Long Days?!? Eat Right for Energy

Background: A few months ago I was caught in a treacherous cycle of long days and short nights. I started to buy into the hype that it was time for me to "grind" or "hit the paint" as my friends called it. At one point I would go to bed at 2am and awaken at 5am every single day. Not surprisingly, I started to feel fatigued and simply run down. I had started to neglect my sleep schedule and abandoned my healthy diet. It wasn't long before my body took over and forced me to slowdown. I crashed for an entire day and could barely get out of bed. It was at this point that I started to sound like Prez Obama and my motto became "Time for Change." I started researching ways to improve my diet without having to sacrifice a significant amount of time. I learned so much about eating the right foods in order to maintain high energy levels and I am determined not to crash again. Below are a few recommendations:

1. Dont skip meals. Make your breakfast count! Remember when your parents told you "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day?" Have you ever wondered why when you're preparing for a big exam people always recommend breakfast and a good night's rest? Think about it, by the time you awaken in the morning your body has gone 8-11 hours without food. Can you imagine if you did that while you were awake?? Your body uses calories as fuel and you need to refill your tank right away. While it is tempting to skip breakfast and save time, it is tough on your body because you are forcing it to get going when you're running on empty.  Skipping breakfast is also hard on your brain. Most of the cells in your body can store energy up for lean times, but your brain cells need a constant supply of carbohydrates to function, and your reserves are certain to be low after an all-night fast. Lunch and dinner are just as important. Without food in your system, stress hormones will kick in to keep you going but at a high cost--you'll be exhausted later. And when you make a habit of missing meals, your body starts conserving calories and your metabolism slows down. Not surprisingly, you end up feeling sluggish.

2. Eat smaller meals more often. Ever wondered why you feel sluggish after eating a huge meal? The unofficial name for this is "the itis" but here is what really happens:
Large meals force your body to use precious energy stores for the huge task of digestion. Blood rushes to your gut, robbing the rest of your body of oxygen and nutrients. Afterward, you may not feel like eating again for several hours. If you wait too long for dinner, you're more likely to overeat again. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can keep your digestive system humming along steadily and your energy level consistent. 

3. Choose healthy snacks. It sounds cliche and I know this is easier said than done but trust me on this one. When you're at the grocery store, choose healthier snacks. Instead of going for the Gushers (which I still love) go for granola and fresh fruit. If you don't have the foods readily available then you are less likely to consume them. Try to stay away from coffee and candy. Neither one will give you sustained energy. Caffeine stimulates your nervous system, but it doesn't contain calories, which are your body's fuel. Further, sugar breaks down quickly in your system, giving you only a brief pick-me-up.

Below are a few ideas for how to ween yourself off of dollar menu food items incorporate energy boosting foods into your diet. Be sure to make each meal as colorful as possible. I try to have at least 3 different colors in each meal.

BREAKFAST

Choose rolled or old-fashioned oats. They are fiber-rich and they slow the release of sugars into your blood which gives you a steadier stream of energy. Add a bit of protein and fat, like a handful of ALMOND SLIVERS, to increase the energizing effect and an egg. Top it all off with 1/4 teaspoon of CINNAMON. Researchers say this spice may make your body more sensitive to insulin and better able to balance your blood sugar.
 Image source: http://www.delish.com/cm/delish/images/oP/cookbook-eggs-1-lg.jpg
GREEN and BLACK TEA actually help your insulin regulate your blood sugar more effectively.

BLUEBERRIES (as well as peaches and plums) rank low on the glycemic index so they don't trigger blood sugar spikes.

LUNCH

Topping nutrient-dense SPINACH with a hard-boiled EGG, half an AVOCADO, and an olive oil and vinegar dressing provides enough protein and healthy fat to keep you going for hours. The fiber and protein in a half-cup of HUMMUS will give you the same energy boost as a roll, without the subsequent crash.
A single EGG contains 6 g of protein, which slows the rate that sugars from the meal are released into your blood.

The monounsaturated fats in half an AVOCADO boost the effectiveness of blood-sugar-balancing insulin.

SNACK

The best snacks include some protein and fat. Add 1/4 cup of MACADAMIA NUTS (a great source of both) to 1/4 cup RAISINS to even out your blood sugar and energy levels and satisfy your midmorning hunger.

EDAMAME, or soybeans, contain a balance of carbs, protein, and good fat, so your body burns them slowly and you avoid an afternoon slump. Find them in natural food stores, Asian markets, and some supermarkets.

If you're going to be away from home all day, pack a snack. You will be less tempted to consume the junk food from the vending machines and it increases the chances that you know what you are actually eating.

DINNER:

BROWN RICE releases its sugar slowly; its glycemic rank is far lower than white rice. To keep yourself from dozing after dinner, add protein-packed SHRIMP and slow-burning cruciferous vegetables like BROCCOLI and CAULIFLOWER, and top it all off with a drizzle of sesame oil instead of a sugar-filled prepackaged sauce.

When to Eat for Energy

* Have breakfast within 45 minutes of waking to prevent you from falling into an early-morning energy rut, says Los Angeles nutritionist Derek Johnson, R.D.
* Eat snacks midway between meals so your blood sugar doesn't bounce up and down.
* Recharge your energy after exercise by eating a snack that contains protein and complex carbohydrates (like apple slices slathered with almond butter) within 45 minutes of your workout.

