“Informing the Young Professional”

HISTORY IN THE MAKINGInauguration 2009by Kyisha Brooks and Daniella Johnson

“Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther could walk, Martin Luther walked so Barack Obama could run, Barack Obama ran so all our chil-dren could fly. So I’m a spread my wings, you could meet me in the sky.” — Record producer/rapper Jay-Z

Inauguration 2009 was more than just one histor-ical moment. Despite the freezing temperatures, tourists attended parties, visited the National Mall, connected with friends and family, and soaked in the excitement of the occasion. For the entire weekend, hundreds of thousands of people crowded the streets of Washington, D.C. to cel-ebrate Barack Obama becoming the 44th Presi-dent of the United States of America.

The goal was to take advantage of the events in the area. “I connected with fellow Urban League Young Professionals who hosted a great party in downtown D.C., attended political network-ing events and also ran into Martin Luther King Jr. III on the National Mall,” recalled NYULYP member Daniella Johnson. “The best part of the trip was randomly meeting people who would tell me their stories – how they made it to D.C., how they supported Obama and how happy they were to be there.”

In the blistering cold, the crowd began to form in front of the capital at 3:00 a.m. on January 20th. Each individual anticipated getting close enough to see the inauguration of the first African Ameri-can President of the United States of America. Around 10:00 a.m., as members of congress and inaugural guests were announced, the crowd cheered and chanted “OBAMA!” When former President George W. Bush was announced the crowd booed in disgust and anguish. One voice shouted, “Let’s focus on the future, he’s out of here.”

As Barack Obama recited the words every president says when sworn–in, the crowd was completely silent, the older generation in tears, the younger generation in awe. It was a ground breaking moment in history.

After listening to President Obama’s speech, the older generation sang gospel hymns, praising God for the wonderful moment in time. As the crowd walked away from the capital, with legs sore from hours of standing, “the moment” was carried on toward the train stations and beyond. All that can be said is, “YES WE CAN.”

www.nyul.org/nyulyp Volume II, Issue 3 Winter 2009

Inside This Issue:

InauguratIon 2009 Front Page tax advIce 3InaguratIon ‘09: Where Were you? 5February general body MeetIng 622nd annual hbcu FaIr 6Photos: yP holIday Party ‘08 7Father’s heart souP KItchen 8

blacK KKK 8PPd serIes II: ProPosal WrItIng 8the value oF MeMbershIP 8

In Every Issue:President’s Message 2MeMber sPotlight 3

Career adviCe 4reCiPe Corner 5YP snaPshots 9YP ChaPters

nationwide 10UPCoMing events 11Meet the board 11

continued on page 5

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PRESIdENT’SMESSAGE

NYULYP Family,

I realized today that I have been involved with YP for over five years. I joined to be a part of a service organization with a history of legislative change. My very first event as a member was the New York Cares Day where we partnered with Urban Financial Services Coalition to paint a school in Bushwick. The people that I met that day are still some of my closest friends.

The types of individuals that are drawn to this organization tend to be thinkers and do-ers. We all want to work towards prepping ourselves to take leadership roles and creating a sense of empowerment in our communities. We will absolutely butt heads in this process. We will unequivocally disagree at times. But like any family, we will come to a resolution and move on towards the greater good. The Urban League movement builds a sense of camaraderie and kinship with its members.

To that end, I urge all of you to try to attend the National Urban League Conference this year in Chicago in July. Conference allows you to gain a macro view of the work that we do and you will see how our family extends all over this country. It is truly the best way to gain an understanding of the organization as a whole, and it allows you to meet and interact with people that you would not have come into contact with in your every day life.

