Young entrepreneurs program
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"I plan to brand myself… at Morehouse to the point where I won't have to (get a job). I want to employ myself." Kamau Austin |
Such is the case, though, with two students who emerged from an Atlanta Public Schools entrepreneurs program convinced that they can create jobs after they graduate from college – not apply for them.
Christopher White, who took the elective and intensive Youth Entrepreneurs Atlanta (YEA) course at Druid Hills High School, plans to enroll at Emory University this fall and eventually run his own comic book company.
Kamau Austin, a Grady High School graduate, expects to emerge from Morehouse College with all the capital, contacts and credentials he needs to run his own special events production firm.
Both insist they intend to be self-made men. They recently were awarded a weeklong trip to New York for a challenging series of exercises that included business planning, brainstorming and marketing initiative.
"We actually had meetings at the Virgin USA headquarters," White mentioned. "That put things in perspective about what's possible."
The YEA program is offered to all APS high school students, and instructors are trained specifically to guide students toward entrepreneurial goals. The program's executive director, JaKathryn Ross, said students should enroll in their sophomore and junior years to give them the focus, time and diligence to complete the business plans.
Ross said White and Austin earned trips to the Enterprising Youth Advanced Seminar in Manhattan because: "They haven't been brainwashed to think that they can't do it.'
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"Whatever needs to happen, whatever I have to do, entrepreneurship is what I'm going to do with my life." Christopher White |
"After they took the class, they actually had to put pen to paper and submit their business plans to map out what their success potential is and the lifestyle they want to lead," she added. "We help every youth who's interest enough to take their innate creativity and ability and run with it."
White, who was raised in a household where comics were cherished, insisted: "There'll still jobs available after college, because I'm going to need writers and artists."
Austin, who entered the promotions arena after staging large parties for teens, said visiting the U.S. headquarters for Goldman Sachs – among other firms – prompted him to expand his horizons.
"At first, my business plan was focused on parties and events," Austin said. "But when I left the competition, I knew how much money there was in photography or design.
"Every event I do, I have to get somebody to do a flyer and take photos," he added. "Why don't I take a percentage of what they do, and fold it into my company?"
The two young entrepreneurs agree that branding themselves as reliable independent contractors will be their key to success.
"If I don't do all the right things in college, I may have to get a job," said Austin, who will major in business administration. "But right now I plan to brand myself during my years at Morehouse to the point where I won't have to. I want to employ myself."
White, the Emory-bound psychology major, added: "It's not like I'm going to go filling out resumes (after college). I can't go work for somebody else. I'm never going to do it.
"Whatever needs to happen, whatever I have to do, entrepreneurship is what I'm going to do with my life."
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Progress on housing a 'big deal,'
Reed says
By Stan Washington
Senior Writer
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Housing advocates cut the ceremonial ribbon at a news conference last week celebrating the city's progress in the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). Pictured are Summech Inc. president Janis L. Ware, Mayor Kasim Reed, Karen Jackson Sims, Acting Deputy Regional Director of HUD; Commissioner James E. Shelby, unidentified housing activist, and state Sen. Nan Orrick. (Photo by Stan Washington). |
"Oh, this is a big deal," Mayor Kasim Reed said following a news conference last week about the progress of the city's participation in the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP).
Off to a slow start and facing losing millions in NSP funds, the city of Atlanta announced that it has committed 90 percent of its federal NSP grant and nearly 95 percent of its state allocation.
City officials made the announcement before touring four NSP homes in the Summerhill/Peopletowns community southeast of Turner Field. It was a clear example of federal stimulus dollars at work.
"Stabilizing Atlanta communities hit hardest by foreclosures and the mortgage crisis is a top priority for me," Reed said. "I am extremely pleased with our NSP effort and the fact that we are on track to obligate all NSP funding by September."
