Urban Views Weekly September 14, 2016 by Urban Views Weekly

Sept. 14, 2016

New organization dedicated to showing girls a path to a fulfilling life

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Civic Beat FUNdraising Good Times

Donor Retention and Attrition: How effective is your fundraising? We know you want to meet your fundraising goals. We also know some readers may be anxious wondering, “How will the calendar year end? Will we be in the red or in the black come December 31st?” While we don’t have a magic wand, we do want to suggest two aspects of fundraising management you should keep an eye on.

The Fundraising Effectiveness Project conducts research on fundraising effectiveness and helps nonprofit organizations increase their fundraising results at a faster pace. FEP is a collaboration between the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and the Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy at the Urban Institute. The project seeks to help nonprofit organizations measure, compare, and “Increasing gifts from maximize their annual growth in giving. They current donors, and encourage nonprofits to measure their “growth in regaining lapsed giving.” They define growth donors can increase in giving as the net of gains minus losses. You can learn more and download tools at your fundraising http://afpfep.org/.

TanyaFree.com/ Urban Views Weekly Poll “What is Aleppo?” was Libertarian Presidential candidate Gary Johnson’s response when asked in an interview about what he would do about Aleppo if elected. It was explained to Johnson that Aleppo is “a city in Syria at the epicenter of the country’s civil war.”

What’s your take? How about you? Would you have been able to respond to the question about “Aleppo?”

1. Donor retention. In 2015 the donor retention rate was 46%. This means that 46 percent of those who made a gift in 2014 made a gift in 2015. Using these numbers, if you had 1,000 donors last year, you may end up with 460 this year if you don’t take proactive measures. Related to this, for every effectiveness.” 100 new and previously 2. Windfall gifts. Did lapsed donors who gave, 96 you have any “windfall” donors were lost through attrition. You gifts in 2015? If yes, are you planning may feel good about acquiring 100 new on those recurring this year? From our donors, but if you don’t also look at your perspective, a windfall gift is one which donor attrition numbers you may have a was unanticipated and “fell from the false sense of hope. Are your projections heavens.” This can include bequests, based on 100 percent of last year’s donors one-time grants, or one-time gifts. For renewing their gifts? What are the donor example, if Ms. Sommerville died last year acquisition strategies you have put in place, and left you with $25,000, how will you or can put in place before the end of the replace that gift in order to break even this year? year? Or perhaps continues to page 11

Check out the story and respond to this week’s poll at TanyaFree.com and the Urban Views Weekly FACEBOOK Page. Listen to the Tanya Free and Friends Talk Show Wednesdays @ 2pm on WCLM1450AM streaming LIVE @ TanyaFree.com and BlackTalkRadioNetwork.com. You can now watch us LIVE at TanyaFree.com and ustream.tv

Ervin B. Clarke, Publisher publisher@urbanviewsweekly.com VOL. 9, ISSUE 37

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ViewPoints

By Dr. T

Race, Protest & Patriotism Are Not Mutually Exclusive! When San Francisco 49er’s quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand with his hand over his heart for the playing of the national anthem – a ceremonial ritual that has for decades been played before professional and many amateur sporting events in the United States – he instantly outraged the “public” and ignited a social media firestorm. Kaepernick has stated, his refusal to stand and salute the nation’s flag during the national anthem is in protest of our national struggle with racial injustice, and in particular, the systemic problems that communities of color have with police brutality, over-policing and institutionalized patterns and practices within the criminal justice system that exhibit clear and consistent racial bias.

nation is dependent upon the boldness and courage of her citizenry to hold her accountable and to put a glaring spotlight on the deficiencies that would undermine the foundation on which we stand and the belief in our possibility as a nation to be better than we have been.

