Just Think Vol.39: Empower Yourself
By A.Evans
http://twitter.com/AdotEVANS
Disclaimer: As always, I write these articles to stimulate minds and to get the thought process in motion...
Yesterday I had the honor and privilege of attending The Fulton County Revitalization Forum at Atlanta Technical College. The purpose of this forum was to assess and focus on the Replenishing, Repositioning, and Reclaiming of African American males in Georgia and ultimately, America. During this forum those in attendance heard words of wisdom from Mayor, Kasim Reed, House of Representatives member John Lewis and Hip Hop Artist Killa Mike. In addition to receiving words of wisdom from these great minds there was a panel of young men from different backgrounds who were still in college, and were moving towards goals and dreams. The purpose of this forum, and panel was to empower young Black men to realize there is more to life than what we see on TV, there is more to life than what is glorified and embedded in our minds to peruse. There is more to us than music and sports. This week I wanna discuss empowerment and how it will change us all if we allow it to.
What Are You Doing?
We look at the clock, we look at our watches and we look at calendars and it appears that the days and even years are flying by in the blink of eye. Time waits for none of us, everyday is an opportunity to discover something great about ourselves. Everyday is a new opportunity to begin a new journey, a new path, a new legacy. With that being said we all must reach a crossroad in our life where we ask "What Am I Doing?'" If any of you have ever asked that question be grateful, because it truly means you want more out of life than what you have. When asked What do you define as success, a young man replied that to him "Success is the ability to be content yet not complacent." In other words it means to be happy with where you are at yet "empowered and energetic" enough to challenge yourself to reach new heights. With that said what are you doing with your time, how can you be a better you? Are you willing to take those weekend courses toward another degree? I know I am, in fact I enrolled three days before attending this forum so in essence it was confirmation that I'm on the right path. What path are you on toward empowering yourself? What productive habits, activities, and people are you engaging in? What are you doing to be more than just a carbon footprint?
Final Thoughts
A good friend of mine told me people who make excuses could actually use the same energy that towards doing something as oppose to conjuring up reason not to. In a time where jobs are unavailable, and things seems dark lets us use this opportunity to develop as people, and prepare for the light. Nothing is better than being prepared for any challenge and obstacle. If the job market picked up tomorrow would you be ready? Let us use this time to empower ourselves to take our abilities and strengths to new heights, let us transform our weaknesses into strengths, let us make ourselves qualified, let us develop new plans, goals and put them in motion. If we all look in the mirror, and when I mean mirror I mean within our selves we all can find something that we want to polish up on, there is something we want to do that we keep putting off. There couldn't be a better time than now to do it, you are the question and the answer, you are your problem and your solution, you can be your own burden or your own savior, its all in you; feel inspired feel motivated be empowered ... As Always Peace & Love
What Do You Think?
Marketing Buzz: iPAD
By Steve Canal
http://twitter.com/SteveCanal
http://twitter.com/ThinkGroupMedia
Media Will Work Great on the the Device, but Your Ads May Not
We've known for quite some time about the iPhone's inability to render Flash content within the mobile Safari browser, and based upon Apple's announcement of the iPad last week, it looks like that device isn't going to do it, either.
Touted as a savior for the publishing business, this device will potentially revolutionize the delivery and commercialization of content.
But most publishers are publishing their content to the web. Via websites. And for those that don't yet have paywalls, they support their websites with advertising. Those ads are almost 100% rendered in Adobe's Flash. So when people use the iPad's web browser to visit their favorite newspaper (as Steve Jobs did in his keynote; see photo at right, courtesy of Engadget), they won't see the ads at all. That either means advertisers will need to stop building ads in Flash (no chance) or publishers will need to build app versions of their publications upon the iPad SDK (software development kit), resulting in a lot more work, a lot more time, a lot more resources.
Now, creating a parallel platform to the web may be the right thing to do if a $499 tablet becomes as ubiquitous as the iPod, but this is another classic example of Apple making development and distribution on their platforms more proprietary. It also makes publishers more reliant upon, in all likelihood, Apple's own ad-serving platform which was created through the acquisition of Quattro Wireless.
Whereas the iPhone created a marketplace for new content (apps), the iPad seeks to revolutionize existing ones (content publishing). If the company that owns the platform also owns the ad network, the ad format, and the ad tracking, is that too much control?
Real Talk: Testify
By Cedric Shine
http://twitter.com/NativeNotes
I normally don't have the courage to stand up in front of the church when people give their testimonials of how good God is and has been in their lives, prayerfully one day I will so allow me to share my testimony with you.