In 2009, City of Atlanta was awarded about $12 million from HUD and nearly $4 million from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs for NSP. The city is targeting areas that had the highest percentage of sub-prime mortgage loads. They portions of zip codes: 30307, 30310, 30312, 30314, 30315, 30316, 30317, 30318, 30331 and 30354.
"Our work to stabilize communities that have high rates of abandoned and foreclosed housing is tremendous," Commissioner James Shelby said of the city's Department of Planning and Community Development.
"Without the stimulus grant, it would not have been possible to purchase, renovate, resell or rent the nearly 200 housing units on your NSP roster," he said.
Working with 13 local developers, 135 abandoned and/or foreclosed residential properties were purchased producing 241 affordable housing units.
One of those affordable units is now home to Tracey Sanders, a 43-year-old city hall employee.
"Well, now I know where to come to watch a movie," said Reed as he surveyed Sanders' living room. One wall in the living room is lined with five shelves holding more than 800 DVDs of movies and television shows which sit opposite of a wide-screen TV. To left of the shelves sits a popcorn machine.
"I'm serious about my movies," Sanders said, smiling.
Although her father had always urged her to buy a home, Sanders said she wasn't sure about doing so until some of her City Hall co-workers told her about the NSP and two other programs.
"They told me that I should consider buying a home because there was a lot of assistance money available out," she said. "But I didn't want to buy a home."
After further investigation, however, Sanders changed her mind. She found her two-level, three bedroom and two-and-a-half bath house in the shadow of Turner Field. The house had been vacant for two years.
After renovations, the house was put on the market for $165,000. Sanders countered with $158,000.
But with NSP and other funding, she closed the deal for $118,000.
She closed in June and hasn't stopped smiling since. Especially, since she is only seven minutes from her job in the Office of Contract Compliance.
"To me, that was key. I wanted to be in the city. I don't like to commute," the former Norcross resident said. "I only like to drive when it is necessary,"
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Local playwright debuts new film
Aug. 21 in Decatur
By RHONDA BARNETT
Contributing Writer
Forty-seven years ago, ourDECATUR – A rising playwright returns to a local venue this weekend to re-present her hit gospel play "At Midnight" and debut its sequel, "Sis Jenkins & Family," at The Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center.
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Decatur playwright Andrea Stroud returns to a local venue this weekend to re-present her hit gospel play "At Midnight" and debut its sequel, "Sis Jenkins & Family," at The Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center. |
Andrea Stroud, of Decatur, infuses humor, pain and sobriety in "At Midnight" as she depicts a far too common issue of a single, black mother raising her daughter in a fatherless home. The father comes around from time-to-time, but only at his convenience.
Then, suddenly, the mother finds love "At Midnight."
"Sis Jenkins & Family" is the spin-off to "At Midnight," in which the main character, Sister Jenkins, hosts a barbeque at her home. A local pastor shows up and, from there until the end, has the audience on the edge of their seats, promoters say.
"The serious situations in these plays are not made light of, but they are given a spin to find humor in them to spark discussion in homes," said Marilyn Stroud Odoi, executive assistant at Diamond Productions, Stroud's production company.
This year's production is filled with a variety of talented actors including Tony Grant from Tyler Perry's "Marriage Counselor." Two new Atlanta-area actors, Qiana Harris and Octavian Anthony, will debut in "Sis Jenkins & Family."
Stroud tests her talents to the limit as well by not only writing the play, but by writing and rearranging songs for various scenes. A live band will play all the songs throughout the play as well as keep toes tapping during intermission, promoters say.
"At Midnight" opens Friday Aug. 20 at 8 p.m. "Sis Jenkins & Family" opens Saturday with two shows, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Stroud has just begun her career. She has yet another play in the works that she plans to produce next year. Stroud uses her company to fulfill her dreams as a playwright, and to inspire other artists.
Stroud said she started Diamond Productions to take diverse art to a new level in Christ, and provide a way to enhance ministry and business. Diamond Productions partnered with Higher Place of Praise Ministries to help her carry out her mission.
