Informing the Young Professional
VOL. IV ISSUE II SPRING/SUMMER 2011
Springing into action: YP out in the world
New York Urban League Young Professionals
Are you interested in helping a student transition and succeed in college?
Join NYUL’s Scholar Connect. Scholar Connect pairs YP members with recipients of the Whitney M. Young and Emerging Leaders scholarships. Mentors will provide guidance and support to ease the transition to college life.
For more information, contact: Quincy Dunlap, Director of College Access program at New York Urban League: qdunlap@nyul.org or Taniese K. Brown, Scholar Connect coordinator: tanieseb@yahoo.com Empowering Communities. Changing Lives.
Griot (pronounced grEE O) “A storyteller in West Africa; perpetuates the oral traditions of a family or village”
Contents
Spring/Summer 2011
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CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: The next generation in The Movement - O B Wilson provides a recap of the first installment of the New York Urban League’s Salon Series of discussions about the evolution of the civil rights movement. How do they do it? - Rahshib Thomas How do young professionals balance the demands of service and our everyday lives? Dwayne Neckles interviews NYULYP’s President, Rahshib Thomas for some insight. LIFESTYLE: Expanding our Horizons and our world view - O B Wilson gives you reasons to consider an off-the-beaten-path destination for your next vacation. In a New York state of mind – Tunisia Riley provides suggestions for fun and relaxation without leaving the five boroughs. Budget friendly vacationing Kenyatta Joseph shares tips on enjoying the season without sacrificing your wallet.
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT/ CAREER ADVICE: GET TAYLORmade: Aisha Taylor stresses the importance of the proper use of social media in your job search.
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Game Changers – Kristen Bolton-Keys talks to Dr. Jeffrey Robinson, co–author of Black Faces in White Places: 10 GameChanging Strategies to Achieve Success and Find Greatness. about ways to navigate the career landscape.
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Information please - Obi Okere discusses the use of informational interviews in your job search. EDUCATION: From Hobby to Side Hustle Kenyatta Joseph shows how a simple continuing education class can turn a hobby into a viable business. ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT: Make Your Money Work For You! Cassandra Campbell champions financial
empowerment. Community Support – Orane Williams asks young professionals how they support black-owned businesses.
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Emotions, Family & Business Thinking about starting a business? Kolonji Murray explains the importance getting your family’s support for your venture. HEALTH & QUALITY OF LIFE: Griot Fitness Dr. Nicole Rowland discusses ways to stay fit and get active during the warm weather months.
In Every Issue 05 05 06 09 26 26
President’s Letter Editor’s Letter Contributors Member Spotlight Photo Recap: Rebirth YP Upcoming Events
you have suggestions or story Do ideas? We would love to hear them. Email us at : YPGriot@gmail.com.
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Editor-In-Chief Mariama Todd
Managing Editor Dwayne Neckles
Lead Designer Dwayne Neckles
Layout Designers Sherice Brammer Jazmin Haygood
Copy Editors
Kimberly Parris Joseph Rogers Mariama Todd
Advertising
Julian Gunder
Photo Researcher Candice Batts
Executive Board President Rahshib Thomas YPPresident@nyul.org
Vice President Monique Myles-Carswell YPVicePresident@nyul.org
Secretary Michelle Sprott YPSecretary@nyul.org
Aisha Taylor Membership Committee Chair YPMembership@nyul.org
Mariama Todd Communications Chair YPCommunications@nyul.org
Lisa Leid Civics & Economics Chair YPCivicsEcon@nyul.org
Nicole Clare Community Service Chair YPCommunity@nyul.org
Want to write or do layout design for The Griot? E-mail: ypgriot@gmail.com
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Treasurer Chadwick W. Roberson YPTreasurer@nyul.org
President’s Message Dear Partners, As always, it is a pleasure to bring The Griot to you. Informing the young professional is our opportunity to highlight and showcase work young professionals are doing for the Movement and inspire you to look forward. With springtime here, not only is it the perfect time to spruce up our homes and prepare for a season of sun, it is a time for us to do a mid-year check on our annual goals. We want this issue to inspire you to make it to the end of the year with the results you set out to achieve. With your own personal foundation and confidence reinforced, you will be able to meet the needs of the local and global community. Armed with the information you will receive in this issue of The Griot, we also hope this will be a conversation piece as you vacation and connect with friends and family who share your values. Every issue is a new beginning and every reader has an inspiring takeaway. NYULYP is in its eighth year and we’re not finished yet! In the months to come, our chapter will welcome and support a new host of leaders and most importantly, support the New York Urban League in achieving its goals. See you in Boston for the YP Summit and National Urban League’s conference July 27-30. Always yours in the movement,
Rahshib Thomas NYULYP President
Letter from the Editor YP Members and Supporters, Do you have a dream vacation destination? Obviously, vacation and relaxation are top of mind at this time of the year. To that end, The Griot chose the theme of young professionals springing into the community and the world for this issue. We spotlight ways to explore and impact our immediate and global community through travel and using our economic power. As always, there are articles providing guidance on career, finance and fitness. We feature an exclusive interview with Dr. Jeffrey Robinson, co-author of Black Faces in White Places: 10 Game-Changing Strategies to Achieve Success and Find Greatness, offering key insights to you, the young professional. This issue also marks the debut of our new column: “How do they do it?” profiling the daily balancing act of a YP member. Our first subject? NYULYP’s President, Rahshib Thomas. This issue is my first as Managing Editor, and I would be remiss if I did not thank our previous Managing Editor, Jazmin Haygood for her hard work and dedication. Hope you enjoy and are enlightened,
Dwayne Neckles Managing Editor, The Griot
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Contributors NIcole Rowland
Kenyatta Joseph As an insurance broker, Kenyatta consults HR managers and CFO’s in administering their corporate health & welfare plans and programs. In addition to her career, Kenyatta loves mentoring young people. She serves as the Youth Ministries Leader at her church where she is responsible for facilitating programs and activities for ages 10-35, that will increase their mental, physical, social and spiritual growth. Kenyatta is currently pursuing a M.P.A in Healthcare Management. In
Dr. Nicole A. Rowland is a New York State licensed physical therapist and currently practices as the Clinical Specialist of the Med-Surg and Intensive Care Unit at NYU Langone Medical Center’s Hospital for Joint Diseases. Dr. Rowland works in research, inpatient & outpatient rehabilitation, home care and private-based therapy. Her scholarly interests span health promotion, disease prevention and education, and aging and function of the musculo-skeletal system. She privately consults in clinical evaluations, which include diagnosis, treatment and referrals. Dr. Rowland holds a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Alabama State University, a Master of Physical Therapy from Howard University, and a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion from SUNY-Buffalo State College. She is a resident of Brooklyn, New York, where she participates in several local, state and national civic organizations.
