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University of Arizona Black Graduate Student Association Named Affiliate of the Year

(From left to right) Michelle Tucker, Ada Dieke, Chandra Jennings and Rowena Campbell of the University of Arizona chapter of the National Black Graduate Student Association

Tucson, AZ (March 17, 2009) – The University of Arizona chapter of the National Black Graduate Student Association (NBGSA) was recognized with the Affiliate of the Year Award at the organization's annual conference in Houston March 11-15, 2009.   

Each year the NBGSA selects an affiliate of the year; the winner exemplifies a model of providing institutional, student-initiated support for graduate students of African descent. The awardees are selected based on the quality, diversity and innovative nature of the chapter's academic and social programming and community service work.

"We couldn't believe it when our chapter was announced the winner," says UA master of public administration student Michelle Tucker. "We had high hopes, but we were competing as an underdog against established chapters from Emory University, University of Maryland at College Park and University of South Carolina." The NBGSA advisors who judged the competition lauded the professionalism and dedication of the Black Graduate Student Association at The University of Arizona (BGSA-UA). As part of the competition, BGSA-UA was required to set up a display table at the conference, submit a copy of the chapter's constitution, copies of all promotional materials of events held this year, two letters of recommendation, a list of members and a two-page document explaining why the organization should be affiliate of the year.

In addition, three of the four UA student delegates were elected to hold positions on the national board. Tucker was elected the 2009 NBGSA vice president of information services; masters in public health candidate Chandra Jennings was elected as a judicial commissioner; and doctoral candidate in medical pharmacology Rowena Campbell, a former NBGSA Western Regional Representative, was elected as a nominations and elections commissioner.

"I'm proud of the chapter's direction," says current BGSA-UA president Ada Dieke, a doctoral student in public health and former NBGSA judicial commissioner. "I hope that this new accomplishment will lead to many more collaborations in and around the campus community to aid in the recruitment and retention of more graduate students from diverse backgrounds."

BGSA-UA's next event, SANKOFA, will be held Saturday, March 28th, 2009 from 11am-2pm at Hotel Arizona. This event will connect students, staff, faculty and the Tucson community. Please visit www.arizonabgsa.org for more information.

Future Stars Seeking Volunteers with Marketing, Fundraising Expertise

Future Stars, Inc. was created to help students reach their full potential in academics and athletics. The organization supports these students with mentoring, financial assistance, and most importantly school-related resources that have often been a stumbling block for school advancement.

Future Stars, Inc. is seeking volunteers for marketing and fundraising.

Please visit futurestarsaz.org to learn more about this organization.

Best Places to Find Professional Black WOMEN in the Phoenix Area

A long time ago, I wrote an article about the Best Places to Find Professional Black Men in the Phoenix Area.

It was my attempt to help African American women pinpoint locations in the Valley where African American are seen in bunches most often.

In hindsight, I should have written about the Best Places to Find Professional Black Women in the Phoenix Area - a looooong time ago! Yes, this article is long overdue because it's HIGH time for black men to do a better job of pursuing these eligible bachelorettes! Of course, negroes still have to know how to talk a woman - I can't do ALL the work for you!

As a black man, I'm absolutely shocked to see black women outnumbering us at professional and community-oriented events! They normally outnumber us by a 3-to-1 ratio! And we're talkin' about beautiful black women who are looking to further their careers and contribute to the well-being of our society! When I meet the women in these environments, they are usually (not always) approachable, attractive, friendly and interesting!

I constantly find myself wondering where are the single brothas?

Even though I'm married and love my wife dearly, many of the women that I meet at networking socials and organizational meetings make my heart skip a beat. It's absolutely thrilling to meet these educated, independent and confident women! Remember ... I said I love my wife and she is the queen of my heart!

Without further ado FELLAS, put down your PlayStation controllers, step away from your computers, leave the basketball courts and TAKE NOTICE!

Here are the Top Best Places to Find Professional Black Women in the Phoenix Area:

5. Fundraisers - Of course you'll see more couples at fundraisers, but you'll also have opportunities to meet single African American females. You'll have more luck if you attend events that are hosted by women's organizations! If you don't meet your future wife at a local fundraiser, take heart in the fact that your donation contributed to a great cause!! 

4. Spoken Word/Live Music Events - I've seen some stunners at the local Spoken Word shows and concerts featuring up-and-coming R&B, soul and hip-hop artists! Groups of black women by themselves having a great time! Support the spoken word events and concerts - you'll be entertained by the performers and the eye-candy!