2009 was one heck of a year. I turned 26. I officially left Penn State and my apartment in Carlisle. I went to Brasil for a month and experienced another culture. I spent most of the year unemployed, freelance writing as a way to survive, it's a recession! I felt lead to re-apply as a transfer to a few law schools however by the time I made this choice my options were limited and I really just put my faith in God and went with it.
Throughout, some of these times that seemed troubled, I found enormous amounts of support from my friends and family. My line brother opened up his home to me when I left Carlisle, when I got to NY my best friend opened her home to me, as well as other friends and brothers who believed in my success despite my hard times. All cribs had food, heat (sometimes) and internet access, something I desperately need.
When I started applying for schools, I had saved a little money and what I did not have, people contributed for me. I found a church home, and I got back into the swing of attending service regularly. I re-connected with my father, I went upstate and visited him, while also re-connecting with his family in Florida and South Carolina. Hopefully we can mend the years we have missed as a family.
I got a job with Oasis Community Corp that started off as an internship and has turned into an enormous learning opportunity. In the midst of this, I received several rejection letters for school. But I believe that God does not close one door without opening another. He made sure I was gainfully employed when I received the bad news. He gave me the courage to venture out and start building my own company and more courage so that I could devise a plan to finish the education I started in 2007. For God's good grace in my life I am eternally grateful.
My father had a car accident, but he was not harmed or injured at all. To God goes the glory. My younger brother was accepted into St. John's University and St. Rose College. To God goes the glory. My sister is well, healthy and working in her chosen field as an RN. To God goes the Glory. My baby brother is using his eccentric personality and pursuing acting in the school play, possibly a career. To God goes the Glory. My mother still has her sight, and continues to be the anchor in our family. To God goes the Glory.
Disaster struck in Haiti and I was able to give what little I could to the benefit of our people. To God goes the glory. I recently joined an intensive mentorship program in Harlem that has a strong spiritual base and looks to educate our young people and make sure that they are equipped to deal with this world we are living in. I know that I will gain so much more from this program than I will be able to give. To God goes the Glory. I sent out an email asking for support for my younger brother and within 24 hours we had received $200 in donations. To God goes the glory.
I can honestly say if not for God, I would be curled up in a ball somewhere wondering where I went wrong and how I can get right but lacking the courage to do so. Instead I stand tall as a testament to his will and grace hoping to only be strengthened in my walk and talks with God. I pray that you recognize your triumphs despite your troubled times too. To God goes the Glory. Peace and Grace be unto you.
La Familia: Straight Men in Atlanta "Saving" Women from the Gayest City in the Country
By Shelli Tinae Price
http://twitter.com/EllaBleuEvents
By now most of you have heard about the article in Advocate Magazine that voted Atlanta as the gayest city in the country. Okay, I will admit I'm surprised it's worse than San Francisco but it explains why the heterosexual men here feel they have something to prove. I believe living in a city as gay as Atlanta, the straight men here feel (an unconscious feeling) they have to over compensate to prove their straight. The way they go about doing this, is a good majority of them flaunt their heterosexuality to and with every woman in town! I think they believe they are the single woman's SAVIOR. Like, "it's either you date me non-exclusively or you're left with the gay men at Bull Dogs." Men are very protective of their rolls as the leaders and providers and living in Atlanta has caused that natural instinct to become elevated and thus out of whack.
There are A LOT of eligible bachelors in Atlanta. Successful, own homes, nice cars, 401k's with stock options, etc...living the American dream but the American dream doesn't seem to come equipped with the idea of settling down. Now, I do believe people should be single until they are ready to make a commitment but the men here have no desire to settle down because they are too busy "saving" all the women from the gays. I remember I met a guy from DC who was here visiting and he was quick to say, "Man if I lived in Atlanta I would be not have a girlfriend." It's like Atlanta is the land of the lost single men who are in no hurry to grow up; in no hurry to find just ONE woman to spend their time with. I can't say that I'm blaming these men because a big part of me feels they are a product of their environment. If I were to transport these same eligible bachelor's to Minnesota, they'd probably all be married or at least engaged.
The battle of the testosterone is at its peak here in Atlanta because the straight men here don't EVER want anyone to think they are a member of the high Gays population. These men aren't making excuses for being straight - but they are acting them out in their dating life to prove a point and the point is being well received by single black women here; IF I WANT A SINGLE, STRAIGHT MAN IN ATLANTA, I HAVE TO SHARE HIM.
