THE BLACKACE
October/November 2006
Student Association President Lamar Thorpe Last Year Black Ace published a submission from “Student Association President Hopeful, Lamar Thorpe”. In this issue, we offer an in-depth interview with President Lamar Thorpe’s thoughts on the GW Community and, of course, the SA.
Editor’s Note The Black Ace Newsletter began several years ago as the printed voice of the Black community here at GW. As you read these pages, I encourage you to listen to the voices of your peers. Notice how although distinctly different, they come together in this Newsletter to form one voice, just as we, beautiful and unique, come together to form one community here at GW. As we begin the 2006-2007 academic year, take full advantage of the resources we have in each other. Don’t be afraid to let our voice be heard. Sharry Gonzales
Sitting in his office on the fourth floor of the Marvin Center, President Thorpe finished up a Chick-Fil-A meal as he offered me a seat. Looking, acting and talking just as he had before he became “President Thorpe”, and was busy writing articles for the Black Ace , the Student Association President welcomed me in. Careful not to take up too much of his time, I began the interview immediately.
days consist of working with the senate and trying to include them in the process of what we are doing in the executive. It can be consuming having to deal with my cabinet when things are not necessarily going well, or there is a lot going on. If you ever see me wandering aimlessly on campus…its just one of those days.
So, what does it feel like to be SA President? Lamar laughed “I don’t know what it’s supposed
to feel like, but I wake up and I’m me. It’s a fun job, you know me, I’m a man for the people.
I meant more along the lines of pressures, anxieties…. It does get a little consuming…I go home on the weekends, you know, there isn’t any you time. Busy
On Leadership People often talk about what it means to be a leader. This University recently touted the number of high school class presidents we have in the class of ’10. This institution as well as many others, often tout the number of student groups, the number of students who volunteer, and so on. So what does it mean to be a leader? What does it mean to be elected or selected to lead? Many are called, but few are chosen, right? That’s what my mom told me, but what does that mean? Call means to “summon, to make a request or demand.” The call (or demand) goes out often
(Note to reader: if you see your SA president wandering around campus, show the brother some love—it’s one of those days!) It can be lonely; everyone comes to you with their problems. There are times when I just need to vent.
Who do you vent to? No one, no one cares about my concerns. They see me as the SA President, not as Lamar. There’s just so much going on with school, my mother being sick and dealing with students.
Some have speculated that your cabinet is falling apart… It’s not falling apart, in order to keep it together I had to let go of some people. I had lunch with a friend who overheard a conversation on the bus, where people were saying how SA isn’t doing anything. They made exception when it came to me saying something along the lines of, ‘Lamar is great, Lamar is doing this and that…’ The SA is doing a lot, Lamar doesn’t distribute condoms, the SA does. Ctd, p. 3
here at GW for people to get more involved and to do more. To be chosen, as in “to choose”, means “to selected, or have a preference for.” To be chosen is to be selected.
dreams of many people in this world. So what does this have to do with leadership you ask? We have a responsibility to serve. A true leader is a servant Many of us have been selected or chosen, but are not aware of it. leader. How will you serve? What have you done to We are here at GW with access to the best of everything. Many of improve the life of your family, friends, and community? How can you prepare now to be an even better us complain that we don’t get enough for our money or that this service could be better or that office could do better or my profes- servant once your time at GW comes to an end? You sor could be better. Just by being here at GW, we have been cho- may not have the answers now, but as we head into the end of this semester and the season of Thankssen. We are among the most privileged people in the world. We giving; I encourage you to think beyond yourself, and are leaders. We have been chosen to be here. to seek out opportunities to lead and to serve. What have we been chosen for? In my opinion, we have been J. Russell Fugett chosen to serve. Those of us with the least here are rich beyond the
T H E B L A C K AC E
Controlling our Image
about 22 percent make more than $100,000 a year, and only 2.5 percent of those are black.”
Have you ever watched a commercial that you thought was beyond stereotypical? How about one that was so wrong in its representation of the multicultural community that it led to a heated discussion about how we are viewed in America today? These misrepresentations and overgeneralizations are seen regularly, but I can’t say that I am surprised. The battle against stereotypes and racist representations will continue until the day we decide to control our image.
