FAMU- Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University

February 23, 2021 kmarietakeshanghaiLeave a comment

Happy Black History Month

Let’s learn about another great HBCU … and tomorrow I will introduce you to another great individual in Black History!

FAMU = Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

website: https://www.famu.edu

Coronavirus Advisory: FAMU Suspends All University-Related Travel to China - Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University

+Founded on October 3, 1887

+Began classes with 15 students and 2 instructors

+Located in Tallahassee, Florida

+The only HBCU in the eleven member State University System of Florida

+Originally named State Normal College for Colored Students

+1953 the school became Florida Agricultural and Mechanical Univeristy

+ During the 100^th Anniveriay Celebration FAMU was selected by the Time Magazine-Princeton Review as the 1997-1998 College of the Year

+December 14, 2004 the school made history when they appointed Dr. Castell Vaughn Bryant as interim president- alumna and the first woman to lead the university since it was establishsed

+Undergraduate and Graduate Programs

+ International Education Department

+Highest ranked public HBCU in the US according to News and World’s Report list of national public universities

+100 Band- From only 16 instruments the Marching 100 has grown to over 420 members (HBCU’s are well known for their marching bands! When I was in my first year at CAU my dorm was right by the football field and I could hear the band practicing early in the morning. http://www.famu.edu/index.cfm?a=marching100

Fun Facts:

Anika Noni Rose, Common, Will Packer, Althea Gibson, Pam Oliver, Will Packer, and Andrew Gillum all graduated from FAMU!

#FAMU #blackhistorymonth #blackhistoryisamericanhistory #educationmatters #hbcu #history #blackcollegesanduniversities #FloridaAgriculturalAndMechanicalUniveristy #Florida #Tallahassee #StateNormalCollegeForColoredStudents #HBCUExcellence #TheMarching100

I hope that you have enjoyed learning about another fantastic HBCU. I have friends who graduated from FAMU and they absolutely loved their school. I was able to visit the campus and its lovely – but it the middle of summer – whew! You will sweat in the shade!

Check out their website (https://www.famu.edu )for more information about the school.

#FearlessinShanghai #Thankful #joychangeslives #KMarieTakesChina #BlackGirlMagic #KarlaGirlLivingLife #BlackGirlJoy #LivingMyLifeLikeItsGolden #ChinaorBust #ChinaAintReady #BlackInShanghai #BlackInChina #BlackAmericanInChina #LookOutWorldHereComesKarla #KarlaGirlJoy #BlackGirlInShanghai #eatsleeppartyrepeat #givingisgood #givingisfun #WakandaForever #ShuriAndNakiaAndOkoye #MelaninMagic #Blessed #FaithfulIsMyGod

“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”

– Hellen Keller

*I choose ADVENTURE*

Black Bread Co.

February 22, 2021 kmarietakeshanghaiLeave a comment

Happy Black History Month

I love sharing CURRNET MOMENTS in Black History. This one is definitely historic.

I read an article about the first black owned sliced bread company and wanted to share this information with you. How exciting is this? I think its super exciting. Let’s “meet” the Founders of the

FIRST BLACK-OWNED SLICED BREAD COMPANY?

Have you ever heard the phrase, “This is the best thing since sliced bread?” – Well this is really one of the best things I have read recently. Charles Alexnader, Mark Edmond, and Jamel Lewis started the first black owned sliced bread company. The recent years have been difficult. There has been a lot of social unrest in America and numerous black men have died at the hands of police brutality.

Mark Edmond was in the store buying groceries around the time of George Floyd’s (If you are not sure who he is feel free to search on Google to learn more) death and he wanted to support a black owned business. He was looking for sliced bread from a black owned company and couldn’t find it. He connected with two of his friends, they got right to work, and BLACK BREAD CO. was born.

You can check them out online as they currently have honey wheat and premium white breads and they plan on adding more breads soon. If I was in USA I know I would be ordering! I hope you can support them, if nothing else you can share this post to get information about their company to more people.

https://blackbreadco.com/ – They are currently donating bread to individuals who have lost electricity and power in Texas by partnering with Houston Food Bank! What a great way to give back and support those in need.

