Category Archives: Business
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!
Links of the Week 3 September 2010
Author’s Note
This week’s links are short as I am currently at the American Political Science Association Meeting; therefore I have done a lot more listening this week than I have done reading. So far so good with the conference panels I have attended and I look forward to putting something together in terms of a blog post to reflect on my experience this year.
Is their something that you read this week that I should check out to place in next week’s oldies but goodies section? Please comment and share what you read this week that stood out for you.
Top Five
First-Ever Law Protecting Domestic Workers’ Rights Signed in New York
Why Men Still Get More Promotions Than Women
Does Your Language Shape How You Think?
Amy’s Veggie Burgers added to Denny’s menu, yes they are vegan
Women & Politics
Women’s groups call out political sexism
Politics
Gang Members Accuse Chicago Police Of Unfair Harassment
Hipólito en gira de nueve días por varias ciudades de EE.UU.
Other
At Bookstore, Even Non-Buyers Regret Its End
The Peace List: 10 Must Haves for Fall
This list includes two of my Favs Toms Shoes and Bento Boxes.
Links of the Week 20 August 2010
After a long summer I am back to blogging on here consistently :D Now that I also fallo Português, my links will be in English mostly with some in Spanish and Portuguese. If you want to read a link in a language you don’t speak translate.google.com will be a good resource for you (its not perfect but it works).
Top Five
1o Things Men and Boys Can Do to Stop Human Traffing
Girl power: amplyfing the role of women in unions
Fox News Doesn’t Mention News Corp’s $1 Million Donation To Republican Committee
Do you have old luggage that is still in working condition? Consider donating that luggage to Suitcases for Kids which gives old but working condition luggage to children in foster care around the country. Please visit the website for details and instead of trashing items still of good use send it to someone else in need. Pay it forward!!
Bahrain Intensifies Crackdown on Activists and Clerics
Quote of the Week
“All of us do not have equal talent, but all of us should have an equal opportunity to develop our talents” John F. Kennedy via @roandco on Twitter
Women & Politics
‘Good ol’ boys’ in Warren’s way?
I have to say that I feel that the White House is doing more lip-service in its response: We have put more women than any other administration and the first law President Obama signed was about women [paraphrased statements from the administration via the article]. I like President Obama but I feel more and more that these moves were more strategic looking to 2012 than personal desire. It could be true that President Obama wanted to put these women in place personally first but I do not believe for one second that he or someone in his campaign camp was not thinking about 2012 when they decided to make these moves especially in the case of appointing two female Supreme Court justices. I could almost hear the 2012 talking points when I read about the two nominees.
WHCWG
The White House Asked, You Answered: Women You Know That Break Barriers
White House Council for Women & Girls Announces Work Flex Starter Kit
Politics
Brazilian election gag no laughing matter for comics
MoveOn calls for boycott of Target
Women & Girls
I read two articles recently that really have me concerned especially since my oldest niece is now 7 years old. These articles discuss a recent NY Time article about Puberty and Younger girls, see below for all three links. I try to not be preaching to people and just express my opinion but this issue hits home because after living abroad for a year my body badly reacted to many of the hormones and chemicals placed in US food. Furthermore, after removing these chemicals and hormones from my diet I noticed a significant change in my body shape and form so to my readers please read the links below and consider taking hormones and chemicals out of your diet as it does make a difference.
What’s Making 7-Year Old Girls Develop Breasts?
Is the Early Onset of Puberty in Young Girls Linked to Meat?
First Signs of Puberty Seen in Younger Girls
O Homem teme a mulher independente?
Other
Why China Will Change Capitalism?
Dr. Cornell West on the Michael Eric Dyson Show
Clearance Sale: Barnes & Noble Didn’t Evolve Enough
FAA Reportedly Poised to Hit American Airlines with Record Penalty of $25 mil or More
Oldies But Goodies
Google-Verizon Net Neutrality Pact: 5 Red Flags
Study shows testing for Alzheimer’s is accurate
Willie Lynch- The Making of a Slave
In college I went to a play based on this letter and I admit that I did not take the time back then to read the letter. Then one of my Twitter followers posted this and said to take some time to read this and I finally did after all these years. It is really sad to see how a letter so old is still applicable.
Links of the Week 25 June 2010
Author’s Note: This weeks links are shorter as I was traveling last week. Also links for Summer 2010 will be in Portuguese as I am learning this language this summer and am not allowed to communicate in English. If you have Google Chrome as your browser you can use their translate feature if you wish. If not see you in late August when my Links of the Week will return to their normal muli-lingual mostly English & Spanish format.
Top Five
Spelman College President Gives Opening Address at UNCF ICB Green Building Institute
I saw this threw the research methods camp I am attending & it made me see just how serious this spill is & the long term effects it will have for the animals that live there as well as the people that depend on the water to survive i.e. tourist organizations, farmers & fishermen/women.