How did our lack of representation affect us in the past? I’ll give you three names: Aunt Jemima, Uncle Ben, and Rastus (the image of the cook on Cream of Wheat labels). If those images don’t say anything to you, google “darkie toothpaste.” Browse a few of the sites that come up, and pay attention to the original images. Many of the images we see today have been redone to be more politically correct.
A number of minorities graduate and enter Communications-related fields of work, but how many work in a capacity where they control which messages are sent, the way messages are sent, and the people delivering the message? My guess is not many. We need to position ourselves so that we are the editors AND the creators of the messages sent to our people.
“This is a wake up call to Americans,
In September of this year, The New York Times ran an article about a push for New York City Advertising Firms to hire more Black managers. New York City’s Human Rights Commission found that little improvement had been made in the hiring of black workers since their inquiry on this same issue 40 years ago. “Of 8,000 employees working for 16 agencies the commission examined, Patricia L. Gatling, chairwoman of the commission, said
Many are worried about the images being created today to represent Black women. Focusing on the nature of these images, a series of Dairy Queen commercials is discussed in an August 2006 New York Times article. Here is the rundown of the first commercial: “A man boarding an airplane sets his ice cream shake down so he can load his bag into an overhead compartment. As he reaches up, another passenger on the plane starts eating the Blizzard. Seeing this, the first man lets go of his bag so he can reclaim his Blizzard and inadvertently drops his luggage on another passenger’s head. That unlucky passenger happens to be an overweight black woman who lets out an irritated gasp that reminds all the passengers around her who not to mess with.” The Times quoted Rick Cusato, EVP for Grey
especially Americans of color.”
Worldwide, the firm that wrote the campaign for Dairy Queen, saying that the script was not written with a black actress in mind. “We basically cast the funniest person,” he said. “We didn’t specifically cast for a black woman. We said, ‘Wow, she’s really funny.’ And she was everything we wanted it to be. This is just a strong woman being herself.” Not all believe that race was absent in the selection process. Howard Buford, founder and chief executive of Prime Access, an advertising agency that creates commercials marketed toward minority audiences, said: “It’s not an accident that she’s African-American and heavy. There’s certainly a long heritage of large AfricanAmerican women who are kind of sassy and feisty and humorously angry. There’s a sense that this whole value system is O.K. again.” When people start using humor as a way to justify typecasting and bad stereotypes, you know that our image, as a people, is in danger. The only way to save our image is to be the ones who control it.
James S. Walker President GWU NAACP Foley, ctd p.3
Of Foley and Our Representatives The past few weeks have been extremely telling of our country’s legislative body. To think, the individuals who we place in office to represent the ideals and values that we, as citizens, want to see become apart of the legislative fabric of our society may just turn out to be 50 year old closeted alleged pedophiles. That’s just plain scary. It is important to note that Foley is not the first congress member to have inappropriate interactions with congressional pages, nor will he be the last if some rules don’t change. I have reason to suspect that some Democrats knew about Foley’s inappropriate e mails before September. In fact, the e-mails in question were written in 2005, but were dismissed by reporters. Now, two months before
midterm elections, these year old e-mails have resurfaced with the full force of a sex scandal. “Gotcha B!” exclaims the Democratic Party from the left side of the House floor. There are 40 Republican held House seats that are considered competitive this round with the Democrats only needing 15 to take the House. If Democrats knew about Foley and waited to turn this into a scandal it would mean that they were really trying to make an effort to take the House. The effort, however, is a bit lackluster.
scandal. A recent New York Times poll shows that many people believe that Republican congressional leaders are more concerned with maintaining their power than the safety of congressional pages.
The Democrats haven’t collectively jumped down any throats. I should them slamming the G.O.P., dragging them through their own ideological swamp, pushing them off the cliff of their family ethics jargon onto the jagged rocks below. But all the articles that I read in papers are about how this “might” affect the party in the midterm.
The majority of the members of congress are incumbents, people who’ve sat there for more than one term, more than two terms. They get elected, and reelected and reelected not because they’ve done anything special but because their party spends so much money on their ads.
