Ancestral Energies

New Year, New Job?

2012-01-10T12:28:00.010Z

The new year can be a great time for you to find that new job.

Have you been looking for work for a long time?

Or are you looking to change jobs, or careers?

I've got lots of resources for you if you are looking for work. Click here for my online jobsearch resources.

Don't chase jobs. Get employers to chase you. Click here for my free report on 4 Steps to Finding the Job You Want.

Plus click here for my free jobsearch consultations.

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) can be a very effective method to help you with your job search. Click here for my ebook, How to Use EFT to Find a Job.

Plus click here to learn how you can change scarcity to abundance.

Here's to your success!

Financial Success with EFT

2012-01-09T16:17:00.000Z

Want to have money flooding into your bank account this year? This video shows you how.

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), also known as meridian tapping, is a highly effective method which can help you achieve your goals.

EFT is a very simple method which takes just a few minutes to learn.

Warning: EFT tapping will make you become aware of everything that is getting in your way - your fears, doubts, and challenges. That's because Love Always Brings Up Its Opposite for Healing. To find out more about this, read my book, Success Strategies for Black People, or my ebook, The Power of Affirmations.

Plus click here if you want to change scarcity to abundance.

Here's to your success!

Change Scarcity into Abundance

2012-01-09T16:13:00.000Z

Want more money in your bank account this year? I've got lots of ways you can increase your income.

Click here to read about how to change scarcity to abundance.

Click here to focus the power of the universe to help you achieve your goals.

Plus, if you're looking for work, click here lots of help with your job search, including my free report to learn how to stop chasing jobs, and have employers chase you.

Here's to your success!

What Can We Learn from Tiger Mothers?

2012-01-06T13:07:00.000Z

I saw a documentary on the BBC last night about "tiger mothers", Chinese women who push their children to succeed.

I have strongly objected to a lot that I have read about "tiger mothers". They are portrayed as being very harsh with their children, not allowing the children to play or to have lives of their own.

However, I felt some sympathy with the mothers in the documentary.

Many people in the West lack discipline. I have found this when teaching personal courses for adults in London. I would tell my students, "Do this exercise every day for one week". They would come back a week later and say, "I did it for three days".

This is not just about Black people - I saw this a lot with my white students.

I was fired from one job, teaching ex-offenders, because my boss disagreed that when a student struggled with something, I said they should do it again. Keep at it until you learn how to do it. He said, let them do something else that's easier. This was teaching them to give up - something "tiger mothers" do not do.

It is important to learn the value of persistence. When you achieve something that was difficult, this greatly increases your sense of self-worth.

One of the parents in the film said that she expected her children to do well. It never entered her mind that they wouldn't. My father was very much the same. He would say, "There is nothing the school can throw at you that you can't handle".

I had experiences of my parents, particularly my mother, not caring about my feelings and my needs, not caring about my dreams and ambitions, and forcing hers on me. That is wrong, it's very undermining. We need to be living out our own dreams, not our parents'.

Also, you don't have to be a doctor, dentist or accountant to do well financially. People do well in all walks of life. There are artists and musicians who are multi-millionaires - just look at Sir Elton John as one example.

Although Elton John had phenomenal success at an early age, he also experienced conflicts with his father, who never went to see him perform. Elton had huge self-esteem issues which created major problems for him. Click here to read more.

One of my serious concerns about the "tiger mothers" is that they are pressuring their children to perform academically at the expense of other areas, which I fear creates an imbalance.

Still, Black parents can learn some things from the "tiger mothers". We need to learn to have that confidence that our children can do well, academically and in every area. Then life can't throw anything at them that they can't handle.

Diane Abbott Says "Sorry" for Race Tweet

2012-01-05T19:24:00.000Z

Diane Abbott MP has apologised for "any offence caused" by her Tweet that "white people love playing divide and rule".

It's not the first time she has been caught out by her remarks. I personally do not think she should have apologised. I may be in a minority of one (but I doubt it).

If we look at history, it is clear that "divide and conquer" is one of the tactics which has been employed time and time again by racist and colonialist regimes. To our shame as Black people, this tactic has been very successfully employed in turning us against each other.

While it is not wise to make generalisations about any race of people, we need to learn from this history, and we need politicians like Abbott who tell the truth - a rare thing in these times.

I interviewed Abbott, who was the first African Caribbean woman ever to be elected to the House of Commons, in my book Black Success Stories. Click here to order your copy.

This blog contains hundreds of Black history resources. If you type “Black history” into the search box, you can access them.

Please leave your comments below. Thanks.

Why I Wrote Success Strategies for Black People (2)

2011-12-09T14:38:00.001Z

If you want more money in your bank account in 2012, Success Strategies for Black People is for you.

I recently saw a TV program about money. They showed people attending workshops with T. Harv Eker and Robert Kiyosaki.

I am sure those workshops get great results. But the program showed people getting thousands of pounds into debt to pay for them, to develop a plan that could bear fruit many years down the line.

I can help you get much faster results. I don't claim to be able to turn you into a millionaire. But I can teach you how to double your income in 30 days - JUST by using the power of your mind.

And at a fraction of the price. For a limited time, it's all included in the price of the book.

Click here to read about what I have manifested. Using the methods in Success Strategies for Black People can help you to manifest what you want, too.

I have been using these methods for many years. That's how I know they work.

If you want more money, Success Strategies for Black People can help you.

Want a better job or career? Success Strategies for Black People can help you.

Business owner? Want more customers, more clients, more sales? Success Strategies for Black People can help you.

Click here to order your copy now.

Once you have bought it and read it, click here to download the first of your free gifts, which will start you on your way to doubling your income in 30 days.

By the way, the price will be going up. So grab your copy now.

And start creating a wonderfully prosperous 2012.

Black Talk Radio: Kwanzaa: Do Black Consumers Buy Black? (2)

2011-12-05T16:11:00.000Z

Do Black Consumers Buy Black? Judging by the emails I have received, the answer is a resounding "No".

On my radio show, I was joined by Kwanzaa expert Charles Taylor, author of Kwanzaa: How to Celebrate It at Home. You can listen to the recording below.

We discussed many things, including

- the meaning of Kwanzaa
- how to involve children in Kwanzaa
- the seven principles (nguzo saba)

and the role of business owners in Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa is not a commercial holiday. However, the founder, Dr. Malauna Karenga, wanted Black business owners to be in charge of the sale and marketing of Kwanzaa items - and that is largely the case.

Click here for lots of lovely Christmas and Kwanzaa gift ideas.

Click here to read about Kwanzaa.

The recording of the show is below.

Preview: Kwanzaa: Do Black Consumers Buy Black?

2011-12-01T16:12:00.001Z

As the season of Kwanzaa approaches, we are asking, Do Black Consumers Buy Black? We will be joined by Charles Taylor, author of Kwanzaa: How to Celebrate It in Your Home. For more info, and to listen in, scroll down.

Listen to internet radio with Zhana21 on Blog Talk Radio

Click here to listen or phone in, on Saturday the 3rd of December, 4:30 p.m. EST, 9:30 p.m. GMT.

If you miss the broadcast, you can still listen to the recording there.

Click here for lots of Christmas and Kwanzaa gift ideas.

Click here to read about Kwanzaa.

Promote Your Books at a Kwanzaa Event

2011-11-29T14:21:00.000Z

Annual Plainfield NJ Kwanzaa Authors and Vendors

The City of Plainfield is looking to honor writers at their December 30th annual
Kwanzaa. If you've written a book and are interested in promoting it, please
call 908.753.3097.

The Kwanzaa will be held at the Washington Community School, Plainfield.

Free of charge.

Performances, vendors, and a Kwanzaa dinner for all.

Many thanks to African Cultural Vendors for this information.

Click here for more Kwanzaa events.

Click here for more ideas about how to promote your book for the holidays.

London Kwanzaa, Tokyo Kwanzaa

2011-11-28T12:58:00.000Z

Every year, I post a list of Kwanzaa events on my site, including international events.

I have the first details of international events now.

Tokyo Kwanzaa
A Kwanzaa will be held in Tokyo today (Monday 28th November).

London Kwanzaa
Stereo-Hype will be presenting a Kwanzaa event on Friday the 9th of December, 7-9 p.m. in east London.

Click here for details of these and other Kwanzaa events. I shall continue to update the comments section on this page.

Click here to read about the tradition of Kwanzaa.

Click here for lots of lovely Christmas and Kwanzaa gift ideas, including my books.

Happy Kwanzaa!

Two Pre-Kwanzaa Events

2011-11-25T14:20:00.011Z

I have just found out about two pre-Kwanzaa events being held at the Alexandria Black History Museum in Alexandria, VA on Saturday December 10th. For more info, see Black Museums.

Click here for more listings of Kwanzaa and pre-Kwanzaa events.

Click here to read about the tradition of Kwanzaa.

Click here for loads of lovely Christmas and Kwanzaa gifts, including my books as well as free online fun for children and the whole family, books, DVDs and more.

Happy Kwanzaa!

Jamelia on Natural Hair

2011-11-25T11:01:00.002Z

I saw the singer Jamelia on Channel 5's The Wright Stuff today. She has been on the panel all week.

Jamelia says she has relaxed her hair for 20 years, but now she has decided to wear it natural.

Her two young daughters told her "When we grow up, we want to have straight hair like yours" and she said, "No, I love your big, bushy Afros".

