Happy Easter!

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

CAU Women's Empowerment Conference

The Atlanta Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women along with Clark Atlanta University held the 5th Annual Women's Empowerment Conference on the campus of Clark Atlanta from March 22 - 24. This year's theme was, 'Am I my sister’s keeper?' which covered a range of challenges that affect our female students, including health risks, financial and education-related barriers, managing interpersonal relationships, and a political landscape that inserts majority beliefs into workplace equality and healthcare decisions.

Visit www.facebook.com/ClarkAtlantaUniversity

African Diaspora World Tourism Awards and Travel Expo

   

African Diaspora World Tourism Awards and Travel Expo to be Held in Atlanta

 

The online magazine AfricanDiasporaTourism.com (ADT) in association with the AD King Foundation will present the African Diaspora World Tourism Awards & Travel Show Expo in Atlanta, Ga. (USA) on April 26-27, 2013. The two-day event will also include a Travel Show Expo, an Africana Culture Performances Extravaganza, a Hall of Fame Luncheon and Visit Africa and Caribbean luncheons, in addition to the awards ceremony.  The awards ceremony will take place at the Atlanta Airport Marriott.

The official gala awards ceremony, recognizing people who have made unique and significant contributions in the fields of black culture and heritage tourism, will take place on Saturday April 27^th beginning with a reception at 6 pm. Noted broadcast journalist Monica Kaufman Pearson is the host for the awards gala.

      

The African Diaspora World Tourism Awards ceremony will recognize professionals for outstanding services like tour operators, travel planners, culture and heritage scholars, tourism ministers and CEO'S, and other professionals in travel. We will pay tribute to politicians, government officials, and people of all races who have contributed to the development and promotion of culture and heritage tourism in the places of the African Diaspora worldwide. Awards will also be given to destinations, historic sites, organizations, institutions and corporations.

       

In addition to giving out awards at the ceremony, AfricanDiasporaTourism.com will honour 100 leaders in the ‘Hall of Fame’ who have made legendary contributions to the field of black culture and heritage in such a way as to significantly influence tourism. These include notables like Congressman John Lewis, Mr. And Ms. Muhammad Ali, Ms. Coretta King, Danny Glover, Dr. Julius Garvey, Dr. Asa Hilliard, Bob and Rita Marley, former Senegalese president Abdoulaye Wade, former Ambassador Andy Young, Tavis Smiley, Dr. Maulana Karenga, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Dr. Jean Ping, and many others from around the world.  The Hall of Fame luncheon honoring these legends will be earlier that day at noon.

       

The Africana Extravaganza, consisting of cultural performances, artistic exhibits and Diasporic cuisines will happen that evening at 7 PM. The Travel Show Expo, which will take place on both Friday and Saturday, will allow tourism destinations, corporations and vendors of the hospitality industry to showcase and promote their products

       

ADT publications editor Kitty J. Pope, who is the founder/ director and producer of this event, says that an award ceremony of this type is needed because we have shining stars who have worked hard to push forth agendas related to black culture and heritage tourism.  "There is the annual World Travel Awards that is the 'Oscars' of the travel industry; but because of its uniqueness, I feel that a separate, special event is needed for the culture and heritage contributions of people of African descent," says Pope.    

Dr. Babs Onabanjo, co-founder and CEO of the AD King Foundation, is the executive producer of this event who says that he is glad to help present an event that will bring people from Africa and people of African descent from around the world together. “Dignitaries, notables, travel industry experts and professionals will be able to come together for all types of networking opportunities.”

    

“The awards ceremony is dedicated to the late great Marcus Garvey, and we are happy to announce that his son Dr. Julius Garvey will participate as a presenter,” says Pope.       “The Africana Extravaganza and the Travel Show Expo was added on to this event because of the overwhelming response from people around the world. “Destinations, especially African countries, wanted to be a part of this, and cultural performers and artists also wanted to participate. So we have made this into a two-day event”, says Pope.

      

“The Travel Show Expo is the first of its kind to place emphasis on black heritage sites and trails worldwide in order to increase visitation and tourism.” Our Africana Extravaganza will be hosted by acclaimed artist and sculptor Donald Brown from Great Britain, and it will be headlined by Ron Bobb- Semple, who will do a re-enactment of Marcus Garvey, and Bob Marley’s granddaughter Donisha will do spoken word.

       

“This will be a most historical and exciting three-day event because we are bringing all things related to black cultural and heritage tourism under one roof,” says Pope.

    

For registration and more information, visit www.ADWT-Awards.com. Discounted tables are available for special seating at the Awards Ceremony for organizations, associations and corporations. Travel Show Expo booths are available for businesses and vendors. You may also call (404) 549-7215 or (404) 784-4095 for details.

2013 ADWTA - Agenda

Thursday, April 25th

3pm - Early-Bird Registration

7pm - Pre-event kicker: An evening with Bob Marley's Granddaughter Donisha US Premiere of Travel Documentary: Rasta: A Soul's Journey (Tentative)

Friday, April 26th

9-5pm - Registration

2-4pm - Travel Trade Show Meet and greet

7-9pm - Africana Extravaganza Cultural Show

Saturday, April 27th

9-11:00 pm – Visit the King Center in Atlanta

11:30- 1:30 pm - Hall of Fame Luncheon

2-4 pm - Travel Road Show Expo Meet and Greet

6 pm - Awards Night Reception

6:45 - 7 pm - Hall of Fame Red Carpet Walk

7 - 9:30 pm - Awards Gala Ceremony

Sunday, April 28^th

9:00 - 10:30 am - Wrap-up Meeting

*CLOSED* Win a Free Ticket to the Dare 2 Aspire Conference for Women & Mom Entrepreneurs! ($49.99 Value) #dare2aspire

Enter to Win a free ticket to the 3rd Dare 2 Aspire Spring Conference in Atlanta on Saturday, March 23, 2013. 

