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Monday, October 31, 2011

HandVibes Collectible Rings: The Newest Craze in Kids Fashion!


"Swag," "BFF," "Epic," and "Liked" are just a few neat sayings on HandVibes, cute, fun and flashy rings for kids. Our oldest son can't get enough of these fun collectables.

HandVibes feature nine vibrant colors, 25 kid-friendly sayings and five hard-to-find special designs for a total of 235 unique rings in all.

HandVibes can be found online at www.handvibes.com.







































We shared HandVibes rings with family and friends! Thanks HandVibes!



Free Admission to High Museum This Weekend




























By , About.com Guide

This weekend is the first weekend of November, and that means both Fulton County residents (Saturday) and Bank of America/Merrill Lynch cardholders (Saturday and Sunday) get free admission to The High Museum, Atlanta's premiere art museum.

Just show your card or ID. Take advantage of this opportunity to see the new Picasso to Warhol exhibit, on display now through April 2012.

Read more here

Happy Halloween in Atlanta! (Photos)


I hope you had a wonderful and safe Halloween! Our boys dressed up as Spider-Man and Scooby-Doo!

My hubby and I braced the mild chilly Atlanta weather and took the boys out in our neighborhood.

We had a blast! I hope you did too! Did your kids dress up for Halloween?































































































Sunday, October 30, 2011

PARDON WRONGFULLY CONVICTED AUTISTIC YOUTH, NELI LATSON!


Reginald “Neli” Latson, is a 19 year-old autistic young man, who on the morning of May 24, 2010, sat in the grass outside the local library in Stafford, VA and waited for it to open. Police allege that it was reported that there was a suspicious black male who had a gun. Deputy Calverley then approached Latson and searched him for a gun. No gun was found. Calverly asked Latson for his name, and Latson refused and tried to walk away as he had committed no crime. Calverly then grabbed Latson and attempted to arrest him without reading him his Miranda RIghts or calling for backup.

After a 3-day trial, Latson was found guilty of assaulting a law enforcement officer, among other charges, and 10 1/2 years in prison was recommended. Latson’s defense centered around the fact that he has Asperger’s syndrome, part of the autism spectrum, a condition caused by an abnormality of the brain. This case has raised concerns about how law enforcement deals with the developmentally or mentally disabled. Latson had done nothing wrong and was completely within his rights to sit on the grass until the library opened, but was accosted by an officer who then proceeded to question, detain and arrest him, even after confirming he did not have a gun. Once it was established that he did not have a gun, Neli Latson should have been left alone. For the next 11 days Neli was held without bail and in isolation at the Rappahannock Regional Jail. Police allowed Neli's school counselor to visit, and she relayed messages and information to Lisa, Neli's mother, who was allowed only one visit. "He wasn't able to speak or communicate with me. He appeared to be in a catatonic state," Lisa says.



As Neli's time in isolation dragged on, police interrogators found him non-responsive and disturbed, and a judge ordered the young man transferred to a state mental institution for 30-days of treatment and evaluation. He was returned to jail for one year and spent 8 months of that year in tortuous isolation. Neli is no longer the same boy and is depressed and deteriorating, losing what functioning he had, and badly in need of a therapeutic facility, not another year of prison.

Please also copy and paste the petition letter into the Governor's contact form to make certain he receives it. Please paste it in at: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/aboutthegovernor/contactgovernor.cfm -- it will only take a few minutes and could make all the difference!

If you can snail mail/phone/fax, please do at:

Office of the Governor
Patrick Henry Building, 3rd Floor
1111 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Phone: (804) 786-2211
Fax: (804) 371-6351

MORE INFO: Please visit http://avoiceforneli.com

Subscribe to listserve for Action Alerts by sending e-mail to: avoiceforneli-subscribe@yahoogroups.com













Source

Friday, October 28, 2011

Submit Halloween Photos of Your Kids and get Featured on Black Celeb Kids!




















It’s that time of year again-time to spotlight Black Celeb Kids (BCK) readers and their children! Halloween is fast-approaching and BCK would like to see your kids in their Halloween costumes!

You can submit your child’s photo (in JPG format and at least 600 in width), along with the child’s first name, age, and information about the costume by emailing BCK at tips@blackcelebkids.com with the subject heading “Halloween.”

The pictures can be from last year or if you wish, BCK will be accepting submissions all day this coming Halloween.

