TSU President, Dr. Austin A. Lane, was recently named to the 2020 Executive Committee of the Council of Public University Presidents and Chancellors (CPUPC). This 20-year-old Council, based in Austin, is comprised of the chief executive officers of Texas’ publicly-supported general academic universities, two Lamar State Colleges and the Lamar Institute of Technology, system offices and health science centers. It encourages inter-cooperation in meeting the higher education goals of the state, and it typically meets on the day before the quarterly meetings of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
“As President of Texas Southern University, I look forward to representing the unique needs of our university on this CPUPC committee, as well as collaborating with our fellow universities to ensure that we receive the maximum level of support from the THECB and the State Legislature,” said Dr. Lane.
He will serve alongside the presidents of UTSA, Lamar Institute of Technology, UT Arlington, University of Houston, UH Downtown, Texas A&M University-Central Texas and UT Permian Basin on the FY2020 Executive Committee.
ABOUT TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
Texas Southern University (TSU) honors our designation as a special-purpose institution for urban programming and research. TSU is a comprehensive university providing higher education access to the nation’s underserved communities. TSU’s academic and research programs address critical urban issues, and prepares its diverse student population to become a force for positive change in a global society. TSU offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs and concentrations – bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional degrees – organized into 10 colleges and schools on a 150-acre campus nestled in the heart of Houston’s historic Third Ward. The University’s enrollment has a population of more than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate-school academic candidates. Texas Southern has been a distinguished educational pioneer since 1927, and the University has become one of the most diverse and respected institutions in Texas. TSU has positioned itself as a proactive leader in educating underserved students and many who are the first in their family to attend college.
This Classic between these two long time historically black colleges and universities will take place on Saturday, Oct. 26 at Legion Field. The kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m.
The HBCU rivalry has been around for 78 years. This game is huge for the Hornets and the Bulldogs in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) standings. It’s also a big contest for bragging rights in the state of Alabama.
Alabama State (2-1) heads into this SWAC East contest with a little momentum. ASU defeated Jackson State, 31-16, two weeks ago.
Offensively, the Hornets are led by running back Ezra Gray and wide receiver Michael Jefferson. Gray is the team’s leading rusher with 241 yards on 73 carries and one touchdown. Jefferson, a terrific receiver, has 24 receptions for 425 yards and five TDs.
On defense, Alabama State’s key performers are defensive backs Irshaad Davis and Joshua Hill and lineman Christian Clark. All three players have done a great job of playing the run. Davis is the Hornets’ leading tackler with 38. Hill and Clark have 28 tackles each.
The Hornets will need a strong defensive presence in this matchup. Alabama A&M (1-1) will be looking to bounce back after dropping a 23-10 decision to Grambling State before the bye week. The Bulldogs, averaging 32.7 points a game, have one of the best offensive teams in the SWAC.
Alabama A&M quarterback Aqeel Glass has been sensational this season. He is the No. 1 passer in the conference and has completed 164-of-259 passes for 2,062 yards with 19 TDs and just six interceptions. He has a great receiving corps with Zabrian Moore and Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim. Moore has 36 catches for 631 yards and four touchdowns.
The Bulldogs have a good ground game with running back Jordan Bentley racking up 662 yards rushing on 138 carries while scoring nine touchdowns.
Alabama A&M has a balanced offense. It should be a good test for Alabama State’s defense in one of the biggest games of the season.
In the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) action, Miles College defeated Edward Waters, 49-28, to continue its winning ways. The Golden Bears’ quarterback Daniel Smith had a magnificent game connecting on 16-of-25 passes for 221 yards and two TDs.
Miles College will travel to Wilberforce, Ohio to face Central State on Saturday, Oct. 26. The kickoff will be at 12 p.m.
SWAC SCHEDULE
Texas Southern at Mississippi Valley State 2p.m. Itta Bena, Miss.
Southern at Alcorn State 2 p.m. Lorman, Miss.
Alabama A&M at Alabama State 2:30 p.m. Birmingham, AL
Grambling State at Arkansas-Pine Blue 3 p.m. Pine Bluff, AR
SIAC SCHEDULE
Fort Valley State at Clark Atlanta 1 p.m. Atlanta, Ga.
Tuskegee at Lane 4 p.m. Phenix City, AL
Edward Waters at Kentucky State 1 p.m. Frankfort, Ky
Miles College at Central State 12 p.m. Wilberforce, Ohio
Benedict at Morehouse 3 p.m. Atlanta, Ga.
Albany State at Savannah State 3 p.m. Savannah, Ga.
To this day, the late Steve “Air II” McNair’s name is synonymous with football excellence, philanthropy, and his alma mater, Alcorn State University. The Alcorn State University Foundation, along with the Steve McNair Memorial Foundation, held a special event to celebrate his legacy and inaugurate a fundraising initiative that will support students for years to come.
The new Steve “Air II” and Mechelle McNair Endowment was announced during the Celebrating the Legacy Endowment Gala Thursday, Oct. 24 at The B.B. Club in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The endowment will support both academic and athletic endeavors for exceptional students at Alcorn. McNair’s former Tennessee Titans teammate and 1995 Heisman Trophy Winner, Eddie George, hosted the event and served as the keynote.