For more information about BLACK BREAD CO. You can visit:

BlackBreadCo.com or follow them on Instagram @TheBlackBreadCo

#blackhistorymonth #blackhistoryisamericanhistory #entrepreneurs #GeorgeFloyd #BlackBreadCo #BlackBreadCompany #blackbusiness #makinghistory #leavingalegacy #history #blackmen #changingthenarrative #FlossmoorIllinois #blackentrepreneurs

I smiled as I learned about this business. There are so many things that we can learn about and share this month from history, but the things that are happening now are equally important. I hope that we can all support these brothers and what they are doing.

‘#FearlessinShanghai #Thankful #joychangeslives #KMarieTakesChina #BlackGirlMagic #KarlaGirlLivingLife #BlackGirlJoy #LivingMyLifeLikeItsGolden #ChinaorBust #ChinaAintReady #BlackInShanghai #BlackInChina #BlackAmericanInChina #LookOutWorldHereComesKarla #KarlaGirlJoy #BlackGirlInShanghai #eatsleeppartyrepeat #givingisgood #givingisfun #WakandaForever #ShuriAndNakiaAndOkoye #MelaninMagic #Blessed #FaithfulIsMyGod

“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”

– Hellen Keller

*I choose ADVENTURE*

The Vet Life …. and more!

February 19, 2021 kmarietakeshanghai1 Comment

Happy Black History Month

Here is a current moment in black history!

The Vet Life

Have you seen the show “THE VET LIFE” ? Anyone who knows me – knows that I love watching tv. I enjoy reading books, and learning, and all that jazz but I enjoy tv too! I want to introduce you to this show.

The Vet Life- This show follows three doctors:

Dr. Diarra Blue

Dr. Aubrey Ross

Dr. Michael Lavinge

These three doctors all recently moved to Houston, Texas. They built their strong bond while at Tuskegee University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. They have opened a full-service veterinarian hospital and animal shelter together. How cool is that? So cool!

This show captures their personal and professional lives.

There are currently six seasons of this show and you should be able to find this show on The Animal Planet.

#blackhistory #TheVetLife #blackdoctors #blackvets #animals #pets #DrDiarraBlue #DrAubreyRoss #DrMichaelLavinge #blackexcellence #animalplanet #veteranarians

I was so excited to learn about this show. It is so great to see #blackexcellence this way. Families can see many options of careers for their kids on tv and I just love for kids to see the plethora of options that are available to them. Check out this show and let me know your thoughts!

It’s a 2n1 – THE VET LIFE & TUSKEGEE UNIVERISTY

Tuskegee University

Since the doctors of The Vet Life build their bond at Tuskegee I wanted to share with you about this HBCU!

First … Tuskegee is having a Virtual Open House on FEB 20 @10:00 AM CST!

www.tuskegee.edu/openhouse

They are also having a 2021 Black History Month Lecture Series – it ends on February 26. The school’s website says that all the events are virtual and accessible through zoom! Check out their homepage and click “Click Here for more information” if you are interested.

https://www.tuskegee.edu/

Something very cool to note about Tuskgee Univeristy is that it was the first black college to be designated as a Registered National Historic Landmark in April of 1966 and it is the only black college to be designated a National Historic Site in October of 1974.

The school was founded by Booker T. Washington in 1881 and it is a superb university for higher learning. The campus has a monument which honors the founder and you can find his home on the campus. There is also The George Washington Carver Museum on the campus which is named for and after Gorge Washington Carver who worked on the campus. You will also find The Tuskegee Airmen’s Plaza (The Tuskegee Airmen- another great moment in black history) – which honors and celebrates the work of America’s first black pilots who were trained at Tuskegee University. There is so much history on this campus. It is rich in culture, history, legacy, and education!

For more information about this university check out this website:

https://www.tuskegee.edu/

#blackhistorymonth #blackhistoryisamericanhistory #educationmatters #hbcu #history #blackcollegesanduniversities #tuskegeeuniversity #tuskegeealabama #alabama #history #culture #strength #BookerTWashington #education #blackexcellence #GeorgeWashingtonCarver #blackpilots #tuskegeeairmen

If you like movies and want to learn more about The Tuskegee Airmen – you can watch the movie RED TAILS. This movie came out in 2012 and it documents what these black pilots had to deal with as they were called to duty during WW2. The tails of their planes were painted red for identification purposes – this is where the name Red Tails came from.

Here is a short article you can check out: https://www.historyonthenet.com/living-tuskegee-airmen

I really hope you enjoyed this 2n1 post about THE VET LIFE & TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY! I am looking forward to the rest of this months #BHM posts!