I challenge all of you to put the same effort into a healthy diet as you put into becoming a success in your profession. Do not make the same mistake I made in thinking that because you are young your body can handle it.

Share your thoughts in the comment section....

Sources: http://www.ahealthyme.com/topic/dietenergy; http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NAH/is_6_33/ai_106224763/pg_2/?tag=content;col1

Out the door...inspirational quote to start your day

Good Morning friends! Happy Happy Happy Hump day! Is it just me or does today feel like a holiday? Ok maybe its just me. *giggles* As you all know its my favorite time of day-its time for the "out the door" quote of the day. Without further delay, here's today's "out the door" quote:

"Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens. "

~ Kahlil Gibran

Change your attitude and you will change your life. If you encounter challenges, meet them with a positive attitude and the determination that you will overcome them. Consider it a challenge. Try this approach for 30 days and then reflect on the differences in results.

Hit the ground running!

Student loan reform? Its about time!!!

Here's the text of an email I'm sure most of you also received from my dear old friend in the head Mitch Stewart, the director of Organizing for America.

In Spring 2007, on a conference call with students, then-Senator Barack Obama called for major reform to federal student loans:

"We shouldn't be providing billions in taxpayer-funded giveaways to private banks. We should be providing an affordable, accessible college education to every American."

This morning, President Obama signed those historic reforms into law.

Dr. Jill Biden, an educator for 29 years, just recorded a short video explaining what these groundbreaking reforms mean for education in America. Click here to watch.

The bill the President signed this morning includes historic investments to make education more affordable, and delivers on a key campaign promise. The legislation:

-- Ends subsidies to special-interest private lending companies.

-- Doubles funding for Pell Grants to help more students afford a college education.

-- Will cap a graduate's annual student-loan repayments at 10 percent of his or her income.

-- Helps an additional 5 million Americans earn degrees and certificates over the next decade, by revitalizing programming at our nation's community colleges.

Although I know these reforms will not take place immediately, I am excited that someone has taken the initiative to reform one of the most pesky aspects of education, student loans!

Share your thoughts, concerns and feelings about the reform in the comment section. Sharing is caring...

Praise Baby Jesus. Have a great day folks!

HUSL Today Salutes

Marcus Garvey

Image source: http://www.shunpiking.com/bhs/images/MarcusGarvey1920.gif

"A people without the knowledge of their history, is like a tree without roots."

Rt. Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jr. was born Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jr. in St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica, on August 17 , 1887. He spent his younger years in Jamaica where he fostered a love for books and worked as an apprentice.  In May 1917, Garvey and thirteen others formed the first UNIA division outside Jamaica and began advancing ideas to promote social, political, and economic freedom for Blacks. On 2 July, the East St. Louis riots broke out. On July 8, Garvey delivered an address, titled "The Conspiracy of the East St. Louis Riots," at Lafayette Hall in Harlem. During the speech, he declared the riot was "one of the bloodiest outrages against mankind." 

By October, rancor within the UNIA had begun to set in. A split occurred in the Harlem division, with Garvey enlisted to become its leader; although he technically held the same position in Jamaica.

 

Garvey next set about the business of developing a program to improve the conditions of those of African ancestry "at home and abroad" under UNIA auspices. On August 17, 1918, publication of the widely distributed Negro World newspaper began. Garvey worked as an editor without pay until November 1920. By June 1919 the membership of the organization had grown to over two million.

Image source: http://www.africawithin.com/garvey/mgp07.jpg

 On  June 27,1919, the Black Star Line of Delaware was incorporated by the members of the UNIA, with Garvey as President. By September, it obtained its first ship. Much fanfare surrounded the inspection of the S.S. Yarmouth and its rechristening as the S.S. Frederick Douglass on September 14, 1919.

By August 1920, the UNIA claimed four million members. That month, the International Convention of the UNIA was held. With delegates from all over the world in attendance, over 25,000 people filled Madison Square Garden on  August 1to hear Garvey speak.

In September 1929, he founded the People's Political Party (PPP), Jamaica's first modern political party, which focused on workers' rights, education, and aid to the poor. Also in 1929, Garvey was elected councilor for the Allman Town Division of the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC). However, he lost his seat because of having to serve a prison sentence for contempt of court. But, in 1930, Garvey was re-elected, unopposed, along with two other PPP candidates.

"How can you be happy living in luxury and your brother is living in disease?"

In April 1931, Garvey launched the Edelweiss Amusement Company. He set the company up to help artists earn their livelihood from their craft. Several Jamaican entertainers — Kidd Harold, Ernest Cupidon, Bim & Bam, and Ranny Williams — went on to become popular after receiving initial exposure that the company gave them.

In 1935, Garvey left Jamaica for London. He lived and worked in London until his death in 1940.

Schools, colleges, highways, and buildings in Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, and the United States have been named in his honor. The UNIA red, black, and green flag has been adopted as the Black Liberation Flag. Since 1980, Garvey's bust has been housed in the Organization of American States' Hall of Heroes in Washington, D.C.

