“Informing the Young Professional”
www.nyul.org/nyulyp
Volume II, Issue 4
Spring 2009
N Y U L APPOINT S NEW P R E S ID ENT ARVA RI CE Interview by Tealeda Nesbitt
What did you want to be when you grew up? What changed your mind? I wanted to be a lawyer until my early twenties. When I got wait- listed at Yale, I started working and never made it to law school. Arva Rice replaced Darwin Davis as president, CEO and director of the board of the New York Urban League on April 6, 2009. Here is your chance to get to know Ms. Rice.
Fun Facts
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Siblings: Two older brothers and a younger sister Married? Children? Neither, but I am an Auntie to my precious niece Zora. What is your most memorable childhood moment? Running home from school to meet my sister when she was born....then being really annoyed that she slept all the time.
Where did you go to school, and why did you choose those schools and those degrees/majors? I have a BS from Northwestern University in Social Policy. I started a Masters at Columbia, Teacher’s College in Educational Administration. I liked social policy as a major, because it gave me an opportunity to take political science, sociology, and urban studies courses. What was your previous job? I was Executive Director of Project Enterprise, an organization that provides loans and training to help people start and build their own businesses. It was based on the Nobel Prize winning Grameen Model in Bangladesh and adopted to an urban context.
What was your first encounter with the Urban League? I attended meetings at the New York Urban League at their Brooklyn site over 20 years ago. Dennis Walcott allowed the Central Brooklyn Partnership to use the space, and I was a volunteer with them. What drew you to your current position? I don’t want to sound too corny, but my Mom always made a point of taking us to see various lectures and exhibitions on the civil rights movement. I would look into the faces of the teenagers who were hosed down by the police, and led off to jail. I was so impressed by their courage, because I knew that while thousands marched and fought there were others who simply did not. I used to ask myself “Would I have Marched?” I missed the civil rights movement, so I feel like this is my opportunity to courageously fight for what this generation needs and deserves. What was the first issue you addressed in your new role?
Cleaning my office!! Now I am trying to meet and talk to stakeholders, so that we can work to realize the full potential of the New York Urban League. Are you the first female president of the NYUL? Does that have any significance? I am the second female president of the NYUL. Harriet Michel was CEO in the 80s. It means a lot to be this agency’s second CEO and the first in over 25 years. I think it is a symbol of the changing face of leadership in our country. What is your five year plan for the League and how does that correlate to the NUL Five Point Thrust? As you know, the NYUL Board of Directors made a strategic decision a few years ago to focus our efforts squarely on education and employment which are part of the five point thrust of the National Office. Specifically my goals are to (1) diversify and increase the funding of the New York Urban League by 10% in my first year in the position by working more closely with the National Office, seeking continued on page 4
In si de T h i s Iss ue: Introducing Arva Rice Front Page Mac vs. PC 3 Where are the young, black professionals? 5 Let’s Talk About It 6 Movie Review: American Violet 6 NYULYP Election 2009 7 NYULYP In the Media 8
In Every Issue: President’s Message Member Spotlight Career Advice Recipe Corner
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YP Snapshots YP Chapters Nationwide Upcoming Events Meet the Board
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Editor-In-Chief Althea Kitchens
Managing Editor Tameka Curwen
President’s message
Asst. Managing Editor Jazmin Haygood
Copy Editor
Tealeda Nesbitt
Contributors
Sabrina Gates Daniella Johnson Althea Kitchens Neferkaari Mitchell Dwayne Neckles Kimberly Parris Aisha Taylor Mariama Todd
Logo Design Sabrina Gates
Executive Board Quiviya Eldridge, President YPPresident@nyul.org Monique Myles, Vice President YPVicePresident@nyul.org Greg Scott, Treasurer YPTreasurer@nyul.org Raniece Medley, Secretary YPSecretary@nyul.org Sidney Joyner, Civics & Economics Chair YPCivicsEcon@nyul.org Althea Kitchens, Communications Chair YPCommunications@nyul.org Rahshib Thomas, Community Service Chair YPCommunity@nyul.org J. Maurice Pearsall, Fund Development Chair YPFundDev@nyul.org Kameelah Dixon, Membership Chair YPMembership@nyul.org Want to write for The Griot? E-mail TheGriot@nyul.org