3. Church - It's amazing how many single black women are filling the pews at our local places of worship! But don't be trying to spit game during the sermons! Have some common sense and figure out the right time to do work!

2. House Parties - House Parties have always offered great opportunities to meet women. We've all know how it goes ... you see a girl across the room, your friend happens to know her, you get introduced and if your breath aint doo-doo, you gettin' them digits son!!

1. Social Networking/Happy Hour Events - There are dozens of professional and community groups who hold social networking functions. These Happy Hour events offer low-pressure opportunities to hold great conversations with members of the opposite sex! You don't have to worry about asking them to dance and you don't have to talk over loud music! You can just be yourself and see how things go!

I hope this article helps to stimulate some more love connections in the Valley of the Sun! If you have other suggestions on places to meet black females in the Phoenix metro area (keep it clean), share your Comments!

Where Do Black Women in the Phoenix Area Find Their Cosmetics?

Note: Mr. PhxSoul.com doesn't usually post "Letters to the Editor," but since I am not an expert on the subject of black cosmetics products in Phoenix, I wanted to reach out to PhxSoul.com readers to see if you could share your advice. The letter featured below was written by a new resident in the Phoenix area.

Hello,
I recently moved from Seattle by way of LA to the Phoenix area. I was able to find your site and was really happy to see someone put together information for black people regarding culture, music and other events. I am very surprised about the lack options we as women of color have in Phoenix in regards to haircare stores and cosmetics. I was born and raised in Seattle, Washington for God's sake and we had plenty of stores to choose from to by haircare products and make up specifically for black women. Since I was in my teens I was able to go into Rite Aid in downtown Seattle and buy Black Radiance cosmetics. I then switched to Black Opal and was able to buy their products in Seattle as well. I moved to LA for 3 months last year and the only places I could find any Black Opal products were in the "black neighborhoods." When I came to Phoenix, I could not find one store that sold Black Opal. So I e-mailed Black Opal and they stated that the stores they do business with concluded that based on demographics there wasn't a need for Black Opal. These stores were CVS, Walgreen's, Walmart, etc. They informed me that I and other black women should contact the corporate headquarters of these stores. I am just wondering if black women here in Phoenix also see a need for our products to be sold in these stores. I see you had information on black salons, but I wondered if it were possible to ask other women who visit your site if there is any other place that sells cosmetics for women of color. I appreciate your time.

Sincerely,
 
La Summer Brown

• Don't forget to visit the PhxSoul.com Hair Page and the Local Business Directory for more information about businesses who specialize in African American products and services!

Has the Obama Honeymoon in America Ended?

After watching the State of the Black Union and Rush Limbaugh's tirade on C-SPAN last weekend, one question kept lingering in my mind ... Has the Obama Honeymoon in America Ended?

The State of the Black Union program was an eye-opening reminder that African Americans need to hold their political leaders accountable. For the most part, we tend to just be satisfied that black people are actually being elected to city, county, state and federal offices. We rarely check up on our African American politicians to see what kind of a difference they are making.

Unfortunately, I don't quite know how to make our leaders accountable aside from writing letters about issues that matter to me.

Do we need to appoint a citizen council? Or do we have effective organizations in place to represent African American citizens such as the Arizona Commission on African American Affairs, Greater Phoenix Urban League, Maricopa County NAACP or African American Strategic Leadership Group?

It seems to me that if we're going to have major media blowhards like Rush Limbaugh yellin' and screamin' on television and radio about they want Obama to fail, we better get educated about politics and how Obama is running the United States!

Truthfully, deep down in my heart, I was mad when I saw Limbaugh's rant on television because he was unapologetically disrespecting the most powerful black man in the world. I have to wonder if I would be as furious at Limbaugh if our new president was white, Asian, Hispanic or a woman! The reality is ... I would not be angry! I can recall laughing at all of the jokes about former president George Bush for the past eight years. I wasn't upset then! But now that we have a black man in office, I can't stand to see anyone criticize him!

So I ask ... is it already time for us to end the euphoria over Barack Obama's historic election to the White House? Is it time for us to get down to business, get over the racial aspect and find out how Obama's decisions are going to affect our futures?

I support my new President and his efforts to get our nation back on track, but I know I won't be doing myself or my country any favors if I don't take race out of the equation and judge him on his merits and actions!

I'd love for PhxSoul.com readers to share your thoughts and feedback about how we can hold Obama and our other black politicians accountable. Is the honeymoon over? How do we check up on our leaders? And how do we keep our racial allegiances in check?