So last week, Reads and Reels along with TEO hosted an advance screening of CNN’s Black in America: Almighty Debt, which is airing in full tomorrow night. The event was well-attended, and people definitely had lots to say about the segment. Here are some highlights.
Many people in the group, while they appreciated the topics touched on in Almighty Debt, felt that there should have been an added focus on those who have triumphed over debt. They expressed that instead of showing all our problems, showing people who have overcome debt issues would have provided some hope to the watchers. Some people thought the segment was realistic, and some thought it didn’t represent enough of the black diaspora.
In the piece, Pastor Soaries said that debt is a bigger problem than racism. Some agreed, but others did not. One attendee said that this debt problem is a byproduct of racism, and that there are still systems that encourage a disproportionate affect on our community in comparison to others. She even made reference to a quote from the first Black in America: “When America has a cold, Black America has the flu.” In essence, financial issues affect us greater–as Julianne Malveaux said during her interview, many of us are middle class by income, not by wealth. So when stuff happens, we don’t have as much cushion, and we’re more easily knocked out of middle class. It’s troubling that the wealth gap between whites and blacks is $75,000.
One point that was made over and over again in the segment as well as in our discussion is that we get emotionally attached to our stuff. Due to a long history of not having much, it was said that we spend a lot of our money trying to catch up and show that we’re worthy of having stuff — stuff, as in houses, cars, clothes, designer purses, etc., that we can’t or won’t let go of when times get tough. I shared with the group that in 2007, black buying power was $845 billion and was expected to top $1.1 trillion by 2012. What are we doing with this money? Why aren’t we leveraging it? Why are we buying tons of stuff instead of investing in our communities, in black businesses, in our education systems, in programs that will help us?
One very important topic of this new segment of Black in America is the church’s role. Should the church be focused on salvation–getting people to heaven–or should it also be teaching and advocating for our communities–helping people on earth? (Y’all know I think it should be doing both.) The church, which used to be the single most important institution in our communities, should be investing in building up our communities. I am in support of those churches, including the one in the documentary, who have community foundations that buy property and help people find jobs and teach financial literacy and help people get out of debt and hold entrepreneurship workshops and the like. We need to think beyond our individual selves and get back to thinking long-term for our community. We know what many of our problems are–so let’s get to fixing them.
There was so much more that was said, and there is so much to be said–and to be done. Overall, I think the screening, and I’m sure the complete show tomorrow, fulfilled an imperative purpose: to get us talking about what we need to do become better financially. It’s a personal and community problem–we each have a responsibility to get our own lives in order and make better decisions; and we all need to chip in and do something to position future generations to be better stewards of money and to understand how to build wealth, not just increase income, or as one participant said: “make money while we sleep.”
One thing that I’d like to see expanded and implemented to a wider audience is our ESP Kids Club, where members of TEO along with some brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha teach middle school kids on Saturdays about financial literacy. The program is so enriching that some parents have asked to sit in because their kids were going home sharing information that the parents didn’t know!
There’s an information gap from which our community suffers gravely. We need to fill it in order to empower the black community economically. We have to have the foresight to ensure that our $1.1 trillion will be spent creating products, innovating, and growing assets, not just being consumers.
I had several things in mind to feature today, but this special day was on my heart, so here goes.
I want to explain why 10-10-10 is an important day to me. Y’all may think I’m crazy, but you wouldn’t be the first, lol.
If you didn’t know by now, I love numbers. I love what they represent, I love what you can do with them, I love that they are simple yet so complex. So what does 10 mean? Biblically, it means divine perfection or completion. But just numerically, it marks the end of a cycle–our decades and centuries are built on the number 10. While it’s the end, it’s also the beginning–the first 2-digit number.
