Category Archives: People of Color
Double-Latte Selection January 2012 – BLACK GIRLS ROCK!
Happy New Year!
This post marks the one year anniversary of the Double-Latte Project. I started this project as a way to give back in a small way and to highlight some great organizations and people in my corner of the internet. In 2011, I focused on the following three areas: Women & Politics, Public and Independent Media and people in my network. In 2012, I will be focusing on the 2012 Election, People of Color and Women and Girls and to start year two, this month’s Double-Latte selection is:
Why Highlight BLACK GIRLS ROCK!?
When I think about the issues that are important to me, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! encompasses many of them in one space. As a Black woman, it is really important to me to see positive images of black girls and women and all women really – especially women of color. However, looking to the history of the United States and the problems that people of color have had too many times Black girls, women and bodies have been looked at in a negative manner i.e., Hottentot Venus and Video Vixens. Organizations like BLACK GIRLS ROCK! and the various programs they have to support the positive growth of Black girls works to push back against historical negative stereotypes about Black girls and women.
When I was a kid, I was blessed to be involved in organizations like Jack and Jill and even participate in a local sorority’s debutante program where I learned many of the skills that are being offered by BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Additionally, my parents were educators who stressed the importance of giving back and worked to bring tutoring programs and other needs to marganized neighborhoods in my area. When I was older though, I saw how programs like those offered by BLACK GIRLS ROCK! were not as widespread as the programs for girls from my economic class and above. And I wished that these programs could be more widespread. Because from my perspective as a kid, a teen and even now adult, programs available to Black girls from “lower” income backgrounds were and are similar to the programs my parents worked on – focused on tutoring and college prep. Though these programs are indeed necessary and need to be continued and expanded, as well, so are the types of programs and activities being offered by debutante programs, Jack and Jill and well BLACK GIRLS ROCK! So when I started the Double-latte Project, I knew I had to find a way to highlight BLACK GIRLS ROCK!
Moving beyond class, as a smart and quirky Black girl, I suffered self-esteem issues because I was different from the stereotypes of what it meant to be “Black” and I was teased because of it. As a girl, I played volleyball and the viola…not activities that aligned with the “being Black” list of acceptable activities. However, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! has opportunities for Black girls to gain an appreciation and love for all sorts of activities many that are not on the acceptable list of “being Black” activities like going to Broadway plays and going to overnight camp which I think is fantastic!
I love that BLACK GIRLS ROCK! has a writing program and DJing workshops. In addition to expanding the opportunities for healthy personal growth for all Black girls I love how their programs expand ideas around what Black girls are able to do and like to do. And this is why I am highlighting BLACK GIRLS ROCK! as a Double-Latte Selection!
About BLACK GIRLS ROCK!
According to their website, BLACK GIRLS ROCK!:
is 501(c)3 non-profit youth empowerment and mentoring organization established to promote the arts for young women of color, as well as to encourage dialogue and analysis of the ways women of color are portrayed in the media.
Additionally, for the last two years BLACK GIRLS ROCK! have received national attention through the broadcasting of an awards show on the BET network.
Photo from the BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Gala
So if you think that BLACK GIRLS ROCK! or even if you don’t, please check out BLACK GIRLS ROCK!’s website, follow them on Twitter or like them on Facebook and don’t forget make a donation!
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!
A Refreshing Page Turner – “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?”
During my sophomore year of college a new president was inaugurated at my alma mater Spelman College, Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum.
In the mist of all the excitement and pomp and circumstance, I purchased the two books Dr. Tatum had written: Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations About Race and Assimilation Blues Black Families in White Communities: Who Succeeds and Why? Unfortunately, well maybe fortunately as I was working on completing my degree doing research among other things, these books have sat on my shelf for the better part of about nine years until recently.
During a recent vacation, I decided to take a few books along to finally read and Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? was one of them; I read the book in about two days. Why Are all the Black Kids is a refreshing text that contrary to the catchy title discusses more than why all the Black kids are sitting together. Tatum discusses the development of racial awareness and identity in children from all ethnic and racial backgrounds, focusing on her area of expertise — the Black/White dichotomy. The book is a mix of academic knowledge, information received while in the classroom as well as stories from her own experience as a parent.
