2nd Annual “My Black History Month” 2010
Last year I attempted to spend each day of February honoring someone in my life that has shaped “My Black History.” I really enjoyed learning more about my friends and frankly who doesn’t love to brag about people they love?!

I will also be adding other inserts throughout the month. Please forgive me if I get a little bit behind I will do my best to catch up!
“I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear.” -Rosa Parks
Remembering Haiti. . . DC residents can help!
Look at
Project Medishare
Partners in Health
the Red Cross
Wyclef Jean: Yele Haiti
Happy Holidays from NWtoSE!

Dear Readers,
My apologies for my lack of postings in recent months. I have been in transit but have been blessed to have wonderful friends throughout the District and PG County that I have been able to stay with during this time! I am excited to share moments and insights about this time.
I can honestly say I have now really been NWtoSE . . .
HAPPY HOLIDAYS from NWtoSE!
Best-
NWtoSE
The People Speak with LUPE FIASCO . . George Washington University

“THE PEOPLE SPEAK COLLEGE TOUR will bring the film’s producers and cast members to eight universities across the country for live readings, clip screenings, and in-depth discussion!” . . . . and they did. Please excuse my late posting. Life has been a bit crazy! Didn’t Seal say something about not surviving unless we get a little crazy! I agree.
Yes it is true Lupe Fiasco was at GW. I was lucky enough to attain two tickets after I mistakingly saw the announcement for the event two days before. GW likes to hide cool events from people and then basically make it impossible to attend after you find out about said cool events. After basically begging via e-mail to attend the event along with one of my friends, Sharday. She is someone who I would hope I am somewhat of Mentor to, even though she has no idea how much I look up to her. Sharday graduated from Anacostia High School and is member of a local DC up and coming hip/hop group TopShelf Starz.
We were both quite impressed with Lupe’s candid appearance, his remarks and the up-close and personal nature of the event. (Is he single??!!) In fact, I personally wish it could have gone on longer so that I could have made my way up to the microphone to ask my compelling and down-to-earth question. The one that people are always saying “did she just say that?” It was amazing to me some of the “questions” that were filtered by the audience. I am not judging (well maybe a little) but it was as if some of these folks had never stepped outside their dorm room. While I appreciate the struggles in Iran, I can assure you the struggles in DC are right outside your door, literally. In fact inside the very room in which you are posing questions. STOP asking START doing. I thought about starting out my question with a little song from my favorite soundtrack clip in Sister Act II- “If you wanna be somebody and you wanna go somewhere you better wake up and pay attention!” I am constantly reminding myself of these very words on a DAILY basis.
Mr. Fiasco did admit that YES he is “PROUD to be an AMERICAN” and all I have to say to that is “AMEN.” So am I! He said that it was through the making of the movie “The People Speak” which I will put in the plug for the History Channel- (airing on December 13). It is because of The People and MY PEOPLE like my friend Ms. Sharday Jenkins (who attended the event with me), of Washington DC that I am proud to be an American. She is a constant inspiration of hard work, dedication and most importantly a GREAT ATTITUDE. This is an attribute that I was not blessed with however, I am of the opinion that it is one that can be attained.
So. . . for anyone looking for as I say “A FANTASTIC VOY-AGE” (said like Coolio’s hit) of service opportunities or simply something to raise your voice about in the District contact me I can filter you to the right person if you don’t already have something to say or do. But c’mon now, you got style you got grace (like the Nanny) “Democracy is NOT a spectator Sport!” (from The People Speak)
Get your H1N1 Flu Shot TODAY! It’s not all all about Miss Piggy! It is SERIOUS.