This led her to question what type of image she is portraying, so she has decided to "bring back the Afro".

Well done, Jamelia. I hope more celebrities will follow your example.

African American Bloggers' Carnival

2011-11-23T13:35:00.000Z

The theme of the next African American Bloggers' Carnival is "Black relationships, families, culture and society".

"All positive, Black-focused blogs are invited to submit links for review and possible inclusion."

The deadline for submission is the 30th of November. Click here to post your entries.

And good luck!

Click here to read more about Black bloggers and blogging.

Black Doll/White Doll

2011-11-14T14:56:00.000Z

If you have not seen this already, or even if you have, check this out:

These very young children have already learned the lesson of self-hatred.

What can we do about this?

Buy culturally relevant gifts which reflect us and our children.

Buy Black This Holiday Season.

Living with Joy Worldwide Meditation

2011-11-12T18:52:00.000Z

I am so happy to be able to share this with you. Click here for Orin's Living with Joy Worldwide Meditation.

Plus click here to read about Orin and DaBen, and how you can change scarcity to abundance.

This is not specifically for people of Afrian heritage, it's for everyone.

The Best, Most Highly Effective Methods for Black People (Part 5)

2011-11-08T13:38:00.000Z

Part 4 is about building on your past achievements to attract greater success. Click here to read it.

This is the final part of this series.

Strategy 6 – Be True to Yourself

Strategy 6 is, in some ways, the most important strategy of all.

Be yourself. Be true to yourself. Be authentic.

Many times, we try to fit in with what other people want. We try to meet other people’s expectations. If you were raised on a system of rewards and punishments, you probably have this problem, at least to some extent.

The school system tends to reinforce this pattern. Rewards and punishments are used to control children’s behaviour.

So, you may need to unlearn this pattern.

My parents’ generation tended to try to fit in with what they thought white people wanted. This was a survival strategy. They thought that, as long as they played by white people’s rules, they would be able to survive and thrive. But there was a terrible price to pay, as they lost a sense of who they were.

Another thing we tend to do is to fit in with our ideas of “what Black people do”, and avoid doing “what Black people don’t do”. This is called group mentality. To read more about this, see The Key to Confidence.

As long as you are trying to fit in with the group, you will never truly be honouring your own uniqueness.

Learn to love yourself, appreciate yourself and value yourself.

You are a unique individual. There has never been anyone just like you before, and there never will be again.

Click here for the Success Strategies fan page

Click here to read about what I have manifested - and can help you to manifest, too.

Click here to download Excerpts from Success Strategies for Black People now.

See also: Positive Change and Transformation.

This blog contains loads of information to help you achieve your goals and manifest what you want. Much of it is based on Success Strategies for Black People and What They Don't Want Us to Know.

I invite you to search this blog to find what you need to help you get what you want.

What do you think of this blog? Please leave a comment below.

Why I Wrote Success Strategies for Black People

2011-11-08T13:10:00.000Z

I have just published Excerpts from Success Strategies for Black People, so I thought it was useful to explore why I wrote Success Strategies.

Our people are suffering and struggling needlessly. We are suffering and struggling in ignorance.

Why are so many of our people living below the poverty line?

Why are so many people in Africa struggling, living without access to clean water, health care or education?

Why are so many African Americans disadvantaged in the education system? Why are so many told by their teachers, "You will never amount to anything"?

Why are there disproportionate numbers of Black people in prison - on both sides of the Atlantic?

For more about this, see Why We Need to Heal.

Then click here to read about what I have manifested - and can help you to manifest, too.

My goal is to help you achieve your goals.

Click here to download Excerpts from Success Strategies for Black People now.

See also: Positive Change and Transformation.

Kwanzaa and Pre-Kwanzaa Events

2011-11-04T13:39:00.000Z

I have started listing Kwanzaa and pre-Kwanzaa events on my site. Click here for Kwanzaa events.

Some of these include:

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture will hold Kujichagulia: A Kwanzaa Celebration for School Groups on Wednesday, December 21, 2011, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Click here for museum events.

Some of these include:

The DuSable Museum in Chicago will hold the Harambee pre-Kwanzaa Celebration on the 8th of December.

The African American Museum in Philadelphia will hold a Kwanzaa event on the 30th of December.

I shall continue to add details of Kwanzaa events, so please come back.

Why Are There No Black Entrepreneurs?

2011-11-03T14:23:00.001Z

Okay, so this guy - founder of Tech Crunch Michael Arrington - is saying he cannot name ONE SINGLE BLACK ENTREPRENEUR in Silicone Valley. In fact, he seems to be saying there are NO BLACK ENTREPRENEURS at all!

So I must be a figment of your imagination. In fact, you are not reading this at all.

Obviously, our brains are too tiny.

Click here for free advice from Black business experts.

Achieving Our Highest Potential

2011-11-03T13:46:00.000Z

One of the most important things we need to do in order to achieve our higher potential is to get the different parts of ourselves to work together harmoniously. This is sometimes called "integration" (NOT to be confused with racial integration).

The parts of us that we disown, ignore or try to hide are the parts that contain our treasure.

Click here to read more. I talk about this more in Success Strategies for Black People.

Slavery and the White House

2011-10-31T14:09:00.000Z

Below is a fascinating video interview with Clarence Lusane, author of The Black History of the White House.

One point he makes is that people who were enslaved in the U.S.A., and all over the world, were influenced by the Haitian Revolution. Like Oney, a young woman who had been owned by George and Martha Washington until she ran away.

We have so much to learn from each other internationally.

Click here to read more about the Haitian Revolution.

Is This Racial Stereotyping?

2011-10-26T14:45:00.001+01:00

I phoned The Wright Stuff on Channel 5 this morning.

They were discussing the new TV drama, Top Boy, soon to be seen on Channel 4.

Top Boy, which will star Ashley Walters, has been criticised for focusing on young, Black gangsters and drug dealers. Hackney Council has withdrawn its permission to shoot the drama within the borough, saying that it negatively stereotypes Black youth.

The producers argue that the drama reflects life for young people on inner-city estates.

Nina Wadia, an Asian actress from EastEnders, echoed these thoughts on the show today.

My argument is that, yes, it does represent some of the realities of life for some young people.

However, there are many more stories that are not being told or not made into dramas for TV and film.

When we keep seeing the same portrayal of Black people over and over again, these images become stereotypes and cliches.

In Black Success Stories, I have profiled many successful Black people in Britain.

My free More Black Success ebooks also feature the experience of successful Black people in a range of fields.

Don't just protest against negative stereotyping. Produce positive images and positive stories like the ones in Black Success Stories and More Black Success.

Oprah Richest Woman in Entertainment

2011-10-18T14:55:00.000+01:00

According to a recent article, Oprah Winfrey has been declared the richest woman in entertainment, leaving No. 2 Lady Gaga in the shade. Click here to read more.

Actually, I don't understand why these things are stated in this kind of competitive way. But there ya go.

Click here to download my free More Black Success ebooks about Black business success.

Click here for more free ebooks and reports.

Wangari Maathai, Warrior Woman

2011-10-06T13:53:00.000+01:00

I want to share this great blog about Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan woman who has been active in the environmental movement for many years. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her work in the Green Belt Movement.

Often, the environmental movement has operated in a way that is very Eurocentric, and has marginalised and excluded African people and other people of colour.

This blog about Kibera describes some of the conditions endured by people in Kenya, and the way these conditions have been exploited by Europeans.

Anna Renee's blog underlines points I have made on this blog many times - that we need to tell our own stories and that we, as African people all over the world, need to network with each other. We need to share our stories. We need to communicate with each other and educate ourselves about each other's lives.

Long may this continue.

Please leave your comments below.

Learning Black History Is Fun

2011-10-05T09:50:00.005+01:00

Click here to take my online Black history quizzes. Great fun for your children and for all the family.

See also:

Black Facts

More Free Online Fun

How to Research Black History.

This blog contains hundreds of Black history resources. If you type “Black history” into the search box, you can access them.

Please leave your comments below. Thanks.

How to Leverage Conference Networking

2011-09-28T15:31:00.000+01:00

Greetings, all.

Where do we start with conference networking? How does it differ from local networking?

Click here to read an article by Twitter's Smallbizlady Melinda Emerson on How to Leverage Conference Networking.

To read my interview with Melinda on how she gained over 15,000 Twitter followers, and for advice from other Black business experts, click here to download More Black Success Volume 10.

Ever wanted to attend a conference but lacked the funds? Click here to download my ebook Shaking the Money Tree.

Here's to your success!

Moving Forward - What We Can Learn from Troy Davis

2011-09-22T13:49:00.000+01:00

As I said in yesterday's blog, one thing we can learn from the tragic, horrendous case of Troy Davis is that justice often stops short of where we need it to be. Click here to read more.

People of African heritage are over-represented in the prison system. This is true on both sides of the Atlantic.

I truly believe that Spiritual Response Therapy (SRT) can help in many cases in which there have been miscarriages of justice.

SRT can produce amazing results. I have seen this in my own life many times. We are capable of producing miracles.

The Higher Self always works to find the best possible solution for everyone in a given situation. SRT is just one way in which the Higher Self works.

To read more about the Higher Self and SRT, see my book Success Strategies for Black People.

