Archive for the 'Inspiring Stories / Poetry' Category
by Angela Harper
"In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is the power to do it."
-Marianne Williamson
Well, in this case, it’s not really a child; more of a young adult. In the Gate City of Greensboro, NC one young woman with the help of her peers is rejuvenating and preserving the 202 year old city. Zim Ugochukwu, a UNCG student, has been working diligently over the past two years at these endeavors. She is the creator of The Ignite Greensboro Project; an idea she conjured up during a 2008 conference with the intent to showcase Greensboro’s rich Civil Rights Movement history. During the Civil Rights Movement many college students in Greensboro were involved; from the sit-in of the Greensboro Four to the shootout with the National Guard. Though it’s been over 40 years since the movement there are still social issues that need addressing.
I chose to talk to Zim, because like myself; she sees the importance of college-age individuals being actively involved in their communities and if need be being the driving force of change. When she began the Ignite Greensboro Project she spoke with former mayor Yvonne Johnson about her idea to for the Civil Rights Museum and her other ideas. Mayor Johnson said to her, “Get $2 from every college student.” Genius! Greensboro is home to thousands of college students from various parts of the world! Zim instantly got to work; talking with coworkers on the Obama campaign and at the local colleges.
The fundraising was only a portion of the Ignite Greensboro Project. Educating students on the history of Greensboro and the importance of community involvement was the core of this movement. Students spent time in training sessions learning and even more time in the community putting to use what they’d learn. The Ignite Greensboro Project gained momentum and swept across the city!
As a result the Civil Rights Museum opened in Downtown Greensboro and the Ignite Greensboro Project donated a mosaic, video diaries, and $1,000. The museum celebrated its opening with grandeur and paid homage to those who involved in the Civil Rights Movement. Guests for the opening activities included Gospel music recording artist Yolanda Adams, activist Rev. Jessie Jackson, Miss North Carolina USA Nadia Moffett, a division of The Buffalo Soldiers, Greensboro Four members: Franklin McCain, David Richmond, Jr. (son of David Richmond), Joseph McNeil, and Jibreel Khazan, NC Senator Kay Hagen, Geneva Tisdale (who was a waitress at the Woolworth’s in 1960), countless students, countless Greensboro citizens, news cameras, and above all of that a spirit of unity and peace!
Zim’s efforts didn’t stop with the museum! She quickly began working on an energy conservation project, “Let’s Raise 1,000,000”. With the help of approximately 400 college students, Lowe’s, and other community organizers , the East White Oak community of Greensboro was provided with energy efficient light bulbs. A small change in their everyday lives resulted in a $60,000 decrease in the community’s overall energy bill. The community was grateful for and overjoyed.
Her achievements could fill an entire edition of The P3 Power Boost, but that isn’t why I wanted to interview her. While I am impressed with the outcomes of all her projects, I am more impressed with the work that goes into these projects. In today’s society our college aged citizens seem to be more concerned with what to wear and what’s on television than they are with anything else. Zim and I chatted for a bit about the difficulties she faced when working on these projects. During the Let’s Raise 1,000,000 project she acted as a liaison between…everyone involved! She told me that in 12 days she used 1,000 minutes on her cell phone and was even working while recovering from surgery! She had a moment of fear when she realized there may not be enough funding for the project, but that problem was fixed and the funding came through. She tapped into the power of “word of mouth” to spread the information and used social networking sites to reach even more people.
We wrapped up our dialogue by discussing the importance of our generation becoming more involved in their communities. Large populations of college students in Greensboro are not from there, but live there for college and for many post-graduation. She and I both feel that it is imperative to become involved in the community you’re living in; regardless if that is your hometown or not. The college experience is not solely about going to class, partying, and joining clubs. The college experience is four years (or more) of life experience. It is, for many, the foundation of self-discovery; moments that will shape them for the rest of their lives.
She and I both agreed that several people in our generation see social issues, but aren’t sure how to fix them, may not be in the position to fix them, or may not have the courage to start the process. Zim made it clear that if our generation steps outside of the box and becomes involved in the community just by doing the smallest things they will gain the knowledge, courage, and drive to make a difference. It starts with one person and then others will join. Zim’s projects started small, but through perseverance and consistency they grew into historical events that have inspired a generation and will be remembered for generations to come.