NYULYP Family, On June 19, 2009, we marked the 144th anniversary of Juneteenth. We celebrate this day to honor the true end of slavery, when in 1865 in Galveston, Texas word of the emancipation proclamation finally reached the enslaved. Juneteenth serves symbolically as a reference point from which to measure and appreciate the progress and contributions made by Black people to this society. On June 21st, we celebrated Father’s Day, honoring those men that have meant so much to our development. For us women, fathers might have been our first loves. For you gentlemen, fathers may have taught you what it meant to be men. For many of us, our fathers were our heroes. There is a definitive connection between the emancipation from slavery and how we view our fathers today. How much has the Black family changed in the past 144 years? The breakdown of our family structure is arguably one of the largest issues facing us as a people. The reasons for this breakdown are too expansive to cover in this setting; we have all heard them time and time again. Juneteenth promotes unity through reflection, education, and acknowledgement of achievements. Today, I commend our Black fathers that have risen above all of the factors that might have impacted them negatively. We have all year to dissect the problems and work on solutions for our family crisis. Let us use this time of great celebration to support those men that have made being a father their priority. Quiet as it’s kept, they exist. With that, join me as I welcome your 2009 - 20011 President, Rahshib Thomas as he carries forth with growth of this organization, seeking to effect positive, measurable change in our community. This is my last communication to you as your President, but I am leaving with full pride. Exciting work is on the horizon! I am confident in your new leadership’s drive, passion and vision. Yours in the Movement, Quiviya Eldridge President 2007-2009
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MAC vs PC: One person’s perspective on switching by Dwayne Neckles
Macs are generally more expensive than PCs. A novice user may not see the value of paying more when he/she can do the same things on both platforms. With my PC, I had to reformat my hard drive to remove spyware and viruses at least once a year, preventing me from actually working. In the four years I’ve had my Mac, I haven’t had to reformat it yet. I personally don’t mind paying extra for the peace of mind. If you are concerned with hardware/software compatibility, the PC is a safe bet. For example
the software used to back up the data from your Blackberry is compatible for use with a PC only and not with a MAC. If you are a business user, and depend on Outlook, I say go with a PC. However, if you are a budding visual artist or a musician, Apple’s selection of software makes it easy for you to be creative without a huge learning curve. So should you get a Mac? In my opinion yes, but if money is a concern, you will be fine with a PC.
Member Spotlight:
Christopher Hoyes
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Senior Strategic Planning Analyst for Con Edison. Attended Georgetown University. Why YP? “I joined YP so that I could give back to the African-American community and get to know more of my fellow young professionals.” “My favorite YP moment was when the Community Service Committee hosted a school supply drive and picnic for children in Harlem last fall. I really enjoyed the event because the kids seemed like they had fun and really appreciated the supplies.” In his spare time, Hoyes likes to travel, hang out with friends, watch sports and play poker.
(photo courtesy of smugmung.com)
**If you have any more questions about switching, feel free to contact me at: info@dnecklesportfolio.com
Dwayne Neckles
Michelle Sprott
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Retail Operations Coordinator for MAC Cosmetics. Attended Oakwood University in Huntsville, AL. “My favorite YP moment was at the 2008 National Urban League conference when I was able to secure front row seats to hear Barack Obama speak. This was not an easy task, but I was able to use my fast talking New York swag and bring my YP friends along for the adventure.” Sprott has been accepted into the 2010 class of Global Management Strategies program at Estee Lauder, which recognizes and develops key employees who exemplify leadership, and innovative thinking with a commitment to the company culture and vision. Sprott loves to travel. Past trips include South Africa, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, France and Greece.