Regardless of the criticisms wielded at Garvey from Hoover, W.E.B. Dubois and many others, we cannot deny his influence on the African diaspora. For that reason (and several others), he is one of my personal favorites and I am delighted to salute him. 

Take a few minutes (or 45) and watch the documentary on the influence of Marcus Garvey.
Part 1:


Part 2:


Part 3:


Part 4:


Part 5:

HUSL Today Salutes Marcus Garvey!!!

L'Union fait la force!

 Hello friends! I apologize about the gap in posting today. Who knew I'd ACTUALLY have to come and do work today? Go figure. Enough about me. Its time to get serious.

First, take a moment to refresh your memory about what happened a little over 3 months ago in Haiti:

The quake that devastated Haiti rocked the island on January 12. It is estimated that at least 1/3 of the population was injured and the death toll was in the hundreds of thousands. One student described the quake as "Haiti's version of Katrina." Any attempt to put the devastation into words would undoubtedly be an understatement. Are we on the same page? Good. Imagine my frustration now that Haiti is no longer in our headlines and the images are slowly fading into the background. Am I the only one that is frustrated? Please tell me I'm not. 

 A few weeks  of coverage and a few million in funds is not what Haiti needs. While I dare not speculate about how to eradicate the complacency that Americans have once natural disasters are no longer thrown at us 24/7, I would bet my last dollar that it will take YEARS to rebuild Haiti. Just because the media has become more concerned with Ricky Martin coming out of the closet *side eye* it does not mean that Haiti and its people have recovered and that everything is under control. If you don't believe me, or if you somehow believe that throwing money at the situation will make it better then you haven't been to New Orleans in the last five years. Hurricane Katrina devastated the crescent city over 5 years ago, how often do you hear stories about areas that are still devastated? What is unfortunate is that we're only 3 months out and I've read stories of people complaining when we do talk about Haiti. To those people I say the worst thing we can do is to stop talking about it. I can't imagine going through life as though these things never happened. YES there are other people suffering and I understand we cannot help everyone, but if you have been blessed I strongly encourage you to share your blessings with the less fortunate. Whether you volunteer for the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps or Doctors without borders, take time to step away from your comfort zone to support someone else other than yourself.   I know you can feel my passion and I hope it moves you into action.

Check the footage, its self-explanatory.

Let me make it clear that I'm not big on shock campaigns to get people to act, nor am I a support of guerrilla (some charities go THAT hard) tactics to get people to donate. However, I do believe that everyone has a social responsibility to help when our brothers and sisters are down on their luck but rich in their faith. 

Here are some facts about Haiti you may or may not have already known:

Haiti is a small country about the size of the state of Maryland in the West Indies that covers the western third of the island of Hispanola, which lies between Cuba and Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea. (The Dominican Republic covers eastern Hispanola).

1492-Christopher Columbus named the island Hispanola. By 1697, the Spanish recognized the French's control of the western third of the island, and named the island Saint Domingue.

In 1792 Toussaint L'Ouverture, a former slave, took control and wrote a constitution

In the early 1800s Haiti became the first black republic in the world

Haiti was the first black nation to win an Olympic bronze medal

The first automatic telephone system in the Western Hemisphere was installed in Haiti.

In 1974, Haiti became the first Caribbean soccer team to win the Concacaf Cup, breaking Mexico's 30-year strong hold. Haiti and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were the first black republics to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in the 20th century.

Haitian Creole is the second most spoken language in Cuba after Spanish

There are still several ways you can donate. While you're here go ahead and scroll up to the icon at the top right of the page and donate. Every little bit counts. Donate $5 if that is all you can afford to donate, but please continue to lend Haiti your support.

Haiti and its people are resilient. I have no doubt that the nation will rebuild itself and become stronger than ever. However, we must all stand up and become invested in Haiti's success.

Feel free to share you thoughts, comments and information on how you've helped Haiti in the comments section...

Out the door...inspirational quote to start your day

Good Morning friends!!! Here is today's "out the door quote":

The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
       - Winston Churchill 

Make a conscious decision to always try to find the light at the end of a dark tunnel. If you cannot find a positive POV in your situation broaden your horizon and find a positive POV on your life. If nothing else, be thankful you were given another opportunity to seize another day because there are many who were not so blessed.  You've made it through Monday and now its time to conquer Tuesday. You. Can. Do. It! I beleive in all of you and together we will change the world.

Hit the ground running!

HUSL Today Salutes

Dorothy Height

Image Source: http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/steinhardt/profiles_images/dorothy_height.jpg

Dorothy Height was born on March 24, 1912 in Richmond, Virginia.  In 1929, Height moved to New York to enroll at Barnard. When she arrived at the college, the dean told her that even though she had been accepted, she would have to wait a year because the college only allotted two slots for Negro women both of which had already been filled.  According to the dean, she was “young enough to wait another year." Undaunted, Height, who had been awarded a four-year scholarship for both her grades and her oratorical skills, headed downtown to the NYU Washington Square campus to talk to Dean Ruth Shaffer. Even though Height had not formally applied to NYU, Shaffer invited her to enroll based on a copy of her high school transcript and her acceptance letter from Barnard.

