Category Archives: Africa
Re: Jill Biden Description in Her Recent Op-Ed (11 Aug 2011)
Author’s Note: I recently wrote a letter to the Accuracy Department at USA Today in Response to my reading of a recent Op-Ed Dr. Jill Biden wrote on the Somali Famine
Dear Mr. Jones,
I recently read the Op-Ed that appeared in your paper, I read the article online, on 11 August 2011 written by Dr. Jill Biden and Former US Senator Bill Frist. While I was happy to see your newspaper address a needed issue via the opinions section I was shocked to see Dr. Jill Biden not only listed without her full title but only as the wife of Vice President Joe Biden: “Jill Biden is the wife of Vice President Biden. Bill Frist is a former Republican senator from Tennessee.”
I understand that space is of the essence in journalism but considering the large amount of work and contributions Dr. Jill Biden has made to improve, most recently, Community College Education, I wish your paper would have taken a few more words to include the fact that Jill Biden is a Dr. (PhD) and is an educator instead of simply referring to her marital status connection to a prominent man in politics.
I do hope that you consider updating this Op-Ed to reflect Dr. Biden’s occupation and not just her marital status as occupation references are standard in Op-Eds especially by those prominent in politics. Furthermore, please refer to this LA Times article from 2009 where Dr. Biden shares that she prefers to be referred to as Dr. Biden. If you have a policy similar to the papers mentioned in the LA Times article please consider the alternative attribution: Jill Biden, PhD.
I thank you for your time and consideration. Feel free to email me if you have questions.
Take care,
DNMP Politico
Double-Latte Project – August 2011 Generation Enterprise
This month’s Double-Latte Selection is:
Why Generation Enterprise?
Well one of my focus’ for this year’s Double-Latte selections is people in my network and one of the founders of Generation Enterprise is a member of a fellowship program that I did, the Institute for International Public Policy (IIPP). I met Clara Chow in 2005 as I was serving as the assistant, traditionally an older fellow, for IIPP’s Summer Sophomore Institute.
In addition to the network connection, I am highlighting Generation Enterprise because I really enjoy that they are working to help “street kids” by not just giving them handouts but by giving them tools to build a better life in the long term. I also enjoy that these young adult philanthropists not only lived their experiences, either where they grew up or where they studied abroad or worked, they have decided and acted to make the world a better place then they found it.
What does Generation Enterprise Do?
We are the Generation Enterprise leadership team, an all-volunteer group of young community leaders working on four continents to realize one revolutionary vision: that street youth in the world’s biggest cities and most formidable slums can become socially responsible business owners and pull their communities out of poverty.
In 2009, we launched a pilot project in Lagos, the world’s fastest-growing megacity. Our business training and incubation program, YouthBank, equipped homeless and unemployed youth to build viable, sustainable businesses that would allow them to leave gangs, prostitution, odd jobs, and criminal activity.
Now, we’re working with partners in the public, private, and social sectors to create a network of incubators focused on drawing at-risk youth out of the shadows and into the formal economy.
To get a visual about what this great organization is doing, check out this clip from a documentary being produced about their work!
Why is Generation Enterprise’s Work is Important?
Because Generation Enterprise takes what I call a “Teach a Man to Fish” approach, the effects of their program are more long lasting and more likely to keep program participants out of poverty. Youth that are a part of their program receive loans to help them start a business but they also receive training, in a fellowship like format from my understanding, so that participants do not just receive funds and are left on their own.
Also, because the businesses and ventures that these young people take on are local it also assists in the sustainable development of towns and countries around the world and prevents the occurrence of brain drain.
Final Thoughts
Highlighting this organization and others in my network like Shea Yeleen is a lot of fun. It is also a reminder for me of some of the amazing and great people in my network.
I am really proud of the great people around me who have done more than talk about their dreams and wishes and have taken the time to do something! Its motivation for me to do the same!
Thank you for reading! Please take time to connect with Generation Enterprise on LinkedIn and on Facebook!
Double Latte Project May 2011: Shea Yeleen
This month’s Double Latte Selection is Shea Yeleen, an organization that is improving the lives of women in rural Western Africa through sustainable development. The company has a series of products from shea butter to lip balms to soaps.
Double Latte Connection – People in DNMP’s Network
I had the pleasure of meeting the founder of this great organization, Rahama Wright, at a Montgomery County [MD] Women’s Commission event when I lived in Washington, D.C. We definitely hit it off and it was nice to meet another woman who wanted to make a difference and was actively doing so. When I interact with people like Rahama it always makes me think, “Why don’t I go ahead and make moves on the projects that I have in mind to make a difference. Their projects started as ideas.”
Because this is a sustainable development business, in addition to my normal Double Latte contribution of $10.10, I am going to purchase one of the products from the Shea Yaheen store. I am going to try something new so I will post what I decide to get. I have already tried the Shea Butter and I really like it. I even like the container that it comes it, very easy to transport.
Why Shea Yeleen?
Beyond the personal network connection, one of the reasons why I chose to highlight this organization is because it is giving people, specifically women, tools to make a living not just giving them a hand out. Shea Yeleen is not about collecting donations to just give money to those in need but they are about taking a skill that is already in use and giving people a market and business skills to be able to take the original skill to the next level. And bonus is the fact that these people are women!
To close, I always enjoy supporting companies like this because I know that my few dollars are going to help someone put food on their table and make a positive difference in their life.