her spare time she if off traveling, writing and developing her business ventures in photography and event planning. She is of Caribbean decent and is proud of her cultural heritage.
Orane Williams Orane Williams is a graduate of William Paterson University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in
Aisha M. Taylor
Business Administration and Management. He is also the Founder and Executive Director of D.R.E.A.M.
Aisha currently serves as
Inc., a non-profit organization that provides financial
Chair of the Membership
literacy workshops for urban youth, ages 13-25. He
Committee for NYULYP.
has led a number of presentations on financial basics,
Professionally, she works
understanding credit and life after college at various
as a Procedures Director
schools and universities. As a proud member of NYU-
for the City of New York. In
LYP, he serves on the Communications Committee.
January 2011, she joined the staff at Long Island University as an Assistant Professor of Urban Studies. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina and her Masters Degree in Public Administration from Marist College. Aisha is Co-Owner of TAYLORmade ~ Professional Career Consulting. TAYLORmade is a fullservice career consulting firm committed to “equipping, preparing, and empowering today’s professional” through expert resume writing, job search assistance, interview training, and career coaching. Aisha is also a licensed minister. She earned a Master of Divinity Degree from New York Theological Seminary. She currently serves as an Associate Minister at Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY.
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O.B. Wilson O.B. Wilson, is the first co-editor of the NYULYP’s Griot, previous president of FAMU Alumni NY Chapter and a writer of inspirations, poetry and travel stories. He has been published in local and national online and print publications. His passion is writing and helping within the community. He enjoys living life, traveling and enjoying time with friends and family.
Kolonji Murray
Cassandra Campbell Kolonji Murray is President of the financial advisory firm Murray Wealth Group in New York. Prior to starting the firm in 2009, he worked as a banker and financial advisor for a number of leading Wall Street firms. He holds a degree in Accounting from Hampton University and is active in a number of civic and industry organizations. Mr. Murray is
Series 7 and 66 licensed in NY, CT and GA. He is also life, accident and health, variable life/variable annuities insurance licensed in those states.
Cassandra Campbell graduated from Wellesley College with a bachelors degree in Philosophy. She is marked by a passion for social justice and a growing interest in business strategy, development and social impact evaluation. She currently works as an Associate with the Food Bank For New York City helping to develop a scalable teen nutrition education program model. She is motivated by the opportunity to bring valuable resources to the most vulnerable populations in every capacity. When she’s not nurturing her professional interests, her time is spent reading, jamming to her I-pod, volunteering, spending time with loved ones and bashfully attempting to earn the title of a “great cook”.
Tunisia Riley Tunisia L. Riley is the Web Editor of Under the Microscope (www.underthemicroscope.com),
Kristen Bolton-Keys
the online component of the Women Writ-
Kristin Bolton-Keys is a Digital Mar-
ing Science project at The Feminist Press
keting Manager at American Express
(www.feministpress.org/). Under the Micro-
Company, where is responsible for
scope collects stories from, by, and about
website user experience and mobile
women and girls involved with science,
strategy for both consumer and busi-
technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
ness card products. She recently ob-
Tunisia holds a BA in English and Women’s
tained her MBA degree in Marketing
Studies from the College of William & Mary (www.wm.edu) and an
and Strategy from Goizueta Business
MA in Women’s Studies from the University of South Florida (www.
School at Emory University. Kristin
usf.edu). Her interests are in Black women’s use of creative expres-
also graduated Cum Laude with Honors from Spelman Col-
sion as a means of healing, empowerment, and activism. She also
lege where she received a B.A. degree in Economics. Prior to
volunteers and blogs for NCRW’s (www.ncrw.org/) The Real Deal.
Goizueta, Kristin worked for MBNA Bank in various customer Marketing and Sales roles and as a Credit Operations Manager at Pentagon Credit Union. Currently, Kristin is a member of the New York Urban League Young Professionals, Big
Obi Okere
Brothers/Sisters of New York and enjoys participating in many Obi Okere is professional career
community initiatives as well as playing soccer and blogging.
coach that coaches lawyers, accountants, doctors, engineers, bankers and other young professionals to have their dream job, accelerate their advancement, make more money and have more fun in their life. He is the president and CEO of HYPE Success LLC., a career and life coaching company. Learn more about him at www.hypesuccess.com.
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NYUL Affiliate Spotlight
New York Urban League’s “Salon Series”
Meet and Mix to Change Our Community
C I V I C E NGA GE ME NT
By O.B. Wilson
O
n February 16, 2011, the New York Urban League (NYUL) launched the Salon Series, an initiative to connect, discuss and act on emerging issues in our community. The vision for the series is to create an on-going forum focused on ideas and solutions to help our city grow and improve. Moderated by NYUL President Arva Rice, speakers included Sheena Wright, President of the Abyssinian Development Corporation (ADC); Tamika Mallory, Executive Director of the National Action Network (NAN); Damon Hewitt, Education Director of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (NLDF); and Basil Smikle, Principle of Basil Smikle & Associates.
