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Oprah Winfrey has kicked off the new year with her Oprah’s 2020 Vision: Your Life in Focus tour in partnership with Weight Watchers, according to Essence.

In the words of Oprah, let’s make 2020 our year to triumph!

Winfrey intends motivating all with this. She said, “to make 2020 the year of renewal and celebrate all we are meant to be.” According to Because of Them We can There will be interactive morning sessions, dance parties by Daybreaker, wellness planning and workbook exercises followed by afternoon sessions featuring Julianne Hough and her KINRGY method. And of course, there will be interviews with Oprah and the featured celebrity guests.

This tour has kicked off January 4th in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida with Lady Gaga which was an impressive one..

Sometimes a conversation in a taxi cab can lead to good fortune. This is exactly what happened with an Uber driver who had her debt cleared from one of her passengers, according to CNN.

Latonya Young, who works as a hairstylist and Uber driver, picked up a passenger outside of Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium and started engaging in a conversation. She told the man that after having a child at the age of 16, she had to drop out of high school to raise him and recently had to drop out of college because she owed a $700 balance to Georgia State University.

In response, the passenger, who was a man named Kevin Esch, decided to go directly to Georgia State University and pay off the balance of Young’s debt without her knowing about the deed. The university contacted Young to inform her that she was able to register for classes.

“I was literally blown away. A stranger has never done that — or done anything like that — for me,” Young said.

Last month, Georgia State University shared the story on Facebook.

The mother of three registered with the school and worked hard to earn her associate degree in criminal justice. “I maintained my grades, As and Bs, just trying to make sure he knows I appreciate him,” she said. She plans on pursuing her bachelor’s degree as she aspires to become an attorney.

Esch actually attended Young’s graduation when she received her degree.”There was something about Latonya that just—she resonates with me and we developed an incredible friendship now and I am incredibly proud of what she’s done,” he told CNN Full Circle. “I could’ve bought new clothes or I could’ve helped someone out. And what has come back to me has come back a hundredfold and I would do it 1,000 times over.”

In a statement to CNN, Andrea Anne Jones, a spokesperson at Georgia State University, said, “Kevin Esch has been justifiably applauded and heralded for providing the funds to enable Georgia State student Latonya Young to earn a college degree, but his gift is so much bigger than that. With it, he has changed a life and opened a door to a brighter future for a student who, like so many others we see at Georgia State, simply needs a chance to achieve and succeed.”

 

Source : Black Enterprise

Toolz Oniru Demuren has been appreciated for her 10 years of service and contribution as an On-Air-Personality with the radio station Beat 99.9FM

The popular media personality was presented with an award of service by the operators of the station which she shared on her Instagram page.

She wrote:

I’ve been in this industry for a second phewww!

Who would’ve thought that my first ever radio gig would last this long??

Grateful for everything!!
Thank you Megalectrics @thebeat999fm@chrisubosi @dayjeea (aka Terrorist).

She truly has had a rewarding career and is probably going to be longstanding with it.

The Singer named Lizzo, at her Concert in Sydney Opera House took some time to volunteer,by helping those affected by the wildfires.

 

The nonprofit took to social media to thank the artist for her efforts saying, “Beautiful Lizzo stopped by our Foodbank Victoria warehouse today to thank our hardworking team and vollies who have been working tirelessly for the past 6 days. What a [star], she even packed hampers for fire-affected regions. Thank you for the support.”

According to Because of Them We Can The pop star volunteered at the Melbourne Foodbank Victoria, packing food hampers for those impacted by the fire. She took time to thank the other volunteers and took pictures with everyone. The Foodbank is the largest food relief provider in Victoria. Following the “Truth Hurts” singer’s visit, the nonprofit has set up links for people to donate on all of their social media pages. 

“Join Lizzo to deliver emergency food relief and water to the victims of the Bushfire Crisis. We need your support to continue delivering emergency food relief and water to Victorians affected by this devastating bushfire crisis,” a message on the Foodbank website reads. 

