Could You Spare the Time To Read?-- Let's Make a Difference

As we approach a new school year and see the preparation for the next "Class of Students", I wanted to reflect and catch others at the "beginning of this endeavor", because it will make a difference.

In the end, my vision is my vision, but when it manifests, it impacts many. I am on a journey or can I say a quest to make an impact on the "true meaning of -- I am my brother's keeper" I also want to place understanding in the phrase: "Knowledge is Power, if used properly".

One of my contribution to society is providing an educational portal to those seeking knowledge. I have been blessed that I have brought into existence a dream into an actual resource. My goal is to allow the portal to be one of the biggest/greatest educational resource infrastructure for students, parents, undergraduates and graduates students.

I created my blog, "Planning and Preparing for College: Scholarships, Internships, Etc" from the urging of my son. The blog is National and is located at http://www.ctherd.blogspot.com.

My quest is that people, especially African Americans will use it and share the blog with others. I also want to help to place individuals on the correct timelines for preparing for college and obtaining scholarships, internships, fellowships, etc.

I know that the information in the blog works. I was blessed that my children were able to recieve over 1 million dollars in scholarships and offer and attend the college of their choice. The information on the blog has been helpful to many parents/students as well.

Below are 2 articles I wrote called "Survival of the Parent" and "Volunteer":

Survival of the Parent

Volunteer

As always share the blog located at http://www.ctherd.blogspot.com with others so that they can prosper as well.

It Only Takes a Minute to Change a Life

Guys, I stole the title from Mr. Jolley, (http://www.williejolley.com) but the words are true. I was on my son's blog, WeAllBe (http://www.weallbe.blogspot.com/) and notice an article from the Commerical Appeal that he entitled: There are more College-Educated Black males in College than those in Prison!!!! Which deals with providing information on how more African American males are in college than prison.

The Appeal called the article: Accentuate College's Positive, Not Rap's Negative
By Dr. Michael L. Lomax
Click here for more

(image by r2c2h2 (Tha Artivist))

The article got my attention because many people think that most of our African American Males are currently in the prison system, but they are really not.

My concern in reading the article is that we as African Americans should stop to "Save Our Males" before the myth becomes a reality. I am on a true mission that is guided by my belief and trust in God that we as a race of people or individuals can also have a piece of the "American Dream". We too should take the village approach and help one another and provide knowledge by using various media. I chose to create a college infrastructure resource to be shared with individuals across the country and world.

The blog is my way of giving back to society. The blog is called Planning and Preparing for College (Scholarships, Internships, Etc). It is located at http://www.ctherd.blogspot.com/. The blog became National within a few months of its creation and has received a lot of national and local attention. The blog has been added to various websites as a college resource. AfamReport has currently added it as the "Best Site of the Week" for the 6th time. I am very appreciative that they like my blog that is an honor.

Overall, my goal is to promote the blog strongly to you and ask that you share it with others because the next few weeks are cruical to students trying to get into summer programs, internships, and the current "Class of 2007" to obtain various scholarships. It is also important to place indivdiuals on the proper timelines and to encourage the "Class of 2008" to start preparing now and to take the last remaining ACT/SAT prior to going on Summer break.

I am only one person, but have been a portal to hundredths and over thousandths of people. The blog is growing and will eventually have it's true place. As you read these final words, please take the time to make a difference in someone life. I did when I send it to you.

I also asked that you continue to pray for me and my family. The Devil is busy, but God is always on time.

If you get an overflow of emails that provide great knowledge and information in helping others, you too are a portal and should be honor that the deed has been placed upon you.

Is Affirmative Action and Segregation Related?

I was researching the University of Michigan Law School Affirmative Action Case that went to the Supreme Court in 2001. This case changed how Affirmative Action is viewed in Colleges/Universities. The case was entitled:

BARBARA GRUTTER, for herself
and all others similarly
situated,
Plaintiff,
Civil Action
-vs-
No. 97-CV-75928
LEE BOLLINGER, JEFFREY LEHMAN,
DENNIS SHIELDS, and REGENTS OF
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN,
Defendants,
and
KIMBERLY JAMES, ET AL.,
Intervening Defendants

In researching this case I came across a witness for the Intervening Defendants. His name was Dr. John Hope Franklin. I was very impressed with Dr. Franklins explanation of segration and affirmative action. Dr. Franklin provides his account of living in segregation and the impact it had on his live and what is the differences between them.

Dr. Franklin's account is very powerful and I wanted to share with you. The link is below:

Franklin's Trial Transcript (It is longed and detail, but it is a must read and should be shared with many.)

In essence, we must educate ourselves on this case and the impact it has with diversity and us attending colleges/univerities or receiving scholarships.

References:

http://library.duke.edu/specialcollections/franklin/bio.html
http://www.umich.edu/~daap/facts.htm
http://www.npr.org/news/specials/michigan/

Progress Report from a Parent

Hello Ms.Callie,

First, thank you so much for your wisdom and the great work you do with
the blog and your fantastic email notices. I sing your praises all the
time for without all that you do, I would absolutely be lost because
of all the information there is to gather.

We're doing OK with the graduation stuff. We'll be taking the ACT again
on April 14 -- the morning after the Ridgeway High Prom! Now ain't
that a killer!!!?? anyway, he said he would be ready. We've received
acceptance letters to Tennessee State and Fisk. I believe he is leaning
toward Tennessee State as our family has a long history with TSU with my
older brother and sister going there in the early 60s, and my two nephews
graduated there in the 90s and in 2005; and a whole bunch of cousins
from the 60s through current students are TSU-ites.

We're applying for all sorts of scholarships including the Delta Sigma
Theta. He has an interview with DST next week; the Robert Church
scholarship; the Blacks at Microsoft Scholarship; and about 3 scholarships
from my local church, the national AME Church and two Missionary
Societies in the church that award kids who have been active in the church
--and James has been that. So, we're working on getting money, but the
Lord will provide.

James is working at Kroger where he went through the Kroger YouthWorks
program last summer.

Now, about the younger son, John-William, we're applying for the TSU
MITE program and also doing volunteer work at the Children's Museum and
the Civil Rights Museum. We're going through Open Enrollment with MCS to
get J-W back into the city schools so he can have some extracirrucular
activities. We're trying for Ridgeway or Whitehaven. He's coming along
though and we're going to start a few ACT help classes with him like we
did early with James.

And, is seems there was something else that I'm doing based on what I
saw on the blog, but my old mind can't think of it now. But, girl, I
really go through that diligently and put my boys into all sorts of
programs.

I like to keep you updated on our progress and to send you a word of
thanks.

Take care and be blessed,
BTG