I spent the weekend in Philadelphia at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention.  I became a member of NABJ when I was an undergraduate at Hampton University.   The event is a fantastic networking and career development opportunity for journalists, communications professionals and journalism educators.   After attending several conventions over the years, it was an honor to be invited to serve as a panelist this year.   Friend to Professor Diva Diaries Benet Wilson, recommended Prof Cali and I for the “Syllabus Exchange” panel.   Cali had to decline due to her recent arrival (see Professor Baby.)   

On Friday I joined Professors Wayne Dawkins (Hampton University,)  Bonnie Newman Davis (Virginia Commonwealth University,) and Herbert Lowe (Marquette University)   to share with the audience tips on organizing course syllabi and ways to incorporate online resources into the classroom.  Syllabi provide students with a clear course plan for the semester, help professors to remain organized and  document how students will be assessed.  My first semester as a professor I arrived on campus a week before classes began, having only written one syllabus ever.  It was for a course project in graduate school.  Now I was tasked with preparing four syllabi for four distinct courses!    The university’s syllabi template, the syllabi  written previously for the courses and sample syllabi on the textbook publisher’s websites were my guide. I shared this experience with the convention attendees.    This summer I have been saving blog posts (PR Newser & Mopwater PR) and links from Twitter for use in classes.  Many tools for teaching can be found in our everyday activities.      I also imparted how much information is available through textbook companion sites and the education sections of news organizations websites such as the New York Times’ The Learning Network.    

When I was not speaking I was noting my fellow panelists suggestions,  such as  leave tentative dates in your syllabus to accommodate guest speakers,  require  students to tweet three things learned in class, consult the Facebook and Journalists Educators Syllabus, participate in Teacherpalooza,  use the Poynter certificate program as an exercise for students and use Storify.   My favorite insight from the panel came from Lowe, “There are two types of students, those that want a career and those that want a grade.”  I’m adopting this statement as the mantra for the school year.  

Attending NABJ is always a rewarding experience.  This year I was not only the receiver of information but also a teacher.  I’m looking forward to taking what I learned back to campus. 

 Air Kisses,

Professor Diva Mac

P.S.  Check out the NABJ Professor’s Panel album on Facebook.

Fast forward to a month before the trip; Plane tickets are bought and my bestie @2the9z will be in Vegas at a convention too.    One week off campus, expansion of my scholarly work and I get to hang with my girl!    One day after the plane tickets are bought, the president issues an edict declaring all faculty members must be on campus during review week.   What?   We were cleared to go?  This will impress the review committee.  The answer is still no!   We manage to have our panel moved to the first day of the conference, now it’s a weekend in Vegas.    Friday, I went outlet shopping and got some cool accessories from Icing and Charlotte Russe.  The deal of the day was $40 for Nike Air Max’s.    Saturday I got a much needed massage, then roamed the strip and stocked up on PhytoSpecific products at Sephora.    There’s not a full service location in my state and I needed relaxer.     That evening I was amazed by “The Lion King.”    Sunday, was show time for us.   We presented our panel with our suitcases behind us.  After a quick Q&A session we were off to the airport.   

It was good to get away before finals and the madness it brings.  Our panel made the list of top forums of the day.  However the experience was anticlimactic because I did not have the opportunity to network and attend other panels.   I went to Vegas, got my gold star and was back on my grind in two days.

Air Kisses,

Professor Diva Mac

P.S.  I only have this picture (from my phone) because my colleague that photographed our panel left my camera in Vegas.  Thankfully a friend from another university located it and is shipping it to me. 

PDM

 We spent a week studying at Universidad Sagrado Del Corazon (Sacred Heart University.)   There were three course selections World Literature, Global Economy or Tuberculosis.   I took the global economy seminar because there a number of business students enrolling in my public relations courses.   Changes within the global economy can also create and/or limits opportunities in the PR industry.  These issues I need to be aware of for my own professional development, as well as to educate my students on.  

