kindness

The Power of a Dinner Table Kathy Fletcher and David Simpson adopted what’s become known as Thursday Night Dinner after their son invited a friend, who sometimes went to school hungry, home for dinner. Word spread from that friend to another, and soon kids were showing up for what’s described as “a diverse, weekly gathering that builds trust, breaks down barriers and establishes relationships rooted in love and high expectations and aimed at building the support networks our kids need to succeed.”The community blossomed beyond the dinner table into a nonprofit organization called AOK, which stands for All Our Kids, that provides more comprehensive support to current AOK kids and many more who need it. May this story of Kathy and David, inspire us to also act kindly wherever we find ourselves.

Life is not just a journey; it’s the ultimate game we’re all playing, each of us navigating through its challenges and opportunities. Imagine it as a grand adventure, where every decision you make, every action you take, shapes the course of your experience. Here’s your strategy guide to winning this game called life. Basics of the GameFrom the moment you’re born, you’re thrust into this game with a unique character and starting point. The first few years are like tutorial missions, teaching you the basics and laying the groundwork. As you grow into a young adult, you gain more freedom but face the challenge of limited experience. This is your prime time to level up your skills quickly. Managing Your ResourcesThe most precious resource in this game isn’t money or possessions, but time. How you allocate your time determines your success. Prioritize tasks that build your skills and maintain your well-being. Your state — influenced by factors like sleep, nutrition, and mental health — directly impacts your ability to achieve your goals. Choosing Your PathLife presents you with countless choices, each influencing your journey. Focus on tasks that improve both your state and skills. Balancing these will lead to overall growth and happiness. Remember, it’s not about mastering one skill, but about developing a range of abilities that complement each other, unlocking new paths and opportunities. Navigating ChallengesThroughout the game, you’ll face obstacles — rejections, setbacks, and unexpected turns. These challenges test your resilience and determination. Stay focused on your goals, conserve your willpower, and learn from every experience. Adaptability is key to thriving in the face of adversity. The Role of EnvironmentYour surroundings play a crucial role. While you can succeed almost anywhere, choosing the right environment enhances your skills and accelerates your progress. Consider moving if your current location limits your potential for growth and happiness. Wealth and SuccessMoney becomes a factor as you progress. Manage it wisely; avoid unnecessary debt and invest in opportunities that yield long-term benefits. Whether you aim to live comfortably or achieve wealth, your financial decisions should align with your goals and values. Life’s Evolving StagesAs you enter different stages of life — marriage, parenthood, career changes — your priorities shift. Each stage brings new responsibilities and rewards. Embrace these changes and continue to pursue personal growth. Final QuestsUltimately, life is finite. We each have a limited number of days to achieve our goals and leave a meaningful legacy. Make the most of every moment. Build relationships, pursue passions, and savor the journey. When the game ends, your legacy will reflect the choices you made and the impact you had on others. ConclusionLife is not just about reaching the end; it’s about how you play the game. Every day offers opportunities for growth, connection, and joy. Choose your actions wisely, stay true to your values, and remember that the real victory lies in living a life that brings you fulfillment and leaves a positive mark on the world. So, ready player one? It’s time to embrace this adventure, make your moves count, and create a story worth sharing. The game of life awaits your strategy.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, esteemed musician and producer Quincy Jones candidly spilled the beans on why he never worked with Elvis Presley, saying the so-called “King of Rock’n Roll” was a “racist motherf***r.” The 88-year-old, who has worked with the likes of Michael Jackson and Aretha Franklin, was profiled by the popular magazine as part of its “THR Icon” series. In the interview, the veteran musician touched on a few topics including racism in the entertainment industry, last summer’s protests that were triggered by the death of George Floyd – and of course Presley. Asked if he ever worked with the deceased musician and actor, Jones flat out replied, “No. I wouldn’t work with him.” He then continued: “I was writing for [orchestra leader] Tommy Dorsey, oh God, back then in the ’50s. And Elvis came in, and Tommy said, ‘I don’t want to play with him.’ He was a racist mother — I’m going to shut up now. But every time I saw Elvis, he was being coached by [“Don’t Be Cruel” songwriter] Otis Blackwell, telling him how to sing.” Besides the Presley revelation, the Grammy award winner also opened up about the racism he experienced as an entertainer back then when he was asked about what brought him to Hollywood in the 1960s. “They called me to do Gregory Peck’s Mirage [in 1965] and I came out here. I was dressed in my favorite suit, and the producer came out to meet me at Universal. He stopped in his tracks — total shock — and he went back and told [music supervisor] Joe Gershenson, ‘You didn’t tell me Quincy Jones was a Negro,’” he said. “They didn’t use Black composers in films. They only used three-syllable Eastern European names, Bronislaw Kaper, Dimitri Tiomkin. It was very, very racist. I remember I would be at Universal walking down the hall, and the guys would say, ‘Here comes a shvartze’ in Yiddish, and I know what that means,” he continued, adding: “It’s like the N-word. And Truman Capote, I did In Cold Blood, man. He called [director] Richard Brooks up, he said, ‘Richard, I can’t understand you using a Negro to write music to a film with no people of color in it.’ Richard said, ‘F*ck you, he’s doing the score.’ I did, and I got nominated for an Oscar.” Outside music, Jones touched on George Floyd’s death and the protest that ensued in what was a summer of racial reckoning, saying it was something that was brewing. “It’s been coming a long time, man,” he said. “People have been turning their heads the other way, but it’s all the same to me — misogyny, racism. You have to be taught how to hate somebody. It doesn’t come naturally, I don’t think. I don’t think so, unless you’ve been trained. I just think it’s such a bad habit. These racists, oh my God. Asians? How the hell do you get mad at an Asian girl?”

African girls and women in STEM face various challenges, including limited access to resources, gender bias, and lack of representation. Still, some are beating the odds to become great in the field, contributing immensely to the advancement of science and technology. According to the World Bank, females represent 30% of students graduating from STEM fields in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nomhle Ngwenya is one the few African women inspiring young girls in Africa to pursue careers in STEM. Last year, she became the youngest Ph.D. graduate at the University of the Witwatersrand’s science faculty. At 25 years old, she also became the youngest academic to obtain a Ph.D. in science. The South African was also the first Black woman to move straight from an honours program to a Ph.D. in the history of Wits, according to News24. Ngwenya, who grew up wanting a career in geography, said she never imagined making history in academics. She was at the time very interested in how the environment or geography affects society and vice versa. “Geography is such a multidisciplinary subject. It’s not just climate change, but economic development, society and more. You get everything in one component. That’s why I enjoyed geography even from my high school days,” she said to News24.