If you are willing to try new things, you can learn how to produce these amazing results and help to create a better future - for everyone.

When these kinds of terrible, tragic situations arise, we need to see this as a wake-up call. We need to find new methods to help us to move forward.

Click here to order your copy of Success Strategies for Black People now. It could help you our someone you love.

A Letter from Troy Davis

2011-09-21T18:17:00.000+01:00

Click here to read a letter from Troy Davis.

As I blogged yesterday, Troy Davis's appeal for clemency has been denied despite worldwide protests. His supporters are still fighting hard in these final hours before his scheduled execution.

This 2003 Justice Department report gives statistics of imprisonment in the United States.

It gives figures going back to 1974 showing that African American males are disproportionately represented in the prison system.

In other words, this is nothing new. African American males have also long been disproportionately represented on death row.

It is important to remember that the fight for justice did not begin with Troy Davis and it does not end with him. This is a fight for all of us. When one person is denied justice, we all suffer.

La luta continua.

Why We Need to Identify as Black

2011-09-21T14:59:00.000+01:00

From time to time, I receive comments from people about the fact that I use the word “Black” to refer to people of African heritage. Thus, my books are called Black Success Stories, Success Strategies for Black People and More Black Success.

The history of the word Black is an interesting one. In traditional African spiritual practice, the colour black is considered to be the strongest, most powerful colour in existence. When we want to attract something, we use the colour black to attract it.

To take an example from nature, a black hole in space attracts everything to it.

My opinion – this is a personal view – is that white people, people of European descent, as well as other light-skinned people such as Arabs, were aware of the power of the colour black, and that is why they feared it. So they started to associate blackness with negativity.

However, as African people, we have no reason to fear the colour black or the word “black”. Plus, many of our ancestors were black, the colour of the earth, and there are still many black-skinned African people in the diaspora, all over the world.

The rich, deep dark blackness of Black skin - "coal-black, plum black, blue black" to quote Maya Angelou.

So Blackness is an important part of our identity.

As an African American, I am proud to identify myself as Black and I shall continue to do so.

This blog contains hundreds of Black history resources. If you type “Black history” into the search box, you can access them.

Please leave your comments below.

Troy Davis Denied Clemency

2011-09-20T16:48:00.001+01:00

In case you have not heard, Troy Davis has been denied clemency. He is scheduled for execution tomorrow, Wednesday the 21st of September

This is just one more case of the criminal justice system being used to murder a Black man legally. Troy Davis is being treated as guilty until proven innocent.

Amnesty International is urging us to take action. It is not too late to stop the execution of Troy Davis. Click here to read more.

Click here for the Amnesty International blog.

Seven of the nine witnesses who testified against him have now recanted on their statements. Click here to view a video from the Huffington Post.

How to Research Black History

2011-09-20T15:46:00.000+01:00

In my book, Black Success Stories, the late Len Garrison, founder of the Black Cultural Archives in South London, gives his steps for researching Black history.

He talks about defining a Black identity, why he started to teach Black history and how he founded the archives.

Click here to order your copy now. Black Success Stories also makes a great gift.

Black Success Stories also contains an interview with Jak Dodd, the creator of the Nubian Jak Black history board game.

Knowledge of Black history – the history of African people - starts at home. It’s down to the parents – we cannot rely on the schools to do it.

My parents taught me about my history from a very young age. They planted a seed. All of our parents and grandparents carry valuable knowledge which we need to share.

Once we have an awareness of even a little Black history, we can build on this. I continue to attend Black history events and I always learn something new.

For more about the importance of Black history, see: Our History, Our Healing.

This blog contains hundreds of Black history resources. If you type “Black history” into the search box, you can access them.

Please leave your comments below.

Tribute to Gil Scott Heron - Message to the Messengers

2011-09-19T17:19:00.000+01:00

A tribute to Gil Scott Heron, Message to the Messengers: Mi Revalushanary Frenz will be held at The Drum in Birmingham, UK, on 27th October as part of their Black History Month programme.

Gil Scott Heron was one of the most talented and outspoken spoken word artists of ANY generation. His words, with drums or with jazz accompaniment, forecast some of the issues we are facing today. See below for videos of the classic "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised".

Click here for more details of this and other BHM UK2 2011 events.

Click here for another hard-hitting version.

See below for a video of Gil Scott Heron talking about this piece.

This blog contains hundreds of Black history resources. If you type “Black history” into the search box, you can access them.

Please leave your comments below.

Kwanzaa Stories Wanted

2011-09-16T10:22:00.005+01:00

I am seeking original Kwanzaa stories by writers of African heritage for publication.

I am looking for short stories of 500-1500 words on the theme of Kwanzaa, and/or set at Kwanzaa. Your story must be suitable for a family audience.

Click here for more about my work.

Click here for details of how to submit your story for consideration.

For more about Kwanzaa, see: Kwanzaa - Celebrating Traditional African Values.

Deadline: 31st October 2011

The Gollywog Issue (Again)

2011-09-07T09:56:00.000+01:00

On Channel 5's The Wright Stuff this morning, they are discussing gollywogs. Should they be banned? Someone put a gollywog in their window in order deliberately to offend their Black neighbours.

In my book Black Success Stories, the founder of the Black Cultural Archives, Len Garrison, talked about the research he had done into the use of groteque images of African people in the British colonies. He was struck by the amount of money manufacturers had invested in preserving these types of images.

Yet some people still find the need to defend the use of these dolls with their grotesque features.

I find it fascinating the way The Wright Stuff tackles issues, including racial issues. They look at issues from lots of different angles and different people on the panel have widely varying views. And Matthew Wright genuinely appears willing to learn - at least sometimes.

Further Thoughts on the Riots

2011-09-06T15:02:00.000+01:00

There was a lot of destruction caused by the riots across London and the UK a few weeks ago. As ever, my first thought is, why did people feel the need to riot, loot and burn?

Obviously, as I said in previous posts, people are angry. There is a lot of anger being expressed in these situations. I believe a big contributing factor is that the government has refused to listen to what people want. And it is still refusing to listen.

Why is there so much anger and disssatisfaction? We can only find out by asking the people involved.

There has been an enormous amount of speculation. And an enormous amount of stereotyping.

We need an alternative. We need to turn this situation around.

The media have blamed "young people" for the rioting and destruction, although only about 20% of the people involved have been under 18 years of age.

The media have stereotyped the Black community as rioters and looters. The Evening Standard was full of photos of African people being taken to court. But the truth is somewhat different.

Black community leaders have taken it on themselves to try to address what have been long-standing problems between young Black people and the police. These problems certainly may have contributed to the events of a few weeks ago.

The shooting of a young Black man, lies and rumours about this incident, and the assault by police officers on a young woman on a peaceful demonstration may well have contributed. But people of many different racial and cultural backgrounds took part in the rioting and looting.

Orthodox Jewish people were filmed at the riots in North London.

The fact that white people have been rioting in London since last year has been all but forgotten.

In Nonviolent Communication (NVC), we say that people's actions are always an attempt to meet a need.

In order to get someone to do what you want, you first need to give empathy to that person. That is, you have to connect with that person's feelings and needs. For more about this, click here to read my article on Nonviolent Communication.

I have not heard any empathy at all from the government or the media, although I have heard empathy from some of our community leaders.

Mostly what I have been hearing is "bring in the Army", "bring in water cannons", "impose harsh sentences". This is the opposite of empathy. This is a fear reaction and does not address the causes of the rioting.

At a recent meeting in London of the African People's Parliament, which had met to discuss issues arising from the riots, the police sent a helicopter and shined a light on the door of the building.

We need to use different methods, as I said previously. I saw this coming, as I said on a previous post. And I predict more rioting as long as the government continues with this blame game, and continues to avoid dealing with the underlying issues.

It takes an enormous amount of courage to say, "we will not give in to fear. We will not give vent to our violent impulses". But this is what we need to do.

People need to stop posturing, stop pointing the finger and start using more effective methods.

Click here for my workshps in London.

We have been presented with a golden opportunity to turn things around. Let's use it.

Please leave your comments below.

Egalite for All

2011-08-30T14:51:00.001+01:00

I recently saw this excellent PBS documentary about the Haitian Revolution, which was screened by Black History Studies.

Egalite for All was chock full of factual information, as was the subsequent presentation by Charmaine at Black History Studies.

Click here to read some of what I learned.

This is important information for all African people. And there is always more to learn. See also:

The Haitian Revolution and Practical Spirituality. The book entitled The Logical and Historical Significance of the Haitian Revolution was mentioned by Panyin on What U Need to Know. Click here to read more and listen to the show.

Dark Girls Lecture with Directors

2011-08-30T14:15:00.001+01:00

The Dark Girls documentary explores color prejudice/colorism among African American women. See below for a trailer.

The Du Sable Museum in Chicago will hold a lecture with Bill Duke and D. Channsin Berry, the directors of Dark Girls, on Monday, October 10, 2011.

For details of this and other events, see Black History/Cultural Events.

See also: Chicago African Festival of the Arts.

For more great stuff like this, click here to join Nurture Success.

See also: Africa and Africans on Film.

Dark Girls: Preview from Bradinn French on Vimeo.

Andrew Jackson Beard - Black Inventor

2011-08-30T13:47:00.000+01:00

I have just discovered a great site about Black inventors.

