March/April 2016 issue

Sista’s Keeper

I AM my Sista’s Keeper

March/April 2016 Vol. 4, Issue 4

Social

Change Issue

Spotlight: Asia McLean Youth Empowerment Award

Girls For A Change Marley Dias #1000BlackGirlBooks

Plus: Social Change & Happiness What Social Change is Be A Social Change Agent How To Make Social Change

Yara Shahidi

Black-ish star wants to be your role model

In This Issue

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Sista’s Keeper Library Marley Dias Collects #1000BlackGirlBooks

A Haircare Conversation 14

28

32

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Spotlight: Asia McLean

Self-Esteem & Social Change The easiest way to make social change is making a change within yourself, starting with self-esteem

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Girls For A Change

This organization inspires girls to have the voice and realize their full potential.

College Prep Timeline

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On The Cover Photos courtesy of: Black-ish season 2 Actress Yara Shahidi is a rising star who is not afraid to use her voice to inspire others and make a change.

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Promotions/Giveaways “Like” us on Facebook & follow us on Twitter for more info!

You could win a “I AM my Sista’s Keeper” wristband!!!!!

Enter to win by answering the following question: What is the name of Yara Shahid’s character on Black-ish?

“Like” our Facebook page & tweet us (@SistasKeeperMag) your answer in a complete sentance to enter the giveaway. Use the hashtag: #SKGIVEAWAY

Connect With Sista’s Keeper TODAY!!!!!

“Like” our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/SistasKeeperMagazine Follow us on Twitter: @SistasKeeperMag http://www.twitter.com/SistasKeeperMag If you are on Pinterest, follow our page: http://www.pinterest.com/sistaskeepermag Follow us on Instagram: @SistasKeeperMag for photos, inspirational quotes, and MORE!!!!!

Follow us on Tumblr: http://sistaskeepermag.tumblr.com 4

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March/April 2016

Sista’s Keeper Vol. 4, Issue 3 Owner/Founding Editor/Publisher LaPorsha Lowry Managing Editor Erik Veal Editorial Assistants Taylor Means Ajia Caldwell Programs/Events Assistant Day’Quan Crawford Contributing Editors Tanisha Fordham Alexis Knight Yani Long Ife Presswood Patrice Rivers De’Shauna Selby Jamiya Turns Special Thanks Herb & Felicia Gray Cheryl Richardson Randi Blakeney Brandy Boyce Fox Kelly Leonardt-Phoenix Thelma Sanders Stacie Bailey Ashley Reid Chukwuemeka Anazia Brittany Salter Jesse Lowry Trumaine McCaskill Evan Summerville Greg E. Hill Daniel Lee Lowry Dottie Benjamin Terri Long Darie Wilson Antionette Cody

I AM my Sista’s Keeper

In Every Issue

Health

Promotions & Giveaways

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4

Beauty 10 “Spring In Your Step” Hair 13 14 16 18 22

Beauty Warm Up Your Nails Beauty A Haircare Conversation Entertainment

Sista’s Keeper Library: Book Features

Fashion

Furaha

Social Change & Happiness Jando

What Social Change Is

24 25

Become A Social Change 26

Maua

How To Make Social Change 27

Ndege

“In Bloom” for Spring

Relationships

Spring Clean Your Relationships

Black Women In History Daisy Bates 46

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Calendar March/ April

2016

What’s going on and what to do this month

The Stephanie R. McCullough Book Scholarship will be rewarded to a high school senior that will be attending a Historically-Black College or University (HBCU).

This student must be a resident of Mecklenburg County and attending a high school within Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS).

In 2001, Ms. McCullough lost her battle to lung cancer and left behind a wonderful legacy. In her honor, we would like to continue her legacy by rewarding a student with a $500 Book Scholarship for the fall semester centered on leadership and education. For more information or to apply, visit: http://www.bigdreamzinc.com/ scholarship.htm

Eligibility Criteria • Graduating senior attending a high school in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) • Must be attending an HBCU/College (must provide Letter of school selected to attend) • GPA 2.5 or higher • Provide 3 letters of recommendation (One from a teacher ) • Submit a 350-word essay on “I Am the Dream” (Describe what challenges you have had to face and how you over came the challenges to work towards making your dreams become reality) or "I am a Leader" (Describe what you have done in the community or school that makes you a leader) • Show a financial need • Provide high school transcript

Applications are due by April 15, 2016

For more March & April events & updates, please visit our website: www.sistaskeepermagazine.com If your black teen girl organization is having an event that you want to be featured in Sista’s Keeper Magazine, please email us the information so that it may be featured in the Calendar of an upcoming issue: 6

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events@sistaskeepermagazine.com

March/April 2016

Be The CHANGE That You Want To See

Editor’s Letter

Hsomething in your community that is not ’ey sistas! Social change is identifying

fair & developing a process to address the cause of this issue in hopes of bringing more justice and equity to the situation.

To me, this concept is very important in leadership because you take a stand to change something that needs to be changed. When I started this magazine, I saw the need for a publication where black teen girls can see themselves represented.

Yara Shahidi (pg. 26) is a social change superstar because she lives and breathes to make the world better. She uses her platform as an actress to empower young people & she is a great role model.

Asia McLean (pg. 9) had the courage to try out for the male-dominated position of drum major at her high school and brought social change to her school by showing that girls can lead the band too.

Marley Dias (pg. 16) saw the need for more books that had characters that looked like her.

She collected over 1,000 books for girls like her to read and see themselves.

