Attendees receive a wrist-band moments before the 7 p.m. Pen 2 Paper strategist conference at the Texarkana Convention Center. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
Business strategist Bridgette Moody strategized, organized, and maximized the visions of Texarkana conference attendees during her Pen 2 Paper celebration 7 p.m. Friday night November 2. Ambitious entrepreneurs, ministry leaders, and business vendors made connections, ate great food, enjoyed live music, and grabbed their pens and paper for Moody’s instructions at the Texarkana Convention Center.
Pen 2 Paper display graphic design during conference. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
“Tonight’s event is about vision celebration. It celebrates the vision people who had a vision and walked that path. Some people wrote books, began and completed new projects. We want to celebrate those who had the tenacity and hung in there. Not only that, celebrating those advocates the country who have gotten Pen 2 Paper”, said Moody.
Before hosting Pen 2 Paper over the country, Moody began with herself and others around her. “This conference started as a result of working with ministries and finding out that people really didn’t have a clear vision, understanding their purpose. As a result of my own experience in trying to figure out the next level of my life, I began writing those things out, because there’s more in our hearts than we can see on paper”, said Moody.
Attendees shop around business vendors moment before Pen 2 Paper strategy conference Friday night. Photo Credit Tiffany Brown
In order to have a clear vision, an individual must grab the necessary tools: pen and paper. “Learn to write. Jot before you journal”, said Moody. Your vision should also be clear and detailed oriented. “Know what your vision is. It’s hard to put steps together, if you don’t know what it is. Be clear. Do you know what it is? Are you just doing something that someone else is doing? Do you have a heart for it? Without a heart or a passion, 9 out of 10 ten times, you’re ready to quit if you’re not making money. When it’s your purpose, you persevere the ups and downs, but you will keep going if that’s what you’re called to do.”
According to Moody, you do not have to be a skilled professional writer. “Everybody is not a writer. Write every thought down. If you can write every thought down, it helps you put those things together. You get everything out on the table like putting a puzzle together. You put your edges, colors, and like images until you the full picture”, said Moody.
Although business owners and ministry leaders attended the event, an individual did not need those titles to have a successful, clear vision for themselves. “It’s not just for business owners or ministry leaders, but individuals to find themselves in their life and figure out where they’re supposed to be. It helps them to not just exist, but to live”, said Moody.
Business strategist, Bridgette Moody welcomes attendees during Pen 2 Paper conference. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
Before vision boards became a successful trend, celebrities such as Harvey, Oprah Winfrey, Jim Carrey, Will Smith, and Arnold Schwarzennegger accomplished their written goals using this one method. “You should always keep the vision before you. Once we put it on paper, it magnify the dream, goal, and vision”, said Moody.
“Keep in mind success is not a quick process. The vision is not something that you write it today and it happens tomorrow. It’s over a period of time. You have to establish goals in the process of moving toward the vision. The vision is an expected end. Once it happens, that’s the end result”, said Moody.
Students network with local Texarkana employers during Crossing Paths connection event. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
TAMUT students networked with local employers through the Career Development Center networking event, Cross Paths. Employees guided and made connections with student attendees on the University Center’s third floor Thursday afternoon, November 1.
“Today we have a networking event. This is for our students to mix with employers, meet them, ask them questions about their career fields or just about their profession in general. Our theme this year is, ‘The World Awaits You’ to promote travel”, said Coordinator of Career Development, Samantha Armstrong.
Coordinator of Career Development, Samantha Armstrong describes the Crossing Path networking event a few minutes before it begins. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
“When we talked to the students, they always say it’s not what you know, it’s who you know in the career professional world. This allows students to create the professional connections with employers to talk with them a little bit about their professional journey and get some advice”, said Armstrong.
Local employers such as State Farm, Arkansas Dept of Human Services, and Encompass Health, connected various majors, classifications, and goals within their career aspirations.
Arkansas Dept. of Human Service representative, Martin Vernon connects with a student during the Cross Paths event. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
“We pretty much have opportunities that you are looking for from facilities, maintenance all the way to lawyers, so we like to provide information, a positive life, and other opportunities to the students”, said Martin Vernon of Arkansas Department of Human Resources.
“We are looking to get to know the A&M students that are in the business world for the next few years. Let them practice their interview skills, and hopefully someone who could join our team, whenever they’re ready. For the most part we sell and service insurance”, said Mckenzie Skinner of Kelly Ashbrook State Farm.
Students connect with various organizations, such as State Farm, Encompass Health, and Arkansas Dept. of Human Service. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
Other local employers networked with different student attendees. “We have the Dept. of Human Resources, DPS Officers, crime labs, published author John Bunch who works here at A&M-Texarkana. He is a published photographer on the cover for People magazine. We have a big array of people on our Facebook and we sent it out in e-mails as well”, said Armstrong.