Although we were in class from 9am-4:30pm each day, there was time to enjoy the island.  Simply being in a place with temperatures in the 80s was delightful.  We had a scheduled day to tour Old San Juan.  However each evening groups of professors went out on the town.  My colleague has a friend that lives in P.R. and he was a very willing guide around the city.   One of my favorite outings was salsa dancing at The Latin Roots and of course going to the beach.   San Juan is more urban than I expected.  I have visited several Caribbean islands but I always stay at a resort or hotel.  For the seminar we all lived in dormitories on Sacred Heart’s campus.   Dorm life took some adjusting too.  We had to bring our own essentials for the room, sharing the bathroom and staying up late to study for class was reminiscent of me days at Hampton.  

My experience in Puerto Rico was greatly rewarding.  The network of professors convening each seminar and the participants are all

Administration building at Sacred Heart University

colleagues that I learned from and will remain in contact.  I was very pleased with the number of professors from HBCU’s taking advantage of this opportunity.  Eleven historically black colleges and universities were represented.

While I was away, the department chair met my classes.  I received text messages from some students wondering if I was ok because I had not been on campus.  One student texted me that she heard I was studying in Puerto Rico and if I was studying for the entire semester she would be dropping class because she was taking it because I am teaching it. Now I’m back on the mainland and in the cold and back in the classroom.

Air Kisses,

Professor Diva Mac

Kerri Forrest and Professor Cali

This past weekend, Professor Cali came to my college town as we were both on a panel at South Carolina State University. In the thrust of its homecoming weekend—my Pirates were defeated– we discussed the role of the female anchor at the Women in Popular Culture Conference. Our panel debated and discussed the Katie Couric/Sarah Palin interview, diversity in the newsroom, and the role of social media and news. We were also joined by two other panelists who are friends of mine (Professor Mac) from my news days at NBC. The lovely Kerri Forrest formerly of the CBS’ “The Early Show” and Jade Hindmon, a reporter/anchor from Fox Carolina, who faced a brush fire and a three car accident just to get to the conference–talk about a true diva friend. 

Of course, being the divas that we are, when the opportunity presents itself, we go for it.  The talent was in town so Profesor Cali and Kerri both spoke to my afternoon PR class before the panel started later in the day. The students were in awe. The most opinionated group that I teach was actually quiet; typically they are more like the White House press rather than wall flowers. 

Now, I’m tossing it over to Professor Cali for her take on the rest of our weekend.

Cheetah's Gourmet & Gifts

On Saturday after awakening early, Professor Mac and I headed to Columbia, S.C., for the Carolina Blogging Luncheon. The event was organized by bloggers Teowonna Clifton and Kaela Harmon. Teowonna and Professor Mac met at Blogging While Brown in Washington, D.C., this past summer.  The Carolina Blogging Luncheon was a groundbreaking event (literally because it was the first of its kind) and was held at the Blue Marlin Restaurant. Can you say yummy food? It was a delicious four course meal. Plus not to mention the chocolate covered strawberries from Cheetah’s Gourmet and a Firefly Peach Sweet Tea Vodka tasting—we were ready for whatever after that meal and cocktails! Both Professor Mac (with her Zumba) and myself will be hitting the gym double time this week.

Our New Friends!

We had the opportunity to meet FitsNews blooger Will Folks, Heather Solos from Home EC 101, Anne Postic of The Shop Tart, Mikelle Street from Musings of a Gallivanting Boy, among other great bloggers in the Carolinas. It was fruitful in every way for us to be in the mix and “meet, greet, and tweet” about the event.  

It was a great weekend with great company and we look forward to connecting with all the Carolina Bloggers. A big thanks to Teowonna and Kaela. Go divas!

