Saturday, May 25, 2019

Discover How This Special Dad And His Son On The Autism Spectrum Created Super Heroes To Learn By

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Led Bradshaw And His Son Jacob Create Super Hero Series To Help Educate Special Needs Kids 

Led Bradshaw and his son Jacob Co-creators of the Jet Jetpulse Comic Superhero Learning Series. Interview by Kamau Austin with Led Bradshaw.

Led Bradshaw is a quintessential father and then some.  His love for his son on the autism spectrum Jacob, and his commitment to help him succeed is also complimented by his concern for helping other children with similar challenges.

Bradshaw discovered a way to use his talent for art and drawing to connect on a profound level to help his son to learn using his love of superheroes.  I was able to get Led to take time from his busy parenting and professional schedule to answer some questions on the innovative and inspirational development of the Jake Jetpulse comic superhero educational series.


Interview with Led Bradshaw 

Kamau: Can you tell us a little about your background and your son's life growing up?

Led Bradshaw: I'm a Brooklyn born comic book artist/writer, graphic artist and Level 1 Teaching Assistant. Art is my life and it presents me with a ton of challenges yet none are more challenging or exciting than being a single father to an amazing 7 year old boy named Jacob.

Ever since I was I a kid, all I ever wanted was to draw comic books or saturday morning cartoons. It was always in my dreams. That's all I ever wanted.

Autism became a part of my life when Jake was diagnosed at the age of four. I created Jetpulse comics by embracing his special interests and pull him into learning.

Jake created the story for Jake Jetpulse through illustrations that he drew and hung on the refrigerator. After school, we'd sit and draw together for 30 minutes everyday.


Kamau: What inspired you to go into developing your comic book series with your son?

Led Bradshaw: before Jake was diagosed with autism, His mother and I noticed that he was having difficulties paying attention and learning in class. He was very self-directed and spent a great deal of time focusing on superheroes. Understanding this subject as his special interest, I incorporated 25 minute art activities into his daily routine.

At first, we focused on understanding emotions with colors. Then using those colors to communicate our mood in pictures. After several weeks of this, Jake started drawing himself as a caped superhero named "Ultra-Jake".

I encouraged him to draw more pictures of Jake and his superhero adventure. We worked together to flesh out the world that his character lives in, his strengths, weaknesses, as well as his allies and villains.

The "Ultra-Jake" character became such a big part of him; So much, that he'd dress up like his character to play. That's when I got the idea to draw the character myself and include his daily homework into the adventure.



Kamau: What is the name of your comic series and some of the leading characters?

Led Bradshaw: The name of our comic book series is "The New Adventures of Jake Jetpulse" with Jake as the main hero. he's joined by his best friends, Julia Santiago and Marrz the Troll. The characters were created to represent the three characteristics of autism.

Julia Santiago is the brains of the team. Her incredible intellect and knowledge of everything technical makes her an incredibly valuable member of the team. She's more into building fighting robots than hanging out at the mall with her friends.

Marrz is a member of a race of beings who dwell in the "Under-Boroughs" of New York City. they're a noble race of trolls who live to protect an ancient suit of armor that, if in the wrong hands, could spell doom for everyone on the planet. While lost and hungry on the surface, Marrz gets in trouble by stealing Julia's lunchbox. Jake helps Marrz return the stolen lunchbox and Julia forgives him for taking it and offers to help the giant troll. This is how they become friends.


Thursday, May 23, 2019

Discover How The Nourish Spot Serves Up Divinely Inspired Healthy Food Portions In Southeast Queens NYC

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With Divine Inspiration Dawn Kelly's Nourish Spot Brings Healthy Food Choices To South Jamaica & Queens

Dawn Kelly, is making her mark in business history in South Jamaica.  She is continuing a legacy of innovative entrepreneurs in the area of Southeast Queens and Jamaica, NYC.  Her entrepreneurial prospects are looking very promising. 

Kelly follows in the footsteps of highly successful almost legendary business owners from the the area like Russell Simmons, 50 Cent, and Daymond Johns of FUBU and TV fame, Richard Parsons (former CEO of AOL/Time Warner), and Essence Owner and Co-founder of the billion dollar Sundial and Shea Moisture brands Richelieu Dennis.  She tells an engaging story of modest but noteworthy beginnings with a grand vision of the future of her business. 

The U.S. SBA's (Small Business Administration) New York District Office selected Dawn Kelly, owner of The Nourish Spot in Jamaica, as its "Microbusiness Person of the Year for 2019."  According to the SBA "a microbusiness is a company that’s been in business at least one year and employs fewer than five employees."
Kelly was selected as SBA’s Microbusiness Person of the Year, for her unique, innovative and creative health food store.  This is very impressive because a SBA representative for the area noted that there are over "1 million businesses in the region where Dawn was selected as Microbusiness Person of the Year."
It has been reported that "people discouraged Kelly from starting her company, fearing that the neighborhood would not support a health food business, but she followed her dream  and is proving that her creative leadership and unique idea can make the business a success."  Despite the fact her prospects for success were questionable to some Kelly is feeling divinely inspired to go forth with her vision.

