Growing up with a Grandmother on drugs

                Growing up my grandmother was not in my life due to her addiction to drugs and alcohol. She spent most of her time hanging out with her friends and neglecting her responsibilities as a mother and a grandmother. My mother and aunt were raised by my great aunt and her husband, because my grandmother was in no position to provide for them.  

Even though I was little girl, I realize that my grandmother had a problem. I would always see my grandmother drink beers form time to time. However, as I got older I would see my grandmother drink so much to point she would pass out. It has been time when friends of the family would call and say my grandmother has passed out outside on the street. As I got older her unpredictable action would became embarrassing.

My grandmother addiction got so bad, she separated herself from my mother, (whom is her youngest child), and she start living with my aunt. That decision hurt my siblings and a lot because we felt as if she picked them over us. We will only see her at family reunions, and spending time with her would be fun. My grandmother would always be the life of the party, but only because she was under influence. We didn’t complain about my grandmother drinking or using crack, because it would only drive her away from us. So we decided to keep quiet about so she would feel comfortable around us. Not knowing being silence only hurts the problem and allows it to grow.

            I am proud to say that my grandmother and back into my life and she’s all along. She has been clean for about 2 years now, and she doing great. The most unforgettable moment in my life was attending her graduation from her rehabilitation program. As she walked crossed the stage, I scream and yelled because she had overcome an addiction she had been struggling with her whole life.

            Even through I’m in college now, I see my grandmother every time I go home. We both call each other weekly, just to check on each other. I can call my grandmother for anything and she try’s her best to provide it for me. I forgave my grandmother for not being in my life when I was younger, and that have allow me to open up and accept her now. I’ve learned that no one is perfect, and God takes everyone through something different in life.

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Eddie Long WIFE file for a DIVORCE

Eddie Long a powerful and influential Bishop of the Atlanta area gained a reputation as a spiritual leader after turning his 150 member congregation into a following of 25,000 people.

However, he has been in the media lately for several allegations that has been made against him. Several young men accused Long of sexually harass them. The allegations by the men were not investigated criminally because Georgia age of consent is 16, and at the time young men were 17 and 18.

The lawsuit was dismissed, and it is said that Eddie Long used his power to influence the guys into having sexually acts with me him.

I have been following this case for some time now, and I am in shock about Vanessa (Eddie long wife) filing for a divorce. I learned the news of the divorce via twitter this morning as I updated my timeline and AJC shared the disappointing news. I wonder why Vanessa waited so long to file for a divorce. This has been an ongoing case for some time now and she just deciding that’s she has had enough. In a statement, Vanessa Long said that she has decided to terminate her marriage after a great deliberation and prayer. One talk with the Lord, and she has been guided to leave the Bishop and move on with her life.

In closing Vanessa Long stated, "I ask that you respect my privacy and that of my family, as my attorneys and I have agreed that we will not try this case in the media, and I do not intend to make any further statements concerning this matter," she added. "I also ask that the public pray for my entire family during this difficult period of transition."

The African American Male Mentoring Program At Voorhees College

Voorhees College is a community of scholar changing minds and changing lives. To take a step forward Voorhees College has implemented a Male Mentoring Program.

The program is designed to help the males develop accountability, responsibility, encourage healthy relationships, leadership development, etiquette training confidence building and the list goes on.

The Male Mentoring Program is designed to aid in the academic, personal, professional and overall development of male students at Voorhees College.

The program emphasizes mentoring and nurturing male students with the expectation that they will excel academically, graduate, and ultimately become successful in their chosen career fields.

The male mentoring program brings positive awareness and recognition to male students on campus promoting academic success and retention as well as inspiring and motivating them to achieve their goals.

The males of Voorhees will have the opportunity to perform community service and give back to the surrounding communities.

They will also travel on field trips and get the chance to bond and meet other successful males with the desire to help those less fortunate and guide them in the right path.

Many males in today’s society do not have male figures to look up to and people to just show them that they are loved and someone cares about their futures. All young people need is positive guidance.

My backbone

 There is someone in everyone’s life that influences him or her immensely. This person could be a relative or a best friend; a movie star or a storybook character. Whoever it is, they are there, happy or sad, most tragic moment or the pinnacle, life-changing experience. Everyone is different; therefore everyone has a different influence. Groups of people may have the same influence, but they confide in him or her for different reasons.

When reflecting on personal influences in my life, no one has had a greater impact than my mother.  Tracy Gordon has been the biggest influence in my life from as long as I can remember. She is and always continues to be a positive role model as a mother. My mother has always taught me to be who I am and not to pretend to be someone else. She has influenced my life by teaching me the lessons and showing me the right and wrong behaviors. She has taught me the values and principles of life and also the importance of family.

My mother has shown me unconditional love, even when I have made very bad decisions that she has not agreed with. I admire my mother’s love for her family. She is always trying to find new ways and ideas to improve her family’s life because she wants the best for us. This has inspired me to try my hardest to get the best out of life. She has inspired me to go to go college, so that I can be successful and provide for my family. I remember when I was little girl and my mother would always tell me to always strive for the best and never settle for anything less than my worth. As a little girl I didn't understand the phrase but as I matured I understood it more. I have used this phrase to get me where I am today and I will continue to use it in the near future.

