Me! newsletter summer2015

ME! ME! is a trademark of Hampton Publishing House, LLC. ME! is a newsletter that encourages YOU to be yourself. It is time that you show the world who you really are by being who you were intended to be. Who am I? I’m ME! That’s all I need to be.

Hampton Publishing House, LLC’s focus is to assist authors with publishing material that engages the community and provides knowledge of many societal matters. The company creates material that coincides with real life experiences and gives creative inspiration to those who are motivated by literature; whether it is written, spoken, or visual interpretations of text. It is the hope of the company to increase awareness and maintain open lines of communication by receiving manuscripts that relate to the following areas: friendships, marriage, domestic violence, depression, how-toinformation, social ills, and other subjects that will allow readers to understand the moralities of the subject matter.

Words of a genius “Just Bee Yourself” -Genie from Aladdin

Distributed to over 5,000 readers

i This issue contains information about being focused, living in your passion, and ways to make dreams come true. Start living in your passion today.

~ Start making your mark.

Our writers welcome you to experience ME! Newsletter. Write our staff, provide us with your stories, and tell us how you overcame adversity in being who you were intended to be by living in your purpose.

Melica Niccole, Editor-in-Chief Author of All in Together Girls, Poetic Outlets, My Poetic Soul Unleashed, and Dead Wrong

Follow Melica on: @MelicaNiccole (Twitter), Melica Niccole (Google+), Melica Niccole (Instagram)

Canada: My New Found Love Hello ME! Readers This past May, I had the opportunity to visit Montreal, Canada. I was one of the happiest girls in the world. It was all due to me recently submitting my passport application to leave the country and then actually leaving the country. It was the best, after birthday, present ever. I could not have asked for anything better. I am sure you are wondering what made it so great. You will definitely understand my gratitude in the next couple of pages as I explained what I did, where I went, and display the pictures to go with the words. Canada is definitely mon nouvel amour. ~The only thing you can do is be you; people will either love it or hate it.

Either way, you are being true to yourself.

So love yourself, appreciate what you have, and transform opinions -Melica Niccole

In This Issue Canada: My New Found Love

Suggested Twitter #FF

Fighting for Justice: A Look at the Past, Present, and Future Plessy vs. Fergnson, Brown Vs. of Education (Topeka Kansas)

Use Hashtag #20GreatFF to shout out the following people: @SuperheroSteel @MikeGeffner @JamesWHughes @NewYorkStakz @MaliykaisHealth

Vous Estes Sortis Du Secteur Americain

@AngryHouze @DaveAhdoot @OtterbeinUAdmit @MaryCGarner @ColumbusMuseum

@Book_Lover_Boy @Loyally_Shamona @StephenMcBride @ComiConverse @CMUniversity

@Christinnyc @Spruke @Wexarts @LotusOak @OhioState

Invisible Shackles Reparations The Best Poet of ME! Newsletter Motivational Videos Author Spotlight

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Fall 2014 Edition

ME! This portion of the newsletter is for the sole purpose of educating people about the disparities of certain populations where there seems to be injustices. The views of each article are the views of each individual author. In some of the cases below, you will see things that have been rectified to make changes for equality and in other cases things have yet to be changed. This edition is to help you identify the background information to protests and continuous outcries for help in certain situations. Feel to communicate with us via Twitter and Facebook using the hashtags: #FightingforJustice #TheNewJimCrow #MakingaCaseforReparations #MENewsletter #MelicaNiccole #TAyanNelson and #DevinWilliams.