I renew my membership every year because I have found a network of like-minded, progressive, positive young people with whom to share experiences in YP. I hope that you, like me, have made friends for life

Yours in the Movement,Quiviya EldridgePresident

Editor-In-ChiefAlthea Kitchens

Managing Editor

Tameka Curwen

Asst. Managing EditorJazmin Haygood

Copy EditorTealeda Nesbitt

ContributorsSabrina Gates

Daniella JohnsonSidney B. Joyner

Neferkaari MitchellTealeda NesbittKimberly ParrisNechari Riley

Temitayo ShajuyibgeAisha TaylorO.B. Wilson

Want to write for The Griot? E-mail TheGriot@nyul.org

Executive Board

Quiviya Eldridge, PresidentYPPresident@nyul.org

Monique Myles, Vice PresidentYPVicePresident@nyul.org

Greg Scott, TreasurerYPTreasurer@nyul.org

Raniece Medley, SecretaryYPSecretary@nyul.org

Sidney Joyner,

Civics & Economics ChairYPCivicsEcon@nyul.org

Althea Kitchens, Communications Chair

YPCommunications@nyul.org

Rahshib Thomas, Community Service ChairYPCommunity@nyul.org

J. Maurice Pearsall, Fund Development Chair

YPFundDev@nyul.org

Kameelah Dixon, Membership Chair

YPMembership@nyul.org

3

It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year! by Sidney B. Joyner Yes, my fellow young professionals, it is tax time. The beginning of every year represents an emotional time of renewal and financial obligations relating to filing your tax return.

Which emotion you feel depends upon which way the pendulum swings. On one end we have submitting a tax return for a refund and at the opposite end we have filing a tax return where you owe the I.R.S., somewhere in between we have not filing a return at all and other indiscretions.

I know the readers of The GRIOT newsletter are prudent professionals who are on top of their tax status. Of course they are! For

those readers with some lingering questions, I hope to be of assistance. Whether you have an accountant, tax preparer or other professional handling your taxes, be mindful of the importance of quality work.

The chosen entity to handle should be thought of as someone vital to your wealth building team. This person should be a phone call away to help with any major financial decision you make, not a once a year

transactional exchange. The relationship you have with this person should grow as you and your financial interests grow.

Be aware, the fees charged by professionals filing tax returns on your behalf range depending on experience and certifications/licenses held. This range covers the friendly store owner

to a certified public accountant.

The important aspects are knowledge, relationship shared and efficiency. Use

common sense and a strong referral system. Remember just because someone promises

all the deductions and perks do not mean it’s legal and true. Take care and stay on

point.

Visual Merchandise Manager at Big M • Inc., Mandee, Annie Sez and Afaze.Studied Apparel Textile Design and • is currently studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Menzie’s goal is be more familiar with computer-aided design applications.Menzie is currently working on a hair • accessories line which will soon launch online.Why join YP? “I thought it would be a • great opportunity to meet new people and serve the community at the same time.” Fun fact – Menzie spends her week-• ends behind the sewing machine or making sketches on her computer.

Project/Account Manager at a NYC • government agency, Human Resources Administration, which helps people on public assistance attain jobs.Ward earned his Master’s in Public Ad-• ministration and Bachelor’s in Political Science at Binghamton University.Why join YP? “I joined YP to meet • like-minded people that believe in doing something special in the community.”Ward is an entrepreneur; he manages • four up-and-coming rappers and R&B singers. He also owns a consulting firm that handles PR and business development for businesses and non-profits.Fun fact – Ward likes taking pictures • on red carpets and playing Guitar Hero in his free time, He has also found a new love for karaoke.

Account Manager who attended the • Fashion Institute of Technology.Member of the Brooklyn NAACP.• Now the Co-chair of the Civics & • Economics Committee, Leid joined YP to network with other young professionals and give back to her community.Favorite YP moment? Voter • Registration Drive “I had a great time and was happy to see people eager to register to vote.”Fun fact – Leid loves watching and • reading about home decorating. “I am a HGTV girl!”

Mem

ber

Sp

otl

igh

t:

Toya Menzie Jemar Ward Lisa Leid

(compiled by Daniella Johnson)

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Some Americans may believe that when they do not have a job they should return to academia. Academia is the safe place to go because one can increase there knowledge in a particular field. This used to be a good idea. But in the last few years tuition has

been on a rise and salaries are not catching up.

In the biennial report from the National Center for Public Poli-cy and Higher Education, it was found that college tuition and fees have increased 439 percent

since 1982. However, the median income for a family only rose 147 percent. This shows

that incomes are not in-creasing at rates that

will aide individuals in going to college.

Now that there is a recession, the disparity between the rise in tuition and income will be even greater. For the average

young professional

this will force an increase in debt, and for the aver-age family that wishes to send their child to college could mean that it may not be financially attainable. For some prospective students, attending a community col-lege would be the fall back plan. However, the cost of community college tuition has risen by 49% based upon the income of the poorest families median income in 2007, further proving that college is becoming less at-tainable due to the rise in tuition and fees with respect to income.