Dawn Kelly also relies on very dedicated family members to help her reach her goals and develop a truly standout business.  She credits beginning the business with invaluable assistance from her "30 year old son Owen (he created the logo), and my 28 year old daughter Jade (she is a trained chef and created most of our menu selections)."

The Nourish Spot boasts a nutritious selection of natural fruit and vegetable juices, smoothies, salads, soups, sandwich wraps and more.  I was able to get Dawn to take a little time from her busy schedule and answer a few questions about her background and the future direction of her business.  Her interview follows below...


Dawn Kelly At Her Nourish Spot Location
Kamau:  Can you tell us a little about your background and life growing up in Southeast Queens?

Dawn: I was born in Harlem Hospital.  My parents moved to Astoria, Queens, in early 1960s.  We then moved from the Ravenswood Houses, to Cambria Heights, and I entered the 2nd grade at P.S. 147Q now Ronald McNair Elementary School.
My family, mother, father, young brother, sister and I then lived in Cambria Heights, until we moved to Laurelton, immediately before I entered Martin Van Buren High School. I played softball for Cambria Heights Sports Association, even playing on a championship team before going off to college.

I worked as a baby sitter and then as a cashier at, Consumers, the first grocery store on Merrick Blvd and the Belt Parkway.  Graduating with honors from high school at sixteen years young, off to Howard University I went.

Ridgewood Savings Bank on Merrick Blvd and Francis Lewis Boulevard gave me my first student loan. Every time I drive past that bank, I smile. They financially empowered me to go away to an HBCU.

Kamau: What inspired you to go into your present business in the South Jamaica?

Dawn: My role at Prudential Financial Inc. was eliminated and I wasn't ready to retire. After grieving my job loss, I received divine guidance and inspiration to create a juice bar and with God's help the idea and concept manifested. It was challenging to get the entire project completed but I am proud I was able to succeed.

Kamau: What are some of the menu choices you offer in your nourishing eatery?

Dawn: I offer smoothies, natural juice blends, greek yogurt parfaits, fruit cups, protein waffles, salads and sandwich wraps. In the winter, we offer soup and oatmeal.

We offer ginger, radish, turmeric and wheatgrass shots, whole fresh fruit, as well as fruit and nut bars. You can see a full menu for your review.

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

See Why The Southeast Queens Scoop Supports The BEST Networking Group

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The BEST Networking Group Has Been A Great Support For Business In Southeast Queens And The Southeast Queens Scoop

By Kamau Austin

Hi This Kamau Austin, Publisher of the Southeast Queens Scoop & Scoop Publications.  We cover community and business news in the Southeast Queens area.

The BEST Networking Group has been one of the best ways I've found to get customers and clients in Southeast Queens plus also learn from successful business people.  I want to give a shot out to a great networking group in my home town of Southeast Queens!  I want to put on Blast The BEST Networking Group! 

I'm grateful the innovative, pioneering leader of the group Marsha "Boss Lady," Duke for creating such an effective group to help small business people with community economic development.

Much Respect To The BEST Network Group


Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Missing Elements Southeast Queens Residents Should Consider In Supporting Reparations

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Here Are Some Important Issues Missing From The Reparations Debate

I want to address some missing issues in the reparations debate. Reparations has become a hot topic issue.

However, many against reparations cite they didn't own slaves. But is that a valid criticism?

A lot of economic injustice is happening to Blacks today like the destruction of Black affluent communities, less pay to Blacks in our society even with degrees, predatory loans wiping out a trillion dollars in wealth, factions of the government selling drugs in our community to finance the Contra War, mass incarceration, over pollution in Black areas like contaminated water in Flint Michigan, there's a lot of injustice being done to Blacks today in addition to what happened to our ancestors.

Be Inspired: Learn Why 11-Year Old CEO William Inlaw Launches Aspirational Lifestyle Brand Walni

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11-YEAR OLD ENTREPRENEUR, WILLIAM INLAW, TURNS PAIN INTO PASSION THROUGH FASHION WITH WALNI
William Inlaw and His Walni Brand Clothing Line Order Here

New York, NY -- Turning pain into passion and making it happen is a life lesson that many will encounter throughout their lives. However, 11-year old William Inlaw, has cracked this code well before his time.

William Inlaw, founder of Walni has created an aspirational lifestyle brand that is designed to breed winners by daring individuals to pursue their dreams and win it!  Walni is an aspirational lifestyle brand that is a symbol of power and self-expression.

At a young age, Inlaw was introduced to bullying when both of his sisters were victims. He remembers vividly how that pain affected him and his family.

