Angela Patton captured the hearts and imaginations of hundreds of thousands of online viewers with a TED talk describing an unusual (and uplifting) father-daughter dance—between incarcerated dads and their young daughters. The dance was the fruit of a girl-led social-change project convened by a grassroots organization Patton began in Richmond, Va.
In every setting, Patton brings a palpable enthusiasm, a drive to connect and uplift that I wish I could bottle up and spread around. She’s not “busy,” she’s driven–and I love it. I admire her ability to be an engaged, attentive mom, even as she expands her own capacity and power to lead on a national scale as executive director of Girls for a Change. She illustrates daily that womanhood and motherhood aren’t impediments to leadership and in fact can be powerful catalysts for it.
Continue reading “How Angela Patton (CEO of Girls for a Change) Makes Things Happen”
Angela Patton captured the hearts and imaginations of hundreds of thousands of online viewers with a TED talk describing an unusual (and uplifting) father-daughter dance—between incarcerated dads and their young daughters. The dance was the fruit of a girl-led social-change project convened by a grassroots organization Patton began in Richmond, Va.
In every setting, Patton brings a palpable enthusiasm, a drive to connect and uplift that I wish I could bottle up and spread around. She’s not “busy,” she’s driven–and I love it. I admire her ability to be an engaged, attentive mom, even as she expands her own capacity and power to lead on a national scale as executive director of Girls for a Change. She illustrates daily that womanhood and motherhood aren’t impediments to leadership and in fact can be powerful catalysts for it.
Continue reading “How Angela Patton (CEO of Girls for a Change) Makes Things Happen”
When I was born on September 14, 1980 in Ravenna, Ohio my Afro was, in large part, unremarkable. It was expected. It was natural. At that stage in life, my hair was my own and was simply viewed as a threadlike outgrowth of the epidermis. No one would have termed it a political statement or seen it as a representation of racial pride. It was simply the natural curl of a baby’s hair, uncorrupted by public perceptions, deeper meaning or Johnson’s baby shampoo.
Over time, however, my hair would gain greater significance. As I aged and styles changed, it would become the subject of much scrutiny, ranging from beauty shop banter to the public discourse on race in America. It would become relevant in job interviews, determine my acceptability in certain social circles and become an external manifestation of my self-perception.
When I was born on September 14, 1980 in Ravenna, Ohio my Afro was, in large part, unremarkable. It was expected. It was natural. At that stage in life, my hair was my own and was simply viewed as a threadlike outgrowth of the epidermis. No one would have termed it a political statement or seen it as a representation of racial pride. It was simply the natural curl of a baby’s hair, uncorrupted by public perceptions, deeper meaning or Johnson’s baby shampoo.
Over time, however, my hair would gain greater significance. As I aged and styles changed, it would become the subject of much scrutiny, ranging from beauty shop banter to the public discourse on race in America. It would become relevant in job interviews, determine my acceptability in certain social circles and become an external manifestation of my self-perception.
Contaminated time is your enemy. Think of those tainted moments you spend worrying about one thing when you should be focused on something else–and more worthwhile, like your family or sleep. It’s the role overload, task density and time crunch that scatter your attention, tamp down your spirits and vaporize your impact.
One surprisingly simple solution is to literally get things off your mind, by putting them down on paper, be it print or digital. Productivity guru David Allen recommends maintaining a list of every single thing you are serious about accomplishing that requires more than one action step. In his experience, folks typically juggle 30-100 projects at a time. Sound familiar?
Continue reading “How to Clear Your Mind to Get Things Done”
Contaminated time is your enemy. Think of those tainted moments you spend worrying about one thing when you should be focused on something else–and more worthwhile, like your family or sleep. It’s the role overload, task density and time crunch that scatter your attention, tamp down your spirits and vaporize your impact.
One surprisingly simple solution is to literally get things off your mind, by putting them down on paper, be it print or digital. Productivity guru David Allen recommends maintaining a list of every single thing you are serious about accomplishing that requires more than one action step. In his experience, folks typically juggle 30-100 projects at a time. Sound familiar?
Continue reading “How to Clear Your Mind to Get Things Done”
Shaka and I were named to Style Weekly’s 2014 40 Under 40 List for our advocacy and service in the Richmond area. I’m honored to be listed among such dynamic leaders, who are working to advance a variety of important causes. The diversity of the honorees inspires me. It reminds me that we each have a contribution to make to the world that no one else can make–and that we fulfill our unique potential when we actively work to align our daily actions with our values and vision.
Read the article for more on our efforts to find creative, collaborative ways to make early childhood education attainable for all families, regardless of income.
Dear Maya,
How do you stop putting everyone else’s needs and happiness before your own, yet still be considered a caring person/mom?
“Selfish” in Seattle
Dear “Selfish” in Seattle,
I wish I had a magic solution for this one, but the truth is that there’s not much you can do to make sure that others consider you a caring person or mom. No matter how hard you work or how much you give, others may still judge you harshly any time your desires come into conflict with theirs. So you’re better off deciding for yourself what’s self care and what’s self absorption and then developing the confidence to shake off negative opinions. In my experience, most mothers (working or not) lean heavily into the over-guilt, under-self-care side of the equation.
Dear Maya,
How do you stop putting everyone else’s needs and happiness before your own, yet still be considered a caring person/mom?
“Selfish” in Seattle
Dear “Selfish” in Seattle,
I wish I had a magic solution for this one, but the truth is that there’s not much you can do to make sure that others consider you a caring person or mom. No matter how hard you work or how much you give, others may still judge you harshly any time your desires come into conflict with theirs. So you’re better off deciding for yourself what’s self care and what’s self absorption and then developing the confidence to shake off negative opinions. In my experience, most mothers (working or not) lean heavily into the over-guilt, under-self-care side of the equation.