“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”

– Hellen Keller

*I choose ADVENTURE*

Lift Every Voice and Sing

February 17, 2021February 15, 2021 kmarietakeshanghaiLeave a comment

Happy Black History Month

Lift Every Voice And Sing AKA – The Black National Anthem

Quick Facts

+ Lift Every Voice And Sing is also known as The Black National Anthem

+Written as a poem by James Weldon Johnson (an author, educator, lawyer, diplomat, songwriter, first African American professor hired at New York University, Professor of creative literature and writing at Fisk University, and civil rights activist).

+Set to music by James’ brother John Rosamond Johnson

+First performed by 500 school children at the segregated Stanton School where James W. Johnson was the principal on February 12, 1900

The Lyrics:

Lift Every Voice and Sing

Lift ev’ry voice and sing,
‘Til earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the list’ning skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on ’til victory is won.

Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chastening rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat,
Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past,
‘Til now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who has brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who has by Thy might
Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,
Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;
Shadowed beneath Thy hand,
May we forever stand,
True to our God,
True to our native land.

Here is an article I enjoyed about the song:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/why-black-national-anthem-lifting-every-voice-sing-180975519/

AND

WOW: This website is full of great information about this song: https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2020/09/us/lift-every-voice-and-sing-trnd/

There are so many renditions of this song- I would like to share a few that I love!

#blackhistorymonth #blackhistoryisamericanhistory #LiftEveryVoiceAndSing #JamesWeldonJohnson #history #JohnRosamondJohnson #iconicsong #poetry #lifechangingmusic #TheBlackNationalAnthem #communitycollege #associatedegrees #education #blackexcellence #blackculture #FiskUniversityProfessor #blackpride #legacy #inspirational

Some things I expect people to know about, then I remind myself that we are still learning on this journey called life! I hope that you enjoyed this post about the song, LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING!

“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”

– Hellen Keller

*I choose ADVENTURE*

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

February 16, 2021February 15, 2021 kmarietakeshanghaiLeave a comment

Happy Black History Month

Alvin Ailey: American Dance Theater

Alvin Ailey was an African American choreographer and activist. He founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York in 1958. He got a lot of his inspiration from the Black church services that he attended. He was really inspired after seeing the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo performance and decided that he wanted to pursue dance. He received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1988 and died the following year in New York of AIDS.

His most famous dance is Revelations!!

Image result for alvin ailey revelations

Please check out this website to learn more about Alvin Ailey. I don’t want to to just take all of their pictures from their site! They are so beautiful!

https://www.alvinailey.org/about/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater

You can learn more about the company, see photos, their leadership, and the dancers from this site.

I hope that you have enjoyed this moment in Black History!

#blackhistorymonth #blackhistoryisamericanhistory #alvinaileyamericandancetheater #AlvinAiley #dance #revelations #moderndance #americandance #newyork #blackexcellence

I am really enjoying sharing all these moments in Black History. There is so much to share about so many things. Feel free to share these posts with your friends, family members, colleagues or on your own social media platforms. I hope I can keep it up and share more facts throughout the year.

“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”

– Hellen Keller

*I choose ADVENTURE*

Happy Black History Month: Clinton College

February 15, 2021February 15, 2021 kmarietakeshanghaiLeave a comment

Happy Black History Month

Lets learn about another great HBCU

Clinton College- Rock Hill, South Carolina

Clinton College was established in 1894 as a two year institution with a strong Liberal Arts tradition. The school was founded by The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in hopes to allow the descendants of slaves have access to higher education.

-Two Year Institution

-Undergrad Population of 200 students

-Graduate Population: 0

-Mascot: Bears

-No online classes

-71% Men and 29% Women

-In/Out Of State Tution $4,185

-Ranked number 34 among the top colleges in South Carolina (out of 96)

This school is a great option to get acclimated to college life and earn your two year degree before transferring to a four year institution.

I do not regret my college experience, but sometimes I think about it and if could do it over again I would have attended a two year university first, I totally would.

And the school is having their Founders Day Service next month! Feel free to check it out. It will be on Friday, March 12, 2021 @ 11:00 AM streaming on YouTube and Facebook. Hopefully with the time change and me being in Shanghai I can catch it.