The employers described their expectations and qualifications with the students. “Someone who’s committed to helping customers. A self-starter that cares and will spend the time in getting to know and getting the right products to their customers”, said Skinner.
“Because we are Human Services-based, we’re looking for someone more personable, don’t mind working with people, have a good heart, and different things of that nature”, said Vernon.
“We look for enthusiasm and compassion. If you have the time and you want the hours, we are here. Volunteers work in the office with me, answering the phones. If you’re in the medical field, how do you feel about working with patients? We work with patients and their information is confidentiality. We work with a various of people. We want to know can you give that and do you care? Are you able to give to others? “, said Tonya Pace of Encompass Health.
The students also shared their goal aspirations regarding the campus networking event.
“I want to go to med-school and become a cardiologists”, said biology major, Neha Amberkr.
The biology major wants to attend a medical school in Ohio and connect with local Texarkana health-care professions.
“I’m looking forward to talking with the medical people around here and seeing if they have a part-time job or volunteering opportunities I can do. I have a background in EKG technician and have been certified. I was trying to find something around that”, said Amberkr.
Junior and Criminal Justice major, Mason Ladd checks out the Arkansas Dept. of Human Resources’ table. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
“I want to network with other employers and to check out the vibe”, said criminal justice major, Mason Ladd.
Interesting in criminal justice and health, criminal justice major describes his qualifications during the Cross Paths networking event.
“What I add to the table is hard work. Pretty good IQ and the willingness to learn”, said Ladd.
“I want to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics to teach at a high school, but around that time I want to pursue a masters and eventually a PhD, so I will be able to teach at a university”, said Mathematics major, Cashaun Harris.
The future Trigonometry or Calculus student also described his qualifications regarding teaching Mathematics.
“I feel like when it comes to Mathematics, it’s taught in a different way that it should be. That’s the problem I see alot of kids trying to understand”, said Harris.
2016 TAMUT Alumni, Life Share Blood Center’s Account Manager, Kyndra Davis and Jake Hamilton State Farm Insurance Self-Agent Percy Davis connects with Mathematics Junior major, Cashaun Harris. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
Alumni graduates, Life Share Blood Center’s Account Manager, Kyndra Davis and Jake Hamilton State Farm Insurance Self-Agent Percy Davis connected with student, yet gave them valuable advice.
“I would suggest to start looking now. It’s okay to apply for jobs and say you are graduating this date. My brother actually did that and he got a job within his degree field. Be confident in yourself, because people like confidence. They put their trust in people that know what they’re talking about”, said Kyndra Davis, a recent A&M graduate.
“Never give up, keep being active, staying in the community, doing different things, because you never know who you may meet. Always keep it professional, because you maybe holding the door for someone that maybe a CEO and stay hungry. Don’t let rejection discourage you. You are probably going to get rejection, while applying for jobs. That made meant the job was not for me. Keep your resume tight and updated. Don’t give up”, said Percy Davis, a Mass Communication alumnus.
“They can take away some connections. People to talk to about their career field. Somebody to give them professional advice. They can take away inner personal skills and talking with the employers that you will need as a professional”, said Armstrong.
Photo Credit, Tiffany Brown. Members of the National Society of Leadership and Success sign in before famous Top Chef, Carla Hall’s “Leading With Love” live-stream in Eagle Hall 6 p.m. Tuesday night.
Bravo’s Top Chef, Carla Hall leads the National Society Leadership and Success (NSLS) organization with love through a live-stream leadership conference yesterday evening October 23 at 6 p.m. in Eagle Hall. Hall’s tough, tedious experiences taught the united NSLS members the importance of following their passions, learning from failures and resilience, and leading with values and integrity within Eagle Hall’s conference room 6pm Tuesday night, October 23rd.
“If you feel frustration about something that happens to you, that frustration is about the teacher coming to you to teach you that thing. When all of those things happened to me at The Chew, it wasn’t about them, it was about getting me frustrated enough, so I could move from that”, said Hall.
Photo Credit, Tiffany Brown. National Society of Leadership and Success’ Founding President Philip Deuroen takes notes during famous chef Carla Hall’s live-stream.
The students took notes regarding accountability and self-diagnosis. “All this blame and not taking responsibility, you can play that game, but you’re going to delay your gifts and delay your lessons. If you are frustrated, then that’s your lesson. If you’re indifferent about what’s happening with someone else, you can just look and support them, while they’re going through it, but it’s not your lesson, it’s their lesson”, said Hall.