The media and the experts have claimed that the G.O.P. is in a horrible position in the wake of this
Former Representative Mark Foley’s folly may have cost him his job and reputation, but the effects it will have on the rest of his party are focused on teenage pages. If the representatives from your district are up for reelection this term take some time to consider replacing them.
Obviously, if a person is doing a bang up job for your district then you’d hate to see them go, but it’s more
Popular Rap Music is no Longer Art A music video comes on MTV with kids flashing their chains while rapper Jibb’s spits a “serious” flow. “Do your chain hang low, do it wobble to da flo do it shine in the light” iz it platinum, iz it gold?” This is the next generation of music, where innovation or creativity seems like a thing of the past. The focus on powerful lyrics that created the focal “This is a The sheer amount of point, meat, and substance of a song has disappeared. Now the beat, the rhythm, stupid and ridiculous lyrics in and ultimately the producers are the masterminds behind “popular songs.” It is very songs today is a trend that unfortunate that storytelling has been rehas only grown faster over the placed with creating fantasies in songs. years. up call to Americans, Many of the true Hip Hop tracks created could cut out the beat and the vocals, and especially Americans of color.” would still hold their own as a piece of art, education, and history. However if you take the beat away from many of the songs now you get masterpieces like “Inny meeny minny mo- How many bitches from the club want to go -(I know you see it, I know you see it).” The sheer amount of stupid and ridiculous lyrics in songs today is a trend that has only grown faster over the years. t is not a surprise that many people want to be a rapper if they see someone like Yung Joc make thousands, if not millions, of dollars by making a juvenile, immature record that glorifies smoking, drinking, and sex. However to be fair, Hip Hop is by no means dead. While much of what is in the spotlight is complete garbage, it does not represent the culture as a whole. It is unfortunate that many popular artists are so consumed by self-image and greed they forget what hip hop was and is all about… (to be continued) Brandon Rogers
5 Tips to Get on the Fashion Scene in DC Even with black suits, knee-high skirts, and striped shirts, it’s not hard to find fashion-related activities and events in Washington, DC influenced by African Americans. Before graduating from GW, consider these options to help bring out the fashionista in you. 1. Visit the Black Fashion Museum. Originally located in New York City and now in the U Street/Shaw district, the Black Fashion Museum is a strong representation of a growing fashion scene in DC. BFM shows a piercing connection between fashion and black culture with displays ranging from attire worn during slavery to work by black designer Ann Lowe, who created the wedding dress of GW’s own Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. Location: 2007 Vermont Avenue, NW (Green Line: U Street/Cardozo); appointment required 2. See a student organization’s fashion show. Some of the student organizations at GW integrate fashion shows as a way of entertaining both members and nonmembers. Whether guests are there to see friends walk down the runway or just enjoy the show, Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, the Organization of African Students, and the Minority Business Student Association are utilizing the shows to visualize their mission and raise money. 3. Take a course in fashion design. Although the closest you might get to learning about the fashion industry at GW is by enrolling in Beginning Costuming (TrDa 136), Textile Design and Construction (FA 116), or Design of Printed Textiles (FA 120), taking a fashion course is possible through the Consortium Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area of which GW is a part. Howard University and Marymount University offer courses in fashion show production, merchandising, and even for those involved in economics, international business or affairs – Fashion in the Global Marketplace. 4. Attend DC Fashion Week. It’s not London, Milan, New York, or Paris, but fashion week in DC provides an interesting perspective on what styles should be in your closet. This fall’s attendees could have viewed swimsuits at a club or sat in the VIP section (although non-VIP is just as good) at the French Embassy couture fashion show. It is quite possible to see shoes and bags from Forever 21 being worn by the models (I saw the dress I was wearing at the show during the model presentation!). More information about the next fashion week (or interning) available at dcfashionweek.org. 5. Look, listen, and ask around. Clothes in Georgetown, events on the internet, and salons and/or barbers in… I think you get the point. Ask an upperclassman where he or she gets their hair done or stop by the MSSC building to get a reference. Even away from home you should be able to maintain your look. Jewell Jones
Upcoming Fashion Events: FASHION FIGHTS POVERTY October 27, 2006, 6pm Carnegie Library, Washington, DC "An ethical fashion showcase benefiting BeadForLife in celebration of the 61st Anniversary of the United Nations."-http://www.fashionfightspoverty.org/
T H E B L A C K AC E
My New Meaning of Diversity I have been living in London for three weeks and I have already learned enough to last me a lifetime. As I continue to meet new people and engage in different conversations, I realize the value of actually speaking to people of different cultures as opposed to learning about them in class or through the media. London is a very diverse place but the London School of Economics has a diversity of its own, where about sixty four percent of its student body consists of international students.