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This inaugural conversation focused on several key issues : whether the civil rights struggle still resonates, President Obama’s impact, and tension between the “old guard” and the “new guard” in community leadership. A consistent theme throughout the discussion was the importance of collaboration between civil rights groups working to strengthen our communities. Participants also discussed how President Obama has opened the door to increased discussion and action within the African American community, and that it is incumbent upon community leaders and members to sustain the momentum from the President’s election. Guests also grappled with the evolution and complexity of the cur-
rent civil rights struggle and the fact that these issues are still important to the current generation. The first Salon Series focused on turning ideas into action. Per Arva Rice, “Our goal is to engage the NYUL membership base in this dialogue and encourage others to become members and join the conversation.” Please visit http:// www.nyul.org for details regarding the next conversation in The Series. Please visit http://www.nyul. org for details regarding the next conversation in The Series.
Member Spotlight
Rakeda Leaks by O B Wilson
“My inspiration comes from within. I have achieved because I believed I could do so. The only limitations you have in life are those that you set upon yourself.” Rakeda Leaks is a Chicago native, a former Brooklynite and a current Harlem resident. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with both a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Education Policy Studies. She served as a middle school teacher for Teach for America in North Carolina and is currently bringing quality teachers to our public schools through her role as Director of Teacher Recruitment and Applicant Services with the NYC Department of Education. Rakeda’s heart is in improving our nation’s education system.
Rakeda first encountered the Urban League Young Professionals while in Chicago, where several of her friends belonged to the Chicago Urban League’s Metropolitan Board. Later, upon relocating to the D.C. area, she joined the Northern Virginia Young Professionals Network. When moving to NYC, Rakeda sought out the New York Urban Leaugue Young Professionals and was pleased to encounter several familiar faces. Her involvement in NYULYP includes volunteering at the HBCU Fair and attending both The State of Young Black New York and
Rebirth, our annual celebration and fundraiser. Rakeda likes what she sees in NYULYP and looks forward to additional action and growth, including creating more scholarships for new college students. Rakeda believes NYULYP can take our network to the next level by strengthening relationships and partnerships with businesses and other organizations. Lastly, we have to reach further and work harder to invest in the great future of our children.
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C I V I C E NGA GE ME NT
Mornings
My routine is to go to bed late and wake up early. I do check my BlackBerry first thing in the morning to make sure I didn’t miss any important emails or calls from YP or Archstone (my employer). I try to get in a little workout at home but it’s basically about checking the calendar in the morning.
A Typical day: Meetings, Meetings, Meetings I have a unique challenge as (for work) I’m responsible for covering New York and Boston. So, I’m like George Clooney in “Up in the Air”... traveling at least 40% of the time. By default I’m on every YP committee whether I take an active role on that committee or not. So I’m fortunate to be able to go back and forth from Boston and still make it to E-board meetings within the same day. At minimum (in a month) I have to attend the YP Executive Board, General Body and committee meetings plus chapter activities and events. As Chapter President I (also) serve on the NYUL Board of Directors and participate in their monthly conference calls and those of the National YP Eastern Region and various meetings with potential sponsors for NYULYP.
The Weekends When I get a chance to relax I
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take advantage! As YP President it is easy to always be invited to attend events. If you’re not careful you can either be broke or tired. I have to be selective and do things that line up with my focus.
Technology is my friend
I must say technology has been my friend…having a seamless calendar helps. I made MS Outlook my only calendar because my BlackBerry syncs to my desktop. So, calendar synchronization, reminders and the BlackBerry task list also help to keep me on top of my priorities.
Work, volunteer and life balance
What I’ve noticed about myself the last three years is when I’m at Archstone I’d always vaguely say, its “my organization” as if the New York Urban League Young Professionals is a big secret. But I didn’t want Archstone to think the Urban League was impacting my professional ability. At some point I had to let them know about what I do philanthropically. I’m excited about my chapter.
It’s always a constant juggling act making sure my career is cultivated and then also knowing that Urban League is cultivated. People think that I work for YP, but the truth is I’m really “on loan” from Archstone. That’s why I understood that service had to be my priority. And I knew it would be like this for the two years I was chosen to be leader.
Faith as my “center”
I’ve decided that the New York Urban League Young Professionals is my priority. In Luke 14:28-33 Jesus tells his disciples if you decide to follow me then you have to calculate the cost. When I became YP President I calculated the cost. I don’t see it as a lack of anything. I have of an abundance of opportunities. I thank God for ability. I don’t feel my personal life is lacking in any area. My faith or ability to attend church has never diminished. I attend World Changers Church every Saturday at 6pm and I go to Bible study when I’m able to make it. I have the Bible on my Blackberry and I use the social networks as a tool for my daily affirmations and as a way to spread my faith and understanding. I find the Bible to be the best, most complete self-help, business and motivational book in all the word.
Final Tips On Being a
Succesful Leader 1. Tap into your source. Be it faith, family or other values, you have to anchor yourself to weather the storms of leadership. There will be storms, because leadership isn’t easy. If it was, everyone would be doing it. 2. Service must be a priority. Chapter membership is one thing and chapter leadership is another. You cannot serve on many different boards and fully serve as a Leader for any one. It comes across as resume padding and you may not truly ‘dig’ and get results because of your fatigue. 3. You will know a tree by its fruit. That’s the easiest way to gauge leader-
ship: what results are being produced despite personal or creative differences? What results are you producing? 4. Protect your brand. You are responsible for what has your signature on it. Whether elected or appointed, when given the responsibility you must deliver. If you do not deliver, you hurt your brand- no one else’s. 5. Consistency, laced with a whole lot of optimism is the key to breakthrough. Leaders are chosen because of they have good ideas. Sometimes those ideas take a moment to actualize, but if you are consistent you will see the fruit of your labors. I am just thankful for the Urban League and Archstone and learn skills (from both of them) that make me a whole person. With my friends, people know I’m an Urban Leaguer; that I love Archstone. They have to accept that about me.
