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Memoir Writing...

So...one day last month, I was sitting and thinking about my life and all of it's hangups and disappointments but also some of the more happier times. It was then that I've started to think about my years spent at my beloved HBCU - Xavier University. For the last 5 years, I've resided in New Orleans and attended this school and feel like through those years, I have alot of experience and alot of things to write about. I've decided to write a memoir about my life including interpersonal relationships. I'm so passionate about this that I've already started to brainstorm. Now that I am coming upon completion of my degree, I've now added this project to my list of goals and won't stop until it's finished. My story may not mean the world to everyone. But I know that SOMEONE out there will relate to it and enjoy it. And hopefully, every person who reads it will take away something from it. That's my ultimate goal.


I am a novice writer and I've already found FOUR things that a Memoir writer need in order to be a writers via Writing Time

1. Stubbornness. To be mule-like in your stubbornness; not absorbing one logical thing your family or friends tell you about the impossibility of becoming a writer (hours wasted, no way to make a living etc).

2. A passion for books and language to the point of addiction. You cannot live without reading. And your life isn’t real and filled with meaning unless it’s written down.

3. The ability to sit in a room all by yourself making up people or writing about yourself while the rest of the world is out there wearing real clothes and acting like grown-ups.

4. The courage to risk making a total fool of yourself on paper. (And always remember: no one else will know of your foolishness until you’re ready for them to read about it. And then most likely they’ll identify with it.)

I've already been born with three of these qualities.

Gulf-South Summit Conference

Darn! I wish I would have taken pictures! But of course, my memory card has yet to be replaced. Batteries too. But anywho...





This past Friday, (March 27th, 2009) I presented at the Gulf South Summit Conference on Service Learning in Baton Rouge, LA. The conference was spearheaded by Louisiana State University and the presentations took on to three glances: Rethinking Student Roles, Rethinking Faculty Roles, and Rethinking Community Roles.

Presenting during our timeslot of 2:00pm - 3:15pm along with myself and a fellow classmate were our adored Xavier University of Louisiana's Communications professors Dr. Kimberly Chandler, Dr. Ross Louis, and Dr. Dave Park (who had won an award by the way - way to go!) Also with us was our community partner Brandan from http://www.2-cent.com

During my time to speak, I described to the audience what my experiences were like while doing service learning. During a PR course we took last semester, we did two campaigns. One to save a historical church (http://www.savewesleyunited.org - designed by us!) and another to donate money to the Lower 9th Ward Village Community Center. (http://www.lowerd9thwardvillage.org - link below!)

This experience has definitely turned me on to community needs as well as preparation for my career as a Public Relations practitioner. I've learned that EFFECTIVE campaigns takes time and dedication. I've tightened up my press release writing skills and I'm taking with me an experience to remember for a lifetime.





So far, we've gotten incredible results for the church but still open for more generosity. :)

The Lower 9th Ward still needs money to fund their afterschool programs, computer labs, art studio, recording studio, basketball court and kitchen!

What I've learned is that hard work and dedication can have great results. I've learned that I can be an effective change agent and that I can make a difference. I'm glad that our PR campaign reached the audiences that it did. To find out that it went to the Netherlands and Holland as well as caught the eye of some big time businesses overwhelmed me to say the least. They will be donating materials and workers (for FREE) to help save the historical Wesley United Methodist Church!


To find out more, please visit:
Save Wesley United!

Lower 9th Ward Village

and our latest campaign :)

Re Grand Opening this Saturday, April 4th at 10am!The Wright Place!

Domestic Violence --- When is it too late?

I'm writing this blog because a common theme on my blog has been about the dangers of Domestic Violence. I'm definitely not trying to be on the bandwagon with it (although I made a Chris/Rhianna post. I ought to delete it because it's not as if everybody and their mom has put in their 2 cents about the situation). These are just my thoughts. But anyway, what are some of the danger signs? From what I've observed from victims, it starts out as verbal. Then it turned into a push here and a shove there. Then it's a flat out ass whooping.

I'm not trying to say that all men are dogs and women are the only victims in this situation because it's not the case. The posters on the ever so male chauvinist message board, The United Players of America, have made it quite obvious that they have not problem laying hands on a woman if she deserves it. (Visit www.unitedplayers.com .... it's a group of Tariq Nasheed followers who are living the "mack" lifestyle.... or so they think but I digress) I just want to say that for men to feel like they need to hit a woman to prove a point (whether she did something to you first or not) is completely weak. When you are at a greater physical advantage than most women, how can that be a FAIR fight?

