Tag: education

JOYOUS JUNETEENTH -$timulations

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Greetings and blessings to everyone!

We are at the half-way point in 2022! I want to take this month to reflect, appreciate and congratulate!

Reflecting and expressing my sincere appreciation, to our ancestors. Their accomplishments, sacrifices and struggles, are what created many opportunities for us today. Please continue to set positive goals for yourself and surround yourself with love, peace and joy. Have patience. Remember to be kind, humble and continue to increase your faith. Also know, there will be long-suffering but we must have self-control. These are the fruits of the Spirit.

Congratulations to all the graduates of this year! Please! Continue to educate yourselves no matter what. Stay healthy in mind, body and spirit. Never allow you or your mind to become idle. Don’t waste time, time is money.

Happy Father’s Day! Your presence is required, needed and most appreciated.

HAPPY JUNETEENTH

https://www.lalanonprofit.org

Leave A Legacy Always

Dedra Porter

$timulating Tip for Teens

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Minimize in May

A strategy to assist with maximizing financial health is to understand your income and your expenses. We know what income is; any money received or earned. After you receive or earn money, often there are expenses that need to be paid. There are different types of expenses

Fixed expenses: are the same every month. Each time you pay that particular item, the amount is the same. The rent or a car payment, these are considered fixed expenses.

Variable expenses: these are bills that are different each time you pay them. Perhaps the electric bill, or the water bill, sometimes it is the cell phone bill.

Periodic expenses: these are specific expenses that are only paid once every three month or twice a year or any time that is irregular. A birthday or anniversary gift for someone or car repairs are considered periodic expenses.

Planning ahead and budgeting for these expenses can help minimize your debt/bills/expenses.

You ALWAYS have the option to pay early or in full on certain expenses like credit cards or cell phones bills. Remember to read the contract associated with the expense. There are certain contracts that may penalize you for paying early. 

Until next time….remember to Leave A Legacy Always.

Dedra Porter

lalanonprofit@gmail.com

JUMPING INTO JANURARY

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$TIMULATIING TIPS FOR TEENS

As we start the new year and set new goals for ourselves, I want to suggest an easy strategy to help. Learning The SMART acronym

What Does the SMART Acronym Stand For?

  • Specific
  • Measurable/Meaningful
  • Achievable/Attainable
  • Relevant/Realistic
  • Timely

Be Specific about what you need/what and why you need/want it.

How is this Specific need/want, Measurable/Meaningful to your success, career or future?

Will you be able to Achieve/Attain this Specific, Measurable/Meaningful goal? To

Achieve/Attain something means..….to be able to get it.

Do not set your goal to high for yourself and risk not being able to obtain it.

This means that your goal, should be Relevant/Realistic to your lifestyle and your income level.

The last one is Timeliness. Will you be able to achieve this goal in 3 months, 1year or 3 years?

Start with each letter and write out what each one means to you, then review what you have written down. Is this a smart idea, that has meaning? Will you be able to achieve this goal? Is this relevant or realistic or do you need to scale it down a little? Finally, how much time are you giving yourself to complete this goal? Whatever you decide, you can change it to fit your circumstance. Review it with your parent or someone you trust. Revisit what you have planned to stay on track!

Always, keep your money on you mind.

Dedra Porter CPP, CFE

Founder/President

L.A.L.A. Nonprofit Org.

Leave A Legacy Always

 www.lalanonprofit.org

Celebrating Kwanzaa

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Each year from December 26 through January 1 the African American and Pan African holiday Kwanzaa is observed across a seven-day celebration based on the following principles – Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujima, Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba, and Imani.

Each of the principles has a significant meaning that accompanies the daily lighting of the Kinara. In the center of the kinara is the Black candle that symbolizes the people, the three red candles are for the struggle or blood-shed by ancestors and the three green candles represent the abundance of possibilities the future holds. Starting with the lighting of the black candle that is known as the unity candle, the candle which is red on the immediate right is lit on the second day, the green candle which is to the left of the black candle is lit on the third day and each day staggering the right green and left red candles until day seven.