Income plays a role in attending college; it determines financial aid and scholarship opportuni-ties. Despite the current eco-nomic situation, going to college

should be the next step once one is dismissed from a position.

Educating oneself will leverage Americans within their own soci-ety as well as globally. Thus, al-lowing Americans to continue to lead the world academically.

“I’ve been trying to advance in my career, but it seems like my Bachelor’s degree doesn’t mean a thing. What can I do to advance in my career without pursuing a graduate degree? Or, is grad school my only option?” - Bachelor’s Not Enough

More and more college graduates are finding that their Bachelor’s degrees are proving to become less valuable over time. This is why more and more undergraduate students are choosing to pursue graduate degrees rather than entering the job market right after graduation. These desperate economic times are making grad school a more attractive option, providing the hope that a graduate degree will ensure a better job and a better career.

While it may seem that you’ve hit a dead end in your career, graduate school is never the only option. There are other avenues to pursue when graduate school is not your path of choice. Experience and education are always your best selling points. Consider gaining additional experience by volunteering with other agencies or non-profits related to your field. The additional experience will make you more attractive to potential employers.

Also, look into promotional job opportunities with your current employer. Your current employer may be more likely to offer you a promotion based on experience and knowledge of their culture rather than on the advanced degree of an outsider.

Ultimately, if significant advancement in your field is only attainable by earning a graduate degree, make a plan! Begin to research schools and programs which are conducive to both your schedule and your budget. If necessary, start off slowly by taking one class at a time. No matter how long it takes, when you’re done you’ll be a more qualified professional…and that’s always a good thing!

Send your career questions to thegriot@nyul.org.

Aisha M. Taylor, MPA is the Owner and Chief Consultant of TAYLORmade

~ Professional Career Consulting (www.careertaylormade.com).~

Get TAYLORmade — Bachelor’s degree Blues

No Jo b? Th e N Go bac k To Sc h o o lby Kyisha Brooks

5

Engulfed in a sea of onlookers desperate to own a moment in history I watched the inauguration of Barack Obama in a Best Buy in a small New Jersey town . The surround sound from the Home Theatre blared praises and screams elating customers as if we were sharing the experience on the capital lawn with the Obama’s and fellow dignitaries. After the new president was sworn in an overwhelming silence filled the shopping center as many people anticipated a new chapter in America.

—Neferkaari Mitchell

After going through hurdles and barracades, we made it to the Mall at exactly 11:25am. It was a great and glorious feeling to see the millions of people there and to see the screens and hear the loudspeakers. All the people around me where happy, solemn and some were crying. Suddenly he was sworn in and we all cheered. We were all touched and elated to be part of this blessing in the U.S.A. President Barak Obama...Amen, Amen, Amen. May God guide you to success and strength.

—O.B. Wilson

Unfortunately, I was unable to make it to the lawn but my boyfriend and I were lucky to make it inside a nearby restaurant that had the inauguration ceremony playing on multiple tvs. The energy was crazy, both inside & outside. People were peering in the window just trying to get a look at our new president getting sworn in! A few people stood up during the prayers and for the singing of the national anthem.

As Barack Obama was getting sworn in, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. But once he was officially made president, everyone started clapping, hugging each other, and you could feel- if just for a moment- that we were all united for a great cause and a historic moment.

—Nicole McGarrell

I was standing on the lawn during the inauguration thinking my feet had become frost bitten. I was looking for the Red Cross for assistant...lol... A young white teenager and a young black teenager help wrap a small blanket around me that I received from

the Red Cross. After the swearing in I took pictures, listened to the older women sing gospel songs and then waited 45 minutes to enter the metro...

—Kyisha Brooks

After flip flopping, I decided to make arrangements a week before the inauguration to go to DC. However, around that same time, I become progressively ill with a sinus infection. The highlight of the ceremony for me was getting out of bed and standing to watch Barack Hussein Obama sworn-in as the 44th President of the United States.