So enough of the math geek stuff, lol. Let’s talk some Bible highlights. Of course you know there are ten commandments and that tithes are 10%. But did you know:
There are ten clauses in the Lord’s Prayer,
Abraham endured ten trials to prove his faith,
Israel was represented by ten virgins,
There are ten I AM’s in the Book of John,
There are ten parables about the Kingdom,
There were ten righteous people found in Sodom and Gomorrah,
There were ten plagues,
Fire came down from heaven ten times, and
It is after the tenth recorded Passover that Jesus is crucified, the perfect sacrifice to save us.
And that’s not even almost the extent of “ten” in the Bible. And I won’t even get into the fact that there are 3 10‘s involved. Three represents divine perfection as well. But I’m dedicating this one to 10.
After I realized I would not be getting married in a storybook tale right after graduate school (I never wanted to get married right after undergrad), I started hoping that I would get married on 10-10-10. Such a symbolic way to start a union, yanno. Clearly, that’s not happening Sunday, lol (oh yeah, and I don’t think it a coincidence that 10-10-10 landed on the Sabbath).
But y’all know me, I do plan to make myself feel special on the day. It’ll be a great time to start a new topic of personal study, and I will start back on my hot yoga regimen, which I’ve been neglecting lately. I also will go see this production, which will likely be a Feature one of these ole days.
But most of all, even though I may not be becoming one with anyone right now, that’s ok because I am celebrating the fact that I am living happily ever after anyway. I’m about to embark on the first volunteer trip I’ve ever organized myself, and there are so many other things I have my hands in. I can make myself feel special–and sometimes I forget that. I want to take the day to remind myself that I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)–I’m perfectly imperfect, and everything will work together for good as long as I’m walking my purpose. Because that’s how God designed it. Just like He designed the number system and its involvement in all the symbolism and nature patterns and so much other stuff we don’t even always notice.
What, if anything, are you doing Sunday? :) Happy Friday, lovelies!
I received the Kindle I won yesterday!! Can you tell how excited I am? I have already uploaded 72 books! I love love love reading. My first book will be Dirty Little Angels by Chris Tusa, who has asked me to read and write a review.
Want to Start a Revolution? Radical Women in the Black Freedom Struggle, edited by Dayo Gore, Jeanne Theoharis, and Komozi Woodard
Last Lion: The Fall and Rise of Ted Kennedyby Peter Canellos
Thanks again to Faydra for hosting the contest and to everyone who voted for me! And for anyone who hasn’t read it, here’s my winning essay!
Travelling and reading are my two favorite pastimes. Exploring the world, considering new ideas, and expanding my mind, imagination, and consciousness are invaluable to me. Someone once said that to change how you live, you must change what you know—that we live our knowledge, so we must strive to increase our knowledge. I agree with that someone. We must read, study, learn, and understand. With a Kindle, I would have an easier time reading as I travel.
Currently, I take every chance I get to read. My reading list consists of hundreds of books so I try to read any time I have a free moment. I read on MARTA on my way to and from work. I steal away at lunch and read as I eat. In the evenings, I read before I go to bed. Sometimes, I focus on one book, but in any given time frame, I may be reading 3 or 4 books at one time. That’s where the usefulness of a Kindle comes in. Instead of lugging around 3 books at a time, I’d be able to stow away this device and read as many books as I want at my leisure. When I travel to new places, I will be able to read my books without adding extra weight to my luggage. I can just put my Kindle in my purse! How convenient for a book lover like me! Winning a Kindle will make my pastimes even more enjoyable!
Today (well yesterday, now), I was a featured guest on HBCU Digest Radio. I was interviewed about my perspective as an alumni chapter president on alumni involvement. You can listen to the archived show here.
I was nervous as ever, which is funny because as soon as I got off the phone, I had plenty more to say. It’s amazing. I loved it though. Maybe I’ll do it again soon.
Please support HBCU Digest and support your alma mater, no matter where you attended. As I stated during the show, our institutions are community assets and need our support, financial and physical. We all have something to contribute, and we have a responsibility to keep our resources sustained and healthy for the next generation.