#blackhistorymonth #blackhistoryisamericanhistory #educationmatters #hbcu #history #blackcollegesanduniversities #clintoncollege #rockhillsouthcarolina #southcarolina #associatedegreesarestilldegrees #communitycollege #associatedegrees #education #blackexcellence #twoyeardegreesmatter

Here is some information from online I found about the school:

Address:
1029 Crawford Road
Rock Hill, South Carolina 29730
Main Phone: (803) 327-7402 or (888) 458-5816
Main Contact: Kim Shepard
Website:http://www.clintoncollege.edu

“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”

– Hellen Keller

*I choose ADVENTURE*

Happy Black History Month: Tony Evans

February 12, 2021 kmarietakeshanghaiLeave a comment

Happy Black History Month

I want to introduce you to another great figure in Black History – Living Black History.

Tony Evans- The first African American student to complete a Doctor of Theology degree at Dallas Theological Seminary.

-Founder and Senior Pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship – in Dallas, Texas – http://www.ocbfchurch.org

-Founder and President of The Urban Alternative

-Author of over 100 books, booklets, and bible studies

-Former chaplain for Dallas Cowboys

-Current chaplain for Dallas Mavericks

-Celebrated 50 years of ministry in 2019

-The first African American to write a full Bible commentary and study in the United States

-Amazing pastor, leader, speaker, author, father, speaker, expositor, and all around person. A great person with an amazing reputation.

For more information about Tony Evans you can check out this website: https://tonyevans.org

I am so happy to share about Tony Evans because I am a member of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship. My faith and my church are a big part of my life and who I am. I have learned so much from Pastor Evans, his leadership and each of his children. I am a better person because of my pastor and my church.

One of my favorite books by Tony Evans is the book he co-wrote with his daughter Chrystal Evans Hurst – Kingdom Woman!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Woman-Embracing-Purpose-Possibilities/dp/1624053548/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=kingdom+woman&qid=1613115833&sr=8-1

I hope you enjoy this message! THE RISK OF FAITH

Currently: Online Worship Services are Sundays at 10:00 AM CST and Wednesdays at 8:00 PM CST

#livingblackhistory #blackhistory #dallashistory #kingdomman #oakcliffbiblefellowship #DTS #pastor #author #speaker #expositor #preacher #teacher #theologian #ManOfGod

It is officially a new year in China! How exciting. I get to ring in the new year twice.

“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”

– Hellen Keller

*I choose ADVENTURE*

… 38 Things…

February 10, 2021February 8, 2021 kmarietakeshanghai1 Comment

It’s my birthday! I’m so excited. It’s also Chinese New Year and my birthday is the day before NYE in China. How cool is it that I get to celebrate and bring in the new year twice? It’s pretty dope! I hope you enjoy my #38Things list …

Kindness Matters
It’s okay to ask for help
There is nothing wrong with saying no.
Take the trip! Don’t let anyone tell you that you shouldn’t because it’s not first class- and 5 Star hotels! Stay in your budget and enjoy. You know when the world is safe of course 😊
Do something for yourself once a month. More if you can.
Give! It feels good. Research two non-profits in your city/community and donate to each of them once a year. No donation is too small.
Drink lots of water!
Make time for your family and friends. The world is sick and in a weird place right now. So if it’s Zoom or House Party App or Skype or IG video or whatever you use find the time to slow down and connect with the people who mean a lot to you.
Save! It’s important to save. Look at your budget and make a realistic plan for saving for your future
Exercise … there are so many ways to keep active. Find what works for you and do that thing.
Don’t be afraid to try new things! You might find out something you didn’t know about yourself
Read. It’s important to read. Check out authors and genres that are not your usual choice.
Laugh! Laugh a lot! It’s good for the soul. Comedy and comedians are subjective but find the ones that work for you and listen to them when you’re having a tough day.
Push & Challenge yourself. Last year I hiked with some friends to the top of Yellow Mountain. I never thought I would be able to do that. I did it! What a great experience.
Be thankful
Get a mentor – I have had mentors in various stages of my life and multiple and one time. There is nothing wrong with getting guidance from someone who has been where you plan on going!
Dream very Big
Learn from your mistakes! I enjoyed the book “Failing Up” The best of the best have made so many mistakes and this is how we get better
You spend most of your life at work! Find work that you love and that you are passionate about
Work at being a better you
Marvel is greater than DC comics (I’m here from Wonder Woman though)
Tell the people who are closest to you that you love them. You never know how long you have with them
Be flexible in life. Be prepared for change. Your life will constantly change.
Learn a second or third language
PJ Morton and Anthony Evans are two of the best artists out there. I can listen to their music any day.
Tacos are amazing and can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, brunch, a quick snack or dinner!
The worst someone can say is No. My dad taught me that. Don’t be afraid to ask for things.
Demand what you deserve. Do. Not. Settle.
Love YOU! Beauty is subjective. Accept who you are and rock it!
Stop doing more for others than they would do for you. Have boundaries in your friendships and relationships.
Public school is cheaper than private and you will still receive a great education.
Never stop learning
Be happy & Live from a place of joy as much as possible
Keep a little cash tucked away somewhere. I promise it will come in handy one day.
Have Fun. Life is short.
Treat people the way you want to be treated.
Try Yoga. It’s not that bad.
Believe in something greater than you. I am a believer- CHRIST FOLLOWER. It is such a big part of my life. Pray.