CNN reports at least 24 people have died, about 18 million acres of land has been burned and half a billion animals have been impacted by the fires. Victoria and New South Wales have been affected the most, with over 2000 homes having been destroyed and about 3.5% of the state of Victoria being burned, according to Mashable. 

 

 

While some would relax after eight long years in the White House, rest is something Michelle Obama isn’t doing just yet. The former first lady will be launching an Instagram video series that will premiere later this month.

Obama and her initiative Reach Higher have partnered with ATTN: on a new IGTV series, “A Year of Firsts.” The series aims to empower and inspire freshman college students across the country. Each episode will spotlight the journeys of the students as they embark on their quest for higher education. “A Year of Firsts” continues the tradition that Obama started as first lady of uplifting and inspiring young people and supporting their educational potential.

“As a first-generation college student myself, I know how intimidating it can be to take that leap and pursue your educational dreams,” Obama said in a statement. “That’s why I’m so proud of these students. By sharing their stories, they’re helping others see that the ups and downs of the first year of college are something everyone goes through—and they’re creating a supportive community for others facing similar challenges.”

“A Year of Firsts” is produced by ATTN: in partnership with Reach Higher. ATTN: is working with the students directly to document their first year as they explore issues like the academic stress of attending college, making new friends, college affordability, and the physical and mental health challenges they encounter while in college. Episode one of “A Year of Firsts” will premiere exclusively on IGTV in mid-January. Over six episodes, the series will chronicle the students’ first year in college and conclude with the last episode in June 2020.

Obama announced the series on her Instagram page: “The first year of college is exciting, but also a little nerve-racking. As a first-generation college student myself, I know how intimidating it can be to try to navigate through a new place and make new friends, all while trying to figure out who you are and who you want to be. That’s why I’m so excited that @reachhigher is teaming up with @attndotcom to share the stories of four first-year college students: Robert, Linette, Regan, and Haseeb. Can’t wait for you all to meet them and learn more about what taking that leap really feels like, day in and day out. Stay tuned!”

“As Mrs. Obama highlights in each episode, there are many hidden challenges to making it through college,” said ATTN: co-founder, Matthew Segal. “This series will meet many students where they live—on Instagram—and share candid perspectives about how to overcome barriers. We’re thrilled to be partnering with Mrs. Obama and Reach Higher to engage and inspire students to invest in themselves through higher education.”

 

CREDIT: Black Enterprise

About four weeks ago, I was called to serve my country; Nigeria. That three weeks experience in Ondo State Orientation Camp Ikare – Akoko was indeed a thrilling one.

I had the opportunity to serve as the flag bearer to escort Mr. Governor and as the Director of Socials of my platoon. Holding this position in camp was a whole lot especially as almost every night rolled by with social activities and the performance of my platoon in various social activities depended on me. I employed the use of Democratic, Transformational and Laissez-Faire styles of leadership which helped to bring several individuals with cultural diversities and upbringings to come together and achieve set goals. The experience also exposed to a greater level of inter-personal skills.

Yes, i indeed worked hard and played hard. At the end of the orientation camp, i was posted to the Ondo State Civil Service Commission. I’m looking forward to an innovative and empowering service year and beyond.

Idara Etang

On January 1, 2020, Ogunbiyi announced her resumption and vision for her new appointment and efforts to achieve the Sustenable Development Goals (SDG7) in its last decade.

Mrs Damilola Ogunbiyi was appointed as the new Special Representative for Sustainable Energy for All and Co-Chair of United Nations-Energy by the UN Secretary General António Guterres on  October 29, 2019.

According to Sustainable Energy For All, Before joining SEforALL, Damilola Ogunbiyi was the first female Managing Director of the Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency and responsible for successfully negotiating within 18 months the Nigerian Electrification Project which is a USD 550m facility (World Bank USD 350m and AfDB USD 200m) to rapidly construct solar mini-grids and deploy solar home systems across Nigeria. She was also responsible for the Energizing Education Programme which will provide uninterrupted electricity to 37 federal universities and seven teaching hospitals through off-grid captive power.

Mrs. Ogunbiyi has good interest in mentoring and empowering young people through skills acquisitions. She also created the Lagos State Energy Academy to help build the capacity of young people in renewable energy technology.