Remember:
Every dollar counts. Even if you can’t give $1,000 a year, give what you can. Each alum that gives increases the alumni giving rate, which better enables schools to solicit external donations. If the direct stakeholders of the school don’t support, why should anyone else?
Let go of the old negativity. If you earned a degree from your school, it couldn’t have been all bad. If you stayed there for 4+ years, surely you have more positive memories than negative. (And how much do I have to preach on here that we have to redirect our focus to the good stuff!?) Plus, your degree helped you to move forward with your life, so give back!
Physical support is much needed as well! Help your local chapter to organize an event, support an activity, assist in student recruitment. We are all walking ambassadors for our schools. Let people know who you represent!
I could talk about alumni involvement all night, but I’ll spare you. Besides, at 1 am, I should be trying to get some zzz’s. Later, y’all!
I posted this in my old blog on 6/11/2007. I gave a speech (or a sermon as the pastor wanted to call it) on 6/10/2007 at Light of Life Church in College Park, GA for their Youth Day. I just felt like sharing today. Hopefully, it inspires someone.
I started by telling a story of a little girl with huge dreams to be successful in school and go on to become some sort of leader—maybe a judge, maybe a scientist, but definitely someone who would make a difference in the world. The little girl experienced extreme hate from her 5th grade math teacher, who berated her daily and told her she’d never be anything and that she was dumb and not as smart as people thought she was. Her ma gave her some wonderful advice that she can’t let negative people have a negative effect on her life, and eventually the little girl got her grades back up and started turning the teacher’s discouragement into encouragement and made the decision to prove the teacher wrong. The little girl ended up graduating from high school at 16, earning two bachelors degrees in math by the time she was 20, and has a Masters degree <now 2 Masters degrees>. And now she’s giving speeches. Imagine that. I told them, of course I’ve gone through many trials and tribulations since then, but that particular experience was an early lesson in how to handle people’s negativity and just the world in general.
I encouraged the audience (congregation) to pursue the dreams God gives us, no matter how big or impossible or crazy they may seem. I told them a story I heard Joel Osteen give once–there was a man who went fishing, and he saw another man fishing and noticed that every time he caught a small fish he kept it, but each time he caught a big fish, he would throw it back. Finally after watching this for awhile, the man decided to ask him what’s going on. The guy told him that he only had a 10″ frying pan. We have got to throw away our small frying pan and invest in some larger ones. We can’t limit God, so we shouldn’t limit what he puts in our spirits to do.
The underlying tool we need to pursue our dreams is faith–we have to trust God and the Holy Spirit and have faith that ALL things are possible. Sometimes the trouble is that the idea just seems odd. When God told Noah to build the ark, they had never seen rain ever before. They had no clue what it would be like for water to fall from the sky, let alone water coming so much that it would flood. I’m sure Noah was like what the heck? You want me to do what? Build a huge boat in the middle of the desert?! BUT he had faith and he did what he was told, and it came in handy, eh? You can’t let the size of your dream intimidate you.
Sometimes we’re worried about what other folks say. I can only imagine how much Noah was made fun of. But those people ended up drowning. You can’t let people stop you from making the mark God intends for you to make on the world. You have to stay true to God and yourself. Don’t change your dreams for your critics!
Sometimes the trouble is low self-esteem. We underestimate ourselves. God told Moses to go tell Pharoah to let his people go. Moses said what the heck? I can’t do that! I stutter! And to that, God replied, who made your tongue?! God doesn’t make mistakes. He put you in the life you’re in for a reason. And he equipped you with everything you’ll ever need to conquer all your storms.
Then I shared 6 pieces of advice.
1. Make it a habit to talk to God when you get up in the morning and before you go to bed at night. Read your Bible, for it will equip you. You can’t receive your dreams and assignments from God if you’re not in touch with him. Pray for guidance and help in being in the right place at the right time to meet the right people.