Fighting for Justice: A Look at the Past, Present, and Future

By Melica Niccole, Supported Education and Employment Specialist There has definitely been inequality in justice given to some populations, as evidenced by the numerous protests, demonstrations, and actions by others. This inequality has sparked many sit-ins, marches, and other measures to call attention to an unjust system. Activists have been fighting for justice for quite some time now; these individuals including, but not limited to Fannie Lou Hamer, Susan B. Anthony, Joachim Prinz, Huey P Newton, Al Sharpton, and Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King. I know many of you are saying, “Huey P. Newton? But he was a racist.” I bet many of you did not know that Huey P. Newton was named after a Caucasian politician by the name of Huey Long. Many of you also probably did not know that Huey followed some of the teachings of A.J. Ayer who was a British philosopher. A lot of this information can be identified by reading his autobiography titled Revolutionary Suicide. When some individuals think about Huey, they see him as an African-American man who co-founded (Bobby Seale) the Black Panther Party for Self Defense, while bearing arms as the second amendment had given him the right to do. They also probably saw him as a young man who was on the FBI’s most wanted list. Huey was a very smart man who utilized the system to make it work for him; although some of his measures seemed extreme, he never believed in hurting others.

In looking at justice of the past, let’s look at Plessy vs. Fergunson, Brown vs. Board of Education, and Women’s right to vote. In the Plessy vs. Fergunson case, the court deemed the notion “Separate, but equal” ok as to separating the races in railroad transportation cars and requiring them to sit in different cars; “White car” and “Black car.” This meant that individuals were segregated in the railroad systems, school systems, and by other ways. Segregation among children in the school systems was evident by children attending schools either within their neighborhoods or outside of their neighborhoods, which were mostly the same race. These children rarely came into contact with individuals of different races, unless it was something their parents wanted them to experience. Brown vs. the Board of Education of Topeka Kansas found that the schools were “Separate, but not equal.” This case struck down the notion that all children were receiving the same type of education in the same type of facilities. All schools were to be desegregated, allowing individuals of different races to attend once predominantly one race institutions. This is where the busing system came into play and students were bused to schools outside of their neighbors. To give you a better understanding of the process of the desegregation process, let’s look at the group who were called “The Little Rock Nine.” The group was made up of nine African-American young men and women who attended a predominantly white high school after the schooling system was desegregated. Some of these individuals had to travel long distances to attend school, were beaten brutally, and tormented on a daily basis. Ernest Green, One of the individuals who a true story was based off of, was one of the individuals to stay at the school, continue to fight for race equality, and finally graduate as one of the school’s first AfricanAmericans to do so.

Still focusing on the past, we now look at Women’s right to vote. During this time, women were starting to stray away from the notion “Cult of True Womanhood”, which was “the idea that the only ‘true’ woman was a pious, submissive wife and mother concerned exclusively with home and family.” Women wanted more than just being housewives and homemakers. They wanted the option to choose for themselves instead of a lifestyle being chosen for them.

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Fall 2014 Edition

ME! In 1848, a group of abolitionist activists–mostly women, but some men–gathered in Seneca Falls, New York to discuss the problem of women’s rights. Most of the delegates agreed: American women were autonomous individuals who deserved their own political identities. “We hold these truths to be self-evident,” proclaimed the Declaration of Sentiments that the delegates produced, “that all men and women are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, which among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” What this meant, among other things, was that they believed women should have the right to vote.

Now looking at justice of the present, let’s look at Equal Pay, Modern Day Slavery, and Black Lives Matter. It is quite evident that inequality among gender, races, and religion still exists within society, making it hard for individuals to live an adequate lives. Take for instance the Equal Pay Act. The equal pay act is legislation that was put into effect in 1963 due to the variance in pay between men and women who had the same skill set and education. Men were being paid far more than women in positions with the same titles. These men generally had similar educational and work history backgrounds as the women who were being paid substantially lower than them. Although the act was put into place in 1963 and some may believe that it isn’t a current issue, the salaries of men and women still have to be evaluated for equality. Now let’s look at modern day slavery, which is known as “human trafficking.” Human trafficking deals with forcing individuals into bondage for labor or sexual purposes. Most of the time in human trafficking scenarios, the abductor will abduct a person, usually an underage individual, relocate them to a place or state that is unfamiliar, and then force them into bondage activities. This is a growing problem all around the world that should be discussed, identified, and eradicated. Lastly, we take a look at #BlackLivesMatter. This movement was created in 2012 after the murderer of Trayvon Martin was acquitted.