The Steve McNair Memorial Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to continuing McNair’s charitable efforts. Established in 2019 by his wife and two sons, Mechelle, Tyler, and Trenton McNair, the foundation supports academic, athletic, health, and wellness endeavors in underserved communities.
When reflecting on his old friend and teammate, George spoke highly of McNair. He praised the former Titan for his selflessness and ability to mentor the youth.
“Steve would give you the shirt off of his back,” said George. “He didn’t like to disappoint others. He was known for embracing and immersing himself into his community. He mentored so many young football players that went on to have NFL careers. He mentored them and taught them how to be leaders. He operated with a spirit of kindness.”
George told the story of his first time watching McNair play in a college game against Youngstown State in Ohio. He said that despite a losing effort, McNair not only had a stellar game, but also he played the whole game with a severe injury. George said he respected McNair for the grit he showed on the field that day.
“He was a great player. To watch him sacrifice his body for his team despite it being his last collegiate season before entering the NFL was inspiring. Watching him sacrifice his body for his team earned my respect.”
As George went to his seat, he encouraged the supporters to honor McNair’s legacy by contributing to the endowment to help students prosper.
“Let’s further Steve’s legacy by multiplying our efforts to produce love, kindness, perseverance, inspiration, and excellence by supporting the Steve McNair Foundation. Our support for this initiative will inspire young men and women to be successful.”
The charitable efforts of the McNair family are a reflection of the person he was. His wife, Mechelle, acknowledged his affinity for giving back. She’s happy about partnering with Alcorn to preserve his giving legacy.
“Steve would always say that receiving awards felt good,” said Mechelle. “But for him, what felt better was his ability to help and touch the lives of others. We are a family that has been blessed to bless others. As long as this foundation lives, Steve’s legacy will live on.”
Several other guests shared their feelings about the Alcorn legend. Dr. Jason Cable, senior associate commissioner for administration for the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), said that McNair’s dominance brought visibility to the SWAC during his era.
McNair’s former coach, Cardell Jones, spoke about McNair’s love for Alcorn. He also thanked the McNair family for trusting the Braves coaching staff to nurture him into the player he became.
Former teammate and NFL wide receiver, Torrance Small, said that he learned the importance of perseverance, engaging with others, being content, gratefulness, and love from his old friend.
Dr. David Marion, the grand basileus for the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., spoke about McNair’s drive to bring attention to the fraternity.
President Dr. Felecia M. Nave closed the event by stating the importance of celebrating McNair for being an iconic figure in the eyes of many.
“It is important that we celebrate our icons because if we don’t, nobody else will,” said Nave. “We celebrate one of the best quarterbacks ever to play the game.”
When Kamau Murray was in high school, he had a hard decision to make on whether he should keep playing basketball, the sport he loved, or pursue tennis, a sport he also had been playing since he was a boy.
At the time, he was on the Whitney Young Magnet High School basketball team that starred Murray’s best friend, Quentin Richardson, who would go on to play in the NBA. But a blunt conversation with his parents about his future prospects, the fact that tennis offered generous college scholarships and the family’s finances put everything into perspective.
They said, “‘You know what, you’re probably not going to be 6-9 like your brother’” — former DePaul forward Malik Murray, Murray recalled. Tennis, they said, “‘might be a good opportunity for you.’”
Murray realized, “I was not going to be successful on that basketball team.
“So I always say tennis chose me.”
The decision to pursue tennis turned out to be crucial to his future.
He went on to play in college and later started the XS Tennis and Education Foundation, which opened a massive indoor tennis facility on the South Side now used by 3,000 kids annually.
XS Tennis’ goal is to provide a space for kids from underserved communities to play the sport year-round and to go after college tennis scholarships that are often unused or less competitive than sports like football and basketball. The program has sent nearly 50 students to college on Division I tennis scholarships since its inception.
One of his students, Sloane Stephens, won the 2017 U.S. Open, while Taylor Townsend, played into the fourth round of the 2019 U.S. Open.
He’s extremely proud of how everything has turned out since he took up tennis.
“I found a lot of pleasure in helping somebody else achieve their goal,” he says. “ … Getting a kid a scholarship helps me sleep good at night.”
In April 2018, one morning around 3 a.m., I found myself barely awake yet determined to watch the live stream of Beyoncé’s performance at Coachella. Through my tired eyes, I saw something familiar: a uniformed snare drummer whistling to signal the elegant strut of nine dancers perfectly in sync, from their campy arm extensions to their touch-the-floor-with-it body drops.
All eyes were on the women as the rich culture of dance teams at historically Black colleges and universities was being presented to the world. Nearly three thousand miles away, I was bursting with HBCU pride.
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY’S EBONY FIRE, WHICH BECAME A PART OF THE MARCHING FORCE’S BAND IN 1983, PERFORM AT GAMES AND IN NATIONAL PARADES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. PHOTO CREDIT: FORCE MEDIA TEAM.
