Young Entrepreneur Spotlight
Carmen Lily - Designer, Distinctively Unique Designs
No matter how old we are, no matter what stage we’re at in life, we all tend to wonder, “If money didn’t matter, what would I do?” Aaron Arnold had those thoughts. And he’s acted on them.
Carmen's love for design began during her childhood and has blossomed into a flourishing career. Carmen graduated from North Carolina State University's Design School, and her experiences there has enhanced her design skills, and also broadened her cultural awareness.
On a study abroad trip to Ghana, West Africa, Carmen developed a unique sense of fashion. She expanded and crafted this sense by interning with Donna Karen New York as well as with Alice Roi. Combining her internship and cultural experiences, Carmen created a line of accessories that made bold statements by blending African inspired prints, motifs and color-ways with contemporary designs.
Carmen has successfully completed two Spring/Summer collections, which were shown in the College of Designs annual Art to Wear show. In the fall of 2004 Distinctively Unique Designs was formed to offer creative jewelry to fashion conscious individuals. Distinctively Unique Designs has since expanded to include one of a kind handbags. Carmen plans to continue her career in New York City, where she hopes to establish Distinctively Unique Designs as a leader in luxury accessories. Visit her website here.
On My Campus
Activists Win Suit Against Texas Southern
by Drew Daniels -- Black College Wire
Three former Texas Southern University students who claimed the university retaliated against them by violating their First Amendment rights have been awarded $200,000. A federal jury will award punitive damages this week. Justin Jordan, Oliver J. Brown and William Hudson filed a lawsuit in 2005, claiming university officials targeted them after they disseminated information about former president Priscilla Slade and other university officials.
T“We are very thankful that 12 other people saw the facts and agreed with us that [the] First Amendment had been violated and we were maliciously prosecuted,” said Jordan, a TSU public affairs major from Midland, Texas.
The students sued university officials in 2005, accusing administrators of harshly disciplining them for speaking out against corruption. Jordan, who at the time was freshman class president, said the three students who became known as the TSU Three, stumbled upon on some payroll documents and at first didn’t know what they had. Read more
Every One, Grab One
Young Leaders - Sierra Leone
YLSL is a Non-partisan ,Non-governmental, Non-Profit making oriented youth organisation registered with the government of Sierra Leone under the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children's Affairs and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
YLSL was formed in 2003 by some dynamic and patriotic Sierra Leonean young people, consisting of school head prefects, university student union presidents, heads of youth groups and civil society organizations, and a few other young dedicated Sierra Leoneans in the Diaspora particularly in the UK, Holland, and USA, but it was the Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone who officialy launched the organization on July 29th 2005 at the Miatta Conference Center in Freetown.
Young Leaders - Sierra Leone fosters a platform for young Sierra Leonean professionals at home and in the Diaspora, to participate in nation-building through dialogue, education, advocacy, networking, and development.
Visit their website for more information and also to donate.
News and Tools
Who Wants To Be An Entrepreneur?
by Dr. J.L. Hutchinson, Jr.
As we know, going into business is tough; not having a plan makes it even harder. I can't understand why someone going into business spends their money but does not plan. The United States of America is a place where dreams can come true for the average man. You can come from poverty or you can come from a mediocre life and reach the highest plateau of wealth in America.
I came from Cleveland, Ohio, east of the river and I grew up as an indigent child. Understanding wealth was not something I was ever taught to do. I am the second oldest in my family, but the oldest boy of five kids raised by a single mother. My mother didn't have wealth, as far as money goes but she had incredible wisdom, something that is much needed when you are a business owner, the ability to know when and how to make the right decisions. Read more