It takes a village to raise a child.
How many times have you heard that said? Well, it is true and even more important now. It’ s vital to the nurturing of our future leaders and generations to come that we reach back and educate them.
At the same time, helping build your community does a multitude of things. It helps build meaningful character, teaches compassion and understanding, as well as instilling confidence.
As a child growing up in Riviera Beach, Florida, I never understood the importance of service within my community. I attended events and often interacted with people that I looked up to after they visited my school. At that time, I didn’ t really understand why they were there but I did sense that there was something happening--something bigger than me.
Now, as an adult who has made those same visits to organizations and groups back home, I get it. I recognize the importance of volunteering time and knowledge to my community through the Sickle Cell Foundation of Americas, Palm Beach Lakes Community High
School, Inner City Youth“ Getting There” Inc., and the Quantum House of South Florida. I see how important it is and what is at stake for future generations.
But, not only is community service rewarding and fun, it looks amazing on a resume or even for a graduate school application. In moving and navigating through life, I’ ve found out that I will always be involved in service to my community because it gives me something to look forward to.
Meanwhile, there are lots of different things you can do to help your community become a better place. They include such things as helping special needs children, feeding the homeless, neighborhood cleanups or simply visiting to middle schools and high schools in your community to talk to the students about what it means to be a young adult.
BUILDING
UP THE
COMMUNITY
“ Life’ s most persistent and urgent question is,‘ what are you doing for others?’”
- Dr. Martin Luther
By James Scruggs III
Universoul Circus
05 / 18 / 16-05 / 30 / 16; Newark, NJ; http:// www. universoulcircus. com
Barbados Gospelfest
05 / 21 / 16-05 / 29 / 16; Barbados; http:// www. barbadosgospelfest. com
Cancun Jumpoff
05 / 25 / 16-05 / 30 / 16; Cancun, Mexico; http:// www. cancunjumpoff. com
Spoleto Festival
05 / 27 / 16-06 / 12 / 16; Charleston, SC; http:// www. spoletousa. org
FunkFest Tour
05 / 06 / 16-05 / 07 / 16; Birmingham, AL; http:// funkfesttour. com
Atlanta Jazz Festival
05 / 22 / 16-05 / 24 / 16; Atlanta, GA; http:// www. atlantafestivals. com
Carnival Houston
06 / 09 / 16-06 / 11 / 16; Houston, TX; http:// www. carnivalhouston. com
Juneteenth Celebrations
Around June 19th; Various Dates and Cities, http:// www. juneteenth. com
American Black Film Festival
06 / 15 / 16-06 / 19 / 16; Miami Beach, FL; http:// www. abff. com
Summerfest
06 / 29 / 16-07 / 10 / 16; Milwaukee, WI; http:// www. summerfest. comhttp:// www. frasernet. com
NAACP Annual Convention
7 / 16 / 16- / 07 / 20 / 16; http:// www. naacp. org
Fillmore Street Jazz Festival
07 / 02 / 16-07 / 03 / 16; San Francisco, CA; http:// www. fillmorestreetjazzfest. com
Taste of Chicago
07 / 06 / 16-07 / 10 / 16; Chicago, IL; http:// www. tasteofchicago. us
Indiana Black Expo
07 / 15 / 16-07 / 16 / 16; Indianapolis, IN; http:// www. indianablackexpo. com
Bill Picket Invitational Rodeo Tour
07 / 09 / 16-07 / 10 / 16; Hayward, CA and
07 / 16 / 16-07 / 17 / 16; Los Angeles, CA; http:// www. billpickettrodeo. com
JazzFest West
07 / 16 / 16-07 / 17 / 16; San Dimas, CA; http:// www. jazzfestwest. com
National Bar Association Annual Convention
7 / 16 / 16- 07 / 22 / 16; St. Louis, MO; http:// www. nationalbar. org
Reggae Sumfest
07 / 17 / 16-07 / 23 / 16; Montego Bay, Jamaica; http:// www. reggaesumfest. com
Norfolk Jazz Festival
07 / 15 / 16-07 / 16 / 16; Norfolk, VA; Norfolk Jazz Festival
Whether your concept of a flawless day is simply unwinding as well as having a fabulous time in the recreation center here are some fun perfect activies for this mid year. Get out and make the most of your late spring, travel whatever you can and encounter these brilliant affordable adventures. Here’ s are a couple of occasions that’ ll be occurring this late spring beginning in May. For more occasions, and data. Sign onto www. soulofamerica. com
Montreal Jazz Festival
06 / 29 / 16-07 / 09 / 16; Montreal, Canada; http:// www. montrealjazzfest. com
BET Experience
06 / 23 / 16-06 / 26 / 16; Los Angeles, CA; http:// www. bet. com / bet-awards
Sundiata Festival
06 / 11 / 16-06 / 12 / 16; Seattle, WA; http:// www. festivalsundiata. org
AFFORDABLE ADVENTURES all summer
“ 16”
Waterfront Blues Festival
07 / 10 / 16-07 / 04 / 16; Portland, OR; http:// www. waterfrontbluesfest. com