Teachers have an enormous responsibility. In order for them to be successful they must be able to teach the process of learning, not  answers, and to inspire the practice of learning, which is transferable from one occupation or domain to another. Teaching an answer denies the student the opportunity of discovery and much more.

At TED 2011, Salman Khan’s talk about what he has been able to do with the  Khan Academy and the  obvious benefits of the Internet as tool for learning. What the Khan Academy offers to all schools is the ability for teachers to resume the profession that they love via 2000 + well constructed online educationally lessons and self test that augment and supports the learning process. Look for the Video on TED in the coming weeks.

Oprah’s Favorite Things is an annual segment that appears on The Oprah Winfrey Show. In the segment, which is typically aired during the holiday (or summer) season, Winfrey shares products with her audience that she feels are noteworthy or that would make a great gift. In addition, the audience members present during the taping of the episode receive items from that year’s list for free.(Wikipedia)

So in the tradition inspired by Ms. Winfrey, from time to time Positively Powerful will endorse, recommend, and salute to the skies some of our favs. We won’t be getting a commission for this or anything in return, but will be doing this because it is true to our cause. We believe in transformational education, learning, and sharing brilliance. So please meet TED! TED is not a person.

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds. Since then its scope has become ever broader.

The annual conference now brings together the world’s most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes).

This site makes the best talks and performances from TED available to the public, for free. More than 200 talks from our archive are now available, with more added each week. These videos are released under a Creative Commons license, so they can be freely shared and reposted.

We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So we’re building here a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and inspiration from the world’s most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other. This site, launched April 2007, is an ever-evolving work in progress, and you’re an important part of it.

You can join TED for free. You’ll receive regular emails on what going on it the world. Here is a clip with anthropologist Helen Fisher, PhD on “The Science Of Love And The Future Of Women.”

Dr. Joel Martin says, “There are many groups dedicated to entrepreneurial success, I say not only is this one of premiere in the Valley but anywhere. I’ll be speaking at the Boot Camp about personal and organizational branding. This is also the event I’ve selected to launch my new book: GET THE “ME” BRAND AWARENESS (MBA) THE POSITIVELY POWERFUL WAY.”

This is one of the events that I, like hundreds of others, look forward to. Each year, Susan brings together a stellar group of women speakers, business experts, exhibitors (corporate products and services for professional and personal development shopping), fun activities, meet and greet networking opportunities for use in accelerating ones business plus each year her event raises funds for a worthy local nonprofit organization. Here is information on this year’s:

The 2011 Women Entrepreneurs Small Business Boot Camp is proud to support Wings to Fly, a national, non-profit organization that promotes life long self-esteem in young women. Beginning with a fun, educational and inspirational one week educational camp, Wings to Fly focuses on the 4 building blocks of life: emotional, physical, spiritual and financial. By integrating inspiration, knowledge, research based resources and coaching into her daily life, a young woman can aspire with confidence and self respect to design the life she dreams and become a leader of tomorrow.

Susan Ratliff is President of an award-winning display company that helps thousands of businesses stand out from the competition. She is an author and authority on trade and consumer show marketing that gives relevant tools and practical strategies to maximize return on investment. Susan learned the exhibit business from the trenches, discovered the shortcuts and made the mistakes so her audiences don’t have to. She knows what attendees want, how exhibitors think and what they both need to be successful. As the producer of the Bootcamp, Susan insures that the event is unforgettable.

Susan Ratliff is also a POSITIVELY POWERFUL WOMEN AWARD recipient. This award is given to women in business, corporate America, non-profit organizations and the arts who have led or founded legacy organizations. As with the other years’ awardees, Susan received this recognition because she empowers her organization to breakthrough performance, makes a significant contribution to communities and is a positive role model.

These professionals are experts in developing the best ways to make diversity work for the good of their corporations and internal and external customers. They are successful in creating inclusive environments in which every individual’s contributions are valued. Their contributions are competitive business advantages stimulating success for their companies.  They have made it to the upper echelons of corporate America, what do they know that you need to know? In addition, what might be possible if they collectively decided on strategies that begin to create salary equity for women? There are other challenges in the leadership gap – enough for these two days of critical communication and beyond. Attend, contribute and learn.