NYC Master Artist Introduces Exquisite Paintings To The World

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MASTER NEW YORK ARTIST INTRODUCES HIS EXQUISITE  PAINTINGS TO ART ENTHUSIASTS AROUND THE WORLD 

Brooklyn, NY (BlackNews.com) -- Exceptional Brooklyn, N.Y.-based artist, Abdul Badi is excited to introduce his delicate works of art - known as 'The Art of ABDUL BADI' - to the world's visual arts enthusiasts. Widely known in the U.S. for his vibrant, oversized portrayals of Third World people, particularly Africans, Badi uses his brush to make strong thought-provoking statements about his subjects and their conditions.

The gifted artist offers his stunning images in matte print and cards (dimensions 3×5 to 11×17 inch), as well as canvas giclee (dimensions 8×10 to 36×48 inch) - both stretched and unstretched. View numerous paintings at ArtofAbdulBadi.com.

Having participated frequently in fairs, festivals, and art shows and sold numerous pieces of his incomparable works all along the nation's East Coast and Chicago, Badi has garnered a strong following for his work. He is now looking to share his unique conceptions with the rest of the nation and the world.

Monday, May 20, 2019

NYC African American Content Needed for TV Network

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THE BEBOP CHANNEL, THE FIRST TV STATION FOCUSED SOLELY ON JAZZ CULTURE, IS EXPANDING -- AND SEEKING NYC AFRICAN AMERICAN CONTENT SUBMISSIONS

New York, NY -- The BeBop Channel (beboptv.com), the first television station focused solely on jazz culture, which launched in December 2018, is expanding its programming to brand itself the 'Official Television Network of Harlem' and is seeking submissions for pilots.
Expanding its original mission as the first channel to broadcast scripted jazz television shows and New York Jazz Film Festival films, The BeBop Channel, which has logged about 500,000 online views and through select titles on Amazon Prime, has embarked on a plan to produce and license programming reflecting all of Harlem's rich culture in art, history, theater, dance, fashion and culinary by way of scripted dramas, comedies, game shows, and magazine lifestyle shows.

This expansion was prompted by the channel's involvement with the Harlem Renaissance 100 A Community Celebration 2018-2020 organized by Harlem One StopGregory Charles Royal, a noted jazz musician from The Duke Ellington Orchestra and founder of The Bebop Channel says, "It became evident early on as we pushed Harlem jazz that the other genres and disciplines representing this unique and Black Harlem culture were also being left behind in this video entertainment age."

"It was really bizarre to me that with the hundreds of millions of dollars sloshing around Harlem for cultural development, no one thought to centralize and package this rich creative legacy of past and present into mainstream entertainment television for the world to see," says Royal.

Article And Video On The BeBop Channel accepting submissions to expand content offerings Continues After Sponsor's Message Below...

Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund Adds $2 Billion Positive Impact to Local Economy

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CHICAGO TEACHERS' PENSION FUND PROVIDES $2 BILLION POSITIVE IMPACT TO ILLINOIS ECONOMY
Jeffery Blackwell, President, CTPF Board of Trustees
Chicago, IL -- The Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund (CTPF) has announced the release of its 2019 Economic Impact Statement. CTPF made $1.4 billion in direct payments to annuitants living in Illinois in 2018. Those payments had a $2 billion impact on the Illinois economy, supporting 15,000 jobs in the State.

The Buck Stays Here: Understanding the Economic Impact of CTPF Benefit Payments on the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago is produced annually and details CTPF's impact on the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago. The report includes economic impact by legislative district and Chicago ward.

"This 2019 Economic Impact Statement quantifies the economic impact that CTPF has on the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago. We are proud to serve as an economic engine for the growth of our community and state," said Jeffery Blackwell, President, CTPF Board of Trustees.

Children's Book Makes Black Boys "Proud"

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NEW CHILDREN'S BOOK MAKES BLACK BOYS "PROUD"
Bookcover and author, Veronica N. Chapman Craig Bailey, Perspective Photo
Boston, MA -- Entrepreneur and author Veronica N. Chapman has published an inspirational and empowering children's book titled King Khalid is PROUD whose captivating text and illustrations encourage creativity, intellectual curiosity, and self-esteem.  Troubled by the insidious narratives that assault the spirits of young Black boys, Chapman decided to take a stand by creating a counter-narrative.

King Khalid is PROUD tells the story of a brilliant boy named King Khalid, whose love for video games drives him to design his own.  Veronica N. Chapman is no stranger to art nor activism as her résumé will attest.

She is the founder of Boxxout Enterprises, a company that designs creative solutions for social change. "I've always been committed to using my talents and experiences to motivate and educate young people, and to make a positive impact in the world," Chapman explains.