Buffett to Ultra-Rich: Meet Me Halfway
This is the article that got General McChrystal fired from his post in charge of the troops in Afghanistan.
General McChrystal and ‘Rolling Stone’: There’s So Much More to the War in Afghanistan
Why everyone was worried about who got fired in Washington, Pundit Mom reflects on what is missing in the inside the beltway talk about Afghanistan
Women & Politics
Un bastión argentino contra las cuotas femeninas
Partidos evaden la cuota de género
U.S. Education Secretary Duncan Commemorates 38th Anniversary of Title IX
Other Politics
UPDATED: EPA Reveals What’s In Gulf Oil Spill Dispersants
Other
Can Conscious Consumerism Really Save the World?
30 things to do before you turn 30
Oldies But Goodies
Links of the Week 19 Feburary 2010
Black History
First Black Ice Skating Pair to Compete in Winter Olympics
Top Five
Children’s Messages of Hope for Haiti
This is a link to an interesting art exhibit by an Iranian artist. She uses an interesting use of fabric and everyday household items to make her point.
Johnetta B. Cole Explains the Power of the Noah Principle
“Haiti – The Politics of Rebuilding”
Women and Politics
This is a schedule of Running Start’s 2010 Path to Politics Series. This is a great program to check out if you are in the DC Metro area.
Politico
Canadian Officials: Man Breached Security, Got Close to VP Biden
Rap star says Romney got physical with him on the plane
Other
David Stern projects $400 million in losses for the NBA
Wanted: Volunteers, All Pregnant
When Children Are Overweight, Changes for the Whole Family
Médicos y choferes: hermanos de profesión
Morehouse Alumnus’ Short Film Speaks Volumes
Why Magic Johnson Should Buy Ebony & Jet?
Oldies But Goodies
Recycling Discarded Flip-Flops
I had an old pair of flip flops break this past week and when I googled recycling flip-flops this article came up. If you have old flip flops check out the organization listed, grab some friends and split the cost of shipping!
Links of the Week 5 Feburary 2010
This week is light on politics but I still hope you enjoy!
Happy Reading,
DNMP
Tale from Black History/Photo of the Week
Henrietta Lacks and her husband David in 1945.
Henrietta Lacks’ ‘Immortal’ Cells
Top Five
Even though we are only one month into the new year, I feel like we have lost so many people. Well this feeling hit closer to home with the loss of Howard Zinn. Professor Zinn, a former professor at my Alma Mater Spelman College, spent his life fighting against the status quo. Check out this video link and I encourage you to read his book “A People’s History of the United States.” I now see a need to read this book now more than ever!
Against Discouragement – 2005 Spelman College Commencement Speech by Howard Zinn
Professor Zinn spoke at my commencement speech in 2005 and now that my five year college reunion is quickly approaching and nostalgia increasing these words are more heightened than ever.
This article has great arguments for both sides of the issue. A must read especially for those who have young women in their lives.
Building Haiti’s Economy, One Mango at a Time
Alpha Kappa Alpha Lawsuit Dismissed
Quote of the Week
“My hope is that whatever you do to make a good life for yourself—whether you become a teacher, or social worker, or business person, or lawyer, or poet, or scientist — you will devote part of your life to making this a better world for your children, for all children. My hope is that your generation will demand an end to war, that your generation will do something that has not yet been done in history and wipe out the national boundaries that separate us from other human beings on this earth.” Howard Zinn 1922-2010
Video of the Week
How to Get Our Democracy Back: Lawrence Lessig
The link above is to the full video and the clip above is the shorter YouTube video of the segment.
Politico
N.J. Gov. Christie Vetos Delaware River and Bay Authority Budget
Barack Obama Attends Georgetown-Duke Basketball Game
So this is borderline politics but I thought this was a cute segment. Nice to see the President humanized.
Women & Politics
En Español
Reciben primeros 700 taxis amarillos de tres mil que circularán en Santo Domingo
Other
Learn About Amy’s Organic Kitchen
Oprah did a feature on one of my favorite food companies, Amy’s. Check out the video and check out Amy’s at your local grocer.
Traveling as a Vegan Requires the Proper Frame of Mind
Oldies But Goodies
Johsua Allen Harris’ Inflatable Bag Monsters
Battle of the Bags: Paper vs. Plastic
A great interactive feature that will allow you to assess your impact on the environment if you decrease your use of paper and/or plastic bags.
Clearing My Inbox: Oldies But Goodies Part 3
August
Ex-WSU Student, Dayton dancer hits big with Obama Impersonation
He’s really good!
July
Young Leaders We Support: 4 New Endorsements
Click this link to find out about some endorsements from WUFPAC.
Committee Members Speak out–Or Stay Mum–On Health Care Reform
Another great resource from OpenSecrets!