In this month’s sections, you will learn how what social change is, how to become a social change agent and go out and make the changes that you want to see in your school and community.

any questions about the magazine, email me at: laporsha@sistaskeepermagazine.com or visit our website: www.sistaskeepermagazine.com Remember the purpose of Sista’s Keeper: to build you up as young women so you can be comfortable enough in yourself to help your sisters, cousins, friends, etc. I hope that you enjoy this issue and remember: “I AM my Sista’s Keeper”

As always, if you want to contact me of have

Tell us what you think!

Join the conversation... #SistasKeeper

Owner/Founding Editor/Publisher

March/April 2016

@SistasKeeperMag

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Subscribe to Sista’s Keeper!!!!!

6 issues per year for only $18!!!!!

Receive a “I AM my Sista’s Keeper” wristband with your subscription

Go to the Subscribe page of our website: www.sistaskeepermagazine.weebly.com

Asia McLean Wins Pride Youth Empowerment Award

Spotlight

High school senior awarded for service and leadership in her community.

Asia McLean, the 17-year-old senior at Philip O. Berry Academy in Charlotte, NC, is the recipient of the Pride Awards 2016 Youth Empowerment Award.

She saw the need for leaders at her school so she stepped up. Also, she was brave enough to pursue leadership roles that are usually done by boys.

Sista’s Keeper: What inspired you to become a leader in your school and community?

Asia McLean: I saw a need for leaders in Charlotte, my school and community because once people start seeing us leading then they will rise up to help.

SK: What activities are you involved in?

AM: I am a student ambassador who represents the school and answers questions that the students may have about the school.

I am also the Executive Vice-President of the student council, the head drum major for the marching band, FBLA president, public relations director for the speech and debate club.

SK: What is it like being a female drum major in a male-dominated position?

AM: Initially, it was tough because I was just a sophomore when I became a drum major which is typically senior position.

That sparked my interest in being a leader because I thought a girl should be able to do

the same things as a boy.

SK: Have you been accepted into any colleges yet?

AM: I have been accepted to Hampton University and been awarded a scholarship.

I want to major in biochemistry and further cancer research in my career.

SK: What is your definition of being your “sista’s keeper”?

AM: My definition is being there when my sister needs me and vice versa. It also means making our relationship stronger so that we can all be leaders.

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Put A “Spring” In Your

Beauty

By: Ife Michelle With the recent unpredictability of the weather recently, most of us are heavily anticipating the official arrival of spring and are beyond ready to say goodbye to winter.

Yet, this glorious transition also means it is time to transition your hair from those dark winter colors and protective styles to something fun and lively!

What better way to do that than with bouncy curlsand edgy pin-ups; here are a few styles certain to put a ‘spring in your step’, a smile on yourface, and of course earn you a compliment or two!

earn you a compliment or two!

The Vintage Pompadour Super easy to achieve with room to play, the pompadour is a style that has never gone out of style! Using a banana clip, place hair desired for pompadour in clip.

Roll and pin hair around the banana clip and you’re done! Whether you rock it on your crown with curls in the back orcreate a full-head look, you’ll be sure to turn heads!

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Step With Your Hair

Beauty

The Pineapple Using flexi rods, perm rods, or bantu knots, you can rock this fun look.

Once you have curled your hair, french roll, cornrow, or two strand twist your hair towards the front.

Stop the braids where you want you curlyband/puff to start, pin it and you’re ready to go!

As an alternative you can use a wide tooth comb and comb the curls inthe back upward to desired place for bang and wrap a piece of clotharound it.

Tie it in the front and you have achieved the “pineapple”!

Perm Rods Sometimes you just want to keep it simple. For a quick curl set that is guaranteed to last you a few days and is simply beautiful, use perm rods and gel, section hair into small parts (each part will be a curl) start at the tip of the section and wrap your hair around the rod until it reaches theroot.

Close the rod and let dry overnight. In the morning, use a little oilto unravel the curls and separate to achieve fullness. Simple. CURLY. Cute.

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What’s On The Website?

Visit our website for photos, videos, events & MORE!!!!!

Extra content available ONLY online...

Coming in April • Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month • American Heart Month • & MORE!!!!!

www.sistaskeepermagazine.com

Warm Up Your Nails For Spring

Beauty

Check out the latest Spring 2016 collection from

High Class Affair A little scandalous, a lot of luxe. Nothing takes your look to the next level like this amorous blush nude. $8.50

Shades On Super chic but totally laid-back, this mysterious deep violet lets you check out the scene in covert style. $8.50

Pool Side Service

Queen for a day?

How about forever?

This refreshing cerulean blue is at your beck and call. $8.50

Lounge Lover It’s destiny. You and this pretty pink peach are simply meant to be. Hurray for happy endings! $8.50

Off Tropic Conversations may wander, but never the eyes. This lush grove green keeps the focus right where it belongs: on you. $8.50

Sunshine State Of Mind

No matter where you are, it’s always beautiful in the sun-kissed world of this blazing coral tangelo. $8.50

For more information on this collection, visit: http://www.essie.com/Latest-Collections.aspx March/April 2016

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A Hair Care Conversation Learn how to make haircare fun & take care of your crown like the princess that you are

By: Jessica Lovelace HeatFree Hair Blog Hair care is a task that consumes your weekends, shopping lists and sleep routines.

Natural hair care is the diverse duty you have assigned to yourself. While it can often be tiring, it is also empowering. It feels good.

However, the level of responsibility is higher for children and teens. When you are active in school and extracurricular activities, do you stop to moisturize your hair first? Doubt it!

Nevertheless, natural hair care is something that all young girls should be mindful of, as it not only teaches you about your hair, but also self-love.

So here are a few quick tips on loving your hair and hair care.

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Caring for your hair is the same as caring for yourself. The girl that you look at in the mirror is a princess. Her hair is her crown.