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Expanding our horizon, Changing our world view.
LIFESTYLE
Have you ever wanted to travel the world? Do you think you need to wait for that big tax refund check, a holiday bonus or an inheritance? Don’t wait; now is the time to do it! Travel to unique destinations can expand your horizons and provide a different view of the world. by O. B. Wilson
Russia is filled with treasures
The beautiful, carefully detailed architecture of Moscow gives way to high-speed escalators that tunnel under the city to a subterranean marketplace of shops, restaurants and some of the most efficient trains in the world. If you love the blues, visit the Moscow outpost of B.B. King’s Restaurant and hear some of the best live music in Eurasia. And, don’t forget to carve out a few hours to sit down with a book of poetry by Alexander Pushkin, the world-renowned 19th century Russian author of African descent.
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The visual splendors of modern day Haiti Although the country is struggling to recover from the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck in January 2010, did you know the country is still home to lush views.In the suburbs of Portau-Prince, sits Petionville, where you will find elaborate homes and priceless mountain views. Marvel at the doors and carport gates and the handiwork of outstanding Haitian artists. A Royal Caribbean cruise to Haiti includes the nation’s pristine beaches at Labadee.
Locating these off the beaten path opportunities requires some research and creativity. However, the range of experiences they provide can extend beyond the standard sightseeing and buying mementos. You can travel to Moldova to volunteer as an election observer, contribute your skills as a small business enterprise specialist in Guatemala, or lend a hand building new homes in Haiti. Also remember that group trips are available just about every place in the world. Why not join one of them and meet new people while seeing something new? Get out there and explore! Here are a few sites to help you plan your trip*: http://www.travelinghaiti.com/ | http://www.beyondborders.net/Trans_Travel.html | http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org | http://www.moscow.info The writer does not endorse or affirm the accuracy of these sites. Always thoroughly research your travel destinations.
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In a New York “Stay-cation” State of Mind, 2011 By Tunisia L. Riley
W
ith gas prices soaring as high as $5 a gallon and the continuing stress of the fragile economy, the New York Urban League Young Professionals want to keep you within budget and in a peaceful state of mind. We realize that in these times it is even more important to replenish your emotional and physical resources by giving yourself a break, not a breakdown. Staying close to home, aka, a stay-cation, can provide a maximum amount of fun and relaxation while putting a minimal strain on your wallet. Here are some staycation options for relaxation, in the tri-state area: Relaxation If pampering is your thing,
Red Door Spas by Elizabeth 14
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Arden offers packages for
facial, massage, hair, and nail care for him and her, at locations in Manhattan, Westchester County, and Long Island. Packages start at $99. But you can get the median priced Signature Escape Package for $212 at their 54th Street location. If you’re up for the drive, consider spending a day in Long Island at The Village Day Spa, featured in Allure Magazine, The New York Times and on CBS News. Fun If sitting still isn’t your speed, consider catching the
7 train from Grand Central to New York City Paintball and Laser Tag in Queens. They of-
fer group discounts so bring friends and find your inner kid.
If you’re really on a budget, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens have bike paths listed on the Bike NYC Map. Some are in the parks, and others run parallel along highways (don’t worry it’s not on the highway). It’s free and with the weather finally breaking you could combine a day of biking with a night of relaxation .
D
iscover another borough Millions of people flock to NYC from other countries and states to see all the amazing attractions we have here, but when was the last time you discovered the many known and lesser known attractions NYC has to offer?
Catch the 2 or the 5 train to the Bronx to explore the New York Botanical Gardens and the Bronx Zoo.
Both venues offer discounted tickets when you buy online. Head to Queens to visit the New York Hall of Science or check out Flushing Meadows Corona Park for a festival or a performance at Queens Theatre in the Park. Visit the New York Aquarium in Brooklyn or take in a show at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Consider catching the ferry to Staten Island to visit the Noble Maritime Collection, a museum that
preserves and interprets the art, writings, and historical maritime artifacts of marine artist, John A. Noble while celebrating the people and traditions of the working waterfront of New York Harbor. During the summer most of the boroughs offer outdoor festivals, parades, and music, usually for free. For more local events or festivals visit sites such as Harlem One Stop, SummerStage and RestorationPlaza.org Many people say NYC is one of the greatest cities on earth, so why not discover it for yourself by taking a stay-cation right outside your front door? It’s nearby, it’s less expensive, and you don’t have to go through airport security.
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Don’t Let Strained Wallets Fence You In by Kenyatta Joseph
A
lthough most of us appreciated working from home courtesy of 19-inch snowfalls, we quickly grew tired of “Snowmageddon” aka, Winter, 2010-2011. Forget spring; Mother Nature should fast forward to the summer! Getting away from the five boroughs for some much needed R&R is at the top of everyone’s list. Yet, with many popular vacation spots in peak season and high gas prices, summer can be one of the most expensive times to travel. These challenges along with the struggling economy, make it difficult to splurge on a luxury escape. Nevertheless, with a little planning and research, vacationing on a budget need not include bedbug-infested motels or hitchhiking. It’s possible to plan a fun break that doesn’t break the bank.
