Nicole C. Mullen On Encouraging Youth and Preview of a New Song
Nicole C. Mullen is one of my favorite artists; I love her music – the style, the grace and the “funkability” of genres she mixes together to create songs that worship the King.
I also love that Nicole C. Mullen is passionate about mentoring young people and encouraging them to grow and develop their talents. Years ago she founded the Baby Girl’s Club to mentor young women, and also Team NCM, a group of pre-teens and teens who travel around with her and minister through the arts. I think it is amazing that she is using her ministry to reach the next generation. Check out the video below:
Today I came across this video of a photo shoot she did recently for her upcoming album (yay, I am excited!).The song she sings in the video is beautiful, I’m already singing it in my head :). Hopefully I can make it to one of her events next year, maybe at a Women of Faith conference.
Nicole also recently did a down-to-earth live chat where she talks about her upcoming album, finding your purpose, beginning in music ministry and lots more:
Beyond Color: How Do Youth Perceive the World?
“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color…”
“It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” – Maya Angelou
One of the topics concerning youth I find myself often researching and learning about is identity, especially how young people view themselves and others. One area in particular is relating to race and ethnic background – how do young people see themselves and others? In my college “Women & Minorities in the Media” course I did a final paper on African American girls and how the media and role models in their lives affect the way they grow up and pursue careers.
Are we as adults and educators teaching children to see beyond color? Will the environment’s we live in and experiences we have had always have an effect on our world paradigm? Below are a few pieces and resources on this subject:
Colour Me – The Feature Film
Colour Me is a feature-length documentary film from Red Piano Productions following motivational speaker Anthony McLean and five youth on their journey to discover what it means “to be black”. McLean himself is biracial and talks about the struggles he felt growing up trying to find where he “fit in.” Watch this development reel from the documentary:
“A Girl Like Me” A Short Documentary Film by Kiri Davis
A few years back (then 17-year-old) Harlem student Kiri Davis recreated the famous doll experiment of the 1940’s by psychologist Dr. Kenneth Clark. Children were presented with dolls of different races to see how they responded to them. Kiri received recognition from various outlets for the film and was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show, bringing the subject to the forefront to be discussed – have perceptions changed? Click here to learn more about Kiri Davis on her website.
CNN Report: Black or White: Kids on Race (May 2010 – Click here for the full report)
CNN commissioned a study on children’s racial beliefs, attitudes and preferences that shows black and white children are biased toward lighter skin. The test aimed to re-create the landmark Doll Test from 1940s. The two girls at the end of the video have so much wisdom and see the reality that “you don’t judge someone by the way they look but by the way they act.” Though it was sad to see when some didn’t realize their worth, it’s refreshing to see that some really “get it”.
Dream in Soul – SOAR Young Artist Snapshots: Interview With Lauren & Lucas Gandy
On Dream in Soul I interviewed Lauren & Lucas, a sibling duo who post creative song covers on Youtube. I especially love their cover of Lecrae’s “Praying for You.” Check out the interview below:
On SOAR we feature young people (from those beginning their ministries to those more established) who are using their talents to bring glory to God. Check out our interview with brother/sister music duo Lauren & Lucas Gandy who began by posting creative videos on Youtube showcasing both their musical and production skills and their love for Jesus. By creating acoustic covers of songs by Christian artists, from Lecrae to Kirk Franklin and Skillet, Lauren and Lucas’ videos show you can have fun while bringing glory to God…
Dreamer ENT Updates: Advice for Youth from Alyson Stoner, Josh Shipp and Raymond Lei
Here are some recent posts from my youth website www.DreamerENT.com:
Interview: Alyson Stoner and Her Mom On Healthy Habits for Back to School
Today’s tweens and teens lead busy lives, especially with school starting back up again. Sometimes in the bustle between classes, homework and after school activities they may not take the time to practice healthy habits…
Read more of the Interview: Alyson Stoner and Her Mom On Healthy Habits for Back to School
Josh Shipp Launches The Teen’s Guide to World Domination
Youth motivational expert Josh Shipp has launched a new book for teens, The Teen’s Guide to World Domination: Advice on Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Awesomeness. The guide is full of humor and down-to-earth wisdom that helps teens improve their lives in every area – from relationships to dealing with hard times…
Read more of Josh Shipp Launches The Teen’s Guide to World Domination
Serving Up Style: Interview with Young Entrepreneur Raymond Lei Founder of ooShirts
Entrepreneurship is all about fitting your skills and creativity to serve the needs of those around you. 19-year-old Raymond Lei is doing just that as he helps people everywhere customize their style through his T-shirt company ooShirts.com.
The idea for ooShirts was sparked in 2006 when a group of Raymond’s classmates needed custom t-shirts for their school club, “Monta Vista Tennis Club.” Then a sophomore in high school, Raymond took up the task of finding a company to print their shirts. He looked through both local and online companies, only to discover time after time that the Tennis Club couldn’t afford to have its design printed.
Disappointed at the poor selection of affordable services, Raymond vowed to one day start a t-shirt company that saved its customers money. He gathered up $2000, began planning and in March of 2007 the first ooShirts website was launched. The site allows anyone to upload their own design, pick a shirt style and color and have their t-shirt printed and shipped. Ever since, Raymond has been serving up personalized style a tee at a time. Check out what he had to share with Dreamer ENT about being a young entrepreneur…
Read more of Serving Up Style: Interview with Young Entrepreneur Raymond Lei Founder of ooShirts
A Circumstance Away: Remember the Faces of Haiti – Photos From My Visit
Above: Two girls from the village of Bahaya in Haiti, one of the poorest areas that we were in, and where my mother and sister were born.
In July I journeyed to Haiti for the first time and was able to visit and meet family there in various cities (Port Au Prince, Forte Liberte, Cap Haitien and some others). The trip was bittersweet with joyful moments laughing and talking with aunts, uncles and loads of cousins (many loads), but also being reminded of the shaking of the earth a few months before in the faces of those who survived, and how so many were lost on the ground we walked on.
Seeing the country for the first time in my life was an eye-opener for me. In cracking walls I thought of the standing structure I call home in the U.S. In the children asking for loose change I thought of change that is often disregarded in many purses and pockets. In the kindness of the people and resilience in their eyes I realized how grateful I am to be alive.
It is so humbling to know that we each could be a few circumstances away from living eachother’s reality… If my mother had not come from Haiti to the United States 30 years ago, I would be living in much dire conditions and might even be standing in the place of one of the children I met. If such a disaster took place in the United States, who knows the consequences? God alone.
Let’s remember the faces of Haiti in praying and helping with the recovery and rebuilding of lives and homes; we would yearn the same compassion if we were in their place. In the same way, let’s show compassion to people who are less fortunate throughout the world – from those suffering as a result of the flood in Pakistan, to those still recovering from tragedies closer to home.
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.'” Matthew 25:40
Visit A Home in Haiti for information on how you can help build schools and orphanages in Haiti. Currently they are doing their first construction project – “the largest home and school for severely disabled orphans with cerebral palsy, autism, and more in all of Haiti.” Watch the video below chronicling some of their recent work:
Click here and see below to view more photos from my trip.