A princess wouldn’t let her crown get dirty, broken or damaged. So, why would you? Care for your crown princess; let the world see it shine.

Proper hair care doesn’t have to be a chore; make it an event. Listen to music, make a dance, or whatever you need to do to get engaged in the task. If you’re not into it, you won’t keep it up.

Watch how older women who you look up to take care of their hair. See how much they care for their hair and get little tips and tricks along the way.

Research the best products for your hair. Not all products work the same. Fortunately, many hair care companies have child hair care lines.

But, if you’re not able to buy products, get in the kitchen with your mother and start creating some magic potions.

Get creative. Give the potions cute and funny names with elaborate labels that you create together.

In the end, even if your hair doesn’t respond to the marshmallow root, lavender and rosemary oil, and coconut milk detangler, you’ll remember the night you spent making magic potions with mommy.

Know your limits. You are probably more interested in other things. If hair care is a difficult experience that never ends, you will hate caring for it.

March/April 2016

Cosmetics

Clothes Shoes

E S I T !

R ! !

E ! !

V E D A ER H

Nails

Accessories

Music

Hair

Movies

Food/Drink & MORE!!!!

To advertise, contact us: advertise@sistaskeepermagazine.com

Sista’s Keeper Library

Marley Dias Collects 1,000 Black Girl Books

Entertainment

11-year old New Jersey middle schooler starts book drive and exceeds her goal Marley Dias’ story is similar to that of Sista’s Keeper Magazine’s owner. She loves to read books but didn’t see herself in what she was reading just like our owner didn’t see herself in the magazines she read.

To fix this, she began a book drive to collect books with black female characters called #1000BlackGirlBooks, in which she collected over 1,000 books.

“I told my mother that I was sick of reading about white boys and dogs,” Dias says.

“I became frustrated when my teacher kept assigning books with characters I couldn’t relate to, so I decided to do something about it.”

Whar she did was start a specific book drive, where black girls are the main characters in the book and not background characters or minor characters.

She set a deadline of February 1st but

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exceeded that when she began to receive national media attention. She was featured on Ellen, where she was given $10,000 to help with her efforts.

“I hoped to show that other girls can do this as well,” Marley says. “I used the resources I was given, and I want people to pass that down and use the things they’re given to create more social action projects, and do it just for fun, and not make it feel like a chore.”

The Thomas A. Edison Middle School student will catalog the donated books and transport some of them to Saint Mary Parish, Jamaica, her mother’s hometown and the rest will be given to New Jersey’s St. Cloud Elementary School, where Marley first began noticing a lack in diverse children’s literature.

She and her mother are also trying to start a small library in Philadelphia.

For more information and to access the#1000BlackGirlBooks resource guide, visit http://grassrootscommunityfoundation.org/

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Book Feature Welcome to Womanhood: A Pre-Teen Survival Guide Have you ever thought about the fears of growing up Are things starting to look a little different. Do you ever find yourself questioning how you look? No worries! Its all a part of the process of growing up and becoming a young woman.

“Welcome To Womanhood: A Pre-Teen Survival Guide”, is a girlfriends guide to surviving those awkward adolescent changes and hormonal distresses.

Written from a big sister’s standpoint, Dr. Ciara explains the importance of having morals and values in the 21st Century, and incorporating them into your process of blossoming into a beautiful lady.

Topics addressed in this book include: gossiping, bullying, manners, respecting authorities, hygiene, self-esteem, and many more.

Book Feature 6th Grade Middle School Chronicles

In middle school, friends are separated, hearts get crushed, and the noises never end.

Balancing Essynce Couture (my business) and schoolwork...huh?

Middle school: when you’re in school you do a lot more than learn math, science, and things in that such. You learn some secrets that are just too juicy to hold, but can your “friends” manage to keep your secrets too?

Also, can your teachers handle the class?

Introducing the true story of my 6th grade year!!!

XOXO, Essynce

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Styles That Are ‘In

By: Alexis Knight Fashion

Go one step further to the warm weather by springing into action, get it? Spring! With the spring time comes a lot of changes in the weather from rain, snow, or pure sunshine! Take your style to the next level by adding some spice to you life! Do not be afraid to add some neon colors, a few stripes and florals, and some flashy accessories to help bring out the bold and beautiful you! Enjoy Ladies!

<- Spring time = JEAN time!

Just a TOUCH of Pink -> 18

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Bloom’ For Spring

Fashion

<- “Bee” Fashionable This Spring

Flower Power ->

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American Red

Health

March is Red Cross Month and you can get involved with Every eight minutes, the American Red Cross brings help and hope to people in need, thanks to heroes such as volunteers.

Whether you donate funds, donate blood or volunteer, we depend on support to make a difference in communities across the country.

Each year, the president of the United States proclaims March "Red Cross Month.â&#x20AC;? We use this month as a chance to honor and celebrate the everyday heroes who help us fulfill our mission. This March, we encourage you to uncover your inner hero. Choose one or more of the options below. Be a hero today!

Get Involved

Donate Impact lives & donate now. $10.00 is the minimum online donation. All donations are tax deductible. https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation

Volunteer in Your Community There are many ways you can volunteer with us in your local community. Search now for opportunities to volunteer - we are always looking for people with various backgrounds, talents, and skill levels.

Learn More Explore our volunteer orientation guides and films, and learn more about the important role volunteers play in the fulfilment of the Red Cross mission.

Give Blood

Blood Drive Volunteer

1. Complete your pre-reading and donation questions online with RapidPass

Support local blood drives by providing your time and smile to greet, register and provide refreshments to blood donors.