Read more here.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

National Black MBA Association Atlanta Chapter 27th Annual Luncheon To Award $15,000 Plus In Scholarships

National Black MBA Association Atlanta Chapter 27th Annual Luncheon To Award $15,000 Plus In Scholarships

TV & Film Star Lamman Rucker to Keynote Radio Personality Shirley Strawberry Co-Host of The Steve Harvey Morning Show will Host

ATLANTA, October 27, 2011 – For the 27th year, the National Black MBA Association Atlanta Chapter (NBMBAA) will present scholarships to high school and college students for outstanding achievements at the organization’s annual scholarship luncheon. Film and TV Star Lamman Rucker best known for roles in Tyler Perry’s “Meet The Browns” and “Why Did I Get Married” will deliver the keynote address. Shirley Strawberry Co-Host of popular radio show The Steve Harvey Morning Show will serve as host at the event on Friday, November 11, 11:30 a.m., Hyatt Regency Atlanta.

"PowerUp Your Education!" is the theme for the program in which more than $15,000 in scholarships will be awarded to high school, undergraduate, MBA and PhD students. In addition, corporate partners will be recognized and the Emory University Goizueta School of Business will be honored as “Education Partner of the Year”.
Since 1982, the NBMBAA's Scholarship Program has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships.
“The NBMBAA, Atlanta Chapter is proud to continue its tradition of supporting deserving students as they aspire to reach their goal for higher education,” said Charmaine Ward, President of the chapter which won chapter of the year in 2010.

“We are so pleased to have Lamman Rucker as our keynote speaker as he has a long history of supporting education and student achievement. We are equally pleased to applaud our corporate partners and Education Partner of the Year for their commitment and support of our efforts. We cannot do it without them,” she added.
Sponsors for the NBMBAA Scholarship Luncheon include: Deloitte, Fifth-Third Bank, Georgia-Pacific, Georgia Power and Wal-Mart

Scholarship Winners
Michael Hollingsworth, MBA UGA
Wayne Nesbitt, PhD, UGA
Carla Armstrong, MBA, Emory
Olatorera Majekodunm MBA, Emory
Katie Walton, MBA CAU
Chris Ortega, Undergrad Morehouse
Darius Green, LOT Lovejoy HS
Enrico Green, LOT Lovejoy HS
Danstavious Zachery, LOT Carver School of Early College

About National Black MBA Association
Established in 1970, the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) is a non profit organization of African American MBAs, business professionals, entrepreneurs and MBA students. The Atlanta Chapter, the largest chapter with more than 1,400 members focuses on programming in three areas: Education, Career Advancement and Entrepreneurship. The Chapter is dedicated to establishing partnerships that create intellectual and economic wealth within the African American Community. The Chapter recently hosted the 33rd National Black MBA Conference and Exposition October 4-8 which attracted more than 12,000 attendees. For additional information on the NBMBAA Atlanta Chapter, visit www.atlbmba.org

About Lamman Rucker
Lamman Rucker's major role came in 2002 when he assumed the role of attorney T. Marshall Travers on the CBS soap opera As the World Turns He also portrayed Garret Williams on ABC’s All My Children in 2005. He has starred in Tyler Perry’s productions on House of Payne, the film version of Why Did I Get Married alongside Janet Jackson and Jill Scott, as well as appearing in the film version of Meet The Browns as Vera's adult son, Will. He currently has a starring role on Perry's second sitcom Meet The Browns. Lamman’s commitment to promoting a positive message started while in high school when he was an original member of the groundbreaking youth company - the Washington Area Improvisational Teen Theatre (W.A.I.T.T.), whose primary goal was to promote sexual abstinence to teens and educate young people about their bodies. He continues his mission as an activist and spokesperson for several non-profit organizations and community action initiatives including BET's Rap-It-Up campaign and The Magic Johnson Foundation.

About Shirley Strawberry
Shirley Strawberry is one of the most recognizable voices in radio today. The Chicago native is the co-host of the Steve Harvey Morning Show, one of the biggest nationally syndicated radio shows in the country with nearly than eight million listeners. Shirley can now add author to her title having released her first book in April, “ Strawberry Letter: Real Talk, Real Advice, Because Bitterness Isn’t Sexy, giving advice on parenting, relationships and career decisions.

Media Contact: Diane Larche', Larche' Communications LLC, 404 273-3227, diane@larchecommunications.com

Brown and Beautiful: 10 Children’s Books That Nurture Healthy Self-Esteem in Black Toddlers



















More than 70 years have passed since Dr. Kenneth B Clark and his wife Mamie designed and conducted the “doll test” to study the psychological effects of racism on young children.