2. Plan ahead! Proverbs 14:16 says “The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.” When I’m going somewhere, I don’t just hop in my car and start driving, I have to look at a map or get directions. Same in life–we have to know how to get to where we’re going. Once you make the choice to pursue the dreams God has given you, you have to do your research. Find out what is needed to go to the college you want to go to; find out what you need to get that internship; ask someone what you need to start a business; find out what you have to do to become a minister; find out who you need to know to work on a political campaign. Get an idea of where you’re going before you start walking.
3. Don’t believe everything you see! Proverbs 13:7 says “Some who are poor pretend to be rich; others who are rich pretend to be poor.” Don’t pursue other people’s dreams because of what you think they have. Pursue what God has especially for you. You don’t know what people really have or what they had to do to get it. Some people who drive fancy cars and live in big houses may not have it made like you think. For all you know they’re on the verge of losing it. And don’t judge the poor looking man on the corner trying to tell people about God or handing out flyers for his new business. The rappers and folks on TV look like they have it all, but you don’t know what goes on when the cameras stop rolling. Don’t believe everything you see, but do believe what God has said to you.
4. Know that everything does not come easy. You HAVE to work for it! Three verses here:
Proverbs 13:4 “Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.”
Proverbs 13:11 “Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.”
Proverbs 14:23 “Work brings profit, but more talk leads to poverty.”
We’ve all heard that saying “don’t talk about it–be about it.” Don’t spend your time talking about your dreams and waiting for success to find you! Once you’ve received your dream, once you’ve done your homework and figured out what you need to do to achieve it, go do it! Know that there will be rough times and everything won’t always seem to work out, but remember that God has a master plan. Your trials and pitfalls are there for a reason, a reason you’ll find out later. So thank God in advance for the lessons you learn and for divinely setting up life to get you to where you’re supposed to be. Be diligent. You can’t stand on the sidelines. You have to stay in the race for God to get you to the finish line. As my ma told me, in order to enjoy the rainbow, you have to endure the rain.
5. Hang around people who can help you and who know more than you do. Proverbs 13:20 says “Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.” Proverbs 14:7 says “Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.” Surround yourself with positive people who also strive for success. Take advantage of the adults in your life. Listen to their experiences; ask them for their advice; ask them if you can help them with a project in which you’re interested; get to know them. You never know who people know, what opportunities they may know of, or who may be willing to write a letter or make a phone call for you. Stay away from folks with a 10″ frying pan, who think small, who are negative, and who don’t know any more than you do. What can they offer you but bad advice? Don’t get stuck thinking you can’t do something or making wrong decisions. Hang around people who will keep you moving forward.
6. Accept constructive criticism and loving guidance. Do not reinvent the wheel–learn from others! Proverbs 13:18 says “If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored.” People have been where you are. Even when you feel like NOONE can POSSIBLY understand what you feel, what you’re going through at home or at school, chances are someone does, and God will put them in your path. Those people who love you just want to help you avoid some problems and help you out of others. But you have to LISTEN. Don’t get angry if someone tells you there’s a better way to do something. Don’t get an attitude when someone tells you something you did was wrong. Hear them out. Don’t get wrapped up in the fact that they may be fussing–listen and consider what is being said. You’ll probably be better for it!
I finished by giving them a quote by Benjamin E. Mays:
Every man and woman is born into the world to do something unique and something distinctive, and if he or she does not do it, it will never be done.
And I’ll finish this post with a song by one of the best bands of all time, Earth Wind & Fire.
For you, here’s a song to make your day brighter
One that will last you long through troubled days
Giving your heart the light to brighten all of the dark that falls in your way
Whoa nah! I have tons of stuff on my mind, and I don’t even really know where to start or what I want to get off of it.
So this post may end up being total stream of consciousness. And I’m random like that, so that’s a-ok with me.