It’s been really surprising for me, meeting people from around the world and speaking to them on a personal level, like I would while sitting in the living room of the GW Williams House.
from religion to games we played at recess in primary school.
It’s been really surprising for me, meeting people from around the world and speaking to them on a personal level, like I would while sitting in the living room of the GW Williams House. The other night I spent the evening discussing religion with two other friends, Aymen and Farrah. Aymen is a Shiite Muslim from India living in Canada and Farrah is a Sunni Muslim from Indonesia. As we first started speaking all I could Through my new found culture shock, I’ve also learned a lot about my defini- think about were the constant news briefs I get from American television that in no way tion of identity. Here, when asked where I’m from, I have to pause, take a breath and explain to me the meaning behind the titles on the screen and neglect to make any conexplain how I was born in Boston, MA, USA, moved to Haiti when I was one, came nection between myself and the individuals behind the labels. We mainly spoke about back to Brockton, MA, USA when I was eight, moved to Washington, DC two years ago women in religion, holy books and whether religious doctrines follow these books accuto attend GW and now have an address that reads Tampa, FL since my mom has moved rately and of course the impact that extremists have on how our religions are portrayed. once again. Yeah, a mouth full but how do I define my identity? When I try to shorten Although, I am a Christian and it may seem like a safe religion, people like Eric Robert my answer and say “Haiti”, I get a stare that says “But you have an American accent”. Rudolph of the Christian extremist group, Christian Identity don’t necessarily bring a And when I say I’m studying at George Washington University in Washington, DC, positive light on my beliefs in the international media. they say “But where is your family from?” And this just at twenty years old, how much In the same way that biased media in the US tends to portray those we are longer will my explanation be at forty? Students at this university seem to have this simi- not able to meet, in a bad light, media elsewhere tends to do the same for Americans. So lar background. No, I don’t mean they all were born in Boston and moved to Haiti… I as young intellectuals seeking answers, it is our responsibility to find them as a result of mean I have come across a lot of students that have a background that extends way fur- our own experiences. In the three weeks that I have been here, I have learned lessons that ther than one location. My friend Sheetal is Indian (Sindhi Indian to be exact) and was no textbook could teach me. Venturing out into the unknown has allowed me to narborn in Hong Kong were she went to an international school and moved to the UK for row out the world around me and make it smaller in order for me to question my preher undergraduate studies. Sheetal and I are able to sit together and speak for hours disposed beliefs and assumptions. I encourage every student to accumulate their percepabout anything and many cultures because her background is so rich with diversity. She tion of culture in a personal and first-hand manner in order to truly formulate their own is much like myself, not coming from a rich or even middle class family but just taking meaning of diversity. advantage of the opportunities around her. Besides that, you can call us exact opposites Jessica Jean-Francois in that we come from different ends of the earth have different faiths and differ in everything else from music preference to dining habits (she’s a vegetarian) but we’ve been able London School of Economics (GW Study Abroad Program) to build a friendship on commonalities found in all people. We compare everything
J Street Gets a Makeover, Again For those who have attended George Washington for a year or more are familiar with the many changes J Street have forgone. It seems that dining places get replaced annually. So don’t become too fond of them because you might not see your favorite fast food restaurant in J Street next year. The students who have grown to understand this concept probably have some expectation and maybe some anticipation to what will be replacing what for the next year to come. So far, about half of the eateries are new to the J Street family. The infamous Chik-Fil-A’s arrival has been anticipated since last year, which replaced a salad bar. Subway was upgraded with the replacement of Quizznos. And some other unfamiliar additions to J Street are “Cyclone Salads” and “J Street Café”.