These colors were given by Civil rights activist Marcus Garvey who was also the leader of the Pan-Africanism movement. A movement that was aimed at uniting people of African descent.

The principals are as follows:

Day One – Umoja or unity.

Day Two – Kujichagulia or self-determination

Day Three – Ujima or collective work and responsibility

Day Four – Ujamaa or cooperative economics

Day Five – Nia or purpose

Day Six –  Kuumba representing creativity

Day Seven – Imani or Faith

The holiday was created by Maulana Karenga, a Black nationalist, and professor of Pan-African studies at California State University at Long Beach in 1966. Kwanzaa became popular in the 1980s and 1990s with the Black Power movement. A welcome addition to the celebrated winter holidays – Hanukkah and Christmas.

You can learn more Kwanzaa and how to celebrate by visiting the website

Pretty and Changing The Game of Beauty Education with Tiffané Nicol

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Simply a creative by nature and has always loved the business and glam of the beauty and spa industry. That’s exactly why she got into the beauty industry almost 20 years ago. Owner of Style Mobb Studio (Full-service salon and spa) for 10 years formerly known as Diamonds & Pearls Image Studio she has mastered the professional skills of a master cosmetology and a master entrepreneurs businesswoman. As much as she loves the beauty industry and business managing she loves interacting with and inspiring students, and most of all, witnessing the students’ growth all the way from enrollment to graduation. Over 10 years of grooming newly license hairstylists, nail techs, and make-up artists from freshmen in cosmetology school to popular professionals. Her passion to educate, inspire and beauty lead to Style Mobb University.

Who is Tiffane Nicol in five words?

Hustler, Inspiration, Faith, Giver, Resilient 

You are an artist, professional hairstylist, and Makeup artist, when did you discover your gifts?

 I fell in love with beauty “Hair and makeup” at a very young age, I can’t remember the exact age but I remember the exact place “A drag bar dressing room”. My mother is a lip-sync artist, so I spent a lot of my young childhood days in dressing rooms of drag shows. Seeing people transition into characters was amazing to me, I had to learn the skills behind it. 

If you could sum your creativity up in one word, what would it be?

Freedom 

You have been a part of the beauty industry for over 13 years, what has been your greatest lesson thus far?  

The greatest lesson I’ve learned from the beauty industry is to ensure your tools!!!!! My entire makeup kit was stolen from my car after coming off tour with R Kelly and the Soul Train Awards… I lost over $40,000 of makeup and equipment, to this day I wish I had insurance to cover my tools. 

What tips do you have for women entering into the beauty industry?

 Here are 3 tips for anyone entering the beauty industry: 

  1. Understand this is a business, if you come into this industry with a business mindset you will go far and you could build wealth fast. 
  2. The beauty business is built and stands on passion. If making money is your only reason for entering the beauty industry, you won’t last long.  
  3. Be prepared to dedicate long hours behind the chair and on your computer to build a professional beauty business. To be successful in this industry you must understand the theory and practicality of all facets of the beauty business. Take classes, go to a beauty school that specializes in the areas of expertise you’re interested in, and understand this is a forever growing and learning industry.   

You are the first to own a 24 hr hair salon in Atlanta, what can women expect when entering your doors?

 I once owned a 24-hour one-stop shop image studio Diamonds and Pearls Image Studio. Diamonds and Pearls Image Studio housed a boutique, nail salon, and hair salon located in Castleberry Hill (downtown Atlanta). We would be bumping with clients until 3,4, 5 o’clock in the morning. Those were such good times. Now my full focus is on Style Mobb University (SMU), the world’s 1st HBCU Beauty School. The birth of Style Mobb University “SMU” came from years of hiring and training hairstylists in my commission-based salons. I found myself in a cycle of training salon reality to ladies fresh out of beauty school, once I trained them up they would go on to be beauty bosses. This grew a passion of wanting to help the masses and offer this as a structured program… boom … Now we have Style Mobb University, cosmetology, and advanced training beauty school. Operating in the culture of an HBCU, we give our students a real college experience and we offer student housing. Honestly, it’s the second-best thing I’ve ever done, “the 1st was having my son, Sidney Crown;) “.

