2010 Census- Be Counted!

Yesterday I answered the call of our great President and filled out our census 2010 form. It had been sitting on the dining room table for about a week or two potentially getting lost in the growing Mt. Everest of mail. But before it got lost like so many pieces of mail including a set of replacement credit cards (yikes)… it was rescued. I got a Twitter reminder to fill out my form and my husband dropped a note too. Surprisingly the jazzy “we can’t move forward until you send it back” commercials (which I really do like... I sing that tune all the time) did not provide the reminders and motivation to move my butt. Before the reminder flew in one ear and out the other, I pulled out the form and got to writing. And after a short 5 minutes (if even that) I was finished. Easy breezy.

And it’s a good thing that I filled out the form when I did. April 1st is National Census Day and all forms need to be in. So if you haven’t filled out your form, use this post as a reminder to get it done TODAY. Heck, if you don’t get it done today… then it may be too late and you’ll need to be expecting a census worker at your doorstep to take your answers in person.

If you happen to be debating whether to participate in the census… don’t. Number one it is mandatory and required by law, punishable by a $5000 fine; and #2 it is important. Somewhere I ran past a headline that said something about why we should not fill out our census form. I’d love to give a perspective of that article, but I could not entertain it for even one second of my reading time. There is no question, we should all do it.

The census is a critical tool. We live in a time where information is king and the census provides invaluable information about the face of America and the many, many communities that make it great. Every person counted results in funding being allocated. Not being counted means dollars being distributed to other sources and with over $400 billion on the table, we all need to participate. In addition to funding allocation, the information collected is use to make decisions that affect our communities, our families, our soul babies. It is used for everything from state representation in the House of Representatives and community program funding to market research and corporate spending. It’s used to solve problems, allocate, forecast, plan and more.

Unfortunately, African Americans are one of the groups that are consistently undercounted in the census. Special efforts have been made to make improvements in 2010 census participation including outreach, advertising and partnerships. And there has been plenty of speaking out about the importance of the census in hopes to encourage increased participation.

Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League


I even found this hip hop video that I just had to share. Diggable Planets fans out there get ready for a melodic throw back.


Now if you are interested in knowing how your area is fairing with submission of census forms the census bureau has a tool for you. The participation map. I checked and, sadly, my area has only an 18% participation rate. We need to get on the stick! 

Lastly, I wanted to make one quick comment on the census form. Once you fill it out, or if you have already filled it out, you may notice that it still provides “Negro” in the “African American/Black” race description option. I have read that this is offensive to some, though not to me personally. Well, the Census Bureau still uses “Negro” because, believe it or not, there are still some people who identify themselves as “Negro.” Everyone’s not claiming Black or African American. Let’s think of our seniors. My great-grandmother identified herself as “Colored.” Think of the outrage if THAT was an option. But don’t complain or worry too much as it will probably be removed in the 2020 census.

Be counted!

For more information:
United States 2010 Census

Designing for Children: 5 Stress-Free Steps

By Kimberly Ward- Soul Mom Expert Panel

Designing a room for your child can be a fun, yet overwhelming task. Following a few simple steps can ensure that the process is both stress-free and enjoyable. Begin by choosing a theme or a color palette to lead the way. Encourage your child’s involvement throughout the process, and follow these 5 steps to create a room your little one will enjoy for years to come.

1. Establish your budget. Rooms for your children don't have to be expensive. They are a perfect place to do hands-on projects that can save you money. Plan to use art work and other projects in the decor of the room. Also, save money on projects that you can do together like decorating a lamp shade or creating beaded curtains.

2. Define your theme. This gives you a solid starting point. Develop a direction by looking in magazines and catalogues. My favorite place to get ideas is from the children themselves. Jot down several ideas with your little one to ensure that you are creating a space that is uniquely them.

3. Divide the room into zones. Functionality is very important. Children need space to sleep, play, store toys and create. As they get older they will also need adequate space to read and study. An added bonus to creating zones is that it conveys a sense of order when everything has a place.

