As Black History Month 2011 begins, there is an opportunity for us to reflect about those leaders who will be celebrated and acknowledged this month for their contributions. It is not just a chance to reflect about their lives but to examine more closely contributions, fortitude, and diligence.
Archive for the ‘Community/Civic Engagement’ Category
Top 20 Ways to Honor Black History Month Sheroes and Heroes
Tuesday, February 1st, 2011
Too Dazed to Act
Sunday, June 6th, 2010In recent weeks, commencements have been held around the country. It was encouraging to hear words of wisdom shared by noted scholars, politicos, and celebrities. Well, not exactly.
The idea is that graduates will go forth and help change the world. We all know that most graduates, and participating family members for that matter, are busting with excitement and possibly the jitters. But, we all know that most probably will suffer during the graduation ceremony from possibly a strong dose of boredom.
Most graduates are really too dazed to even compute “act now” and “change the world” and “be prosperous” on such momentous occasion. I know that happened to me at more than one graduation ceremony. The message? The keynote speaker? The special musical performance? Most of it just goes in one ear and out the other.
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How Do you Spell Service?
Sunday, December 27th, 2009January 18, 2010 is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service 2010. It’s not too late to start thinking about what you will do or how to get started to be of service.
Dr. King once said that “we are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.” The day of service is a way to transform support for his teachings into proactive community service. Not only do you help make a difference but you get acquainted with others who have the same values.
Too often we assume that service, or community engagement, requires a lot of work. Other times we are not sure where to begin or what to do. Or we just imagine that we need an extraordinary amount of free time to help. Quite the contrary! We can all start right where we are.
Top Twenty Ways You Can Lead
Sunday, December 20th, 2009The role of leader is not mundane. In fact, taking the lead can be seen more often than not. Everyday, we each take the lead in different ways. Here are just a few to make you ponder how you can step in and just lead.
| 20. | Lead a movement |
| 19. | Lead in your community or neighborhood |
| 18. | Lead within your family |
| 17. | Lead on a project |
| 16. | Lead where there is no leadership |
| 15. | Lead within your faith-based or social organization |
| 14. | Lead within your sports team or civic group |
| 13. | Lead among your friends |
| 12. | Lead when you dance, sing, or play |
| 11. | Lead without being asked |
| 10. | Lead at your job |
| 9. | Lead in times of crisis |
| 8. | Lead the discussion or meeting |
| 7. | Lead with a vision |
| 6. | Lead when there is no clear path |
| 5. | Lead with innovative ideas |
| 4. | Lead with courage |
| 3. | Lead using your talents and strengths |
| 2. | Lead others who can’t or won’t take the lead |
| 1. | Lead yourself to new understandings |
Ignited by Courage
Monday, December 7th, 2009It was not a typical day. The landmark bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama was about so much more. Often history overlooks the action that was sparked when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat. Indeed it was her fortitude that cold December day that ignited a firestorm of courage nationwide.
What is often overlooked, however, is that there were far-reaching implications that resulted from her courageous decision. First, a routine was derailed. During that first week of December 1955, members of the Montgomery Improvement Association, along with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the helm, initiated the first of steps of the landmark Montgomery bus boycott. Knowingly, the civil rights heroes courageously started carpools and refused to take the bus. Their daily schedules were interrupted. Livelihood was impacted. Families sacrificed to join hands with King and Parks in an effort to mobilize. It was all part of one of history’s most significant social justice endeavor.
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