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Owner of Incendium Interactive, a design firm that specializes in flash based websites and banner ads for advertising agencies and small businesses. Neckles’s clients include ABC, Panasonic and Proctor & Gamble and his website is www. dnecklesportfolio.com. Attended Polytechnic University and volunteered with the National Society of Black Engineers. “My favorite YP moments are really the behind the scenes meeting and planning retreats that I partake in.” Neckles recently started working on his first large scale e-commerce website for a pet store, www.thepetpeople.com. It will launch in early July. Neckles loves learning how to make music and beats and also enjoys relaxing at the park or at Barnes and Nobles.
(by Daniella Johnson)
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A C o n versat io n
wi t h the new
NYUL P r e si de nt
continued from page 1 foundation and individual support. (2) I plan to deepen NYUL’s community impact by creating programs to serve teens, adults and seniors in education and employment. I have a particular interest in women, girls and leadership, so I also look forward to creating Leadership Institute’s where outside of school hours girls - and boys - can receive mentoring and assistance in exploring careers in the public sector. (3) I plan on strengthening the infrastructure of the organization with an emphasis on fiscal management. (4) I plan to launch a 90th Anniversary campaign to raise the visibility of the organization, re-engage former scholarship recipients, members and program recipients. A key component of the Anniversary campaign will be a membership drive and an individual giving campaign. And lastly (5) The building! I plan to make some immediate upgrades to the building and develop a long term renovation plan.
Koran for the Football game, so that no matter who works at the League they will be able to follow this guidebook to a successful event.
One of the largest NYUL events “The Whitney M. Young Football Classic” was cancelled last year. What will you do to ensure that it is held every year?
I love Stephen Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. My favorite habit is begin with the end in mind. So I encourage the officers to get together and think about what they want YP to look like at the end of their term. Once that vision is clear, they can work backwards from there.
We’re creating The Bible/The Handbook/The
There have been complaints about the relationship between the affiliate and the Young Professionals. How will you foster a harmonious relationship between the two? I plan to meet monthly with the new YP President to make sure that we stay aligned, share ideas and opportunities. It is important for me that YPs are able to increase their social capital while giving back to the community through the League. YP Elections were recently held. What are some words of wisdom you can share with the newly elected officers?
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing minorities in the 21st century? We can’t forget. While two beautiful little Black girls live in the most incredible public housing in the world, too many of our children go to bed hungry, with parents in jail, abused and neglected. Until every little girl - and boy - has the love, opportunity and access of Sasha and Malia - the New York Urban League’s work isn’t done What are some things young professionals can do to promote change in their communities? Get, be and stay involved. I know that YPs have done different things around civic participation and I would love to help bring different resources to that conversation from the Borough Presidents to School and Community leaders to talk more about how to make our collective voices heard and promote change. Any cool plans for the summer? I am going to Florida in August to see my other set of nieces. Can’t wait to hit the beach!
Get TAY LOR ma d e — J o b S ea rch 101 “I’ve been responding to internet ads and sending out my resume for months. But I haven’t gotten any quality responses. I’m getting frustrated and starting to think that I’ll never find a new job. Is it the economy, or is it my resume? Please help!” — Resume Not Working Searching for a job is a job of its own. A full-fledged job search requires time, strategy, and patience. While many job seekers resort to the commonly used job search engines such as Monster, CareerBuilder, and HotJobs, these websites aren’t the only way to go. If you’ve been sending out your resume for months and aren’t getting any results, there are few things that you should consider: Your resume probably needs an extreme makeover. Oftentimes, job seekers will try to write their own resumes, or ask a friend or family member to do it for them. However, resume writing requires a skill and expertise that should be reserved for professionals. Consider having your resume reviewed and redone by a professional resume writer. While this service usually isn’t free, it’s an investment in your career that you can’t afford not to make. You’re not working your network. Networking is the most effective way of finding and securing a new career opportunity. Aside from responding to internet job postings, try sending out your resume to your network of family, friends, and colleagues. Include a simple note letting them know that you’re seeking a new position in a particular field and that you’d appreciate any assistance they can offer. You’d be surprised by the results that a simple mass email can generate. You just never know who might know the one somebody that will offer you your next job.