At NYU, Height helped to organize discussion groups for African-American students, and after graduation she took a job with the New York Home Relief Bureau (later the Department of Welfare). She soon moved on to the Harlem branch of the Young Women’s Christian Association, and eventually joined the YWCA’s national staff, where she spearheaded a movement to integrate the organization. In 1957, she took her place in the forefront of the civil rights movement by becoming president of the NCNW. Often, her memoir reveals, she was the only woman privy to high-level discussions with all the great civil rights leaders. When Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech, Height was on stage.
Image Source: http://blacksuperwomen.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/g25145_u23939_a_c_motley.jpg

Image source: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3209/2827300140_7e452f8384.jpg
“Every struggle has the same concerns at the bottom of them,” Height says. “Race, color, creed, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, it all matters. We need to go back to the time of the March on Washington. That time in 1963. That coming together of all backgrounds with a fiery sense of righteous indignation.”







In 2004, then President Bush commended Height on her achievements with a Congressional Gold Medal. Check the footage below:



Height has also been commended on countless other occasions. The footage from a few can be found below:






As chair and president emerita of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), Height has been at the epicenter of the civil rights movement for more than seven decades. And the poet Maya Angelou, in the memoir’s foreword, gives Height her due—ranking the activist with Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman—as those who "somehow have been elevated beyond this mortal coil." Angelou goes on to write, “It is difficult to believe they ever really inhabited human form, they were so noble, so fierce."

Her impact on the African American diaspora remains a token of her life's work.  Please keep her uplifted in fellowship and prayer while she remains in Howard University Hospital in stable but critical condition.

HUSL Today Salutes Dorothy Height!!

Out the door...inspirational quote to start your day

Good morning friends! I hope you're reading this post before the Monday blues creep into your day. Take a moment to read the quote and meditate on any positive meaning you derive from the text.

Here is today's "out the door" quote:

"You must welcome change as the rule but not as your ruler."

Denis Waitley

Welcome change but do not allow it to overpower your life or your spirit. Any change is a challenge but if you meet it with a positive attitude your life's transitions will be that much smoother. Start your day off by accepting that change is inevitable.

Hit the ground running!

Are we too connected (with our gadgets)??

"You are way too connected homes"

-Anonymous

Twitter

Facebook

Linkedin

Myspace (do people over 15 still use myspace?)

Those are the only four social networks I could think of, but I am positive there are at least a dozen others. 

Flashback to my childhood. When we were at dinner we sat and talked to each other. It went something like this: 

Dad: "How was school today? Tell me something new you learned"

Me: "It was fine. I'm tired of school. Can we talk about something else?"

Dad: "No matter how tired you are of school, do not ever stop learning because learning will keep you young. Besides, your education is one of the few things a yt man can't take from you. Pass the gravy. 

When I got my first cell phone in middle school, I was immediately given "the talk" about courtesy and it was understood that I would not take it out at the dinner table or during family functions.

 

Fastfoward. Now I see children texting, tweeting, and IMing at the dinner table. The parents have either scorned them and accepted defeat or are doing the same thing. 

My younger sister recently proclaimed she hadn't had her new phone for a month and she had sent 4,098 text messages. I'm not too far behind her (I feel you judging me).  On Twitter, I can find out what my tweeps (twitter people) had for lunch and what they are thinking about having for dinner. We vent, we have fun with trending topics (subjects people are tweeting about the most), and offer inspirational words. Most people not on twitter wonder what is there to tweet about and why do I even care? My answer: If you're not on twitter you wouldn't understand. Moving on.

There are services which encourage us to stay connected.  Tweetdeck allows you to link all of these accounts with one click. You can update all of them at once and create columns for each separate account so that everything is right in front of you. Cell phone companies have responded by offering unlimited data packages and unlimited everything (talk, text, web) packages for $99 or less. Networks have expanded into areas that were previously "dead zones." Thus, parents no longer have to get rid of their blackberry's while camping because now they can get a signal.

Facebook allows us all to share our photos, thoughts and personal info. With the best in mind, it is an effective tool to stay connected with friends and family you may be away from. As discussed yesterday, everyone does not have the best intentions.When I log off, I can still access my messages and notifications via my Facebook mobile app.

There are instant messaging services like BBM, AIM, Gchat which are quickly replacing text messages as a way to communicate with friends via cell phone without talking. Even when I log off via my computer, I can still receive messages from my "buddies" via text.

I, for one, am attached to my gadget. I use it to keep me calm in awkward situations. Its like my security blanket only is black with a QWERTY keyboard and fits into my back pocket. If I lost my phone I would lose a lot of important information. I have a calendar where I set my appointments and reminders, I would lose phone numbers (because I only know about 10 numbers by heart) and a wide array of other info. I  Even though I feel you judging me, I feel no need to hide my connectedness. I joke that my business card should have my twitter, facebook, YouTube channel, phone number, email and Linkedin account. 

There is a downside to being so connected. We do not spend our time building meaningful relationships because we are often preoccupied fidgeting with our gadgets. The number of accidents caused by distracted drivers has quickly reached astonishing and has prompted Oprah to start a crusade in the form of a phone pledge.

Just for laughs, here a few funny (at least I found them humorous) cell phone commercials I found:

Technology can be good or bad. I think it is important that we keep in mind how much humans need human contact. Resist the temptation to completely withdraw from the world and only communicate from afar. 

