can lend a helping hand to those when they need it most.  Can we count on you?

Donate to UNICEF now!!

For more updates on the Haiti Earthquake, click here.

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