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RESOURCES
www.expedia.com
Travel & Lodging
The largest portion of your budget will likely be devoted to travel and lodging. Sites like Expedia. com and Kayak.com, allow you to become your own travel agent and save big. Expedia offers excellent travel packages and last minute deals. Kayak allows you to compare hotel, airfare, car rental and vacation package prices from multiple travel sites at once, saving you time and money. Whenever possible, avoid booking travel on peak days: Monday and Friday. Wednesday is usually the cheapest flight date. Also, don’t forget to visit each airlines’ website. Discount carriers like JetBlue and Southwest may not list their fares on travel sites. When selecting hotel accommodations do not confuse price with quality; expensive does not guarantee a clean room, and budgetconscious does not always mean filthy with poor service. Always check travel ratings sites like TripAdvisor before you book a room!
Food
Vacation dining can add up quickly. Staying at a hotel offering a complimentary breakfast keeps a few more dollars in your pocket.
Steer clear of overpriced items by stashing a few muffins and filling your water bottle with juice or water to snack on while you’re out sightseeing. Find out if your room has a microwave and/or fridge and pack a few munchies. If you’re just dying to try the local cuisine, check out Urbanspoon.com. Their site and mobile apps allow you to sort restaurants based on location, cuisine and budget.
Entertainment
Of course, vacations are all about having a good time. Enter CityPASS. Their mantra is, “Save Money. Have Fun.” CityPASS identifies the must-see attractions in 11 top destinations. With its deep-discount ticket collections, CityPASS delivers dramatic savings of up to 50 percent on attraction admissions in New York City, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Hollywood, Houston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Southern California and Toronto. Even better, you can save on rental car, cab and parking expenses because the 11 cities all boast public transportation systems with access to the major attractions. If your budget is extra tight, ask around. You may discover that your best friend has an aunt with an extra room you can stay in…for free.
www.kayak.com
www.tripadvisor.com
www.jetblue.com
www.southwest.com
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GET TAYLORmade
Fans & Followers: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Making the Most of Social Networking
I
n this day and age, the world of social networking has infiltrated most industries. Film & Television, Manufacturing, and even government entities have recognized the importance of establishing a solid presence in the world of social media. The same holds true for those in Human Resources, recruiting, and job placement. Aside from using social networking to advertise career opportunities, HR professionals now rely heavily on sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to search for and pre-screen potential candidates. The mistake that most jobseekers make is that they don’t consider social networking a valuable tool in job search and therefore spend most of their time replying to job postings. The truth is that many professionals have made contacts, secured interviews, and landed jobs due to their strategic presence and navigation on social networking sites. Written by Aisha Taylor
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Here are a few tips on how to establish and maintain a worthwhile social networking presence. THE POWER OF THE POST…
Social networking can be both a blessing and a curse when it comes to job searches. Since so many recruiters and hiring managers use sites like Facebook and Twitter to locate prospective employees your status updates or tweets can either make or break you. Tyese Battle, HR Manager for a Fortune 500 company says, “Social media tools have essentially opened up a new world for HR professionals, in particular around attracting and recruiting globally. Progressive HR leaders are including LinkedIn and Twitter in their plans to get the word out about critical jobs, and creating controlled communications intended to increase brand and internal company culture awareness.” Usage of profanity, expressions of negative character, and displays of behavior which are contradictory to the person they interviewed can raise an immediate red flag for employers and result in missed opportunities for jobseekers. Conversely, posts which display your social consciousness, alignment with the company’s culture, industry expertise, or just your positive personality are much more attractive to employers. If you are in the market for a new career opportunity, it is extremely important that you think carefully about what you post, not only on your profiles, but on the profiles of friends, family members, and colleagues. It is not enough to change your settings to “private.” The reality is that nothing is really private in the world of social networking. Everything can be forwarded, copied, and retrieved in one way or another. The six degrees of separation on earth become two degrees of separation in the world of social networking.
WORK THE NET…
Sites like LinkedIn and Brazen Careerist are designed specifically to create a forum for jobseekers to connect and network with potential employers. However, these sites are not effective if you do not maintain a constant presence in the site’s community. Consistency is key. Searching for a job becomes a full-time job because it requires a great deal of time and strategic planning. It is best to spend your time on these sites searching for companies, connecting with their employees, and posting a professional resume with specific keywords. Recent college graduate Deandra Francis knows a little something about making the most of sites like LinkedIn. She has mastered the art of connecting with professionals in her desired industry of Fashion and e-Commerce. “A couple of weeks ago I sent a request to add an HR recruiter for a National Retailer on LinkedIn. Ten minutes later he sent a message back asking if I was looking for work, because there was a position open. Three weeks later I had an offer letter in my inbox.” Deandra says LinkedIn is an excellent tool because it allows her to establish lasting relationships with seasoned professionals in her field. “I sent requests and messages to former employees at companies I was applying to just so I could get more insight on the pros and cons of certain employers.” As she builds her resume, Deandra is confident that LinkedIn will continue to be a very powerful tool in closing the deal on her dream career opportunity. Once today’s professionals realize the importance of social networking in job search, the possibilities for success are endless. A simple search engine inquiry can determine the future of your career. So, tweet and post status updates with caution. The Griot
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Game Changers By Kristin Bolton-Keys
I
had the opportunity to interview Dr. Jeffrey Robinson, co –author of Black Faces in White Places: 10 Game-Changing Strategies to Achieve Success and Find Greatness, along with Dr. Randall Pinkett. Originally, Doctors Robinson and Pinkett wanted to share their childhood stories about the impact of moving to predominantly white neighborhoods. However, they felt it was more impactful to collect and share stories from influential people who shared similar experiences. Robinson stated, “Growing up is one part of the picture… how you operate in these kind of situations eventually became the point of departure for the book.” KBK: Dr. Robinson, how does
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your book address the idea of “unwritten rules” in the workplace? The “unwritten rules” are about the culture of an organization. The book discusses the general principles [of navigating the game] but they must be adapted to your specific company. Strategy 5 in the book discusses the Mentor Principle and focuses on the need to have a mentor and being able to borrow their social capital. How you go about acquiring a mentor, whether via formal or informal process, will vary. KBK: Can you share your thoughts on the types of networks we as African Americans
tend to navigate towards and how this could create a divide? “I consider these “false divisions” and at the end of the day, there are so many kinds of networks: fraternity, sorority, HBCUs. At the end of the day, it does not matter which one you belong to, as long as you’re being strategic. In the book we discuss having an affiliation with an ethnic organization, professional organization, general purpose and an issue-oriented organization. It (is) important to broker the collaborations between several types of groups; sometimes we only want to be affiliated with black-only groups.