Women, do you have a fear of negotiation? You could lose $1,000,000 over your career.The Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School publishes a monthly journal, Negotiation.  The June issue had a disturbing article about new research on women and negotiation.  According to a new book by Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever, Ask for It:  How Women Can Use the Power of Negotiation to Get What They Really Want. The article goes on to say “that men initiate negotiations to advance their interests about four times more often than women do; that (women) students who did not negotiate their starting salaries would forfeit at least $1 million in income over their lifetimes (wow!); that men are more likely than women to negotiate for resources, training, and other factors that boost job satisfaction and success. As a result, research says, “men who seek out career opportunities will advance more quickly in their organizations than equally qualified women who do not.” Women faced with this are likely to quit and when they do ask for more money to be disliked and penalized. Obviously knowing how to negotiate is key to your success.

Here are some other facts about women. Click the links to drill down...

1. Women comprise 46% of the total U.S. labor force.
2. Women make only 77.5 cents for every dollar that men earn. (2003 Census.)
3. The more education a woman has, the greater the disparity in her wages. (This was a stopper for me. The source said, women should be aware that they may have to battle harder for equal pay. Women in professional specialty occupations were found to earn just 72.7% of what men in the same position earned, and women in upper level executive, administrative and managerial occupations earned even less at 72.3%. If you compare this against the average of 77.5%, the numbers speak for themselves.” This does not imply that women should not go for the high level positions!
4. Women may work longer to receive the promotions that provide access to higher pay.
5. Women business owners employ 35% more people than all the Fortune 500 companies combined. There are about 9.1 million women-owned businesses in the U.S., a number that comprises nearly 40% of all businesses.
6. Savvy organizations and institutions realize that women are a growing and savvy group of customers. Women impact 89% of savings accounts. American women spend about $5 trillion annually…over half of the U.S. GDP. 85% of all purchases are influenced by women.
7. Women account for 46% of the labor force, but 59% of workers making less than $8 an hour.
8. Only 53% of employers provide at least some replacement pay during periods of maternity leave.
9. Four in ten businesses worldwide have no women in senior management.
10. Women earned less than men in 99% of all occupations.
11. Minority women fare the worst when it comes to equal pay.

There is work to be done. “I want to empower women to go back to their homes to influence others and their communities. This conference (#DWBiz10) is designed to support the leadership and executive development of women of all races, cultures and backgrounds; it will spark your imagination and energize your career.” Sheila Robinson.

This is an annual event so the pressing question is whom will Sheila bring together when the 2011 conference convenes in Chicago, IL? For now, be prepared to be in the Era of the Woman by attending this one. Register today for this important national personal and profession development event. Oh, you might also want to be there when Dr. Maya Angelou receives the Mosaic Woman Award and Donna Brazile speaks.  I could go on …but this just could be a once in a lifetime event. I’m looking forward to it.

Loving woman and child reading and writing

Two Houston organizations will be supporting women “with criminal justice histories” and children receiving foster care or whose mother is incarcerated. Both organizations are connected through a commitment to make life better for others, living positively powerful lives, and in the month of November, Dr. Joel Martin.

In Houston Sat. November 6th Dr. Joel Martin will be facilitating a workshop for The Living Forward Alliance. Living Forward Alliance is dedicated to women with criminal justice histories who are on community supervision for drug related offenses and living in a residential facility under the supervision of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department. To support, donate, volunteer, and/or learn how to get involved with Living Forward click here.

It is a service and education program that gives them a singularly effective way to rethink their histories and rewrite their futures. This one-year program makes real freedom achievable, and it triggers a positive and sustainable shift in beliefs and behaviors that makes it possible for them to obtain work, rebuild their families and reclaim their place in the community. Maria Francis, CEO and Founder of Living Forward Alliance, Certified Effectiveness Coach (CEC)

As part of their program, the women receive Dr. Martin’s book How To Be A Positively Powerful Person. It provides steps and tools leading to an experience of freedom, the power of  choice, and what it takes to make one’s dream/vision a reality. It’s been enthusiastically received by participants.

In Houston, on Tues. Nov. 30th Dr. Martin will be speaking in behalf of The Master Communicator & Associates, No More Victims Incorporated, and Perceptive Marketing who are collaborating to sponsor the 2010 Authors Networking Summit at Houston Community College, 3100 Main St., Houston, Texas 77002 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Aspiring and established authors as well as the general public are welcome.

A commitment to service is aligned between these two organizations. One of the initiatives of the Summit supports the youth in the community who have had the unfortunate occurrence of having a parent who is incarcerated, relegated to the foster care system, experienced homeless or been abused. The Speak Little Children Writers Initiative services children between the ages of 10 – 21.  It was started in 2008. They recruit youth from local support organizations and schools. Recognizing that these children are often the forgotten element in our society  they want to give them a literary voice, because they have something to say that the world needs to hear.