—Tealeda Nesbitt

On Inauguration Day, I woke up early and stood on the outside perimeter of the National Mall. With millions of people, I watched President Obama get sworn-in on a TV screen. Everyone around me cheered and cried throughout the whole ceremony. It was the icing on the cake to a great weekend.

—Daniella Johnson

Where Were You DuriNG The iNauGuraTioN?

Recipe Cornerby Chef Parris

have a sweetness that is unsur-passed) and trim off the bulb ends. Slice the onion in half lengthwise and slice the onion in half. Set aside.

With a large red pepper, cut off the bottom and top and de seed. Juli-enne and set aside as well. Take the time now to drain your cabbage!

In a large sauté pan on medium high heat, pour ¼ cup olive oil to heat. When the oil ripples but is not smoking, add the sliced onions and julienned red peppers. Sauté until the onion begins to look translucent. Add drained (please, unless you want to burn yourself, drain the cabbage =) cabbage to the onions and peppers.

Toss to coat, and let cook for five minutes more. Drizzle with ¼ cup of rice wine or white wine vinegar, and toss to coat. Cover and set aside until ready.

To make the Smashed Sweet Potatoes:

Peel and cube 4 medium sized

sweet potatoes. Place cut potatoes in cold water to cover with salt. Boil potatoes until fork tender. Drain well. To sweet potatoes, add ¼ cup half & half, 1/8 teaspoon each of ground cinnamon and ground ginger, 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar a sprinkle of salt and white pepper to taste, and 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter. (If your butter is salted, omit the salt sprinkle.) Smash together with po-tato masher or fork until combined. Set aside until ready.

To cook the Jerk Pork Chop:

In a hot sauté pan, add ¼ cup olive oil. Place pork chops gently in hot pan and sear on both sides to achieve a nice brown color. Transfer to a foil covered sheet pan and place in a pre-heated 375 degree oven for 15 minutes or until cooked through. With the remaining marinade, place in a sauce pan and reduce by ½. To this mixture, add ½ cup honey and ¼ cup brown sugar. Cook until glaze is formed. Baste meat with glaze and put under the broiler for 2 minutes. Heat up your other sides and enjoy!!

Glazed Jerk Pork Chop with Sautéed Cabbage & Smashed Sweet Potato

To make the Glazed Jerk Pork Chop:

Rub 4 center cut pork chops, bone in (rib-eye steaks or chicken breasts may also be substituted for pork chops) with the following spice mix:

2 teaspoons allspice• 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme• 3 teaspoons packed brown • sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon• 1 teaspoon paprika• 2 teaspoons grated nutmeg• 2 teaspoons ground ginger• 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper• 1 teaspoon ground thyme• 1• 1/2 teaspoons ground habanero

chile pepper1• 1/2 teaspoons salt1• 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper

Douse with ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce & ¼ cup soy sauce & place in Ziploc bag to marinate for two hours. Be sure to refrigerate while marinating.

While waiting on the pork to marinate, prepare your cabbage for sautéing.

To make the Sautéed Cabbage:

With a head of cabbage, slice the head in half and remove the meaty core in the middle. Placing the halves flat side down, slice each half down the middle. With each quarter, slice on an angle so that each row of cab-bage is in julienned slivers. Rinse. Fill a large pot one third of the way full with cold water. Season with salt and chicken bouillon for flavor. Add the sliced cabbage to the pot of water and place on the stove on medium low heat until the cabbage is soft but not mushy, about 15 – 20 minutes.Take a Vidalia onion (a regular Span-ish onion will do, but Vidalia onions

6

A NEW HORIzON

We welcome the new day, one of spirit and sunshine

A moment when all our lives will be cool and fine

Enjoying each day, one after the next

When life does not have to be hard or too complex

As our spirits arise and we are happy to see

A new vibration of our society

Where we encourage and support a different day

For us all to move forward, we do pray

Waking up to smile and say great for the new

Seeing the sunshine and the morning dew

Feeling cool air and enjoying our walk

Bumping into a neighbor for a quick talk

Making our steps as we move to the beat

Humming and singing, while tapping our feet

We are entering into the new time, let’s keep the smile

So we may laugh and enjoy as if we were a child

The new point is here, so let’s embrace the range

Arising the horizon of OUR dAYS OF CHANGE

— O.B. Wilson (c) 2009

Are you interested in finding the perfect gift for a loved one, but the weight of the failing econ-omy is the only thing filling your pockets? Va-larie Darguste owner of Val E Girl Worldwide provides Ribbon Albums filled with an assort-ment of gifts ranging from $25 to $750.