2. Find out if you are eligible and learn more about the donation process.

Be an Advocate

3. Host a blood drive and serve a vital role in your community. Make sure your blood drive is a success.

Help us to support the Red Cross cause using social media. Read and share stories with the thousands of people whose lives have intersected with the Red Cross.

Become a Board Member Board members share their invaluable talents and resources with the Red Cross.

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Cross Month

Health

helping people in need

Take A Class At the American Red Cross, training people how to respond to and prepare for emergencies is our core mission.

We offer a range of health and safety classes that teach you new skills, keep you knowledgeable, confident and ready to respond in almost any emergency situation.

With courses to cover all key areas of training, available online and in classrooms across the country, Red Cross classes deliver the training you seek, when, where and how you need it.

• First Aid • CPR • AED • BLS • Babysitting & Child Care • Swimming & Water Safety • Lifeguarding • EMT • Certified Nurse Assistant Training • Participant's Materials

http://www.redcross.org/ux/take-a-class

For more information on the American Red Cross or to get involved, visit: http://www.redcross.org/mo2a

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Relationships

Give Your Relationships The new season is here and we need to spring clean

Friendships

Instead, try being more open and honest about your feelings with friends this spring. Speak up if they hurt you.

Communicate Better Friends can be awesome, but they can also be a pain in the you know what. A lot of times, when a friend annoys or upsets us, we just ignore it.

However, it will only make you harbor resentment in the long-term.

Make Friends A Bigger Priority We tend to take our friends for granted when life gets hectic. Even though we're all guilty of it, taking each other for granted is definitely not something you want to make a habit of.

This spring, try to make your friends more of a priority in your life and it will strengthen the quality of those bonds.

Clean Out The Friendship Closet Closely consider the quality of your friendships this spring. A lot of women tend to stick with toxic friendships for fear of being alone or simply out of habit, and that's just plain unhealthy.

This spring, think about the friends that are really there for you and the ones who might just be using you for their own ends.

Self Cleaning To-Do List • Clean out the anger, hatred, jealousy, and self doubt • Move out the frustrations, and lack of communication • Wash away delay and procrastination • Dust off your attitude, and put on a fresh coat of positive • Throw out misunderstanding, and lack of patience • Sweep out the dirt of gossip or lies • Recycle old relationships, roles, and routines

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that no longer work into a new, useable form • Open the shades and let in the warmth of friendship • Lighten up your thoughts with humor and fun • Give away as much love, help, care, concern, and gratitude as possible • Paint in new boundaries, and stencil some raised standards • Open the windows of your mind to new ideas and a fresh perspective on living a happier, better, easier life

March/April 2016

A Spring Cleaning

Relationships

our relationships just as much as we do our homes.

Dating Maintaining strong relationships can be hard since people are always growing and changing. That is why it is important to work on the relationships in your life.

Just like you clean your house in the spring to clear away the excess clutter, Spring Cleaning can help tidy up your relationships.

Spring cleaning your relationship doesn't just apply to your love life. All of your relationships, including those with friends and family, need to be continuously worked on.

Become honest and aware of your own feelings.

Sometimes it can be easy to feel jealous or insecure, which causes you to act mean to those around you.

If you are motivated by pain instead of love, the end results of the relationship will show it.

We tend to hold on to things that upset us that they other person had no idea was a problem. You can try making a list of all of the positive attributes a person has and focus on those instead.

You can still try to communicate some of the things that you feel should not happen in your relationship, but in a respectful way.

If your friend calls you a name, just explain to them why it hurts your feelings.

Talking to the people in your life is very important.

If you have a problem with someone, it is important to discuss it with them instead of keeping quiet.

Not saying anything when you're upset can lead to the breakup of relationships. Set or reestablish ground rules. If your sister is constantly talking about your lack of a love life, don't get defensive.

Instead you can explain how it makes you feel and agree move on to a different topic.

As long as you communicate without hostile or accusation, your point can come across without causing additional anger or blame.

Accentuate the positive. It's important to talk about what you want or like. Your attitude towards a situation or behavior can change the outcome.

Try to avoid throwing blame or accusations at them as well. One of the most important things to remember is that you can't control other people, but you can control the way you respond to them.

If you talk about what you would like to see more of in a relationship, it has a better chance of appearing than if you constantly talk about what is wrong.

You can help out a relationship by changing things like your routines.

Doing the same things can cause you to feel like you are stuck in a rut.

If you and your best friend always go to the mall every weekend, Try something different. Go on an adventure you wouldn’t normally do like go horseback riding or take martial arts lessons or if you drive, take a road trip to a nearby city you’ve never visited.

Making sure to accommodate others enhances a relationship. After all, there is more than just one person envolved.

Compromising is hard to do sometimes, but it is key to any working relationship. Often we get so caught up in our own favorite pastimes and hobbies, we can forget others have different ideas of what is fun.

Instead of yelling at your boyfriend for constantly watching sports and not hanging out with you, try sitting down to watch a game with him and then find something you like on television to watch together.

Relationships have to constantly be worked on in order to stay healthy.

Sometimes relationships can run their course, but if you feel a friend, parter or family member is worth keeping in your life, you have to invest time into making sure the relationship stays strong.

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Furaha

Social Change & Happiness

Small things can cause big positive changes, so choose an action from Action For Happiness and make it happen.