However, some have managed to stick around for another year, such as the popular “Jamba Juice” and “Wendy’s” But since the installment of ‘Chik-Fil-A” one can’t
help, but to wonder if we will be seeing “Wendy’s in next year’s version of J Street. The annual changes do give some variety to J Street, however, the choices of eateries are always pretty limited, and expensive. Hopefully, students will start seeing some modifications in price, as well as better quality in food choices. But one thing that will be continuous is that it will be one of the most popular places to eat at GWU. Zahra Davis
A Celebration of College Women:
Of course, how you think determines the manner in which you behave. So, I would also stress that young women strive Speaking as a grown man, and as a college student, it is in to transform their frames of mind in a manner that is consismy opinion very important to celebrate women. After all, none of tent with their value. Due to the fact that all things begin, and ultimately end, in the mind, it is essential that all perus would exist had it not been for the love of the woman who suffered through nine months of pregnancy, and the excruciating sonal transformation and/or maintenance begin there. Once agony of labor in order to bring us kicking and screaming into the the body and mind are in harmony, everything else will follow. Once thought and action are in unison, some concept world. Indeed, the most significant women in all of our lives of self-worth can manifest itself in reality. should be our mothers; for they cared for us when we were too So, to all the ladies out there: think like a Queen, helpless to tend to ourselves. And of course, there are other women that deserve to be recognized: our grandmothers, our sis- because you are one. ters, our aunts, etc. They too played some role in shaping who we For more Bible based discussion including building virtue, are, what we believe in, and how we perceive the world at large. join Word Up! Bible Study on Thursday evenings at 8pm, in the But, speaking from a personal standpoint, I’ve found that the Marvin Center. women in my family have helped me to do two things specifically: Samuel Fitzpatrick to always act as a gentleman, and to value women who carry themselves in a respectable manner. That is to say that, personally speaking, I have been taught to associate with women who walk, talk, and act like Queens. There is nothing more valuable, on this earth, than a virtuous woman. Such women are rarely found on college campuses, and I must admit, that I have met few here at About the condoms project, how do you respond to the statement that GW. it promotes promiscuity? I don’t believe it promotes promiscuous behavior. My job is to proHer worth exceeds the value of any material possession. tect our community. One in fifty residents in DC carries HIV. STDs Too many women at GW, in my opinion, are unaware of their worth; that they are in fact Queens, and thus they do not consider run rampant. Recognizing that, I think this is a positive step promotthemselves worthy of a man who will treat them with the respect that ing abstinence, monogamous behavior and protection. With every bowl of condoms, pamphlets covering all three topics are distributed as they deserve. In fact this general lack of knowledge, or rather of well as information on how to use the condoms. understanding, concerning the value of women is a rampant probStudent Organizations are concerned about the significantly smaller lem in today’s world. All one need do is turn on the television in allocations they received. order to ascertain society’s assessment of the value of the female The amount given to student organizations was consistent with the sex. Night and day, images of women being degraded, violated, SA budget. Last year we had $81,000 and this year we have $49,000. I disrespected, and disregarded are strewn across the television screen, and projected into homes around the globe. How we can we am not necessarily satisfied with the funds given to the SA. What’s going on with the search for a University President? expect our young college men to love, honor, and protect our young women when they see nothing other than that which proI can’t really say much other than it’s moving forward. motes the formation of negative views and opinions regarding the A lot of students were concerned about your decision to eliminate a female gender? And furthermore, it is time for our young women to voting student on the board of trustees. What was your reasoning start acting like Queens. A woman who does not value herself as behind that? such will only attract individuals who will treat her in kind. Whereas I think we need to focus on actually running the SA and changing a woman who carries herself with dignity and pride will, without a the image of the SA. doubt, draw attention from people who will approach and assign to her those same values. The first noticeable thing about any person What image is that? is their behavior, and that is why Word Up! Bible Study would like An organization with students who act all foolish. for all the young ladies of GW to walk on campus with their heads Some students feel as though the SA is elitist.
Thorpe (ctd.)
I think it can be. People are more incorporated. The reality is I’m a little older. I don’t play into stupid crap…I don’t play into drama. I think it’s exclusive and cliquish, but not elitist. My cabinet was intentionally colored because we need to have a level of diversity, to make sure that the SA was balanced.