The children are embraced with Houston hospitality and coached by bestselling authors such as ReShonda Tate Billingsley, Michelle Stimpson and Vince Alexander for a three hour workshop. Their lives and those of our literary mentors are never the same as a result. Sharon C. Jenkins, Inspirational Principal

For more information, how to register and/or to be a sponsor for the Summit, contact Sharon C. Jenkins.

Ms. Brazile is the first African-American woman to manage a presidential campaign, the Vice Chair of Voter Registration and Participation of the Democratic National Committee, one of 20 “remarkable visionaries” on the Oprah Magazine Power List, one of the Top 50 Women for Essence magazine, a winner of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s highest award for political achievement. She’s a native of New Orleans and on the board of directors of the Louisiana Recovery Authority. She’s been at the pinnacle of several key moments in our country and I know she will have a lot tell us.

Sheila Robinson has brought together over 50 other trailblazers from corporate American and successful entrepreneurial companies. The conference focus will be on how to cross “The Diverse & Multicultural Women’s Leadership Gap”, this skill is a business imperative for success.

Here is a partial list of Conference Speakers and Presenters:

• Dr. Maya Angelou, one of the great voices of contemporary Black literature and a remarkable Renaissance woman.
• Tiane Mitchell-Gordon, AOL Chief Diversity Officer
• Cindy Brinkley, AT & T Chief Diversity Officer
• Anise Wiley-Little, Allstate Insurance Company Chief Diversity Officer
• Dr. Julianne Malveaux, Bennett College for Women President
• Tracey Gibson, Cargill Director of Diversity
• Shari Slate, Cisco Director of Inclusion
• Edie Fraser, Diversified Search Sr. Consultant
• Keith Clinkscales, ESPN Senior Vice President & Publisher, ESPN Magazine
• Tujuanna Williams, Freddie Mac Chief Diversity Officer
• Cuc Vu, Human Rights Campaign Chief Diversity Officer
• Colleen J. Payne, MCI Diagnostics CEO
• Jeanette Kilo-Smith, Motorola Chief Diversity Officer
• Carolynn Brooks, Office Max Chief Diversity Officer
• Sherrie Duncan, Progress Energy Supplier Diversity Director
• Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, Smithsonian National Museum of African Art Executive Director
• Dr. Rohini Anand, Sodexo Senior Vice President & Global Chief Diversity Officer
• Annette Martinez, State Farm Vice President of Human Resources
• Candi Castleberry-Singleton, University Pittsburgh Medical Center Chief Diversity Officer
• Patricia Crawford, Wells Fargo Chief Diversity Officer

Government policy makers, industry leaders, and the media proclaim that women are fast becoming the leading force for change on our planet.  This conference will get us all ready for the opportunities on the way. It is designed to support the leadership and executive development of women of all races, cultures and backgrounds; this conference will spark imagination and energize careers. I am looking forward to contributing.  (I also expect to have some R & R at the Gaylord on the Potomac. The near-DC conference hotel and surroundings are beautiful.)

I will miss participating in events on the 29th because I’ll be delivering a presentation on “Careers for the Year 2020″ at the BIZ = COM conference for the Urban League of Essex County in Newark, NJ. This is my kind of fun – a great combination of benefits, connecting with new and old friends, collaborating on business in a grand environment, and then heading off to serve others by “building bridges of opportunity” and sharing best practices in career development.

It began when I was delivering a speech before women judges and attorneys. They seemed tired, overworked, and stressed. (I hoped it wasn’t my speech.) The question came to me so I asked,  “How many of you give to yourselves the way you give to others.” These women were making decisions that impacted the lives of a tribe, children, families, and a city. Anyone would say they were givers. Yet, only one woman raised her hand. Well this ‘sad news’ was begging for attention. I knew if they gave to themselves, they would live longer, be happier, healthier, make better decisions and bigger differences.  That was the genesis of Positively Powerful Women Awards and Women’s Workshops.

“This was my first time attending the Positively Powerful Luncheon and I can truly say that the energy in the room was absolutely inspiring.  It was so great to see such a diverse group of women come together and share how they were making differences in the world through their corporations, businesses, and non-profit organizations!”  