They showed four dolls, identical except for color, to black children ages 3 to 7 and asked them questions to determine racial perception and preference. When asked which they preferred, the majority selected the white doll and attributed positive characteristics to it, leading the Clarks to conclude that “prejudice, discrimination, and segregation” caused black children to develop a sense of inferiority and self-hatred.

Read more here.


Kids II Strong Legs Run Returns to Downtown Atlanta for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta‏

Kids II Strong Legs Run Returns to Downtown Atlanta Nov. 5

Benefits Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Multi-run Atlanta Tradition Includes 2012 Peachtree Road Race 10K Qualifier

ATLANTA - Kids II and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011, for the 27th annual Kids II Strong Legs Run. As one of Atlanta’s largest and most popular road races, the event includes a 10K qualifier for the 2012 Peachtree Road Race. More than 5,000 runners are expected to participate in the multi-race event, which includes a 10K, 5K, 2K family fun run and mascot trot. The race begins at Turner Field and strollers are welcome. All proceeds benefit Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

This is the first year Kids II is the title sponsor of the annual event, and Children’s is excited to partner with an organization that shares its mission of enhancing the lives of children. Headquartered in Atlanta, Kids II has been inventing and reinventing infant and toddler toys and gear for more than 40 years. Kids II designs, markets and distributes more than 100 products under its signature Bright Starts® brand and holds a license to design and manufacture products under the Disney Baby® and Baby Einstein® brands.

“As a global leader of infant and toddler products, Kids II strives to make a difference in the lives of children and their families every day,” said Ryan Gunnigle, president and CEO of Kids II. “We are headquartered in Atlanta and have seen first-hand the tremendous impact that Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has on the community and every child that walks in the doors of each hospital. We share a common mission with Children’s and wanted the opportunity to give back to these children as well. In partnership with Children’s, we are able to help touch the lives of children in Atlanta and across the nation. We are looking forward to the outcome of the event and helping to continue the fight for children in need.”


Schedule of Events
8:00 a.m. 10K (timed and untimed runners)
9:15 a.m. 5K (timed and untimed runners)
10:00 a.m. Mascot Trot (for children 10 and under)
10:15 a.m. 2K Family Fun Run

All 5K and 10K participants receive a long-sleeved Kids II Strong Legs Run T-shirt. Awards will be presented to top finishers in the 5K and 10K races. For the mascot trot, participation ribbons and a special mascot trot T-shirt will be distributed to all participants.

As a not-for-profit organization, Children’s depends on the generous support of the community. For more information or to register, visit www.choa.org/stronglegs.

# # #

About Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, a not-for-profit organization, is committed to enhancing the lives of children through excellence in patient care, research and education. Managing more than half a million patient visits annually at three hospitals and 17 neighborhood locations, Children’s is one of the largest clinical care providers for children in the country. Children’s offers access to more than 30 pediatric specialties and is ranked among the top children’s hospitals by Parents magazine and U.S. News & World Report. With generous philanthropic and volunteer support, Children’s has made an impact in the lives of children in Georgia, the United States and throughout the world. Visit www.choa.org for more information.

About Kids II, Inc.

Kids II has been inventing and reinventing infant and toddler toys and gear for more than 40 years and has quickly become one of the world’s fastest growing infant and toddler product companies. Headquartered in Atlanta, Kids II spans the globe with operations in six continents serving customers in more than 70 countries. Driven by innovation, design and a comprehensive brand portfolio, Kids II is the next generation leader in infant and toddler products. Kids II designs, markets and distributes more than 100 products under its signature Bright Starts® brand and holds a license to design and manufacture products under the Disney Baby® and Baby Einstein® brands. Most recently, Kids II licensed the intellectual property rights to Rhino Toys and Taggies, further enhancing its brand collection and reinforcing its position as a global leader. Under its flagship brands, Kids II has produced more than 70 award-winning products. Kids II’s international affiliate operations are located in Australia, Canada, Europe, China, Hong Kong, Japan and Mexico. Visit www.kidsii.com

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Avoiding Stereotypical Costumes this Halloween


Don't let your friends drink and drive on Halloween, and don't let them dress in Blackface. The student organization, Students Teaching About Racism in Society (STARS) at Ohio University created a campaign that shows students of different ethnicities holding posters of an offending Halloween costume. The slogan for the campaign reads,"We're a Culture, Not Costume. This Is Not Who I Am, And This Is Not Okay."