Upon learning Hall’s method of leadership, attending member Matthew Edwards and staff member Phillip Barnes discussed their definition of a leader. “To be a leader, be willing to listen to other ideas and not force your own ideas, be cooperative. Be willing to step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself, said Edwards. “Communication and empathy. It’s one of the coessential roles a leader should have. It shouldn’t be just working with different people of all shapes and sizes, you should understand where people are from. At one point, you will be always that’s under someone person and a leader. It takes a person that has round-about thinking pairing to understand everyone and working together to similar goal. Empathy is the goal”, said Barnes.
Photo Credit, Tiffany Brown. A Carla Hall poster lies on the National Society of Leadership and Success’s sign-in table.
The famous chef coincided her personal experiences with Barnes’ statement. “When I hired people at the restaurant, I wanted to teach young people work ethic, which is why I hired older people. I want this older woman to yank this kid up and be like look dude okay. Sometimes, it’s leading by example. Other people just don’t see it. You can not be a lesser than you. Nobody wants a lesser than you. Nobody wants an earnest, overly-righteous, pointing the finger, because what you don’t realize is by doing what you do other people are watching. They will flow with you or leave you”, said Hall.
Photo Credit, Tiffany Brown. Members of the National Society of Leadership and Success communicate briefly before Carla Hall’s live-stream leadership conference.
She also described the importance of teamwork during her hard-core, Top Chef competitive days. “When you’re in a competition, and it seems cut-throat and everybody’s trying to win, for me it was about doing me, and being true to myself and others, and helping others. If I am running away to get er done and I see somebody fall, I’m going to go back and get that person, because you don’t win by yourself. Top Chef was that thing, it was hard and it was a little bit of bullying. I learned you just have to say no.”
Photo Credit, Tiffany Brown. Founding NSLS chapter President Philip Deureon speaks positive messages toward the National Society of Leadership and Success.
Founding NSLS chapter President Philip Derouen and Phillip Barnes believe Hall’s advice will equip the organization to become future better leaders in their organizations. “She will give our members a live-stream about leadership, women’s foundation, and teach our members leadership and how they can use that in the real world”, said Founding President, Philip Derouen. “It will be another series of various speakers that exemplifies leadership and will intern inspire the ones in the room to grow and build upon those aforementioned leadership traits they carry”, said Phillip Barnes.
Besides being active, having boundaries, and achieving your goals, Deroeun states a necessity every leader should have. “For me your mindset effects everything, so if you have a positive mindset, you can accomplish anything that you want. That’s what I want to give all my members apart of this society.
During the live-streamed, Q/A session, Hall touched similar topics regarding the right attitude. “God goes before me making smooth, easy and clears my way. No person, place or thing or outside condition can affect me. I am powerful, worthy, free, creative, unique, confident, and so it is. I say that every morning”, said Hall.
You’re a senior in high school. You’re over halfway through the school year, and you’ve just spent the last four years of your life trying to forget that you’ve spent a good majority of it flipping through math, science, English, and history textbooks. You’re ready for your summer of freedom. But, that’s not going to happen. It’s time to decide your place in life. Your teachers tell you that college is nothing like high school. It’s hard. It’s tiring. You need to know what you’re doing before you do it, because there’s not much wiggle room. And all you can think about is what you haven’t been prepared for.
Our educators expect us to understand the world enough to know exactly what we should do with our lives, even at the age of ten. It’s a scary thought. But there lies the problem. People aren’t expected to have everything figured out once they reach college. However, our younger selves are somehow coerced into believing that picking a major field of study for higher education is a singular choice.
On the contrary, college is a place where learning the steps to make that decision actually takes place. The misconception that high school is where you make your final decision is just downright stressful. Some people get so worked up it actually decreases their likelihood of going to college. They feel so overwhelmed that their solution might be to wait it out. But education isn’t knowing everything in advance of doing it. If that were the case, we wouldn’t need education.
Venturing further into your academic career offers new discoveries and options everyday. The electives at Texas A&M University – Texarkana offer multiple teaching and learning styles, material, perceptions.
Photo by Allison Hall
One class in particular is Dr. Drew Morton’s Intro to Media Production course. The name suggests filmmakers would receive the most benefit, but anyone on campus can gain something. The course teaches students how to properly use DSLR Canon Rebel cameras for photography and video, and how to mash those clips together in Adobe Premiere. The course requires no necessary experience or skill (Hint: “Intro”). The series of projects in the course moves in an elegant and gradual way to ward away nerves about technique and to compliment your available skill set. The course is all about you: What do you want to make? What do you have to say? Film is an easy way to tell a story. A section of the class teaches you to do this without words. Visual elements can instill meaninginto a person that words just can’t.
Photo by Allison Hall
One junior history major has ventured much further into the field of mass communication thanks to classes like this. Josh Wattigny has taken several MCOM classes and is now enrolled in Intro to Media Production. Prior to any of these, he hadn’t thought of branching out into media studies. Now, he has his own camera, equipment, and a YouTube channel. “I had an interest in learning about film history, and from there I found out that I really enjoyed everything that goes into film production. I wanted to learn more and make my own movies,” Josh said. The truth is, with or without a degree, we’re all involved in the field of mass communication.