The “privileged class,” of which Kaepernick is a member, is often mystified by how those who protest injustice by using the very symbols and ritualized ceremony that elevate America’s ethos and American values as a “shared experience,” can do so in such a brazen way and still love their country as patriots. There is no mystery here. The point is that our experiences of America and being American are as vastly different and diverse as we are as an To be outraged by Kaepernick’s actions, calling him “anti-American and un-patriotic,” American people and the denial of that fact feeds into this (mostly white American) when he is fully within his constitutional rights and liberty as an American citizen, is outrage and sense of fragility or indignation around the symbolism of saying the Pledge to be the one engaging in non-patriotic behavior and sentiment. This country was of Allegiance or saluting the flag. It is difficult to continue to proclaim the things founded in protest, and ever since its founding, we have been engaged in a struggle to contained within these pledges and anthems as true when (to many) they ring clearly perfect our union and to actualize the freedoms and inalienable rights for ALL of our false, as supported by overwhelming evidence both empirical and experiential. This is citizens to this very day. Many people have protested, fought and died throughout our what Kaepernick, who is wealthy and was raised by white parents, has no longer been nation’s history to challenge the United States of America to live up to the platitudes and able to swallow or pretend that he does not see. Colin Kaepernick is a man of color, he proclamations upon which she stands. The struggle for equal rights, equal access and is not white and as a man of color with an evolving consciousness, he has found that he freedom for women, for African Americans, for LGBTQ Americans, for our individual can no longer sit in silent compliance as these injustices continue to allow blood to run religious freedoms, for the differently-abled, for children, in the streets of America. Colin Kaepernick must use for immigrants, for the mentally-ill, the homeless, the his privilege to speak out for those who cannot speak Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph.D. addicted, the imprisoned and incarcerated people of for themselves, and then stand up for his beliefs in the Founder and Artistic Director our nation, for our veterans and the list goes on and on face of personal scrutiny and possibly great personal The Conciliation Project and Associate Professor and on. We have PROTESTED in the public forum. It is sacrifice. That is what American Patriotism is all one of the most patriotic things one could ever do. To about! It is really difficult to listen to the outrage about Virginia Commonwealth University challenge our country and its citizens to become the Kaepernick being disrespectful when the NFL STILL DrT@Margins2theCenter.com | www.theconciliationproject.org America they insist that they are. The greatness of this has a team called the Redskins? IJS

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How to Guide

How to Choose Continued Adult Education Learning is a lifelong process. Continuing education is a great way to continue that lifelong process while updating your skills. Continuing education is also a great way to introduce you to a new career. Not all continuing education classes lead to degrees or certificates. Some people take classes to pick up new hobbies or to learn more about their current hobby. Schools and universities around the country offer a wide array of courses for adults and recent college graduates. REQUIRED TRAINING When you need to fulfill a training requirement for your career, continuing education can be particularly helpful. In the medical industry, for example, you might need training to understand new developments and techniques. If you need courses for this reason, ask yourself two questions: Does the course fill the requirements, and is it convenient for your schedule? Make sure the course will fulfill your obligation. In many cases, the instructor’s background and course curriculum need to be very specific in order to earn or renew a certification. Verify with your employer to be certain you have the right course. Many adult education courses are offered on nights and weekends, providing flexible

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schedules for most anyone’s routines and lifestyles. Some programs also offer online or correspondence options. It can be a good option if it fits into your lifestyle. But not everyone is a good fit for online training. You must be motivated and show initiative in order to complete the assignments. However, it is an increasingly common option because it is convenient, flexible and often more affordable. PERSONAL ENRICHMENT Anyone who has ever wanted to learn a new hobby, computer skill or sport can jump-start that interest through continuing education. It is a fantastic way to enrich your life without breaking your budget. Rather than spending thousands of dollars in tuition fees at a university program, you can spend a few hundred dollars to take courses that pique your interest. Begin your journey by finding all the continuing education courses offered in your area. They might be at your local civic center, chamber of commerce, or college. Look at the schedules and prices for each course. Highlight the ones you prefer. Then sign up and attend the class. It really is that simple. Soon you will be making new friends and learning skills. The rewards will extend beyond the classroom.

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Amanda Kimbrough is Building a ‘Brand N If you could write a letter to your younger self, what would it look like? Many adults prefer to use twoword mantras—Love yourself. Be yourself. Be confident. Be fearless. —while some would choose to write a dissertation mapping out the complicated maze of life’s events and offering cheat codes to conquer them all. For Amanda Kimbrough, however, her “letter” came in the form of a non-profit organization, and her “younger self ” is actually dozens of teenage girls in Central Virginia.

Kimbrough felt it was her purpose in life to reach out to these younger versions of herself and provide a safe space for them to learn, grow, and develop into strong young women who will one day change the world. The lessons she learned growing up were tough, but she knew it’d all be in vain if she didn’t take her pain and transform it into something full of purpose.