1. Take the Action for Happiness pledge 2. Do kind things for others 3. Create a local social action group 4. Thank the people you're grateful to 5. Find three good things each day 6. Look for the good in those around you 7. Bring mindfulness into your day 8. Find your strengths and focus on using them 9. Get help if you're struggling 10. Help your peers build emotional resilience 11. Volunteer your time, energy and skills 12. Try something new or different 13. Help out a friend in need 14. Make something happen for a good cause 15. Set your goals and make them happen 16. Make sure you get enough sleep 17. Be curious and get inspired 18. Learn how to pray/meditate 19. Know your thoughts, choose your actions 20. Figure out your true purpose

have gone well 25. Build a relationship with God 26. Get rid of negative thinking 27. Get completely focused on something 28. Figure out what's important to you 29. Be positive but stay realistic 30. Write down your dreams for the future 31. Get happiness on the agenda at your school 32. Be positive 33. Go outside and enjoy nature 34. Unplug & take a break from technology 35. Do your part to help the environment 36. Find a way to make exercise fun 37. Have a plan for the tough times 38. Enhance your relationship with your parents, siblings, friends & peers 39. Make time for fun with family & friends 40. Create a happier environment at school

21. Really listen to what people are saying 22. Understand each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs 23. Get to know your peers better 24. Ask others about the things that 24

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Action for Happiness Pledge "I will try to create more happiness and less unhappiness in the world around me"

What Social Change Is

Jando

Social change is identifying something in your community that is not fair, just, or humane and developing a process to address the cause of this issue in hopes of bringing more justice and equity to the situation.

Social change is more than community service; it is about digging deeper and finding out how you can fix something at the root, not just on the surface.

For example, you could start by volunteering at a homeless shelter.

In order to create something with lasting effect, you need to understand WHY people are homeless.

When you participate in the project at the shelter, find out more from the staff

and clients about why people do not have housing.

By understanding this, you can decide on a root problem to tackle.

Homelessness may be the result of high rents, eviction laws, a lack of jobs, substance abuse or poverty.

A social change project that could result from your learning about homelessness may be: A letter-writing campaign to local politicians to change housing laws.

You could write letters in partnership with residents of the shelter or have a rally for affordable housing projects in your community.

The core value of progressive social change is: change not charity.

Social change (n.) - 1. The structural transformation of political, social, and economic systems and institutions to create a more equitable and just society.

2. Proponents target the underlying causes of critical social problems such as homelessness, discrimination, and poverty.

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Maua

Become A Social Change Agent

Now that you know what social change is, here is how you can get involved Find More Resources Social change is a process; it means shifting attitudes, values, and actions to address social There are lots of resources available to problems positively. you from the library, online, from adults and Creating a vision can inspire positive experts who already do what you are trying to action. Being a leader of social change can do. help gain experience and confidence and develop leadership and skills to broaden future Take A Stand opportunities.

Know Your Power Your voice is valuable and influential.

You can reach your peers with impactful information and insight.

Engage Peers & Build A Network Involve your friends, collaborate with them and ask for help. Also, influence & inspire others to get involved and be a positive role model to them.

Partner With Supportive Adults Build relationship with adults that you can trust from your family, community, school church, etc.

Connect With The Community Use the resources that you have and find people who are already working to make social change.

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Make your voice and views heard by posting them on social media and starting the conversation. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be afraid to challege whatever oppression that you want to change.

Use Your Creativity Get to know your strengths and combine them with your interests to educate and inspoire others.

Take One Step At a Time Start small with whatever you want to do. Get your steps in order and learn from challenges and the mistakes you make.

How To Make Social Change

Ndege

Now that you know what social change is, here is how you can get involved

Share Information With Friends

Make A List of Your Skills Think of things that you can do before you start & use your skills as tools: _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________

Practice Communication Make sure you feel comfortable with public speaking and conversation. Have confi dence, be natural and refl ect your voice

Start with these questions to engage others in discussion: • What is something that upsets you?

• What do you wish that you could change?

Get Support From Adults Reach out for advice from people who have experience and ask for their involvement.

Find Resources in Your Community Engage others in discussion

Do Something!

Get involved with one of the largest global orgs for young people and social change by volunteering with campaigns that impact every cause. Select a topic that you are passionate about, how much time you have and what you want to do to help:

www.dosomething.org/us March/April 2016

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You

GO

Yara!!!!!

Actress and social activist Yara Shahidi is the 16-year-old star of the ABC hit show Black-ish who is using her platform to inspire young women to excel.

W

hen you tune into Black-ish, you see Zoey, played

by Shahidi, who is the popular girl. The actress is a great role model as well, encouraging girls and setting an example.

“My goal in life is to contribute in some way,” she says. “It’s a part of my duty as an actress to choose roles that I am proud of and that mean something.”

Shahidi believes that striving for excellence does not mean being perfect. “Even though we should aspire to achieve what we want to do, it’s OK to not be perfect.”

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Black-ish & Proud Shahidi is one of the stars of the hit ABC show about an upper-middle class family who have a great life in the suburbs but there’s a trade-off because the father thinks his kids are missing our black culture.

“My character, Zoey, has a big personality, is smart and popular. She’s always on her phone and her dad always tries to get her off the phone to interact with the family.

However, when she is off her phone, she’s the

life of the party.”

Being Culturally Diverse

Shahidi grew up around two different cultures (her mother is African-American and her father is Persian) and she says that it’s a good blend.

“It adds variety and diversity to my life because I can discover great things about the world and both cultures. I’m able to go back and forth between them.”

Can You Speak Farsi?

Shahidi is familar with her father’s native language of Farsi (from Persia).

“I used to be fluent in it because it was one of my first languages. I’ve lost it a little bit but I still understand it.”

Working with BIG Stars Shahidi has worked with some BIG Hollywood stars, such as Eddie Murphy, Samuel L. Jackson, and Tyler Perry.