During the February General Body meeting the NYULYP hosted a Black Entrepreneur Showcase exhibiting business owners within our membership. These savvy entrepreneurs provided tips and alternatives that can help any-one survive an economic downturn with budget buster techniques.

With the stressful housing market looming over many, Jill Hamer’s company Taylor So-lutions offers assistance that helps homeown-ers maintain their property. Hamer’s firm offers “short sales” and loan modifications designed to help the weary reposition themselves without the fear of going into foreclosure.

Eric Hamilton, owner of Web Designers of New York, understands networking can withstand an ailing economy which leads him to his newest

project BlackGentlemen.com. With best-selling book artist Zane as a partner, Hamilton has created an online community catering to fans of the book author, as well as other African Americans with similar backgrounds and interests.

One lesson Hamilton learned in business is “under-stand where the dollars are coming and going.”

eN T r e p r e N e u r i a l Ma r k e Tby Neferkaari Mitchell

Over 2,500 8th-12th graders attended the 22nd Annual Urban League Historically Black Col-leges and Universities Fair held at Riverbank State Park on November 15, 2008 in Harlem. The event was a unique opportunity for NYUL-YP members to speak to inquisitive students.

The New York Urban League Young Profession-als co-hosted the event in partnership with the New York Urban League, Children’s Aid Soci-ety and the Malcolm Bernard Memorial HBCU Fair Week.

Participants wanted to learn how to prepare for college and what to expect when they arrive.

The two panels hosted by the Young Profes-sionals were the best attended of the day, with over 150 students in each.

Before the day was over, 361 students had been accepted to colleges, at least 1545 application fees were waived and 347 students were offered scholarships by the attending institution.

Mark W. Payne one of the fair coordinators said, “You realize that it is all worth the work that goes into planning this fair each year when you high-five a young man on his way out, say-ing, ‘I came, got accepted to four colleges, and now I’m outta here’.”

NYulYp pr e pa r i N G co l l e G e-bo u N D Yo u T h f o r ca M p u S li f e aT hbcuS by Quivya Eldridge

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On december 19, 2008, The New York Young Professionals cel-ebrated the Holidays and the end of a historic year at the Runway Lounge lo-cated at 4 East 28th St. New York,with special guest DJ John Quick.

The Lounge created a mood similar to the in-side of a genie lamp styled with purple décor and a cat-walk for a center piece. The night represented a new friendships, achievements, and most important, acknowledging an orga-

nization dedicated to strength-ening the black community.

With a fiscal crisis, unemploy-ment sky rocketing up, and a once flourishing economy spi-raling down in a recession still weren’t enough to keep us from enjoying the a new year and the dawn of a new day in democ-racy preparing to take office.

Photography by Dwayne Neckles

Yo u N G pro f e S S i o Na l S ho l i DaY pa rT Y ‘08by Neferkaari Mitchell

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On a particularly cold and dreary day, fifteen eager NYULYP members and friends arrived bright and early to Manhattan’s Lower East Side for a good cause. The NYULYP had worked with Father’s Heart Ministries’ Saturday Soup Kitchen previously, and on December 20, 2008 were once again ready to participate in this event.

Lead by Community Service Committee Chair Rahshib Thomas, volunteers gathered at the faith-based soup kitchen to greet and serve warm breakfast meals to approximately 500 guests from the community. The dining hall was crowded and busy, but the mood was joyous as a band played live holiday music and volunteers worked together to provide for the families.

What a great way to end the year with a morning of fellowship and service. Thomas believes “a welcoming smile and warm meal surrounded by dignity and respect can begin the change in someone’s life.”

faT h e r’S he a rT Mi N i S T rY So u p ki T c h e Nby Daniella Johnson

On November 18th, the Membership committee sponsored a town hall meeting entitled, “Black KKK: You Decide?”, to address the problem of violence in predominantly African-American communities.

The panelists were sociologist Dr. Carla Shedd, retired police veteran Graham Weatherspoon, and CUNY Ph.D. candidate Michael Partis. The forum was organized into two parts.