Is there anything specifically coming out of the SA for African-Americans? That gets tricky. Then people start asking if we are going to do that for everyone else. That’s why we have the diversity affairs commission. Director of Diversity Affairs, Nate Hayward is considering a multicultural community fair. We put together the first Asian welcome dinner this year. The only thing we are actively working on is the leadership seminars with the MSSC. I help in a more personal way. I have mentees. My door is always open. I am doing the Director’s Council for Multicultural Recruitment with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. I attend events. My presence at events is very important because it lets people know that I’m here. It was important to me when I saw Omar Woodard at events.
Students sometimes feel as though they don’t know what is going on with the SA. What are some things we can expect out of the SA this year? I do weekly radio addresses with WRGW on Sundays at 3pm for about twenty minutes. We are working on Campaign GW, Colonial Coach will be extended to cover Spring Break, Thanksgiving and Christmas break, we are producing a guide to student rights, the condoms project, and of course the free HIV tests at the Student Health Center.
How can a student who wants to get involved with the SA get involved? Come and observe, come and shadow me around. We have nine departments run by Vice Presidents, most of the departments have committees of people who help out.
What are your office hours? My office hours are the office hours. I don’t post office
hours. The office assistants are extensions of me, it works this way. People can stop by, email us at gwsaoffice@gmail.com, and again, my door is always open.
Sharry Gonzales
AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE AIDS EPIDEMIC
FOLEY CONTINUED. important to have people role in and out of a place like congress because of the amount of power that comes with the seat. Not to mention the fact that you want people with fresh ideas, people who have had meaningful interaction with your district within the past decade.
AIDS in America On June 5 2006, Black leaders from all over America commiserated the day of the first AIDS diagnosis in America by reconfirming the eminent need to gather further efforts of impeding the AIDS epidemic in the Black community. A racial divide has developed in the transmissions of AIDS in America. The statistics reflect an alarming outbreak for Black America. Stunningly, about 54% of the most recent HIV/AIDS diagnoses in America are Black. Furthermore, AIDS has infected nearly half of all Black, gay and bisexual men in America. An additional exhaustion upon the issue lies in the stunting of monetary assistance since 2001 from the federal government to assuage the spread of AIDS in America. The lack of resources to handle the loads of AIDS patients through Medicaid and the Ryan White CARE programs also affected the issue financially. Knowing that there are over 1 million people in America living with HIV, more than half being African American, Phill Wilson, the Executive Director of the Black AIDS Institute remarked, “In 2006…the only way for AIDS to be over in America is for AIDS to be over in Black America.” It was years ago when leaders warned of an upcoming epidemic that AIDS began to be a problem in the African American community. It seems that the epidemic has now arrived. As Mrs. King once stated, “Anyone who sincerely cares about the future of Black America had better be speaking out about AIDS.” Hanan Wasse
F-Y-I on H-I-V Have you been tested for AIDS? If the answer is no, it’s time for you to wake up and become aware of what is going on around you amongst your peers, people of your same race and age group. There are more than one million Americans affected by AIDS and one third of those infected are unaware that they have the deadly disease. Right here in the D.C. metropolitan area alone, 13,000 people have died from AIDS and the numbers are continuing to rise. Data received from the Whitman Walker Clinic shows that in D.C. eight-two percent of all AIDS cases are among African Americans. By not getting tested and not being aware of our status, we as the minorities are only endangering ourselves and infecting more people with this disease. The greatest increases of AIDS cases are occurring among people of color, women, intravenous drug users, and through heterosexual contact. Do you fall in one of these categories? Saturday, October 7, 2006 marked the twentieth year the AIDS Walk in Washington, D.C. took place. The AIDS Walk is a fundraising event for treatments for HIV/AIDS. The money raised from the walk goes to the Whitman Walker Clinic, which is a non-profit company that focused on finding treatments for HIV/AIDS. Over ten GW groups participated in the AIDS walk this year, including the NAACP and BSU. “The turnout from different organizations of color was very powerful,” stated a BSU member. There are many ways you can help make a difference in the increasing spread of AIDS; however the start is with every individual getting testing and knowing their status. Anonymous AIDS testing is offered at all Whitman Walker Clinics sites. The testing is free of charge, although donations are accepted. If you would like to find out more information, visit the website at www.wwc.org . To be in denial is to be ignorant. Don’t be ignorant, go get tested and make a difference in your community. Cyana Chamberlain
America needs to do some deep cleaning in the House. Incumbents are dangerous. Let’s purge the House and the Senate of all those grumpy old white men who only get reelected because people don’t recognize that other name on the ballad.