Back when I was a freshman at Hampton University, my most vivid memories were of Hampton’s dance team, Ebony Fire, power-strutting during half time at big games—especially homecomings. Majorettes were the featured performers for bands, but by the late seventies and early eighties they evolved into modern dance teams, incorporating ballet, hip-hop and contemporary styles alongside traditional marching techniques. This shift birthed groups such as Ebony Fire, Alabama State’s Stingettes, Southern University’s Dancing Dolls and many more squads that continue to be the centerpiece of HBCU homecoming weekends throughout the fall.
By the time homecoming arrives, says Selena Makell, a Hampton University sophomore who’s one of four leaders of Ebony Fire, “everything is in place because it’s the biggest performance of the year for the band. Everyone’s there. We want to make things big—exciting.” The squad’s coach, Brint M. Martin, agrees. “A perfect show means each young lady going out there and doing her absolute best,” she says. “They leave it all on the field. They give 110 percent of their energy, of their effort.”
REHEARSALS FOR THEIR NEXT SHOW. PHOTO CREDIT: FORCE MEDIA TEAM.
That perfection comes from weeks of disciplined training at band camp underscored by a deep commitment to upholding Black dance traditions. “We get to represent an art form that’s just amazing,” says Martin. “We perform in NFL stadiums, we travel, we represent your school, we represent your family, we represent African-American culture. We’re like no other. Whether we’re from an HBCU or from a predominantly White institution, the reaction is the same. People love it. They love what we do; they love the culture.”
For Martin, the core value of Ebony Fire is freedom of expression. “It’s our ability to use our talents to tell stories,” she explains. “To share our love for who we are and what we do, and then find new and unique ways to do that at every homecoming, every show, to take it to the next level every single time.”
COLUMBIA, S.C. – In a way, what happened outside Benedict College’s gates in the heart of downtown felt quite small. At its peak, the crowd covered less than 100 yards of the sidewalk. But the scene itself represented something much bigger: the fractured, divisive, sometimes ugly and often loud American political climate.
The event was billed as a keynote speech on bipartisan success in criminal justice reform, which the president tied to the booming economy he takes credit for and that he told his audience has helped black people more than ever before.
Benedict students, who the week prior pondered what questions they might ask the president once his surprise visit to the forum” was announced, were asked to stay in their dorms.
Seven students were allowed inside for the speech.
The requests for students and faculty to remain inside was a matter of security, school spokeswoman Kymm Hunter said. The school’s police worked in conjunction with the Secret Service to develop a security plan out of “safety concerns and threats of protests,” she said.
Classes were canceled, and students were served lunch inside their dorms from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
As Trump spoke, protesters marched in opposition while supporters stood with flags waving and hands clapping. The two groups met at the gates, a couple hundred people in all. And it was loud, so loud that it was hard to hear either side clearly.
As the protesters chanted, “Hey hey, ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go,” a supporter blew her whistle with every syllable. Shouts of “No more years!” overlapped with “Four more years!”
Sometimes they responded to one another, like when one group yelled “Shut it down” and the other yelled back, “Build a wall.” It was discord – not dialogue.
Living on a college campus for the first time can cause anxiety in anyone. There are things like getting used to your independence, managing your finances, and meeting academic expectations, and more to deal with. Having a healthy social life during your college years can essentially make it easier to get through the bumpy transition. However, for those who suffer from social anxiety, making new friends is easier said than done.
What is Social Anxiety?
Social anxiety is an increasingly common type of anxiety. It is often triggered in circumstances where a person feels they are going to be judged, evaluated, or observed in front of others. This could be anything from a face-to-face meeting with one person to campus parties and events.
When in these types of environments, you might experience an increased heart rate, sweating, shaking, dry mouth, dizziness, muscle pains, slowed or shaky speech, and problems concentrating. Though everyone around you may not see what’s going on, it can be very unnerving to deal with. As a result, people who suffer from social anxiety tend to isolate themselves in their dorms.
Getting Past Your Social Anxieties
College is not meant to be experienced in your dorm room. You have to get out and explore what campus life has to offer. Making connections with other students can greatly enhance your academic experience as well as your physical, and emotional health. There are ways you can try to reduce anxiety triggers so you can get out and meet new people.
Join a Club or Group
A great way to meet new people when you have social anxiety is to join a group or club. Though it is a setting with lots of people, these groups are designed to allow like-minded students to do something they enjoy. Since everyone there will be focused on the activity or project, you won’t feel like you’re in the spotlight. You can then connect with them on familiar topics like your love of the club or group you’ve joined.
Consider a Relaxed Setting
If you’re trying to meet new people but struggle with social anxiety, chances are going to a frat party isn’t a good idea. There are too many people and things going on that could trigger your anxiety. Instead, try inviting a small group of people to a relaxed setting. You can head to a bar for drinks and then wrap up with a vape kit and the best vape juices to lighten the mood. You might even invite a few classmates back to your dorm room for snacks and a study session as an icebreaker.