Andrew Jackson Beard saved the lives and limbs of many people working on the railroads in the 19th century. Click here to read more.

Plus click here for advice from Black business experts.

Here's to your success!

Chicago African Festival of the Arts

2011-08-29T15:30:00.005+01:00

The African Festival of the Arts in Chicago celebrates the arts of the African Diaspora. 2-5 September 2011.

For details of this and more events, see Black History/Cultural Events.

Below is a video about the African Festival of the Arts.

Why My Book Is Not for Everyone

2011-08-25T15:48:00.000+01:00

My book Success Strategies for Black People is not for everyone.

That's because many people of African heritage are not ready to take the steps necessary to bring about positive change.

They are too busy looking for something else to do it.

Looking for a solution for "us", for the Black community, rather than facing up to the fact that positive change starts with the individual. Positive change starts with self.

When we know and understand how to bring about positive change for ourselves, in our own lives, we understand how others in our families and communities can use these methods to bring about the change they need, too.

Harriet Tubman has been an inspiration for me since I was a child - more than 40 years now. A few months ago, I learned that the first time she ran away, she went back to the plantation.

She ran away with her brothers, and they all turned back.

Eventually, she made the decision to run away on her own. Once she took that step, she found others who helped her and gave her the support she needed.

Having proved that it was possible, Harriet was then able to go back time and time again, to lead many others to freedom.

Learn the lessons of history. We need to be willing to take that first step. Then we will see how to encourage others to do the same - for the benefit of our Black families and our Black communities.

Click here to order Success Strategies for Black People today.

Here's to your success!

Bill Gates Offering Scholarships to African American Students

2011-08-22T14:03:00.000+01:00

The information below was sent to me by Black News.

Bear in mind Bill Gates's company Microsoft has used cheap prison labor.

Click here for my ebook, Shaking the Money Tree, on how to raise sponsorship funds for your education or your business.

The Gates Millennium Scholarship Program (GMS) will select 1,000 talented students next year to receive a good-through-graduation scholarship to use at any college or university of their choice.

Scholars will also be provided with personal and professional development through their leadership programs, along with academic support throughout their college career.

The program, funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was established to provide outstanding low income minority students with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education in any discipline area of interest. To date, the program has given scholarships to more than 15,000 students.

Continuing scholars may request funding for a graduate degree program in one of the following discipline areas: education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health or science.

The deadline for submitting an application is Wednesday, January 11, 2012.

To apply, visit www.blackstudents.com/billgates

Toussaint L'Ouverture and the Haitian Revolution

2011-08-18T11:34:00.001+01:00

On Saturday, we were honoured to have Sister Panyin as our guest on What U Need to Know.

She spoke very eloquently about African Remembrance Day and the Haitian Revolution.

Panyin emphasised the role of traditional spirituality in the revolution, in which the Haitian people under L'Ouverture's leadership defeated the armies of France, Spain, Britain and France again.

Click here to listen.

We talked about practical spirituality, which is the basis of my book Success Strategies for Black People.

Practical spirituality is what helped African people to survive during slavery, and we can use practical spirituality to achieve our goals.

My parents taught me about Black history and heroes and sheroes like L'Ouverture and Harriet Tubman. We cannot rely on the schools to teach our children about our history and heritage.

Panyin also shared information about a book by Clinton A. Hutton entitled The Logic and Historical Significance of the Haitian Revolution and the Cosmological Roots of Haitian Freedom

To read more about Haiti past and present, see Two Films about Haiti.

Exam Results Day

2011-08-18T11:14:00.003+01:00

You and your family may have had weeks of anxiety waiting for exam results. Today, at last, they have been announced.

But now that you have the results, you may be facing another anxiety - how will you pay for university education?

Matthew Wright of Channel 5's The Wright Stuff has said that many young people are deciding not to pursue higher education, because they do not want to be saddled with a high level of debt.

But there is a solution.

Shaking the Money Tree is my ebook which explains how you can raise funds for college or university tuiton.

The experts interviewed in Shaking the Money Tree also explain how to raise sponsorship funding for business events, arts and community projects, and sporting events.

Click here to download it now.

If you are worried about your exam results, phone the Exam Results Helpline on 0808 100 8000.

Here's to your success!

Rodney King Urges Young People to Stop Violent and Criminal Behaviour

2011-08-16T12:50:00.000+01:00

Rodney King became a household name in the early 1990s for some of the worst possible reasons - he was badly beaten by racist police officers in Los Angeles.

Rioting broke out in L.A. when the jury returned a verdict of "not guilty" for the police officers involved.

Similarly, violence broke out in Tottenham, North London when the police assaulted a 16-year-old girl during a peaceful protest.

King has now stressed that people should not loot and burn their own neighbourhoods - this is not a solution. He says: "Being a looter is a crime, but who are you hating? Your local store? My message to all rioters is to stop.”

Click here for a positive alternative to the violence.

See also: UK Riots - Ending the Violence.

Click here to read more about King's statement.

Targeting the Black Community

2011-08-16T11:49:00.000+01:00

The African Caribbean community is now being scapegoated - we are being blamed for the riots and violent disorder of last week. Like the riots, this was entirely predictable.

Click here for a positive alternative - the African Caribbean Family Leadership Project.

One caller on The Wright Stuff this morning said that people who use Patois are violent. The guest presenter did nothing to challenge him on this.

Patois is spoken by many people including parents, teachers and community leaders.

This call was in response to remarks by historian David Starkey, who claimed that Black culture is violent and that the infamous "rivers of blood" speech by Enoch Powell was right.

What is this if not incitement to violence against the Black community. Apparently, links to the English Defence League (EDF) website have been added to Starkey's video on YouTube.

This is just the thin end of the wedge. Expect more of the same.

Click here for a positive alternative - the African Caribbean Family Leadership Project.

Commentators including Bishop Dr. Derek Webley, Chair of the West Midlands Police Authority, and Sgt. Winston Christie, Interim Chair of the Black and Asian Police Association, have stated clearly that the riots were not just to do with Black people - they reflect the disaffection of many young people in British society today.

See also: Ending the Violence.

Looking for Work?

2011-08-15T11:24:00.000+01:00

Have you been looking for work for some time? Or do you know someone who has?

Recently left school or graduated from university?

Or are you facing layoff or redundancy?

Are you worried that there are just not enough jobs out there? Or that you're going to be stuck in a McJob forever?

Have you answered loads of job ads? Tried lots of different things? Getting fed up?

The jobsearch can be frustrating, but I can help.

Click here to download my free report on 4 Steps to Finding the Job You Want.

Plus click here to read about how you can use EFT in your job search.

And click here for my free jobsearch consultations.

Here's to your success!

Why We Are Afraid to Try Something New?

2011-08-15T11:07:00.000+01:00

Does this describe you?

You have had a health problem for some time. Maybe you are in pain. Or you know someone who is.

If you have tried lots of different things, but you still struggle with this issue, you are probably feeling fed up by now.

You have experienced so much disappointment you don't even want to try anymore.

I can help.

I am offering solutions for diabetes, Alzheimer's, pain relief and other health issues.

If you are open to the possiblity that MAYBE you can find a solution, I can help you find one.

Click here to read more and download my free resources.

See also: Alternative Health Remedies.

Click here for more information about me and my work.

Here's to your health!

African Emancipation Day: What U Need to Know

2011-08-12T12:30:00.000+01:00

I hope you will join us for What U Need to Know tomorrow (Saturday) at 7:30 p.m. UK time, 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

We will be discussing African Remembrance Day.

Can the riots and violence we are seeing on the streets of the UK be linked to revolutionary action? Or is there no connection?

We will be joined by Sister Panyin, who will talk about the Haitian Revolution.

Click here to listen or click here to join us on Facebook.

This Is an Opportunity to Create a Better Future

2011-08-09T12:51:00.000+01:00

The footage from the UK riots is terrible and unrelenting.

People are losing their homes and their jobs. This situation is bringing out the worst in people.

I can't help thinking this could have been prevented. See I Saw This Coming.

However, this is an opportunity to create a better future. This crisis can be a positive turning point. The potential is there.

To read more, see UK Riots - Ending the Violence.

We can go on pointing the finger of blame, or we can find a positive solution.

This is a great opportunity. We can continue escalating the violence, or we can change direction to create a better future.

UK Riots - Ending the Violence

2011-08-09T09:08:00.001+01:00

As the riots in many parts of London continue to spread across the UK, there is more and more talk about putting troops on the streets.

The situation is highly chaotic. The police are overstretched. They appear to be making it up as they go along.

For a better way to communicate and end the violence, see Improving Communication.

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is one of the most effective methods of countering violence. NVC is used to transform situations, including cases of extreme violence.

We need leadership. We need strategies to address this situation.

The police and the authorities need to be using better strategies now. The old ways are not working - how more obvious can this get?

For news of NVC workshops in Britain and Europe, click here, here and here.

See also: Ending the Violence through a Creative Response. When are we gonna learn? We need a better way.

More Violence in London

2011-08-09T08:15:00.000+01:00

The violence in London is continuing. Since Saturday night, the rioting and looting in Tottenham and Enfield have spread to Hackney and Bethnal Green in East London, Brixton and Clapham in Southwest London, Lewisham and Peckham in Southeast London, Croydon to the South.

Now the violence has spread outside of London to Birmingham, Bristol and Liverpool.