You might think you know what you want, and maybe you do, but there’s always something else worth exploring. Something you might think is too hard, or not worth the time might turn into a consistent hobby, as it was for Josh. Here, we’re discussing videography, but maybe you have a knack for poetry or writing. So, a word of advice: get out there and take as many classes as you can. Wander around and find new media of expression. You never know what’s possible until you apply yourself in a new, scary, wonderful way.
Texas A&M University – Texarkana has some upcoming workshops and lectures you can use to test the waters. November events include a GIS (Geographic Information System) day hosted in the Digital Humanities Lab on November 14th, a Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)screening accompanied by discussion from Jaime Cantrell, Drew Morton, and Rachel Stonecipher on November 20th in Eagle Hall with a live podcast taping, and a walk-through of Audacity applications and podcast recording on November 27th at 12:15 in the Digital Humanities Lab. All these opportunities provide a variety of explorable content. Please check them out and don’t hesitate to ask questions.
Are those Hollywood horror films just not doing it for you? Do you need more of an adrenaline rush this Halloween season? Watch your local news station talk about influenza. That’ll get you what you need.
October has been particularly terrifying this year, and not because of a ghoul next door. Recent news updates featuring those stricken by the infections fatal blow have caused some concern about this year’s seasonal flu. The latest in these stories is North Carolina’s Mrs. Scarlett VanStory Levinson, a 29-year-old lawyer who died October 2nd due to what authorities are calling flu complications. According to ABC News, the young woman suffered a flu related heart attack that lead to her death. Articles such as this often cause uproar in communities, leading to an influx of precautionary measures. In response to this, many will turn to the flu shot without question. But just how helpful will the flu shot be in keeping you happy and healthy this year?
The CDC has assured us that all vaccines this season will protect against four different types of the influenza virus, and they recommend getting one before the virus spreads in your community. While flu season starts on the first of October, the State of Texas has reported low numbers for cases thus far and say that the majority of cases in 2017 did not occur until January. Arkansas has reported very similar findings.
Compliments of qimono on Pixabay
Statistics aside, what this really comes down to is your preference. The CDC can never be 100% sure of which virus will spread, how it will spread, or what effects it will have. They have laboratories who work to make educated guesses about what strains to protect against seasonally, but they aren’t promising anything specific.
The effectiveness of the shot also varies by season, and is affected by your age and health. Different vaccines are appropriate for different ages and each person is going to react differently. If you have poor health or a damaged immune system, getting the shot might be more meaningful to you. There is always a chance that the shot has absolutely no benefit at all. Getting the flu shot might have just as much benefit to you as not getting it, but it might have more. There’s no definitive way of knowing.
In terms of the dangers of the flu vaccine, there aren’t many. The CDC says that in no way can the flu vaccine cause the flu. Severe allergic reaction is possible if the receiver has an egg allergy, fever can occur, and there have been 1 or 2 cases per 1 million vaccinated people of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a disorder “…in which a person’s own immune system damages their nerve cells.” Though it is unclear what the direct cause is, this disease is one that people generally recover from, though the thought is scary. Between 3,000 and 6,000 people get it yearly (with and without vaccination) in the United States and very few die from it. Adults 50 and older, and those ever diagnosed with theCampylobacter jejuni bacterium or other infections, are the most susceptible.
So, should you get the flu shot? It is entirely your call. Whatever you feel like is best for you, your family, and those around you is your answer. Do your own research, and make your own educated decision. At the end of the day, it is your body. Just don’t be upset if everyone at the office Christmas party blames you for their ailment! It’s human nature.
While it may seem that school has just started, midterm exams are quickly approaching. With exams typically comes stress. You may feel that there is nothing that you can do about this stress other than continuing to study, but this is not true.How stressed you get and how often this happens are two things that you can have a great influence over. Here are six tips to help you make it through midterm exams with minimal stress:
1.Take a walk– Stressful situations increase the levels of stress hormones in your body.Physical exercise can metabolize the excessive stress hormones and restore your mind and body to a more relaxed state. If you are feeling stressed, try to add some sort of physical activity to your daily routine.
2. Sleep! – Not having enough sleep is a significant cause of stress. Try to unwind and relax at least 30 minutes before bedtime. Try taking a warm bath or reading a book (not a textbook!) togiveyour brain time to calm down.
3. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine– Try to avoid or at least reduce and consumption of nicotine and any beverages containing caffeine or alcohol. Caffeine and nicotine are stimulants and will increase stress levels rather than reducing them. Alcohol is a depressant in large quantities and a stimulant in smaller quantities. Using alcohol to alleviate stress is,ultimately,not helpful.