“It was fun getting to work with legends like Eddie Murphy and developing a relationship with them. After you stop being star-struck, you’re able to get to work and develop a connection with them.”

“

Even though we should aspire to achieve what we want to do, it’s OK to not be perfect right now and to not be perfect ever.”

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She has also worked with one of her favorite actresses, Kerry Washington when she played a young Olivia Pope on Scandal.

“It was so much fun! It didn’t feel like work.

I actually met her when she came by to say

March/April 2016

About Yara Name: Yara Sayeh Shahidi Age: 16 Birthday: February 10th Hometown: Minneapolis, MN

Connect with Yara

@RealYaraShahidi

@Offi cialyarashahidi

hello to me. I didn’t even know she would be there that day. She said that she really wanted to meet me. It was very exciting!”

Know Your History Shahidi plans to become a historian and specialize in world history, an interest that came from her grandfather.

“My grandpa knows a lot about old languages like Greek and other countries. He’s able to read and memorize lots of historical information.”

Don’t Mess With Yara Shahidi has a black belt in Tang Soo Do (Korean martial art). She says that it helps her with discipline.

“I first went to a class when I was 7 years old. I actually went with a friend so I didn’t

What’s on your iPod? Sort of diverse; Nas (her second cousin), Sade, R&B and hip hop Favorite movie: The King’s Speech Favorite singer(s): Sade, Alicia Keys, Amy Winehouse, Carlos Santana Favorite actor(s): Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, Angela Bassett Favorite food: Tadik (Persian recipe with rice and lentils “it’s so yummy!”

Favorite color: Dark purple

know what to expect. However, it has taught me so many things about life, hard work and setting goals.”

Being Her Sista’s Keeper Shahidi attends an all-girls school and has many female friends.

“We support each other and have deep conversations. They are easy to talk to and I can trust them. We also hang out and have sleepovers.”

Her personal definition of being her“sista’s keeper” is being a support system and being there when your sister needs you.

“To me, being your sista’s keeper means always supporting each other and having a sense of community. If I call you my sister, I will support you no matter what and expect it in return.”

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Sisterhood +Self-Esteem Social Change

The best way to make social change is to start with making changes within yourself. Once you start feeling better about yourself, you can begin to help others improve their selfesteem.

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78%

of girls w/ low selfesteem admit that it is hard to feel good in school when you do not feel good about how you look

71%

of girls with low self-esteem feel their appearance does not measure up, including not feeling pretty enough

70% March/April 2016

of girls believe they are not good enough or do not measure up in some way, including looks Sistaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Keeper

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67%

of girls age 13-17 turn to their mother as a resource when feeling badly about themselves

62%

Tips For Self-Esteem Social Change

65%

of girls age 13-17 do not tell their parents about themselves to prevent them from thinking badly

Sistaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Keeper

2. Do not criticize your own looks 3. Give a compliment to another girl 4. Get involved with organizations that promote self-esteem 5. Find resources, tools & activities

of all girls feel insecure or not sure of themselves

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1. Question beauty stereotypes

March/April 2016

“I AM My Sista’s Keeper” 2016 Summer Programs "I AM Sista's Keeper" Scholarship

lism a n r u Jo p o h s k Wor

m e e t s E Self- hop s Work

b

lu C k o Bo

Communication/Etiquette Workshop Sista's Keeper Magazine offers several programs for teen girls age 12-19 in the Charlotte, NC & surrounding areas.

These programs are geared towards girls who are their "sista's keeper", who are aspiring writers & journalists, who like to read, who want to learn how to improve their self-esteem & learn about etiquette & being a lady, and/or who want to do community service.

Registration is REQUIRED. For more information or to register, visit: http://sistaskeepermagazine.com/programs.html

Girls For A Girls For A Change (GFAC) is a national organization that inspires girls to have the voice, ability and problem solving capacity to speak up, be decision makers, create visionary change and realize their full potential.

Mission: A new approach to building a women...

One girl at a time!

Vision: One day, every girl will be seen, heard and celebrated to improve their lives and the lives of their families and communities.

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Change Guiding Principles • Integrity: our work is grounded toward impact to which we hold ourselves, and our partners accountable • Resilience: finding strength in individual struggles gives rise to transformative change • Cultural Awareness and Engagement: sensitivity and respect for diverse individuals and communities • Relevance: engaging emerging conversations and larger social movements • Collaboration: change happens through the connections, creativity and contributions of our entire community • Relevance: engaging emerging conversations and larger social movements

Projects

from its oldest flagship program, “Girl Action Teams (GAT).

Date With Dad Weekend: a time to for girls to tie the knot of healthy relationships starting with their fathers or father figures...with fun, education and celebration!

Camp Diva: where girls learn to be self-advocates, cultural explorers and adventurers in the heart of their city.

Diva-Preneurship: girls earn personal Crowns of Victory thanks to their business acumen and financial literacy.

Girl Action Team: giving birth to Social Change Agents and Girl Ambassadors who know what they want to change and learn how to change it!

GFAC’s flagship programs take multiple For more social change information approaches to stimulate, nurture, and challenge and resources: visit this empowerment.

For example, GFAC’s youngest flagship program, “DATE WITH DAD” emerged

http://www.girlsforachange.org/ March/April 2016

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Social Change Here are links of just some of the many thousands of organizations that are advocating for social change: About-Face About-Face equips women and girls with tools to understand and resist harmful media messages that affect their self-esteem and body image.

Their web site includes a Gallery of Offenders and Winners, blog for teen girls, and ways to take action right from the site.

•

http://www.about-face.org/ BlogHer

BlogHer creates opportunities for women who blog and their readers to gain exposure, education, community, and economic empowerment.