Since then, the media and certain individuals have been following other occurrences that have involved individuals who are considered to be fall into the category of being black. This information has displayed that blacks (Men, women, and children) have been slain at very alarming rates, which have included excessive force and illegal actions (Chokehold) that did not need to be used. Here’s something to leave you with: “Every 28 hours a black man, woman, or child is murdered by police or vigilante law enforcement.” Is that a just system or a cause worth helping to change? You be the judge. And know that you have the power to stand up for your rights and the rights of others.

(See more about race disparity in reading The New Jim Crow and Reparations on pg. 5, 6, 7, and 8).

“Long National Nightmare is Over”

By Melica Niccole (Click video below to play) Wishing David Letterman the best of success in his new journey. You will always be great in our eyes. The memory I leave here with in regards to you is attending the show last year. You talked with Alec Baldwin on your show about his run in with the law. It was too funny. You will truly be missed as a genuine host.

Are you a poet, author, or writer who is interested in becoming a guest writer for ME! Newsletter? You have definitely read the right newsletter. We are always accepting inquires and requests to be a guest writer for one or two of the next editions. All you have to do is follow @Hampton_Publish or @MelicaNiccole on Twitter and make sure both accounts are following you. Message either account by sending your name and email account. Please have material ready to submit to either account, which displays your writing skills and abilities. Please note that it is a voluntary writing assignment. If interested, either account will message you back about the details of the next edition. We have had a few guest authors who have written pieces that were included in one of the previous editions. Maybe your article will be the next.

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Fall 2014 Edition

ME! Vous Etes Sortis Du Secteur Americain

By Melica Niccole The sign to your left says it all. “Vous Etes Sortis Du Secteur Americain: You have left the american sector. That statement was definitely true for my experience in leaving the U.S.A and traveling to Canada in the middle of May. This experience was marked by leaving the country for the very first time, staying in a hostel, beating the pavement to check out street art and Chinatown, traveling between Longueil and Montreal, and having a grand old time in a place once foreign to me.

I stayed in Montreal for hostel was amazing. The facilities and things to do well put together. The very accomodating seeing

two nights at Hostel Montreal Central. The congierge were very helpful in regards to the in the city. The establishment was nice and very room was not quite as big as a regular hotel room, but that I did not need a lot of space.

After checking into my room, I beat the pavment to get some food and check out the world around me. I was in a visual state of ecstasy at all the beautiful art around me. The most memorable piece of art that caught my eye was the pictures of Frida Kahlo, Simone de Beauvoir, Maya Angelou, and Helen Keller on a building. Although my position in taking the picture would not allow me to capture all four women, I was still astonished at such beaty.

My trip continued to be very adveturous by going to The Queen Elizabeth Hotel, Catherdral Marie-Rein-DuMonde, and Chinatown. I was amazed and enlightened at the same time.

In not speaking a lot of french, I found this phrase very helpful: Vous Parlez Anglais?

Many of the french speaking individuals started speaking English almost immediately.

My trip was a very worthwhile experience. One thing I wish I would have done while in Canada was to buy and eat some cheese curbs, but hey, maybe next time. R\ight?

For all of those who have yet to leave the United States, I say to you, what are you waiting for? This experience has increased my want to travel outside of the U.S. again to places such as: Paris, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and other places around the world. There is so much to experience outside the borders of the U.S.

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Fall 2014 Edition

ME! Invisible Shackles

By Deven Williams, Employment Specialist

There are many injustices in the world, but this country seems to sweep them under the rug and stomp on them with their pride. We live in a society of people who are insensitive to the fact that there are racial trepidations that African-Americans are still going through from the past. An example of this is regarding how welfare is set out to assist single home families, but statistics show that: …the onset of welfare reform…the past two decades, a distinct trend of economic inequality has emerged creating an "underclass" in which Americans of colored skin predominate. These groups have also been scapegoated by politicians attempting to appeal to white voters during periods of high unemployment. A substantial percentage of African Americans still believe that significant discrimination continues.