With her bright smile, contagious laugh, and beautiful spirit Zimuzor Ugochukwu may have a name that can twist your tongue, but will never be forgotten.
Angela Harper is a member of the P3 team and plays a vital role in getting the the P3 Power Boost out and into your inbox every month.
March 25 2010 | Inspiring Stories / Poetry and Other Useful Articles and Power Boost: April 2010 | 2 Comments »
By Lauren Wilder
“Change comes eventually.” If you don’t recognize this line then you’re obviously not a Lauryn Hill fan, no worries because you can relate to the quote without remainder of the chorus. It’s from her song “Everything is Everything” and that’s exactly how I feel right now. I’m coming out of my transition phase into a stage of understanding. My life since college has changed rapidly from day to week to month. In the past I had the tendency to dwell on the past, but life changes so quickly that I have to keep moving with it. As for the season changing, it’s much anticipated even though I’m hearing Chicago’s spring is a rainy season.
Back in the lovely state of North Carolina lays my buffer, 95% of the people I’m closest to reside there. I have adjusted not exactly gracefully, but I have found that I can manage. I slipped up and I tried to find that buffer concept here in one person. Let’s scratch that, I wasn’t looking, but I thought I found it in one person. It ended exactly how it started, rapidly like life.
I won’t delve into the juicy details because that’s not what my column is about. It is about my enlightenment from lessons I have learned. So my first epiphany of 2010 is that I am my own comfort zone, but even now I find it difficult to believe.
I hopped on a Southwest airplane last summer with the desire to learn and see new things. I came here to start my life. There are many young people my age with the same story, small town and move into the big city. Some have dreams and some want to escape the mundane lifestyle that consists of hanging out at Wal-Mart on the weekend.
I have been reminded constantly that I’m not in my town of 25,000, also that I’m not near the ones that know me the best. I have realized that I rely on them heavily even though I am miles away. Where ever I go now I know that I have to back myself, be my cheerleader, be my own shoulder and protector (for the most part). Also, no one can live my life except for me. There are people here who love me dearly and want the very best for me. I have to want it and do it.
My dear readers I have changed, as much as the weather has, tremendously since I’ve landed here and I have a long way to go.
Lauren Wilder is an up-and-coming journalist who recently moved to Chicago. She shares her adventures with P3 readers every month.
March 01 2010 | Inspiring Stories / Poetry and Other Useful Articles and Power Boost: March 2010 and Your Emotional Self | No Comments »
By Karyn L. Beach
My friend Timogi is an incredible woman. She is a poet, clothing designer, business woman and motivational speaker. She hosts what she calls Sistah Parties. At a Sistah Party , Timogi has a table filled with random kitschy knick knacks and two stacks of cards, one with quotes and one with questions. The women at the party each come up to the table and pick an item or a card and Timogi explains the significance and allow the women to discuss it. I love Sistah Parties and I’ve been to several. I never get bored because each party is different.
I attended a Sistah Party a few weeks ago and a woman got up and picked up what looked like a DNA molecule. She handed it to Timogi. Timogi looked at it and said, “Our DNA determines a lot of what makes us who we are. It determines our gender, our height and any number of things. But what we do with what our DNA has given us is up to us.” Then she went over to the woman who selected the molecule and handed it back to her. While she is holding it, Timogi said, “It’s in your hands .”
WOW…
So many times, we let our gender, our race, or our socioeconomic background define us. When we do that, we fail to realize that our destinies, the paths we choose and the choices we make, are really in our hands. It truly is up to us.
In 2010, the only thing that can stop us is us. I am an African-American woman, I recognize that those two factors play a role in who I am and how I experience this world. Yet, those things for me are filters. They are lens that help shape my perceptions.
They are not obstacles. They are not barriers. They will not stop me.
I don’t know you personally but I know that you have your struggles, your demons, and your complicated pasts. However you got to where you are, the rest is now up to you. It’s in your hands .
Karyn L. Beach is a life coach, corporate trainer and editor of the P3 Power Boost.