My question to you all is do you think we too connected to our gadgets? Is it time to disconnect? Or is it necessary? It could be that we think we are too connected to work or that we feel a disconnect with those around us. Don't be shy...

HUSL Today Salutes

Alvin Ailey

Image Source: http://blogs.courierpress.com/artsbeat/AlvinAiley2004-smallest.jpg

Alvin Ailey was born on January 5, 1931.  He spent most of his younger years in Los Angeles where he was exposed to a wide range of dance styles and techniques. In 1954, he and his friend Carmen De Lavallade were invited to New York to dance in the Broadway show, House of Flowers by Truman Capote starring Pearl Bailey and Diahann Carroll. He also appeared in Sing, Man, Sing (1956) starring Harry Belafonte and in Jamaica (1957) with Lena Horne and Ricardo Montalbán.

Ailey formed his own group, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, in 1958. The group presented its inaugural concert on March 30, 1958. Notable early work included Blues Suite, a piece deriving from blues songs. Ailey's choreography was a dynamic and vibrant mix growing out of his previous training in ballet, modern dance, jazz, and African dance techniques. Ailey insisted upon a complete theatrical experience, including costumes, lighting, and make-up. A work of intense emotional appeal expressing the pain and anger of African Americans, Blues Suite was an instant success and defined Ailey's style.

Revelations is considered to be Ailey's signature work. He originally intended the dance to be the second part of a larger, evening-length survey of African-American music which he began with Blues Suite.

The performers of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre are exquisite and breathtaking. Check out Alvin Ailey's masterpiece Revelations. It is believed to be the best-known and most often seen dance performance. I love this!

In 1962 the U.S. State Department sponsored the Alvin Ailey Dance Company's first overseas tour. 

Image source: http://gazette.unc.edu/archives/09apr01/4-01webpix/alvin-ailey.jpg

In 1970, Ailey was honored by a commission to create The River for American Ballet Theatre. Ailey viewed The River, which he based on the music of composer Duke Ellington, as a chance to work with some of the finest ballet dancers in the world, particularly with the great dramatic ballerina Sallie Wilson. ABT, however, insisted that the leading male role be danced by the only black man, despite misgivings by Ailey and others about the dancer's talent.

Though Ailey created 79 works for his dancers, he maintained that his company was not merely a showcase for his own work. Today, the company continues Ailey's vision by performing important works from the past and commissioning new additions to the repertoire. In all, more than 200 works by over 70 choreographers have been performed by the company.
 Image source: http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/cnishared/tools/shared/mediahub/05/83/07/slideshow_1078359_alvin-ailey-dance.jpg

Check out other videos of performances from his dance studio:









He passed away on December 1, 1989.  In 1992 Alvin Ailey was inducted into the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame.

HUSL Today Salutes Alvin Ailey!!!

Out the door...inspirational quote to start your day

*Does a happy Friday dance* Good morning my wonderful friends! Here is today's "out the door" quote:

"Don't waste your life in doubts and fears: spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour's duties will be the best preparation for the hours or ages that follow it."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

 
If you haven't done your happy Friday dance yet go ahead and dance like no one is watching.

A Special Talented Generation *Salute*

A.P. Tureaud

Alexander Pierre Tureaud was born on February 26, 1899  in the 7th Ward of New Orleans.  A 1925 graduate of the Howard University Law School (HUSL), Tureaud was admitted to the Louisiana Bar in 1927 and admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court in 1935.

In 1940, the NAACP in New Orleans summoned the legendary litigator Thurgood Marshall to represent it in the case of Joseph P. McKelpin v. Orleans Parish School Board. The case was initiated by black teachers from the segregated public school system, who had sued the school board for salaries equal to their white counterparts. Marshall retained Tureaud as local counsel on the case. The case was settled out of court on September 1, 1942, and black teachers were offered a graduated pay increase over the next two years.

That year, Tureaud resigned his post at the Customs Office and entered private practice. For the next thirty years, he represented plaintiffs on dozens of significant cases, which gradually chipped away at the institution of segregation in New Orleans and Louisiana.

In 1950 and 1951, Tureaud represented plaintiffs in Daryle Foster v. Board of Supervisors of LSU, Roy Wilson v. Board of Supervisors of LSU, and Payne v. LSU in federal court. He won all three cases and forced LSU to admit blacks.

Tureaud represented the NAACP in Edward Hall v. T. J. Nagel, Registrar of Voters in 1952, which eliminated voting procedures designed to exclude blacks from voting.

Tureaud represented parents in Earl Benjamin Bush v. Orleans Parish School Board in February 1956, which echoed the earlier Supreme Court decision, Brown v. Topeka Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483, of 1954 May 17. The decision from that case, rendered by Federal District Judge J. Skelly Wright, suppressed the Louisiana state legislature's attempt to preserve segregated public schools through legislation. Tureaud's many petitions following this decision led directly to the desegregation of New Orleans Public Schools over the next decade.

His impact on the Civil Rights Movement is inspiring. As the civil rights movement intensified throughout the South, Tureaud took the case of three students in Baton Rouge, who had been arrested for disturbing the peace during a sit-in protest. With the support of Thurgood Marshall and the NAACP, Tureaud took Garner v. Louisiana, 368 U.S. 157, to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of the plaintiffs on 1961 Dec. 11. The decision legalized sit-in protests at segregated private businesses and restaurants. 