4. Join a study group – Having a good group to work and collaborate with can significantly increase your success on exams. You will be able to help yourself learn while also helping others succeed.
5. Manage your time– When dealing with a lengthy ‘To Do’ list, learn to prioritize tasks and do the most important tasks first. Plan which tasks must be done immediately, in the next day, in the next week, or when time allows. Having a plan of action can help to greatly reduce stress. Try to create a study schedule and stick to it. Pick blocks of time where you will not be disturbed and give your brain plenty of time to absorb the information. A Redbull-fueled night before cram session will not do it for you!
6. Learn to say ‘no’ – A common cause of stress is having too much to do with too little time. Even in this situation, people will still agree to take on more responsibilities. Friends and family may ask you to do things when you are busy trying to prepare for exams. It’s an easy time to say, “I have major exams coming up and need to prepare. Maybe we can plan on doing something after they’re over.” Remain firm in your answer, even if they insist.
Thomas Jefferson’s largest and well-known plantation, Monticello Jefferson in Charlottesville, VA. He promoted freedom and equality for all in The Declaration of Independence, yet enslaved 600 African-Americans. Photo Credit of The African American Museum of Dallas.
As the author of The Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson promoted freedom and equality for all individuals. While describing slavery as an abominable crime, the third president owned over 600 slaves.
“That’s what’s most important about this exhibition. Thomas Jefferson enslaved throughout his eighty-three year life. That means he had more than one plantation. Monticello, which is the most famous and the largest, was not just the home to him and his white family, but to black families as well. In fact, there were more black people in Monticello than there were white people”, said Gayle Jessup White, Jefferson’s descendant, and Monticello Community Engagement Officer.
The African American Museum of Dallas presents The Slavery at Monticello: Paradox of Liberty September 22-December 31, 2018. Photo Credit: The African American Museum of Dallas
The African-American Museum of Dallas will be the first to host the updated exhibition regarding the forgotten slaves at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello plantation. As the heart of The Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello: Paradox of Liberty exhibition, their lives will be displayed through additional items and highlights September 22-December 31, 2018.
“We focus on the enslaved people that are part of this exhibit. It’s opening in Dallas. It’s the first time the exhibition has toured since 2015. This is as far west as the exhibition has ever been”, said White.
The exhibit will include digital attributes, such as the Picture Mulberry Row recreation, Slavery at Monticello App, and many more.
“It features 300 artifacts and different articles representing not the life of Thomas Jefferson, but the lives of the people he enslaved”, said White.
Gayle Jessup White, a descendant of Jefferson and Hemings speaks about the importance of the updated exhibition. Photo Credit: The African American Museum of Dallas
White, along with The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and The Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello made sure the enslaved individuals and their contributions were no longer unheard. “It’s the enslaved people that saved that place. They did all the work and it was a 5,000 acre plantation, so figure how much work that it took. They built the building that is now a house museum, where some point of 50,000 people visit”, said White.
With proper respect, White desires the audience to remember the Monticello slaves, instead of forgetting them. “My hope is always that the audience hears the voices of the past, voices that were forgotten, voices that people thought were dismissed, because the enslaved were not considered important”, she said.
Historical figures, such as civil-rights activist William Monroe Trotter will be mentioned during the exhibition. “He was an American hero, but forgotten. He was a co-writer of W.E.B Dubois and a challenger of Booker T. Washington. He was the founder of the Niagra Movement and the newspaper, Boston Guardian. A forgotten American hero, but he was a member of Monticello’s family descendants. He’s probably the most prominent of Monticello’s descendants”, said White.
White remembers Trotter’s unstoppable activism for African-American freedom and equality. “He was most notable for challenging President Woodrow Wilson’s position on Jim Crow and the African-American mistreatment. William Monroe Trotter went to the White House twice challenging Woodrow Wilson. In addition to that, he led a campaign against a racist film called, “Birth of A Nation”, so that it would be shot in Boston where he lived”, she said.
Another forgotten historical figure and ancestor of White is Peter Hemings. “Peter was my great, great, great-grandfather. He was a cook for twelve years at Monticello, then he became a brewer at Monticello, described as very intelligent by Thomas Jefferson”.
According to White, Peter was a trained cook and brewer by a special individual. “He was a brewer at Monticello trained by his brother, James Hemings an exchanged deal made by Thomas Jefferson. One brother was to be free after he taught the other brother cooking. The other brother, my ancestor remained a slave for another twenty-five years. Imagine what it must have been like for the two of them. That’s the story of working together, so that one member of the family could be free”, said White.