•

http://www.blogher.com/ CARE CARE is an organization fighting global poverty. CARE places special focus on women and giving women the power to help families and entire communities.

• 38

Change.org Change.org raises awareness about important causes and empowers people to take action.

•

Center for Young Women's Health The Center aims to help teen girls improve their understanding of health and development.

They want to empower teen girls and young women around the world to take an active role in their own health care.

•

http://youngwomenshealth.org/ The Ella Baker Center

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights works for justice in the system, opportunities in our cities, and peace on our streets.

http://www.care.org/ Sista’s Keeper

http://www.change.org

March/April 2016

•

http://www. ellabakercenter.org/

Resources The Freechild Project The Freechild Project advocates, informs, and celebrates social change led by and with young people around the world, especially those who have been historically denied the right to participate.

• http://www.freechild.org/ Hardy Girls Healthy Women HGHW is dedicated to the health and well-being of girls and women.

• http://www.hardygirlshealthywomen.org/ Pacer's Centers Teens Against Bullying Pacer's Center, the National Center for Bullying Prevention, created a website geared just for teens to learn more about bullying and how to stop bullies. Pacer's Center also has additional resources to prevent bullying.

sexuality, health and relationship articles, guides and factsheets, and over 1,000 in-depth advice answers.

• http://www.scarleteen.com/ The Smart Girls Channel The Smart Girls Channel is a place for funny, thoughtful and deceivingly educational programming.

• http://www.youtube.com/user/smartgirls Taking It Global Take it Global is the largest online community of youth interested in global issues and creating positive change.

• http://www.tigweb.org/ Youth Action Net

YouthActionNet invests in the power and promise of young social entrepreneurs around • http://www.pacerteensagainstbullying.org/ the globe.

Scarleteen

Scarleteen is an independent, grassroots sexuality education and support organization and website.

It contains over 200 comprehensive

• http://www.youthactionnet.org/

For more social change information and resources: visit http://www.girlsforachange.org/

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Volunteer With When you volunteer with the American Red Cross, you’re supporting one of the largest humanitarian organizations in the world and making a positive impact on your peers and in your community.

You can also maximize your talent, learn new skills, improve your resume, and meet new people, all while making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Here is a list of ways a young people can volunteer with the Red Cross. No matter what volunteer opportunity you choose, you’ll need to sign up and work with your local Red Cross chapter.

Please note that some of the volunteer opportunities listed below may not be available in all areas. Contact local Red Cross Unit to find out what opportunities are available in your area.

Blood Services • Host a blood drive at your school.

• Help recruit donors for an upcoming blood drive.

• Help arrange appointments for an upcoming blood drive.

• Volunteer to assist at a blood drive – act as a

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greeter or escort, or serve refreshments.

• Make thank you cards for blood donors to be given out at an upcoming blood drive.

• Organize blood drive competitions against other Red Cross Clubs or local schools.

Preparedness and Health & Safety • Distribute information about preparedness to peers, teachers, and family at school and local community events.

• Get trained to become a community preparedness instructor and deliver presentations to younger students and your local community • Preparedness Week: Host a five-day campaign designed to motivate your peers to prepare in case of a disaster.

• Fire Canvassing: Gather a group together to distribute lifesaving fire safety information,

March/April 2016

American Red Cross •

•

• •

American Red Cross news and the youth brochure to residents of local neighborhoods and businesses.

Prepare and Share Kit Drive: Organize a kit drive activity in which essential preparedness items are collected, assembled in a pack and delivered to those who need it most.

Zombie Apocalypse Party: A zombie apocalypse party utilizes an impending ‘zombie apocalypse’ to help educate your school and community how to prepare for disasters like a zombie outbreak.

Become a certified First Aid and CPR instructor and teach classes in your community (You must be at least 16 years old) Train your local community to be Be Red Cross Ready

Disaster Response Disaster Speaks is a powerful event that gives you the opportunity to personalize disaster. Large boxes represent homes lost and include stories about someone who has made the unthinkable journey through disaster.

• Help assemble comfort kits for families who have lost their home as a result of a disaster.

• Help clean and maintain the Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs).

• Take disaster training courses • Participate in a mock disaster exercise hosted by your chapter.

• Participate in a shelter exercise hosted by your chapter. Play the roles of disaster clients or Red Cross volunteers.

• Join a local chapter’s Disaster Action Team (DAT).

(You must be at least 16 years old) • Offer translator services in the event of a disaster.

More Opportunities To Explore • Start a Red Cross Club at your school or chapter • Join the leadership team of your Red Cross Club • Apply to be a part of your chapter’s Youth Executive Board or work with your chapter to start a Youth Board • Apply for an internship with your local chapter or at National Headquarters.

• Sign up for YouthWire, the National Youth Council’s E-newsletter, which features exciting news, stories, and opportunities.

• Apply to join the National Youth Council or National Young Professionals Council.

• Apply for the American Red Cross AmeriCorps* National Preparedness & Response Corps.

Activity Guides The American Red Cross has developed fun activity guides for you to use to help spread the word about the Red Cross and its mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

Activity guides can be used by Red Cross Clubs, youth groups, or classes who want to organize around Red Cross mission-related activities.

These activity guides will help you lead Red Cross activities. No matter what activity you choose, get in touch with your local Red Cross chapter or Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) station.

The Red Cross can provide you with helpful resources and guidelines to make your activity a success!

For more information or to volunteer, visit: http://redcrossyouth.org/scholarships/be-a-volunteer/ March/April 2016

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Getting Ready

Education Feature

This college prep timeline provided by Minnesota Offi ce of Higher

7th & 8th Grade • Begin thinking about the high school classes that will prepare you for college. Take the most difficult classes you can handle.