Tureaud represented a white woman attempting to enter the historically black Grambling State University in 1965.  He represented teachers from Madison Parish in Linda Williams v. George Kimbrough in 1969, who had been fired and replaced by white teachers. That same year, he won Dana Hubbard v. Fred Tannehill, which banned text books from Louisiana public schools which supported white racial superiority. The defendant Tannehill of Pineville was the president of the Louisiana State Board of Education.

Tureaud filed formal complaints and multiple lawsuits against City Hall in New Orleans to desegregate City Park, Audubon Park, public buses, the New Orleans Airport restaurant, and other public facilities.

Tureaud passed away on January 22, 1972.  His papers are archived at the Amistad Research Center, at Tilton Hall on the campus of Tulane University. London Ave., a thoroughfare in New Orleans, was renamed A.P. Tureaud Ave. in his honor. Marie C. Couvent School at 2021 Pauger Street was renamed after him in 1999.

Tureaud Hall on the campus of LSU was named for A.P. Tureaud, Sr. His son, A.P. Tureaud, Jr., was LSU's first African American undergraduate student.

In his honor take a moment and enjoy the sounds of a traditional N'awlins brass band.

 Join Talented Generation as we *Salute* A.P. Tureaud!!!

Have a great evening. 

Watch what you share: 3 ways to protect yourself online

This morning on Good Morning America, they discussed the perils of social networking. They profiled a woman who updated her Facebook status informing her friends that she would be out at a concert for the evening. She returned to discover that her apartment was robbed. She was even more shocked to learn that the robbers were her Facebook friends. Check out the video of the robbery below:



In recent weeks, Twitter and Facebbok have added a new feature that allows you to add your location to your updates. When used with the best intentions, two friends will discover they are in the same area. Criminals can interpret your update about going to Vegas for the weekend as an opportunity to rob you because your house will be empty for 48 hours. 

Another popular service is foursquare. According to the GMA crew, this service lets you check in to restaurants, clubs and events to let people know where you are. You can show your support for an establishment by frequenting the joint enough to become the mayor, where you may earn a free drink or just bragging rights that you are the king of the geeky regulars. It also allows you to broadcast tips that may help other people tour the area and find good places to eat drink and be merry.

Facebook encourages people to choose their Facebook friends just as carefully as they chose their actual friends. While Facebook began as a site for college students to network, many people have used social networks as a means to commit crimes. Stories about Facebook stalkers are on the rise and users .Websites like pleaserobme.com have emerged to raise awareness about over-sharing on the internet.

1. Be suspicious. Do not assume that all 700 of your friends are REALLY your friends. Some people are nosey and some people want to hurt you. Just because it is the internet does not make it any less dangerous. In fact, I would argue the anonymity makes it even more dangerous because you don't know who you are truly dealing with. Just because someone says their name is T Johnson does not mean you should trust them. People lie to your face, do not think they won't lie on social networking sites. From now on, when you get a random request from someone take a moment to ask them if you know each other. It seems a bit extreme but it will save you heartache later. You may choose to have a blanket policy i.e. "I will only approve people in my network who share at least 50 mutual friends" or you may choose to make your policy more subjective "I will only approve certain people if I have 50 mutual friends and I will make an exception if he looks like McDreamy." Regardless of what you chose, do not take your online safety for granted. If you feel the need to share your exact location, limit the viewers to your closest friends.

2. Change your privacy settings. I cannot stress this enough. This is especially for those of you who put everything online for others to see. Everyone has received a friend request from someone whom they shared no mutual friends with and wondered "how did they find me?" Stop right now and type your name in a Google search. Thats right, Google yourself. Begin with your first and last name and then do another search with your full name, Take note of what comes up. Do you see your tweets? Do you see your Facebook profile? Do you see anything you weren't aware was posted online? Take charge of your online image the same way you take charge of your reputation. We live in the age of technology and employers often look at social networks to get a perspective about the lives we live.   Make your information private! Do not assume everyone wants to use your information for your benefit. You've been warned. Check out 5 things you should know about your Facebook privacy settings for tips.

3. Don't underestimate the power of the "nosey neighbor syndrome." Nosey neighbor syndrome is a disease which afflicts you in such a way that you feel the need to know everything about your neighbors. There is no cure for "nosey neighbor syndrome" yet and it is spreading like wildfire.  People affected by nosey neighbors syndrome suffer in silence. They wonder what their neighbors had for dinner last night and what they are eating for breakfast this morning. They question their neighbors about their ventures as they leave their homes and stare in disappointment when you refuse to share. Stick with me I have a point. Nosey neighbor syndrome has manifested itself on social networking sites and it has become dangerous. A perfect stranger can take one glance at  your facebook profile and see:
Current city
Birthdate (age)
Sex
Websites
Pages you are a fan of
Religious views
Relationship status
Photos of you
What friends have written on your wall
Family you have on Facebook
Personal info (interests, activities, etc.)