The exhibition will include a special feature selection of a Monticello enslaved woman named, Sally Hemings. The newly featured selection is an additional piece seen outside Monticello. Photo Credit: The African American Museum of Dallas
The exhibition will feature a special section regarding a Monticello enslaved woman known as White’s three-times great-aunt, Sally Hemings. “Sally Hemings came on the scene publicly in 1803. This article written by James Callendar. It was a news piece that was printed in the Richmond newspaper. It had accused Jefferson of keeping a slave woman as a mistress and her name was Sally”, said White.
As the hidden affair became a public scandal, so was Sally. The Jefferson family denied the allegations, including the six children Sally bored him. “Jefferson never actually addressed it. Never came out and said no it’s not true. His daughter and grandchildren denied it. They said yes there was a slave woman named Sally and yes she had children from one of two Jefferson’s nephews, not Thomas Jefferson”, said White.
Sally’s remained a scandalous name, until her light was shed. “Throughout decades, Sally Hemings was seen as a scandal in the life of a great man. Many people did not accept that she was his concubine. However, there was evidence that she was”, said White.
With proper research, evidence, and previous testimonials from their son, Madison Hemings, Jefferson’s affair with Hemings was indeed true. “There’s circumstanstial evidence that documents that Thomas Jefferson kept his notes, farm book. Every time Sally gave birth it was nine months after he’d been to Monticello from Washington where he was President. It’s an indication, especially the testimonials that everything was true. In addition to that, ten people that Thomas Jefferson freed that were allowed to walk away from that plantation, four were children of Sally Hemings”, said White.
Despite a hidden affair, Sally Hemings is known as an influential historical figure throughout the Monticello exhibition. “At Monticello, what we wanted to make her totally dimensional. We didn’t want to paint this picture of a scandal and rob her from her humanity. We sought to give Sally back her humanity and help our audience realize that she was a daughter, a mother, a world traveler, and ultimately a liberator, because she liberated her children. It was her ability to negotiate with one of the country’s most influential men the freedom of her children. Out of 600 people he enslaved, ten were free. Four of them were her children”, said White.
White’s final words described her three-times great aunt’s intelligence and strengths during her enslavement. “She was different than most enslaved woman. Her children were free. She negotiated their freedom. That means that her children would’ve been freed in 1826 almost forty years before the Emancipation Proclamation”, said White.
With digital contributions, 300 works of art, and additional features, the exhibtion will feature a film of descendants of the Monticello slaves sharing ancestrial stories. “Our Getting Word is history project, which is a collection of world histories about the descendants of the enslaved”, said White.
All visitors are welcomed to view the following film along with additional features about the hidden American story. “This is an American story. This is a story for everyone to learn about. Yes, the focus is on the slaved people, black people, or American people, but it’s a subject that I hope in my heart everyone cares about. We are all one people. We are all Americans”, said White.
Thomas Jefferson’ Monticello Plantation’s Aerial West Front and South Wing. Photo Credit: The African American Museum of Dallas
As an unapologetically African-American woman, White gives credit to her ancestors and the Monticello slaves as the backbone of America. “They were not considered part of the American family. In fact, our African-American ancestors were essential to the American families. Without the enslaved people, America would not have become the industrial power house that it did, because it was built on the backs of the enslaved people of free labor. If people get anything, I would like it to be that message that black people built the country from the very beginning. We are part and I say we, because I am a proud African-American, we are part of the American fabric”, she said.
All ages are welcomed and tickets can be purchased, click here.
The exhibition will take place September 22-December 31, 2018 at the African American Museum of Dallas at Fair Park 3536 Grand Avenue Dallas, TX 75210.
For additional information regarding the exhibition’s time and holiday schedule, click here.
For more research and information about the Monticello slaves, click here.
To visit the Monticello plantation in Charlottesville, Virginia click here.
Natural hair is a beautiful thing. Without the right tools, it can be a frustrating, yet beautiful thing. Regardless of the frustration, natural hair does not require much for healthier lengths. With minimal work, it is quite simple. Minimal work does not mean neglecting your hair. It means the right strategies that work for your hair. Your hair needs your cooperation, not your help for healthier lengths.The following steps will help you personalize a successful hair care routine and surpass the stumbling blocks for healthier long locks.
Moisturize your hair daily
Photo Credit: Naptural85
Just as your body needs moisture, your hair needs moisture. Water is the moisturizing agent for natural hair. Without moisture, the hair dries, brittles, and results in breakage, single-stranded knots, or split-ends. Spritz your hair with a water bottle regularly. Lock in the moisture with water-based products (creams, leave-in conditioners, oils) for daily use. Water-based products should list water as the first ingredient. Based on your hair’s porosity, use the LCO (liquid, cream, oil) or LOC (liquid, oil, cream) method. Use the LCO method if you are low-porosity. Use the LOC method if you are high-porosity. If you do not know your hair porosity take a porosity test. Porosity is your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. To determine your hair’s porosity, you will need a hair strand and a cup of water. Find a loose hair strand and place it in a cup of water. If the hair soaks, it is high-porosity. If it floats, it is low-porosity. High porosity hair quickly absorbs moisture. Low porosity hair slowly absorbs moisture. The moisturizing process becomes easier after your hair porosity results.