B2 Blacks in Business “The Hautness” Welcome to Black in Business! This is a place where we celebrate, showcase and talk to some of GW’s hottest young entrepreneurs. We hope to promote these young entrepreneurs so we can inspire others. There are many students all around us who are starting, running, and promoting their own business at GW that we are not aware of. We are working to help change that. As we look at these student CEO’s around GW, they inspire many others. Today I have the privilege of introducing you to one of DC’s hottest up and coming fashionista’s, CEO’s: GW’s own Cyana Chamberlain. Cyana is co-partner of the fashion line Daciana. Daciana is a line of men’s and women’s clothing that is run by the brother and sister duo David (a former GW Student) and Cyana (a current GW student). Daciana is the name of the clothing company which is composed of a men’s line, DaVision, and a women’s line, Sassi Gyrl. The clothing line has started in a new stylistic direction that can best be described be described in two words “Urban Couture”. The company has been very busy. Having debuted in June 2005 at Cada Vez, Daciana has been off and running ever since. Daciana has been featured in several fashion shows through out Washington DC. As a self made business woman, she has developed a lot of skills along the way that have helped her become not only a better entrepreneur, but a better student and person as well. She has developed business skills, organizational skills, determination, and the ability to persevere and pull through. Also, Cyana offers up the advice to other entrepreneurs trying to start out, “Have a plan B, find a niche in what you like to do, and do not give up.
It seems as if these pearls-of -wisdom have begun to shine luminescently on Daciana. Recently Cyana was featured on a BET special that featured some of today’s hottest young entrepreneurs from all over the United States and spoke to her experiences as a business woman /entrepreneur/ student/sister / and friend. Nai Lee Kalema
Minority Advice by Mr. O’wisman Kno-itall- The Hip-Hop Columnist - -Stuck in the middle of a Crowd!!!Question: It’s now October, I’ve been here at GW now for two months. I’ve been to 1,000 student org meetings ranging from, the Black Student Union (O’wisman’s personal fav.) to GW’s (insert here). Yet, I am confused as to how to make a name for myself; I want to be a “somebody” around here. How can I become “important” or make myself a more visible figure on campus? Answer: Ok, First off, Allow me to reintroduce myself, my name is…check the title, but anyway I am the Hip-Hop columnist and I’m here to offer you the most straightforward and uncut answers to questions existing within our community. I’ve been here for some time now, so feel free to check my credentials…actually just trust that I’m gonna hold my peeps down, jus like I’m sure the new editor of the paper you are reading right now will (shameless plug) or like that special girl in my life (plug 2) ok yall get the point, but back to the question at hand.
Option C, ok this seems reasonable, yea, what better way to make yourself visible around here than by running for a Student Association position? Well what always sounds good is not always easy or self fulfilling. There is a chance you may lose, and then all those posters with your wack slogans on it will end up in your parent’s garage, or better yet you may win, and then you’re on the front line championing student causes…blah, blah, and blah. The essential question that remains is this; if no one knows you, why would you stress yourself and your resources for a community that is not readily aware of your talents? Good choice, if you are ready, and if you don’t know what “ready” is, just have a sit-down with either Mr. Shakour or President Thorpe and maybe you’ll have a change of heart. (C), ya later
A. Start a power couple
Option D, um Good choice but again, personally speaking, Mr. Kno-itall is in support of personal growth first, then advocacy for the masses. I mean after all, why would you want to promote a university’s causes if you personally have not taken advantage of all it has to offer? Most likely, you could get one of these positions and do a pretty good job, but at the end of the day, will you feel good on the inside? Will people know you?, Or will they just remember a pretty darn good cheerleader?
B. Join a student org. that you are passionate about
(D) Absolute worst!
