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12/31/2011

Black Eyed Peas, Watch Night and The Power of Prayer

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Dear Family, Valuable Friends, MSS Members, Clients, and Colleagues:

From my home to yours, I wish you rich blessings into the New Year. Here is a special article I created about the history of Watch Night Service in the African American community. Several of my friends on Facebook had added their own brand of how they honor this familiar tradition in their households.

Happy New Year!
Carole Copeland Thomas

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The History Of Watch Night Services
In The United States
by Carole Copeland Thomas

With the festivities of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa now on full display, there is still time to reflect on the ritual of my ancestors and many other African Americans, whose forefathers sat around campfires and wood stoves in the twilight of December 31, 1862. There they sang spirituals acapella, prayed, and thanked the Good Lord for what was about to happen the next day.

It was on January 1, 1863 amidst the cannon fire, gun shots, and burnings at the height of the Civil War that President Abraham Lincoln sealed his own fate and signed the Emancipation Proclamation. It begins with the following decree:

Whereas on the 22nd day of September, A.D. 1862, a proclamation was issued by the President of the United States, containing, among other things, the following, towit:
"That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom.

"That the Executive will, on the first day of January aforesaid, by proclamation, designate the States and parts of States, if any, in which the people thereof, respectively, shall then be in rebellion against the United States; and the fact that any State, or the people thereof, shall on that day be, in good faith, represented in the Congress of the United States by members chosen thereto at elections wherein a majority of the qualified voters of such State shall have participated, shall, in the absence of strong countervailing testimony, be deemed conclusive evidence that such State, and the people thereof, are not then in rebellion against the United States."

CAROLE' S TRANSLATION:
Effective January 1, 1963 all slaves in the states in rebellion against the Union are free.

Technically that is all that President Lincoln could do at the time. He used his wartime powers as Commander in Chief to liberate the "property" of the states in rebellion of the Union. The act did not free the slaves of the Union or border states (Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri, or West Virginia) or any southern state under Union control (like parts of Virginia). It would take the Union Army winning the Civil War (April 9, 1965), the assassination of President Lincoln (shot on April 14th and died on April 15, 1865) for all of the slaves to be freed. That included the liberation of the slaves in rebellious Texas on June 19, 1865 (Juneteenth Day) and finally the ratification of the 13th Amendment on December 18, 1865, giving all black people freedom and permanently abolishing slavery in the US.

So in 1862 on the eve of this great era, the slaves "watched", prayed, and waited. My ancestors, including Bishop Wesley John Gaines of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) and the other four million slaves prayed for divine guidance and an empowered Abraham Lincoln to do the right thing. It is as important today as the tradition of black people eating black eyed peas on New Year's Day for good luck.

That is the history of Watch Night in the African American culture.

May you and your family enjoy a spirit filled New Year throughout 2012. Thank you for ALL of your support you have given to me and my business throughout 2011.

-Carole

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12/28/2011

Why Hearing The Message Of Juanita Jones Abernathy Should Matter To YOU

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Essential Reasons To Attend The February 2nd Black History Breakfast Here In Boston
by Carole Copeland Thomas, MBA, CDMP

As a 58 year old Detroit native who grew up during the turbulent times of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, I need little coaxing to vote, to be proud of my race, to excel as an entrepreneur, or to serve my community. Trail blazers like Juanita Jones Abernathy paved the way for me and countless others to live relatively comfortable lives because of their sacrifices. She and many others put their lives on the line to end the discrimination of black and brown people all over the United States.

And for her sacrifice and service to humanity, I won’t stop until the February 2nd Black History Breakfast is sold out with an army of corporate and organizational sponsors lined up to meet this great lady.

You ask why this matters to you? Why should you take time out of your busy schedule to attend? Because if you are a woman, an African American, a Hispanic, a Native American or an Asian American, your job or quality of life was enhanced by Juanita Abernathy and other champions of the Civil Rights movement.

NO you did NOT get there all by yourself. You did not get there strictly because of your university degree. Or your skill sets. Or your contacts or your relationships. They definitely matter...but the road to opportunity was paved for you 50+ years ago by the sacrifices of those God-fearing warriors like Mrs. Abernathy who said NO to racism, NO to injustice, NO to gender bias, and NO to discrimination in America-the land of the free and the home of the brave. They took their grievances to the streets, marched, boycotted, and nagged state and federal officials until necessary changes occurred to bring equality and justice to ALL Americans. In return they were beaten by the thousands, jailed, fired from their jobs and killed by the dozens so that YOU could live anywhere you please and take on that professional position you currently have.