My family had I lived in many different states, prior to settling at the foot of the flatirons in Boulder, Colorado. I felt the harshness of racism as an adolescent, having my locker vandalized and being called out of my name in middle and high schools. In the mid-90’s at my high school, there were only two openly gay students, both of whom I admired and supported for being out.

As a society, we are slowly progressing in valuing diversity. I’ve lived in the South now collectively for over 10 years. My most recent encounter of being uncomfortable came just months ago, when I greeted a woman with a handshake and she opted not to shake my hand. I smiled and acknowledged her being uncomfortable. Inside I was perturbed.

It's unfortunate but the truth is many people across the country will dress in stereotypical costumes this Halloween and think that's it's OK. As an educator, my heart aches because somewhere we've missed teaching students that dressing in Blackface is racist and unacceptable. The 19th century minstrel shows are over.

One of the ways to help end stereotypical Halloween costumes is by people stepping up to the plate and letting their friends know that dressing this way is offensive to other cultures and plain wrong. Choose not to go out with your friend for Halloween if they do decide to dress this way. Be a friend this Halloween who steps up and combats discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, and sexual orientation.

I’d like to hope that the more diverse our society becomes, the more inclusive people will be. I think we should have a “Step Out of Your Comfort Zone Day” in America, where people become more open minded to other cultures, ethnicities, and sexual orientation. I grew up in a household that was a safe zone for all people. These are the same principles that I’m teaching my own sons.























Wordless Wednesday: Returning back to Hamilton, NY






























































































The life of my father, Dr. Manning Marable, author and founding director of the Africana and Latin American Studies Program at Colgate University, was celebrated on Monday (Oct. 24). My siblings and I had the opportunity to return back to Hamilton, NY and participate in the events that honored our father. We are so thankful for faculty, staff, panelists, and students who participated in honoring our father.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

How Healthy Living Helps Fight Cancer


By Liz Davies, Guest Blogger

A cancer diagnosis can bring many changes. Among these is a tendency toward physical inactivity. It may seem natural to make a deliberate decision to “take it easy” while undergoing treatment, but the opposite is actually true. Several studies have shown a link between regular physical activity and an increased ability to battle cancer.


A study completed by the
American College of Sports Medicine suggests that cancer patients should be as active as possible while undergoing treatment and also after treatment. Staying active means losing excess weight, improving psychological outlook and maintaining mobility. It can also help keep the heart healthy and help ward off diseases like diabetes.

No one is suggesting that the way to achieve these positive ends is by signing up to compete in a triathlon. Instead work in tandem with a physician to craft a sensible workout program. The help of a qualified personal trainer may also be indispensable. They can design an exercise schedule that is both mindful and challenging.

Any workout program should combine at least three elements:
Stretching, cardiovascular activity and weight training. Stretching helps improve mobility and helps to increase range of motion. It can also be a soothing occupation. A yoga class might be the perfect answer or perhaps simply completing a few minutes of stretching before a workout is the way to go. Cardiovascular activity does not have to be highly vigorous to be effective. Try a walk at a slightly elevated pace three to five times a week, a half hour to one hour each time. Swimming, running and biking are also excellent cardio options. Strength training is important for everyone, men and women. It adds lean muscle mass and reduces the risk for osteoporosis. Plus, weight training makes muscles stronger and better able to cope with everyday life. Lifting enormous weights is never mandatory. Start out with cans of soup if necessary and build up from there.

Keep a workout diary and set appropriate goals. This can be as simple as obtaining a notebook in which will be recorded the date, type and duration of each workout. Track progress any way that makes sense. Perhaps this is taking measurements of certain body parts like the waist, hips and thighs. Maybe it is simply tracking weight. Another good measurement is distance. Is that half mile walk now one and-a-half miles? That’s an achievement! Look back through the diary to gain motivation and see just how much progress has been made.


Living a healthy lifestyle is a great way to boost positive endorphins, lose weight and feel empowered. With the help of a physician it is possible to craft an exercise program that is both appropriate and inspirational. These ideas and tips are great for people with all types of cancer such as
breast cancer, lung cancer and rare forms like testicular mesothelioma.


Liz Davies is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer especially interested in health and wellness. She wants to make a difference in people’s lives because she sees how cancer has devastated so many people in this world. Liz also likes running, playing lacrosse, reading and playing with her dog, April.