Someone can use this information to hurt you. Don't help them find you. Let people earn your trust. Use a trust policy online similar to the one you have in real life. In my opinion, everyone has a little bit of "nosey neighbor syndrome." In other words, we want to keep up with people we find interesting. We research judges, celebrities and friends. We read gossip blogs to find out about Kim K & Reggie Band the paparazzi make their living following them around. We are inquisitive and we like to know what are friends are really doing. If you have a Facebook account and especially a Twitter account this includes you. The laws of economics rules the world. Sit down because this may surprise you. The leader of the world is not red, white, black or blue; it is green and gold. My point is that as long as the demand for something is there, someone will furnish the supply.

Think twice before you post when and where you will be. You may make the mistake of sharing it with someone with less than good intentions.

Out the door...inspirational quote to start your day

Good Morning friends! I hope you awakened today feel rejuvenated and ready to take on the world. Even if you didn't, I still love you so here is today's "out the door" quote which I hope will change your mood for the better:

"If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it. If you don't ask, the answer is always no. If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place."

~ Nora Roberts 

Today I encourage all of you to take action. Do not allow yourself to live the same day twice. Set out to make today better than yesterday and you will be glad you did. At the end of each day you should take the time to reflect on the day and what you could have done differently. At the beginning of the next day you should act on those things in an effort to continue your journey of self-improvement. If you feel your days are becoming redundant take a few moments and reflect on possible reasons why. Could you complete your tasks in a different way? Push yourself to accomplish more today than you did yesterday. Read an extra 10 pages, run 1/2 more miles, or try a new restaurant for lunch. 

Hit the ground running!

HUSL Today Salutes

Shirley Chisolm

Image source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/10/Shirley_Chisholm.jpg

Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm was born in Brooklyn, New York on November 30, 1924.  Chisholm earned her BA from Brooklyn College in 1946 and later earned her MA from Columbia University in elementary education in 1952. From 1953 to 1959, she was director of the Hamilton-Madison Child Care Center. From 1959 to 1964, she was an educational consultant for the Division of Day Care.

In 1964, Chisholm ran for and was elected to the New York State Legislature. In 1968, she ran as the Democratic candidate for New York's 12th District congressional seat and was elected to the House of Representatives. Defeating Republican candidate James Farmer, Chisholm became the first black woman elected to Congress. Chisholm joined the Congressional Black Caucus in 1969 as one of its founding members.

On January 25, 1972, she became the first major-party black candidate for President of the United States and the first woman to run for the Democratic presidential nomination (Margaret Chase Smith had previously run for the Republican presidential nomination). She received 152 first-ballot votes at the 1972 Democratic National Convention.  In 1975, Chisholm was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Smith College.

Check out the footage below to see her declare her presidential bid: 

She represented New York's 12th Congressional District for seven terms from 1969 to 1983 as a Congresswoman. Chisholm wrote two books, Unbought and Unbossed (1970) which was expanded and re-released in 2010 and The Good Fight (1973). In 1993, she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame. She was a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

She passed away on January 1, 2005. 

  HUSL Today Salutes Shirley Chisolm!!

Tell us how you REALLY feel

Image source: Google

Background:  Google and the Chinese government have been trading blows the past few days after Google finally decided to stop censoring its search engine in mainland China. Instead, the site Google.cn began redirecting users to the Hong Kong server, which is not censored due to the “one country, two systems” concept. In retaliation, the Chinese government has disabled searches that were found offensive and blocked links in order to restrict what can be seen from mainland computers. Its become an interesting tug-o-war to say the least. I've read and heard reports that many of those at the forefront of the battle on Google's side are young professionals from China.

“We want as many people in the world as possible to have access to our services, including users in mainland China, yet the Chinese government has been crystal clear throughout our discussions that self-censorship is a non-negotiable legal requirement.” David Drummond, Google’s chief legal officer.
Source: http://www.alligator.org/opinion/editorials/article_944fe796-36ef-11df-8f43-001cc4c002e0.html

Has Google made a mistake? Was the move influenced by the US government's initiative to characterize everything the Chinese government does as "evil" and "wrong"? Is this another instance of the US imposing our ideals on another nation?

Tell us how you REALLY feel about the battle between Google and China. Remember you can remain anonymous!

Out the door...inspirational quote to start your day

Good Morning friends! I hope your day is off to a great start. Its a little late but nonetheless here is your "out the door" quote:

"Trust your own instinct. Your mistakes might as well be your own, instead of someone else's."

~ Billy Wilder

Resist the temptation to second guess yourself today. Step confidently  and trust your instincts. Make mistakes and learn from them.

Tell us how you REALLY feel

Its that time again! Let your hair down and forget being politically correct.

Here is the background: As you may have already heard, late on Sunday evening the House of Representatives passed an historic health care insurance overhaul which President Obama signed into law today around 11:56am. Republicans have not been silent about their opposition to the bill. Democrats taut it as a victory. No matter how we look at it, health insurance has now been reformed and its the most sweeping reform in 6 decades. 

There are debates about what is and is not covered and who will cover the bill. There are rumors on both sides and even in the middle. With only 224 days before midterm elections, politics are in full effect. Its enough to make your head spin so I won't get into the specifics as I'm not clear on them myself but I'd like to know how you feel. Have you been keeping up with the debates? Do you live in a state where the Attorney General plans to sue on the basis that the law is unconstitutional?