The first half of the forum was a discussion of the some of the causes of the rise of violence amongst African-Americans, particularly African-American males.

The second half of the town hall meeting provided an opportunity for members of the community to dialogue with panelists about finding solutions to violence in African-American communities.

ToW N ha l l Me e T i N G: bl ac k kkk? Yo u De c i D eby Nechari Riley

On February 18th, NYULYP hosted a Personal & Professional Development Series (PPD) on Proposal Writing Basics in coordination with The Foundation Center. Reference librarian Inez Sucre led the group through the key steps for preparing a project proposal to win founda-tion grants. Geared towards 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, the workshop attracted YP mem-bers currently working for non-profits and those interested in starting their own to better serve the community.

YP member Eric Hamilton wants to raise funds to offer free web design courses for teens. He believes that “we technical professionals all have unique and valuable skill sets, … it’s our duty to give back in our unique way.” Ms. Sucre urged proposal writers to invest significant time and research, including use of the online foundation directory detailing nearly 100,000 grantmaking institutions. Overall, the attendees learned that writing an effective proposal can help to create an impactful program.

pe r S o Na l a N D pro f e S S i o Na l De v e l o p M e N T Se r i e S ii: pro p o S a l Wr i T i N G ba S i c Sby Nicole Clare

The purpose of the “beginning of the year” meet-ing was to offer information on the National Urban League and New York Urban League for new and not so new members who may not have total knowledge of every capacity that they serve. A few interesting points that you may not have known are that:

If you are a member and do not have a clue as to how you can participate and feel a part of the organization, YP offers monthly membership ori-entations where the representatives from different committees come and showcase what they do. At the end of the orientation you can sign up to the committees that caught your eye.

The NYUL has a co-branded Monster site in which companies get a discount for advertising on Monster if they are on the organization’s special list. So, you may have a better chance of getting a job if you went through our branded website.

And last but certainly not least, the National Ur-ban League goes on “the Hill”. In other words, they fight and stand up for issues that affect the urban population; from the city streets to Capitol Hill, The Urban League and YP have a part in is-sues that matter.

For more information on the Monster Site contact Jabari Osaze at josaze@nyul.org

Wh aT iS Th e va l u e of Me M b e r S h i p?by Dwayne Neckles

9

YP members at Thursday Network party in DC.

Apollo Open House

YP members retreat at Turner Construction

Members help out

at the Father’s

Heart Soup Kitchen.

YP SNAPSHOTS!

YP Game Night, Red Sky Lounge

YP members retreat at Turner Construction

10

WhaT’S GoiNG oN iN Yp chapTerS?

Eastern: DC Urban League Young Professionals (Thursday Network)

An Inugural Young Professional Weekend — As Americans across the country fled tothe nation’s capitol to witness the swearing in of the first black President of the United States, Thursday Network (DC Urban League Young Professionals) took the responsibility of welcoming fellow Urban League Young Professionals. In conjunction with the Baltimore UrbanLeague Young Professionals and the Northern Virginia Urban League Young Professionalschapters, the long weekend was coordinated with daily events including a black tie affair, aSmithsonian scavengar hunt, and walking tours of the district. These events were well attendedby Urban League Young Professionals chapters from Phila-delphia, Los Angeles and yours truely New York (among many others)! The Thursday Network celebrates Over 15 Years of Empowering Young Professionals to Serve. For more information, please visit www.thursdaynetwork.org.

Central: Columbus Urban League Young Professionals (CULYP)

Rising to the Occasion — This is the 1st annual scholarship fundraiser hosted by the Columbus Urban League Young Professionals in Ohio. On March 12, 2009, Columbus area Young Professionals will come together to attain their 2009 financial goal of $15,000 in orderto aide African-American students in secondary education. This event is held at the Nationwide Insurance Headquarters, a partner for this scholarship event. The Columbus Urban League, founded in 1918, is the oldest and largest community based organization committed to em-powering African-Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, please visit http://www.culypa.org/.

Southern: Houston Area Urban League Young Professional (HAULYP)

Celebrating a New Year --- On January 8, 2009, the Houston Area Urban League affiliate office held a members only event to celebrate another year of serving its community.Houston Area Urban League Young Professionals were invited to attend and witness theswearing in of their elected officers. What a great way to begin the new year!The Houston Area Urban League Young Professionals are approaching their ten year anniversary and is the home chapter of National Urban League Young Professionals President Cassye D. Cooke. For more information, please visit http://www.haul.org/yp/index.htm.