Deep condition your hair weekly
Photo Credit: ivycharlaine
Deep conditioners add extra moisture than regular moisturizers. You will need a hooded dryer, steamer, heating cap, plastic cap, or a plastic grocery bag with a warm towel. Heat is not the enemy. It is an essential tool for a successful deep conditioning routine. Heat opens your hair’s cuticle layers to receive the moisture your hair needs. Without heat, your hair cannot get the proper moisture you need, especially if you are low-porosity. Regular moisture will not retain moisture if you do not properly deep condition with heat. Depending how dry your hair is, deep condition for 20 minutes to an hour. Your hair becomes softer and more manageable.
Wash your hair on a regular basis
Photo Credit: Jewellianna Palencia
Remove product build-up with a sulfate-free shampoo. It will not dry or strip the hair as rumored. Shampoos clarify and cleanse the scalp, but do not condition it. Co-wash cleansers do not equal a shampoo. They do not remove product build-up as a shampoo. After a few days, your scalp becomes itchy and dirty, resulting in hair loss. Of course, your hair is moisturized, but is still dirty from product build-up. Product build-up keeps the hair from retaining moisture. Regular shampooing keeps the hair moisturized, yet clean. Clarifying shampoos are available at Sallys, Target, Wal-Mart, and beauty supply stores. If a clarifying shampoo becomes too drying, use a moisturizing shampoo for a clean scalp instead. A clean scalp is a healthy scalp.
Trim your ends regularly
Photo Credit: Craving Curly Kinks
Length does not mean healthy hair. Do not be afraid to trim your ends. Health should be the primary focus of your hair. Your hair will still grow over time. Split-ends, see through ends, or single-strand knots should be cut immediately. Avoiding them will split the hair strand towards the top. Straighten the hair after a shampoo wash, deep conditioner, and a blow dry. Cut your ends evenly with a sharp pair of scissors. Even cuts prevents unevened layers unless you desire the layered look. A regular trim should be every three months.
Wear protective styles
Photo Credit: Ambrosia Malbrough
According to CurlCentric, hair grows half an inch monthly. This means your hair grows six inches per year. Protective styles retains length throughout the year. They should be worn every 5-7 days. Braids, twists, wigs, or weaves should not surpass 4 weeks. Protective styles also prevent constant touching or styling the hair. Constant combing, styling, brushing causes breakage, hairloss, and split-ends. Your ends are the oldest part of your hair and require the most attention. Tuck them away and leave your hair alone. During protective styles, you are still accountable for your hair. Braids will not give you longer hair if you neglect it. Your hair will be more prone to dryness and breakage.
Find holy grain products
Photo Credit: PowerInYourCurl
Holy grain products are stable products that work best for your hair. They provide the best results and cater to your hair’s needs. Once you’ve found them, stick with them. Do not change them, unless they stop working. Holy grain products are called that for a reason. Your hair responds extremely well without issues. Do not switch products based on millions of YouTube product reviews. Through trial and error, you will find the right product. It takes time, but not forever. Products are reviewed through daily YouTube videos. Read the comment sections and remember similar pro’s and con’s. Google and read product reviews before purchasing it. Once you purchase the product, focus on your hair’s reaction. If the hair responds well, keep it. If the hair responds bad, return it.
Research
Photo Credit: NaturallyTemi
You will not know everything about natural hair. With daily research, you will learn certain methods regarding your hair type, curl pattern, texture, and porosity. YouTube and blogs are the perfect places for learning natural hair care. They provide specific instructions for each individual’s natural hair care needs. Each individual will also learn beyond the basics. YouTuber, GreenBeauty teaches natural hair visual learners scientific facts through 3D cartoons videos and regular photos. Viewers understand better concepts behind split-ends, natural hair myths, protective styles, and proper hair care.
Choose a successful hair twin
Photo Credit: Glamtwinz
A hair twin matches your hair type, texture, and curl pattern. You can easily spot them through YouTube and social media. If you have a 4a/4b hair curl pattern, follow someone with a 4a/4b hair curl pattern. It makes your hair journey easier to understand based on their experiences. Do not take advice from someone above a 4a hair type. Their hair journey will not be relatable as the 4a/4b hair guru. Millions of natural, curly-haired gurus post YouTube videos social media hashtags. This gives you plenty of choices to follow. Keep in mind, you cannot follow everyone with the same 4a/4b hair. You might have the same 4a/4b hair curl pattern, however, you might not have the same texture, or porosity level. Plus, you will not learn proper natural hair care with too many options. It becomes frustrating and confusing. Narrow down your choices and follow your top favorite. This person should be well-experienced, especially if they have successful healthy hair. Focus more on their health, than length. Their hair did not grow healthy overnight. They experienced set backs and failures like everyone else. Keep in mind, your hair twin are not hair gods. No need to follow everything she says. She will change routines or products often. You do not have to purchase an item every time they review a product. Stick with what you know and apply what you have learned.