Overall, it is important to join different organizations for different stages of life because over time these groups might not fulfill their original purpose (in your life). Once you’ve gotten further along with your career the “false divisions” disappear and you tend to aspire to be like people that have significant accomplishments. For example, organizations such as (ITMSF) Information Technology Senior Management Forum or the Executive Leadership Council (ELC) focus on people who have similar objectives with their careers and/or looking to make impact in the world.”
KBK: What are the key insights you would offer a young professional who is still struggling to move up at his/her company? “First I would encourage them to ask themselves these 4 questions: 1. Do I have a mentor? This is the person that can give you a lens into what you may be doing wrong, and sometimes
we need to get out of the way of ourselves. Sometimes we discount what mentors can do for us. 2. When was the last time I evaluated my career strategy? Have a strategy for your career. Often, what happens is people let their organizations dictate what they will do and how they will do it. Think about how your career is an extension of who you are. Sometimes people try to separate things they do professionally from what they want to do in the long term. A lot of people go into careers to make money and are not happy. You may be sabotaging yourself in your career because it is not what you want to do. 3. What does my network look like? [A network provides access to] to information, job opportunities and community service opportunities. Really assess who are the people you are talking to and how diverse is that list. Your network can determine how your career may unfold. Ask yourself what kinds of influencers are helping you succeed or not succeed.
4. Am I in the right career? This is similar to question #2, but more extreme. Sometimes you’re in the wrong company, sometimes you’re in the wrong job within that company and sometimes you picked the wrong career. Make the changes now [late 20s/early 30s], and you will be happier in the long term. I worked at Merck for 3.5 years but felt that work wasn’t meaningful. After making a list of what was important to me I searched for careers that would allow me to do these things, and decided which graduate program was best. If I did not make these decisions at 26, I could have been a 40 year old, unhappy guy at Merck.”
KBK: Dr. Robinson, do you have any parting wisdom for our readers? “Excellence comes from finding congruence. The people we interviewed found their “sweet spot” making money from things they love to do. They were willing to work hard to learn their craft and master their profession, and are the most fulfilled and at the top of their game. [For this] they get recognized in the community and around the world.” To find out more about Dr. Robinson and Dr. Pinkett’s book visit www.redefiningthegame.com.
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INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS TO IMPROVE YOUR JOB SEARCH By Obi Okere
• Gain information about growing in search of your specific skills and talents. • Learn from hiring managers about their current and future needs for their department. • Discover careers and jobs you never knew existed. • Learn about the realities of working in a particular occupation or company. • Learn the names and contact information of other people you can meet to help you land the job you want.
O
The path to a successful informational interview lies in the following steps:
1. Create a goal- Determine what you ne of the most effective, yet undewant to accomplish in your career and rutilized job search tools is the in- the type of information and people you need to formational interview. According know in order to move your career forward. to QuintCareers.com, one out of every 200 resumes results in a job offer. One out of every twelve informational interviews results in one job offer. An informational interview is a meeting with someone who has experience, expertise or influence in an area that you want to gain more information about. For a job seeker, informational interviews are critical for gathering “insider” information about a particular industry, job function, or company. Specifically, this meeting can help you do the following: • Learn how to properly brand yourself for a career change to a specific industry. • Focus your career goals.
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2. Identify and make contacts- Search your personal network, college alumni association, and LinkedIn for people who can provide industry-specific information or connect you to people that will help you move your career for-
ward. 3. Do your research- Before contacting anyone, research them through as many online channels (Google, LinkedIn, etc.) as you can to find out all the ways they are connected to the information that you seek and the other people that you want to know. Develop a two-minute summary of your background and your career aspirations.
referral to another person that makes hiring decisions. 6. Prepare for the meeting- Prepare a list of questions on 3x5 index cards to bring to the informational interview. This list ensures that you don’t forget to ask any questions during the meeting.