As I said a couple of days ago, I Saw This Coming.

People are complaining because the police are slow to respond, but they are clearly overstretched. They seem to be making it up as they go along. It will not surprise me if there are troops on the streets by the end of the week, like what happened in Detroit in 1967.

Mayor Boris Johnson and Prime Minister David Cameron refused to break off their holidays at first, but as the violence has spread, they are both now heading back home.

For those of us who have been here, the situation is very tense. We don't know where the violence will break out next.

The terrible incident which led to the death of Mark Duggan is not the cause of this. That incident was just the catalyst. I feel terribly sad for his family and the grief they are experiencing.

It stopped being about that a long time ago, though.

And it's not about the Black community. White English youths are out there rioting. Turkish young people, Eastern European immigrants are out there, too. Not just young people, older people are out on the streets.

Home Secretary Theresa May keeps saying this is "criminality", and of course, this is true. But it's missing the point.

I saw this coming because people are angry. People have been angry for months.

I saw this coming because the government is not listening.

Be very clear. I am not condoning the violence and mayhem.

I am saying it was inevitable and could be predicted months ago. In fact, I predicted it.

Don't know what's going to happen next, but it won't be good.

And it won't surprise me if the Black community takes the brunt of any repercussions.

Tottenham Riot: I Saw This Coming

2011-08-07T13:42:00.007+01:00

Probably a lot of people saw this coming. I sure did.

Click here for a video on the Tottenham riot last night.

I've been saying for months now, expect a summer of rioting. I thought we might have been spared because the weather had turned cloudy and temperatures were down. But no.

The sun came out and it was lovely, warm and sunny. And then the police decided to shoot somebody.

At least one eyewitness said that Mark Duggan was lying on the ground when the officers shot him.

Cuts, layoffs and redundancies. Pensions are shrinking. Tuition fees are rising. Then the police decide to shoot somebody. In Tottenham, a Black community with a history of tensions with the police.

Somebody please convince me this is not a conspiracy.

See also: Death of Smiley Culture.

We need to focus on solutions. There is a solution to this problem if we take a positive approach - the methods of the past do not work. Not for us. And ultimately, not for anybody.

Flora Nwapa: The Mother of African Women's Writing

2011-08-01T19:53:00.000+01:00

I came across this blog post today: Remembering Flora – The Mother of African Womens Writing.

According to this, Flora Nwapa was the first African woman writer to be published in English.

We must remember that still, in many parts of Africa, women and girls are denied education. Buchi Emecheta, a Nigerian author of more than 20 books, has said that without her education, which was paid for by a grant from the Methodist church, she would never have achieved financial and personal independence.

Click here to read my interview with Buchi.

See also: Her Husband Burned Her First Novel.

Black History Film: The First Grader

2011-07-30T14:58:00.000+01:00

As I stated in Historic Victory for Kenyans/The Mau Mau, four elderly Kenyans have been granted the right to sue the UK government. Given these recent developments, the screening of this film I attended in London was very timely.

The First Grader tells the story of Maruge, an elderly Kenyan man who has never learned to read and write, and who decides to go back to school.

Maruge has received a letter from the government and wants to read it for himself. In the course of the film, we catch glimpses of what he suffered at the hands of the British – his imprisonment and torture and the killing of his family during the “Mau Mau” uprising of the 1950s.

The First Grader graphically depicts the lack of knowledge of subsequent generations, who don’t understand what he fought for, or what he is fighting for now.

When I told my 90-year-old dad that the subject of this film was a man in his eighties, he immediately replied, "That's wonderful!". This was my response as well.

So I was shocked to see the reactions of some of the locals, who resented the fact that Maruge was going back to school, even though he was not taking resources away from any children. This showed how far the African tradition of respect for the elders has been eroded.

Some even assumed the headmistress, played by Naomie Harris, was being bribed to educate this senior learner.

This film is a must-see for those who, like many, know little or nothing about the history of Kenya under colonisation.

After the screening, we had a panel discussion which included one of the lawyers representing the elderly Kenyans who have just been granted the right to sue the British government. For more about this, see: Historic Victory for Kenyans/The Mau Mau

The screening was held before that decision had been reached. The panel explained that the UK government had, for many years, denied the existence of any documentation about what had happened in Kenya.

Then an archive was discovered which contained documentary evidence of what was done in Kenya and many other countries under British colonisation.

Thus the decision was granted. We will be discussing this on What U Need to Know on Saturday the 13th of August, as part of our discussion of African Emancipation Day. Click here to join us or go to Success Strategies for Black People on Facebook.

See also: Africa and Africans on Film

Worried about Money?

2011-07-28T15:23:00.000+01:00

Many people are worried about money. There is so much uncertainty these days. People are facing being laid off, pensions are shrinking.

Here's the thing: worrying about bills, debts, etc. just makes things worse.

Did you know that our relationship with money is an emotional relationship? That means that when we change our thoughts and emotions, our money situation changes.

Think about it: when you feel more confident, don't you perform better?

My new ebook, The Power of Affirmations, contains practical suggestions which can help you to improve your situation. Click here to download it now.

Here's to your success!

Do Black Men Need to Man Up?

2011-07-27T11:30:00.000+01:00

Check out this blog from Very Smart Brothas: Do Black Men Need to Man Up?

There are LOTS of responses to this one. You can read them, and/or add your own.

Some of my thoughts:

Who is responsible for the crime and violence in the ghetto? My answer: white men.

Who is to blame for Black men behaving irresponsibly?

Does strong Black female leadership require Black men to be weak - or absent?

What we need is a new kind of strength - the kind that takes account of feelings, needs, the whole person. Click here for my article on Strong Black Woman Syndrome.

As I said, lots more has been said. So click here to check it out.

Historic Victory for Kenyans/The Mau Mau

2011-07-22T13:02:00.000+01:00

Four Kenyan ex-members of the so-called Mau Mau resistance have won the right to sue the British government.

The British invaded Kenya in the early 20th century and committed atrocities against the Kenyan people for decades. After many years of nonviolent resistance, many Kenyans felt they had to resort to violent action - similar to what happened on South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The British named the resistance movement "Mau Mau" in order to make them sound foreign and exotic - they called themselves the Land Freedom Army.

In a test case, four elderly Kenyans have now been granted the right to sue the UK government. I shall be blogging more about this soon. Click here to read more about this historic victory.

I have personally seen documentary footage of some of the atrocities committed by the British in Kenya - just one of the many African countries which were invaded by European countries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Click here to read more about the British colonial presence in Kenya.

President Obama's Kenyan grandfather was one of the many who loyally served in the British army during the Second World War - only to be imprisoned and tortured when he later expressed support for the resistance movement.

This legal decision means the fight for justice can now be taken to the next stage.

One Isley Brother's Daughter

2011-07-13T13:13:00.000+01:00

Every day, we are hit with new revelations about the News International phone hacking scandal. It's even being discussed in Parliament.

On What U Need to Know on Saturday, we interviewed Elizabeth Isley Barkley, author of One Isley Brother's Daughter

One of her nmain themes is the effect of celebrity on personal life - not just on that of the person in the public eye, but that of his or her family as well.

She argues that things are even worse now than they were when the Isley Brothers were at the height of their popularity in the 1970s.

To listen to the interview, click here for What U Need to Know, or click here to hear it on Success Strategies for Black People on Facebook.

Fire in Babylon

2011-07-12T14:54:00.000+01:00

Even if, like me, you know nothing about cricket, you need to see this film.

As depicted in Fire in Babylon, in the early 1970s, the West Indian cricket team was an international joke. They were referred to as "calypso cricketers" and were seen as entertainers, not as winners.

When they travelled to Australia in 1975, the Australian team humiliated them and the "fast bowlers" physically assaulted them with the ball. So the West Indies team decided to fight back.

This was a matter of pride. Having gained independence from the British, they felt, by the 1970s, like they had something to prove.

The team captain, Clive Lloyd, travelled around the Caribbean islands in search of fast bowlers - and he found some. These guys just did not quit. Some of them could bowl the ball at 90 mph. When they got on the field, they could do serious damage, not just to the other players' bodies in the form of bruises and broken bones, but to their pride.

Fire in Babylon features interviews with many members of the West Indies team during that period.

Up until then, the captains of the West Indies team had always been white. But in the 1970s, there was a new, revolutionary spirit about, partly inspired by Bob Marley's music. The film contains some great clips of Marley in performance, singing "Get Up, Stand Up".

At the same time the West Indies team were rising, Black people in Britain were coming under increasing pressure from racism. When the West Indies team played in England and beat the England team in 1976, people in the stands - both Black and white - were cheering them on.

The players from the Caribbean also felt a connection with Black people fighting apartheid in South Africa.

The West Indies team defeated Australia, considered the best cricket team in the world, after which they dominated world cricket - they never lost a test series from 1975 to 1990. (For those who don't know, a test series is the highest level of international cricket - I think.)

Fire in Babylon was an incredibly uplifting, inspiring and moving film. Just one of many wonderful events hosted by Black History Studies.

See also: Next Black History Events.

A Great Way to Reach Teachers and Students

2011-07-11T12:39:00.000+01:00

If you want to reach school pupils, teachers and educators with your work, Squidoo is a highly effective way to do so.

Get started now so that you will be up and running by the time school starts again in September.