Step away from the computer. While the internet dominates the job search industry, there is still value in putting your foot to the pavement and actively going out to pursue employment. Dress professionally with your resume in hand and take at least one day per week to visit employers, ask about potential job opportunities, leave your resume, and request a follow-up meeting with someone in HR to express your interest. It’s so much easier to ignore an email than it is to ignore someone standing right in front of you. Hey, what do you have to lose? Remember, despite the economy, only the strong, persistent, and determined survive. Don’t become discouraged by denial. Instead, consider it a delay until the day when your dream job will become a reality. Send your career questions to thegriot@nyul.org Aisha M. Taylor, MPA is the Owner and Chief Consultant of TAYLORmade ~ Professional Career Consulting (www.careertaylormade.com).~
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(photo by Daniella Johnson)
Where are the Young B lack P rofessionals ? by Mariama Todd Where are the young, black professionals on television? This question was the focus of the roundtable discussion of “Young Urban Professionals in the Media” moderated by Jioha Amatokwu, President of the Wall Street Alphas. The panel discussion was a part of the May general body meeting which included Waymon Vanderman from Condè Nast Publications, Nicole Tucker from Dark Rain Productions, Landon Dais candidate for New York City Council and former cast member of Black Entertainment Television’s “Harlem Heights” and Seth Langley, PhD, Assistant Director of Academic Developmentfrom SUNY Downstate.
The group agreed that the majority of the images of Black people in popular culture—from television to magazines and music videos -- perpetuate stereotypes. The emergence of reality TV has only helped to intensify these images. Seth Langley, PhD mentioned the stock characters in the genre: the entertainer, athlete for males and the “sista girl”. Several panel members highlighted the power that editors in reality programming have in crafting storylines they believe will appeal to the audience. Ultimately it was agreed that there are not enough black people making decisions on content.
Society needs entertainment as well as substantive content. Black people of all ages need to see positive role models. The key is striking a balance between the two. The current media landscape is devoid of this balance. Landon Dais summed it up perfectly, we need to “use pop culture to educate.”
S u mmer Eat s! by Chef K. Parris Pan Seared Salmon Salad with Mango Vinaigrette This recipe is light, flavorful, and easy to make. Pair it with a Fruity Pinot Spritzer for a delicious, health conscious meal. Yield: 2 servings For the salmon: 2 center-cut salmon fillets (6 oz each) 1 ½ Tbsp olive oil Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste For the marinade/vinaigrette: ¼ cup mango nectar 1 tsp freshly grated ginger ½ cup extra virgin olive oil 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar 1 ½ Tbsp fresh lemon juice Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste For the salad: 1 ½ cups baby arugula leaves 1 ½ cups baby spinach leaves 2/3 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved 1 red mango, peeled and sliced ¼ cup thinly sliced red or Vidalia onion Place the salmon fillets in a shallow bowl. Toss well with 1/3 of prepared marinade (marinade ingredients should be combined and whisked well). Let rest for 30 minutes in the fridge. Cook the salmon, skin side down in a non stick skillet with a splash (1/2 Tbsp) of olive oil over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes, shaking the pan and carefully lifting the salmon with a spatula to loosen it from the pan. Reduce the heat to medium. Cover the pan and cook until the salmon is cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes more.
Meanwhile, combine the arugula, tomatoes, mango, and onion in a bowl. Just before serving, toss with mango vinaigrette. Serve alongside salmon.¼ teaspoon orange juice Combine all ingredients and reform in Ziploc bag or saran wrap. Chill until ready to serve.