Many others expressed the same thing. So to our sponsors, thank you for assisting Triad West (producers) in making this possible – Henkel North America, Southwest Gas Corporation, Edward Jones, AZ Informant, and AZ Black Pages. To Rev. Velez-Simpson of Tanner Chapel, Diana Gregory, the Positively Powerful Committee, and Volunteers – your assistance, ideas, professionalism, and thoughtfulness made this a stellar event. State Representative Cloves Campbell, was the first man to share the podium at a PPW event.  He gave us a great short speech about why women should join him as elected officials.  Kudos to everyone who provided raffle items to benefit AZ Magic of Music and Dance. Ruth Covey, their president, appreciated the funds and support.

To the 2010 Award Recipients, Angela Curley - Manager Corporate Diversity and Inclusion, Henkel North America, Debbie Paine - Executive Director, Arts & Business Council of Greater Phoenix and Lorena Valencia, President/CEO, Reliance Wire & Cable‎,  you brought to life the reasons why you are each so successful. You embody what the event is all about. You are servant leaders who, by your example, inspire people to live their dreams. 

If you are wondering what was so unique about this awards luncheon, you will just have to attend one to find out. I am planning the next Positively Powerful Women Awards Luncheon for May 20, 2011. I look forward to welcoming you to it, to future “”Introduction to Transformative Leadership Workshops” and other Positively Powerful events.

The purpose of the event is for the empowerment of all women and the celebration of their accomplishments in ways that inspire others to live their dreams. The event is geared for entrepreneurial businesswomen, corporate executives, educators, trainers, homemakers, trainers, students and community-minded women.

Dr. Joel Martin, president of Triad West, Inc. will be the keynote presenter and workshop facilitator. She has worked with hundreds of thousands of individuals in Fortune 500 companies, non-profit and entrepreneurial organizations across many industries in the U.S. She has also worked internationally in South Africa, France, the UK, Latvia, Finland, Malaysia, Russia and China.

A powerful speaker, she uses behavioral science business applications and experiential education to inspire those who attend her workshops. She is the author of the book How to Be a Positively Powerful Person. She has been featured on the Today Show and in the NY Times, Essence, U.S. News and World Report, Black Enterprise, Working Women and Fortune magazine. She appears in the transformational film The Answer. She has earned a Masters degree in Psychology, a PhD. In Communications and is a Wharton Business School Fellow.

The May 16 program begins at 5:30 with a dinner sponsored by eWomen Network and presentation of the Positively Powerful Awards. At 9 am a continental breakfast with networking opportunities will kickoff the May 17 schedule which concludes at 6 pm. The program is highly interactive, fun and participatory.

Event sponsors include eWomen Network, Southwest Gas Corporation, Anheuser Busch Budweiser, APS, and Dial Corporation – A Henkel Company. When asked why he was sponsoring the inaugural event, Garry Walters, Administrator/Community & Consumer Affairs, Southwest Gas Corporation said,

Joel is an award winning diversity supplier, who is a member of the Southwest Gas Supplier Diversity network. Sponsoring this “Positively Powerful Women Celebrate! Retreat” is the right thing to do. We are recognizing our relationship with Triad West Inc. and the return on investment this provides Southwest Gas. We have a jewel in Joel Martin. Her expertise and resources need to be utilized for this and the greater good.”

Cybel Martin, award winning cinematographer and lecturer, will be filming the 2-day event for educational purposes.

For information, registration and scholarships contact www.triadwest.com or call 480-563-5585. The cost for the 2-day event is $250 before May 1 and $290 after. The cost includes the Friday evening dinner, and Saturday breakfast, lunch and reception featuring the sampling of new Budweiser Light With Lime.

I’m creating a new kind of workshop for women called, “Positively Powerful Women Celebrate!” and Karen’s writing inspired me to keep going for my dream no matter what. My dream began when I spoke before a very influential group of women in business and law. I asked them, “How many of you give to yourself as much as you give to others?” Only one hand was raised. I decided then that it was necessary to create a celebratory event that would provide them and other women with bold, invigorating opportunities to fully unleash their dynamic selves. I design trainings, train and speak all over the world. I know the power of transformational experiential education where instead of sitting listening to someone else talk or teach in one-way communications (even though I am a motivational speaker), or reading a self-help book (even mine), people get involved and learn by doing in a safe environment through dynamically facilitated action modules that give them previously unknown possibilities and ways to accomplish their heart felt goals and objectives. I believe that women are ready for this and we’ll see… Now, back to Karen’s stories:

Walt Disney is remembered as an innovator, a creator, a folk hero and a legend. Walt Disney was a self-made success in the American tradition. But apparently it wasn’t always easy. Walt Disney was forced to file bankruptcy five times on his way to success. Many people would have given up and quit with the stress and failures of that many bankruptcies but not Disney. He pressed on and the rest is history. The world is a more magical and wonderful place for it. Aren’t you glad he didn’t give up?

