Low-Income Parents Can Get Free Life Insurance for Their Kids' College Expenses

Just saw this article about Mass Mutual offering free life insurance to low income families. Check out Lynette Khalfani-Cox's column ...  

Low-Income Parents Can Get Free Life Insurance for Their Kids' College Expense   By Lynnette Khalfani-Cox on Jan 28th 2011 2:41PM  

Parents must meet a certain criteria to qualify for this insurance visit Mass Mutual's website for more information.   Here is a description of the program:

"LifeBridge^SM - Free Life Insurance Program
Our unique LifeBridge Free Life Insurance Program provides $50,000 term life insurance policies free-of-charge to eligible parents or guardians. We pay the premiums, and our agents drive the program in their communities. If an insured parent or guardian dies during the 10-year term, a $50,000 benefit funds a trust¹ serviced by our trust company to pay eligible dependent children's educational expenses. Our goal is to give away $1 billion in coverage. As of May 31, 2009, we are halfway to our goal and have provided over a half billion dollars in free life insurance coverage across the country."

To learn more about the LifeBridge Free Life Insurance Program or to apply for this coverage, call (800) 272-2216 or visit www.massmutual.com/lifebridge. 

Sesame Street: Patti Labelle Sings The Alphabet

Ten Ways to Love the Maple Sugar Child No. 1

Yonina with her uncle.

1. Use Words that Empower Our Children

Words are powerful and magical. The older I get the more I realize this. This is why I am on a word diet, trying to watch the things I say to the children. Too many things are said out of frustration, angst and ignorance.  So I try not to label our children but find words of empowerment and encouragement.

The other day we rolled into the Emergency Room with my two year old niece, Yonina who had a bad stomach bug.  The assistant nurse who greeted us was  pleasant enough while she escorted us to the room to wait for the doctor. When she returned, however, Nina was in the hospital gown sitting on my lap as I tried to comfort her and  hold a pan under her as she threw up.  She looked at the little child in my arms and quipped, "I see this one is a spoiled." I hate when strangers who don't know you try to slap labels on you.  She doesn't know me, and she doesn't  know Nina.  Nina is very independent and hardly stays in anyone's arms because she likes to go about her business. But I was not about to explain that to this sister, instead I told her, "She is two years old with a high fever and is throwing up every fifteen minutes and doesn't understand what is going on. I don't call that spoiled, I call that sick." She gave me a look and disappeared.  Thank God, I didn't see her any more.  When the doctor came, she realized right away it was serious.  Nina was extremely dehydrated and a few minutes away from being admitted into the hospital.

These days I make it a point to not accept other people's labels and negative descriptions of our children.  Also I make it a point to watch what I say about young people.  They need words to empower them and let them know they are loved and cherished. They need words that touch the essence of who they are.  If we don't tell them who will?

Years ago, at a parenting seminar I was given a list of positive adjective to describe your child. Here are a few adjectives. I will be listing more all month.  Do you have some positive adjectives to add?

supportive        kind     attentive    cooperative   stimulating             

perceptive         wise   warm      reassuring       encouraging        dependable

loyal     thoughtful     considerate    influential     affectionate       vital    

tactful     zestful      helpful      accepting   refreshing         inclusive     

valuable      sensitive   consistent   creative     curious      intuitive     gifted        

resourceful    leader          directive      tender        responsible   alive    steadfast            

Ten Ways to Love the Maple Sugar Child

 This month is not only Black History Month but the month we celebrate Valentine's Day, and both celebrations go together.  Black History Month should be about loving our selves, our children and our community.  I thought I would do a segment called "A Hundred Ways to Love a Maple Sugar Child" until my son dropped a dose of reality on my project. He said one hundred was too ambitious, why don't I just start with ten ways and see where it goes. Good idea! So here we go!

Digital Diaspora Family Reunion

Check those old family pictures that have been stacked away for ages, now it is time to take them out and tell our stories. Digital Diaspora Family Reunion is a touring Roadshow that travels across the African Diaspora to uncover the hidden treasures in family photographic archive. Individuals are invited to explore the rich and revealing historical narratives found within their own family photograph albums and share their stories with the world.   The show is now in New York.

Members of the community are invited to bring images, photo albums and other scannable mementos  to Harlem Stage from February 23 to 25. The project will culminate on February 27 with a special live event and multimedia presentation celebrating Harlem's hidden family history. Make a reservation to bring in your images by calling 212-281-6002 or visiting ddfr.tv.

Harlem Stage is at 150 Convent Ave.at West 135th St. Tickets on February 27 to this screening are $10 for adults, and $5 for teens. Call 212.281-9240 or visit  Harlem Stage

19th Annual African American Children's Book Fair

 Come see some of the best and brightest from the Literary Community. Creators of books that teach a child the love of READING.  Over 20 Participating Authors & Illustrators!

 On Saturday, February 5, 2011, 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Gymnasium of the Community College of Philadelphia, 17th & Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA.

The Book Fair started out on a cold frosty day at John Wanamaker Department Store and is now one of the oldest and largest single day events for African American Children's Books in the country. The success of the program is due to the fact that they offer the best and the brightest from the African American Children's literary community. Parents, caregivers, and educators from the tri-state area are very supportive of the event. They all understand that children who read make more responsible decisions about their lifestyles.

Author and illustrators will make presentations from their books; also games, prizes, promotional give-aways and reading resources will be available. A wide selection of African American books to purchase will be featured at the event. Authors include

Javaka Steptoe - Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix,   Shadra Strickland, Eric Velasquez - Grandma's Gift,   Renee Watson - A Place Where Hurricanes Happen and What Momma Left Me, Derrick Barnes - Ruby Series and We Could Be Brothers, Sabrina Carter - Please Don't Yell at We!, Bryan Collier - Dave The Potter,  Kerri Conner, Floyd Cooper - Ruth and The Green Book,  R. Gregory Christie,  Jerry Craft - Mama's Boyz, L. Divine,  Kristina Evans,   Cheryl Hudson,  Dinah Johnson - Black Magic,  Sean Qualls and  Earl Sewell.

The event is free and opened to the public.

For more information about the book fair Email : vlloydsgam@aol.com or call (215) 878-BOOK.

Alvin Ailey Celebrates 50th Anniversary

What did Mr. Ailey teach his dancers about 'Revelations'? from AlvinAileyAmericanDanceTheater on Vimeo.

I can't believe that the Alvin Ailey Dance Company is celebrating 50 years!   His classic, Revelations is still being performed.   Alvin Ailey was a genius and a pioneer in dance, and he seemed to have passed his vision on to his students.   Young people today need talented teachers to inspire them to greatness.  Parents and teachers can get inspiration from him to encourage and expand young people's horizon, and if you get an opportunity take them to see Revelations.  It is part of our history.