My Black history lenses (articles) are my most popular articles on Squidoo. Sometimes they get hundreds of hits in a month. This is because people are interested in reading and learning about Black history, and Squidoo lenses are an excellent place to begin or expand their research.

Some of my Black history lenses include:

Black History International – This one contains Black history polls and links to other lenses.

London Black History Walks – focus on Black British history

Naij - A Film History of Nigeria

News and Views: ANC Welcomes Ruling - this lens includes reviews of films made in secret under apartheid in South Africa.

I have quite a few more.

Squidoo is one of the online resources people use when seeking information. If your lenses are "G" rated, people of any age can read them.

Squidoo lenses (articles) are highly targetted. This means the only people who visit them are the ones who are interested in your subject.

If you want to become established as an expert in your field, Squidoo is a great way to get started.

Plus, if you have products or services to sell, you can link to them from your Squidoo pages.

Click here to get started for free by building a Squidoo lens.

Click here if you are looking for ideas for things to write about. See also: Write Your Book in Two Days (you can use this for writing articles, essays or blogs).

Click here for more suggestions about how to make your lenses interesting and keep people coming back.

Here’s to your success!

Financial Independence: What U Need to Know Preview

2011-07-07T10:11:00.000+01:00

As the U.S.A. just celebrated Independence Day, we thought this would be a good time to talk about financial independence.

So many people are facing economic uncertainty these days. We need some strategies. You can listen to a preview below.

Plus, click below for more info on how to attract the money you want. We can achieve financial success.

Click here to listen to What U Need to Know this Saturday, 2 p.m. EST, 7 p.m. UK time.

Listen to internet radio with Zhana21 on Blog Talk Radio

Focus the Power of the Universe

2011-07-05T15:54:00.000+01:00

My new, free ebook The Power of Affirmations, helps you to focus the power of the universe to improve your

- money and finances
- health
- work and career

or any area of your life.

If you have ever had problems using affirmations, or even if you haven't, if you have been using affirmations for years or if you are a complete novice, The Power of Affirmations can help you. Click here to download it now.

Click here for more free ebooks and reports.

Here's to your success!

Free Reports and Ebooks for Health, Wealth and Success

2011-06-28T16:15:00.000+01:00

In addition to the More Black Success ebooks, I have a number of free reports I would like to share with you, which I created myself, including:

Achieving Success with your 3-Step Success Formula

4 Steps to Finding the Job You Want

and Raising Money through Sponsorship.

Feel free to download them, use them and enjoy them.

Click here for my free job search consultations.

Click here for more about More Black Success.

Here's to your success!

Learn from the Experts

2011-06-23T16:37:00.000+01:00

If you have not already seen it, click here to read the latest on Black News: Learn from the Experts: More Black Success.

I have compiled these ebooks to give you the benefit of advice from experts with some of the best information - about business success and much more. Click here to get your free copies of More Black Success now.

Here's to your success!

Breaking into Britain

2011-06-21T12:04:00.000+01:00

I saw this documentary on the BBC last week. "Breaking into Britain" tracks people travelling into Britain from two parts of the world: Afghanistan and Nigeria.

They are people who would not be able to enter the UK legally, so they have to find various means, dealing with shady people, journeying through war zones, and doing whatever they can to get here.

The documentary depicted the ordeal they go through.

People leaving Afghanistan may have to pay a people smuggler several thousand pounds to get them here. The journalist, himself from an Afghan background, met fellow Afghans everywhere he went. They often have to travel via Iran and Turkey, sometimes taking serious risks. Some have no money and no food. Many, having made it into Europe, find themselves stranded in Athens, sleeping rough and relying on charities to feed them and their children.

I guess they did not realise that Greece was in economic meltdown.

Those coming from Nigeria may have started their journeys anywhere on the continent. They travel through the desert to get to Morocco, where they try to get into Italy.

The documentary did not really explain or depict the reasons why these people are so desperate to get into Britain. It mentioned that Afghanistan has been at war for over 30 years, so life is difficult there. And seeing the risks they take shows us how determined they are to get into Britain.

People smugglers often demand sex from the women relying on them to help them get into Europe. A woman from the Congo described how she was raped at knife-point by a smuggler in the middle of the desert.

African people often travel via Niger. The journey through the Sahara is so dangerous that they have to travel in armed convoys.

Again, the documentary did not mention why Niger is so dangerous, although, coming from Congo, the woman, like many others, is seeking to escape an area of conflict.

People travel via overcrowded buses, lorries and boats; climb over fences, and cling to the bottom of lorries. They dodge the authorities and meet with hostility from from locals.

They are looking to find a better life for themselves and their children.

Some of them, however, once reality strikes, just wish they had enough money to go home.

Mirror Boy: New Nigeria Cinema

2011-06-16T15:55:00.000+01:00

The Nollywood movement has produced many thousands of films, and Nigeria now has the second-largest film industry in the world, after Bollywood.

But frequently, quality is sacrificed in order to achieve quick results.

In the wake of this financial success, a new wave of Nigerian film directors and producers has arisen. They aim to produce high-quality films for international distribution. Mirror Boy is one of these.

Click here for a video report on Mirror Boy.

100 Black Men Convention Panelists Urge Black Businesses to Go International

2011-06-14T16:03:00.000+01:00

Interesting to note that 100 Black Men agree with me - if you are a Black business owner, you need to consider going international. Click here for my blog on International Networking.

See also: 100 Black Men Convention Panelists Urge Black Businesses to Go International.

Here's to your success!

Wikileaks: U.S. Government Conspired to Keep Haitian Wages Low

2011-06-13T13:24:00.000+01:00

I have recently been viewing videos about Wikileaks information which states that the U.S. government and international corporations conspired to keep wages low for Haitian workers. They state that the workers wanted to increase their wages from $3 to $5 per day. Check it out:

Wikileaks: US Lobbies for Low Haiti Wages

US Helped Keep Low Minimum Wage in Haiti to Protect US Corporations.

Is this what Toussaint fought for?

See also: Poto Mitan - The Strength of Haitian Women.

Juneteenth: What U Need to Know

2011-06-11T12:26:00.000+01:00

Juneteenth has been called the oldest celebration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

As legend has it, in 1865, two years after Lincoln delivered the Emancipation Proclamation, the enslaved African American people of Texas still did not know that slavery had ended. The white slavemasters had kept the news from them until, on the 19th of June, troops marhed into Galveston, Texas, liberating the enslaved poeople there. Thus, Juneteenth was born.

Growing up in New York City, I knew nothing of Juneteenth, but people all over the world are learning about it. Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery and stands alongside Watch Night, African Remembrance Day and many other celebrations of African liberation.

Our show tonight on What U Need to Know celebrates our one-year anniversary, and we will be discussing Juneteenth. I hope you will join us. Click here to listen to the show. If you miss it, you can still listen to the recording.

Black People: Telling Our Own Stories

2011-06-08T12:02:00.000+01:00

This video, The Danger of the Single Story (see below), is saying the same thing we said in our May broadcast of What U Need to Know. If we are told the same story over and over again, we begin to believe it - even if the story is about ourselves. Click here to listen to a recap of What U Need to Know: African Networking.

But many of us are telling our own stories. To read stories by and about Black people, see More Black Success.

Scroll down for more.

Below is a recording of me being interviewed by Diana Broomfield about Black people telling our own stories.

Listen to internet radio with Ladee16 on Blog Talk Radio

Do We Need to Learn from White People?

2011-06-06T13:35:00.000+01:00

A few years ago, someone wrote a book in which he said that in order to be successful, we need to think like white people. I strongly disagree. We don’t need to think like white people, we need to think like successful Black people. Like London-based PR guru, Mavis Amankwah, pictured, whom I interviewed in MBS 10.

Recently, on my radio show, What U Need to Know, a brother called in and was talking about books where we can learn about how to be successful in business. He talked about Think and Grow Rich and he also mentioned Robert Kiyosaki. I said, it’s fine to read those books, we can learn from anybody. And there are plenty of successful Black people who we can learn from. That is why I publish Black Success Stories and the More Black Success free ebooks.

We have many, many successful people we can learn from in our own community, who reflect us culturally. We need to learn from the experts.

Click here to order your of copies of More Black Success now - remember, they are free.

Plus, if you are a parent,teacher or educator, or you work with young people, remember to share them with others. For more information, see Inspiration and Motivation.

Click here to listen to an audio interview with me on Interviews with Black Entrepreneurs.

Please leave your comments below. Thanks.

Inspiration and Motivation

2011-06-06T12:23:00.002+01:00

The More Black Success free ebooks are inspiring and motivating. If you are a parent or teacher, or you work with parents, or young people, you will want to share your copies. Click here to read more. Click here to order your copies.

Click here to listen to an interview with me with Interviews with Black Entrepreneurs, about Black Success Stories and More Black Success.

What Is the Value of International Networking for People of African Heritage?

2011-06-01T16:02:00.000+01:00

I am an African American woman based in London, and I meet people from all over the world. Many of us are facing similar difficulties and challenges. We have a shared history as African people and we have a great deal we can learn from each other.

In my More Black Success free ebooks and the What U Need to Know radio show which I co-present, our emphasis is on networking internationally as people of African heritage.

We profile successful Black people all over the world.

For more about this, see: International Networking.

Historically, Black people have been taught to hate and mistrust each other as a way of controlling us. We need to overcome these barriers. We are all African people.

