MPsays, Things We Lose to the New Year.

Written by Mister Promo | January 10, 2016

Last year, someone lit a fire over my world and burned away all matter that served absolutely no purpose. A great deal of matter was destroyed. Let's just say, the only thing left can fit in a one room apartment. Memories have been erased, pictures deleted, jobs replaced. All to make way for what is to come.

I remember 2012. I was excited to graduate from a dead end job, to prosper in a company with professional growth. I remember moving up quite rapidly. From dietary aide, to short order cook, to cook. All promotions I never asked for. Yet upon receiving them, the pay rate would increase. That was a plus.

~ MP ~

Written by Allen Mark | May 20, 2017

All the while I was never happy.  Why was I never happy? Simply put, it was entirely because I was not in control of my own decisions. In fact, I have never been in charge of my own groundbreaking decisions. I have always been forced to do things that have made me feel uncomfortable. All because I lack a man-like backbone.

I am here to confess that this will no longer be an issue for me. Mark my words in this blog post.

"I Am The Ruler Of My Decision Making."

The only reason you find it easy to treat me like a child is because I act as such. I can only pray that you weren't actually fond of that boyish way because that boy died yesterday.

Are you prepared for what is to come?

I guess I don't really care if you are or not.

This is my life and I plan to live it how I see fit.

~ AM ~

Hill Harper, My Voice of Reason.

Written by Mister Promo | March 6, 2017

"The Wealth Cure: Putting Money in Its Place", written by Hill Harper. The reading of The Wealth Cure has really opened my eyes to a new way of thinking. This book was given to me by a close friend as a holiday gift. This was two years ago. Two hundred sixty-four pages of sheer writings regarding wealth and success in various aspects of people's lives. From wannabe actors to jewelry designers and from presidential politicians to working class individuals. This book is a tell all story written in a third-party-conversation-type of style. I believe my favorite part of this book are the quotes that begin each chapter. It really sets the tone in each segment.

Within the past two months I have developed a real appreciation for good reading material. It's been said that "learning never ends with school." I've always known this. I guess I just needed a reminder. Hill Harper has retaught this to me.

Funny thing, when I first received this book I attempted to read it then. I only reached the halfway mark before abandoning it for some unimportant and unmemorable reason. Not completing this book made me feel like a quitter. I couldn't stand having that feeling reside in me. December 26, 2016 I created a list of goals to complete in this year of 2017. One of them was to begin from the beginning of The Wealth Cure and finish reading this book within ten weeks. I completed it in seven.

I would really like to share with you everything I learned but if I do that there will be no reason for you to purchase this book for yourself.

Let me just say this, if you have interest in becoming wealthy, consider your health first. This book has taught me that in order to obtain true wealth I must first take care of my health. I do this and wealth is around the corner.

February Is Here. Let Us Make It A Good One.

Written by Allen Mark | February 1, 2017

Dr. Carter G. Woodson

Carter Godwin Woodson, CGW, was an African-American historian, author, journalist and the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.

 

Dr. CGW was a huge advocate for organizing the first recognition for Afro-Americans to Americans in America. This recognition became known as Black History Month. However, when presented the years prior to 1926, it was designed to be observed during the second week of February. It was to be known as Negro History Week.

The Springfield Sunday Union and Republican

February 10 1946

 

Who is Carter G. Woodson?

Like many African Americans living during his time, he was born of two parents who were once slaves. The year was 1875, December 19. As a young man he grew up in Kentucky while working as a coal miner. In 1896, CGW would enroll into high school at age 20. In just two years he would graduate and receive acceptance to attend Harvard University. While attending classes he would realize that there were absolutely no courses and zero mention of Afro-Americans in any of the school's history books. This struck him as unusual and unsettling. Post gradating with his PhD he would decide to become a historian and make his life's purpose to complete the goal in exposing and presenting Afro-Americans as a people with purpose and definition.

Approved

 

The year is now 1926 and the Negro History Week Program has been approved. Yes, this was ninety-one years ago. Initially CGW chose Negro History Week to be observed throughout the second week of February because during that week it features two great people in Black History. Greats such as Fredrick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. Fifty years later, beginning the 1st of February 1976, the second week for  recognizing Negro History Week expanded  to become observed throughout the full complete month of February. It would be renamed Black History Month.

 

Negro History Facts

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

For more facts on Dr. Carter G. Woodson

and the History of Black History Month,

click the links in Italic above and below.

 

Father of Black History

 

Remembering the Publisher of JET and Ebony

Written by Allen Mark | January 19, 2017

Remembering the Founder of Johnson Publishing Co. Inc., the man responsible for publishing powerful and empowering articles for Black readers of Jet and Ebony magazines.

Today, 99 years ago, was the birth of John H. Johnson in Arkansas City, AK. January 19, 1918. He was the son of Leroy, a sawmill worker and Gertrude, a stay at home mom. Also the grandson of former slaves. At 6, John would lose his father to a sawmill accident. Post his mother's grieving stage she would remarry.

Life grew difficult for the three of them living in AK. Between the stock market crash in '29 and there being no black high schools for John to transition into post middle school. There were little to no options. As oppose to becoming a dropout, John chose to repeat the 8th grade. This goes to show just how into education he was.

In the summer of 1933 Gertrude would travel to Chicago with her son to enjoy the World's Fair. She became so fond of the city and all of its culture, she decided to relocate. Later, her husband, John's stepfather, would follow his family and as "they" say, the rest is history.

Don't worry, I won't stop there.

Soon he would enroll into DuSable High School (an all-black school). Meanwhile his parents struggled to find work. In the meantime they were to apply for welfare. This worked out for 2 years. Until the stepfather would find work in WPA and John too would find part time work. In between his studies he worked for the National Youth Administration (NYA).

It was in high school where John would demonstrate leadership skills. He became student council president, editor of the school newspaper and class yearbook. Following his graduation in 1936 he would be offered a scholarship to U of Chicago. He didn't stay at university for long. His goal of completing became unreachable.

Skipping ahead to 1941 he would marry Eunice Walker. They had a child, Linda Johnson. Now, Linda Johnson Rice. In 1942 he would borrow $500 which he achieved by placing his mother's furniture up for collateral. Come June of the same year he would publish his first magazine. The black version of Reader's Digest, titled "Negro Digest" (ND). Inside ND there were articles and pictures featuring Black America in a much positive light.

courtesy of Culture Type

In 1945 John found interest in creating a magazine similar to that of Life. With its flashy printed covers. His wife would create the name Ebony. Its first issue would release in November of the same year.

courtesy of Re: Obama

In 1951, John would create Jet and 25 years later in 1976 the Negro Digest would print its final issue.

courtesy of Chicago Now

In 1982 he was featured in Forbes 400. This made him the African American to do so.

On August 8, 2005 John Harold Johnson would issue his final breath at age 87. Cause, heart failure. His legacy is survived by daughter Linda Johnson Rice as publisher of Johnson Publishing Co. Inc.

Jet magazine discontinued print in June 2014 and now can be found in digital. Ebony magazine is still in rotation and printing issues monthly.