• Ask your parents or teachers to help you develop good study habits.

• Practice setting and reaching goals.

• Volunteer in your community.

• Take interest and skills assessments to help you think about possible career options.

• Talk with your school counselor and parents about careers that interest you want to explore.

• Create a tentative high school class plan.

• Enroll in a summer enrichment program.

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In 9th & 10th Grade • Take interest and skills assessments to help you explore careers options.

• Review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork.

• Talk with your school counselor about career options and the education required for those careers. • Sign up for classes that will earn college credit during your junior year • Talk with your parents through Advanced about saving and paying Placement, International for college.

Baccalaureate, Postsecondary • Talk with friends, Enrollment Options or teachers, counselors College in the Schools. and your parents about college.

• Explore internships and apprenticeships.

• Check if your school requires 10th graders to take the PLAN to prepare • Enroll in a summer enrichment program. for the ACT. • Participate in extracurricular activities.

Want to go to college?

It’s never too late to prepare...

For more information, visit: http://www.ohe.state.mn.us/mPg. cfm?pageID=1176

March/April 2016

For College

Education

Education will show you what you need to do to get ready for college.

Feature

In 11th Grade

In 12th Grade

• Attend college and financial aid events.

• Mentor others and have a mentor for yourself.

• Take the PSAT in the fall to prepare for the SAT, and to identify areas where you need improvement.

• Consider possible career options and investigate the type of education that is needed.

• Request materials from schools that interest you and visit their websites.

• Arrange campus visits to those schools that interest you.

• Participate in extracurricular activities.

• Request admissions and financial aid forms.

• Sign up for classes that will earn college credit during your senior year through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Postsecondary Enrollment Options or College in the Schools.

• Register for and take the ACT and/or SAT in the spring.

• Review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle.

Stay focused on your schoolwork. Make sure you are meeting your high school graduation requirements.

• Enroll in a summer enrichment program.

• Get a job to earn and save money for college, or explore your skills through an internship or apprenticeship.

• Research private scholarship options.

• Stay focused on your schoolwork and take the most difficult classes you can handle.

• Take career interest assessments and determine the education needed for careers that interest you.

• Participate in extracurricular activities.

• Volunteer in the community.

March-May • Have your final high school transcript sent to the colleges to which you’ve applied.

• Choose a college and notify in writing those you don’t plan to attend.

• Send in any required forms or deposits.

Summer • Get a job to earn money for college.

• Review orientation materials from the college you selected.

• If living on campus, check with the college for a list of what’s provided by the school and what the school expects the student to provide.

• Contact your roommate.

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Resources • BIG Dreamz Inc. http://www.bigdreamzinc.com/scholarship. htm • Grassroots Community Foundation http://grassrootscommunityfoundation.org/ • American Red Cross http://www.redcross.org/mo2a

• Do Something! www.dosomething.org/us • Girls For A Change http://www.girlsforachange.org/ • Red Cross Youth http://redcrossyouth.org/scholarships/be-avolunteer/

Sista’s Keeper Crossword Puzzle

ACROSS

DOWN

3 Marley Dias’ campaign #1000BlackGirl_____ 8 Daisy _____ help the Little Rock Nine integrate a Arkansas high school 9 We featured this organization: Girls For A _____ 10 High school seniors should have final _____ sent to colleges

1 March is Red _____ Month 2 Yara Shahidi’s hit TV show 4 This month’s theme: _____ change 5 One way to volunteer with American Red Cross is _____ Response 6 The organization About _____ equips girls with tools to resist harmful media messages 7 Maua article helps you become a social change _____

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Like this issue?????

Let us know what you think...

• Follow us on Twitter: @SistasKeeperMag • “Like” us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SistasKeeperMagazine • Email us your comments to: info@sistaskeepermagazine.com

Daisy Bates

Black Women In History

Civil Rights Activist And Newspaper Publisher Who Mentored And Helped the Little Rock Nine Desegregate Central High School in 1957

Daisy Bates was a champion of social change. She saw things in her community that were not fair and she addressed them. She had her own newspaper to bring these issues to the public and became a leader in the NAACP. She mentored and helped the Little Rock Nine as they desegregated an Arkansas high school in 1957.

1914- Born November 11th in Huttig, Arkansas 1941- Co-founded the Arkansas State Press, a weekly publication featuring civil rights issues, with husband L.C. Bates 1946- Published an editorial that accused a judge of unfairly sentancing three mill workers on March 29th

1959- Closed the Arkansas State Press newspaper 1963- Spoke at the March on Washington For Jobs and Freedom on August 28th; was the only woman to speak at the march 1999- Died on November 4th in Little Rock, Arkansas; she was the fi rst AfricanAmerican to rest in state at the Arkansas State Capitol 2001- Arkansas state holiday named in her honor on February 19th The biggest thing that we can learn from Daisy Bates is to use your voice to fi ght for what you believe in and change something that you know is not right.

1952- Became president of the Arkansas chapter of NAACP 1957- Mentored and helped nine students desegregate Little Rock Central High School on September 25th; the Arkansas National Guard had blocked their attempt to enter the school on September 4th 1957-1965- Served on the NAACPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national board 46

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Daisy Bates (2nd row; 2nd from l) with the Little Rock Nine in 1957.

March/April 2016

“

We will walk until we are free, until we can walk to any school and take our children to any school in the United States.”

-1963 March on Washington

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By eighth grade, only half as many girls as boys are interested in math, science, and engineering careers.

If each of us gives a girl our time and support today, she can find the courage, confidence, and character sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need to build a better tomorrow.