“As an adolescent, I lived Kimbrough founded Brand New with low self esteem,” she in 2015, determined to use her remembers. “I didn’t feel personal experiences to equip loved, and I didn’t know who teen girls with the tools needed I was. In middle school, I Brand New Ambassadors to navigate their adolescence. The was bullied because of my truth is, growing up in 2016 is tough. Living in the appearance, and I carried that insecurity with me into social media age, the pressure to resemble the women high school.” who flood our Instagram timelines only grows heavier. Girls are constantly told that who they are, what they In an effort to feel accepted and validated, Kimbrough look like, and how their body is shaped is simply not attached herself to the opposite sex, hoping that they’d good enough—they must be thinner, their hair must be define her and give her a sense of identity. But it never longer, their heels higher. happened. This Unique quirkiness takes a quest resulted in back seat to trying to “fit emotional damages in,” and if you aren’t paired and strongholds, with a guy to become and after leaving for #relationshipgoals on social college she found media, you’re simply behind herself pregnant at 19. the times. In 2016, there are What was supposed to seemingly more reasons for be an exciting time of girls to criticize themselves exploration and trial and less reasons to love and error turned into themselves. There’s pressure forced adulthood. to give in to self-doubt and At Virginia State University seek outside validation, “I was forced to grow which is a recipe for destruction. In these precious years up, and forced to marry the man I had my son with. We called adolescence, girls should be reminded that even were together for seven years, but it didn’t work because, without the validation of a boyfriend, a group of girls to again, I didn’t know who I was.” make up the ultimate girl squad, and the best body in town, they are enough. It wasn’t until March 2015 that God nudged her to use her story to reach girls who might be experiencing her 6

Urban Views Weekly | September 14, 2016

“The

same teenage struggles. There is truly nothing new under the sun, and if she endured it back when she was a young girl, sure enough there were others enduring it today. Despite much apprehension about fighting through the shame and guilt attached to her past, Amanda launched Brand New in July 2015 and agreed to be transparent about her story. Brand New is an organization for the girl who’s struggling to fit in. It’s for the girl who’s dealing with trauma—sexual abuse, domestic violence, or bullying. It’s for the girl who lacks the courage to have a voice and use it for good. It’s for the girl who wants to build strong, positive relationships with other young ladies. It’s for the girl who wants to grow into a strong woman who’s been equipped to lead and give birth to the next generation of leaders. Ultimately, Brand New is a safe space for

Amanda Kimbrough

New’ Coalition of Virtuous Young Women By Janna M. Hall

brought in teachers to discuss test-taking strategies and help prepare them for the SOLs, giving pointers that’ll make the daunting test a little more bearable. And that’s something that, as the organization grows, will continue to be an integral part of its foundation. Brand New really is a onestop-shop for the entire girl experience.

Girls”

girls to figure out this thing called life and be themselves every step of the way. Every month, Kimbrough puts together group meetings that ensure girls are given that safe space. Through monthly events called Snack & Chat, the girls come together and discuss the various issues affecting them in their everyday lives. “Our first meeting was about feeling beautiful in a not-so-beautiful world,” she says. “We addressed self-esteem issues, and I had girls dig deep into themselves to find out what’s beautiful on the inside and focus on those things.” Kimbrough understands that while emotional issues are critical in a girl’s life, you can’t neglect the most obvious struggle of the adolescent years: school. In other Snack & Chat meetings, she’s

“With our photo shoots, a girl is nominated and we give her a day of pampering. She gets a makeover, a new outfit, and then a photoshoot. And it’s not to be superficial, but sometimes a girl needs to see themselves in another light to see how beautiful they are on the outside.”

It’s through these monthly and annual events that Her own personal Kimbrough has been Snack and Chat Vision Boards passion project, Amanda’s able to see girls evolve personal life lessons are woven into the very fabric of in front of her very eyes. Girls who were once shy and her organization. She and her volunteers even delve into quiet now have a voice. In a world that often tells them the topic of abstinence with the hopes of reducing teen to be seen and not heard or to dim their light so that pregnancy rates. Their message is that girls are valuable others’ can shine brighter, Brand New provides the safe and should wait before connecting themselves with space for them to speak their minds and feel comfortable young men who will undoubtedly have an effect on their expressing themselves honestly. Their thoughts do lives in ways both positive and negative. Her hope is that matter. Because of that freedom of expression, girls they won’t make the same mistakes she did, mistakes she who were once afraid to make their voice heard are now admits she still deals with today. Through her teachings, ambassadors for the organization. girls learn that above all, they’re precious and absolutely worth waiting for. Though she set out to change girls’ lives, Of course, the Amanda Kimbrough organization’s message can’t deny the effect couldn’t spread without the girls have had on the help of dedicated her. ambassadors. Through its ambassador program, to “These girls have which girls must apply, 10 matured me,” she to 11 girls who are devoted explains. “Sometimes to the mission, all about I think I can’t do girl power, and are leaders this because I’m not in their school spread the perfect, but these girls Books before Boys Pajama Jam word about Brand New and have pushed me to be invite students to join monthly meetings. great and have shown me that I’m needed and worthy. God has a great plan for my life. I set out to help them, Other events include vision board parties, annual but they’re really helping me. They’re teaching me how December “Books Before Boys” Pajama Jams, and their to be a leader, focus on my assignment, persevere, not popular transformation photo shoots. procrastinate, and be present. So I’m thankful for this opportunity.

