SAVE THE DATE: Dynamic Kids Expo! @DynamicKidsExpo

The Dynamic Kids Expo is an event that is all about kids!  It is fun, educational and informative. This event is a charity fundraiser that will benefit the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The 2012 Dynamic Kids Expo will turn the Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Georgia into Kid City on October 13, 2012.  

The expo offers Metro-Atlanta families entertainment, hands-on fun activities, and the latest in products and services for kids from toddlers to young teens. The Expo will feature exhibitors that will showcase quality children’s products & services. This is Atlanta’s most complete, one-stop shopping opportunity for everything that kids need. 

 

Join us to support the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and encourage children like Singer Gabbie Rae, Singer Kirstyn Burkhalter, Entrepreneur Maya Penn, Chef Kayla Saslow, and Entrepreneur and Author DJ Priest. 

 I will see you there! 

Sojourner 

Visit:

www.DynamicKidsExpo.com

www.facebook.com/DynamicKidsExpo

www.twitter.com/DynamicKidsExpo

Atlanta Fourth of July Fireworks

 Atlanta Fourth of July Fireworks

• Event: Independence Day Celebration - Fireworks Display at Centennial Olympic Park, Wed, Jul 4 4:30p
  Centennial Olympic Park is the site of Atlanta's daylong Independence Day celebration. Live Music & Entertainment start in the afternoon and end with a 'really ...
• Event: 4th of July All American Fireworks Spectacular (post-game) at Turner Field, Wed, Jul 4 7:10p
  You're in Braves Country! Come see the #1 rated entertainment experience in the Southeast. Celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks following the game ...
• Event: Pied Piper Parade, Concert and Fireworks at Downtown Decatur, Wed, Jul 4 6:00p
  Decorate a wagon, ride your back, skate or walk along with the parade that begins at First Baptist Church of Decatur. The Callanwolde Concert Band ...
• Event: Centennial Olympic Park's 4th of July Celebration at Centennial Olympic Park, Wed, Jul 4 6:00p
  Come celebrate Centennial Olympic Park’s 4th of July Celebration with a night of fun and entertainment for the entire family, including downtown Atlanta’s ...
• Event: Fabulous Fourth at W Atlanta – Buckhead at The W Hotel Atlanta Buckhead, Wed, Jul 4 10:00p
  W Atlanta – Buckhead knows that when it comes to the Fourth of July there is nothing more important than location. Steps away from the fireworks ... 

Read more...

National HIV Testing Day June 27

National HIV Testing Day (NHTD), June 27, is an annual observance to promote HIV testing. The National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA) founded the day in 1995 and continues to be the lead for this observance. This is a particularly important time for YOU to get involved! Take the Test, Take Control.

Want to get involved? Here are some resources:

Locate HIV Testing Near You: Use and share this online HIV/AIDS Prevention & Service Providers Locator and add the widget to your website or blog. Visit HIVtest.org . Send a text message with your ZIP code to KNOWIT (566948).

Webinar/Conference Call: On June 26, 2012, AIDS.gov will host a webinar/conference call on "HIV Testing for an AIDS-Free Generation" for Federal staff, stakeholders, and for grantees who work with domestic HIV/AIDS programs. Learn more and register now  Download and share this flyer (PDF, 1.65 MB).

Leading Health Indicators Webinar: Register for Who’s Leading the Leading Health Indicators webinar (June 21 from 12–12:45 PM ET).  HHS Dr. Koh will announce new data on the percent of people living with HIV who are aware of their status. This event will address reproductive and sexual health.

Twitter: Learn about Twitter here. Join @GoHealthyPeople June 19 from 1-1:30 PM ET for a live Twitter chat. Use the hashtag #NHTD.

Podcast: Listen to Dr. Kevin A. Fenton, (Director of CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention) discuss National HIV Testing Day. Click here for audio podcast.

Posters: Download and customize these posters.  Post them in your community. Order free, hard copy posters or download them from the Greater Than AIDS Online Store.

More resources: Download and share this NHTD toolkit which includes sample announcements, tweets, e-cards, web badges and more.

Learn about HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns in the U.S.