No description available. — Street Art in Minhang-China (Shanghai) I saw the coolest murals today thanks to a sweet friend taking me there!

You can do it all. Maybe not all at once, but you can do everything you want. My mentor told me that right before I graduated from Georgia State University and when she told me I responded “How?”. I listed off all the things that I want to do and she said “Why can’t you do all those things?”. I really didn’t have an answer and as we discussed it I realized I could do all the things I want to do just maybe not all at the same time. Life is a journey and while on this journey you get to have different experiences and it’s amazing. Don’t settle or limit yourself.

Dream and Live Real Big. Believe in yourself. Travel as much as you can.

-KMG, 2021 – Cheers 🥂 to this new year.

I’ve turned 38! I don’t mind saying it at all! I’m so happy to see this day. So many people didn’t make it so I don’t take life for granted.

I am sharing 38 things I know to be true. Hope they can help you in your daily lives. Take what works for you and please share some pearls of wisdom in the comments for me.

Cheers 🥂 to 2021 being an afrotastically dope year!

I hope you enjoy this song!

“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all” – Hellen Keller

*I choose ADVENTURE*

Carl Brashear- U.S. Navy Diver

February 9, 2021February 8, 2021 kmarietakeshanghaiLeave a comment

Happy Black History Month

Let’s meet Carl Brashear – January 19, 1931 – July 25, 2006

IF you have seen the movie – MEN OF HONOR (with Cuba Gooding Jr)- it was based on his life.

Excellent movie – highly recommended.

Brashear enlisted in the US Navy in February of 1948 not long after President Harry Truman had desegregated the military. He graduated from US Navy Diving and Salvage School in 1954 becoming the first African American to attend and graduate from the school. Even though the navy was desegregated he still faced hostility and racism from the other divers/students in the school.

Brashear became a Navy diver in 1949 – but in March of 1966 a salvage operation accident resulted in his left leg being amputated. Two years after this he was re-certified as a diver and in 1970 and he became the US Navy’s first African American Master Diver.

He retired from the US Navy in April of 1979 as a master chief petty officer and a master diver.

#blackhistorymonth #CarlBrashear #blackhistoryisamericanhistory #USNavyDiver #thefirstamputeediver #MenofHonor #education #blackexcellence #masterdiver #masterchiefpettyofficer #deepseadiver #givingupisntoanoption #ENVIORNMENTALSCIENCE #nevergiveup #dreambig

ITS NOT A SIN TO GET KNOCKED DOWN. ITS A SIN TO STAY DOWN. – Carl Brashear

To learn more about Carl Brashear and his life check out this website: https://carlbrashear.org/

“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all” – Hellen Keller

*I choose ADVENTURE*

I really hope that you are enjoying the #BHM posts! More from HBCU’s coming soon.

Feel free to share the posts!

Jasmine Bowers – Living Black History

February 8, 2021 kmarietakeshanghaiLeave a comment

What is super cool about #BlackHIstory is that it is always happening. I love that amazing things are still happening. I will let this article speak for itself.

Check out this article (it’s a quick short read-but deserves to be shared) about the first black student to receive a doctorate in computer science from the University of Florida. What an amazing feat to conquer. I love this.

#blackhistorymonth #JasmineBowers #blackhistoryisamericanhistory #educationmatters #universityoffloriday #historyishappeningnow #femalesandcomputerscience #STEM #computersciencedoctorate #florida #education #blackexcellence

1st Black Female Student to Receive a Doctorate in Computer Science at University of Florida

Feel free to share this post! Hope you are well and taking care of yourself during these difficult days.

“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all” – Hellen Keller

*I choose ADVENTURE*