Air Kisses and Smooches,

Professors Mac and Cali

Lorraine Robertson, Ask Wifey; Christie Glascoe Crowder, Inside the Chatterbox; Barbara Gomez, B&B Fit

Luvvie.   Pam Perry and Kimberly Seals Allers’ panel have me thinking that the Professor Divas journey could also be a book.  Shameeka Ayers’ (The Broke Socialite) story of retirement from the corporate world to full time social media maven is truly inspiring. Last year I met Shameeka at Bloglacious in Atlanta. The reunions continued throughout the weekend with Rainy Day Diva  who I met at Blogging While Brown in Washington, DC, Brittany from Clumps of Mascara and Ananda Leeke both of which I met last year in Atlanta.  In the Casa Cristina suite I got the chance to unwind, charge my iPhone and catch up with my friend Natalie McNeal  a.k.a. the Frugalista. Last year she emphatically told me I needed to be at Blogalicious and she was right. Over the weekend I made many new connections including another professor blogger Dr. Goddess. Not only is she a scholar & goddess but she’s a dancing machine!

The Justices

 When I returned to campus I shared so many insights from the weekend with my students.  When they read in the conference material that the event took place in Miami the jokes  became nonstop.  One of my favorites was, “I bet these seminars were held in bars?”   However the students were impressed with the number of PR professionals that I networked with and how they are utilizing social media in the field.

Going to Blogalicious energized me as a  blogger, deepened my bonds with the “digital sisterhood” (Ananda’s term)  and going to the beach twice prepared me for midterm week.   I’m looking forward to casting my vote for next year’s locale and remaining connected.   

Check out my full Blogalicious album and video on Facebook.   

Air Kisses,

Professor Diva Mac

Over the past few years, I had not visited Pasadena as my family moved into the LA area after I graduated from high school. To be exact, it had been about five years since I visited with my husband, then fiancée.  We enjoyed the scenery, Colorado Blvd where the Rose Parade takes place, and In-N-Out Burger (rated one of the top places for a fast food burger by Consumer Reports).

I landed in LA in the early a.m. and took a cab into Dena (as we Pasadenians call it) passing through downtown LA on the 110 Harbor freeway and then hitting the curvy 210 Pasadena freeway. I was home and was looking forward to the adventure at hand.

With planning an event of this magnitude, UNCF starts at least a year out with all the details. From location to talent to invited guests; it’s all a science. The bigger picture was the cause that this event serves: supporting over 60,000 students at 900 colleges through scholarships and programs; and supporting its 39 member institutions which are HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).  To say the least, I was happy to be there and was ready (working for UNCF is one of my many jobs!).

I knew that I would be working in the hospitality lounge disseminating tickets and then onto the red carpet to assist with media and “regular celebrity stuff.” Fantasia opened the show and ROCKED it.   Chaka Khan– a diva in all the right ways–was down to earth and thankful for the tribute. She looked her normal Chaka Khan self–hair, make-up, and more hair…just a diva to the core.

vezzele.com

So I’m on the red carpet and black Hollywood starts showing up: Boris Kodjoe, Nicole Ari Parker, Tom Joyner, Mo’Nique, Ledisi, Melanie Fiona, Estelle, Bettye LaVette, Ginuwine, Kim Coles, Malik Yoba, El DeBarge, Angie Stone, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, etc., etc.  I watched with glee as they made their stroll and cameras flashed.

After the red carpet ended, I hit back stage to assist with more media. This is where I got a glimpse into the real deal. I found that celebrities are just like us—normal to a certain degree. Here are my thoughts:

Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe– They’re the beautiful couple that everyone loves. Nicole looks great with her short hair and they are very approachable.

Fantasia–she was in and out but very thankful for the performance and said to a colleague at the rehearsal “I needed this.” I’m glad she was there and she had on cute pink dress on and immediately took the shoes off as she excited the stage. I love it!

Stevie Wonder–Kind and cordial. What else can I say!

Quincy Jones–Nice guy and talkative. He moves to his own beat and he can…he’s Quincy.

Angie Stone–I actually escorted her over to media. Her make-up artist was nice too. I saw him by the hotel pool earlier in the day. Angie is very down to earth and had on some fierce high heels. They called for a seat and hand holding. I wasn’t  mad at her because my feet expired way before the show started–but divas take ”beauty” pain in stride.  

El DeBarge–A nice guy and whenever asked to take a photo, he obliged.

Ledisi–I could definitely hang with her. Fun and funny at the same time and she can sing.

Faith–Looked great and I had the opportunity to talk with her publicists on the red carpet.  She was very nice.

