According to University of Pittsburgh Study, published in the fall of 2012 in journal Child Development, instilling racial pride in black teens leads to better educational outcomes.  The Medical News Today website posted an article on the study.   The article states that, “African American adolescents tend to have more success in school if their parents instill in them a sense of racial pride, reducing their vulnerability to the effects of racial discrimination from teachers and peers.”  The research study referenced in the article “shows that when African American parents use racial socialization – talking to their children or engaging in activities that promote feelings of racial knowledge, pride, and connection – it offsets racial discrimination’s potentially negative impact on students’ academic development.”  The article also mentions “that parental racial socialization is beneficial to the mental health of African American youth”.  It goes on to point out that “Scholarly research has shown that African American students, males in particular, are at risk for being unfairly disciplined, being discouraged from taking advanced classes, or receiving lower grades than they deserved, all because of their race. Other studies point to negative peer treatment because of race – getting into fights, being bullied, or not being selected for teams or activities.”

The article concludes by stating, “Overall, the study found racial pride to be the most powerful factor in protecting children from the sting of discriminatory behavior. It directly and positively related to three out of four academic outcomes – grade-point averages, educational aspirations, and cognitive engagement – and was directly related to resilience in the face of discrimination.”

See the whole article at:  http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/254171.php

Wednesday August 21, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Job Fair

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton is hosting her 16th annual Job Fair at  the Washington Convention Center (801 Mount Vernon Place) from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with workshops from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  Over 100 employers will be in attendance, and there will be opportunities for federal, state, local and private sector jobs.

This job fair is for DC residents only!  You must bring proof that you are a DC resident (e.g. driver’s license, non-driver’s ID, pay stub, voter’s registration card, lease, utility bill).

Employers include the federal/state/local jobs, private sector, construction, jobs for new grads.  government, DC government,

The Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy, a preventive rather than remedial at-risk youth program, targets District of Columbia youth who are unemployed, drug-free and law-free high-school dropouts, 16 to 18 years of age.

Core components of the program are:

•    Responsible Citizenship
•    Academic Excellence
•    Life-Coping Skills
•    Service to Community
•    Health and Hygiene
•    Job Skills Training
•    Leadership/Followership
•    Physical Fitness

The 22-week Residential Phase is followed by a year-long mentoring relationship with a specially trained member from each youth’s community.

The program is a service of the Government of the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense through the National Guard.

If you, or someone you know is interested in enrolling in the program or becoming a mentor for the program, visit their website at:  www.ngycp.org/site/state/dc/