As an alumna of Spelman College, I learned a lot about Black/African Diaspora history and gained a whole new way to look at the world, a transformation so infamous to the Spelman experience that the gentlemen across the street at Morehouse even had a term for the freshman women who were absorbing all this new found information – ADWized. However, the information that Tatum shares about the stages of racial awareness and identity was something that was not shared in my ADW experience and while reading her book I said to myself that I wish I had the information in this book when I was in junior high and high school — frankly it would have done wonders starting around the fifth and sixth grade.
One of the main reasons why I was able to get through this book quickly was because I could relate to what was being shared and I identified with many of the students Tatum used as examples to support her points in the book. Furthermore, I connected quickly with the book as soon as Tatum shared why she uses the term people of color, a term I have been using more and more during the last year and a half or so (I don’t like using the term minority because it is diminutive and reenforces the “othering” that is common place in mainstream/European descendant US culture that has trickled down to the other US cultures effecting the self-esteem and effective action of people of color).
Why Are All the Black Kids is broken down into five parts: An introduction that shares the terms Tatum uses in the book, a section on understanding Blackness in a White world, a section on Whiteness in a White world, a section on Beyond Black and White and closes with a section on Breaking the Silence. As fruitful as it was for me to read the section on Blackness, as a Black female in the US, I feel that some of the real hidden gems in the book, especially considering the title of this piece, are the sections on Whiteness in a White world and Beyond Black and White. The latter section includes a discussion on the ethnic and racial development for mixed race children something that is still not widely discussed in the United States.
There are so many excerpts I could share but I choose the quote below because when I read it I felt it described the essence of my struggles growing up as a “smart Black kid.” Also this quote reflects one of the main reasons why I ended up attending Spelman College, the only Historically Black College and University (HBCU) I applied to. I wanted to be in a space with people “like me” i.e., other smart Black kids. Ironically, at least from the US perspective, going to Spelman I also learned that diversity is not just about race but it can be class, personal interests, family background and more:
One young Black woman from a predominately White community described exactly this [lack of full acceptance by Black and White peers] situation in an interview. In a school with a lot of racial tension, Terri felt that “the worse thing that happened” was the rejection she experienced from the other Black children who were being bussed to her school. Though she wanted to be friends with them, they teased her, calling her an “oreo cookie” and sometimes beating her up. The only Black friend Terri had was a biracial girl from her neighborhood.
If you are a parent, an auntie or even a close friend of a child or someone with children of any age — get this book in their hands! What Dr. Tatum shares in this book is vital information for parents and children alike. I have only been back from vacation a bit over a week and I have already let a friend and fellow graduate student with children borrow this book with all its markings and all.
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!
Blog Organizing: Oldies But Goodies
So I have been doing a lot of cleaning and upgrading on my blog this month and this includes looking into the post drafts that I have. While, looking to the drafts I found some old links that I was not able to share. Well since they were already drafted I thought I would put this post together to share.
Enjoy the Oldies But Goodies!
- DNMP
Politics
Yes We Did/ Party like its 2009, ‘cuz baby, now the real work begins
Economy
Deep Discounts Draw Shoppers, but Not Profits
Education
Who Is The Ultimate Game Changer In Education?
Congratulations to Spelman College Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum for being nominated for this honor!
Going Off to College for Less (Passport Required)
A good idea. If I was a parent of a high school Junior or Senior I would encourage them to look into going to college abroad. Though I do remember when I lived in Spain I used to say Jesus couldn’t get an A in Spain the classes were so hard.
Environment
American Samoa, unlike California, bans plastic bags
Other
Are You Being Too Nice For Your Own Good?
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.
Early bird deadline approaching! Ready to Run Campaign Training for Women
UPDATE: The Early Bird Deadline was Extended until Friday 25 February. Click Here to Apply!
Have you ever thought about running for office? City Council? School Board? Maybe thought about what it would be like to be mayor of your city or town? Well then I highly suggest you check out the Ready to Run Campaign Training. The program has two tracks. One track is for people who know they are running or are currently running and the other track is for people who are thinking about running for office.
Now through Febuary 14th you can attend this program with a special early bird rate.
Also, one of my favorite parts about this program is the fact that they have special one day pre-training workshops with different groups of women of color; one program for Black/African-American Women, one program for Asian women and one program for Latina women.
Finally, though this program is held in New Jersey women from all across the United States have come and benefited from this program and consider talking to your local political party committee or civic group to see if they will help support your costs to come to the event (Ask and you shall receive 
).