Mo’Nique–She is always graceful and looked great.

There were other celebs but these were the highlights—and now they are all my new friends–lol. So, please look to your local listings in January  to tune in to the show.  I think you’ll enjoy it!

Smooches,

Professor Cali

Downtown Claremore, Okla.

Two firsts took place for me last weekend.  I traveled to Oklahoma and presented academic research at the Oklahoma Speech Theatre Communication Association’s convention at Rogers State University (named for actor Will Rogers) in Claremore. 

The trip began on a lucky streak.  I was rebooked due to a flight delay on a more direct route. When I landed in Atlanta the gate for my connecting flight was in the same terminal!  You know how huge Hartsfield-Jackson is.   My luck ended when I arrived in Tulsa and my luggage did not.  The sole Delta Airlines employee told me that my suitcase would arrive on the 9:50 p.m. flight from Atlanta.   Just in case this didn’t work out I decided to buy an outfit for the next day.   I was under duress. My favorite pair of Linea Paolo shoes and a pair of earrings I bought in Croatia were in my suitcase! Shopping options in Owassa, Okla. were very limited but between Belk and Target I put together an outfit.    

After shopping and dinner I returned to my hotel, but my bag had not been delivered.   I called Delta and the most helpful customer service person ever, Rene answered. She called every airport I traveled through that day and the ones I was scheduled to.     Rene told me that the bag had arrived in Tulsa but no delivery drivers were still on duty.   However she did not give up and tracked down a driver and convinced her to return to the airport for my luggage.   I finally received my suitcase at 1:30 a.m. eight hours after I landed.    While I was waiting for the luggage I was also reviewing my presentation.    I discovered that some of the video clips needed to be embedded again.    It was after 2 a.m. when I went to bed and I had to be at Rogers State by 8:00 a.m. 

At the convention, I also served as a judge for the student public relations contest.  Before meeting with the competitors, I showed my presentation to a colleague and the clips did not play again!    I’m freaking out, but it was time for the contest to start.   One of the conference staff members offered to trouble shoot the issue for me.  The student’s campaigns were very impressive.    After round one of the competition I was informed that the clips problem could not be resolved.  However, I had to proceed with my presentation.  The topic was “Reality PR and Mass Communications Education.”  I discussed ways to use television portrayals of PR to teach students how to decipher between TV antics and the true realities of the industry.   When I reached slide number six suddenly I heard the voice of Kelly Cutrone.  Hallelujah, the video was playing! 

Centennial Center, Rogers State University

After the conference my colleague and I ventured into downtown Claremore.   It’s not a haute bed for fashion but there were six antique shops on the main street.   I bought a 1950’s Kodak video camera to add to my office decor.   That evening we ventured into Tulsa’s Brookside neighborhood and had steaks at Charleston’s.  After dinner we roamed the neighborhood that was lined with art galleries, cool architecture, and bars with live bands. 

In the end everything came together and I got some great ideas to take back to the classroom.  On Sunday I flew home and my luggage arrived along with me.  Deuces  OOOklahma! 

Air Kisses,

Professor Diva Mac

The interesting thing is that we often mistake what our purpose is because we are not open to change in the landscape. Because change causes people to get uptight at times, we tend to stick to what we know. But purpose is often found in the unkown–and may mean relocating and reinventing. In any event, maybe an individual’s purpose is not the end result but a new beginning.

 A diva who is near-and-dear to my heart is on her diva-escape and will embark upon a new beginning. She has taken a leap of faith and will do her “thang.” I imagine she will reinvent, rejuvinate, rectify, and rejoice in her “brandnewness.” She is chartering into unknown territory and I applaud her for it. She will make new friends, check out the latest and greatest in her new city (of course I’ll come visit then!), and just get lost to really find herself. She mentioned that I was the one who was “pushing her to leave,” but deep down I am going to miss her and will show much love on her returning visits.  I also know that this move is going to make her shine like the diamonds we divas love.

So I end by saying, if it’s not working here (insert your current city) try it over there (insert your  new proposed city). I have done it at least two times (college and post marriage) and are looking forward to the next. 