Look Approachable
Here’s what you have to remember. All freshman college students are new on campus and anxious about making friends. While they may not suffer from social anxiety, the concept of meeting new people can still be a struggle. With that in mind, imagine wanting to approach someone but when you look over they’re frowning, staring at the floor, and moving fairly quickly. This gives off the impression they are not approachable. Perhaps you’re guilty of some of the same things which give other students pause. Be sure to smile, make eye contact, and have a positive attitude on campus when greeting others. It can make a big difference in helping to ease the anxieties everyone suffers from on occasion.
Start Small
Don’t push yourself into social scenes or into trying to make friends. The pressure will only intensify your anxiety symptoms making it more challenging to get through. Instead, start small. If you see someone sitting alone in the school cafeteria, go over to them and introduce yourself. If they reciprocate, sit down and have lunch with them using conversation starters to break the ice. If they don’t introduce themselves, at least you gave it a shot and feel better about lowering your guard in the future.
Be an Effective Listener
A great way to keep the “spotlight” off of you is to be a good listener. Express interest in what the individual is talking about and allow them to speak freely. As they are talking, listen for key points or topics you can bring up once they’re done, to keep the conversation going. The idea is not to make it all about you so you don’t feel the pressure. When you’re on campus with hundreds of other students, it can feel intimidating to wonder how you’ll connect with them. As having healthy friendships on campus can make your college experience better, getting out there and meeting new people is necessary. However, before you attend the next frat party and freak out, it’s probably best that you practice the tips above to make friends without triggering your anxiety.
Amen! Charlamagne tha God recently blessed South Carolina State University with $250,000.00. How sweet to donate to his mother’s alma mater.
Black Enterprise shares: The gift of giving is always an act worth noting. According to Madame Noire, Lenard Larry McKelvey, better known as Power 105.1’s Charlamagne Tha God, has made a sizable donation to South Carolina State University. He is the author of New York Times bestseller, Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It and bestseller, Shook One: Anxiety Playing Tricks on Me, which became two of the top audiobooks of 2018 and 2019. He is also the co-host of the popular podcast, Brilliant Idiots, and is one-third of the syndicated morning radio show, The Breakfast Club with DJ Envy and Angela Yee.
Charlamagne was invited to
homecoming by the South Carolina. State National Alumni Association
after speaking with the association’s president, John J. Funny. Shortly
after, he attended South Carolina State University’s homecoming to
announce The Ford Family Endowed Scholarship Fund in honor of his
mother. On his Instagram feed, he shared, “My mother is an alumni of @scstate1896 class
of 75. Today was South Carolina States homecoming and I had the honor
of announcing “The Ford Family Endowed Scholarship Fund” Ford is my
mother’s maiden name and my grandmother’s last name. We will be
providing scholarships to black women in South Carolina who Major in
English, (my mother’s major) Communications, (because I’m a Radio/TV
Guy), and for any sister that wants to be a mental health professional.
Always remember investing in an HBCU is investing in the future of our
people so the next time an HBCU ask for money, open that wallet. It’s a
blessing to be a blessing! All Praises Due To God!!! P.S. Speaking of
GOD my creator told me to announce that I’m tapped out until February so
to all friends and family don’t even consider calling me this holiday
season for nothing. Have a blessed day. #wefightdifferent“
SC State University responded on its Instagram account, “The impact that The Ford Family Endowed Scholarship Fund will have in the lives of SC State University students is immeasurable. We can not thank @cthagod enough for choosing SC State University to establish this scholarship fund in his mother and grandmother’s honor. African American women from SC majoring in English, Communications or a degree affiliated with mental health awareness will benefit from his gift. Remember SC State University is always your home @cthagod and you can come home often. #scstate #wearescstate. Story from Black Enterprise.
Really? Mississippi published Blackface 40 years ago in its yearbook but today, it’s an HBCU?
The definition of a historically Black college or university (HBCU) includes being an institution of higher education that was originally founded to educate students of African American descent.
Beginning in 1837 Cheyney University (first HBCU) and followed shortly thereafter in 1854 by Lincoln University of Pennsylvania (first degree-granting HBCU, founded as The Ashmun Institute), black colleges became safe havens for black and brown people in a world where they were getting ridiculed, spat at, beaten, hung and killed everywhere else. These campuses were specifically designated for their advancement.
HBCUs have seen much growth since 1837. Though they initially lacked enormous budgets, endowments and resources, these institutions did NOT lack the resilience of African American people, so, they thrived. 100 years later, by 1937, these safe havens grew exponentially, to more than 100 schools and beautiful campuses providing strategic, intentional advancement for Black people.
The rich legacy and culture that accompany these institutions is one that is woven into the history books and embedded within the story of the African American human being in America. For almost 200 years, HBCU campuses, students, professors, presidents, and the communities that support them have been on the forefront of advocating for equality, fighting for justice and representing the excellence of Black people. Legislative changes, protests, marches, movements, church, funerals, meetings, and the advancement of the African American race has circumnavigated HBCUs.
Fast forward to 2019, the country still boasts upward of 100 HBCUs, with one university even located on the beautiful U.S. Virgin Islands.
Though they are not exclusive of other cultures…
These are Black spaces.
These are proud spaces.