• CDC's Act Against AIDS campaign aims to combat complacency about the HIV/AIDS crisis.
  • The Take Charge. Take the Test. campaign aims to increase HIV testing and awareness among African-American women. Learn more here.
  • The Testing Makes Us Strongernational campaign promotes HIV testing among black gay and bisexual men.
• The Greater Than AIDS initiative responds to the AIDS epidemic, especially among Black Americans.
• Our Faith Lights the Way! mobilizes faith communities to educate and encourage every person in their congregation and community to get tested for HIV. The Balm in Gilead campaign encourages faith communities to offer HIV testing on and around NHTD 2012.

Learn about other HIV/AIDS Awareness Days: Visit the HIV/AIDS Awareness Days page.

Source

Being An "Askable" Parent - Free Parent Workshop! @2_flourish

Message from the Founder/Executive Director: Latisha Blackburn

In the wake of the controversial domestic dispute involving Pastor Creflo Dollar and his 15 year old daughter, there is no better time for parents to come together to learn and discuss the importance of communication as it relates to our children.

The Floral Project, Inc. will be hosting a parent workshop June 27th at Adamsville Recreational Center from 5:30pm-6:30pm, regarding the importance of communication/dialog between parents and children.  This workshop is open to parents with children of all ages.

The Floral Project, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 organization who’s mission advocates for teen pregnancy prevention and self empowerment for adolescents.

“I often time feel that it’s the communication piece that’s missing between parents and children.  This workshop seeks to enlighten parents on how to remove the “judgment” and scrutiny when their children are attempting to engage them in conversation.  No matter what the topic is,” says Executive Director Latisha Blackburn.

Space is limited so please RSVP at info@thefloralproject.org.  For additional questions, feel free to call 404.449.9163.

GRAMMY NOMINEE KIRK WHALUM JOINS MANTESTEDRECIPES.COM IN “SET THE MOOD SWEEPSTAKES”

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

GRAMMY NOMINEE KIRK WHALUM JOINS

MANTESTEDRECIPES.COM IN

“SET THE MOOD SWEEPSTAKES”

Sweepstakes Winners Will Receive A JAMBOX By Jawbone

Wireless Speaker And

Whalum’s New CD Romance Language

(Los Angeles – June 26, 2012) –  Grammy-winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum along with MantestedRecipes.com and Real Men Cook have joined forces to encourage men to bring romance to the table with their “Set The Mood Sweepstakes.” ManTestedRecipes.com, the fastest growing social food site and Real Men Cook, a non-profit dedicated to serving families in need have teamed up with Whalum launching a sweepstakes and the chance to submit photos of romantic meals to the Man Tested Recipes Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ManTestedRecipes).

 Four weekly winners will be picked at random and will receive a JAMBOX by Jawbone wireless SmartSpeaker – the smallest, best-sounding wireless speaker on the planet.  Winners will also receive Grammy-winning saxman Kirk Whalum’s new album, Romance Language, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard contemporary Jazz Chart.

The critically acclaimed Romance Language is a re-working of the classic 1963 album by the legendary John Coltrane and song stylist Johnny Hartman. Whalum assumes the role of Coltrane while his younger brother Kevin fills the large footprints of Hartman.

In addition to the six original songs from Coltrane/Hartman, Whalum meticulously rounds out the set with four contemporary renderings, Heather Headley’s “I Wish I Wasn’t,” Joe’s “I Wanna Know,” Eric Benet and Tamia’s “Spend My Life With You” and the standout “Almost Doesn’t Count,” originally recorded by (then teen) Brandy and performed by Whalum’s 83 year old uncle Hugh “Peanut Whalum.”

Anyone who wants to see how America’s men set the mood can visit http://Facebook.com/ManTestdRecipes and browse the sweepstakes photo album.  The deadline for entry to the sweepstakes is July 14, 2012.

Media Relations Contact

Karen E. Lee / KL364@aol.com

Juanita Stephens / juanitastephenspr@gmail.com

Pepper Russell / pepperdrussell@aol.com

http://facebook.com/KirkWhalum

http://twitter.com/KirkWhalum

http://www.youtube.com/user/KirkWhalumLive

http://kirkwhalum.com

Twin off to Tokyo! #Tokyo (Photo)

BE AN AMAZING ATLANTAN – STAND UP AND VOLUNTEER!

BE AN AMAZING ATLANTAN – STAND UP AND VOLUNTEER!