Image source: http://urlifeblog.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/healthcare.jpg

Go ahead, Tell us how you REALLY feel about healthcare reform and the debates that have stemmed from it. Remember you can remain anonymous!

Have a great day my friends!

HUSL Today Salutes

 David Wilson, III, Esq.

David Wilson, III, Esq. was born on April 23, 1952, in Lake Wales, Florida. He was educated in the Lake Wales public school system.  His inquisitive mind led him to Tampa, Florida where he attended the University of South Florida. In 1972, while majoring in English and minoring in Speech,  he became a chartering member of the Upsilon Delta chapter of  Omega Psi Phi. He later studied law at the University of Florida earning his JD on December 11, 1976.  After returning to Polk County he opened his law firm David Wilson, III & Associates, PA where he specialized in personal injury, counseling and family law among other things.

His stubborn yet passionate attitude for the law propelled him to the forefront of the legal profession. In 1991, he became a founding member of the Virgil Hawkins Bar Association, a voluntary bar association dedicated to serving the unique needs of African American attorneys. The following year he became their first president. Wilson, revered by many, accomplished what many African Americans still struggle with today-he broke color barriers and it did it in his own way. His legal victories propelled him onto several headlines and he became well known in his community and beyond.

I feel privileged because I was blessed to know Mr. Wilson. Although I feel like a salute to him is an understatement, he deserves the biggest spotlight. A great man in more ways than one, it is my honor to salute him. Here's to you Mr. Wilson!

HUSL Today Salutes 
David Wilson, IIII, Esq.!

Make Excellence YOUR habit

"We Are What We Repeatedly Do, Excellence Then Is A Habit"

--Socrates

Backstory: I have to admit, I have not been living up to my full potential. Not as a student. Not as a daughter. Not as a sister or an aunt, or as the giver of information. I have been a slacker. I fell into a rut and I didn't realize it until I got out of it. A very good friend of mine (who shall remain nameless) called me out. She said "What are you doing with your life? Why are you playing around? You have so much potential and you could be doing so much better but you aren't applying yourself and its so obvious. I'm frustrated with you right now." You want to know the truth? She was absolutely correct.  For the past few weeks, I have been coasting by doing just enough to get by. It was my friend's words that woke me up and shoved me back onto my path. I felt invigorated and renewed. I had found my motivation. Her words will be the next thing I frame and hang on my wall to look at every time I want to waste the night away looking at photos on the book. 

Image source: http://iconicphotos.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/black-power-salute-jpg.jpeg

STOP: Its your turn to reflect.Is there something you can improve upon? Don't worry you don't have to shout it from Mt. Everest and we wont judge you if you do. Do you actually work while you're at work? In other words, are you working hard or are you hardly working? Get my drift? Good. Moving on.

Image source: http://typeinspire.com/images/0509/temp/excellence.jpg

If you have fallen into a rut and even if you haven't, consider this YOUR shove! Practice excellenece in whatever you do. If you must work the mail room, do it with excellence. If you must shovel snow, do it with excellence. As the above quote says we are what we repeatedly do. There is repetition everywhere. We learn by repitition. If you don't believe me stay awake until 2am and sit through an infomercial for "Your Baby Can Read." What I am challenging you to focus on is what you are repeating.  Many of us awaken at the same time every morning and go to bed at the same time in the evening. The great Ricky Bobby proclaimed "I wake up in the morning and pi** excellence." We brush our teeth, cleanse our pores and dress ourselves every day. We become prisoners of our habits. Such habits are not easily broken but there is hope. Since I love all of you, here are 3 ways to make excellence YOUR habit:

1. Realize your potential. Do not sell yourself short by forgetting what you are good at. Hone in on the things that make you great and harness them to become better. Realize that you were born with great potential and since you can't take it with you, I encourage you to spend it. Spend your potential like its going out of style tomorrow. End each day knowing that you gave every task your all. Realize that you can be excellent.

2. Focus on productivity. After a few nights of endlessly browsing through photos online and chatting with old friends (yes it took me a few nights, I feel you judging me), I realized how much time I was wasting doing nothing. It was time I could have easily spent doing research or reading a good self-help book.What did I gain from those many nights of browsing? I caught up with my high school buddies and laughed at silly drama. Bottom line: I gained things that did not help me reach my goals. What did I lose? Time. My time is valuable is so is yours. Its precious and it is nonrenewable. Think about the things you do that do not contribute to your goals. You have 2 choices: (1) stop doing them completely or (2) use them sparingly. Plan your time in an honest way that allows you do to the things you enjoy while also doing the things you need to do. This means that TV lovers should schedule time to watch their favorite shows as runners should schedule time to run. Doing this will allow you free up your mind when it time to grind. You will not be preoccupied wondering what happened on 24 this week nor will you feel guilty for skipping morning workouts. If you are able to focus when you need to, your productivity will increase.

3. Practice. Practice. Practice. Focus on doing everything in your life with excellence. Exercise with excellence. Speak with excellence. Walk with excellence. Breathe with excellence. Become the prototype for excellence.The quality of your life is in direct proportion to your commitment to excellence. YOU are in charge of your own destiny. Grab the reigns and steer with excellence.

Share your thoughts, tips on how you have made excellence YOUR habit and your journey to excellence in the comment section. Don't be shy you are amongst friends.