So, you want to be the man or woman on campus don’t you? Well I’m going to give you five multiple choice answers. Let’s see if this 50k a year education can help you sort out the best possible solution:
C. Run for SA President or other positions D. Join Colonial Army or Cabinet E. Jump for Joy GW Groupie Tough?!? Well, let Mr. Kno-itall help you out. Shall I proceed?
Option (E)…xactly, yea about Option E, see response for Option D or see Dr. Phil for some serious help, are you kidding me? ___________________________________________________________________
Option A,
And the winner is…
Power couple, you know like Bey-Z or Jayonce, Bragelina…yea, the newest trend in Hollywood is the power couple, so why not adopt it here at G-Dub. Yea, I hear that Student Association Prez, Lamar Thorpe is single…ladies? Maybe yall can be Lamarina? Or, that BSU’s Shannon Holmes is quite a looker too-fellas who wants to be Shannon Holmboy? Lol ok, I’m having too much fun. Obviously, power couples work best in Hollywood, so let’s move on… (A) bad choice!
Option B is for being yourself! Go ahead and join that student org. that you most closely identify with or one that supports causes that you are passionate about. Yes, it is the road most often chosen, but I can guarantee you this: people will know you. If you choose to help out on a committee your peers will take notice, thus making a name for yourself. Let’s use the BSU for example, (shameless plug # 3, if your keeping count) There are umbrellas orgs underneath the BSU such as Black Women’s Forum, Black Men’s Initiative, and Black History, no excuse me “Heritage” Celebration that can use your help, don’t miss out on the chance to be a somebody in the community that has your best interest in mind, and remember to thank me the next time you are in J. St and you see a shining Black face there who knows who you are for all the right reasons! (B) good!
(Quick commercial break…)
Closing Thoughts, Remember you have at least four years here (unless that fin-aid stops coming). In your time here at GW you will have ample opportunities, to find your niche, just don’t burn yourself out with the wrong experiences and become disengaged. Try lending your services to a close community, and then take it from there. Til’ next issue, or til’ a bad bag of mean greens gets me, Peace!
The Black Ace would like to thank our layout team, Shirley Boutin and Kelly Leon, for their time, effort and wonderful production in this edition. Thank you ladies!
•
Fact or Fiction: Dispelling The Myths About Christianity
Would you like to join the Black Ace team?
FOR THE LADIES:
ο Date, Time, and Location: October
Email Black Ace at blackacenews@gmail.com
Womens' Encouragement Brunch
26, 8pm, Marvin Center 101
The next Black Ace meeting is on 10/26 at 7pm?
ο Sexology 101 ο Date, Time, and Location: Nov. 2,
8pm, Marvin Center 403
ο Ladies Day (co-sponsored with the Black Women’s Forum)
ο Date, Time, and Location: Nov.4 ο
One Body: No Race Boundaries (co-sponsored with GW Christian Fellowships)
ο Date, Time, and Location: Nov. 9, 8pm, Marvin Center Amphitheater ο Excellence: Highway to Success ο Date, Time, and Location: Nov. 16,
8pm, MC 301
ο To Be Or Not To Be.... Greek Date, Time, and Location: Nov. 30, 8pm, MC
BSU GBM 10/26, 6pm!!! For more info email bsu@gwu.edu Don’t Forget!! Join the Black Men’s Initiative every Tuesday and Thursday from 12pm4pm for the “Black Lunch Hour”
Date: November 4, 2006 Time: 10:30am-1pm Brought to you by Word Up! Bible Study and the Black Women's Forum. For more information, email wordup@gwu.edu or bwf@gwu.edu WHATEVER YOU CAN DO, I CAN DO BETTER!!! Battle Of The Sexes Coming to you in November Brought to you by The Black Men's Initiative, the Black Women's Forum, and Word Up! Bible Study. For more information, email wordup@gwu.edu or bwf@gwu.edu
National Society of Black Engineers October 24 --- Technical Taboo
November 3rd -- Playaz Ball November 7 --- Resume Wokskhop
November 14 --- Thanksgiving Dinner November 28 --- Research, Internship, and Workshop For more information, email nsbe@gwu.edu