What is keeping society stagnant from evolving is the naivety to racial issues that have been neglected, causing a premature birth defect in this muddled society. Starting from the earlier years of slavery that has caused a hazy cloud to hover over African-Americans. This cloud is filled with oppression, “…crime, drug addiction, family breakdown, unemployment, poor school performance, welfare dependency, and general decay in these communities…” These atrocities produced precipitation so substantial that it is causing African-Americans to drown in swamps of self-hatred from Machiavellian techniques used by former slave owners. This so-called caste system strategy has caused destruction that has trickled down from generation to generation to keep this population in invisible shackles. One of the shackles are the incarceration rates within African-Americans.

Nationwide, African-Americans represent 26% of juvenile arrests, 44% of youth who are detained, 46% of the youth who are judicially waived to criminal court, and 58% of the youth admitted to state prisons (Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice). These are very sad statistics among African- Americans. I question how America promotes liberty and freedom, but under their own very noses, there are many racial disparities that simply do not add up. I also ask where is the help from congress and the government to alleviate these numbers. It not only takes African-Americans speaking up by going to community meetings and voicing their opinions, but also by voting in major elections and smaller elections that can directly affect where they live, and making better lifestyle choices to extend their quality of life. African-American youth can be the change to shift the focus of society’s iris on the hidden issues of racial disparities.

Author Michelle Alexander of The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness marshals pages of statistics and legal citations to argue that the get-tough approach to crime that began in the Nixon administration and intensified with Ronald Reagan’s declaration of the war on drugs has devastated black America. Professor Alexander writes that nearly one-third of black men are likely to spend time in prison at some point, only to find themselves falling into permanent second-class citizenship after they get out. That is a familiar argument made by many critics of the criminal justice system, but Professor Alexander’s book goes further. It asserts that the crackdown was less a response to the actual explosion of violent crime than a deliberate effort to push back the gains of the civil rights movement. Many would say that we all have choices and I agree, but if choices within one race are less than of another race how can this be just?

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Fall 2014 Edition

ME! Isolation is the overall tool used in the government that is influencing high incarceration rates among AfricanAmericans. During the Jim Crow Law era, African-Americans were segregated from Caucasians through the method of a “separate but equal” doctrine. In 1892 there was an incident of a man by an African-American man Homer Plessy who refused to sit in a Jim Crow car of a train. He argued that his rights were violated, but the Court ruled that a state law that “implies merely a legal distinction” between whites and blacks did not conflict with the 13th and14th Amendments. These are some of the root causes of insecurities and self-hatred lingering from the foul stench of slave owners breathing down the backs of African-Americans, while torturing them mentally, that still reside within their subconscious minds. Today, African-Americans are carrying more weight, including the detriments starting from birth. While more than 92 percent of white, Latino, American-Indian and Asian and Pacific Islander babies are born at normal birth weight, that number for African-Americans only reaches into the high-80s. This is important because this delays some African-Americans from starting preKindergarten on time. Then they have to play the catch-up game, which produces low standardized testing scores and high school graduation rates. All of these concerns are linked with poverty stricken areas that they call home.

“The poverty rate for all persons masks considerable variation between racial/ethnic subgroups. Poverty rates for blacks…greatly exceed the national average. In 2010, 27.4 percent of blacks…were poor, compared to 9.9 percent of non-Hispanic whites and 12.1 percent of Asians.” Education is very prominent in a child’s development and can set the tone of how they maneuver throughout the rest of their life. Economic growth is an effective way to address the education problem that is effecting children in low income areas. Why might a more highly-educated work force increase economic growth? “A more educated labor force is more mobile and adaptable, can learn new tasks and new skills more easily, can use a wider range of technologies and sophisticated equipment (including newly emerging ones), and is more creative in thinking about how to improve the management of work.” It is not only funding for education that will fix the problem but also increasing salaries for teachers. As well as monitoring the quality of teaching of low income areas because there may be a need to teach in a different learning style, depending on how a group of students learn. Creating more jobs for teachers to come and additional educational employment opportunities will cause less burnout for the current teachers in the school system.