As a woman who has experienced a great amount of success, what is next for you? 

The next great thing for me is The annual Beauty and Barber Bosses Awards Show. I’ve taken on the job of being a leader in the beauty industry, when I took on this job I understood it’s important to inspire and motivate the masses .. and the best way I have seen this done is to give flowers ‘credit” when they are due. The Beauty and Barber Bosses Awards is necessary for the beauty and barber industry, it creates a platform to celebrate our beauty and hard work. So, yeah the beauty and barber bosses awards are the next big project in addition to growing and expanding Style Mobb University. I’ve received several offers from investors wanting to franchise Style Mobb University. In due time that opportunity will be available. 

How can readers connect with you? 

In the world of social media, I can be found on most platforms:

IG: @TiffaneNicol @StyleMobb_University @beautyandbarberbossesawardshow

 Websites:

www.StyleMobbUniversity.com www.TheBeautyandBarberAwards.com

http://www.TiffaneNicol.com

What is your definition of a Pretty Woman Who Hustles?

The definition of a Pretty Woman who hustles is a glamorous woman making business moves like a man.  

Celebrating Black Hair Independence – Dove And The CROWN Coalition Celebrate National CROWN Day July 3, 2021, With The Inaugural CROWN Awards

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July 3rd is National Crown Day – Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.

Presented by Dove and the CROWN Coalition, National CROWN Day is returning on Saturday, July 3rd, with the inaugural CROWN Awards. Hosted by media personality Tai Beauchamp, the CROWN Awards will honor Black women paving the way with contributions to culture, community, entrepreneurship, entertainment and the advancement of Black beauty. The CROWN Awards will highlight the extraordinary strength, grace and perseverance of notable Black women, whether at the forefront or behind the scenes of change, whose talents and leadership help advance the legacy of Black excellence and beauty. Award categories will range from business to sports, to activism and the champions of The CROWN Act legislation. 

The CROWN Awards will stream live on several channels, including TheCROWNact.com, Facebook.com/TheCROWNAct and Facebook.com/DoveUS at 7pm ET.

The CROWN Act, which stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” is a law that prohibits race-based hair discrimination, which is the denial of employment and educational opportunities because of hair texture or protective hairstyles including braids, locs, twists or bantu knots.

Confirmed guests and honorees for the CROWN Awards include:

  • Esi Eggleston Bracey, COO & EVP of North America Beauty and Personal Care at Unilever
  • Tabitha Brown, Actress and Entrepreneur
  • Tashara Parker, Journalist and Activist
  • Tina Lifford, Actress and Founder/CEO, The Inner Fitness Project
  • Holly J. Mitchell, Los Angeles County Supervisor (former Senator)
  • Honorable Bonnie Watson Coleman, U.S. Representative (NJ)
  • Brittany Packnett Cunningham, Activist, Educator and Writer
  • Dr. Kizzmekia S. Corbett, Immunologist & Scientific lead for the COVID-19 vaccine
  • Michaela Angela Davis, Writer and Image Activist
  • Beverly Smith, National President CEO for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
  • Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, National President of The Links, Incorporated
  • Curly Girl Collective
  • Maya Penn, Environmental Activist
  • Joy Holmes Harris, Former WNBA Player
  • Haley Jones, NCAA Basketball Player
  • Naomi Wadler, Student and Activist
  • Adjoa B. Asamoah, Social impact and legislative Strategist
  • Michelle Thornton Ghee, CEO, EBONY Magazine
  • Jeanine LaRue, Activist
  • Faith Fennidy, Student and Activist
  • Yomi Calloway, Co-founder of Justice Now
  • Nae Nae Twins, Social Media Influencers
  • Spotlights on ‘Young CROWN’ with Alana Gay, Selah Thompson, ZaZa, Alejandra Roy and DJ Sophia Rocks

Leading up to the CROWN Awards, CROWN Day will also include a morning wellness workout with fitness professional Ashley Joi at 10:30am ET, live streaming on Instagram pages @ashleyjoi and @thecrownact.