Atlanta participates in The Amazing Spider-Man™ national volunteer day to benefit Stand Up To Cancer

WHO:                    

Join Sony Pictures Entertainment, Hands On Atlanta and the Office of Mayor Kasim Reed to celebrate the hero in all of us by volunteering on The Amazing Spider-Man™ “Be Amazing, Stand Up and Volunteer” Day. On Tuesday, June 26^th, people of all ages in cities across the country will come together to give their time and energy to help their neighbors – and the day will support Stand Up To Cancer, which funds accelerated and innovative cancer research. Atlantans can log on to www.BeAmazing2012.com to find out more information on the initiative in Atlanta and nationwide.

 

WHAT:                  

Atlanta’s “Be Amazing, Stand Up and Volunteer” opportunities are highlighted by beautification projects at the Grove Park recreation center with the City’s Camp Best Friends youth participants. Activities at the centers include interior and exterior painting, repairing and staining benches, landscaping, building shelves, painting murals and more. Materials will be provided.

In honor of the volunteers, Sony Pictures Entertainment will make a donation to Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), an organization very close to one of the producers of the film, Laura Ziskin. A founding member of SU2C, Laura lost her battle with cancer in 2011. Registered Atlanta volunteers will also receive advance screening passes to see The Amazing Spider-Man™ before it arrives in theaters on July 3^rd and a “Be Amazing, Stand Up and Volunteer” t-shirt. Registration for all volunteer opportunities will be hosted online by Hands On Atlanta at www.HandsOnAtlanta.org/BeAmazing

WHEN:                  

Tuesday, June 26^th 

Camp Hope Volunteer Opportunities from 10AM – 2PM

                               

WHERE:         Grove Park Recreation Center

750 Francis Place Northwest  

Atlanta, GA 30318

Additional opportunities found on www.HandsOnAtlanta.org/BeAmazing

Talking About #Breastfeeding at The SHRM 2012 Annual Conference #SHRM12

Creating Lactation Rooms in the Workplace  

One of the greatest struggles for breastfeeding mothers is to have our voices heard and accommodations met in order to express milk and feed our children in public places. Women have lobbied and fought for years to establish lactation rooms in their places of employment and public facilities. Only recently have states begun to pass laws that help ensure that mothers have a private place to nurse their children.

One of the greatest struggles for breastfeeding mothers is to have our voices heard and accommodations met in order to express milk and feed our children in public places. Women have lobbied and fought for years to establish lactation rooms in their places of employment and public facilities. Only recently have states begun to pass laws that help ensure that mothers have a private place to nurse their children.


On March 30, 2010, President Barack Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that mandates an employer with more than 50 workers to provide a private room (not a restroom) in which their female employees and customers can express breast milk for their children as needed. Today there are more than 83 million mothers in the United States – roughly 61% of them work. As the socio-economic structure continues to change, more women are returning to work immediately after maternity leave. While some women are able to transition smoothly back into the workplace, others need assistance with juggling work and newly-minted motherhood.


The transition back to work is sometimes difficult and can be a bit challenging for nursing mothers who would like to continue to breastfeed. The lack of private spaces to pump at work makes this transition even more daunting; some mothers decide to stop breastfeeding their children all together. I was one of those mothers. With our first son, my only option at work was to pump in the public restroom. I slowly whined him then eventually stopped breastfeeding due to the inconvenience and lack of privacy. The painful reality of allowing breast milk to “dry up” when women are not ready to stop nursing can cause tremendous grief, depression, and disappointment for some mothers’ effort to provide the most important nutrients to their newborn. Also, breastfeeding during the first 12 months of an infant’s life can provide tremendous health benefits for the child, even long-term. A recent report from the CDC shared that breastfeeding helps to prevent childhood obesity.

After giving birth to our second son, a former colleague and I spoke up and assisted our employer in establishing a permanent lactation room on site. We provided a safe and designated place for mothers to pump and feed their children. This allowed a smoother transition for working mothers, and enabled them to continue to provide milk for their children after returning back to work. I was pleased to have the ability to nurse our second son for nearly 15 months.


Employers come up with many excuses about why they do not have private rooms designated for nursing mothers. These range from costs to space availability. Companies would benefit from establishing lactation rooms on site, because breastfeeding mothers will have support transitioning back to work, look favorable to customers, and can be a good recruitment tool for employees.