Research indicates that children from low-SES households and communities develop academic skills more slowly compared to children from higher SES groups (Morgan, Farkas, Hillemeier, & Maczuga, 2009). Initial academic skills are correlated with the home environment, where low literacy environments and chronic stress negatively affect a child’s preacademic skills. The school systems in low-SES communities are often underfunded, negatively affecting students’ academic progress (Aikens & Barbarin, 2008). Inadequate education and increased dropout rates affect children’s academic achievement, perpetuating the low-SES status of the community. Some possible solutions include having a job training program for low economic workers that teaches them how to budget their money, move out of low income areas, and provide assistance for continuing education. Budgeting money ties in with moving out of poverty stricken areas because environment plays a significant role in employment. If someone does not feel safe in their living environment it is hard for them to have flexible working hours for their job. Continuing education is crucial because “students who attend institutions of higher education obtain a wide range of personal, financial, and other lifelong benefits.” Alongside with education there should be “need-based grants over student loans and better coordinating private-sector scholarship aid -- for example, funds for federal Pell Grants should be at least double current levels.” With addressing these racial disparities there can be a change to improve America.

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Fall 2014 Edition

ME! Making a Case for Reparations

By T. Ayan Nelson, Employment Specialist Should the descendants of former African slaves in America receive reparations? This topic could quickly divide a room into two very separate sides. One side would question if it would be fair for a people to inherit their ancestor’s payment for forced labor. After all, black Americans alive today were not slaves and white Americans alive today were not slave owners. The other side would likely present evidence of how slavery and later Jim Crow Laws, stalled the advancement of an entire group of people and the effects of such are still felt today.

Almost every race of people have been slaves at some point in history. If reparations are paid to the descendants of African slaves should not the descendants of all slaves receive reparations? In discussing slavery, there are two forms of slavery. One is an indentured servitude where the number of years of servitude was agreed upon, but not always honored. The servant also received something for their labor, such as having the expenses of immigrating to America covered. The other form of slavery is one that is forced upon a person and their descendants, sometimes lasting for centuries. Those individuals did not receive anything for their labor. There is a clear difference and these two forms of slavery cannot be compared in the same way. One reason for paying reparations to all former slaves in history is not feasible is because the nations that enslaved them are no longer in power. An example of this includes the Helots whom were slaves o ancient Spartans around the year 400 BC. In addition, the descendants of those slaves are not currently experiencing discrimination by the nations that enslaved them like black Americans are today. Today, black Americans are profiled by police officers at higher rates than other races in spite of having committed no crime and it appears with varying evidence that if a crime is committed, blacks are receiving a harsher punishment than other races of the same crime. The stigma or view that slaves are inferior does not affect descendants of non-African slaves as it does the descendants of African slaves. One could assume that with all the injustice against black Americans within the judicial process that these individuals are still being treated unjust against in the court room, with financial institutions, at universities or with employers. Therefore, it is my position that the United States should make whole that which it has severed.

Black leaders in past generations fought so that all races would have equal rights. For example, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 specifically offered protection against tactics that were being used to intimidate and discourage Black Americans from voting. Without this protection implicit denial of a basic right afforded to every citizen of the US is possible. We can see many instances, post the civil rights era, where African Americans are treated differently than other Americans. In fact, there is a recent case that was settled In May of 2015 concerning reparations. Chicago, IL admitted to racially biased torture of innocent black men by officers of the law to coerce false confessions. These innocent men have been awarded reparations for the crimes against them. Unequal protection of the law is a part of Black Americans not so distant past that we must continue to fight in this generation and the ones to come.