I’ve said on multiple occasions that I tend to have a grudge-holding problem, but I’ve been actively trying to combat that because as we know acknowledgement is the first step, but there are still other steps. So after prayer and meditation, I made some steps toward reconciling with an old friend. The convo started off kinda tough because expressing pinned up emotion and listening to other people tell you want they think is wrong with you usually are, but I was able to put the right amount of compassion into my responses to her, and I think we’re on our way to being friends again one day. BUT the good news is that I have let go of my lingering frustrations and bad vibes over that situation. I was able to release it, and all it took was allowing myself to express my feelings in a constructive way–despite what she said to me. No yelling, no blowing up. Stay cooool. *Progress!*
Speaking of old friends, one of my childhood friends emailed me yesterday morning and let me know that her nephew is having brain surgery. You know, the stuff you kinda just think happens on TV. So she, her nephew, and their family have been at the top of my prayer list. She sent me an update this morning and he made it through the surgery fine, and now we’re waiting to hear what the new test results are. I really hope he makes it through, ready to enjoy a full, happy, inspired life.
Inspiration… What inspires you? What inspires me? Feeling like I’m making a difference inspires me. I had a hectic week at work last week, but it was all to the good because I really feel like my job is setting me up to make some real impacts. Even seeing a reference in a newspaper article to a research document I created set my spirits on fire. I’m not just working everyday to earn a paycheck (although that is oh so necessary lol)–my work is being prodded and probed and considered and acted on. It’s because of my long hours that somebody somewhere made a decision that will have far-stretching impacts in a city, a county, or even a region or state. That matters to me. I’ve come to learn that I put in my hardest work when I feel like I or it matters. If I don’t see the significance, it’s hard for me to buckle down and get er done. Knowing that is helping me to prioritize and better use my time (and say a much needed no more often).
And a certain something has me daydreaming and grinning. Buuuuuuut I’ll let that stay in my head for awhile. Just for superstition’s sake. No jinxes please. Just fun times ahead. Hmmmmm…
Speaking of fun, softball has been kicking my lazy, out-of-shape butt, but being around black folks in a ball park has done something to me. It makes me feel more at home. I can remember going to the ballpark with my mom to watch my dad play. It’s a really vague memory, lol, but I remember, nonetheless. My aunt would be keeping score or somewhere near us. And it was just fun times with laughter and sometimes the smell of food on the grill filling the air. It took me 8 years to find that in Atlanta!! And right in time for the summer. Yippie ya!
I don’t even know what else is swirling around in this complicated mind o’ mine. Besides that something I don’t want to deliberate on. lol you want to know, don’t you? Too bad, so sad! haha Anyway, there have been lots in the news I could talk about, but most of it is negative and I’m in too good of a mood to get on my soap box today. So maybe tomorrow. In the meantime, get your groove on with one of my newest jams. I know you want to…
P.S. If you don’t have one–get a mantra or two. Mine are “Positivity prevails” and “Focus on the miracle.” They come in handy!! You gotta align your perspective up with your circumstance to make it through tough times. Remember that your attitude is often your testimony. Ok, I’m done for real this time. Tootleloo!
Well, the Gospel Extravaganza is tomorrow, and I’m experiencing several emotions. I’m excited, worried, nervous, and the list goes on. But most of all, what started out as a marketing ploy has really become an aha moment. I decided to join the lineup in hopes that people I know would come out just to hear me sing. Because I’m not so diligent in finding opportunities to use all of my talents, there are a ton of people who have no idea I can sing. And the one time I sang on a stage in GA in 2007, it was kinda iffy. I dunno why. Well, yeah I do. I was nervous, I was upset about my hair, I was ready for the event to be over, and a ton of other issues.
I joined the choir at my church a couple of years ago, but I haven’t made my Thursday free in order for me to go to choir rehearsal so that’s been a bust. Last year, I sang as one half of a duet in my line sister’s wedding, and that was exhilarating! So why haven’t I made singing a priority? *shrug* I don’t really know. So I was UBER nervous before rehearsal last night, but when I got that mic in my hand and let the notes start flowing, I was back in my element. So when will I give all my talents some attention? I definitely don’t want to lose any of them, especially not my voice. I just have so many that I struggle to understand why they were given to me or what I’m supposed to do with them or how they fit together with each other (if they do at all!). I mean, singing is something I love. Even though Smokie is the only one who hears me on a regular basis. :-/ I definitely need to get with it!