continues on page 10

Photos submitted by Amanda Kimbrough

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The Deal

By Nathaniel Sillin

Back-to-School Tech for Your Children • Use retailers’ outlets. Manufacturers sometimes offer older models, open-box items, and refurbished electronics for a discount at their online outlet sites. The product might even be as good as new, but can’t be sold at full price because the box is damaged. Check back often because the sites frequently post new items.

It’s increasingly common to find classrooms filled with the blue hue of computer and tablet screens. Early education or postgraduate work, there’s a shift towards technology-driven, or at least technology-aided, schooling. Students who learn to use technology to stay organized, conduct in-depth research and collaborate with peers can also use these skills in college and their professional lives. What devices might students need? Laptops, tablets and smartphones are the primary devices that many students use. Although your child likely doesn’t need one of each, a graphing calculator is sometimes a second necessity for classes and standardized tests. Some high schools have a one-to-one program and issue students a laptop or tablet that they can bring home. Other schools let students borrow devices while in class, or let students bring their own device. While the upfront costs of purchasing a device are understandably higher, you might want to buy one anyway. You won’t need to return it, and it can be used during summer breaks and subsequent years at no extra cost.

Saving money when purchasing your own tech. If you decide to buy a device, you may be able to save money by timing your purchase and comparison shopping. • Find discounts during annual sales. Back-to-school sales often include electronics, making this a good time to buy. Some manufacturers release new models between June and August, which can lead to an even better discount on last year’s models. Labor Day and the holidays sales are prime deal times later in the year.

• Look for student deals. Some software companies and electronics manufacturers offer student discounts to high schoolers, while others restrict the savings to current or incoming college students. Research policies from manufacturers, as well as online retailers, and compare them with your local stores’ policies. • Educational discounts for homeschooling parents. Homeschooling parents may be eligible for manufacturers’ educational discounts even if their child doesn’t qualify for a student discount. • Shop at resellers. If you’re looking for a particular type of tablet or laptop, search far and wide for the best price. There’s no guarantee that buying directly from the manufacturer is cheapest. Continues to Page 11

Urban Views Weekly | September 14, 2016

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SAVOR

Family Features Courtesy Midwest Dairy Association

Love Your Leftovers: 5 tips to reduce food waste

• Love your dairy leftovers. Rely on dairy’s versatility to transform leftover ingredients into a new creative meal idea. For example, milk and cheese can help turn tonight’s roasted turkey breast into tomorrow’s Turkey Tetrazzini with Cheddar and Parmesan.

Americans waste an estimated 40 percent of the food they buy. In fact, the average person wastes an estimated 25 pounds of food every month, and dairy products are thrown out more than other foods, even produce. Learning kitchen tricks and strategies to store dairy products properly can help reduce food waste.

• Portion and freeze future meals. Soups, stews and casseroles all freeze well, including those that contain dairy products. Milk is best when used within three months of freezing and yogurt when used within two months. For best quality, soft cheeses should be used within two to three months of freezing and hard cheese within six months.

There are many ways to make a difference, including using products correctly and being creative in the kitchen. • To toss could be a loss. Research conducted by the Midwest Dairy Association found more than half of consumers don’t understand the meaning of “Sell-By” or “Use-By” dates on dairy products. These dates actually indicate peak quality, not safety. Dairy products can be safely consumed beyond the “Sell-By,” “Best-By” or Use-By” dates up to one week for milk, up to 10 days for yogurt and weeks or months for most soft and hard cheeses. • Know when to throw it. Discard dairy products if

they have an off flavor, odor or appearance. Soft cheese or yogurt with mold should be discarded. Mold on hard cheese should be removed by cutting off a 1-inch square around the affected area and throwing it away; the rest is safe to eat.