Vanguard Nigeria cited that Her appointment comes as the world is about to enter the final decade to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) – access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030. SEforALL is an international organization, headquartered in Vienna, Austria, that is dedicated to helping the world achieve SDG7 and Paris Agreement targets.

Women of Rubies say Congratulation to Mrs Ogunbiyi on her exalted position.

Talking to someone about our hurting experience does a lot of good to our healing. Lady Gaga shares to Oprah Winfrey in an interview tagged ‘2020 Vision: Your Life in Focus’ about her mental health struggles. She talked about being raped repeatedly at 19.

The singer revealed that she did not have a therapist, or doctor to help with her trauma. And so it got worse because, it was there all along. At the peak of her career all she could do was travel all over the world. “I never dealt with it and then all of a sudden, I started to experience this incredible pain throughout my entire body that mimicked, actually, the illness I felt after I was raped,” she said.

The pain was a ‘trauma response’ according to her. She has also had struggles with fibromyalgia, which she described as a chronic pain condition which makes your body hurt through your brain. “What’s interesting about it is that I’ve found through neuropsych research and my relationship with my doctors that fibromyalgia can be treated through mental health therapy. And mental health should be treated as a medical condition. It should not be ignored.”

She perfectly understands now the importance of accessing a mental health care. “Not everyone has the access to these things and not everybody has money for these things and i want the money for it, I want the best doctors in the world,” she shared. “Mental health is a crisis”.

Although she has perfectly accepted everything that has happen to her, and believes it all happened for a reason.”And i think it happened because God was saying to me, I’m going to show you pain and then you’re going to help other people who are in pain because you’re going to understand it”. She added, Now I’m in problem solving mode!.”

Talking to someone about our hurting experience does a lot of good to our healing. Lady Gaga shares to Oprah Winfrey in an interview tagged ‘2020 Vision: Your Life in Focus’ about her mental health struggles. She talked about being raped repeatedly at 19.

Watch this adorable of them both:

Whatever sexual assaults we have had, through will do us better if we speak out and let it go out of our soul. Keeping it in, eats deep into us. We can use wise words and counsel from therapists to counter the effects.

Abimbola talks about her resolution for the new  year and how she is set to make the best out of it. ‘If you don’t like something about yourself in 2020 fix it’ she said. The media personality listed some positive thoughts to live by for a more productive year.

Indeed, 2020 is a year to be intentional about. She wants us to know how important our mental health is.

You should get yourself some self love because you deserve it. She said ‘I would take time out to get a massage if i want to’.  Enjoy the vblog below of all she has spoken:

DEFINE what success looks like personally. Set goals and monitor how you are doing. Take concrete actions to achieve them daily, monthly and yearly.

REMEMBER that your values are the foundations of life. Use them as your compass. My values are integrity, compassion and empathy.

TAKE complete responsibility for your life. Jim Rohn reminds us that you have to do your push-ups yourself.

EXCELLENCE should always be your mantra. It is one way to eliminate biases.

INVEST in yourself. Most successful people are voracious readers. Curious minds, and live a life of learning everyday.

COURAGE is key. When women take risks, they are usually well thought out. Do it even if you are afraid.

SEEK help early and expand your network

A POSITIVE ATTITUDE is key. Enjoy life, Have fun and be passionate. Keep your perspective even when you feel that things are not working out as they should.

FAIL FORWARD In fact, I have learnt what people consider a failure is usually a ‘a course correction’ in order to catapult you to greater success.

PAY IT FORWARD There is so much to do to make the world a better place. Your generosity and contribution to society should be your legacy.

Aruna Oteh was the former Vice President and Treasurer World Bank, prior to joining the bank she was the Directir Deneral of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), in Nigeria from 2010-2015.

She has served in several governmental institutions, and is known for her ability to deliver excellently well. She was also recently named the 2018 Ai Global Instituional Investment Personality of the Year.

She is currently an academic scholar at St. Anthony’s College, Oxford University, and an executive-in-residence at Said Business School.

Truly, she is a woman of excellence with a quest for modern knowledge.