Fruity Pinot Spritzer Serves 2 2 cups of 2008 Convento MuriGries Pinot Grigio (or other comparable, full bodied pinot grigio) ¼ cup each of small diced pineapple and papaya ¼ cup of sliced strawberries 1 cup of tropical fruit seltzer water 2 Tbsp honey
(photo by T. Mezz)
Place sliced fruit in the bottom of wine glass. Add 1 Tbsp of honey to each glass. Pour ½ cup of seltzer water into each glass. Let fruit sit in seltzer water for 5 minutes. Fill the remainder of the glass with the pinot grigio. Stir gently. Enjoy.
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Y o u n g P r o f e s s i o n al s “ T al k A b o u t I t ” D u r i n g A p r i l G e n e r al B o d y M e e t i n g by Kimberly Parris On April 21, 2009, the Community Service Committee hosted the New York Urban League Young Professionals’ General Body Meeting by engaging in the dialogue “Let’s Talk About Sex in the African American community. Led by Community Service member Valerie Darguste, the forum openly addressed some of the issues and stigmas surrounding the spread of HIV and AIDS, as well as some of the relationship struggles that come as a result of the deadly disease.
Special guest speakers included Suzanne J. Hoyes, a New York State licensed social worker currently employed at the Legal Aid Society’s Juvenile Rights practice; Robert Zielony, Ph.D, director of Change Communication at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; and Kizzy Kay Graham outreach coordinator for LIFEbeat.
The meeting opened with an informative Q&A initiated by two actors from The Loisaida Players. The troupe is composed of high school students that reach out to adolescents to prevent pregnancy & HIV infection. Addressing social and economical problems of the poor and low income is the focus of Loisaida, Inc., a not-for-profit based in the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
As a parting gift, forum participants received prophylactics from LIFEbeat and the NYC Department of Health, as well as current HIV statistics, prevention tactics, and HIV support group information. Rahshib Thomas, then Community Service Chair, noted that the forum derived from an article in the February 2009 edition of Essence magazine titled “Capital Offense.” He said, “We hope the panel will raise the awareness of the spread of HIV/AIDS amongst young professionals of color and discuss gender roles and cultural influences.”
Movie Review : “American Violet” by Neferkaari Ra New comer Nichole Beharie stars as Dee Roberts, the typical girl from the hood raising four young girls on a waitresses salary in “American Violet.” The drama unfolds when a racist city official with re-election ambitions sends police officers into a Houston housing project to arrest residents based on phony allegations. Most people born in the 20th century can identify and are bored with the over used story line of poverty, racism, bigotry and oppression director Tim Disney employs. To say the least, this film is a snore fest. Neither the director nor the writer possess the courage needed to make it memorable, and unfortunately the audience leaves with a good feeling that ends well before the credits roll. On a lighter note the relationship between Roberts and her mother, Alma Roberts, played by veteran Alfre Woodard, does expose the dichotomy of motherhood. Fighting for your rights versus being there for your children and how these issues transcend all cultures are displayed. Overall the film is loaded with potential, but unfortunately the director didn’t fully develop the characters or give the story much room to breath.
For more information about this film, please visit www.americanviolet.com/. (photo courtesy of impawards.com)
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N e w Y o r k U r ba n L e a g u e Y o u n g P r o f e s s i o n al s : E l e c t i o n 2009
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NYULYP M e mb e r s M a k e
the
Media…
by Althea Kitchens Being a noteworthy young professional in your community becomes attractive to your peers, your leaders, and eventually the press! The NYULYP hosts many members who have been media worthy for their dedication to being civic minded and for possessing the drive to uplift their communities. Please check out the below media clips of three outstanding NYULYP members who have shared their stories of “Empowering Communities” and “Changing Lives” to the masses!
