Author Kimberly H. Smith

The blogging community The SITS Girls, has introduced me to a diverse group of bloggers including New Orleans based Kimberly H. Smith whom I interviewed earlier this month about her writing debut Acting on Her Behalf. After a period of about 16 years, she took the courageous step of leaving the work world to concentrate on writing.  

Mrs. Smith got an early start by writing a short story with elements of suspense as well as a cliffhanger in grade school.She has also incorporated suspense into her current work.

"The heroine Colby Crenshaw is arrested for murder on live television and she fights for her voice to be heard. She is also struggling with understanding things that come to pass with her friend being murdered."

"The main themes in the book are murder, betrayal, love, and tenacity and those come in different forms throughout the entire book."

 Read more about Kimberly on her blog http://beingawordsmith.com/ which is a play on her love of writing as well as her last name. Acting on Her Behalf is available on Amazon.com in Kindle format as well as paperback.

Kimberly H. Smith is currently at work on another book featuring some of the characters from Acting on Her Behalf. Here's hoping that we see Kimberly playing the lead role in the film version of Acting on Her Behalf in the very near future.

"My message would be that you can do anything you put your mind to no matter how old you are and no matter what life throws at you."

Website/Blog             http://beingawordsmith.com/

Twitter                       https://twitter.com/beingawordsmith

Facebook                   https://www.facebook.com/BeingAWordsmith

Facebook Fan Page   http://facebook.com/ActingOnHerBehalf

Impact and Collaborative Community Building

Earlier today, I was thinking about the non profit Love 146 and how learning about that organization has given me an awareness of another aspect of human rights work.

The first non profit organizations I learned about in my late teens and early twenties were Celebrate Life and the Rebecca Project for Human Rights focusing on cervical cancer awareness and social justice issues related to young women.

Looking back, although I am glad that I had a chance to learn about cervical cancer, I wonder how many other young women in my generation have inadequate information about sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR).

I have maintained my interest in learning about public health topics for my own sake as well as to get information out about current topics in health.

When I think about social justice initiatives that are geared towards young women I am left thinking about where the resources are for young men.

The following talking points come to mind. (This is not at all an exhaustive list)

Where do young men have the opportunity to start cultivating the kinds of sensibilities that will most likely contribute to being a constructive member of their communities, families etc...

When the young women in whom we as a society invest get to a certain age, with whom will they be likely to be able to build a family?

How can we expect an optimal result as far as community building if the investment of resources is not across the board in terms of  impacting the lives of both young men and young women?

What are some models for community building that can actually work in day to day life?

Where does social media fit in to the process of figuring out how best to deliver services and resources to people in need as well as providing information?

What does it take to be able to untangle all of our current social issues in order to have an infrastructure of programs and information that work effectively? 

Obviously any kind of program or initiative providing direct services has to be done with an awareness of sustainability in order to have an impact that lasts beyond addressing immediate circumstances.

The bottom line is whether or not your work has an impact.

What is the lingua franca of social impact?

#SaveOurCities

 

2016 National Urban League Conference

#SaveOurCities

@NatUrbanLeague

This year the conference offers a
mobile app that can be viewed
at the link below:

http://bit.ly/NULApp

The National Urban League President
and Chief Executive Officer Marc Morial
will give the State of the Urban League Address at New Shiloh Baptist Church
today, August 03, 2016 from 7:00 PM
until 9:00 PM.

   National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial

"Join us in Baltimore, MD on
August 5-6th for TechConnect,
a discussion about emerging
technologies, as well as the
intersections between technological,
race and social change."

Attendees will have the chance to,
"connect with top minds and
influencers in technology and
learn how they found success
in digital strategy and innovation."

                                                                  

There will be an opportunity to
compete for cash prizes.

Over the last few years the
National Urban League has hosted the
Annual national conference in Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, Cincinnati,
Ohio and Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2013,2014 and 2015 respectively.

After the death of resident Freddie Gray, much attention has been directed to Baltimore City. The next few days present an opportunity to ensure that there is a constructive conversation regarding next steps.

** All graphics are credited to the National Urban League**

**Photo credited to The 50 Co-Op **

Adirondack Creamery

A number of years ago I tried an amazing brand called Adirondack Creamery and I was pleased to have a conversation with Founder Paul Nasrani.

The drive that keeps small business owners going is always an inspiration and I am happy to highlight this unique brand.

I was shopping and happened upon this company and truly enjoyed the quality of the Kulfi-Pistachio Cardamom flavor.

This was well before I began highlighting the independent business sector.


You can visit the website to view the nutritional facts as well as the ingredients.

adirondackcreamery.com

Those who have already visited the Big Apple (New York City's nickname) may be interested to learn that there is also a whole other aspect of the Empire State which includes the Adirondacks.

This company works with family farms in various parts of the Hudson Valley area. Their efforts to support these local farms creates a way to manage the environmental impact of the company.

You can check out their You Tube page below!
http://bit.ly/2avV5Ug


* All media images are owned by Adirondack Creamery*