For more information, visit www.diamondproductions2009.webs.com.
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Ludacris, Sammie thrill students at schools rally
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Hip-hop artist Ludacris thrills the crowd during his appearance at the 2010 Back to School Rally hosted by the Future Foundation, Atlanta City Councilmember Bottoms and Greenbriar Mall. |
Hip-hop artists Ludacris and Sammie thrilled more than 2,000 students and parents who turned out for the 9th annual Back to School Rally at Greenbriar Mall.
Students in grades K-12 received words of encouragement along with new backpacks and school supplies at the event, hosted by the Future Foundation, Greenbriar Mall and Atlanta City Councilmember Keisha Lance Bottoms.
The theme of this year's Back to School rally was "Still Standing, Still Strong: Strengthening Our Communities & Families for Success."
"We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all of our sponsors and a special thanks to the many celebrities and community leaders who took time out of their schedules to stop by and encourage our youth to reach for the stars by staying in school and getting good grades," said Bottoms, a District 11 councilmember.
"Hopefully the hundreds of backpacks and supplies given away will make it financially easier on our parents as they prepare our students for the upcoming school year," she said.
Former NBA and Atlanta Hawk's player Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Founder of the Future Foundation, said he was happy that the event was so successful.
"The economy is tremendously affecting so many of our families in Georgia. Triple the number of youth and families attended our 9th annual Back to School Rally," he said. "I am truly thankful our event was able to serve so many families in need."
Voting rights activist to be honored Aug. 21
Civil rights and voting rights activist Dr. Amelia Boynton Robinson will be honored Saturday, Aug. 21 at the Atlanta Airport Doubletree Hotel.
Several local dignitaries are expected to attend the ceremony, which also will mark Boynton's 99th birthday.
Frequently called the "Mother of the Voting Rights Movement," Robinson was one of the leaders of the "Bloody Sunday" protest on March 7, 1965 in Alabama that led to the right to vote for black people.
From the 1930s through the turbulent 1960s, the Boynton home was known as the home-away-from home for such iconic leaders as: Martin Luther King Jr., George Washington Carver, Mary McLeod Bethune, Ralph Bunch, Robert Kennedy, Duke Ellington, Dick Gregory, Count Bassie, Bill Cosby, Congressman John Lewis, James Bevel, Reverend C.T. Vivian, Reverend Joseph Lowery, Andrew Young, and others.
In 1964, Mrs. Boynton was one of the first women to run for Congress from Alabama, winning more than 11 percent of the vote.
For more information, contact The Gateway Educational Foundation at gatewayedu@att.net. (404) 767-0518 or Mary Thomas (770) 306-1397.
Non-profits get $25,000 in grants
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and East Point Mayor Earnestine Pittman presented a $25,000 award to two distinguished non-profit organizations, Hosea Feed the Hungry and E.D. Cubed, Inc.
Reed presented Atlanta's portion of $10,000 to Elizabeth Omilami with Hosea Feed the Hungry, a non-profit organization that works to improve the quality of life for those in need throughout Atlanta.
"The City of Atlanta is grateful to the Joshua Lee Patton Charity Golf Tournament for this $10,000 donation," Reed said. "It allows us to continue to invest in our communities while also making service a fundamental part of how the City of Atlanta operates. Taking care of our residents is essential in creating, strengthening and maintaining healthy communities."
Both cities presented their award to non-profit organizations that work to improve the quality of life for those in need. The City of East Point received $15,000 and donated their portion to E.D. Cubed, Inc., a non-profit organization that encourages and provides service for at risk students from financially disadvantaged families.
"This donation of $15,000 will allow the City of East Point to assist unemployed and disabled residents with school-aged children to purchase back to school clothing and supplies," Pittman said. "The largest number residents in East Point are single mothers who are raising children, and during this economic crisis they are in dire straits. This donation is a Godsend."