4. Personalize the space. Blankets and toys are a welcomed addition to any child's room. By adding his or her favorite things it makes a new space seem familiar and more comfortable.

5. Help them love to share. In the case that children have to share a space, work with both children to ensure that their personality is represented in the space. I do recommend separate storage and closet space for a sense of privacy.

Happy decorating!

Proud of a recent decorating project for your kid? Describe it in a comment below. And if you send in a photo it might be featured in a future post!

For more great ideas on home design visit Kimberly's website: Pink Eggshell

Sesame Street Videos... with Soul

Sesame Street is wonderful... there is no doubt about it. Kids learn to read, counting, all about the world and they get to meet great characters like Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Oscar and Elmo to name just a few. It's something that I LOVE for my children to watch. A show that I grew up with and learned from and I want them to do the same.

And what's really neat are all the celebrity cameos on Sesame Street. I think that it is hilarious to watch these actors, singers, politicians, etc. sit there and talk to puppets. Classic! Over time there have been some wonderful guests on Sesame Street, including many African Americans.

I have searched You Tube and found some wonderful soulful Sesame Street videos. If you follow me on Twitter or are The Soul Mom's Facebook fan, then you've gotten a few very soulful Sesame Street videos lately. Maybe Stevie Wonder or Lena Horne. Some very classic, some vintage, but all incredible videos of African Americans on Sesame Street and I wanted to share a few today.

Stevie Wonder... hands down my favorite!


Lena Horne and Grover


BB King


Our First Lady, Michelle Obama


Alicia Keys and Elmo


India Arie The best ABC rendition


John Legend and Hoots


So those were just a few... I hope that you enjoyed the videos. Now if you want more, please visit my You Tube channel and check my favorites, there are quite a few videos there... Patti LaBelle, Whoopi Golberg, Jamie Foxx, Destiny's Child, Ray Charles and more.

Enjoy!

TV Kids Characters Represent with Soul- African American Kids TV Characters

I’ve done a post, or two, recently about the Princess and the Frog and our first African American Disney Princess Tiana. Obviously excited about that. Well… that has got me thinking about our other African American kids TV characters. Those little ladies and guys that represent for African Americans just like Tiana. Those characters that stand among the White, or multicultural, bunch to provide a point of reference for little soul kids so that they, too, can relate to what they see on TV.

Relating is critical, which is why I make sure that my daughters have a good selection of Black dolls and toys. So, if there are African American kids TV characters out there I want to make sure that I know about them and what merchandise is available so we can support those characters that are there for us.

Below are four (among the many) soul characters that have touched our life in some form or fashion.

Orange Blossom

Orange Blossom has been filling the air with a hint of fresh citrus scent for quite a while, since 1979 to be exact. She is a trusted and true friend of Strawberry Shortcake and comes in all sorts of merchandise. We have a super cute little plush that, unfortunately, gets little love (I think that she lost her pants), but it makes me feel good just to know that we own her. Funny thing, I don’t even remember Orange Blossom growing up… I was a huge fan of Strawberry Shortcake, but now I am older and know better so Orange Blossom… we’re here for you. Here are some interesting tidbits… her pet is Marmalade the Butterfly and she first met Strawberry Shortcake in Big Apple City where she was an urban artist.

Iridessa

Iridessa is a super cutie. I first saw Iridessa in the 2008 Tinker Bell computer-animated film, which we own by the way, and just fell in love. We don’t own any merchandise, so shame on me for that, but we do watch the movie all the time. Here are some interesting tidbits… She is a friend of Tinker Bell, a perfectionist, a light fairy and you just have to love a girl who can sport a sunflower seed on her dress.

Princess Presto

Princess Presto brings the brains to the bunch. I really liked her when I saw her on Super Why, a show that both my daughter and I love. All the characters have powers and Presto's is spelling power. She has the cutest “I love to spell” song that my daughter picked up lickety split. For Christmas Santa left a Princess Presto doll under the tree and I don’t think that I have seen that doll ever since. Don’t worry Princess Presto, we’ll find you and do right by you. Here are some interesting tidbits… She is the daughter of Prince Charming and Princess Priscilla (of Princess and the Pea), has a magic spelling wand, travels in high style (a glittery, sparkly, rhinestone coach) and hangs out with royalty (Tiana’s friends Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty).