Growing up as a little girl without my father active in my life made me respect and honor my mother. The things a father usually teaches his daughter and do with his little girl, my mother did for me. My mother was a single parent of six but she never missed any of my school plays, spelling bees, award banquets, or graduation. Looking out into the audience and seeing my mother face or hearing her scream my name brought joy to my heart. Seeing her made me feel so confident in myself, and I wanted to do my best to impress my mother.

I have no idea where I would be without my mother. She is the queen in my life and even when her soul leaves her body I know she would still guide me. My mother has influenced me in so many ways. I am thankful for all the things my mother has taught me and did for me. I am blessed to have such a wonderful person to raise me and mold me into the intelligent young woman I am today.

           

Gone but never Forgotten " McCartney Hill"

On September 26, 2010, Voorhees College mourned the death of our own McCartney Jawoin Hill.  McCartney was a senior attending Voorhees College from Grenville, SC. He departed us at an early age, but he left many memories and shares so many moments with the Voorhees family.

On Saturday, September 24, 2011 the Zion Hill Baptist Church in Greenville, SC hosted the memorial and candle lighting service for McCartney. The service represented the one year anniversary of the death of the great, sport loving, MC (as we all called him).  

MC mother Tammy Hill and grandmother Delores Hill sat on the front row of the church and they held their selves together as we all celebrated as well as mourn the loss of MC on this day.

During the service each individual was giving a candle and was asked to participate in the lighting of the candles. Deacon James Williams give a memory tribute as the family, friends, and classmates blew out their candies (sending prayer to God to give us all strength).

There was also a remark section on the program, which allows family, friends, and others to talk about and share their memories and special moments with MC. Shaquandra Bryant, Biology major at Voorhees College, made a remark about how MC always gave her good advice and pointers. Jaylen McKlevey, a twelve year old resident of Greenville, SC remarks includes how excited he used to be when MC stayed up all night playing videos games with him. Several other family members and friends also shared their memories and special moments.

At the closing of the service, his mother gave thanks to the Voorhees Family for coming and their condolences throughout their grievances. She also collected a small token to give back to Voorhees College.

Voorhees College Convocation 2011-2012

Voorhees college one hundred and fifteenth opening convocation was held in the Leonard E. Dawson Health and Human Resource center.

The convocation was held on the eighth of September and was open by Dr. Cleveland Seller, president of Voorhees College.

Dr. Sellers stated that “The pathway of life goals begins with education”. 

In his opening her informed the audience that Ebenezer three rocks symbolize; Education, Faith, and Service.

Dr. Seller had the honor of introducing his friend and the speaker of the opening convocation address, Reverend Dr. DeForest B. Soaries, Jr.

Mr. Soaries is the senior pastor of the First Baptist church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, New Jersey.

He is also the author of dfree: Breaking Free from Financial Slavery.

He also served as the New Jersey’s 30^th Secretary of State and is known for speaking at colleges, universities, conferences, and different churches around the world.

Throughout his speech he is encouraged the students to DREAM.

He stated that you should have a dream to do more than just live.

Dr. Soaries closed by stating that you should never lose your dream.

To always keep dreaming.

Through whatever life throws at you to never get distracted from achieving your dream.

“I’m an eagle and I’m destined to fly”

The African American Male Mentoring Program of Voorhees College sponsored the college Assembly on September 1, 2011 in the Massachusetts Hall Lawrence Memorial Auditorium.

Voorhees College was honored to have the first set of triplet attorney in American to speak and share their struggles and achievement as black men.

The Martin triplets; Deshun Terrell, Kenya Reese and Warren Louis were born a set of triplets, and they followed in the footsteps of the oldest brother Precious in becoming attorneys.

The triplets graduated from Jackson State University, where they earned their Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.

Both Warren and Kenya graduated with a grade point average of a 4.0 and Deshun finished with a 3.95 in course work.

In May of 2004, the Martins become the first set of triplets to graduate from the University Of Mississippi School Of Law.

They were sworn in 2004 as the first set of triplet attorneys in America.

They brother has made guest appearance on the Montel and Oparah show.

The triplet wasn’t feed from a golden spoon growing up, in fact some time they went without lights and food to eat.

However, they knew they had to make something of themselves to bring their family out of poverty.

The Martin triplets talked about how their mother played both parent roles, and how she kept them at; church, home, and school.

During their presentation, it showed that they all were God fearing men and that God was the head of their life.

They also shared the keys to success.

Kenya stated that the three keys to success are; acknowledge God, remain in school and love and respect yourselves.

Warren stated that the key to success is reading.

Kenya informed the audience that education starts in the womb.

And Warren followed by stating that, “There is a different in being graduated and educated”

Yet, the exploration of the presentation was when Kenya recited parts of the Mountain Top speech by Martin Luther King Jr.