The Honeybee's Lifestyle

Tag: memphis blogger

  • Quiet Resistance

    Hello Honeybees,

    Thanks to my daddy I love the game of football. I look forward to it every year, from pre-season to the Superbowl.

    Except this year. Yes I am late to the party but I’m here now.

    This year I am boycotting the NFL & yes it’s because I support & kneel with Colin Kapernick. That’s my right & my choice. That’s what the flag is suppose to represent. I support Colin because as a mother of two African American sons I see what the world has to offer them. I see how differently they are treated. I see how surprised people are when they act like gentlemen or speak correct English.  My sons do not have a fair or the same chances & opportunities that non boys of color have. In these United States of America, their lives to do carry equal weight and for that I take a knee. It may not make a difference to the NFL or anyone at all but it makes a difference to me. My oldest son knows my love for football and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He calls me every Sunday to ask if I’m still boycotting the games. Every Sunday I say yes. Every Sunday I explain the why. Every Sunday I am sad for the reason why. 

    And just to be clear… IT’S NOT ABOUT THE FLAG!!!

    I remember being at an event last year for work and they played the national anthem. Everyone in the room stood & placed their hand over their hearts.  I did not want to stand for the anthem because of the reasons stated above but I was scared that someone might say something & because it was a work related event I didn’t want to rock the boat. That’s not to say that I would’ve gotten into trouble at work but I didn’t want to “invite trouble in”. I know VERY passive.

    That moment has stuck with me ever since. It’s been like a thorn in my side. I cannot shake my reaction. I am not proud of my reaction, but I learned a personal lesson. You have to stand up or kneel for your convictions. If you don’t it will linger in your spirit and force you out of your comfort zone in both thought and action.

    I have never been the person on the forefront of a movement. I am not your Fannie Lou Hamer or your Tami Sawyer. During the civil rights movement, I would’ve been Richie Jean Jackson, or the one making posters for those on the front line. I am quiet resistance but we all know that it takes the NON quiet resistance to get things moving. But we must also know that everyone can’t be the leader. Leaders need support. Colin needs our support; Tami needs our support. I support them both and all who are on the front line.

    We all have our own way of expressing our resistance, whether it be big or small, quiet or loud, the choice is yours. Remember someone is paying the price for you to have that choice.

    BelindaBloggingwithbee

    Beewisdom- You’re not to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it. Malcom X

  • I AM a Philanthropist

    Hello Honeybees,

    I am a philanthropist!!

    When people hear the word philanthropist they usually think, Oprah, Bill & Melinda Gates or Warren Buffett , you know MONEY, BIG MONEY! The month of April taught me that REAL philanthropy is not just about money but it’s about giving back with your time too. Now, I am truly not in the big money category YET but I am in the time category.  As a working single parent my time is precious so where I spend my time is very important. I work for a nonprofit so I understand how valuable it is when someone wants to give to an organization whether that be time or money. So outside of the work that I do for A Step Ahead Foundation I give my time to the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM).

    The mission of the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis is to encourage philanthropy and foster leadership among women and support programs that enable women and children to reach their full potential.

    The month of April saw the WFGM in full swing honoring 3 women in Memphis who have made a difference in the community. Edith Kelly-Green (Philanthropy & Leadership Award), Barbara Holden Nixon (Innovation Award) & Pat Morgan (Catalyst Award). These three outstanding women were honored at the Legends Award Reception. I volunteered my time for this event. It was during Mrs. Kelly-Green’s acceptance speech that it finally hit me….I am a philanthropist. Although she was being honored for her work as a philanthropist, she stressed the importance of giving money but most importantly the giving of time. On this night I was a philanthropist.

    Two weeks after the Legends Award Reception was one of the premier philanthropic events of the year. The Annual Tribute Luncheon. Can you imagine over 1.600 people coming together to support the efforts of the WFGM? Well, you don’t have to imagine it because if you live in Memphis you were there or you know someone that was. The guest speaker was one of my SHEroes Ms. Tamron Hall.  Tamron spoke about the diversity in the room, how important the work being done by the WFGM in the 38126 zip code is to our community and overcoming obstacles. She also spoke about the charities that are important to her. Tamron Hall is a philanthropist. I also volunteered my time for this event. On this day I too was a philanthropist.

    It’s not always about the money.

    Now don’t get me wrong, it takes money to fund charities and programs, but it also takes the time that people donate to help nonprofits move the needle. We all have some free time to help others. Think about it this way… You didn’t get to where you are without the help of someone else.

    I am a philanthropist……….are you?

    Belinda Bloggingwithbee

    Beewisdom- Philanthropy is part of the path to heaven- Tamron Hall

  • What I Learned At St Jude

    Hello Honeybees,

    As a parent I am always worried and concerned when one of my boys is sick. This allergy season has been really rough on my youngest. The worst year yet for him. I just can not imagine how the parents of children at St Jude feel. These children are dealing with life threatening illnesses. 

    If you live in Memphis you know what a gem we have in our city in St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I also believe that we take this gem for granted. I know that I am guilty. We all know about the good work that happens at St Jude. I know that families never have to pay for the medical treatments that their child receive. I know that families from out of town have a place to stay so that they can be near their children at the Ronald McDonald House , Target House or Tri Delta Place.

    E for Expenses at St Jude

    As part of the Memphis Blogger & Influencer meetup I had the opportunity to take a tour of St. Jude and learned some very interesting facts.

    St Jude Memphis Blogger Ambassadors

    Did you know that Danny Thomas, founder of St Jude, was instrumental in helping to desegregate the hospitality industry in Memphis? Before there was Ronald McDonald House families stayed at hotels which were not open to people of color. Danny told the hotels that if they couldn’t open their rooms to all that he would take his business elsewhere.

    Did you know that it was the lack of quality healthcare of an African American boy that lead Danny to start St Jude?

    St. Jude Statue

    Did you know that the original architect for St Jude was African American? Paul Williams learned to draw his renderings upside down because he couldn’t be on the same side of the table as Caucasians.  

    To know that St Jude has so much history outside of the medical miracles that it performs everyday is mind blowing.  As part of my #followmeinto50 I am planning to do a fundraising event for St Jude so stay tuned.

    Remember this line because you will see it again….”If you can’t give green, give red”  if you know what that means let me know in the comments.

    BelindaBloggingwithbee

    Beewisdom- Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It’s what you do for others- Danny Thomas