Quincy
Last, but not least, I had to throw in a boy for good measure. Quincy hangs out with the brainy crew, the Little Einsteins. This used to be one of my daughter’s favorite shows before I started pushing Super Why and Word World to help with reading readiness. Quincy is cute and smart and sad to say that we don’t own one Quincy toy, doll or game. Not even a coloring page. But fear not, there’s always tomorrow. Here are some interesting tidbits…Quincy is 5-years-old, loves to play every musical instrument (his favorite is the trumpet) and he is the only little Einstein that is afraid of the dark.

So after the Tiana dust settles, I’ll bring back the other soul characters to front and center in my house and I encourage you to do the same. These little African American kids TV characters help our children relate and see themselves on the screen, and that's important. To help out in that effort I have added Orange Blossom, Iridessa, Princess Presto and Quincy merchandise to my Soul Mom Bookstore.

Enjoy!

Princess and Frog DVD...Every House Should Have One

So it is finally here. Tomorrow the Disney Princess and the Frog DVD will be available for sale. No more bootlegs with laughing in the back, dark images and a constantly shifting screen... you can get the real deal. My daughter will be getting her DVD as a birthday gift from her an auntie and even though I do not have ESP (no Miss Cleo in my blood line), I can predict that it will be getting a lot of play.

My four-year-old is in love with Princess Tiana, just like a lot of other little soul girls. And when she loves something she dives right in and immerses herself in it. If it's a book, we read it every day (sometimes multiple times a day), she eventually memorizes it and then she'll read it back to us. If it is a movie, she watches it over and over and over until she can recite the movie (at least her favorite parts) and sing ALL of the songs. So I have this feeling that the Princess and the Frog DVD will cast a little New Orleans voodoo on my little princess and keep her in a trance.



Just last week I wrote about her Princess Tiana birthday cake, so I won't revisit my feelings on Tiana and how great it is to have a black Disney princess. I think that you already know that. I'll just say that I am glad to add this DVD to our collection. Long awaited, long overdue.

In honor of the DVD release, I have added a new Princess Tiana section to my Soul Mom Bookstore. There are over 180 Princess Tiana items for your little princess. Everything from books, sunglasses, watches, video games, umbrellas, party supplies, band aids, bedding, shoes, dolls... you get the picture. You name it, it's there, so take a peek and add a few more items to your princess Tiana collection.

Enjoy!

Infant Mortality: Tonya Lewis Lee "Crisis in the Crib"...Saving Our Soul Babies

Unfortunately, we African Americans are at a disadvantage when it comes to a number of health issues… diabetes, asthma, obesity, high blood pressure and the list goes on. Infant mortality (death of a child before the age of one) is another one of those health issues. In fact, African Americans have the highest infant mortality rate, 2.3 times that of non-Hispanic Whites and African Americans are 4 times as likely to die from complications related to low birth weight (compared to non-Hispanic Whites). And when I think of my friends (and friends of friends) who lost their little ones before they could laugh their first laugh, cut their first tooth, say their first word or walk their first step, my heart breaks and I hold my little girls that much tighter.

So when I ran past this article about “Crisis in the Crib: Saving Our Nation’s Babies”, I just had to share. Luckily, somebody is trying to do something about this unfortunate reality and soul mommy blogger Nikki of the mommyfactor is sharing the good news. Thank you Nikki for sharing.

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Guest Contributor Nikki of the mommyfactor

I was recently invited by Kimberly Seals Allers to attend a screening of the Crisis in the Crib: Saving Our Nation's Babies, a documentary by Tonya Lewis Lee focusing on maternal and infant health in the African American community.