Ray Croc, the founder of McDonalds was 52 years old when he came up with his idea to sell hamburgers. He was in need of some investors so he presented his plan to a few people who could help him out. These two men with their vast business acumen and years of practical experience reviewed his plan. On a Monday morning as the one came to his office, Ray was waiting for him and his answer. He took Ray into his office and he told him that they had run the numbers, they had reviewed the plan, and they knew what could work and what was not a good business decision. After much study they had determined that it was absolutely impossible for Ray to make any money selling hamburgers. Well, Ray disagreed. He pressed on and the rest is history….

Okay, there are people who have overcome obstacles on their way to success, but what about ordinary, everyday people? Well, here’s another story. Just a few short years ago Lori McKenna was an “everyday, 30-something” stay-at-home mom. She had married at a young age and she was busy raising five kids and taking care of a household and a husband. But she still dreamed. And she wrote down those dreams in the form of music. Lori is a songwriter. But she didn’t know how her dreams might come true or if they even could come true. It seemed impossible. Her family responsibilities seemed to have taken over her life and there were times I’m sure that she felt the pain of thinking that her dreams and aspirations were in vain. But a couple of years ago, some of her songs were brought to the attention of Faith Hill. Yeah, that would be Faith Hill the country music superstar. Faith is at the point in her career where she can pick and choose the songs that she records. Well on Faith’s last CD, Fireflies, she chose three of Lori McKenna’s songs- “Stealing Kisses” (a beautiful song but very haunting, haunting lyrics), “If you ask” and “Fireflies”. Now Lori McKenna is described as an “Acclaimed singer, songwriter” when just a few short years ago, Lori was just a stay-at-home mom trying to get all the laundry done and the house cleaned and only daydreaming of her songs being heard.

What is your dream?…Dreams are the high-octane fuel, the premium ice cream and the combustible electricity in the game of life. They keep you going, they sweeten it up, and they serve up the energy. Just having dreams makes life better, sweeter and more satisfying to the soul….Keep on dreaming because “Fairy tales can come true, they can happen to you, if you’re young at heart” Remember, Your Life is supposed to be Good! Joy and Blessings, Karen

My new Positively Powerful Women Celebrate! fabulous dinner and one day workshop will begin the evening of May 16th (5:30 to 9pm) with great food and awards to inspirational women who have founded some extra-ordinary organizations, then continue the next day with experiential (action learning ) workshops that I have designed in such a way that women leave with new thinking, possibilities, joy, action plans, and direction. I am an international training designer and facilitator and this is my passion. If you are a woman and in the area May 16 and 17, join me. The cost for everything and all meals is $250. The location is Scottsdale, AZ. For info/registration visit http://www.triadwest.com/events.htm

Here’s to the dreamers!

Perhaps the poverty of some of the people is what you remember most thanks to the media.

The Haiti I knew and loved was vibrant, colorful, musical, beautiful artwork, historical. Do you know the book The Three Musketeers? Alexander Dumas was Haitian. There is so much more to learn about this nation. Here is a TED.COM video of Edwidge Denticat.  She opens with history and then moves to her evocative stories.

In the midst of an earlier crisis, Haitian author Edwidge Danticat reminds us of the contributions of Haiti’s vibrant culture and people. This reading offers a timely message for today — as the nation struggles in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake.

Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Edwidge Danticat immigrated to the United States at 12, publishing her first short story in a youth magazine only two years later. Spending her teenage years in a Haitian neighborhood in Brooklyn, Danticat was able to capture the isolation and memories of her experience with authentic eloquence in her first novel, Breath, Eyes, Memory, which was selected for Oprah’s Book Club.
Danticat has continued to share the stories of her past in the novels Krik? Krak!, The Farming of Bones, The Dew Breaker, and Brother, I’m Dying. She has taught creative writing at New York University and the University of Miami, and is a recipient of the prestigious MacArthur “Genius Grant.”

“We all have our traditions, which have both positive and negative repercussions. It all depends on how we integrate them in our lives and whether they serve us or hold us back.”

Edwidge Danticat