Hiyaah Power

The Joint Center

I could barely sleep after the riveting discussion yesterday at The Joint Center's briefing on Broadband Adoption.  Kudos to Dr. Nichol Turner-Lee for keeping the conversation moving forward.  Download the report today.

The study, National Minority Broadband Adoption:  Comparative Trends in Adoption, Acceptance and Use, is now available on the Joint Center’s website at www.jointcenter.org.  This study is the first in a series of publications to be issued by the Joint Center Media and Technology Institute.

 The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies is one of the nation's leading research and public policy institutions and the only one whose work focuses primarily on issues of particular concern to African Americans and other people of color. The Joint Center will mark its 40th Anniversary of service in 2010. To learn more, please visit www.jointcenter.org. 

Support African Ancestry's Youth Program and Vote with Pepsi

Vote to give this idea 50K: Help at-risk black youth in D.C. unlock the secret of their identity.  #pepsirefresh http://pep.si/djV2zm

Goals

• Transform the way at-risk black youth in D.C. view themselves.
• Educate youth about science, history, technology & geography.
• Provide ancestry tests to 100 at-risk black youth in D.C.
• Film reactions & stories of youth as they learn their true roots.

 

Pictures

Overview

The True Roots Project will give at-risk, black youth the opportunity to discover something precious about themselves using ancestry testing to reveal their true heritage. Rather than embracing the gang culture’s false tribalism, they will have the opportunity to embrace their true roots – as proud sons and daughters of Africa in America. We will deliver: 1. Ancestry testing for 100 at-risk, black Washington, DC youth, provided with the help of African Ancestry.An "ancestry ceremony" where the young men learn of their heritage.A curriculum based on the science and technology behind ancestry testing, and the history and geography of Africa and the slave trade in the US.A film and multimedia presentation documenting the participants reaction.This process will give them a new sense of grounding, inspiration and personal pride. As a result, it will help make our urban neighborhoods more peaceful and prosperous. It can also help our society see and embrace Black Youth differently.

How will the 50K be Used?
$ 10000	Multimedia documentation of stories, "reveals" & processes
$ 5000	Curriculum for youth on science, history, technology & geography
$ 30000	Purchase of 100 ancestry testing kits
$ 5000	Creating "reveal" ceremonies for youth

2008 Recap

A World Tour!

I spoke on various panels dealing with the UN's Millenium Development Goals and how countries would have to work to meet the targets.  Gender affects each goal.   I have formed tremendous working relationships and friendships with women from North and Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, Caribbean and Asia.  It amazes me how women continue to battle the same issues globally.  The question is what will we each do to change it?  Just start where you are and where you can.  If you start with yourself...that is more than half the battle.

Water, food security and climate change was on everyone's radar.  And of course, I always through technology into the discussion.  I am forever thankful for the CIFAL Atlanta Gender Equity Conferences.  The Gender Equity Toolkit project is awesome and I look forward to the output.

2007 Recap

Moved into public service as Director of DC Commission for Women. 

While I worked with dynamic women and girls throughout Washington, DC, nationally and internationally.  Hiyaah Power went on the back burner...but the work that I had been doing for Hiyaah Power was now being done for 52.7% of DC's population...women and girls.

I engaged with new mentors both in the technology sector and the gender movement.  I often speak on how technology can be used to bring women and girls out of poverty.  I believe that it is part of my life's mission.  I love and respect the women and organizations dedicated to gender equity.  The Washington Area Women's Foundation, Wider Opportunities for Women, IWPR, Divine Images Network, Sisters 4 Sisters, Capital Breast Care Center, BET, WNBA, and CIFAL were some of the organizations that helped with the transition into working with the Commission.

2006 Recap

My work began to focus on the next generation and gender equity internationally.  We focused on reaching out to girls on MySpace and convince them to stop leaving provocative pictures.  Did a test campaign and was featured in article on building an organic MySpace page.  The post was "Let's show Tom and MySpace that technology can be used for more than "booty shots."

That same year we appeared in Black Enterprise as a "Successpert" for October 2006 and the Hiyaah Power Girls program was featured in Heart and Soul.

This was my mindset during that period.

After traveling the globe I realized that women everywhere struggle with many of the same issues--regardless of race, creed, religion, or socio-economic status. I am on a mission to connect 1 million positive women...or women who want to become positive-minded with one another. When women put there minds to something...look out world. Please help Hiyaah Power virtually connect an empowered coalition of women who care about the images that are portrayed in the media, the fact that we still earn 75 cents on the dollar (and that's if you're blessed enough to be in the US...it gets worse globally), the need for open discussion of women's issues, and those who also want to have some fun and enjoy life in the process. In the midst of doing serious work...I also like to have serious fun! Visit us today...www.HiyaahPower.com

Launched October 2nd!

How many times have you thought, "If only someone told me...where would I be?"Hiyaah Power Girls eMentoring Program provides a nurturing environment and positive mentoring relationships for tween/teen girls in 5th to 12th grades. Mentoring has been proven to guard against the risks of educational failure, teen pregnancy, truancy and juvenile delinquency.

Many women have thought that time constraints would preclude them from mentoring a teen. Hiyaah Power has created a platform whereby if you can check your email or chat on MySpace...you have more than enough time to mentor a teen.

About Lend Me Your Hand

Lend Me Your Hand has positioned itself to provide valuable resources to women and children who are fleeing abusive situations across the country through education and a dynamic network of sponsorship.  Hiyaah Power initiated an annual 50 State Shelter Donation Campaign in 2004 wherein women's shelters, businesses and organizations all over the country combined their services, products and resources to help battered women and their families.  The overall mission of this outreach effort is multiple:

v     Coordinating various leaders of the private, public, non-profit, and faith-based sectors, using focused media participation to increase awareness of the importance of domestic violence prevention.

v     Coordinating multi-level sponsorship of critical resources for distribution to shelter residents across the

United States

during the holiday season. These resources include professional clothing, beauty aids, employment assistance, complimentary grooming, etc.

v     Providing shelter residents with these basic resources, supported by mentor/mentee relationships and community involvement, will increase self esteem and provide much-needed support mechanisms.

Such activities are intended to provide shelter residents with a much needed sense of support by fellow women who are successful, professional, some survivors of domestic violence; women who have overcome various obstacles in their lives and are looking for a purposeful way to give back to the female community. 

 

Welcome to the 100 Words of Wisdom for Women Blog

100 Words of Wisdom for Women is destined to be a unique collection of wisdom, insight and reflections from the most powerful and eloquent women of our time.  Its purpose is to inspire and guide the reader through a 31-day journey of self-discovery and empowerment.  Proceeds from the book will support the Lend Me Your Hand national domestic violence advocacy campaign.

100 Words of Wisdom for Women validates the greatness within every woman and inspires her to journal, reflect and reflect the greatness within her own body, mind and spirit in a cathartic 31-day journey from which she shall never return.  This anthology features 31 uncommonly wise and gifted women providing revelation into the very core of life mastery for women. Their contributions give voice to the wisdom that is and give birth to the wisdom which is to come.  Click here to see some of the contributors to this project.