Inspirational Quote in Honor of Memorial Day:

Chance has never yet satisfied the hope of suffering people. Action, self-reliance, the vision, of self and the future have been the only means by which the oppressed have seen and realized the light of their own freedom.

-Marcus Garvey

The Words of My Father:

The Future:

I remember, I remember-

I had a dream,

A dream-

Why dwell on the past-

Why dream-

We are here to blend dreams with realities.

Let history be an example of what could happen, not a course of action.

We are here to plan the future of my children, your children...

The future of our community.

The future, future,...future-

The Beginning...

Clarence James, Jr.

06.16.1985

In Honor of Black History Month:

Cartilini's Historical Role Models:

• Elizabeth "Lizzie" Keckley: (1818-1907)

Former Slave, Dressmaker, and Seamstress.

Birth Place: Hillsborough, North Carolina

Elizabeth Keckley was born into slavery. She became a dressmaker and a seamstress in Washington, D.C. After 30 years of being a slave she spent four years in the White House as a dressmaker for Mary Todd Lincoln. Keckley started a school for young black girls which taught them etiquette and sewing lessons. She was the founder of the first Black Contraband Relief Association and represented Wilberforce College in 1893 at the Colombian World's Exhibition in Chicago.

http://womenshistory.about.com/od/virginiawomenshistory/tp/virginia_women.htm

• Madam C.J. Walker: (1867-1919)

Daughter of Former Slaves, Self-made Entrepreneur, Social Activist, and Philanthropist.

Birth Place: Plantation of Delta, Louisiana

Madame C.J. Walker was the daughter of former slaves. She was born in Delta, Louisiana in 1867 on December 23rd as Sarah Breedlove. She gave birth to one daughter by the name of Lelia Walker on June 06, 1885. In 1890, Madam C.J. Walker began to lose most of her hair due to the suffrage of scalp ailment. Eventually she began to tamper with homemade remedies and hair products that were store bought. She later moved to Denver in 1905 as a sales representative. It was shortly after she became known as the founder of her own hair products called "Madam Walker's Wonderful Hair Grower".

http://www.madamcjwalker.com/shop.aspx

• Rosa Louise Parks: (1913-2005)

Civil Rights Activist, Educator, Founder of Sewing Factory

Birth Place: Tuskegee, Alabama

Rosa Parks was born on February 4th, 1913 in Tuskegee, Alabama. She became well educated in rural schools and private institutions. Before returning back to college to become a teacher her grandmother became ill and pasted away. She married her husband Raymond Parks on December 18, 1932. In 1955, Parks became well known to America as the "mother of the modern day civil rights movement" after refusing to give up her seat to a white male passenger on a bus ride home in Montgomery, Alabama. On December 1st, 1955 she was arrested in the city. This action caused the movement of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. She was truly a leader in her community and has greatly contributed to the transition of American Society. In addition to her efforts, Parks later moved to Detroit in 1959. Three years later together she and a friend opened a sewing shop on the west-side of Detroit.

http://www.rosaparks.org/bio.html

Make a Donation to the Steve Harvey Foundation:

Help uplift and motivate 1000 boys by donating $5 are more to the Steve Harvey Foundation. To make a contribution simply log onto www.steveharvey.com. Currently at $173,362.00, the goal of the charity is to raise up to $1,000,000.00. After ones donation is made, the names of each contributor will be listed on the wall of donors. This information is sorted in an alphabetical directory according to ones first name or company name. Make your donation today by logging onto: www.steveharvey.com.

"And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same."

-Nelson Mandela

Donate $10.00 to the American Red Cross:

Donate $10 to the American Red Cross Relief for Haiti. Simply text the word HAITI to 90999 to make a contribution. For all other inquiries that are in reference to individuals who are U.S. citizens residing or commuting to Haiti contact the U.S. Department of State Overseas Citizens Services at 888.407.4747 or 202.647.5225. Log onto the following link for more details: http://newsroom.redcross.org/2010/01/12/disaster-alert-earthquake-in-haiti/

Geaux Saints Geaux!!!

Note: The New Orleans Saints went to the Super Bowl.
The New Orleans Saints won the Super Bowl.

Mission Complete

The Saints are Going to the Super Bowl.

Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints. Just about everyone in Louisiana is so happy and full of joy right now. The team played an incredible game yesterday and won against the Minnesota Vikings. Geaux Saints Geaux!!!! Now it's time to wear Black & Gold all the way to the Super Bowl in Miami, Florida.