The $25,000 was presented to The City of Atlanta and The City of East Point from the American Golf Association on behalf of the Joshua Lee Patton Charity Golf Tournament. The tournament was held on May 24, 2010 at the Brown Mills Golf Course.
Women's conference set for Aug. 14-15
Healing of a Broken Heart Ministry is seeking women to attend its Women of Excellence Conference Aug. 14-15 at Hyatt Place in Lithonia at Stone Crest Mall.
The ministry also is seeking people to support its homeless program. The group helps support 25 women and their children.
For more information, call (770) 484-4384.
'Folk fest' art show set for Aug. 20-22
Folk Fest – billed as "The World's Greatest Self-Taught Art Show and Sale" – will celebrate 17 years in Atlanta with a three-day show slated for Aug. 20-22 at the North Atlanta Trade Center in Norcross.
Nearly 100 galleries and dealers will exhibit at the air conditioned, 85,000-square-foot venue.
Norcross is located north of Atlanta, off exit 101 of I-85.
Visitors will pour into Georgia from all around the country to see what's hot in the world of folk art. Folk Fest is where museums, prominent galleries, serious collectors and major art publications make their new discoveries. Attendees – ranging from housewives to Hollywood producers – will find items priced from a $5 starter piece to a $50,000 museum masterpiece.
For more information, call (770) 532-1115 or visit www.slotinfolkart.com.
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Metro Round-Up
Bronner beauty show to draw
40,000-plus
More than 40,000 stylists, exhibitors, distributors and cosmetology students from around the U.S. are expected to attend the Bronner Bros. beauty and trade show Aug. 7-10 at the Georgia World Congress Center.
The convention is sponsored each year to meet the educational demands of the industry, organizers say, and provides a place for professional stylists to meet, exchange ideas and spearhead the beauty industry with further gains in education.
Besides shop talk, the event will include a comedy show featuring comedian Bill Bellamy, a rousing sermon by Bishop Dale C. Bronner, and a gospel concert featuring legendary artist, Dorinda Clark-Cole.
For more information, call 800-547-7469.
Black book fair set for August 7
The Atlanta Black Book Expo will launch its inaugural literary showcase on Saturday, Aug. 7 at the Georgia International Convention Center.
The event is intended to provide a venue for authors, playwrights, poets, publishers, and booksellers to promote their works, organizers say.
"Our goal is to a create a viable source of support to the many talented, yet little known writers and other literary professionals who don't have access to mainstream media, publishing, or major distribution," said Kelly Johnson, ABBE founder.
Organizers also have partnered with the Ludacris Foundation to create a school supply giveaway during the expo.
"We also want to promote literacy among school students and expose them to the wonders of reading because they are our authors of tomorrow," Johnson said.
The event also will include a Spoken Word/Poetry Slam; raffle prizes, and a live radio broadcast.
For more information, call 404-824-0128 or email info@abbexpo.com.
Author Eric Dickey coming to Atlanta
Bestselling author Eric Jerome Dickey will be in Atlanta this month to promote his new book, Tempted by Trouble.
Dickey will conduct a book signing Aug. 17 at the Barnes & Noble in Buckhead and Aug. 25 at Borders in Lithonia.
With 12 New York Times bestsellers and more than 3 million total copies sold, Dickey is one of the nation's most popular and successful fiction writers.
Black MBAs sponsor Entrepreneur Institute
The National Black MBA Association's Atlanta chapter is partnering with The Herman J. Russell International Center for Entrepreneurship at Georgia State University, Prudential, and Wachovia to hold its annual Entrepreneurial Institute on Saturday, Aug. 7 at the Georgia State University Center.
This year's institute is called "Turn Your Passion into Profit!" During this full-day conference, aspiring and established entrepreneurs will gain knowledge and resources from industry experts on what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur in today's marketplace, with workshops designed to address every experience level.