March 01 2010 | Inspiring Stories / Poetry and Other Useful Articles and Power Boost: March 2010 | 1 Comment »
by Lauren Wilder
The title of this installment reminds me of a chant from an organization, National Black Society (NBS), at my alma mater. It works better if I had a chair next to you at your computer, but the chant starts “Are you motivated? Yes, I’m motivated!” So Wilder is motivated and it’s about time. First I want to say thank you to my faithful readers because I heard through the grapevine praise that was much needed.
I am motivated to go back to school. **Gasp** Yes, as much as I was completely against the notion, I realized that finding a job could possibly take a year. As many economists and financial experts think they know the end of the recession or when there will be a job boom, the truth is no one knows. I don’t plan on twiddling my thumbs hoping I’ll get a call for a second interview, which feels like a life and death matter by the way. Lucky for me I’m not a mother or wife so its o.k. for me to be employed part-time. I am in a lovely place called the beginning.
Surprisingly this weather has motivated me to press on persevere through the downtown winds backhanding me in. Just like the world itself the winter is only going to get colder and harder to make it to work, an interview, or the library. I believe there is some element in your life that is pushing you that you may not be aware of, so take a minute and acknowledge it. After you have done that keep going because there’s always something around the corner waiting for you.
January 31 2010 | Inspiring Stories / Poetry and Power Boost: February 2010 and Women Living On Purpose | No Comments »
by Lauren Wilder
Two months in Chicago feels like a year, in a good way. When you’re in a new city you run into and meet a lot of fascinating people. Making friends in your early twenties is pretty tough, well really after college; it’s fun, annoying, and even lonely. Sure I have friends from childhood and college, but they’re not here to experience this new chapter of my life. So, for this installment I would like to take it back to the first grade. Some of us can’t remember that far back and if not I’m sure you can recreate in your mind what it was like to make friends as a kid. I can recall one childhood friendship and I simply asked her, “Will you be my friend,” adorable isn’t it. Now let’s try this in adulthood…
I work for a really nice clothing store in downtown and the majority of my coworkers are older, much older. Luckily I have a manager in her late 20s and two other part timers about my age. Before I continue, I’d like to say I really enjoy people and I grew up with a twin and we did everything together. I guess maybe I’m missing that bond that I’m looking for that P.I.C. (Partner In Crime).
So, my coworker an upbeat and stylish person asks “Want to be friends?” That’s a pretty dangerous question in adulthood. Here’s why, in adulthood you really don’t know who you’re going to get as a friend. In childhood the worst thing that could happen is some sand in your hair and a highly unlikely fight, which usually escalates from a play fight. In adulthood however you deal with adult problems. Getting ditched in the club, excessive drinking or drug use, gossip, backstabbing, and downright ugliness that people do to each other.
My coworker, who I thought was relatively safe to hang out with, turns out to be a lush. Now I like to toast to the weekend and feel good, but I’m still in control of myself. So, we go out once that’s usually the test drive and she got an O.K. next to her name. A few days later we go out again to a concert I’ve been dying to see since I landed in Chicago. Needless to say I didn’t get to see the headliner. Where there is a drunken girl there’s almost always a guy around trying to buy her more drinks. So, I played sober sister and kept an eye out for her.
An act before the headliner was scheduled I look over and she didn’t look to well. And in my head is get her out now while she can still walk or later when you’ll need someone to carry her out. My mood was already sour because I was mad about how long it was taking for the main performer to come on. But, I hailed a cab hopped out to my train and told her to go straight home.
Another outing where there’s alcohol involved? I think not. As well as the other people I’ve befriended we have yet to see what’s in between the folds. I will give my coworker this, she isn’t hiding how she parties and is pretty upfront. It’s better to find this out now than later. And I still think she’s cool just not when she’s not in control.
You might be wondering if there’s anything going on in the dating arena. Well, I’ve seen gorgeous men left and right mostly at popular events and they’re usually with their girlfriend or fiancée. So, I have yet to be in a meeting point where I’m interested (and not fighting my way through rush hour) and he’s cute…and interested.
But back to friends, well you have to have them before you can date. The moral of this story, there isn’t one. However, I will say this if you are over the age of 10 and someone asks you to be their friend, proceed with caution. Also, sometimes these instances make being young all the more fun and interesting. I’ll wait and watch my friends unfold, including myself.
December 09 2009 | Inspiring Stories / Poetry and Power Boost: December 2009 | No Comments »
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