Western: Las Vegas, Clark County Urban League Young Professionals (LVULYP)

Volunteering in the Fast Lane --- Each year the Las Vegas, Clark County UrbanLeague Young Professionals volunteer by working the sales booths at NASCAR. In return fortheir volunteer services, NASCAR donates 10% of the sales to the Young Professionals! From February 27 through March 1, 2009 the Young Professionals will be helping NASCAR keeptheir sales up to speed! This is a great community building effort among organizations andbusinesses!The Las Vegas, Clark County Young Professionals have been impacting their community sinceSeptember 2006. Most recently, two members have along with local radio djs have developedtheir own talk show “The Playbook” that airs Monday Morn-ings at 9:30 am on the KCEP 88.1 radio station. For more information, please visit http://www.ypvegas.com.

The New York Urban League Young Professionals along with the above mentioned chapters are a part of the National Urban League Young Professionals. To learn more about this national network, please visit http://nul.org/youngprofessionals.html.

(Submitted by Althea Kitchens)

11

april

April 16th - Financial Literacy SeriesApril 21st - General Body MeetingApril 23rd - Members Only SocialApril 30th - New Members Orientation

MaY

May 2nd - National Day of ServiceMay 17th - AIDS Walk 2009May 19th - General Body MeetingJuNe

June 16th - General Body Meeting

upcoMiNG eveNTS

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE YP

Check out the Notes Section of ourFaceBook Fan page for recaps of our General Body

Meetings and Town Hall Meetings.

OFFICERS

ChairmanNoel N. Hankin,Senior Vice President of Multi-cultural Initiatives,Moët Hennessy USA

Vice ChairmanDavid W. Sussman,Consultant

SecretaryElinor Tatum, Publisher & Editor,The Amsterdam News

TreasurerJean Marie Horovitz,Retired, Managing Director, Commercial Business Group, Citibank, N.A.

General CounselMichael F. Armstrong, Esq.,Howrey, Inc.

Facilities ChairH. Sidney HolmesPartner, Winston & Strawn

Capital Campaign ChairScott VaccaroRegional Vice President, Enter-prise Rent-A-Car

BOARD MEMBERS

Carlos Austin, Director of Local Productions/Community Affairs, CW11

Jason Benta, President & CEO, Benta Funeral Homes

Larry Body, Director for Business Development, Island Ford, Inc.

Jeff Burns Jr., Consultant

Dolly Christian, Retired, IBM

Larry Dais, Retired, Asst. VP for Gov’t Relations & Director, Public Affairs, Columbia University

Tracey Edwards, Vice President of Region Operations, Verizon

Quiviya Von Eldridge, Financial Analyst, Turner Construction

H. Sidney Holmes, Partner, Winston & Strawn

Dwight Johnson, President, Dwight Johnson Design

Michael Kansler, Entergy, CEO, President, & Chief Nuclear Officer

Gail L. Moaney, APR Executive Vice President, DirectorTravel & Economic Development

Paula Odellas, Correspondence Unit of Manhattan Borough Commissioners Office, New York City Dept. of Buildings

Michael Robinson, GM New York/New Jersey District, Microsoft

Joseph L. Searles, IIIConsultant

Brian Smith, SVP of Corporate and Community Relations, The New York Yankees

Tanya Van Court, SVP of Pre-school & Parents Online, Nickelodeon Network

Dana Wade, Consultant, Spencer Stuart

Alicin Williamson Senior Vice President, Corporate Responsibility and Public AffairsMTV Networks

Deputy Counsel to the New York Urban League BoardRachel B. KaneCooley Godward Kronish LLP

MeeT The NeW York urbaN leaGue boarD

VolunteerS needed for nYul emPloYment SerViCeS:

Help job seekers improve interviewing skills through coaching and mock interviews. Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm in the Bronx, Wednesdays 10am-1pm in Harlem. If you are interested, please contact Rahshib Thomas at YPCommunity@nyul.org with “EMPLOYMENT SERVICES” in

the subject line, and include time slot/location for which you are available.