To and Fro'

To and Fro' is about my on and off again natural hair journey.

Being natural meant that I was embracing my identity as an African American woman. In 2007, I was studying undergrad at the University of Central Florida taking courses on African American Studies and Feminism. My new found knowledge led to taking the big chop - cutting all my perm hair and going natural. Throughout high school, the only concept of slavery I learned was a white and black concept. It wasn't until I was in a African American Studies college course that I learned that African tribes were selling each other into slavery. I was angry and shocked. My poetry reflected the feelings I was going through at that time.

Excerpt from my poem titled "Jihadist":

"No longer do I wear the veil
or the invisible cloak.
The shadow of double consciousness
doesn’t accompany me. I uprooted myself,
tended to the fields, and planted seeds in afrocentricity."

I am somewhat of a feminist. Feminism was another reason why I decided to go natural. Bell Hooks is my favorite feminist. I was actually trying to join a sorority in search of sisterhood and unity. However, I learned that I didn't need to join any group in order to support other women. Besides the whole application process was a competition among applicants.

In Feminist Theories Hooks' states "When women come together, rather than pretend union, we would acknowledge that we are divided and must develop strategies to overcome fears, prejudices, resentments and competitiveness."
I was natural for a year before I decided to get a perm again. I had my hair stylist comb out my afro' and I didn't like what I saw in the mirror! My afro' was as tall as Don King's afro'. Not to mention I didn't comb my afro' that first year at all. (Don't judge me!) By this time, hair was just hair.

October 2010, I decided to go natural again. This time around, I combed my hair and actually styled it too. I've educated myself via YouTube videos on natural hair styles. I actively ask women, who are natural for advice on products and hair styles. Sometimes I think about going back to perms. Then I think about all the compliments I get on my afro'. I feel good when I see another African American woman with natural hair. She's embracing her identity.

This weekend, an African American man asked me how long I've been natural. I informed him this was my second time and second year being natural. He responded, "I wish more women would do that."

Me too.

The Power of a Tweet!

Social media is prevalent in our society. It is the way we communicate, engage and interact with friends, colleagues and strangers. It's a networking tool for recent graduates and business professionals.

The simple use of a hashtag can be a lead to specific jobs in a particular field. For example,  #HAPPO stands for Helping A PR Professional Out. Hashtags are used for different chats ranging from TV shows, movies, music, marketing and events. People tweet throughout the day; while they eat, sleep, drink - and drive. That's scary but it's true.

I don't think I need to explain the basics of Twitter further. We all have been there and tweeted that.

I want to discuss the power of a tweet. Tweets have tremendous power and influence. Think about about the latest news article you read because of a simple tweet. Most of the time, Twitter plays a major influence on the new information we learn about different individuals, organizations, and companies. I learned about the Jacksonville Public Education Fund (@JaxPEF) from a simple tweet. That tweet lead to my current internship. The power of a tweet. Of course, I emailed the right person of contact and was scheduled an interview.

Even politicians such as Mayor Alvin Brown of Jacksonville, Florida understands and knows the power of a tweet. I checked into the Jacksonville Children's Commission via Foursquare and shouted "Mentor Training!" If you don't know about Foursquare, you deserve a badge of shame. #Imjustsaying. An hour or so later... @MayorAlvinBrown responds stating "Thanks for mentoring! That's awesome!" Once again, the power of a tweet.

Check back for Twitter screen shots!

Follow me @AletaTurner 
Most of the times, I'm tweeting about everything under the sun in 140 characters or less.

Be happy. Tweet happy. 

Nonprofits: One on One

I'm currently interning with a local nonprofit organization called the Jacksonville Public Education Fund! I am working on the ONE by ONE campaign. Visit www.onebyonejax.org for more information. I'm learning about nonprofit organizations on a daily basis as an intern and academically.

I've enrolled in a graduate online certificate program for nonprofit management with the University of Central Florida. I'm currently reading about nonprofit boards, their roles and responsibilities. If you go look at any nonprofit organization's board, you will more than likely find someone else who is involved with another nonprofit organization. It's all about forming networks, collaborations, partnerships, exchanging information and sharing resources.

My long-term goal is to continue my graduate work, get involved with various organizations and network in the Jacksonville community. I hope to begin a career in the nonprofit sector.

NY State of Mind

"New York sits bold and beautiful, brash and bounteous, a Big Apple, representing the best the country and people have to offer. Never has there been a city like it, now will there be again... it's a city of achievers, often beset by adversity, but never bested by circumstances." - John Clementis

This is a quote from a large poster of New York City that I hung up in my college apartment. It's leaning against the wall now with red and black ink marks scattered on the gray clouds. My two year old son, Zion wanted to leave his mark on the city.

It's a quote about life. Never let adversity or your circumstances keep you from you prevailing.

Keep a NY State of Mind!

23YO Mentee

I've joined IMPACTjax and was accepted into their mentoring program. In high school, I mentored 9th graders for the FCAT. Now, I'm getting mentored by the CEO and President of a marketing company. I've learned that you're never too old to learn. I'm excited about receiving professional advice and learning about invaluable resources.

The saying, "It's not what you know, it's who you know" isn't necessarily true anymore. Tonight I learned a new saying from my mentor, "It's not who you know, it's who knows you!"

With that being said, "Who wants my business card!"