Immediately following the awards will be an afterparty with DJ Olivia Dope and DJ Sophia Rocks with each DJ sharing a live set on each of their Instagram pages, @oliviadope and @djsophiarocks.

Also beginning on CROWN Day, Dove and the CROWN Coalition will partner with actress Tina Lifford’s The Inner Fitness Project for a 90-day wellbeing program. The free 90-day Inner Fitness Circle Program supports women in proactively building personal and community inner strength and resilience. As many as a thousand women will be chosen to participate in this groundbreaking wellbeing initiative. Women who are interested can learn more and sign up at thecrownact.com/tifp.

National CROWN Day is a special holiday commemorating the inaugural signing of the first CROWN Act legislation in the United States in 2019 to “Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.” In 2019, Dove and the CROWN Coalition partnered with then State Senator Holly J. Mitchell of California to introduce The CROWN Act legislation to address the disparate impact of hair discrimination on Black people in workplaces and in schools. California Senate Bill 188 (SB 188) was introduced in January 2019 and signed into law on July 3, 2019, making California the first state to prohibit discrimination based on protective hairstyles and hair texture associated with race. To date, thirteen (13) states and thirty (30) municipalities have enacted The CROWN Act, or laws inspired by The CROWN Act. A federal bill was introduced in both chambers of U.S. Congress in March 2021. This year’s National CROWN Day will mobilize the Black community and allies to call on federal legislators to pass The CROWN Act in both chambers of Congress.

As a founding member of The CROWN Coalition, Dove has championed The CROWN Act movement, created and driven by a team of Black women leaders working with a village of women who share a desire to end discrimination including Esi Eggleston Bracey and Erin Goldson of Dove, Los Angeles County Supervisor, Holly J. Mitchell, and JOY Collective agency leaders, Kelli Richardson Lawson, Orlena Nwokah Blanchard and Adjoa B. Asamoah as lead legislative strategist.

For more details on The CROWN Act and National CROWN Day, please visit www.thecrownact.com.

About The CROWN Coalition

The CROWN Coalition is a national alliance founded by Dove, National Urban League, Color Of Change and Western Center on Law & Poverty, to end race-based hair discrimination in America. The Coalition, now consisting of more than 80 supporting organizations, is the founder of the CROWN Act movement and was the official sponsor of the inaugural CROWN Act legislation in California in 2019.  For a full list of CROWN Coalition members, visit www.thecrownact.com.

The CROWN Coalition is proud to have supported anti-hair discrimination legislation to address unfair grooming policies that have a disparate impact on Black women, men and children and has drawn attention to cultural and racial discrimination taking place within workplaces and public schools. The CROWN Coalition members believe diversity and inclusion are key drivers of success across all industries and sectors.

www.thecrownact.com or www.Dove.com/CROWN

Real Estate Diva Genora Smith provides 5 Tips to becoming a homeowner

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Gone are the days of thinking that homeownership is out of your reach and unattainable. We reached out to Real Estate Diva Genora Smith and asked her to share 5 Tips for becoming a homeowner.

 Courtesy of Genora Smith 

1.  Create a savings account specifically for purchasing your new home. This money will go towards your down payment and any unknown repairs in the future. 

2. Work on your credit score. The higher your score the better your chances are of getting approved with a lower interest rate. 

3. Go over your finances to see how much house you can actually afford. I always ask my clients what they’re comfortable paying per month.