Sidney B. Joyner was interviewed on the Urban Wall Street Project (UWSP) television show by
Earl Christian, III. He was featured for his leadership in hosting innovative civically engaged programming for the NYULYP and to educate viewers on how to become involved with the NYULYP. Additionally, he spoke of the importance of mentorship and taking ownership of our communities by learning to build financial and cultural wealth. Sidney B. Joyner is the Vice President of Crosstown Realty, a diversified Real Estate company specializing in the sale, leasing, management and maintenance of commercial and industrial properties. The UWSP is televised in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and in several countries overseas. The shows are also available for online viewing. To watch Sidney’s interview online please visit http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVhGtZSoUSc.
Justin Garrett Moore, an Urban Planner with City of New York and adjunct professor
at Columbia University, researched and sought out innovative ways to invest his money. Through his research he found MicroPlace.com, an EBay Company that allows individuals to invest in a number of funds that range from 1-6% interest. He was contacted by CBS Evening News to do a story on the new microlending trend here in the United States because his investments of about $2,500 in various funds (which averaged a return of about 3%) was traceable by the news correspondent. In their investigation they were able to find one of the funds’ recipients in a village near Lima, Peru. There, a woman named Paulina used a microloan to help operate her business making artisanal ceramic pieces. This assistance allowed Paulina to have better equipment, hire six neighbors and relatives and triple her production. The help financing her business allowed her to employ others and send her son to college – all with what many middleincome Americans would consider a small sum. According to MicroPlace, the money Justin invested helped at least four people like Paulina run their businesses and improve the lives of their families and communities. As micro financing continues to gain traction as a viable method of empowering people and supporting both financial and social responsibility, communities all over the world and hopefully here in New York will be able to benefit from even the smallest of investments. To view Justin’s interview, please visit http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4948763n or read the transcript at http://tinyurl.com/smallinvestments.
Monique S. Myles was highlighted as an influential woman in a weekly article in celebration of
Women’s History Month in the New York Amsterdam Newspaper. In the article entitled “Myles ahead and giving back”, Monique was highlighted for her contribution to her community through her leadership roles in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., NAACP, and our very own organization the NYULYP. And her giving didn’t stop there, through this article Monique gained the attention of local elected official Charlie Rangel who reached out to her to serve as a panelist for one of his events reaching out to the youth in the Harlem Community. Monique is currently the Marketing Manager at Black Enterprise Magazine and also advises others in the art of branding and promotion through her very own marketing agency, Myles Ahead Consulting.
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YP Snapshots!
Newly appointed NYUL President Arva Rice being interviewed during the May General Body Meeting
YP members and guest enjoy a day at the Queens Botanical Gardens for the Health Walk Initiative. Executive Board members along with Arva Rice, president, at the National Urban League Board of Directors Reception
Member Sydney Joiner and panelist at the Real Estate Seminar. Members and guest engage in a friendly game of Taboo at the YP Battle of the Sexes social.
The Communications Committee, celebrated its 2 year anniversary.
YP members at the AIDS Walk 2009.
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What’s Going on in yp chapters? Eastern: Urban League of Southern Connecticut Young Professionals (ULSCYP) Sailing through Spring... The Urban League of Southern Connecticut Young Professionals (ULSCYP) hosted an all white beach party on Wednesday, June 17! The party served as a gathering for members to mix, mingle and have fun on the Nowalk Beach in Connecticut. This is a great way to end the spring season, and if that isn’t enough, the ULSCYP plan on ending the summer with a fundraising Yacht Cruise on September 1 in Cos Cob, Connecticut. For more information about the ULSCYP please visit www.ulsc.org or email ypstamford@ulsc.org.
Central: Urban League Young Professionals of Metropolitan St. Louis (ULYP-StL) How do you connect?... The Urban League Young Professionals of Metropolitan St. Louis (ULYP-StL) will participate in the third annual Connect With...Kick-Off Happy Hour. Connect With... is a collaborative effort among nearly 40 young professional organizations in the St. Louis area. From arts and culture to community service, diversity initiatives to professional development and networking, there is something for everyone to connect with. For more information please visit www.ulyp-stl.org.