Artist On the Rise: Salomes
www.twitter.com/Salomes7
www.myspace.com/salomes7
Music is an ever changing source of pleasure and artistic expression. It serves as a passage to temple of ones soul, which harbors the beat to their heart. Once expressed, the melodic sounds infuse with the current rhythmic backdrop, creating a personal harmonious ambiance for all to enjoy. 
Over the years, music artists have overlapped and cross-pollinated to create a hybrid of music and musical genres. Such melodious Darwinism has occurred with the infusion of electric beats within the classic rhythm and blues. Salomes, the female vocalist of this New Age, is a pioneering artist in the dawning of a new resonating era. With her unique synergy of Pop, Rock, and Hip Hop, Salomes is music's newest singing spectacle who is revolutionizing the entire entertainment setting.
Born in Houston, Texas and raised in throughout the bouroughs of NYC, Salomes Jackson derives from African American and Columbian ancestry and has embraced both heritages and cultures within the base of her musical composition. Despite her musical influence by artists such as: Michael Jackson, Prince, Sade, Madonna, Lenny Kravitz and Hector Lavoe, Salomes's inspiration to become a performer was not by such mainstream entertainers, but rather by her mother and grandmother. At the youthful age of 9, both women who are singers and songwriters encouraged her musical empowerment.
Known for her Hip Hop and Rock edginess, Salomes has garnered a steady crescendo of dialogue amongst the influential cabinet within entertainment through her unique and eclectic style. While being sought after by rapper Missy Elliot, DJ Tomp, and music producers Wonder (Wonderful Music) and Jason Perrie (partner of Polow Da Don) Salomes was discovered by the Soul Diggaz, who have worked with major recording artists such as; Beyoncé, Britney Spears and Monica. Performing as a solo artist now, Salomes was once the third and only female member in a group named 33ana3rd. Although the group worked well together, Salomes's musical sound and appearance made her stand apart from the collaboration.
Observing her talent and potential within the Souldiggaz along with heavy hitters Rob Fusari, who is known for recent work with Lady GaGa ((Paparazzi) and Balewa Muhammed a.k.a. The Clutch eventually pulled her from the group and set forth working on her solo project. Nearly six months later, Salomes has written work for numerous artists with the most recent being Sean Diddy Combs' Dirty Money.
For Booking Salomes contact Fireworkent@gmail.com
Firework ent's documentary film on Independent Women
written by Fabian
twitter.com/thefabe
Firework Ent ceo, Christopher "Youngface" James is currently working on a documentary about independent women and what is the true definition of an independent woman.
This project will not only feature interviews of independent women but what their friends and clients think of them. A few of the names already on the project are the ladies of Ella Bleu(www.EllaBleuEvents.com), Drexina Nelson (celeb photographer) and even Universal/Motown r&b artist LonDon makes appearance.
For more info on this project contact Christopher James (director/exec producer)
fireworkent@gmail.com
www.FireWorkent.com
www.twitter.com/IceCreamFace
Indie Film Review: Extract (2009)
By A. Evans
http://twitter.com/AdotEVANS
Staring: Jason Bateman, Mila Kunis, Ben Affleck, Kristen Wiig, J.K Simmons, Clifton Collins Jr.
Directed by: Mike Judge
Life is All About The Flavor
Extract is a dry dark comedy about Joel Reynolds (Bateman) a successful extract entrepreneur, who is considering selling his business to spend more time with his wife, but realizes how lousy his marriage has become. Day after day Joel ends up at a bar taking advice from his bartender pal Dean (Affleck). Dean usually gives Joel drugs, drinks, and bad advice, like hiring a gigolo to pose as a pool boy to see if his wife will cheat on him (and of course she does). To add to this insanity, Joel develops a wandering eye for a new employee Cindy (Kunis) a scam artist who goes from city to city looking for a come up. Cindy is only in town because she has caught wind of a potential lawsuit against Joel's company after one of his employes, Step (Collins Jr) was injured on the job. Cindy pretends to have feeling for Step in an attempt to be around for the pay day. What follows is a rather hilarious series of events that promise to have you wondering what will becomes of Joel's company, marriage, and more importantly what will become of Joel?
Extract is a dry comedy with dark humor, not the usual witty comedy of a Woody Allen film or goofball scenarios you would see in a National Lampoon's or an American Pie. Extract is in a category of its own. The story line is just flat out ridiculous, but it works, watch this with pals or on a date with someone who is really down to earth, this film could either make a date or break it...good luck
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