I joined Women's eNews, Tonya Lewis Lee, Carol Jenkins and many other African American women community advocates to celebrate the second year of the Black Maternal Health: A Legacy and A Future project with this screening. After the screening a powerful and encouraging discussion of the maternal health of African American women filled the room.

"The infant mortality rate is a marker for the health of a nation, and I know that all of those babies lost to infant mortality are important resources lost to us all." said Lee, a spokesperson for the Office of Minority Health's "A Healthy Baby Begins With You" campaign since 2007.

"When I realized that the World Health Organization ranked the United States 29th in the world in infant mortality I had to become involved," said Lee. "American children are dying at the rate of third world countries. It's a shame and it doesn't have to be that way if we educate the public on the problem and begin to work on eradicating some of the causes."

While the film focus on the African American community, where the rate of maternal and infant mortality is twice as high compared to the general population, this crisis is really one that affects ALL mothers and communities within the United States. You can watch the 30-minute documentary online and also see video from the screening at Women's eNews.


For more information: Office of Minority Health - Crisis in the Crib http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/templates/content.aspx?ID=8142&lvl=2&lvlID

For more information on the Healthy Baby Begins with You campaign please visit the Office of Minority Health: http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/templates/browse.aspx?lvl=2&lvlID=117

Princess Tiana Birthday Love & Party Ideas

Today is a very special day… my daughter’s 4th birthday. We’re not doing a big celebration (we’re saving up for the big 5), but we are going to have cake. A princess Tiana cake.

Like a ton of little girls out there, my daughter is up to her ears in Princess Tiana. She has Tiana Barbie, book pillow, story books, a pair of shoes, t-shirt, magnet… you get the picture. She saw the movie, she knows the story. She tells me that "her” baby is named Tiana…. how cute. So, I just had to make a Tiana cake for her.

And I have to say that it really feels good to see my child adore a Black princess. Whether we Black moms like it or not, our daughters will love the milky-skinned Snow White, Belle, Ariel, Aurora and Cinderella. They will drool over the princess dolls, they will beg for princess toys and they will transform into Snow White, Belle, Ariel, Aurora or Cinderella right before our eyes in their princess dress up kits. And you can’t be mad because you see the joy in their eyes. You only wish, and pray, that they do not view those princesses as the standard of beauty because it is long and far away from their beautiful brown skin.

Then Tiana came along and added a little more color (let’s not forget Mulan, Jasmine and Pocahontas) to the Disney princess pack. Now all little girls have a Black princess to adore, to droll over, to beg for and to transform into. More importantly, our little Black girls, our soul girls, have a soulful Disney princess to look to as a vision of beauty. In Tiana, they can see themselves, their mom, their aunts, their grandma… all the Black women that they know, love and admire. Doesn't that feel good?

And as birthdays roll around… like my little girl’s today, Tiana is front and center. She is the star at birthday parties all over and like everything in this world; some people do it better than others. If you’re planning a Tiana party for your little girl here are 5 ideas on how to have a fabulous Tiana party that is guaranteed to be the bees knees:

1- Location, location, location- To set the scene for an awesome party there is no better place than “Tiana’s Place.” Decorate the party location to look like an upscale New Orleans restaurant. Use images from the movie as inspiration and guidance. You don’t have to break the bank. Buying some fabric and dressing tables can make a big difference.

2- It’s all about the games- Put a Princess and the Frog twist on all of your games. One example- instead of playing pin the tail on the donkey… play pin the kiss on Naveen. Find an image of frog Naveen, blow it up, print it and paste it to a wall. Find a clip art image of lips and print out enough for all anticipated kids.

3- Tiana, you made it!- Have Tiana make a guest appearance. A friend should dress up like Tiana (a green formal dress would work great) and come to the party (teens are good for this task). Have her interact with all the kids, giving hugs and saying hi. Set up an area where each child can take a photo with Tiana. Use a digital camera and post the photos online (flickr works great) after the party for parents to download. You can even set up the online location before hand and include the web address in your goody bags.