How anyone could confuse the legacy, history and culture at an HBCU, with the legacy history and culture of a Predominantly White Institution (PWI) is very interesting. It is moreso a disrespectful miscalculation…there is NO MATH that can explain how confusing/calling a historically white institution, an HBCU, adds up.
Trashad Thomas, student at Mississippi State University for Agriculture and Applied Science (often called MSU), seems to think otherwise. He refers to his school as an HBCU.
Here are the facts. MSU is in Starkville, Mississippi with an enrollment of 17,000+ undergraduate students. Not only is MSU at PWI, Black people are significantly outnumbered at the school.
According to Data USA, more than 70% of those enrolled are White.
Thomas stands strong in his claims, that he attends an HBCU and even made shirts to represent how he feels:
SHIRTS ARE IN‼️ IF YOU WANNA SHOW YOUR LOVE FOR THE BEST HBCU THAT IS MISSISSIPPI SATE ,
Is he selling these shirts? Are people buying them is an even better question. The tweet pinned to the top of Thomas’ twitter profile is paired with an interesting caption:
His colleagues at Mississippi State University recognize that Thomas’ charade has been going on for nearly half a year. They join in the conversation saying things like:
Proud students at actual historically black colleges and university have recently joined the conversation:
It doesn’t seem to matter how much Thomas or fellow MSU colleagues are reminded of the facts, there responses are unchanged:
On top of the population of Black people being significantly outnumbered on MSU’s campus, 60 years ago THERE WASN’T A BLACK PERSON IN SIGHT ON THEIR CAMPUS. The very first Black student (who is still living) Richard Holmes, enrolled as a freshman on July 19, 1965. One grandma ago, this campus did not have a Black student studying on its entire campus! In a press release shared by the university, Holmes admitted he received “occasional heckling,” from his fellow MSU students!
54 years of “allowing” Black students to attend does not assert this school as a historically Black college or university. And, the numbers don’t lie.
Diving even deeper, news outlet, Mississippi Today wrote a story about racism universities in Mississippi, and none other than MSU was featured:
“A photo in Mississippi State’s 1986 yearbook shows a Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity member posing with a darkened face and arm,” reads the same article.
Really? MSU allowed and PUBLISHED Blackface 33 years ago in its 1986 yearbook AND 40 years ago in its 1979 yearbook, but today, in 2019, it’s an HBCU?
Just 3 years ago in 2016, Black MSU students were protesting and petitioning to the university’s president to remove the Confederate flag. Hotty Toddy reports,
Mississippi State University is the remaining major public university in the state that still flies the state flag after the University of Mississippi and the University of Southern Mississippi both removed the flag from the campuses.
It is important to accurately represent the history (or lack thereof) of diversity and culture on one’s campus… But don’t listen to us. Hey, we were just educated on an HBCU campus by our ancestors for nearly 2 centuries. What do we know?
Everyone these days is talking about having a side gig or part-time job to make a few extra dollars along the way. You can drive your car around town as a makeshift taxi or walk people’s dogs for money, but these don’t let you express yourself creatively. So then what do you do? Here are some side gigs you can do that can show off your creative side and still let you make a little extra cash.
Designing With Flowers
Yes, there is money to be made working in the garden. People across the country go to extraordinary lengths to make sure their yards look beautiful year round. If you’re creative, love flowers and working outdoors, this is something to look into. Designing wonderful layouts with various types of flowers can net you some good bank.
Being able to take a simple garden project to the next level to shock and awe friends, family and most importantly your customers, will keep your schedule full. As a bonus, if you are able to learn how to do topiary and add it to your repertoire of abilities, you’ll expand your side gig into something special.
People want to have beautiful pathways leading to their home or glorious garden landscapes to retreat to after a long day and they are willing to pay the experts to design it for them, so why not use your creativity and skills to make you some extra cash.
Take Your Art to the Tee
If you have the creative ability to design artwork, you can transition it to make you money as a side gig. Starting up a T-shirt business as a side hustle can bring be profitable when executed properly.
First off you’ll need to get a hold of a blank tee shirt wholesaler to help you keep costs low. Then the next step is entirely up to you. Finding the right equipment to fit your budget requires research and comparing products. After you’ve found what will work best for you, you can then focus on transitioning your artwork onto shirts for the world to see.
Once you have the design and production part down, you’ll need to promote your products and offerings to the public. Be sure to promote yourself by wearing items you’ve created and have friends and family members do so as well. This way the word can get around. Lastly, use social media to your advantage and talk about your new adventures into the world of custom T-shirts. Being able to create wonderful designs and implement them onto shirts can be a cash cow waiting to happen.
Writing for Money, It’s a Thing
Being creative doesn’t solely require you to be able to pick up a pencil or a paintbrush and create a stunning image. For hundreds of years, people have been making a living by writing. What to write exactly is up to you because there are options.
First off you can start a blog about a topic you enjoy. Granted, blogging takes time and a long commitment, but it can be a fruitful endeavor in the right hands. Next, you can be a ghostwriter for online content such as blog posts or articles. There are people out there willing to pay you for your awesome content. You just have to find the right people to work for and ensure that they are willing to pay you for your time.