To close, I leave you with some information about the program from the program itself:
Ready to RunTM is a bi-partisan program for women who want to run for office, work on a campaign, get appointed to office, become community leaders, or learn more about the political system.
Participants will walk away with: ”how-to” instructions on running for office; fundraising and media skills; real-world advice and best practices from experts; more effective leadership skills; a better understanding of party politics; and internet strategies for campaigns.
View the full program agenda online
Special Pre-conference Programs for Women of Color
Three pre-conference programs will be offered on Friday, March 18, to encourage more women of color to run for office: Elección Latina, Rising Stars: Educating Asian American Women for Politics and Run Sister Run: Women of the African Diaspora Changing the Political Landscape.
Links of the Week 17 September 2010
Dream Act Special Feature
So I recently heard via a Political Science listserv I am on (Thank you Race & Ethnicity APSA Section) that Senator Reid is working on moving the Dream Act out of committee and on the floor for a vote. Below are some links that were shared via the listserv about the recent movement in the movement (:D). Without going into too much details, there are a lot of links this week, I support this Act because I think it is wrong to harm children who had no say in the matter of their parents decision to come to the United States illegally. If they can show that they can be “good” citizens then I think they should get an opportunity to become citizens. To learn more about the Dream Act and what you can do to help visit: www.dreamactivist.org.
For the sake of the DREAM Act students, Latinos must come together
Students Spared Amid an Increase in Deportations
Sen. Reid comments on the issue [Dream Act] at the Netroots Nation Conference in Las Vegas
Top Five
For First time, more women than men earn PhD
Tim Wise: Imagine if the Tea Party Was Black
Briefing: Melissa Harris-Lacewell on Covering Progressive Causes
Library of Congress – Hispanic [Latino] Heritage Month
The 9/11 media legacy I will never forget: “buy Snow White on DVD”
Quote of the Week
“Impacts from agriculture are expected to increase substantially due to population growth increasing consumption of animal products. Unlike fossil fuels, it is difficult to look for alternatives: people have to eat. A substantial reduction of impacts would only be possible with a substantial worldwide diet change, away from animal products.” from More evidence for going vegan from the UN Environment Programme & UN urges global move to meat and dairy-free diet.
Photo of the Week
You write the caption for this photo
This week’s photo is from Christine O’Donnell upsets Mike Castle in Delaware Senate primary [Author note: the photo now at this link has changed & is somewhat better...but not by much] and I have to say when I looked at this photo the first thing I thought was they (the media) would have never taken a picture of a male politician like this. Then I thought some more and realized maybe a few men…the media did help kill the Howard Dean campaign by looping that yelp he had in that primary win. But the photo did remind me of the countless photos of women politicians and businesswomen that depict them in unfavorable or questionable manners and what that all means. I don’t say these comments in a way that is endorsing or not endorsing O’Donnell’s candidacy (I was raised in DE but I now hold my state residency somewhere else so I’ll leave the matter in the hands of Delawarians to decide what they want) but I say this comment to make you all [whoever is reading this] to think about the role media plays in perpetuating stereotypes of all kinds. How would you caption this photo? What do you think the photo says?
Women and Politics
WUFPAC Fall Fundraiser – Thursday 30 September 2010 in Washington, D.C.
I’ve said this before but its worth saying again: WUFPAC was one of my best discoveries while doing a school assignment. If you are in the D.C. area I highly recommend that you attend this event. Not in D.C. visit www.wufpac.org to donate today!
Ticket photo of the week: Michele Obama takes to the gridiron
Dilma defende Lula e afirma que disputa por hegemonia política é saudável
Politics
How Adrian Fenty lost his reelection bid for D.C. mayor
DE-Sen: Help me keep Delaware’s seat blue
U.S. Intervention Sought for Newark Police Abuses
Mike Castle won’t endorse Christine O’Donnell for Senate, citing ‘smears’
Vincent Gray beats Adrian Fenty: What does it mean for school reform?
Lessons for Obama in Adrian Fenty’s Defeat
Other
AFL-CIO takes stand against NFL owners
Report Reveals Salaries of Megachurch Pastors
Gabourey Sidibe in Elle: Light, Bright and Almost White
Afroreggae forma 150 jovens que participaram de oficinas
La Presencia Africana en Mexico y América Latina African Legacy in Mexico and Latin America
Unfortunately, this event is in Atlanta but if you are in Atlanta I HIGHLY recommend that you go. From the event website, “In collaboration with Spelman College, and in recognition of Latino Heritage Month, the Auburn Avenue Research Library will present, La Presencia Africana en Mexico y América Latina: African Legacy in Mexico and Latin America, an exhibition which explores Africana culture in Latin America. This exhibit features the photography of Tony Gleaton from the Spelman College Archives.”