4- Please the tummy- When determining food for your party, think New Orleans to spice it up. You don’t have to cook a jumbo pot of gumbo (although that would be nice), a simple side of red beans and rice might do the trick. And you just have to have some “man-getting beignets."

5- Music please- Every party needs tunes to keep it lively. Pick up a copy of the Princess and the Frog soundtrack to play during the party. Use it for background, for a game of musical chairs or even for a sing-a-long.

Have Fun!

Soulful Play Kitchen for Your Little Girl

By Kimberly Ward- Soul Mom Expert Panel

I often joke with my friends and clients about being born to decorate. As far back as I can remember, I've loved all things home making. I got it naturally from the soul women of the house. Somehow they were able to find a place for everything and everybody. My mother taught me how to sew and my grandmother how to make bath soap and quilts. I learned how to work in the garden and most importantly, how to cherish our home as a living part of our lives. My grandmother took great pride in her home. "You never know where life will take you," she'd say. “Just do your best to make a spot for you and your family. When the world gets cold, you'll need a warm place to come to.” Growing up, I used every opportunity to ask for gifts that were creative and home related. Like many of you, I baked for hours in my Easy-Bake Oven. I even got a clay pottery set and learned to make cups, bowls and vases for Christmas one year. It all seems funny now, how all those small things led to my career as an Interior Designer.

When I saw this retro kitchen set at Pottery Barn Kids today, it instantly took me back to my childhood and all the warm memories made with the women of my family. I thought " how fun." I could just imagine the days that I would have lost in my room if I had this when I was growing up… making pretend sweet potato pies and chocolate cake!

I just love how the appliances and cabinetry look so real.

The timer on the stove actually works! And the salt and pepper shakers are removable. You absolutely have to get this for your little girls to help make sweet soulful childhood memories. I know that I am.

For more great ideas on home design visit Kimberly's website: Pink Eggshell

Dishes sold separately.

Stronger African American Readers

I am happily welcoming March. Winter is approaching its end and like a preteen girl anticipating her first smooch, I am eagerly waiting for the sweet kiss of spring. But March has more than just warmer weather to celebrate, it’s Women’s history month- a time when everyone recognizes the strength and contributions of girl power. And, tomorrow, March 2nd, is Read Across America, which has got me thinking.

Read Across America is a reading awareness program developed by the National Education Association. Its purpose is to motivate children across the country to read in an effort to make better readers and, ultimately, better students.

And our African American children… not all, but some, need the motivation. I did a little research and found that, according to the Nation’s Report Card, African American children scored 27 points (on a 500 point scale) less than their White counterparts in reading. Even when income was considered, there was still a gap. Bad news.

Now some good news- somebody is trying to do something about it. This gap was enough motivation for the National Black Child Development Institute to convene a group of scholars to analyze the reading gap as part of their Love to Read, national childhood literacy public education program. This scholarly research produced a report, “Love To Read: Essays in Developing and Enhancing Early Literacy Skills of African American Children.”

There were two findings from this report that I’d like to share today. (1) Language begins to emerge during infancy. It is within the home and family environment where children should learn many, many new words from their parents/caregivers. And (2) The books read to children are most effective when they mirror their culture. High quality reading instruction and a cultural approach is key to building strong literacy skills.

With that in mind, I created The Soul Mom Bookstore, a collection of hand-selected books that reflect African American culture. There are nearly 120 books for soul kids, that feature brown faces and situations that our kids can relate to. I also have books on raising African American kids, books on pregnancy and babies (especially for African American moms and moms-to-be) and resources on history and heritage. And the bookstore is growing every day. Stop by the bookstore and see if there is some soulful reading that can be added to your library. It can help your child develop stronger literacy skills...now that's very good news.

So tomorrow for Read Across America, and every day, take the time to read books to your children so they can grow up as strong readers. Find books that educate, entertain and motivate. Books that teach new things, explore current interests and that reflect their culture. Good luck and happy reading.

Sources:
Read Across America
The Nation's Report Card
National Black Child Development Institute