RezaRitesRi.com

by Reza Corinne Clifton

Pertinent podcasts, artist and leader profiles, current events, news and commentary. These are all things found here on RezaRitesRi.com. See a quick preview of the most recent posts below; search by topic or month on the lefthand side; or just scroll down the entire page to see what’s new. Included recently, for example, are notes about exciting opportunities coming up for artists and RI activists.

Sunshine and Laughter,
Reza Rites

ARTIST AND ACTIVIST OPPORTUNITIES

Artist Opportunity
The Rhode Island Young Professionals invites submissions to its 5th Annual Winter Soiree & Silent Art Auction. For more information about ticket sales, art or business donations, ads for the program, or corporate sponsorships, contact Camila Crews at (401)439-4102, email info@riyp.org, or visit www.riyp.org. Click here to read more.

Leadership Training
Attention RI-based grassroots activists, high school students, people of color, faith-based leaders, and others! The Institute for Labor Studies and Research and the Rhode Island for Community and Justice are currently accepting applications for the Leadership for a Future (LFAF) class of 2008. To apply, send your name, organization (if any), address, phone and email to cbernal1@att.net. The cost of the program is $400.00 but scholarships are available! Click here to read more.

**editor’s note: This Just In**
Happy Hour with the National Organzation for Women (NOW)
Join the RI NOW Providence Chapter for a Happy Hour on Thursday, December 6th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m at Local 121 in the bar area (at 121 Washington Street) in downtown Providence. The event “will be a fun and informal way for new, old, and prospective members to meet each other, talk about current events, and start strategizing for projects in 2008.” Feel free to contact Providence Chapter Chair Vanessa Volz at vevolz@hotmail for more info.

OTHER RECENT POSTS

Katrina is Not Just a Memory
Recently, after a conversation about African-Americans in the federal lobbying arena and the face of injustice in America, lobbyist, entrepreneur and former Clinton administration member, Zina Pierre concluded “We need a Michael Moore in the Black Community.” Take a look at the two You Tube videos by filmmaker Diana Nikkah, about women impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and let me know what you think. Click here to read more.

I Am Because of Joan Countryman
Posted online with permission from She Shines(tm), a publication of YWCA Northern Rhode Island, this story took on new meaning for me after the findings of abuse at Oprah Winfrey’s school in South Africa. While critics of Winfrey in some cases surely found glee in the sad reports, I looked back on my article about Countryman, and almost envisioned the very scholarly environment that Winfrey must have tried to create. After all, as I said in a recent conversation with family, it was Countryman she sent to South Africa, not Dr. Phil. Click here to read more.

Cora Daniels: Sick and Tired of a Ghetto Nation
Posted online with permission from She Shines(tm), a publication of YWCA Northern Rhode Island, this article (like the one above) appeared in the Fall 2007 edition. One of the most profound findings Daniels shares in her book, “Ghettonation: A Journey into the Land of Bling and the Home of the Shameless,” is her conclusion that “At its heart, ghetto is thinking short-term instead of long-term. Today is the most important because tomorrow doesn’t matter.” As a writer, pop culture observer, and student of African-American history, I am drawn to the writing of Daniels. But anyone paying attention to – or actively trying to ignore – what they’re seeing in mainstream culture might take a moment to look at it as well. Click here to read more.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS, APARTMENT FOR RENT

Education Reporter
Rhode Island Public Radio seeks a journalist, who loves enterprise reporting and creative story telling for the position of Education Reporter. The successful applicant will have experience with public radio style reporting of features and hard news. The reporter will primarily cover education policy and efforts to improve skills among the entire state of Rhode Island. The reporter will be expected to develop sources and original story ideas, while also investigating issues identified by other members of the news team. This is a grant funded position, subject to renewal after the first year. Send Resume and work samples to:

Mark Degon, News Director
Rhode Island Public Radio
1 Union Station
Providence, RI 02903

Health Care Reporter
Rhode Island Public Radio seeks a knowledgeable journalist, who wants help people make better informed decisions, as a Health Care Reporter. The successful candidate must be capable of explaining scientific and policy issues in an engaging manner that shows their direct impact on quality of life. The Health Care Reporter is expected to develop sources and story ideas primarily about efforts to improve and protect people’s health. The Health Care reporter also is expected to information and suggestions to other members of the news department and to report on assigned topics. This is a grant funded position subject renewal after one year. Send resume and work samples to:

Mark Degon, News Director
Rhode Island Public Radio
1 Union Station
Providence, RI 02903

Providence Apartment
Spacious, sun-kissed 2 Bedroom apartment, Providence. 2nd floor with hardwood floors. Great location - near Roger Williams Park, shopping, & highways. Living room, dining room, balcony, dishwasher, parking for 1 or 2, storage, fully applianced. Sorry no pets. $860/month; Call & leave a message at 401-461-0220

The Rhode Island Young Professionals invites submissions to its
5th Annual Winter Soiree & Silent Art Auction

For more information about submitting artwork, purhasing tickets, or other general questions, email info@riyp.org or contact the Winter Soiree chairwoman, Camila Crews at (401)439-4102. (Photo by Rufus Abdullah.)