When I sing, I express and fully feel emotions that aren’t normally expressed by me. I can be a somewhat a-emotional person. I’m kind of an extremist. Either I’m not expressive at all or I blow up. Never too much in the middle. But when I sing, emotions relevant to the song just well up and overflow. Happiness, excitement, sadness, hurt, anger, anxiety, hope, enthusiasm, all of it. There’s a song that parallels anything I’m feeling and can’t quite get out. Music just does something to my soul. So here’s to sanging, and here’s to a successful concert on tomorrow!
So! If you know me really well, you know I can’t stand the spotlight. Especially if I have to open my mouth. Some think it’s really hard to believe because I’m always serving in leadership capacities, but I’ve always been kind of a behind the scenes person. Well, I’ve realized that in my life–at work, in social settings, and in community settings–I really need to get over this dislike of public speaking and meeting people cold (without any introduction) so that I can walk through any doors that God may open in order to let His light shine through me.
So yesterday, I attended a one-day seminar at Emory about being an effective presenter, and boy, was I blessed. Vicki Flier Hudson is the bomb, and this class is definitely worth the time and mulah. At the beginning of the day, we discussed what our barriers were and how to overcome them. We were told that in order to tighten up our outer game, we have to deal with the inner game. I had never really asked myself WHY I don’t like all eyes on me. Or at least not long enough to come up with an answer. So when I was asked yesterday, I kinda just gave a blank stare. And after the talk, I think it’s really just fear of the unknown and being self-conscious of what someone may be thinking as they size me up. #1 thing I took from the class yesterday: “I am Nada Dee, and I have something valuable to offer these people.” I will begin reciting that mantra before I have to stand before an audience and speak about something.
According to my teacher, I have the skills. I am personable and I connect well with my audience, make great facial expressions (everyone knows that! lol), sound like I know what I’m talking about. But I find myself giving off negative body language because of my apprehension and low self-confidence of being in front, and I don’t project loudly enough sometimes. So knowing my weaknesses and going equipped with new exercises to deal with these, I think the class was an awesome launching pad for improvement. I’ve also joined Toastmasters, and I have resolved not to turn down any more opportunities to share who I am and what I have to offer to anyone. Whether it be speaking, singing, or whatever. One day I may even like getting up and talking to groups of people. Oh how unstoppable I will be then. Happy Friday!
Ok ok ok… I’m off the highway now and have been since Sunday night, but I liked that title.
I had a BLAST this weekend. I saw so many people I haven’t seen in so long, and it was a good time just like the old days! Friday night, we caught up in my high school’s cafeteria during our mix and mingle. The highlight of the event was seeing Chad Royston, who was one of my fave people in the ACCENT (gifted) program in elementary. We were also in orchestra and most of my accelerated classes together. He still remembered being my 50s dance partner in 6th grade as we learned dances like swing. And he showed me the Lindy Hop that he’s been learning recently in Texas, where he lives now!
Then, I bar hopped like the old days (but the old days for me was in college–I had never gone from place to place with them since I left early!). We went to a Mexican restaurant for margaritas, a regular bar to meet up with other folks, and then to another lil place where one of us was hosting a party. I got in at like 3, so I was beat!
Saturday… I slept in!! And woke up to text messages about meeting up at Shoney’s that morning. Oops! That night, Rick escorted me to our class party, and there were even more people there. We had over 400 people in our class. So of course, because I hadn’t seen or talked to so many in so long, I forgot how many friends I had! Mostly everyone still look the same and are doing very well! Yay, class of ’99! After that, Rick and I went to the 930 Blues Cafe and kept the good times rolling. The okra was to die for, and of course the drinks and music were worth the while.
Overall, we had a really good turnout, and we definitely reconnected. I’ll probably see my classmates way more often now. We’re already thinking of doing something around Christmas. :) Go Arrows!