If you’re really creative and can spin a wonderful tale children will enjoy, then why not write a children’s book. With technology today, you can self publish your book and get it posted on many different avenues for the public to view and possibly purchase. And if kiddie books aren’t your thing, try your hand at an adult novel.
The fact is that, there is money to be had in writing and if you have the drive and are able to commit to it, it can bring in a nice chunk of change you can use to pay bills, knock down debt and buy yourself a little something nice. Don’t dismiss writing, it can be your road to financial freedom.
You’ve graduated college and, with dozens of resumes sent to companies within your field, you’re staying with your parents for a few months until you land a job and find an apartment of your own to call home.
Getting Started
Now that you have several job prospects in the works it’s time to search for an apartment. Before you start looking, it’s essential that you create a budget and figure out exactly what you can afford to pay. Factor in food, utility bills like electric and cable, and other expenses. This way you’ll start off the right way, instead of getting in over your head before you get a chance to enjoy your new-found freedom. You can always opt to find a new place once the lease on your first place is up.
Taking Care of You
Being on your own for the first time is exciting and seeing a first real paycheck can make you think you have a lot of money that you can spend. Of course, that feeling goes away once you start to factor in all of your expenses. With the holidays just around the corner, you may want to buy gifts for family and friends. However, you now have to support yourself and that must come first. This doesn’t mean that you can’t buy anything. Just keep the gifts limited to small things and, when possible (especially with friends), opt to send paper cards or personalized holiday ecards instead.
Finding Ways to Save on Monthly Bills
For the first 6 months, you should hold off on buying anything on credit or using your stashed away cash for unnecessary items. The extras will happen. You, however, must be patient. It’s also beneficial to reduce costs where you are able. This will allow you to make the adjustment into adulthood easier. For example, start out with basic cable and the internet instead of signing up for tons of pay channels that you will hardly ever watch. And, when it comes to your cell phone, if you are already under your parents’ plan, see if you can remain there for a little while and pay them the additional fees to include you.
Food Shopping
Since you live alone, your food shopping bill shouldn’t be tremendous. However, often young adults find it easier to order takeout instead of cooking a meal for one. Try to avoid this, as the costs involved will take away from the extra money you have each month, which will ultimately make it hard for you to enjoy an evening out with friends. Instead, make a list of the basic foods you need, and then each week you can add a spice or seasoning to your cupboard until you have all the essentials to cook just about anything. You should also use coupons when you can, and check the weekly flyers of the local stores to see who has what you need on sale.
Brown Bagging
It’s your first job and you are so excited to be doing exactly what you want. Don’t let your new-found independence go away due to your overspending. When it comes to work, make a habit of bringing your lunch and your coffee from home. Just those two items alone can consume hundreds of dollars monthly, and before you know it you have nothing left to spend on you.
Start a Savings Account
You are making money and, before you start to run up bills, make it a practice of taking a small portion of each paycheck and putting it into a savings account. This money will help to pay for your first car or even provide you with a down payment for your first home.
Living on your own for the first time is exciting. You have the freedom to make all your own decisions. Just make them wisely so that you can enjoy being an adult.
They say that your college years are some of the best years of your life, but it’s not without its complications. Today’s young adults are, unfortunately, faced with so many different challenges from their family and friends to society and the educational system, that it can be a lot to bear. Without the proper tools to cope with the associated emotions from these pressures, many students develop mental health problems that go untreated.
While there is more awareness about mental health and the importance of speaking up, all too often college students suffer in silence and enter the world as wounded adults. Essentially, educating them on the various types of mental illnesses, common triggers, and effective preventative measures or treatment options can encourage more students to pay attention and ask for help.
Depression
You’re away from home, trying to do the best you can with your grades, hoping to find people you fit in with, trying to survive on a shoestring budget, and navigating the real-world. This can begin to weigh heavily on a college student. Every week they’re away from loved ones, every bad grade they get on an assignment, and every rejection they get from their peers, causes some to feel sad, depleted, hopeless, and even depressed.
The symptoms of depression include loss of appetite (or increased appetite), long periods of sadness, insomnia or oversleeping, isolation from friends and activities once enjoyed, stomach aches, headaches, body aches, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of death or suicide. If you have been experiencing one or all of these symptoms, it is important that you reach out for help. Whether it be through a school counseling group or an outside source like a Santa Barbara mental health treatment center, treating your depression is essentially a matter of life or death.
Anxiety
Will you be able to pass the test? How will you juggle your part-time job and studying for your final exams? Will you fit in at the party you got invited to? These are all common questions going through a college student’s head. Trying to juggle their studies, jobs, and social life can bring with it a lot of anxiety. While some of this is a normal response to pressure, experiencing this on a daily basis can have a negative impact on your education and overall health.
Think your anxiety might be more than just situational? If you’re constantly worried, quickly agitated, you’re always on edge, you can barely get any sleep, you can’t concentrate, you avoid social events out of fear, or you experience panic attacks (increased heart rate, perspiration, shaky voice, etc), you may be struggling with an anxiety disorder.