7. End the meeting properly- At the end of 4. Send an introductory letter or email- the meeting ask if there is anyone else that the This note briefly introduces you, your back- person suggests you talk to or if they have any ground, career goal, and the information that other insight for the information that you are you are requesting. Ask the recipient for 30 seeking. minutes of their time for a brief discussion. 5. Arrange a time and place to talk- In per- 8. Send a thank you note! son meetings are a bit more challenging to schedule; arranging a meeting via While an informational interview may not rephone or Skype is an alternative. sult in an immediate job offer, the knowledge However, when meeting with a hiring man- provided by those you meet with can provide ager it is better to have the meeting in person. invaluable information that may help to disThis face-to-face meeting can help create a tinguish you from the rest of the pack. rapport that can lead to a job interview or a The Griot
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E D U C AT I O N A N D Y OU T H E MP OWE R ME NT
Cultivate Your Passion, Grow Your Profit “Having spent hundreds of dollars on a service I wasn’t happy with, I decided to do something about it. I told my family I was going to put my photographer out of business.” Article and Photography by Kenyatta Joseph I always had an affinity for capturing life’s “little” moments; I made scrapbooks incorporating ticket stubs from special events, birthday cards, and magazine articles. I became the editor of my high school and college yearbooks. Even now, I’m always the first to upload pictures to Facebook. After an expensive, yet unsatisfactory experience hiring a professional to photograph an event I decided to take matters into my own hands. I enrolled in a nine week, evening photography class at Photo Manhattan. I treated myself to a Canon Rebel XS 10 megapixel digital single lens reflex(DSLR) camera to use in class. My initial excitement about photography classes soon turned to doubt and I wondered if I would eat my words about besting my photographer. I was accustomed to the relative ease of use with a point and shoot camera. The DSLR camera required monitoring the shutter speed and lighting in addition to ensuring that the photo is captivating. I developed a new-found respect for photographers at that point, but I was still determined to hone in my skills and turn my hobby into
My skills and confidence improved each week. My final challenge: using techniques learned in class, take six shots that create a compelling series or tell a story. Those six photos would be part of a photo exhibition at the school. My classmates took the abstract route, choosing to take pictures of landscapes and buildings. I knew that my pictures had to stand out and “pop”. I love fashion, so I decided to portray sass and confidence through shoes. I invested in lighting equipment, called my friends and told them to bring their sexiest pairs of heels and fishnet stockings. I took nearly 150 pictures that afternoon. Selecting the final six shots was hard, but I was happy with the finished project. My contribution to the exhibit was a hit! I received many compliments, with one lady even pegging my series as her favorite! Dedicating two hours per week over nine-weeks and investing in some photography equipment helped me turn my hobby into a side hustle. I have taken two more advanced classes, created an online portfolio and currently developing a marketing plan for a business focusing on portraiture, fashion and special events photography.
My experience shows that Continuing Education is not limited to advanced degrees to further your career. As a matter of fact, it can help you escape the pressures of your cubicle, enrich Taken by Kenyatta Joseph your personal life, and if you’re lucky, even generate something I could proudly display. extra income. 24
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Taken by Kenyatta Joseph
How can you turn passion into a potential profit? 1. Make a list of your hobbies. 2. Do your research, as there are hundreds of trade and technical schools. Many community colleges offer personal development classes through their continuing education department at affordable rates and times that fit your schedule. So grab your laptop, cooking skills, needle and thread, camcorder, or anything else you are great at and get to hustlin’!
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R
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Who’s Who
Rebirth! 2011
“The Rebirth
of Cool ”
Provided courtesy of YP members Dara Marsh & Sabrina Gates
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achieving
financial E C O N O M I C E MP OW E R ME NT
independence
In a time marked by economic uncertainty, money is very much on our minds. Too often, what stands between us and financial empowerment is a lack of honesty about our current financial position. Some of us do not want to scrutinize our finances for fear of what we will find. It is time to remove the blindfold and get honest about your money and future. Financial empowerment is code for “peace of mind”. By assessing how much money you actually have to spend, knowing where to invest and securing a cozy financial cushion for your tomorrows, you are in turn, more equipped to enjoy and live life fully today.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is financial empowerment. We all have expenses ranging from cell phone bills, school loans to rent. In fact, the more aspirations we have, the longer the list of potential expenses. Small, simple changes to your spending habits can yield big results in the world of financial security. A touch of creativity, some organization combined with planning will take you far.
1. Minimize frivolous expenses
5. Nurture your FICO score
Review your bank statements from the past three or four months and categorize your expenses: housing, utilities, food, entertainment, clothes, transportation. Microsoft Excel’s personal finance templates can help compile this information.
Make paying off credit card debt a top priority and a nonnegotiable expense. Don’t settle for minimum payments. Instead, calculate the monthly amount needed to pay both the principle and interest. If you need assistance, Consumer Credit Counseling Service, www.nfcc.org, can link you to a local affiliate group. Just be certain to confirm that signing with affiliates won’t hurt your credit rating.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ templates/personal-budgetworksheet-TC006206279.aspx
2. Create a budget and monitor it Mint.com provides an online budgeting assistance and monitoring by links to your bank, credit and investment accounts, monitors and categorizes your spending and provides notifications and personal finance reports.
6. Treat yourself
3. Create an emergency fund
Your emergency fund should be equivalent to at least 6 months living expenses. Contributing to your fund should be considered a nonnegotiable monthly expense. Also, it should still accrue interest while sitting on the bench for a rainy day. Consider depositing your emergency funds in low-risk money market accounts, Certificates of Deposit (CD) to accrue interest on your savings. Some of these accounts have a minimum balance, an early withdraw penalty fee. While a penalty fee may seem like an impediment, it can deter you from frivolous withdraws and is the grumpy bouncer you need to safeguard your cash.
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4. Invest in your future
Investing is not just about men in collared shirts, cuff links and shiny shoes walking along Wall Street. Retirement plans, such as a 401(K) or 403(B), are also investments that you are within your reach. See if your company matches your contribution. Ideally, you should invest 10% of your monthly gross pay in a retirement plan, even at this young age. Understandably, this may be too ambitious for some people. In this case, even a 1-5% contribution is viable. Nevertheless, the goal is to make incremental increases to your contribution until you reach an ideal or maximum contribution.
Do you want to take a trip to Miami or buy an item that you’ve been eyeing for months? Consider opening a “holiday” or “vacation” account at your bank to help fulfill this wish. These accounts are short-term savings accounts –usually 1 year in duration-- that usually pay out the full account balance to its account holders once each year, Depositors earn monthly interest on their account balances and can be penalized for early withdrawals by retracting interest earned if money is taken out before a given date.
by Cassandra Campbell
Supporting Black Businesses by Orane Williams
According to the Survey of Business Owners (SBO) from the United States Census Bureau, in terms of sheer number, Black-owned businesses are one of the fastest growing segments of our economy. The data shows that between 2002 and 2007, the number of Black-owned businesses increased by 60%, more than triple the national rate of 18%, to 1.9 million businesses. New York leads the country with 204,000(10.4%) Black-owned businesses, followed by Georgia and Florida with 9.6% and 9.4%, respectively. Based on this information The Griot asked NYULP members, “Do you support Blackowned businesses? Why or why not?” This is what they had to say:
Dara Marsh of Bronx, NY
Dara feels she does not have a lot of access to black owned business in her Bronx neighborhood. She states, “I’m not going to Brooklyn for skin care products and Harlem is so gentrified that it’s becoming harder to find our businesses there as well.” Dara patronizes a white loctician to maintain her hair because this stylist is always on time and is less expensive.