Unfortunately, these challenges are widespread. Living in Atlanta, I was shocked to find out that the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (HJAIA), does not have designated lactation rooms for employees or customers. They ask mothers to feed their children in the restroom or to call in advance to arrange a private room to pump or breastfeed. There is no information or timeline posted on their website when or if lactation rooms will be established.


Breastfeeding in the bathroom is synonymous to having your child literally “eat” in the restroom. Let’s face it – eating in the bathroom is gross! You wouldn’t eat in the bathroom, so why would you expect your baby to eat there? Holding a child up or squatting on a public toilet to feed among unpleasant smells is inhumane. Oftentimes, in order for ones milk “to let down” mothers need a pleasant, clean, and sanitary environment to express milk. Breastfeeding mothers deserve safe, secure, and comfortable places to pump and nurse their children.


To address these issues and to provide a resource for those who would like to establish lactation rooms at the public places they frequent most, I have launched a Lactation Room support campaign, Table For Two. The campaign’s first initiative is to bring lactation rooms to HJAIA. It’s time to establish designated and convenient lactation rooms at Atlanta’s airport, as well as companies, and organizations across the country. Would you eat in the bathroom? Of course not, because eating in the restroom is gross. Ask officials at the world’s busiest airport to support their employees and customers.


The SHRM 2012 Annual Conference

Every Mother, Inc., Support Table For Two, and Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE) staff will be present at the Business Case for Breastfeeding booth, during the Society for Human Resources Management 2012 annual conference, located in Atlanta, Georgia!

Help us spread the word about the importance of breastfeeding and establishing lactation rooms in the public places! 

*Tweet* Be sure to check out the Business Case for #Breastfeeding booth at #SHRM12 ! #WorkingMoms #bfing #HR

To support this cause and for more information, please visit www.supporttablefortwo.org. You may also join the campaign on Twitter and Facebook.



Sojourner Marable Grimmett is an Atlanta-based author who is recognized for writing about the joys and challenges of being a “stay-at-work” mom and connects with moms, both new and experienced, who have the responsibility of raising a family and maintaining a full-time job. Sojourner has been featured in FitPregnancy, iVillage, WhatToExpect.com, MacaroniKid.com, BlackCelebKids.com, MyAtlantaMoms.com, Atlanta & Company, Fox News, and CNN. She is married to her college sweetheart, Roland and they have two young sons, Roland Jay and Joshua.


Visit her blog sojournermarablegrimmett.blogspot.com follow her on Twitter and like her on Facebook.

Breastfeeding Summit: ROSE Conference featuring Table for Two (TFT)

Sojourner Marable Grimmett

Social Grind ATL - June Money Makers @SocialGrindATL

Order tickets via Eventbrite:
http://socialgrindatljune-efbevent.eventbrite.com/

Mix. Mingle. Meet. Greet. Connect. For real!

Come out to have fun and unwind in Atlanta's West Midtown district in the name of Social Media! Connect In Real Life (IRL) with bloggers, social media professionals, mobile tech heads, agency peeps, web developers and designers.

$$$, Dinero, Cash, Monetize, Advertise?

Sooner or later if you're in the digital space the question is eventually asked, "How do you make money off that?" The usual train of thought is through advertising on your site and enduring the misery of PPC (pay-per-click). But there are plenty of ways to make money --- ambassorships, being a spokesperson, working for an agency, etc. --- some you may not know about these and some you might be quite experienced in this and more --- and that's the point we want to meet you and hear from you so we can all learn from each other.

One of our standout guests for the night will be blogger extraordinaire, Stacie Haight Connerty, who will be on hand to share how she's made a successful living by following her dreams.

Questions, ideas, suggestions or if you'd like to be included as one of this month's featured speakers reach out to us on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/SocialGrindATL.

And if you've really got time on your hands please watch our Videos on YouTube at http://bit.ly/NLu2mG

Source

PSU Alumna on Cover of Atlanta Tastemaker Magazine

 

My alma mater, Pennsylvania State University recently featured me on their "Comm Blog from Penn State"  website.

Read more here: http://psucommblog.blogspot.com/2012/06/alumna-on-cover-of-atlanta-tastemaker.html