Last week I volunteered for the Department of Health at Wilson Senior High. I helped out by doing Data Entry for individuals that received their Swine Flu Shot. I know since I am in public health that I am suppose to call it H1N1, however the “Swine” just kind of stuck with me. At the end of the evening I was able to receive my own shot because I am in a high risk group because I have a low immune system with asthma. I didn’t feel sick the next day, however some people may, everyone is different. Please contact the health department with any major questions and feel free to contact me with any questions.
Check out the DC Department of Health Swine Flu/ H1N1 site for updated clinic’s all of the shots are FREE of cost!!!
Here is the link to the DOH Swine Flu H1N1 and stay up on national information at: http://www.flu.gov/
Follow Flu.gov on twitter
Check out their YouTube Videos!
If your Gonna Get it On- You Gotta Put it On Recap!
The day before Halloween my good friend Tunde and also President of the Black Public Health Student Network relived our Condom Outreach from last year by passing out around 4,000 condoms.
The key message is really about prevention. I would prefer that everyone wait for the “right one” but in the mean time we will engage in risk reduction.
We spent majority of our time at Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro Stop,where most of the YOT’s- youth of today hangout. We continued to hand out condoms on the metro and then we ended up on U street.
My favorite was the barbershop on U street- Edge’s Barber Shop. Great health promoters, friendly, friendly service and Master Barber and owner Donnie Ray even let me have a photo with him!! This is a great place to reach men! Thank you Mr. Ray!
If anyone would like to do their own outreach they can make little kits like we did- with materials and condoms from DC’s Department of Health.
Just click on this link to order some condoms to your home- or simply head in to the office and speak with Mariel or Latoya.
And if you would simply like to order your own and you are a DC resident here is the link for that too!! HERE
Like I said. . . If your gonna get it on You gotta put it on!!!
TOWN HALL MEETING on MENTHOL | Monday, October 19, 7:30 pm Howard University Hospital

For anyone that knows me they know that I am extremely passionate about ridding the community of NEWPORTS, BLACK & MILDS and anything that directly targets the Black Community.
Please come out and not only support me but support DC at this important Town Hall meeting!
Ms. La Tanisha Wright from the National African American Tobacco Prevention Network will be in attendance. Ms. Wright is a former tobacco industry manager and now personal friend. Come listen to her and others speak of how the tobacco companies leave no stone unturned to target the black community!
If you have any question please feel free to e-mail at nwtose@gmail.com
Vida Senior Centers, DC’s Hispanic Senior Center Receives Award @ NHCOA Conference!
Congratulations to Vida Senior Centers!
Vida was presented with the “Community-Based Organization Award” from the National Hispanic Council on Aging Conference this past Tuesday at the Marriott at Metro Center.
Check out remarks from Vida’s executive director on Vida’s YouTube Page here
Vida Senior Centers (formerly EOFULA – Spanish Senior Center) maintains the quality of life of Latino seniors living in isolation or within a family context in the Washington, D.C. metro area. They are the only senior center in the DC area specifically geared towards Latino seniors.
What can I say? I have grown quite fond of the abuelito’s (or seniors) at the center. Afterall, I get to spend 5 days a week with these amazing people!
Vida will also be celebrating their 40th Year Anniversary October 27th! Please be on the lookout for more posts concerning the event!



I ♥ DC
Vida Senior Centers is located at 1842 Calvert Street, NW in Adams Morgan stop by!
follow Vida on Twitter
AIDS WALK 2009 DC

Make it personal this year. . . . HIV/AIDS affects everyone in DC.
Think about how it may affect you or someone you know.
I know one of my closest friends sisters whose life was robbed short of HIV/AIDS. She was unaware that she was at risk of the disease because someone in her life was making choices in their relationship without her knowledge. KEEP IT REAL DC! Talk about it and keep talking about it. AIDS does take lives.
You have heard OVER 3% of the DISTRICT of COLUMBIA is infected with HIV/AIDS but that statistic is just the people that are reported to be infected.
When people are not well they are not working or taking care of their families. I encourage everyone in DC to make an efforts to make fighting HIV/AIDS a top priority!
Please visit this link for more information about where to sign up for the walk and of course you can visit all of my previous posts about HIV/AIDS for additional information about the disease.
I might add it is a fun event to participate in with your friends! I had a blast last year with mine!
ATTENTION BLACK CAUCUS! Make Banning Menthol Cigarettes a priority
Every year in DC the Black Caucus arrives to DC to discuss important issues surrounding the black community. I am asking to make the banning of MENTHOL CIGARETTES like NEWPORTS and KOOLS ILLEGAL and a TOP priority!
It is not enough for the FDA to simply ban fruit flavored cigarettes.
Candy and Fruit Flavored Cigarettes Now Illegal in United States; Step is First Under New Tobacco Law
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The black youth of today are smoking- Newports and Black & Milds in DC. Black & Milds are sadly considered cigars and are not even regulated with a warning of their health risks.
Did you know that 75%-90% of African Americans smoke menthols?
U.S. Tobacco Bill Puts Focus on Menthol Cigarettes – Stop Smoking – FOXNews.com
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SMOKING STILL is the leading cause of preventable death in the US!
400,000 deaths a year.
Alcohol-30,000 deaths a year.
It is so ironic that I found this pack of Newports on the ground in Target last week, because Tobacco was on my mind! I had just spent the day with PRO- CLEAN AIR, and yes ANTI-TOBACCO people at the DC Tobacco Free Families Conference.