And to show appreciation for those who came before us, that’s why YOU should attend this breakfast. That’s why YOUR company or organization should sponsor this breakfast. That’s why this event matters so much to so many.
Juanita Abernathy is no longer a young woman. She is in advanced years but still has a sharp mind, a keen wit, and vivd memories of the 1950s and 1960s when America was at the crossroads of honoring the dignity of those very people who had helped to build this great nation.

Her house was bombed. When was YOUR house bombed? Her husband was jailed 44 times in the struggle for freedom. When did YOU go to jail to free others????

Her husband, Rev. Dr. Ralph David Abernathy was one of the welcoming Alabama ministers who embraced Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, when King was chosen to become the leader of the Civil Rights movement in 1955. Dr. Abernathy was Dr. King’s closest associate in the struggle for freedom. Both families had four children each. They vacationed together. Marched together. Prayed together. And orchestrated one of the most powerful non violent revolutions in human history.

Now YOU have a chance to meet this great woman who risked her own safety and the safety of her children so that YOU could be guaranteed a better station in life. Isn’t that worth something???

Yes I know that I am taking a hard line in this commentary. Somebody has to do it. As an entrepreneur in a town that is not always supportive of black entrepreneurs, I have to speak out, while providing a unique opportunity to hold an event that should matter to everyone. The Civil Rights era freed ALL of us by providing a new course of action for ALL of its people.

I am not saying that we have arrived or that we have become post racial in the age of a President Obama. No, I am not saying that at all. There is plenty of work left for us to do. Racial incidents persist, our economy languishes and the unemployment rate is a frightening reminder that we all must do our part to strengthen our society. What I am saying is that your attendance or sponsorship of the February 2nd Black History Breakfast will demonstrate YOUR commitment and support of a pioneer civil rights leader who loved her country and her people enough to fight for the rights of others.

Yes Black History IS American History. This breakfast will salute Mrs Abernathy and the countless others who paved the way for us to lead. It’s worth putting on your calendar. It’s worth taking time out of your busy schedule to attend, network, and say thank you. It’s YOUR way of ensuring that the sacrifices of our ancestors were NOT in vain.

I am HONORED to recognize the following companies/organizations that have already stepped up to the plate as SPONSORS:

•Commonwealth Compact (Co-Sponsors of the event. Sign up on Day One when the event was announced on October 27th).

•The Lura Smith Fund
•Amtrak
•MBCR
•Partners Healthcare
•Walgreens

It’s definitely not too late for your organization to sign on as a sponsor.

Take advantage of our 3 day December Special Pricing and SAVE when you purchase your tickets/table by December 30th.

Go to http://blackhistorybreakfast2012.eventbrite.com and buy your ticket(s) today.

For complete details about the February 2nd Black History Breakfast visit mssconnect.com.

To become a SPONSOR, call Carole at (508) 947-5755 or email [email protected]

Your Comments Are Welcome

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12/22/2011

Celebrate December Treaditions: Hanukkah • Christmas • Kwanzaa with Carole

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Focus On Empowerment can be heard every Thursday at 1pm Eastern.
Log Onto: www.blogtalkradio.com/globalcarole
Listen LIVE or Download Anytime
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Today we celebrate three December holiday traditions in our world religions and ethnic practices: Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa.

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE. Hanukkah began in the evening of Tuesday, December 20, 2011, and ends in the evening of Wednesday, December 28, 2011.

Christmas is one of the TWO major holidays of Christianity. (Easter is the other BIG Christrian holiday.) Christmas celebrates the BIRTH of Jesus Christ, who was born in Bethelehem to a virgin teenager, Mary, and her dutiful husband, Joseph. The simplicity and humility of Jesus' birth symbolizes his gift of love and rebirth to all who follow his teachings. Although the exact day and time of year of Jesus' birth is not known, it has historically celebrated at the end of the year in all parts of the world.

 Kwanzaa is NOT a religious holiday, but a secular one started in the African American community. Kwanzaa was created to introduce and reinforce seven basic values of African culture which contribute to building and reinforcing family, community and culture among African American people as well as Africans throughout the world African community.

Kwanzaa was founded by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a Black California university professor, in 1966-1967.

Let's celebrate three very different holidays with spirit and joy!