Listen to your hair
Photo Credit: NickyBNatural
No one knows your hair better than you. If something goes wrong, your hair will let you know first. For example, if your hair does not respond to a product your favorite YouTube guru raved about, do not force yourself to love it. Immediately, stop using it and return it. Do not compromise your hair based on another person’s opinion. It causes unhealthy, destructible results. Another example, if your hair seems drier than usual, re-moisturize your hair. Do not stress about a scheduled routine. It’s better to respond to your hair’s needs, than a set of rules. Never ignore what your hair tells you and consider better solutions to your problems.
Have you noticed all the smiling faces around campus? Students and faculty shared what they think are the most attractive qualities about our university.
Professor of History, Dr. Tom Wagy with fifty years of teaching experience, thirty-four of which have been in the Texarkana area, imparts that he likes the freedom to teach how he chooses and appreciated his obligation to serve students in the hopes that they positively can change their lives. Dr. Wagy believes students with a frontier spirit will find a home at TAMUT, and those who want to complain about the lack of some resources should rejoice in the fact that the universities long-term success rests in all of our hands, “TAMUT is being built before their eyes, and students have a chance to make a real difference.” Dr. Wagy admits that he is not an expert on the current pricing of universities, but believes that TAMUT is a great value for the local community compared to the price of “going off” to seek a higher education.
Eighteen-year-old freshmen Jordann Schuler considered other colleges, but after considering the cost decided to attend TAMUT and is happy with her choice. “I like the friendly environment. It’s like a big family.” Jordann would recommend TAMUT to anyone graduating high school.
Forty-two-year-old graduate student of history Melinda Zwirn appreciates “small classes in which passionate teachers teach.” She would recommend TAMUT to younger students, as there is not an abundance of online or night courses that older students need to help juggle a forty-hour work week. Melinda would like to see more attention paid to the various scholastic competitions that TAMUT students take part in.
Associate Professor of Mass Communication Dr. Drew Morton compares his teaching experience at UCLA and Cal State to TAMUT. He likes the small class sizes, diversity of content he is allowed to teach, and says that he has the opportunity to have relationships and discussions with students as well as Intimacy of classrooms.
“I think Texarkana-A&M is a great value because students are able to have accesses to PhDs as professors whereas at most major universities you would have teaching assistant in a certain area and you might have a PhD for an upper division class that you would actually get contact hours with. Career teachers are here and they are expected to teach well first and foremost.”
Twenty-year-old sophomore Sage Altenbaumer appreciates TMAUT’s quality professors and likes the small class sizes. He would recommend TAMUT to anyone looking to further their education. Sage would like to hear more success stories about recent graduates.
Students and professors agree TAMUT is a great place to learn due to the small classes, the availability of passionate professors that are well-qualified, and the reasonable tuition. How will TAMUT continue grow and gain the prominence that other larger universities have attained? Our university’s long term success lies in the hands of every student that graduates and goes forth into the world to reveal the inner light that was kindled within these halls.
Unbeknownst to many, May is Military Appreciation Month. We see all the videos on Facebook and YouTube of homecomings, but we forget one of the most important things, to support the ones around us.
Here at Texas A&M – Texarkana, we have plenty of veterans and active duty members on campus. One does not have to go to the Student Veterans Association meetings of the Veterans’ Service Office to know these individuals. One can tell from the manner in which they carry themselves, the way they speak and the attention that they pay to what they say.
These veterans and active members are just as active as many of the non-military students on campus. We see these service members in Student Government meetings, walking around campus, in the fitness center or just sitting on the couches in the lounges on campus. Just like those of us who do not serve, they have families and enjoy a night on the town. The question is, why don’t we ever sit down and say thank you?
Nearly three-fourths of women service members feel under-appreciated. Many would argue that we send them boxes of supplies and we hold up signs and have bumper stickers on the back of our trucks that say, “We support our troops.” However, support is more than a poster or a bumper sticker.
The best way to show your service members that you support them is from your own actions. If you see someone in uniform, kind gestures are always a way of showing thanks. If you know a service member personally, sit down and talk to them. Ask them about their experiences and show them that you care. When votes are held that concern them, don’t sit at home idly. Go to the booth and show your support. Vote to prevent wars, make the difficult decisions that count. It’s the little things that can show them that we care. Appreciate our service members every day, not just this May.