• Put nutrition first. Many experts agree eating too many calories is a form of food waste; it can impact health and lead to chronic disease, including obesity. Maximize food choices with healthy, nutrient-rich options. For example, milk, cheese and yogurt provide a unique package Continues to Page 10 of nine essential nutrients, and

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9/8/16 5:06 9 PM

Brand New from page 7

God did it to change my life.” Though primarily serving the Prince George, Hopewell, and Petersburg area, Kimbrough envisions a Brand New organization established in every state along the east coast, all run by the young women who have experienced first-hand the impact the organization has on girls. Her message is one that girls everywhere need to hear and internalize. And the “why” behind it is very simple:

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“We want to give them the necessary skills to become leaders who will change the world. That’s what it’s all about. These girls will eventually be women who will raise children and build communities. So we need them to be strong, empowered, and take everything they’ve learned from us and build a strong and powerful new generation.”

Tracey Syphax

Savor from page 9

three daily servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy products have been shown to improve overall diet quality, promote good health and reduce the risk of various chronic diseases. Go to MidwestDairy.com to find more tips to reduce food waste and recipes to help put your leftovers to good use.

Turkey Tetrazzini with Cheddar and Parmesan Prep time: 40 minutes Cook time: 45 minutes Servings: 6

Nonstick cooking spray

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 package (12 ounces) whole- wheat penne pasta

2 cups sliced white button mushrooms

2 tablespoons butter

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup flour 3

cups low-fat milk

cup fat-free low-sodium chicken broth

1/2 cup dry white wine (or additional chicken broth)

Tracey D. Syphax, a former felon, is an entrepreneur, community activist, and a motivational speaker. He is the President/CEO of two million dollar- award winning corporations, Capitol City Contracting Inc. and Phax Group, LLC. Capitol City Contracting Inc. specializes in home and building improvements Phax Group, LLC is a real estate development company.

Stir Parmesan cheese, pasta, turkey and peas into milk mixture; spoon into prepared baking dish. Top with cheddar cheese and cover loosely with foil. Bake about 45 minutes, or until bubbling at edges and heated through. Urban Views Weekly | September 14, 2016

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1 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions. In large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and stir in flour. Stirring constantly, cook about 2 minutes. Whisk in milk, chicken broth, wine and pepper; bring mixture to a boil. Stir in mushrooms, reduce heat and cook about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, or until mixture thickens and mushrooms are softened.

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started their own businesses, 45,000 new businesses would be created in the US. A five-year study found that low-income entrepreneurs (those with household incomes less than 150% of the poverty line) reduced their reliance on government assistance on average by 61%.

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Classifieds

The Deal from page 8

FUNdraising from page 2

a social group selected your organization as the recipient of their annual fundraiser. Have you stayed in touch with the group? Do you know if they want to select your organization again this year? In some cases you can cultivate individuals and organizations that make an unexpected or windfall gift; in other cases, that isn’t possible. Consider reviewing your 2015 data and pulling out unusually large or unexpected gifts. Form a small committee tasked with assessing whether or not your organization should expect to see these gifts repeated. Committee members can develop cultivation and stewardship activities that target these donors one-onone as appropriate. Focus on both donor acquisition and retention. Increasing gifts from current donors, and regaining lapsed donors can increase your fundraising effectiveness. Remember more resources are required to acquire new donors than to retain current or lapsed donors. Copyright 2016 – Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw are authors of the new book FUNdraising Good Times Classics Vol. 1 now available on Amazon.com. For help growing your fundraising, visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.

• Trade in old devices. Some retailers give you store credit for your old electronics. It’s a good option if you have a device that’s just gathering dust on a shelf. • Buy used. While used electronics may be older and slower than the latest model, that’s not always a problem. For example, some standardized tests forbid test takers from using newer web-enabled graphing calculators. You can find used items online, at garage sales and in local Facebook buy/ sell/trade groups. If there isn’t a warranty or guarantee from a reputable company, determine the device’s quality before making a purchase. • Always check for coupons and rebates. Whether you’re shopping online or in a store, always check for coupons and discount codes. Researching the store’s name plus “coupon code” will often result in a list of sites with the latest codes. Look for more savings by searching the product’s name plus rebate.

• Consider budget laptops. There are laptops available for just a few hundred dollars. Although these less expensive options may come at a compromise on performance or storage capabilities, they can be well suited for students’ basic tasks.

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Where you find the best deal can depend on what you’re looking for, the time of year and one-off promotions. Consider all your options and weigh the pros and cons of buying an older or used device. Bottom line: Understanding technology is a necessity for many of today’s students and professionals. Ensuring students have access to technology at home could help them excel at school and later in life. While some devices can be costly, there are programs and opportunities that can help you save money if you know where to look. Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs. To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ PracticalMoney

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