Addiction
Drugs, alcohol, and college campuses, unfortunately, go hand in hand. Students have access to everything from uppers to pull all-nighters to downers to help them get rest and everything in between. Some students take these substances to try to keep control of all the pressure they’re under or to excel in their studies while others simply want to experiment and “have fun”. In any event, the continued use of these substances can harm your physical and mental wellbeing.
How do you know when you have a substance abuse problem or an addiction? If your thoughts are filled with using the substances again, you can’t seem to go a long period of time without using, you continue to use despite the consequences, you begin engaging in reckless behaviors to obtain it (like stealing), you start having money problems trying to acquire more, you hide or isolate yourself from others, or you experience serious withdrawal symptoms when you try to go cold turkey.
Caring for Your Emotional Health in College
With all the pressure you’re under it can be hard to stay sane at times. Below, are a few quick suggestions on how to care for your emotional well-being in college.
Eat healthily – a healthy diet goes a long way to maintaining your mental health. Be sure that you’re consuming enough green leafy veggies, fresh fruits, and lean protein.
Get Sleep – Those all-nighters do nothing for your emotional wellbeing. No matter how crazy your school and work schedule are, you need to adjust things so that you’re getting at least 7 hours of rest each night.
Exercise – Staying active helps to boost those feel-good hormones in your body. Try to get up and engage in physical activity at least 5 days a week for an hour each time.
Pencil in time for fun – All work and no play is definitely going to stress you out. Find time in your schedule to do things that bring you happiness.
The many pressures put on young adults in college, unfortunately, aren’t going away any time soon. Essentially taking preventative measures like eating right, exercising, getting good rest, and carving out time for fun can help to reduce the likelihood of young adults developing such illness. Be that as it may, should you or someone you know, however, be experiencing any of the symptoms for depression, anxiety, or addiction listed above, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help.
There’s a lot of advice available when it’s time to head off to college. Chances are, everyone you know has some nugget of wisdom to impart, whether or not you listen is another story. For the most part, your friends and loved ones only have your best interest at heart. However, if you don’t listen to anything else, the information below is vital if you’re thinking of living off campus.
Safety Should Come First
While there are many benefits to living off-campus during college, safety should be your number one concern. When you go on a tour of any off-campus housing, there are a few things that you should look for. These are listed below.
The building requires a key to get in the first door, and then a key to get into each individual apartment
The building comes equipped with security cameras and alarms
The building has a security guard and a well-lit area and parking lot
These are only a few of the safety precautions that every off-campus housing complex should offer to keep their college residents safe. If none of this is offered, you need to head to the next stop on your list.
Pests Are Real
When living at home, your parents probably took care of most household maintenance tasks like painting the house and repairing the dishwasher. They also handled any kind of infestation, whether it was mice, fleas, or spiders. Now that you’ll be on your own or living with friends, you’ll need to be sure you are doing everything you can to minimize the chances of having some unwanted pesky pest roommates as well.
The first thing you can do is to make sure you aren’t leaving food out around the house or apartment. Yes, this includes last week’s pizza that’s under your bed! It’s a sure-fire magnet for ants and mice. Likewise, all trash needs to be disposed of properly outside. Make sure any garbage cans have tight fitting lids the neighborhood raccoons can’t open.
If you do find some creepy crawlies you’d like to evict, contacting a professional like the ones at moxieservices.com is the way to go. Don’t try to deal with chemicals and home remedies if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Location of the Neighborhood
While many college students think the biggest problem they will have is roommates that are too loud or don’t pay their share of the rent, if you aren’t careful what neighborhood you move into, your roommates will be the least of your problems. When scouting the neighborhood, ask neighbors if there are ever any problems there, and whether the people in the other apartments are loud or not. You’ll also want housing that is as close to the college you’re attending as you can get so that you don’t have to travel very far to get to classes on time.
Screen Your Roommates Carefully
Speaking of roommates, you need to screen any possible candidates carefully before letting them move in with you. If you haven’t known the person moving in with you for a very long time, then you need to get a background check, credit check, and everything else before agreeing to let them move in. It pays to be super careful when searching for a roommate as the world is in chaotic and violent times, and it’s best to be safe instead of sorry.
Items You Need
There are a few items that you need to set up your off-campus housing apartment, the right way. Those are listed below as well.
A good quality mattress
Bus pass or parking spot
Kitchen items
Bathroom items
Renters insurance
Fun things to do
A room dedicated to studying
These are just a few of the top things you should know when you’re looking into living in off-campus. Safety should indeed be your top priority, and you should never move into anywhere that doesn’t take safety as seriously as you and your parents do.
Longtime Oakland Raiders defensive back, Grambling State Alum and Hall of Famer Willie Brown has died at 78, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Brown played 16 seasons in the American Football League and the NFL and was enshrined into the Hall of Fame in 1984. After playing football at Grambling State University, Brown went undrafted into the then-AFL. He was cut by the Houston Oilers but went on to play four seasons for the Denver Broncos and then 12 for the Raiders. Brown played in 204 games from 1963 through 1978 and was an all-league selection seven times.