PROVIDENCE, RI - On Saturday, January 26, 2008, at 6 p.m. the Rhode Island Young Professionals (RIYP) will host its 5th Annual Winter Soiree and Silent Art Auction. The guest speaker for the evening will be E. Ramone Segree, a philanthropic consultant who will deliver a message about philanthropy and empowerment and Michael S. Van Leesten, Chairman of the board of the Providence Black Repertory Company will serve as the master of ceremonies for the evening.

RIYP’s 5th Annual Winter Soiree will include a showcase of talented local artists during a Silent Art Auction that has attracted acclaimed artists like Sydney Tillet. Both amateur and professional artists are invited to donate works for the auction portion of the evening. Businesses and organizations are also invited to donate items for the auction and special giveaways. All are encouraged to attend to celebrate, explore, or network with members and friends of the organization.

Other ways to get involved in the event include becoming a corporate sponsor, purchasing a table, donating business merchandise or gift- baskets and certificates, purchasing space and submitting items for the ad-booklet, joining the Winter Soiree committee, or buying single or group tickets.

The 2007 Winter Soiree was the most successful for the organization, with more than two hundred guests in attendance including representatives from corporate partners like Lifespan, Bank of America, and Met Life. The 2008 event is expected to be even more of a success, with a new location in Downcity Providence and guest speaker who has worked with The Providence Black Repertory Company, the Rhode Island Foundation, and other top organizations locally and nationally. Tickets are expected to sell quickly as RIYP has been the primary resource for Rhode Island’s talented young professionals since 2002.

For more information about ticket sales, art or business donations, ads for the program, or corporate sponsorships, contact Camila Crews at (401)439-4102, email info@riyp.org, or visit www.riyp.org. Or mail Camila:

Camila Crews
RIYP
PO Box 25707
Providence, RI 02905

***

About Rhode Island Young Professionals
RIYP is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization that was formed in the winter of 2002 as an outlet to unite Rhode Island’s young professionals between the ages of 21 and 40. It is an auxiliary to the Urban League of Rhode Island (ULRI) and a chapter of the National Urban League’s Young Professionals. This year’s Winter Soiree theme, “Drawing from our Past, Securing our Future,” perfectly reflects the philosophy of the organization.

Attention RI-based grassroots activists, high school students, people of color, faith-based leaders, and others!

(Two participants from Leadership for a Future 2006 - left to right, Isja Williams and Ronnie Young. Click on the photo to link to more information and the application form.)

Hi Reza,

I hope this note finds you well. I am writing to ask you to please help spread the word about the Leadership for a Future. Is there any way you can post some information on your blog? If so, see enclosed brochure and the short description below. Thank you so much.

Carolina Bernal
cbernal1@att.net

***

The Institute for Labor Studies and Research and the Rhode Island for Community and Justice are currently accepting applications for the Leadership for a Future (LFAF) class of 2008. This state-wide program provides a leadership training environment for emerging leaders from community groups, labor unions and the religious community. It also provides an opportunity for leaders from diverse groups and diverse backgrounds to forge relationships and networks that will benefit themselves and their organizations throughout their lives.

(Pictured to the left and right are LFAF ‘06 participants, Sonja Ogando and Alex Moore. In the center is Dr. Toby Ayers, Executive Director of Rhode Island for Community and Justice (RICJ), a co-producer of LFAF. Click on the photo to link to more information and the application form.)

In addition to obtaining information from resource people about Rhode Island’s history, culture, economics and politics, leaders in the program will share their experiences and learn from each other. This process will create a powerful, committed, diverse network of graduates who have taken the time to understand and know each other. This network is critical and necessary if the shared goals of economic and social justice for all our citizens are to be achieved.

To apply, click here to link to the PDF application for LFAF 2008 or send your name, organization (if any), address, phone and email to cbernal1@att.net. The cost of the program is $400.00 but scholarships are available! The program starts with a weekend retreat at Camp Canonicus in Exeter from February 8th - 10th. Following the retreat are seven sessions which will meet every other Saturday from 9am – 1pm. The deadline for applications is January 1, 2008.

***

Reza Corinne Clifton was a participant in the 2006 class of Leadership for a Future. During the program, she was elected to the distinguished position of class speaker, a role which mandated delivering talks about the program and on behalf of her classmates. Click here to glimpse or read those orations.