We are much stronger and more effective when we work together, for our common interests as African people.

Click here for a great way to grow your business internatinally.

Click here to listen to a short audio recap on African Networking.

A Great Graduation Gift

2011-05-30T12:09:00.015+01:00

If you know a young person who is about to graduate from high school, college or university, Success Strategies for Black People makes an excellent gift. This book can help you to achieve your goals and realise your unlimited possibilities.

Plus, I am offering free jobsearch consultations. Click here for more info. If you know a young Black person who is leaving school or college and looking for work, please share this with him or her. I can help them get results.

Chocolate Naomi + N-Word Ben

2011-05-30T11:39:00.000+01:00

I actually agreed with Anne Diamond on the Wright Stuff today. Just goes to show you anything is possible.

She strongly insisted that the Cadbury's Bliss chocolate bar ad that states "Move over Naomi, there's new diva in town" is racist as it refers to Black people as "chocolate". Anne, you have really changed. The Wright Stuff never ceases to surprise me. As a Buddhist, I believe people are capable of changing, and this just proves that it is true.

Of course, the other two white people on the panel insisted that it's not racist - and so did Hardeep Singh. I attended an event during the Bicentenary in 2007 in which a white woman on the panel said "White people are always saying we are not racist. But Black people know that everything we say and do proves that we are". Too right.

Anne Diamond about also reported on an incident at the Baftas which has been reported in the Times, in which a "leading figure" in the fashion world verbally abused the TV presenter Ben Douglas, repeated calling him the "N-word". Twitter has named this abusive person.

Ben reckons the guy was "bonding with him" by using this term. Click here to read more.

Black History: The Negro Soldier

2011-05-28T14:17:00.004+01:00

I saw this film a few months ago at a screening at BFI London South Bank, as part of the African Odysseys series.

The Negro Soldier was commissioned by the U.S. War Department and directed by Frank Capra as a piece of wartime propaganda.

It depicts African American men and women training to go to war, and in various wartime posts on and off the battlefield.

I had really wanted to see this film because my Dad served in the Army during the war, fighting in Italy.

The Negro Soldier is very moving and stirring. As ever, Capra knew how to inform, entertain and pull the heart-strings. We can see the pride with which African Americans served their country.

Although I am sure it was an effective piece of propaganda, my Dad did not join up because of this or any other film. He joined up in 1940, before the U.S. entered the war, because he didn’t have a job.

Similarly, as Michael Moore said in Bowling for Columbine, the armed forces today recruit in poor neighbourhoods where unemployment is high. Then they send people – many of whom are Black – to places like Iraq and Afghanistan as cannon fodder.

The contribution of African people to the war effort is often overlooked. For example, African soldiers fighting in the French Army liberated Paris, but were not allowed to be filmed when the Army marched into Paris. For more about this, see Hidden Histories: Black People in WWII.

Brother T. of Black History Walks has done a lot of research about Black people in World War II. Click here for more resources, including Black Victims of the Germans and Nazis, and to read my interview with Brother T.

Solving the Crisis in the Black Community: Buy Black

2011-05-27T12:07:00.000+01:00

See below for a great video on The Empowerment Experiment. They are buying only from Black-owned businesses for one year.

This is about economic empowerment for the Black community. We have enormous buying power, but the Black dollar and the Black pound fly out of our communities in the blinking of an eye.

Do we see our Black businesses as viable? Do Black people buy Black? If not, why not?

Click here for free advice from Black business experts.

See also: Prepare for Your Business.

Success Strategies for Black People - Learn to Attract More Money

2011-05-26T13:47:00.000+01:00

Experiencing money problems, financial worries and stress?

My book Success Strategies for Black People can help you to achieve your goals, incuding having more money. Click here to read more, and order your copy now.

Black Talk Radio: African Networking Recap

2011-05-26T12:19:00.000+01:00

I've recorded a short recap of our May show on What U Need to Know, which focused on African Networking. You can listen to the recap below.

Click here to listen to the full show.

Our June show will be our one-year anniversary. We will be talking about Juneteenth, so click here to join us on the second Saturday in June.

Listen to internet radio with Zhana21 on Blog Talk Radio

Black Film: Blood Ah Go Run

2011-05-25T15:42:00.000+01:00

I saw this film when I first came to the UK, nearly 30 years ago.

I saw it again recently, with a Q & A with the director, Menelik Shabazz, when it was screened at the BFI as part of the African Odysseys programme.

Blood Ah Go Run (Blood Will Flow/Be Shed) documents events that took place in London in 1981 including the New Cross fire, the subsequent Black People’s Day of Action, and the Brixton riot.

The film records how the Metropolitan Police attacked and attempted to subvert the peaceful march on the Black People’s Day of Action, the first time Black people in the UK had demonstrated publicly in such numbers.

White British people and institutions must have been shocked when they realised the potential power of Black people in this country.

The Brixton riot followed two months later, sparked by the “Sus” laws and the police’s “Operation Swamp” in Brixton. To read more about this, click here for my blog about Mavis Best. See also my interview with Alex Wheatle.

In retrospect, I wonder what the authorities expected to happen – the actions of the police seemed calculated to provoke riot and unrest.

In the Q & A, Shabazz described what he called “guerilla filmmaking”. Film stock was expensive, so he had to beg and borrow partial reels of film on which to record this film. The footage of the riot was taken directly from TV coverage.

Shabazz also described how he went into the BBC studios after hours so that a colleague could edit the film.

Blood Ah Go Run documents a crucial point in British history and, as such, should be shown in every school.

See also: Next Black History Events.

Africa and Africans on Film.

Free Teleseminar: Raising Money Through Sponsorship

2011-05-24T10:49:00.000+01:00

If you missed it, click here to listen to the recording of our free teleseminar on raising money through sponsorship.

People are making thousands through sponsorship - like Derrick Hayes, who has raised over $500,000 for students at the University of Tennessee.

Ever wanted to attend a conference or other event? You knew it would be good for your business, but you just didn't have the funds?

Struggling to raise the money for college or university? You want to give your kids the best possible start in life, but it's just so difficult.

Sponsorship may be a solution.

In this free teleseminar, I was interviewed by Joan Gosier, co-presenter of What U Need to Know. We talked about

- why organizations donate money
- how to find the information you need to apply for

and more.

Click here to listen now.

Click here to join us on Facebook.

Here's to your success!

Prepare for Your Business

2011-05-23T13:47:00.000+01:00

Andrea Campbell, author of Practical Business – ABC, is one of the business experts who have contributed to More Black Success Volume 10.

She gives details of many ways we can prepare to run our businesses:

- Prepare yourself mentally and emotionally
- Prepare your resources
- Prepare for your market
- Prepare your business model
- Prepare your financial projections

And much more.

To read her article, click here to download More Black Success Volume 10.

Like all of the More Black Success free ebooks, it contains loads of practical information and advice.

See also: Free Advice from Black Business Experts.

Here’s to your success!

Working Together, Helping Each Other

2011-05-17T11:29:00.000+01:00

Derrick Hayes already had enough money for his own university education. But when he saw that others were having to drop out because they couldn't afford the tuition, he decided to do something about it. I find this very moving.

You can read about this in my new ebook Shaking the Money Tree. Please note, the half-price offer ends Wednesday the 18th of May.

Shaking the Money Tree contains loads of practical advice on raising sponsorship funding. Click here to download it now.

Click here for our free teleseminar on Saturday the 21st of May.

Here's to your success!

How to Get 16,000+ Twitter Followers

2011-05-16T11:02:00.000+01:00

Melinda Emerson, author of Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, is one of the business leaders featured in More Black Success Volume 10. Click here to download your copy now.

Melinda, known as SmallBizLady on Twitter, has over 16,500 followers and used Twitter to make her book a bestseller.

The other business experts who have contributed to MBS 10 are
- Andrea Campbell, author of Practical Business – ABC, and
- PR guru Mavis Amankwah of Rich Visions, who offers expertise in all aspects of equality and diversity.

As always, MBS 10 is full of practical advice and information. And, as always, it is totally free of charge. So click here to download your copy now.

Click here to follow me on Twitter.

Click here to follow me on Facebook.

Here's to your success!

African Networking: What U Need to Know

2011-05-11T14:04:00.000+01:00

I hope you will join us as we continue our discussion of African Networking on What U Need to Know this Saturday the 14th of May at 2 p.m. Eastern Time, 7 p.m. UK time. Click here to listen.

Please feel free to phone in or join us in the chatroom. If you miss the live broadcast, you can still listen to the recording.

Tweet Your Way to a Bestseller

2011-05-11T11:22:00.000+01:00

In More Black Success Volume 10, Melinda Emerson, author of Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, explains how she used Twitter to make her book a bestseller.

Known as SmallBizLady on Twitter, she has over 16,500 followers. She is just one of the business gurus interviewed in MBS10. Other contributors include:

- Andrea Campbell, author of Practical Business – ABC, and
- PR guru Mavis Amankwah of Rich Visions, who offers expertise in all aspects of equality and diversity.

They speak about how they have achieved their success, and are very honest and open about the difficulties they have experienced, and how they have overcome them.

Zhana, who publishes the More Black Success series of ebooks, is the author of Success Strategies for Black People and Black Success Stories. She says,

It is so important to celebrate Black success. There are many successful Black people who are positive role models.