Congratulations Ayana S. you won a ticket to the 
Dare 2 Aspire Spring Conference! 

*CLOSED*
 

Here's how to enter and win: 

1. Like this post!

2. Like Dare 2 Aspire on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dare2Aspire

3. Like Married with Two Boys on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarriedwithTwoBoys

4. Leave a comment below with your email address! 

*CLOSED* Winner will be chosen on Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 9 pm. Good Luck! 

Moms push for lactation rooms at Atlanta's airport

Did you miss us this morning on 11 Alive News WXIA-TV ? 

Watch our news segment about developing lactation rooms at Atlanta's airport! 

Click, Like & Share : http://www.11alive.com/news/article/283776/3/Moms-push-for-lactation-rooms-at-Atlantas-airport

Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities - Gatewood House

Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities (ARMHC) provides a home away from home for families of ill and injured children who must travel to receive treatment at Atlanta area hospitals. Today I had the opportunity to visit and tour the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities - Gatewood House. 

The Gatewood House features a transplant wing for children who have received heart, liver, kidney and bone marrow or transplants. This wing, comprised of 10 two-bedroom suites (931 sq ft), is separated from the other 40 guest rooms in order to protect these children from exposure to infections. My father received a double-lung transplant in 2010, and I was so pleased to see that transplant recipients stayed at the house and had their own special wing. 

I had a wonderful time touring the facility and learning more about their yearly charitable events. As a local McDonald's Mom blogger, my heart is open even more so now to the company after visiting the Gatewood House. The positive energy, love and support from staff is felt throughout the building and I'm sure appreciated and received by guests daily.  

View photos below from my recent visit. To learn more about the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities, please visit: http://www.armhc.org

Lactation Rooms at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

A lactation room at the White House and soon to be at the airport! 

Check us out this week on 11 Alive News discussing establishing lactation rooms at Atlanta's International Airport!

McDonald's and NCAA Exciting Deals!

·        McDonald’s has partnered with Coke Zero and the NCAA to bring exciting deals, contests and activities to the Greater Atlanta area during the 2013 NCAA Men’s Final Four.

·        Right now, customers who purchase a large soft drink at any Greater Atlanta McDonald’s restaurant will receive half-price admission to the Bracket Town fan experience at the Georgia World Congress Center from April 5 – April 8.

·        Bracket Town attendees can additionally visit the McDonald’s Slam Dunk area, where they can lay down their best dunks, win prizes, get autographs from NCAA legends and more.

·        In advance of the Final Four festivities, from March 11-30, all Greater Atlanta restaurants will feature the Quarter Pounder with Cheese Extra Value Meal for the slam dunk price of $3.99.

The Adventures of Mighty Bug!

 Written and directed by Jon Ludwig
2012-13 Family Series

Jan 31 - Mar 17, 2013
Previews: Jan 29 & 30 - 10am & 11:30am
Mainstage Theater
Recommended for ages 4+

Showtimes
•Tues-Fri: 10am & 11:30am
•Sat: 12pm & 2pm
•Sun: 1pm & 3pm

Welcome to Bugville, a jumpin’ little insect community that swings to the Bugville Boogie and the sweet sounds of WBUG Radio star Morpha Butterfly. Watching over the insect citizens is the one and only Mighty Bug, a superhero with super strength, smelling, hearing, and flying abilities. But Mighty Bug isn’t the only arthropod with an eye on Bugville. The evil arachnid Scorpiana has assembled a group to attack the town.  Can Mighty Bug defeat the evil Scorpiana and save Bugville? Find out in this science-filled comic book style adventure!

Puppetry Style:
Body, Shadow, Rod

Create-A-Puppet Workshop:
Make your own Lightning Bug Rod & String Puppet!

Source

Dare 2 Aspire 2013 Annual Conference

Join us for the 3rd Dare 2 Aspire 2013 Conference! Please click here for details: www.d2aspire.com. 

Empty stomach and on a budget? Eat from the Dollar Menu at McDonald's #DollarMenu

Empty stomach and on a budget? McDonald’s Dollar Menu features eight delicious menu items for just $1, including:
 

o   Grilled Onion Cheddar Burger: A juicy 100% beef patty topped with grilled caramelized onions and smooth melty cheddar*.

o   McDouble: Two 100% beef patties simply seasoned with a pinch of salt and pepper, a slice of melty American cheese and topped with tangy pickles, minced onions, ketchup and mustard. 

o   McChicken: Famously crispy chicken topped with mayonnaise, shredded iceberg lettuce and served perfectly on a toasty bun. 

o   Side Salad: Made fresh daily with a variety of premium mixed greens, up to two cups of veggies like our tasty grape tomatoes and shaved carrots and as always, served with your choice of Newman's Own Dressing. 

o   Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait: The wholesome combination: our creamy low-fat vanilla yogurt layered with plump blueberries and sweet strawberries, all topped with crunchy granola.

o   Sweet Tea: A briskly refreshing blend of orange pekoe and pekoe cut black tea, sweetened to perfection.

o   Vanilla cone: Sweet, creamy vanilla soft serve in a crispy cone. Because your day deserves a moment of sweetness.

o   Chocolate Chip Cookies: Get that traditional taste with our classic cookie, loaded with real chocolate chips.