Movie: In Whose Honor – American Indian Mascots in Sports
Oldies But Goodies
Friends share in D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty’s good fortune
With the recent loss of Fenty in the Democratic Primary I was linked to this article. I have to say I think way more politicians than not do similar acts and are not discussed like they are here. Finally, I think information like this in combination with Fenty not being able to relate to his constituents contributed to his loss. Best of luck to you in the future Mayor Fenty – I hope you not only reflect on your contributions but reflect on and move forward from your mistakes.
Links of the Week 10 September 2010
Top Five
Where’s the outrage over immigrant slayings in Mexico?
Who Gets to Review and Be Reviewed? Authors, book critics drawn from narrow pool
10 Years of “Feminism is for Everybody”
The Worst Toys Ever Made for Girls–Our Top Picks
I don’t agree with all of the comments the author makes here, like I think she needs to better explain how she is okay with women choosing pole dancing as a career and then have issue with the doll for girls, but this post will make you think and ponder what do you think is appropriate for the young girls in your life. I have to say that in the past year I have been shocked to see how even the youngest girls (age 1) assimilate to society’s gender roles for women. I’ll end with this…if you are going to buy a girl in your life pregnant Barbie I hope you are prepared to have a conversation about sex that explains all options from abstinence to contraception to protection.
Quote of the Week
“Attendance issues aside, folks are more football obsessed than ever. More people watched the last Super Bowl than voted in the 2008 presidential election. Hallmark Cards reports that the Super Bowl has surpassed New Year’s Eve as the biggest at-home party of the year. It has become the second-slowest day for weddings in America and the second-greatest day of food consumption, after only Thanksgiving.”
Michael Wilbon in The NFL rules ingloriously over the sporting landscape (Emphasis is mine).
Photos of the Week
Source: PolicyLink.org and Bureau of Labor Statistics
Source: PolicyLink.org and Bureau of Labor Statistics
These photos come from the blog of PolicyLink.org Equity Blog where they discuss The Jobs Situation in Black and White. These photos and the post makes me wonder which “Main Street” US politicians are really worried about because the “Main Streets” of Black and Latino communities have had many of epic problems they now are using as sound-bites to get re-elected for decades!
Women & Politics
Republicans fear echoes of Alaska in Delaware primary
‘I had no idea who she was’: Meghan McCain breaks her silence on Sarah Palin
Politics
Dominicanos protestaron contra extradición de traficante de personas
APD recomienda eliminar Liga Municipal Dominicana
Cancelan cincuenta dirigentes PLD en Cámara de Diputados
Other
Who Owns the Civil Rights Legacy?
Sour Apples: Strike at Mott’s Plant Underscores Disconnect in Corporate America, Union Says
Finding Inspiration Through Music
Single-Minded: Being Black Abroad
Inauguración de “México 200 Años”
Capital internacional mira mais lucro no Brasil
Oldies but Goodies
America’s 5 Worst Deadbeat States
Women We’ll Be Reading 200 Years From Now
What Do Latinas Really Think About Feminism? / Join the Summer of Feminista
Links of the Week 27 August 2010
Top Five
Mosque Demagoguery Is Bipartisan
Fiske Names Spelman College a 2011 ‘Best Buy’ School
A Different Way of Ranking Colleges
Armstrong Williams Misleads as He Cheers on GOP Women
Women & Politics
Eleitores de Dilma estão mais decididos sobre voto, mostra Datafolha
Small Business Bill Cannot Wait – Voice Your Support, This Bill MUST Pass!
Women & Girls
Breaking the Model Mold: Australia’s Samantha Harris
Trabajadoras domésticas inmigrantes en EU son blanco fácil de los abusos
Politics
One Liberal Voice Dares to Say, Cut the Budget
Putting Voters in the Driver’s Seat in 2010
PIMW (Public & Independent Media Watch)
We Are Sean Bell, Way Down in the Hole, and Sharon Jasper
International
Why is Pakistan Being Left Behind