The Raiders said he “exemplified the Raider spirit.””His legendary performance on the field changed the way the cornerback position was played and his valued guidance as a coach, mentor and administrator permeated the organization and touched countless individuals both on and off the field,” team officials said in a statement. “Willie’s loss will leave a tremendous void, but his leadership and presence will always be a major part of the fabric of the Raiders family.”Brown played in two Super Bowls for the Raiders, famously returning an interception 75 yards for a touchdown in the team’s Super Bowl XI victory over the Vikings.
Many may never have heard of him, but Don Barden is one of the more unsung pioneers in African American history and one who, for a short while at least, even attended the HBSU establishment of Ohio’s Central State University. Barden was also a prime example of rising from unpromising beginnings to use all the entrepreneurial skills needed to build a huge business empire.
As we’ll see, a great deal of his wealth came from an audacious move into casino ownership. So if he were alive today it’s very possible that he would also be involved in online casinos, particularly as Barden understood what people wanted from their entertainment and was not afraid to be a pioneer. Many of these online platforms that are popular today, such as Casumo Casino, share this real understanding of what appeals to players and offer a wide range of different games including slots, roulette, blackjack and video poker.
To start at the very beginning, Don Hamilton Barden was born on 20 December 1943 in Detroit, Michigan. Always an inquisitive and active child, by high school he was captain of both the basketball and football teams.
His time at university, however, was short-lived as he found the cost of being there impossible to afford. So he decided to drop out and took a series of jobs from washing up in restaurant kitchens to being a plumber. Throughout that time, he had his eyes firmly fixed on the future and was gradually putting cash aside.
By the time he’d saved up $500, it was time to make his move. He bought a small record store in Lorain, Ohio to take advantage of the new music scene that was emerging in the mid-1960s. He also began booking bands for concerts, and this led to Barden setting up a small record label as well as a public relations firm.
Despite all this success, he still felt he wasn’t earning enough so he made a move into real estate development. By buying up buildings and leasing them to the US Government, his income increased; especially so when he sold the buildings on.
In the background, his real ambition was to open a casino in his home city of Detroit but at the time getting a license to do this was impossible. Instead, he found a legal loophole: in 1995, he set up a riverboat casino operating out of Gary, Indiana and set his sights on a far bigger prize. This came to be in 2002 when he successfully bid for and took over three Fitzgeralds casinos in Tunica, Mississippi, Black Hawk Colorado and downtown Las Vegas.
At its height, Barden’s casino empire employed 4,000 people and had an annual turnover of $347 million. However, a combination of fierce competition and a major recession meant that this was a success that couldn’t be sustained and in 2009 the business filed for bankruptcy.Just two years later, Barden fell seriously ill and died at the age of 67. But he left behind him a strong legacy, as well as a shining example of just how far determination and vision can take you.
Psychologists can spend hours and write hundreds of pages discussing what it is that draws us to a particular sport. But surely one of the most compelling factors is the element of surprise. Just when you think you know what’s going to happen or that a given result is inevitable, you can have the rug pulled from under your feet.
Expecting the unexpected has become an increasingly important aspect of being a sports fan with the growing popularity of sports betting. That applies to the NFL, MLB and NHL as much as to the NBA. But if you are a devotee of basketball betting, then you’ll always be on the lookout for a potential upset. The following examples, though, are games where even the biggest gambler might have thought twice before laying down a dollar or two. Let’s countdown the three most astonishing comebacks in league history
Third place: Utah Jazz 101 – 93 Chicago Bulls
Home advantage didn’t seem to be counting for much. The Jazz found themselves with a 22 point deficit at the end of the first quarter, and this escalated to 31 in the second, thanks to an on-fire Michael Jordan who contributed 40 points. However, the home team showed no sign of even considering letting their heads drop. Karl Malone scored 30 and John Stockton chipped in with 17 more, as the Jazz clawed their way back to ultimately win by eight.
Second place: Chicago Bulls 102 – 98 Sacramento Kings
On February 04 1998, the Bulls visited the Jazz in what transpired to be a preview of that season’s NBA Finals. Of course, that ended up going the way of the Bulls, and this game appeared to be going in the same direction.
The Bulls are known as many things, but chokers is surely not one of them. However, just 10 months after their bizarre game against the Jazz, they were on the wrong side of another astonishing turnaround. Leading 67-43 at the break, the advantage was stretched to a full 35 points in the third.
However, for the fourth quarter, it was Sacramento all the way, and Bulls fans could only look on in horror as Tyreke Evan led a fightback that nobody could possibly have predicted, and the visitors left the Bulls shell shocked and the losers by four points
First place: Utah Jazz 107 – 103 Denver Nuggets
The biggest ever comeback in the history of the NBA? Once again it took place at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, back in 1996 when it was known as the Delta Center. The Jazz got off to the worst possible start, finding themselves 70-36 behind at the break. That deficit stretched to 36 points before the most remarkable momentum swing in basketball history.
The Jazz steadily found their feet, outscoring the Nuggets by 36 to 15 in the third and by 35 to 18 in the fourth. Karl Malone and Jeff Hornacek contributed a combined 60 points on a magical night that saw them steal the game by just four points.