You can find this company on Twitter and Facebook. Please follow and like them! Furthermore, please check out their store and make a purchase!
About Shea Yeleen – From Their Website
Shea Yeleen International, Inc. is an organization representing the issues and concerns of rural West African producers of shea butter. We believe in improving the livelihoods of communities by connecting rural communities to international markets in an effort to compete in an increasingly global economy. Through collective community development and support of cooperatives, we bring local issues to consumers interested in learning where their products originate from, and who want to use their consumer power to make a difference in the world.
Our project combines grassroots development with business development and the goal is to improve economic conditions in some of the most impoverished communities of the world. We focus on local resources that can be properly linked to international markets by seeking fair prices for traditional commodities. Through practical solutions, community engagement, resource development, and exceptional marketing, SYI is pioneering change for women producers of shea butter, and their communities!
The Double-Latte Project February 2011 The Abyssinian Fund (Event 25 Feb 2011 & More About The Fund)
If you are in the New York City area check out The Abyssinian Fund at the Harlem Fine Arts Show this weekend:
At
The 2nd Annual Harlem Fine Arts Show
Friday, February 25th — 6pm to Midnight
Saturday, February 26th — 11am to 10pm
Sunday, February 27th — 11am to 7pm
Riverside Church
490 Riverside Drive
New York, NY 10027
All proceeds from the sale of 18 paintings will be used to further the work of the Abyssinian Fund in the rural farming community of Chaffee Jeneta, and to promote economic development in Ethiopia.
Tickets to the 2nd Annual Harlem Fine Arts Show may be purchased by clicking here.
I also wanted to take this time to share a few articles that have been written about the Abyssinian Fund and the success they have had in the short time they have been in existence. Check out From a 542-square-foot office above a bustling intersection in Harlem, the Rev. Nicholas S. Richards is building what he hopes will be a 7,000-mile bridge to the eastern highlands of Ethiopia. There is also the Wall Street Journal article “A Gift in Harlem Helps Farmers in Africa” as well as this review of The Fund’s first fundraising event.
Clearing My Inbox: Oldies But Goodies Part 2
I’m still working on clearing my inbox. I have made a lot of progress. Here are more older links I have found while doing some Spring…err Summer Cleaning online. This time I will be more organized with the links. Part 3 coming soon…
July
Has American Apparel Gone Too Far?
Check out this post about a recent ad campaign that American Apparel has done. I’m not a fan of it.
Klobuchar Remarks on sexism in Sotomayor hearings
Sen. Klobuchar is one of my favorite senators. I heard her in a hearing last year and appreciated her frankness. I hope she continues to speak for the people and holds on to her unique senate style. This link is a link to Emily’s List’s new Blog Read My Lipstick but a link to the full article is there.
Death Toll Rises in Afghanistan; In US Key Econ Report Due
June
‘Save our CEOs’ Teaser for Michael Moore’s New Film
Susanna Madora Salter, America’s First Female Mayor and Elected Official
May
Former Interrogator Rebukes Cheney for Torture Speech
Article starts slow but a must need read about how the Corn Lobby is at work again…moving from food to fuel production. I wonder if this is why I haven’t seen one of those Pro High Fructose Corn Syrup commercials recently.
Hill Still A Climb For Female Staffers
April
A 19 Cent Raise in 45 years? Women Deserve Equal Pay Now
Cuba: “It’s Time to Talk” Say US Lawmakers
Women, Extremism and Two Key States
The G20 and Latin America: A “Rendezvous With Destiny” or a False Start?
Deal By Deal, China Expands Its Influence in Latin America
What Can Obama Do in Latin America?
Foreign Policy in Focus – Time to Deal With Haiti
Negritudes, la nueva estrategia de Uribe
The US-Columbia FTA and National Insecurity: A Call for Ethical Foreign Policy
Latin America: Summit Reveals a Changing Contient
March
Where to Now?: Women’s Leadership Needs New Direction
Beefy Résumé for a Giant Job: Policing Stimulus Spending
The Body Politic: Cutting Meghan McCain Down to Size
Connecting with Iraqi Entrepreneurs
Obama Responds to Reports of Violence at Border
Unknown
Murders By Columbian Military Increase, WFP Renews Calls to End Funding
Links of the Week 4 July 2008
Top Five
Alpha Kappa Alpha to Pump $100 Million into DC’s Economy During Weeklong Convention
Abu Ghraib inmates sue US firms
10 Things You Can Like About $4 Gas
The 11 Best Foods You Aren’t Eating
Politics
One Unlikely Democratic Group’s Members Ready to Support Obama, Despite Former Loyalty to Clintons
Black Lawmakers Seek Restrictions on Menthol Cigarettes
Cindy McCain Audio/Picture interview
I may not like her politics but I like her.
Excerpt Letter to A New President by Robert Byrd
Business/Economics
Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs Honors 100 Women for ‘Everyday Extraordinary’ Actions
The Results Are In…Over 92% Of IKEA Customers Bagged The Plastic Bag!
Solution, or Mess? A Milk Jug for a Green Earth
Starbucks Plans to Close 600 U.S. Stores, Fire 12,000
World
A French Village Revives the Franc, and Hopes It Will Return the Favor
Mandela taken off US terror list
Mexicans protest border fence with trees
Mugabe aide tells West ‘Go hang’
An interview with Britain’s first Asian superstar Jay Sean.
Other
Top 5 Victories for pester power
SuperSonics, Seattle reach last-minute settlement in lease dispute