I would propose that Black Americans unite and form a treaty with the United States government. As a form of reparations, the US could allow Black Americans an opportunity to leverage their capital and form their own communities like other nations have within the US, such as the Jewish Community. There should be at least one community operated by Black Americans within each state in the US. It could be modeled after Greenwood in Tulsa Oklahoma, which was known as the Black Wall Street. As part of such a treaty, Black Americans would not pay any taxes to the US government for a period of at least 364 years which is one year for every year of slavery. Black people should make every effort to spend money where it will benefit their community. Currently, a dollar earned by an African American leaves the black community almost immediately compared to a dollar that is earned by a Jewish American, Hampton Publishing House, LLC Š 2014 Visit us at HamptonPublishingHouse.com

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Fall 2014 Edition

ME! which circulates from 12 to 18 times between other Jewish Americans before it leaves their community.

This is not a plea for a separation of races. The community that I envision does not discriminate against the color of a person's skin. In addition, African Americans that do not wish to join the new black community should continue to fight for and be protected under civil rights laws. This opinion piece is not a proposal to the Government of the United States.

It is intended to cause discussion and further development of a plan between black Americans and the current rule makers of our homeland.

My Creations Melica Niccole

Thankful and very grateful to all of my supporters. Muah!

Thankful for being able to write 10 books between 2010 – 2015. I am grateful for the numerous people who have supported my efforts by attending book signings, buying books, liking my posts, and by just being a positive support agent.

It is individuals like you who I write for. All of the books to your left are books I have written. You will find a bit of everything here, such as friendships, working with people with disabilities, poetry, romance, thrillers, children books, and quotes. You can say I have written things for every type of person, no matter what they are going through. Children can enjoy this material, as well as collegiate students, working professions, thought invoked individuals, poetic beings, and those who like a little drama with a whole lot of thriller. Feel free to get your copies of my 9 books at Amazon.com.

My 10th book was submitted to Columbus Creative Cooperative for the “Best of Ohio Short Stories” to possibly be included in the anthology. Let’s pray that my book is chosen. #Amazon #Kindle# #Poetry #Quotes #childrensbook #domesticviolence #Sorority #sisterhoods #Friendships #Disabilities

Follow Us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and all other Social Media outlets.

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Fall 2014 Edition

ME! A Little Taste of New York

By Melica Niccole

On May 24, 2015, I had the opportunity to travel to New York via train. I took two trains and ended up at Madison Square Garden. This trip was to embark upon New York Tours (Free Tours by Foot). This was an amazing tour. Our tour guide, Onel Alfaro, was very helpful in talking about New York’s long history, the transformation of Brant Park, building structures, Jackie Onassis’s pursuit to preserve Grand Central Station, and other needed to know information. Some of the places we visited have been in movies, TV shows, or inspired these things. We visited Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Villard Houses, Grand Central Station, Bryant Park, New York Public Library, and other attractions around the city. For more information and hyperlinks to the above information, Please visit the link provided below.

Pictures above taken in Times Square, Rockefellar Center, Villard Houses, and Waldorf Astoria Hotel. View more at pictures www.https://MelicaNiccolesRealmofCreativity.blogspot.com

Jersey Shore

By Melica Niccole Jersey Shore fans, this past weekend, I had the opportunity to visit Seaside Heights. Seaside Heights is South Jersey where the T.V. Show Jersey Shore took place. In visiting the area, I knew just where I wanted to go; Shore Store. The Shore Store is where the individuals in the show (Snooki, Jwoww, Vinny, Pauli, Mike, Ronnie, Sammi, and Deena) worked. I had the opportunity to meet the store owner, buy and shirt, and take a picture with the owner. I would definitely recommend visiting the store, buying a shirt, and taking a picture with the owner if you are in the area.