Go and grow and perhaps find your purpose in a new beginning/city.

Smooches,

Professor Diva Cali

P.S. If you have moved to a new city and truly love what you have become, leave a comment!

Empire State Building

I fell in love with New York the first time I went there with my grandmother at age three.   Before the diva became a professor, I traveled to NYC frequently while working as a journalist.    This is the first year in many that I have not already been there several times by summer for work and/or play.  Therefore I was very excited to be in the city this past weekend.

My godmother, Renee, and I decided to honor our late Aunt Anne by spending her birthday in her favorite city doing our favorite activity we shared with her next to shopping ─ theatre.    We decided to see August Wilson’s “Fences” starring Oscar winner Denzel Washington and Oscar nominee Viola Davis.    I’m a huge August Wilson fan and see every production of his work I hear of. 

This trip was a frugal foray.  I used Amtrak Rewards points for train tickets and Hilton Honors points for a hotel room.  Finding an award reservation in Manhattan was impossible so I opted for the Doubletree in Jersey City, NJ.  It’s a quick PATH train ride into midtown.  Before the show we dined at the Bourbon Street Bar & Grill on Restaurant Row.  While enjoying great New Orleans cuisine and peach margaritas, we lost track of time and had to walk briskly, pick up our tickets and slide into our seats minutes before the curtain came up.   

All of the actors’ performances were great, especially in the second act.  The 10 Tony Award nominations are truly earned.    The play reminded me of how much I miss seeing Denzel in dramatic roles.  I’ve skipped all of his sci-fi and action movies over the last few years.    Mykelti Williamson’s performance was a great surprise.  His portrayal of a mentally challenged man is given with great depth.  

During intermission I noticed a man in a skull cap.  It was a balmy night in the city so I figured it must have been unbearable.   After the show I realized it was comedian Paul Mooney in the skully!   After the show Renee and I remained outside the theatre with hundreds of others to see the stars exit through the stage door.   We strolled around Manhattan before heading back to the hotel. New York has this energy that emboldens you.  When I stepped off the train, I literally felt like belting out the name of the city ala Alicia Keys!   The next day we took in a little more of the city before I headed back to my summer home and Renee off to Connecticut.  It was hard walking down Madison and Fifth Avenues and not patronizing any shops.  I have many miles to cover this summer so I must maintain my budget.   Therefore I took no cabs and only used the PATH and subway trains.  My next stop is Indiana University for a journalism professors’ workshop.  

Air Kisses,

Professor Diva Mac

P.S. Check out more pictures from my NYC trip on facebook.  What’s your favorite place or activity in NY?  Leave a comment.

Although most of my time in Elkin was spent catching up with friends I did get a chance to see the quaint town.  After having dinner at Dewey’s Thai Café (I know not a very Bangkok sounding name but the food was good) I checked into my hotel.  The hotel lobby had several guides about the local wineries.   I perused On The Vine magazine for ideas on sites to see on Monday.  I discovered that Elkin has four wineries but the vineyards are open for tours mostly on Saturday and Sundays or by appointment only on weekdays.  

We did not have a chance to visit a vineyard but sampled local wines at Brushy Mountain Winery on Elkin’s Main Street.   The street is lined with restaurants, antique shops and other businesses.  Many of the buildings are a rustic red color like the red clay in this region.    At Brushy Mountain we met the owners Ann and Matthew Mayberry.  

The winery is housed in a building where Ann’s grandfather operated a company that canned blackberries and other fruits in the late 1800s.   Ann was gracious enough to allow us to sample blackberry wine along with several other white and red varieties.  Typically tastings only take place on weekends.   Sipping wine and chatting with Ann was a great way to end our walking tour of Elkin. 

I was only there for two days but Elkin was a great discovery and I brought home a few bottles of its local flavor. 

 Salud! 

Professor Diva Mac

P.S.   Check out the Divascape Elkin photo album on the Professor Diva Diaries facebook page.      

Where are your summer travels taking you?  Leave a comment and let me know; we may cross paths!