4. Contact a lender to start the pre-approval process. If you’re not familiar with any lenders contact a Realtor. Your Realtor works with lenders on a regular basis and will be able to give you a few recommendations. 

5. Start searching for homes based on the amount you were approved for and be ready to submit an offer. Homes are flying off the market. When you see one you like act fast before it’s too late. 

 Courtesy of Genora Smith 

About Genora Smith:

Genora Smith is a Maryland native who had a love for real estate since childhood. As a child, she would enjoy viewing model homes with her mother as an escape from the projects. She would admire the enormous homes and their beautiful interior design. Genora would dream of owning similar homes one day. Years later she moved to Georgia to pursue a career in the fashion industry.  In 2012 she graduated with a Dual BA in Marketing and Design.  Genora was the first grandchild to attend college and graduate with a degree. Moving to Georgia truly changed her life. After receiving multiple real estate opportunities, she finally took the plunge. Welcome Home GA is her new Real Estate business that launched in February 2021.  She chose that particular name because it defines who she is as a person: loving and welcoming. Genora resides in GA with her husband and three children.

Instagram | Instagram

6 Tips for New Home Buyers

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Congratulations! You’ve successfully completed this milestone in life and purchased a home. Whether it may be your forever home or a temporary nook, there are some important tips new homeowners should know. Make this new transition in life much simpler by following some key rules.

  • Find a reliable handyman– This is no longer your small apartment with the luxury of on call maintenance staff. Not only are you required to do personal upkeep to your home, you’ve got to still keep up with all the other tasks of the day to day. Having a reliable handyman puts one less stress when being put to the test. Don’t fret about a leaky faucet or clogged sink because you know someones got your back.
Photo by Hunter Haley on Unsplash
  • Save for a rainy day fund– After making such a large investment by purchasing a home means you also must be prepared for the unexpected. Saving for a rainy day ensures when emergency strikes, a back up plan is ready to be set in motion. Build yourself a better tomorrow by preparing yourself today.
Photo by Damir Spanic on Unsplash
  • Spring cleaning-Aht aht! Before getting too comfortable in your brand new house, you’ve got to make sure you’ve done a deep spring clean of the home. Not only does it aid spiritually in clearing the space and energy and preparing for the new, but it is beneficial for health purposes. Get rid of the bacteria growing and dusty old smells, and popen your new home into positive energy flow, candles, and a fresh start to a new beginning.
Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash
  • Homeowners insurance– Finding the right kind of homeowners insurance is one of the most important decisions of a new homebuyer. You never think you need insurance until an occurrence arises and it comes in handy. Shop for protection and the protection of your assets for the long haul. Continue investing in your future and the future of your home by choosing the right kind of homeowners insurance.
Photo by Tierra Mallorca on Unsplash
  • Keep all manuals– log serial numbers. May seem unimportant to log serial numbers or keep manuals but when the time comes you will be very glad you did. When something goes out of order or you need to purchase replacement parts, keeping the original manual offers a lot of pertinent information. Also, you have to plan for the unfathomable. God forbid the items you worked so hard to obtain get stolen, by logging the serial numbers and the description of the item, when making a police report having that information increases your chances of getting it back rather than having nothing at all.
Photo by Beatriz Pérez Moya on Unsplash

Continue pouring into yourself and the gift that keeps on giving by maintaining and being prepared.

PWH Features Black Entrepreneurs- Sensei Saysss INC.

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Sensei Saysss, get in line, it is book reading time!

Summertime is upon us, school is letting out, and trying to keep children engaged for the summer may be one of the biggest struggles for a parent. During the offseason, it is important to keep children engaged, otherwise, boredom leads to mischief. As many of us have experienced, working from home and taking care of the kids simultaneously is a daring task in itself, but this summer allow Sensei Saysss INC. to assist in taking the load off.