Southern: Birmingham Urban League Young Professionals (BULYPAL) Remember the time... The Birmingham Urban League Young Professionals (BULYPAL) hosted their 2nd Annual Throwback Prom on May 29. This old school evening affair was held to benefit the community programs of the Birmingham Urban League. The event featured hits from the 80’s and 90’s and was hosted by local radio talent Tasha Simone. Attendees enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and more as they danced down memory lane — for a good cause! For more information about the BULYP please email bulypal@aol.com.
Western: Urban League of San Diego County Young Professionals (ULSDCYP) Achievement Matters... The Urban League of San Diego County Young Professionals particpated in the 18th Annual Golden Pyramid Education and Health Expo in partnership with the Urban League of San Diego County. This spectacular event took place on Saturday, June 6 and initiated some of the county’s brightest urban youth into the Golden Pyramid Scholars honor society. This prestigious association honored youth that demonstrated outstanding achievement in school, in their community, and in their life. Additionally, local education and health organizations were given the opportunity to host booths providing informational resources for yout theh and families that attended the event. For more information about the ULSDCYP please visit www.ulsdcyp.org.
The New York Urban League Young Professionals along with the above mentioned chapters are apart of the National Urban League Young Professionals. To learn more about this national network, please visit http://nul.org/youngprofessionals.html. (submitted by Althea Kitchens)
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Upcoming Events HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!!
KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE YP Check out the Notes Section of our FaceBook Fan page for recaps of our General Body Meetings and Town Hall Meetings.
SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER!!! Note from the 2007-2009 Communications Chair: It has been a pleasure to chair the first Communications Committee of the NYULYP! Introducing new materials such as The Griot was a great accomplishment by all who participated. I hope you enjoyed it and welcome new opportunities, the new chair & the new NYULYP board for the next movement in the 2009-2011 term!
Meet The New York Urban League Board OFFICERS Chairman Noel N. Hankin, Senior Vice President of Multicultural Initiatives, Moët Hennessy USA Vice Chairman David W. Sussman, Consultant
Secretary Elinor Tatum, Publisher & Editor, The Amsterdam News Treasurer Jean Marie Horovitz, Retired, Managing Director, Commercial Business Group, Citibank, N.A.
General Counsel Michael F. Armstrong, Esq., Howrey, Inc. Facilities Chair H. Sidney Holmes Partner, Winston & Strawn
Capital Campaign Chair Scott Vaccaro Regional Vice President, Enterprise Rent-A-Car
BOARD MEMBERS Carlos Austin, Director of Local Productions/ Community Affairs, CW11 Jason Benta, President & CEO, Benta Funeral Homes Larry Body, Director for Business Development, Island Ford, Inc. Jeff Burns Jr., Consultant Dolly Christian, Retired, IBM
Larry Dais, Retired, Asst. VP for Gov’t Relations & Director, Public Affairs, Columbia University
Michael Kansler, Entergy, CEO, President, & Chief Nuclear Officer
Tracey Edwards, Vice President of Region Operations, Verizon
Paula Odellas, Correspondence Unit of Manhattan Borough Commissioners Office, New York City Dept. of Buildings
Quiviya Von Eldridge, Financial Analyst, Turner Construction
Michael Robinson, GM New York/New Jersey District, Microsoft
H. Sidney Holmes, Partner, Winston & Strawn
Joseph L. Searles, III Consultant
Dwight Johnson, President, Dwight Johnson Design
Brain Smith, SVP of Corporate and Community Relations, The New York Yankees Tanya Van Court, SVP of Pre-school & Parents Online, Nickelodeon Network Dana Wade, Consultant, Spencer Stuart Deputy Counsel to the New York Urban League Board Rachel B. Kane Cooley Godward Kronish LLP
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