Black Philanthropist Receives Sickle Cell Outstanding Service Award

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SICKLE CELL ADVOCATE AND PHILANTHROPIST HOWARD WOOLLEY RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS AWARD AT THE ROLAND B. SCOTT MEMORIAL SYMPOSIUM
Howard Woolley, Sickle Cell Advocate and Philanthropist
Washington, DC -- Howard Woolley, Sickle Cell Advocate and Philanthropist, was presented with a "Sickle Cell Outstanding Service Award" at the 2019 Roland B. Scott Memorial Symposium Tuesday, May 7, 2019. One of Woolley's most significant accomplishments in the Sickle Cell arena was to publish his late wife's memoir - SOAR by Gail Campbell Woolley.

She passed away in 2015 following her battle with SCD.  Thanks to SOAR and Howard, Gail's story is still being told today.

Woolley had the novel published posthumously in 2017. Since then he has traveled from Sickle Cell Symposiums to Sickle Cell Conferences spreading his late-wife's story of 'SOARING' above a dim prognosis. Gail was told at the age of 7 that she wouldn't live past the age of 35, but she proved doctors wrong. She lived a full life as she battled the disease and lived till the age of 58. In those years Gail had a successful career and marriage but she also fought sickle cell disease with success; she didn't let her diagnosis stop her. In fact, she “soared” above the obstacles by graduating from Syracuse University and then going on to become a journalist at The Baltimore Sun, The Washington Times and The Washington Star.

Sunday, May 19, 2019

Learn The Insights Of Leading Educator Baruti Kafele, In His New Book For Aspiring Principals

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AWARD-WINNING BLACK EDUCATOR WRITES HANDBOOK FOR NEW AND ASPIRING PRINCIPALS
 
Jersey City, NJ -- So, you want to be a principal? Are you a new principal who could benefit from the wisdom of a successful turnaround principal? Could you use help preparing for a school administrator job interview? Then this is the book for you.

"In The Aspiring Principal 50: Critical Questions for New and Future School Leaders, school leadership," expert Principal Baruti Kafele presents reflective questions aimed at assisting both new and aspiring school leaders as they work to become effective school leaders and consider making a leap to a leadership position, respectively.

Web Site Profiles 10,000 Black-Owned Businesses

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THIS WEB SITE PROFILES MORE THAN 10,000 BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES

Nationwide  -- There are more than 2 million businesses owned by African Americans in the United States, and at least 10,000 of them are profiled on a popular web site called BlackBusiness.com. But the web site, known for it's viral content on social media, is more than just a directory. It's full of vivid photos, success stories, and tons of helpful resources for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs.

Launched in 2014, BlackBusiness.com puts African American business owners in the spotlight - something that is rarely done by other national business publications. Dante Lee, founder of the site comments, "There are many great resources for the business community like Forbes, Entrepreneur, Inc, and Fortune, but one thing that is undeniable is that these publications rarely report on what is going on in the Black business community."

Web Site Solves Black Unemployment Problem

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MILLIONS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS ARE UNEMPLOYED, BUT THIS WEB SITE SOLVES THAT PROBLEM!

Nationwide  -- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national Black unemployment rate is about 7%, meaning that at least two million African Americans are currently unemployed. But BlackJobs.com is solving that problem! The web site connects employers dedicated to diversity hiring with more than 300,000 professional African American job seekers.

For the job seeker, the web site is 100% free to use. Users can browse through more than 100,000 current job openings across the country. The jobs pay anywhere from $50,000/ year to $150,000/ year and represent all categories including healthcare, nursing, IT, engineering, communications, advertising/ marketing, customer service, graphic design, journalism, and more.

Maryland's Newest Black-Owned Bed and Breakfast Launched by HBCU Grads

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MARYLAND'S NEWEST BLACK-OWNED BED AND BREAKFAST IS AN ALL-INCLUSIVE SANCTUARY OF LUXURY AND ELEGANCE

Prince George County, MD  -- Just outside of Washington D.C., newly opened Wellspring Manor & Spa (www.wellspringmanor.com) is nestled in the culturally-rich Maryland suburb of Prince George's County. Wellspring is an oasis of peace, quiet, and renewal created for guests seeking a relaxing, wellness-infused experience. Wellspring is an all-inclusive sanctuary where guests can relax, be rejuvenated, and restored. The manor is a hidden gem in plain sight, located on a private seven-acre, wooded estate with an in-ground pool.

"My husband and I have traveled the world. Our Historically Black College and University (HBCU) experiences at Howard University and Fisk University and a deep appreciation for luxury experiences cemented our appreciation for culture, art, and education. We wanted to create a destination close to home where guests could also experience luxury and elegance. Everything curated for the Wellspring guest - food, wine, leisure, renewal, and entertainment, is about ensuring that they leave feeling relaxed and completely cared for," says Lisa Brown Alexander, Co-owner and Host.