Akira is the founder and owner of Sensei Saysss INC, which is a program that was started to aid mothers to encourage their children on the importance of reading and providing the resources needed to do so. 

“The average low budget household doesn’t think about providing a continuous supply of books to their children which is where Sensei Saysss INC. comes in. We will help bring the library to your home.”

As a mother of 6 (3 stepchildren) Akira wishes to set an example and be a role model and leader to her children. Starting out as a straight-A student and an avid reader as a child, the foundation she instilled for herself set her on the path to wanting to give back to others. “I was blessed enough to have a surplus of books donated to me through my mothers’ job that fueled my love for reading.”

Being a mother of her own, Akira now understands how important books are to children especially now that the internet and 24/7 exposure to the media and various entertainers infiltrate their minds and generates a variety of societal pressures. Her solution to the problem was to start this organization. 

“We are going to have continuous book clubs for children and adult women. The book clubs will help engage those involved in the power of literature; something being taken for granted lately in our society.”

Being a one-man show isn’t easy and I commend Akira for starting such a great program! If you are interested in getting to know more about her brand or how to sign up to be a part of the movement, visit seseisaysss.com.

“We are looking for physical and monetary donations as books do cost, along with shipping our products. Contact and ways to donate are on seseisaysss.com.”

Sensei Saysss INC provides book bundles to mothers and children in need via scholarships, but those who are not in need of funding are able to support by purchasing a book bundle. Simply include the description of genres for your desired child, and she caters the book bundle to your request. 

Also upcoming, Sensei Saysss will be launching a book club for children THIS summer! She plans to provide an interactive and virtual experience for children. Interested parties are able to RSVP for this book club with their child’s information also available on her website.

Stay tuned for all the amazing things this incorporation is doing in the black community, and continue supporting black-owned businesses and black entrepreneurs. Hats off to Sensei Saysss! 

Celebrating Diversity for School Library Month

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April is School Library Month and we have some new brands that are changing the literacy game.  Representation truly matters and it’s even more vital in the literary world.  As we celebrate School Library Month, let’s shift our attention to some amazing literary brands that honor diversity.  It’s important for children to see portrayals of themselves in what they read.  To further diversity narratives it’s important to have more visible literature that offers diverse characters, authors and illustrators.

The following brands are committed to offering diverse literary works for children of color everywhere:

My Well Read Child Book Fair:  Founded by children’s author, Toni Settles, this unique book fair brings diversity to a school near you.  Their specialized book offerings are available to showcase minority authors, characters and illustrators that represent their target audience.  The Well Read Child Book Fair can be offered at a local school or through their online bookstore.  Subscription boxes are also available for purchase.  Follow their efforts online here.

My New Book, Inc.:  My New Book, Inc is a Baltimore non-profit organization that is striving to provide children with new books while inspiring them to read.  They specialize in offering diverse titles that mirror the youth and families that they serve.  Support their online efforts here.

The Literacy Shop:  This mega brand is offering diverse children’s literature through their online bookstore, virtual youth events and more.  This unique brand also offers a writing program for youth.  Connect with their brand online here.

I’m Book’d Box:  This infamous brand offers diverse literature to both youth and adults.  Literature is available through their subscription box service, book club and mobile book boutique.  Follow them online here.

There are various ways in which you can also support diverse literature.  You can support these literary brands by doing the following:

Make a Purchase

Share the Opportunity with an Author or Illustrator of Color to Join

Donate to the Literary Brands to Support their Efforts

Share these Literary Brands with your Networks on Social Media

So with each given day, literature makes the world go around.  Literature fuels imagination, creativity and diversity beyond our frames of thinking. Support these brands who have made a commitment to furthering minority literary efforts.

(Courtesy of @alyssasieb of Nappy Co)

Writer, C. Scott, is a mother of one; author, social worker, early learning advocate and entrepreneur. Follow her on Instagram as @curls_coils, @beautifulshadeslc and @mysweettealife.