“We’re in a society where we have to justify play. But play reminds you of your better self and how happy you can be. In play, there’s a wonderful lightness of being.”
–Nadia Stieglitz, founder, Mice At Play
Normally, I’m not a big Halloween person, but this year I felt like dressing up–mostly because Zora got a costume box for her birthday that came with a witch’s hat just my size. It’s way too big for her head, but it’s the perfect size to fit over my afro puff.
Truth be told, I wear this hat around the house all the time, not just on witchy holidays. Something about it immediately frees me from the pressure of my own seriousness. Maybe it’s the gray weave that’s stitched into the hat that keeps things light. In any case, I can’t help but smile when I’m wearing it. Continue reading “Make Every Day a Play Day”
“We’re in a society where we have to justify play. But play reminds you of your better self and how happy you can be. In play, there’s a wonderful lightness of being.”
–Nadia Stieglitz, founder, Mice At Play
Normally, I’m not a big Halloween person, but this year I felt like dressing up–mostly because Zora got a costume box for her birthday that came with a witch’s hat just my size. It’s way too big for her head, but it’s the perfect size to fit over my afro puff.
Truth be told, I wear this hat around the house all the time, not just on witchy holidays. Something about it immediately frees me from the pressure of my own seriousness. Maybe it’s the gray weave that’s stitched into the hat that keeps things light. In any case, I can’t help but smile when I’m wearing it. Continue reading “Make Every Day a Play Day”
Months ago, I interviewed Katie Meyler, founder of a nonprofit devoted to getting girls off the street and into school in Liberia. I was so impressed by her story, and the magnitude of her efforts to serve destitute girls, that I held onto my notes, intending to write a long feature about her.
The former education reporter in me wanted to collect more data, visit the school, interview students, and see for myself the impact this one passionate woman makes. In short, I wanted to write something that would do Katie’s work justice.
Then Ebola hit and I learned never to put off sharing a good story as soon as I hear it. Below is a Q&A from my call with Katie. (Better late than never!)
Continue reading “How Katie Meyler Fights for Girls in Liberia”Here’s my confession. I buy 90% of my books from Amazon (gulp!), even as I diligently link to Indiebound.org on my blog to spur readers to shop indie. I have not been walking the walk. Blame it on Prime or One-Click or the 2,000-employee fulfillment center one county over (which I visited — witness the addiction). The speedy delivery is alluring, addictive even. I’ve pondered using a site-blocking app to force alignment of my indie spirit and my buying habits, but Amazon’s mammoth selection of obscure titles by diverse authors is something I can’t part with.
Still, the indie book shops beat Amazon on two things I really value–building local literary community and making it easy to discover less-known local authors. Amazon’s advanced search is great if you know author names already, but you’re in the lurch if you’re looking for an author who writes from a particular locale. By contrast, local booksellers and librarians often have homegrown authors on the tips of their tongues.
Continue reading “Can Reading Local Cure My Amazon Addiction?”
Here’s my confession. I buy 90% of my books from Amazon (gulp!), even as I diligently link to Indiebound.org on my blog to spur readers to shop indie. I have not been walking the walk. Blame it on Prime or One-Click or the 2,000-employee fulfillment center one county over (which I visited — witness the addiction). The speedy delivery is alluring, addictive even. I’ve pondered using a site-blocking app to force alignment of my indie spirit and my buying habits, but Amazon’s mammoth selection of obscure titles by diverse authors is something I can’t part with.
Still, the indie book shops beat Amazon on two things I really value–building local literary community and making it easy to discover less-known local authors. Amazon’s advanced search is great if you know author names already, but you’re in the lurch if you’re looking for an author who writes from a particular locale. By contrast, local booksellers and librarians often have homegrown authors on the tips of their tongues.
Continue reading “Can Reading Local Cure My Amazon Addiction?”
Vote Smart in the 2015 Infiniti Coaches’ Charity Challenge. Shaka has again selected FRIENDS Association for Children as his partner agency, and your support could generate $100,000!
Vote now and come back every day––Round 1 ends January 25!
Vote Smart in the 2015 Infiniti Coaches’ Charity Challenge. Shaka has again selected FRIENDS Association for Children as his partner agency, and your support could generate $100,000!
Vote now and come back every day––Round 1 ends January 25!
I think books need some cheerleading these days as gift options for kids. They aren’t (usually) shiny, they don’t (hopefully) make noise and they require some work to enjoy. Nevertheless, books are homerun gift picks because they position literacy as something to be treasured.
We recently attended a toddler birthday party where the parents distributed books as party favors instead of the usual candy/toy mix. My three-year-old daughter Zora has pretend-read “Curious George’s Birthday Surprise” every day since. She narrates the pictures and drags her finger along the text as if reading. Something about getting a wrapped book tied with a balloon captured her attention. She’s not yet reading, but the groundwork for it has been laid in her literacy-rich home and reinforced at school and among friends. She’s well on her way. Every child should be so lucky.
I think books need some cheerleading these days as gift options for kids. They aren’t (usually) shiny, they don’t (hopefully) make noise and they require some work to enjoy. Nevertheless, books are homerun gift picks because they position literacy as something to be treasured.
We recently attended a toddler birthday party where the parents distributed books as party favors instead of the usual candy/toy mix. My three-year-old daughter Zora has pretend-read “Curious George’s Birthday Surprise” every day since. She narrates the pictures and drags her finger along the text as if reading. Something about getting a wrapped book tied with a balloon captured her attention. She’s not yet reading, but the groundwork for it has been laid in her literacy-rich home and reinforced at school and among friends. She’s well on her way. Every child should be so lucky.