The keynote speaker will be heralded African-American entrepreneur and author, Michael V. Roberts. Mr. Roberts is the Chairman and CEO of the Roberts Companies, a conglomerate that comprises 76 businesses totaling $1 billion in worth.
For more information, call 404-572-8001.
Faith AME Zion to honor 'heroes'
Faith AME Zion Church will honor public servants and "hometown heroes" on Sunday Aug. 8 at the church at 38 Hamilton Holmes Drive.
Educators, business owners, firefighters, medical personnel, law enforcement professionals and other public servant will be honored, officials said.
"We always strive to give back to the community and to those who help ensure our safety and well-being," said Alfred McCrary, the church's outreach director.
For more information, call 404-691-4075.
Back to School Jam set for August 6-7
Rep. Sharon Beasley Teague will host the 18th Annual "Back to School Jam" on Aug. 6 at the McDonald's restaurant on 5330 Highway 92 in Fairburn and on Aug. 7 at Harvest Rain International Church in Fairburn.
Families are invited to bring their children to this festive event to receive free school supplies. Book bags are limited, organizers say, so attendees must register by calling (404) 656-0220.
'Back-2-School' event to be held August 7
AIM for Youth will host a free, citywide school supply and health awareness fair on Saturday, Aug. 7 at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding, 35 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE.
Up to 1,000 youth and their families will receive free book bags and school supplies while participating in other various activities designed to bring awareness and education to major health issues affecting youth.
Councilman Kwanza Hall and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta are co-sponsoring the "Back-2-School Community Kid's Day" event.
For more information, call (678) 957-9464 or (770) 309-3118 or visit www.aimforyouth.org.
Marketing seminar to be held Aug. 12
Marketing on a Shoestring Budget, a one-day seminar on practical marketing techniques, will be held Thursday Aug. 12 at the Vinings Club, 2859 Paces Ferry Road.
"In today's business climate, business owners and entrepreneurs are inevitably forced to do more with less. That's why it's important for them to learn how to effectively deliver low-cost marketing solutions that will easily resonate with their customers," said Shani Godwin, president of Communiqué USA, the seminar's sponsor.
"Marketing On A Shoestring Budget is designed to inform participants about the marketing tools that they can easily implement, even in a tight economy," she said.
For more information, call 404-885-6600.
Ida B. Wells relative joins NAACP board
Local activist Tiana Ferrell, great-great granddaughter of NAACP founder Ida B. Wells-Barnett, has been named a member of the Executive Committee of the Atlanta Branch of the NAACP.
Ferrell, who was born in Los Angeles but raised in Atlanta, said she is excited about her new public service role at the NAACP.
"I am delighted to join the Executive Committee of the NAACP Atlanta Branch to continue the legacy of my great-great grandmother, Ida B. Wells-Barnett," the 26-year-old said.
"I have been blessed with an opportunity to serve my community and fight for equal rights," she added. "I look forward to making a positive difference in metropolitan Atlanta as we carry forth the mission of the original founders."
Free to Breathe event to fight lung cancer
The First Annual Atlanta Free to Breathe 5K Run/Walk will be held Aug. 21 in the Virginia-Highlands area at Greencove & Virginia Ave., near Inman Middle School.
Proceeds will help support the National Lung Cancer Partnership's campaign to raise public awareness and vital research funding to fight lung cancer – the leading cancer killer in Georgia.
The Atlanta Free to Breathe event is one of several being held in communities across the country this year. For more information, visit www.FreeToBreathe.org.
Boazman to speak at Midway church
Derrick Boazman, host of the critically acclaimed show "Too Much Truth" on WAOK Radio, will be the guest speaker at the annual Men's Day celebration on Sunday Aug. 29 at Midway Missionary Baptist Church, 2280 Godby Road, College Park.
Boazman, a former Atlanta councilman, also is founder of the "Let's Make Man" initiative for young boys.
For more information, call 404-768-5648.
Metro roundup is a summary of selected news and community events from throughout metro Atlanta.