Cyrenthia Ward of Scotch Plains, NJ
Cynthia will support a Black owned business as long as they demonstrate proper business etiquette. She also points out that small things such as honoring business hours and using appropriate phone decorum can go a long way in gaining and maintaining her patronage.
Julian Gunder of Brooklyn
Julian feels we need to support other black owned businesses because it is what our communities need to move forward economically. He enthusiastically supports Black Enterprise because it offers so much business information for our community. Julian states,” If we don’t build ourselves up, we can’t be mad (at anyone else).”
Ultimately, in order for Black-owned businesses to attract and retain us as consumers they must follow the business basics: be professional, courteous and competitively priced.
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Emotions, Family & Business By Kolonji Murray
T
hinking about starting a business? Before opening your doors to customers make sure you share your plan with your family. Involving your family in the process is important, as you will need their emotional support during throughout the journey. If your family is not fully on board with the idea, you may find yourself fighting unnecessary battles. As new and existing business owners will tell you, starting
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and running a business is an emotional process. You are spending time and money on an idea--a scary proposition without a guaranteed outcome. Often times, they will tell you, only their fellow business owners truly understand the level of involvement required. As a financial advisor, I speak with a range of business owners. Regardless of their industry the common thread in their narratives is: running a business is tough, but they wouldn’t have it any other
way. They knew when they opened their doors they had to compete. However it was only when they began running the business they got to see how tough it was. So what is so tough about running a business? The daily pressure to generate sales can be physically and emotionally draining. Not every sales pitch generates a sale. Managing that stress, especially without family support, can impact planning for and the overall success of your business venture.
Getting your loved ones on board with your desire to open a business may require your best salesmanship. While they love you, some may be reluctant to provide support because they want to see you avoid potential hardship. Here are a few suggestions on how to get your family onboard with the business: Start with these steps: 1. Schedule an uninterrupted conversation to review your business plan with them
2. Engage them in the actual business planning 3. Prepare them to explain your business to others 4. Avoid non-supporters 5. Ask them to expect the best for your business and to inquire about your business optimistically 6. Develop a schedule to create a balance between your new business and your personal life.
it tougher. Do your best to get them on board. If all else fails, try to minimize the effect it has on your business and family relationships.
Starting a business is tough enough. The lack of emotional and psychological support from family friends can make
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Spring has Sprung: HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE
Get
Out and Get Fit!
By Nicole A. Rowland, PT, DPT
After what seemed like an endless winter, spring and summer are finally here. We welcome the sunshine, the warmer weather, and the new energy the season seems to bring. As young professionals, when the weather warms up, we shed heavy clothing and emerge from winter hibernation. Use the energy of the new season to focus on your health.
Strong evidence suggests an increase in stressed cardiac muscle in younger individuals, and more young professionals in their late twenties to early forties are being diagnosed with hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) and diabetes.
Below are several ways to kick your spring season into gear with physical activity to help you avoid heart disease. Be sure The aforementioned conditions to visit your primary care physlead to heart health concerns ical for a physical to assess your like the Cardiovascular Disease risk for the disease. Triad of coronary heart disease (heart attack), cerebrovascular Engage in a cardiovascular exdisease (stroke) and periph- ercise at least 30 minutes a eral vascular disease (diabetic day! Types of cardiovascular ulcers and/or gangrene, which exercise include: power walking, running, biking, or jumping lead to amputations). rope. Research suggests jump32
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ing rope burns more calories than running at the same intensity for the same duration. Easy ways for a busy, urban, young professional to fit this into his/ her daily activity include: 1. Walk city avenue blocks (east or west) to your destination. 2. Avoid taking cabs and/or riding the subway.
3. Participate in an organized
sport. A pick-up game of basketball, volleyball, handball, tennis, etc. will increase your heart rate while you are having fun. Research local, amateur sport leagues to find a group, and squeeze in your physical fitness as a “weekend warrior.”
4. Walk/ j o g / run one of New York City’s bridges. Perform this exercise after a day’s work or on the weekend. The Brooklyn Bridge is 1.1 miles long, the Manhattan Bridge is 1.3 miles, the Williamsburg Bridge is 1.2 miles and the George Washington Bridge is a little under a mile. Track and increase your distance over time. 5. Participate in an organized race or join a running club. Check out Meetup. com or New York City Road Runners Club to find groups that cater to your needs.
Your body burns calories during and after weight training as your muscle fibers repair themselves.
7. Take the stairs when you can! Stair climbing is a great endurance exercise for your heart, and also strengthens the muscles of the buttocks, thighs and calves. 8. Stretch! Increase your flexibility. Stretching is shown to decrease stress, which can in turn decrease your blood pressure. Do it on your own, or try organized stretching like yoga or Pilates.
9. Stay hydrated…drink water! Replace all the water you lose daily through excretion, urination, breathing, sweating and other bodily functions. Doctors recommend eight glasses of water (approximately two liters) each day. As a bonus, water is one of nature’s pore cleansers.
Our physical health is affected by independent and 6. Join a gym or neighdependent variables over borhood YMCA. Use free the course of our lifetimes. weights or perform cirp e rc e n t Diet and exercise are the incuit weight training to engage more calories using weights dependent variables within the large muscle groups of the as you workout than with a our control. If you have not body. You can burn almost 40 cardiovascular workout alone. started already, begin heartThe Griot
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