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Your Comments Are Welcome Below...
-Carole

How To Download Today's Show
•Can't listen live??? No problem.
•After The Broadcast...Go To www.blogtalkradio.com/globalcarole
•On My Homepage Next To My Picture Click On The RSS Feed
(It's orange and has RSS on it)
•Select Today's Show
•Download As A MPEG File For Macs or Windows Files Fro PCs
•The Broadcast will play on your computer,
Laptop, iPod, iPhone, or any other MP3 Listening Device

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12/8/2011

LIVE from New Mexico with the Hispanic Meeting Professionals and Margaret Gonzalez

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Focus On Empowerment can be heard every Thursday at 1pm Eastern.
Log Onto: www.blogtalkradio.com/globalcarole
Listen LIVE or Download Anytime
========================

Hispanics make up the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States and their organizations are at the forefront of world issues.

We're broadcasting LIVE from the site of the International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals' National Conference here in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Founded by Margaret Gonzalez, we'll talk about the rise of Hispanics in the travel and tourism industry and the newly created Certified Diversity Meeting Professional designation.

Since its founding in 1995, IAHMP membership has grown throughout the USA, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Portugal. This year, professional chapters will be established in Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala and Spain. In the USA, IAHMP is establishing chapters in the states and major cities where Hispanics are in the majority.  The IAHMP Annual Conference is a training ground to help groom young professionals to become the future leaders in the industry. The educational programs at the conference are designed to accomplish the goal of empowering our community to succeed as executives within the meetings and hospitality industry.

IAHMP has also introduced the Certified Diversity Meeting Professional (CDMP) for industry professionals. The CDMP is the industry's only certification program which focuses diversity and sustainability issues as key skills and attributes in meeting planning. The CDMP distinguishes holders as career professionals who have demonstrated a high level of experience, skill and knowledge in this field. In a Global Economy the CDMP skills you learn will help enhance your career goals within the industry.

Carole Copeland Thomas is proud to serve as one of the co-facilitators for the CDMP program. The United States' first group of CDMP members will be announced during the convention.

Everything you want to know about Hispanics and the meetings industry...on today's show.

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Your Comments Are Welcome Below...
-Carole

How To Download Today's Show
•Can't listen live??? No problem.
•After The Broadcast...Go To www.blogtalkradio.com/globalcarole
•On My Homepage Next To My Picture Click On The RSS Feed
(It's orange and has RSS on it)
•Select Today's Show
•Download As A MPEG File For Macs or Windows Files Fro PCs
•The Broadcast will play on your computer,
Laptop, iPod, iPhone, or any other MP3 Listening Device

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12/1/2011

Jobs Jobs Jobs and Zapoint with Visionary Founder Chris Twyman

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Focus On Empowerment can be heard every Thursday at 1pm Eastern.
Log Onto: www.blogtalkradio.com/globalcarole
Listen LIVE or Download Anytime
========================

Ever wonder what happens after you complete your resume, secure the interview and land the job? For many, that resume gets filed away in the HR file draw of no return. It's up to you to advocate for that new job, departmental position or leadership role.

All that has changed with a new talent management software company.

Zapoint is a Boston based company dedicated to bring those resumes out of HR storage and into active circulation. With its innovative SkillsMapper system any employee anywhere can create a profile with Zapoint, turning raw talent into a valuable piece of currancy.

Our special guest today is Zapoint founder Chris Twyman, who will share his story as a software professional turned talent management guru.

If you're a HR professional or someone looking for career mobility, this program is for you.

Your Comments Are Welcome Below...
-Carole

How To Download Today's Show
•Can't listen live??? No problem.
•After The Broadcast...Go To www.blogtalkradio.com/globalcarole
•On My Homepage Next To My Picture Click On The RSS Feed
(It's orange and has RSS on it)
•Select Today's Show
•Download As A MPEG File For Macs or Windows Files Fro PCs
•The Broadcast will play on your computer,
Laptop, iPod, iPhone, or any other MP3 Listening Device

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Black Eyed Peas, Watch Night and The Power of Prayer

Why Hearing The Message Of Juanita Jones Abernathy Should Matter To YOU

Celebrate December Treaditions: Hanukkah • Christmas • Kwanzaa with Carole

LIVE from New Mexico with the Hispanic Meeting Professionals and Margaret Gonzalez

Jobs Jobs Jobs and Zapoint with Visionary Founder Chris Twyman

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