Happy Birthday blackgirlgrown!
Wow! I can’t believe it’s been a year since the launch of blackgirlgrown. What began as a personal search for information, community, and problem-solving has turned into a public platform for the same. In the last 12 months, I’ve met some phenomenal women online and in person – all focused on improving themselves and the world around them. I’ve kept to a commitment to post every week despite the challenges of having a full time career, family commitments, and life in general – all while making sure that I am experiencing life to the fullest. This is a big deal for me. I’ve become more ...
blackgirlgrown 2010 Happiness Project – January: Energy
Several months ago I stumbled upon Gretchen Rubin, a new author and guest blogger on Huffington Post. Her focus: to be happy and help others find happiness. Before you avert your eyes and click elsewhere with the “how can someone teach me to be happy” groan, give us a minute. Gretchen Rubin’s Happiness Project, more fulfilling than the usual New Year's resolutions that seem overwhelming and unattainable, focuses on monthly, thematic, and manageable resolutions. Its focus is on making small changes in life management as the primary resolution! Instead of big, larger-than-life, resolutions that are difficult to keep, the Happiness Project focuses on ...
Caring for Aging Parents: Family Meeting
Coordinating family caregiving responsibilities for aging parents The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving is dedicated to providing family caregivers with the support, training and resources they need to ensure quality care for their aging loved ones. Yet, most caregivers continue to enter the caregiving process with little or no knowledge of what comprehensive geriatric care entails. Many are subsequently completely overwhelmed by the responsibilities of caregiving. "There are only four kinds of people in the world—those who have been caregivers, those who currently are caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who need caregivers." – former First Lady Rosalynn Carter Sole caregiver Caring ...
Haiti on My Mind
Catastrophic doesn’t begin to describe the Haiti earthquake's devastation on a country already ravaged by poverty. Haiti is one of the poorest in the Western Hemisphere, if not the world. I can’t bear to watch the news footage or see the pictures of destruction without doing something to help. I encourage you to do so as well. Help Haiti Text "HAITI" to "90999" and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill. You can also give to the American Red Cross at 1-800-REDCROSS or redcross.org. Text “Yele” to 501501, ...
Of Coloreds, Negros, Blacks, and African Americans
Senator Harry Reid’s (D-NV) “poor word choice” and a mini uproar on the use of the word Negro on the upcoming U.S. Census forms has me thinking about black folks and name changes. I swear we have to be the most-renamed population in America. One of my favorite quotes is from W.C. Field’s in which he reminds us all: “It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.” So what are we answering to these days? My grandfather still uses the word colored, sometimes interchangeably with black. My parent’s generation is most comfortable with black (say it loud!). The term African American ...
Living Clutter Free Does Not Happen by Accident
By Dee Dee Bass-Francis, Chaos Solutions Clutter is generally a case of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter. However, most of us do mind. We mind when our homes, cars and offices become disorganized because whether we realize it or not, physical clutter creates mental clutter. January is National Get Organized Month and I can think of no better time than now to reign in the chaos that comes from a cluttered home or workspace. For the last three years as owner of Chaos Solutions a personal assistant and concierge service, I have witnessed a number of unique strategies ...
work
Unwritten Rules for Women in the WorkplaceKudos to Essence for its recent blog on the unwritten rules for women in the workplace by Ann Daly. We can all relate to these rules whether we agree with them or not. More often than not the simple...
Basic Rules of the Road on The NetSeveral months ago we stumbled upon a great “Top 10” net etiquette website on all things technology including email, cell phones, and social media. Upon entering the site, you are greeted by the...
9 Social Networking Sites for Women Who Mean BusinessWhat is the real power behind women entrepreneurs? A study by the Center for Women’s Business Research shows that women now own 40 percent of private firms, women-owned businesses generate about $3 trillion...
Read More Posts From This Categorylife
February Happiness Project: Give LoveFebruary’s theme for blackgirlgrown’s 2010 Happiness Project is LOVE. Happiness Project author Gretchen Rubin notes that the more love in your life, the happier you are. This is in no means limited to romantic love. It is the love of...
Is This What Passes For Love These Days?Not too sure how many readers caught the drama of more than a week ago on my Twitter feed. I was awakened at 2 am to hear the one-sided phone conversation of my neighbor’s drunk grandson. Forgetting that voices carry (or truly just not giving a...
Top Ten Things I Wish I Had Thought About Before 40
My birthday is coming. Its not for a few months so you have time to prepare your good wishes. But as I’ve been planning my celebrations (yes, multiple… I LOVE my birthday), I’ve also been thinking a lot about my life and what’s...
Read More Posts From This CategoryMoney
Tax Time: Home Office DeductionsRequirements Checklist: Ask yourself the following to see if you are eligible for a business use of the home office deduction: Is your use of the business part of your home exclusive, regular, and for your business? To qualify under the exclusive...
Get Your (Financial) Papers in OrderMotley Fool features a great article on making sure you have your financial, medical, and personal papers in order. God forbid your life ends prematurely. But would your loved ones have a clue as to what your financial or medical wishes are? Of if...
Roth IRA Limits Removed for 2010blackgirlgrown is proud to feature Shannon King Nash, author of the award-winning book entitled, “For the Love of Money: The 411 to Taking Control of Your Taxes and Building Your Net Worth.” Roth IRAs have long been a great retirement choice. You...
Read More Posts From This CategoryEngage
John Legend’s Waiting for SupermanIt is amazing to see perception square up with reality. I have long appreciated the passion in John Legend’s music. It is refreshing to see that passion translate into social engagement in the documentary...
Tax Time: Home Office DeductionsRequirements Checklist: Ask yourself the following to see if you are eligible for a business use of the home office deduction: Is your use of the business part of your home exclusive, regular, and for...
Black History Month Still ImportantWe don’t fall into the “post-racial” category. Black History Month is, and remains, an important reflection on and celebration of African American history and culture. Newsweek has a web exclusive...
Read More Posts From This Categorypolitics
This Week in Washington (Besides Snow): February 8, 2010The blizzard of 2010 has paralyzed most of Washington, DC, federal government included. And more snow is in the forecast for this week. The White House: Last week, the President released his budget for fiscal year 2011. President Obama also unveiled a number of measures to support small businesses which he used his weekly address to highlight. This week, President and First Lady Obama will host musicians to celebrate Black History Month. Also, First Lady Michelle Obama will unveil her initiative... [Continue Reading]
Read More Posts From This Category