I find these ebooks highly inspiring, and I trust you will too.

Like all of the ebooks in the series, MBS10 contains lots of practical advice and information.

There is no charge for the More Black Success ebooks – zero, zip, nada. Click here to get your copies now.

See also: Free Advice from Black Business Experts.

Here's to your success!

Black Men Stepping Up to Fatherhood

2011-05-09T11:53:00.001+01:00

Saw this great page today on Black fatherhood: First Date: Meeting My Daughter and Becoming a Father Figure. Thanks very much to Jessica Ann Mitchell of National Black Pages. Videos of Black men talking about taking on the responsibility of fatherhood.

Also, check out: Black Fatherhood: Reconnecting with Our Legacy. With all the media images of crime, violence, imprisonment and the disintegration of our families, it's important to remember that there are plenty of Black fathers doing what they need to do. A lot of the time, we just don't get to see images of them. So it's up to us.

See also: Positive Images of Black Families.

Next Black History Events

2011-05-08T12:20:00.000+01:00

BlackHistoryWalks, Nu-Beyond, Positive Mental Attitude Community College & Lewisham Black Staff Forum present Black British Civil Rights Heroes: Mavis Best and the Women of the Scrap Sus Campaign 1981, Friday 13 May 7-9.30pm Lewisham Civic Centre, Catford SE6 4RU

Free entry: first come, first served.

In the late 70s and early 80's police officers would routinely stop, search, strip, assault and jail males and females aged 11 and up using the notorious 'Sus' law. This law meant that if an officer suspected you were about to commit a crime they could arrest you and, if they were in the mood, beat you and plant evidence. It was normal to be arrested for sus while wating at a bus stop.

This meant thousands of young Black people would leave home and not come back. Mavis Best led a group of courageous Black women who went into police stations to rescue the children. When that wasn't enough she organised a campaign to repeal the law itslef. Join us to celebrate the achievement and learn from Mavis Best what tactics were used to win equality.

Special guest appearance from Mia Morris

See video of Mavis Best here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi1mXdgoLyI

Click here for my interview with Brother T. of Black History walks.

Click here for more Black history events, including free film screenings at London Metropolitan University, and films commemorating the death of Bob Marley.

For more great stuff like this, click here to join Nurture Success.

Warm and Sexy Blog

2011-05-04T10:02:00.000+01:00

Click here to read my interview with Max of the Max-Logic blog.

This blog is for grownups, not for kids.

See also: Being a Black Blogger.

African American Football Leader Says Pro Football Is a Form of Slavery

2011-05-03T17:18:00.000+01:00

Wow. This audio interview really opened my eyes.

Abner Haynes is a graduate of North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas) where he and his then teammate Leon King integrated college football in the state of Texas in 1956. In 1960 he chose to play for the American Football League's Dallas Texans and led the league in rushing attempts, yards, and TDs in its first year.

His organization, Heroes Of Football, works for the local community.

In this interview, he talks about the exploitation of football players and how more money is spent on stadiums than on schools.

Click here to listen.

Want to raise funds for a sporting event? Click here for my new ebook, Shaking the Money Tree.

Homeless Mom Arrested for Sending Son to Better School

2011-05-03T16:28:00.000+01:00

A homeless woman has been charged with first-degree larceny for sending her child to a better school. The authorities claim she lied about her address in order to get him into the school.

For many people, education is seen as the passport to a better future. This mother is doing what she can to get her son the best possible start in life - and she's been arrested for it. I would argue it would have been a crime if she HADN'T done this.

She used her friend's address and the friend has now been evicted from public housing as a result.

This is so outrageous. She faces the prospect of 20 years in prison. Because there are not enough Black people in prison already, right?

Click here to read the story.

See also: Are Black Parents to Blame for Their Children's Educational Under-Achievment?

Uh-Oh, Now He's Said It

2011-05-03T15:22:00.000+01:00

African American Pundit (formerly AAPP) asks:

I am wondering out loud, if Corporate black blogs like The Root and The Grio are working to control black political thought in America?

That's right, he said it, y'all.

He continues:

It gets under my black skin, that so-called black bloggers at (white controlled) corporate black blogs like The Root, owned by the Washington Post, and the The Grio, owned by NBC, are nothing more than a group of organized Obama loyalist who seem to never report on how blacks will lose $194 billion in wealth through 2012, or how the housing crisis continues to hits blacks the hardest and how President Obama (as Russell Simmons recently pointed out in his Open Letter To President Barack Obama) has all but ignored the plight of black America.

Click here to read the rest of his blog.

My sources tell me that a lot of President Obama's policies have directly benefited the Black community, including, but not limited to, the healthcare reform bill.

What do you think? Please post below.

See also: Being a Black Blogger.

The Truth about Black Writers (3)

2011-05-03T10:37:00.003+01:00

In More Black Success Volumes 7 and 9, Black writers spill the beans. They are very real about their writing and their writing process.

Nahisha McCoy’s novel Sweetest Revenge serves as a warning to young women not to let a man or a relationship dominate your life.

She says:

I began writing when I was in public school. I use to tell a lot of lies when I was younger and my Aunt Barbara (R.I.P) told me that I should be able to write stories because I have a huge imagination.

I wrote this book because I was a young woman who was going through a bad relationship. I didn’t have anyone that I could trust, or to talk to about what was going on and I felt like I was dying a slow and unloved death. I had to get what I was feeling out so I put it on paper.

Deep Stupidity

2011-04-29T14:38:00.000+01:00

In case you were wondering - more proof that President Obama was indeed born in the U.S.A.

I am amazed at the stupidity of those who claim he wasn't.

If there were any proof that the President was foreign-born, surely the haters would have unearthed it during the Presidential campaign.

As the President said, "we don't have time for this kind of silliness. We've got better stuff to do". Click here to watch the video.

See also: Barack Obama, African American Success Story.

Royal Wedding Alternatives

2011-04-28T12:28:00.000+01:00

In case you are bored with all the Royal wedding stuff (I know, I know, but some people actually are), here are some alternatives:

Comedian Steve Furst is offering alternative commentary on Comedy Plaza on the day. So you can watch on the BBC with the sound turned downc while listening to his commentary. Click here to listen.

Matthew Wright's commentary should be interesting as well.

You have probably seen the hilarious Royal wedding spoof on YouTube but if not, click here to watch it.

Plus, click here for The Royal Wedding for Dummies.

Who Needs Affirmative Action?

2011-04-27T20:10:00.000+01:00

Who needs affirmative action when your name is Kennedy or Bush?

Or Paltrow for that matter? But are we really jealous of Gwynnie? Click here to read Keli Goff's blog.

Your Ideal Job In 90 Days Workshop - Success Stories Video

2011-04-26T13:39:00.000+01:00

Click here to watch a Success Stories video.

This video is courtesy of Career Insights, who are offering free career training.

Plua, click here for a free jobsearch consultation.

To read more success stories, see Black Success Stories.

See also: More Black Success.

Here's to your success!

Herbert Ekwe Ekwe on the Igbo Genocide and Biafra

2011-04-26T13:13:00.001+01:00

Click here to watch some very interesting short videos about Herbert Ekwe Ekwe on the Igbo Genocide and Biafra.

Plus, check out this article on Africa's Hidden Presidents. I do not agree with its portrayal of African women. Most people rejected the portrayal of women exerting power in the bedroom 40 years ago or more.

Further, this article does not reflect the position of most women in Africa. However, it may have some validity.

We will continue to discuss African Networking on What U Need to Know in May. Click here to listen.

The Truth about Black Writers (2)

2011-04-25T12:20:00.000+01:00

In More Black Success Volumes 7 and 9, Black writers spill the beans. They are very real about their writing and their writing process.

Antwan McClean’s book Your Greater Self: An A-Z Guide to Becoming the Person You Most Admire encourages people to fulfil their highest potential.

He says:

A former author and current PhD student advised me to "write from my heart". I was struggling with the issues of making certain that my book was marketable, catchy, and essentially everything to all people. He advised that the most part of any artistic expression is to remain true to your own voice. It changed my entire outlook.

Cameron Gets It Wrong

2011-04-25T11:33:00.000+01:00

Prime Minister David Cameron recently stated that Oxford University had only accepted one Black student last year. As we all know, this statement was incorrect, as Oxford accepted 27 African and Caribbean students last year - he was not counting the students from the African continent.

Wow, a whole big 27.

The broadcaster Henry Bonsu, himself an Oxford graduate, has been working for years to encourage and support Black students to apply to Oxford and Cambridge. He takes groups of young people to Oxford for a one-week intensive programme. As he says in Black Success Stories, his teachers encouraged him.

The funny thing is, if you're one of the few Black people in a majority white school, you'll either be the best or the worst. Because if your teacher spots that you are good at something, they'll see you all the time. That's what happened to me. So I was pushed in my Latin, I was pushed in my German, to the point where they said to my parents when I was 15, he could go to Oxford....

The universities are now under pressure to get in students from non-traditional backgrounds. So if you do the work, you'll get a fair hearing now.

So if the teachers spot that potential, they will encourage Black children - at least sometimes. But I still think it's mainly up to the parents.

Mind you, Henry was later sacked by the BBC for being "too intellectual". But that's another story.

Worried about how to pay for university tuition? Check out my new ebook Shaking the Money Tree.