Another Scenario, Sisterfriends....

[AKA2D '91]

Sisterfriends, if you had to devise and present an activity based on one of our target areas, what kind of program would you devise and how would you implement that program/activity?

[This message has been edited by AKA2D '91 (edited June 23, 2001).]

[InquiringMind]

Good question! I would want to implement a program under the economic empowerment target. This is an issue that is very close to home b/c my father owns 2 mens clothing stores and is in the process of building a strip mall to give more black businesses the opportunity to flourish. My inspiration definitely comes from him. He knows nearly every affluent black in my area, so I would get my connections from them. Assuming I would have the money and manpower available, I would start a program for African American high school seniors and college students, giving them scholarship money to go to an HBCU and major in a business related field. Through mentoring and internship-type programs, they would learn the ins and outs of business ownership and management and the importance of Black businesses in the community, hopefully influencing them to start their own and, most importantly, support their own. I would also get together with Black business owners to figure out a way to promote the businesses in a positive light.

[TotallyBlessed]

Hello, I would would like to work with programs under education and art. I would set up a program that would center around our youth. Being an education major I truely believe that the study of the arts play a major role in todays education. I have volunteered at numerous schools and have noticed that the majority of the students have very little interest in this subject. When most high school students think of art automatically paintings come to mind. Helping out in inner city schools have showed me that many African-Americans don't know that music, photography, cooking, acting, etc. falls in this catogory as well. I guess what I'm trying to say is that my program would educate todays youth about art.

[NYMinute]

Excellent Question!

Of the five targets, I would present Education. I chose education because I believe with better education, comes the prospect of obtaining the other targets: health, economics, black family and access to, or better appreciation for the Arts.

I would implement my program by targeting the major urban cities in our nation. My approach would be unorthodox in nature. Instead of focusing on the skills or deficiencies of the students, I would concentrate on the family unit and the environment the child faces once he leaves school. Inarguably, student home life has a direct effect on the success of the child in school. I would first attempt to fortify the relationship between the parent(s) and the student. I would then attempt to assess the mental health of the parents and their ability to assist the student with classwork and homework. Next, give the parents some skill-building instruction and reinforce the importance of their childrens education and success in school. Upon completion of "my program" , we would discuss the best strategy for eliminating the childs deficiencies (sp?).

I choose this approach with respect to the old Chinese saying---
"Give a man fish, he eats for a day, teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime".


[This message has been edited by NYMinute (edited June 23, 2001).]

[futurestar1]

If deemed worthy enough to be granted membership, I would like to implement a program under the Arts target. I would like to hold a summer arts camp for local kids. It would be about a week long and we could do different things on each day. For example, have designated days for dance, music, visual arts, and other performing arts. In addition to doing their own works, the students would learn about other Black artists in that area. The black youth in this area don't really get a chance to connect outside of school. This camp would also be an opportunity for them to build friendships.

[twin2]

A program that I am trying to implement in my school/community would target Education and the Black Family. I am looking to develop a book club/literature circle at the school. Initially, it would be targeting mother/daughter partnerships. Participation in the program requires the child to have an adult participate in the program. Structure:
The literature circle will incorporate the principles of cooperative learning to provide more structure. The circles will be composed of no more than 8 parent/child pairs who have chosen to read the same book. The books should represent a variety of interests and a range of difficulty levels so that students have a choice, and there are books that are appropriate for average, below-average, and above-average readers.

The groups meet once a month and decide which role* each member will fulfill. Key roles include discussion leader, summarizer, literacy reporter, illustrator, word chief, and connector. Roles will be changed each month.

Once this is up and running, I would like to recruit a male teacher to sponsor a father/son circle. Then we can build up to a family literature circle.

This program helps to enhance reading and language arts skills for the students and possibly for the parents. It also gives and opportunity for parents to spend time with their children in a structured setting (meetings) and then at home reading the books and preparing for their role at the next meeting. Learning while spending time with your family can be a rewarding experience for parent and child.

[RedefinedDiva]

I would try to implement a program pertaining to the Black Family. I feel that children deserve to grow up in an environment where they feel love, understanding, comfort, and warmth. There are so many children in our community that are growing up in single parent homes, in care of extended family, or foster care.