I'm listening to "Hit on Me" by Syleena Johnson as I'm typing and she's a married woman in an abusive relationship praying to the Lord that her kids don't witness her getting abused. I mean, that is some truly sad shit. These men don't even think of the kinds of effects that this kind of abuse will have on their children. History always repeats itself and you learn what you live. Chris Brown case in point, witnessed his mom getting beat all the time and look what he did. I'm not saying EVERYBODY who lives in that kind of environment turns out that way but it doesn't surprise anyone when they do turn out that way.

In closing, I will say to the young women who may stumble across my blog and are in that situation, please get out of it. Love is not supposed to hurt and this form abuse can lead to DEATH. One day, he will beat you so hard and so long that you WILL lose your life. Get help now! Don't wait until it is too late.

Domestic Violence Hotlines and Resources

If you or someone you know is frightened about something in a certain relationship, please call the following:


National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224.

Other resources: (from feminist.org)
Click here ----> Link to Resources

My Plans to Start a Non-Profit

Here are some of the reasons why:

Domestic Violence: It Kills
By: Britney Francis


Domestic violence is a crime that is committed to not only women, but men and also innocent children. As it is a learned behavior and a vicious cycle, the heinous acts of domestic violence occur to a wide spectrum of people, the numbers show women as the main victim. According to the American Institute on Domestic Violence, numbers show that between 85% to 95% of the victims are women. Domestic violence can affect more than just the victim but also the workplace, families, and can even lead to death.

On the night of October 30th, an unreported case of domestic violence took the life of a 17 year old Morgan City high school student headed for college. Kim Gobert, Jr. was known as a respectable young man who was about to finish high school a semester early. He was also a talented football player who had dreams of becoming a football star. Unfortunately, his mother’s boyfriend had other plans for his life. According to a neighbor and Kim’s former teacher, Darris Dorsey frequently beat Kim’s mother and had broken her arms twice. Dorsey had gotten into fights often with Kim while he was trying to defend his mother and younger sister. While they were traveling in a car on the way to the store that fateful night, Kim was stabbed in the stomach during an altercation then rushed to the hospital where he later died. Dorsey has since been charged with first-degree murder.

According to the American Institute on Domestic Violence, 5.3 million women are abused each year and about 1,232 women are killed each year by an intimate partner. Domestic violence is also the leading cause of injury to women. Break the Chain Against Domestic Violence reports that 70% of men who abuse their partners abuse their partners’ children as well. Only 3% of domestic violence cases reported are against men. Higher percentages, 83% and 75% were those of men who were husbands and boyfriends.

In the African American Community, African American women experience domestic violence at higher numbers than white women. The top murders of African American women are committed against them by a current or former intimate partner. The Africana Voices Against Violence reports that 17% of African American women actually report abuse to the authorities.

There are a vast array of organizations against Domestic Violence. These organizations provide help for those in crisis and provide recovery opportunities for those who receive their help. The organization encourages those who know of any cases of domestic violence to provide a way of intervention and most of all -- PREVENTION. Ways of intervening would be to tell someone that is trusted, call Domestic Violence hotlines, direct the abused to a Domestic Violence website, or simply call 911. By helping, even a little bit, could save a life.

His story inspired me so much that I've decided to start a non-profit in his honor. All of his peers, family members, close friends and friends of the family including myself have taken it quite hard. I'm determined to start this non-profit so that no other mothers would have to go through what his mother has been through. Hopefully I can be up and running by 2010...


PLEASE PEOPLE!!!
If you or someone you know is frightened about something in a certain relationship, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224.

Black Unity, does it exist?

So, today I was in Walmart picking up some items and this random guy just comes up to me, shoves a magazine in my face. Barack and Michelle were in an embrace and he was kissing her cheek. He said, "This is the president" and we both smiled. It's like, Black people have been floating on Cloud nine since November 4th. Everyone's smiling at each other, nodding, giving each other that look like "you know whats up". LOL This guy at the post office yesterday did that to me. So I'm wondering is there such thing as Black Unity? Did it ever really exist? And will there be this renewed Black unity now that we have Barack in office? I guess only time will tell.