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Fall 2014 Edition

ME! Best Poet of ME! Newsletter In the middle of July, we held a contest for the Best Poet of ME! Newsletter. This was an opportunity for poets to send in their best poem with hopes of being chosen as the winner. There were a few individuals who entered the contest. In choosing the best poem, the following was considered: Content, relatability of the material, and poem coincided with material that was featured in ME! Newsletter. With that being said, it was a hard decision to make from all the individuals who submitted their work to be reviewed. There were great poems that “Birthed nations and brought light” and carried a “Canoe full of emotions to and fro.” These poets were definitely on to something, but there could only be one winner in being a competition. The poet who will retain Best Poet of ME! Newsletter for one year is Mr. Riza 716. Feel free to tweet Mr. Riza 716, add him as a friend, and ask him which poem won him the title. Read below his original poem titled “Single Mother.”

Single Mother I see her often ....struggling all alone.

A diaper bag, pocketbook and the baby.

The look of distress on her face as she pushes the stroller home.

She raises her child all by herself.

Her pockets are not overflowing ....which means she's lacking wealth.

She shuffles off to work each day.

She's wondering when they will increase the dollars in her pay.

Single mom to some, Superwoman to her kids.....no regrets, it is what it is.

How I admire her strength and drive.

She's strong during the day, but at night she cries.

This is not the way it was supposed to be.

My child should be seeing double not just me.

Her mind is steady racing, but this is not a race.

The thought started here and now it's in a different place.

The sacrifices and staying up late when her child is sick.

She's snapping pictures at Christmas time as her daughter opens presents left by jolly ole Saint Nick.

She's thankful for this precious jewel that she must shape and shine.

Smiling as she puts her child to bed, because she has to be at work by nine.

There's always something to be done, so there's not much time to sit.

This is a full time job and one which she can't quit.

The cooking, the cleaning and washing clothes, she's looking for some tissues so she can wipe a runny nose.

She thinks she's a single mom, but that's not entirely true.

The Lord is guiding and assisting ....pulling her through.

Keep your head up and don't let anyone or anything bring you down.

A queen's crown belongs on her head.....not upon the ground.

A dedication to the single mother's

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Fall 2014 Edition

ME! Motivational Videos Oprah https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=746tHz3YPKI Inspiring Words From Oprah Winfrey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t6wzFNDV9k The Secret https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfYKx8rwYrY Inspiring Speech

Live your life with passion (Click video to play)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAzVQ11Yp14 The Power of Ego

Denzel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfSLm7swfp4 Celebrities talk “The Law of Attraction” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egqvO6BM-78 Fall Forward What Do You Want To Be Remembered For? (Click video to play)

Motivation Videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiWBsvN1FNM Dream Big by Lisa Nichols https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufoYLjK6WrI Common & Joh Legend’s Speech https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UqWXw8WmSo How to Change Mindset by Les Brown Above the Covers- Overcoming Fear (Click video to play)

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Fall 2014 Edition

ME!

Harlem Book Fair

Baltimore Book Festival

Friday, July 17, 2015

Friday, September 25 - Sunday, 27, 2015

Brooklyn Book Festival

Collingswood Book Festival

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Positivity’s Corner Being positive does not only deal with you being positive about your accomplishments and dreams. It also means being positive about someone else’s accomplishments and dreams. We as a people should support each other in a way in which shows love, affection, and like for each other. When we stop respecting each other and being nice, the environment turns negative and unbearable. This is the type of environment that people throw each other under the bus, dislike each other, talk about each other behind their backs, and do whatever they can to make people miserable. I for one am all for supporting each other, being nice, and helping people excel. So I say leave them crabs in the barrel all by themselves and get yourself out of the rat race of pulling others down. Start uplifting others to be more than they were yesterday.

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Author Spotlight Don Miguel Ruiz is “born into a humble family with ancient traditions in rural Mexico, the youngest of 13 children. He considers himself very lucky, as this was where he learned from an early age that everything is possible, if we really want it.” His books have been labeled as musthave books for enlightened individuals who wish to evolve and transform their current thought process of self- mastery .

Get his book on amazon today at The Fifth Agreement: A Practical Guide to Self-Mastery

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Fall 2014 Edition