Family is the cornerstone of our community. I feel that through schools and churches, programs can be implemented to stress the importance of love and support. The programs can target ways of getting families to have talk and prayer sessions to reinforce communication. Children should always feel that they can talk to their family members. Also, I would support the statement of, "A family that prays together, stays together."

Iwould also have to focus on the importance of taking care of the children and protecting them from all the harm that faces them. These days, there are so many people who kill their kids, abuse them, neglect them, etc. and it is senseless! Children need to know that they are important and entitled to all the best things that life has to offer.

[CountryGurl]

Originally posted by TotallyBlessed
Hello, I would would like to work with programs under education and art. I would set up a program that would center around our youth. Being an education major I truely believe that the study of the arts play a major role in todays education. I have volunteered at numerous schools and have noticed that the majority of the students have very little interest in this subject. When most high school students think of art automatically paintings come to mind. Helping out in inner city schools have showed me that many African-Americans don't know that music, photography, cooking, acting, etc. falls in this catogory as well. I guess what I'm trying to say is that my program would educate todays youth about art.

Great idea.

I would implement a program that dealt with both education and economics. The way I would go about doing this would be through having a Career Fair for junior-high and high school students. The fair would help them become aware of their interest, talents, and abilities. I would invite individuals, companies, businesses, and educational institutions to have a representative to discuss interesting aspects of their profession as well as necessary skills, education, and preparation.

[LeLe]

Of the many content areas thatI could chose from, right now I would chose Reading. So many young children are forgetting the importance of reading. My twelve year old cousin whom reads on a fourth grade level in the seventh grade told me that, "Reading isn't cool!"That answer is all the more reason that I would create a program that involved influential members of society,young children and hundreds of books. I would make my program two part. The first part of the program would be to pair each child with an adult. Together for the first half hour the children would be able to discuss there interest with the adult assigned to them. That adult would keep note of the childs interest. (The location for the activity is a local library)The second part of the activity would be to allow each child first to sign up for a library card so that books are never far from their reach (which is usually the reason why so many do not read.) After the library card registration is over the child and their adult would take out the list of the childs interests and proceed to the books that are about some aspect of the particular interest. For example if a young boy was interested in drawing their adult would take them to books about drawing that included topics he had never thought of being associated with his love for drawing. This way the child is benefiting from building reading skills, as well as learning new reasons to why they like to draw rather than an answer I usually get," 'cause it's fun." I would also try to pair the children with adults in the career field they maybe looking into or hobbies they may share (I would find this information out by doing a pre-activity application of intresets and career status /goals for the adults and children to complete). The final result of my program would hopefully be to have established mentor/mentee relationships built on one common foundation :READING

[De6]

If I could devise and present a program based on one of your target areas, I would devise a health education program. Some might say that this road is too often traveled, but I beg to differ. In my high school, it is suprising the number of people who are not aware of their health status. The goal of this program is to stimulate African American's awareness about their health. This program would be unique, in that, it would offer 24 hour assistance and training. Naturally, this is a community service program and it is based on the theme, "Servie to All Mankind." During the day teens could come into the a place where the program is set up. While there, they would receive hands-on training and assistance that will prepare them to educate others about health issues. At night, working people would be able to come in and receive training and assistance, as well. They too will be able to educate others about health issues. I would implement my program by setting it up in a local community center. I would then go throughout the communtiy asking for the help of others.

[futurestar1]

thought I would bring this to the top. When I replied so long ago, I was interested in undergraduate membership. Now that I am older and more seasoned, my priorities have changed. I would want to do something in line with the Economics Target. I would want to do a series on homeownership and explore the benefits of homeownership, researching grant and firsttime buyer info, predatory lenders, and help local agencies set up housing counseling sessions by holding something like a fair/seminar.

[strivingsf]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
Sisterfriends, if you had to devise and present an activity based on one of our target areas, what kind of program would you devise and how would you implement that program/activity?

Education.

I am now developing a project that brings AA urban high school juniors and seniors to my university introducing them to icons of the campus, hands on activities relating to healthcare, walking tours detailing the influence of AA's on this particular campus. In addition, assisting them complete the application and waiving the admissions fee.

I chose these local students because historically the university has NOT partnered with high schools immediately surrounding the campus and for years literally kept them away from campus. The would be give h.s. students the opportunity to meet influential AA's in administration who have vested interests in helping these students successfully earn a Bach. Deg as well as a Master's program.