Alter: Our Health-Care System is Fine As Is!
June
Will $1.2 Million a Day Convince Congress to Buy Big Pharma’s Rx for Change
This is so true and really makes me think. I could not imagine supporting someone other than myself on $10 an hour…Makes me thankful for my VERY supportive family!
Health Care is a Right, Not a Privilege
A nice op-ed about Health Care by Senator Bernie Sanders.
Diagnosis: Reform – Capital Eye
This is an AWESOME and I mean AWESOME one stop shop for tools linking campaign finance and the health care reform debate. Open Secrets gives a nice overview as well as links to articles about members from both parties who have connections with the Health Sector and their opinions about health care reform. Please share this with people you know or at least check to see if your congressmen are connected to the health care sector and remind them who they are supposed to represent.
May
Deep-Pocketed Donors Want Campaign Finance Reform
Latin American Countries Commit US $7 Billion for ‘Bank of the South’
US Implored to Stop Deporting Haitians
Rush Limbaugh: The Man Who Ate The G.O.P.
U.S. Offers Resolution About Cuba’s Re-entry into OAS
April
Politics of Color for Obama in Cuba
An interesting story discussing US-Cuba relations through the backdrop of an Afro Cuban and the African Diaspora.
SLM to Transfer 2,000 Overseas Jobs Back to the US
I’m sorry but Sallie Mae isn’t doing this because ‘its the right thing to do.’ Trust me when I say they have something up their sleeve – don’t be surprised if they try to get lenders based on the fact that their customer service operations are in the US of A. I am biased because I owe almost half the cost of my first home to Sallie Mae.
March
This report discusses Columbia and is also available in Spanish.
Older
Five Basic Facts On the Uninsured
Saturday Night Live: Rachel Maddow Interviews Burris And Blagojevich (VIDEO)
Links of the Week 19 June 2009
Top Five
The Waves Minority Judges Always Make
Please share this with anyone who is leaning towards the Sotomayor is a racist for her comments about women and minority judges.
Iran Election Is Obama’s First Foreign Policy Test–And He’s Failing
Palin vs Biden 2016
Have to say I did the math to see if Biden had a chance to run in 2016. He could do what McCain could not…be the oldest elected President ever. I do agree with the author, Palin killed – in a good way – her recent CNN video and I think she is smart enough not to run in 2012. Unless something goes wrong in DNC land…they have a lock on 2012…just my opinion 
What Hillary Can Teach Sarah Palin
I’m not a fan of the tone of this piece but at the heart the author is right that Palin would be better off, career wise at least, if she learned from Hillary post campaign.
The Stoning of Soraya M.
You have to go see this movie when it comes out later this month. Go to the website to view the trailer.
Photo of the Week
Politico
That’s What’s Wrong With Black People
An interesting look at African-American activists who refuse to get involved in formal politics even if they are an answer to their criticisms of the Obama Administration.
Where’s Joe? He’s at the Parade
VP Joe Biden when home to DE for the weekend and participated in the last day of the Annual Italian Festival. Have to say as a native Delawarean I have not been to this festival though I have been to the African Festival and the State Fair.
The Voting Rights Project – League of Women’s Voters v. Brunner
Women and Politics
Online Activism Institute
Mission: “The Online Activism Institute provides web-based training and resources to empower women leaders in the Middle East and North Africa. The Institute empowers community leaders who champion liberal values to achieve democratic change in their societies.By using the Internet to bridge gaps in physical distance, the Institute seeks to reach more women with personalized training opportunities, providing them with interactive tools to achieve their activism goals.”
Health
Men’s Health Week
Happy Early Father’s Day to all the Dads out there…now go get checked out! Its important. Do it for you, do it for your loved ones and do it because you deserve it!
Other
What Single Women Can Learn from Michelle
Why Has Obama Got It In for Muslim Women?
The 10 Commandments of Social Media
Oldies But Goodies
Pundit Mom: If Only the New Disney Princess Could Be More Like Mulan
A great post that makes you think about media, business and stereotypes about girls and women. Still ashamed about Disney’s first choice for the name of the new Black princess…sigh.
Jordan MPs Discuss Discriminatory Laws Against Women
Stop The World: We Want to Get On
Memorial Day 2009 – Jose Pequeno American Hero
This video made me cry at the end. It is a must watch! It’s stories like this that make me want to end the wars the US and, well, all countries are involved in. I’m blessed to have people like Jose sacrifice their comfortable lives so that I can have one but it saddens me to see his extensive injuries. Thank you to Jose and all of our troops but it’s time to bring the troops home!
Amber Waves of Blame
Discussion of the various “waves” of feminism and the issues between them.
Interview with Alomiza Ennos-Barr, Liberian Representative and Chair of the Women’s Legislative Caucus
