Man, watching Barack Obama’s acceptance speech yesterday in Denver was marvelous. I don’t know if anyone knows but I am not a huge fan of politics though ever since doing the mayoral guide with the childrens commission which revolved around Michael Nutter and the running candidates I’ve been attempting to stay up with the world.

It actually hit me that, wow an actual African American is running for president of the United States, I don’t think that has ever happened before. I’ve never paid much attention to Barackexcept for when I had to use his speech that he made at the Constitution center for a homework assignment.

Through the speech I just felt so motivated and inspired to do my own thing, one being this website. Years ago, the thought of having an African American in the white house wasn’t even thought of or heard of.

Barack Obama is truly an inspiration to everyone with a dream, a goal, a longing for change. What else can be said.  I’m sure there were thousands of people around the world watching this speech standing up and saying to whatever challenge coming there way, Yes I can.

We all have to admit at times, if not all the time now, that there is nothing to watch on television. Watching television used to be a person’s favorite thing to do after school, still might be. All anyone could be found doing was the not-so-productive activity of watching television, eating, and growing fat. Eventually when realizing that there were other opportunities to take advantage of instead of watching television such as, hopping on the internet to check a myspace page, attending a job interview, or just watching the depressing news.

It’s the year 2008 and as leaders of our communities, we need to gain more knowledge and more information about what’s happening in our world today. We need more opportunities to do these things, whether by joining an after school program, writing for a community newspaper, or appearing on television.

Last fall, “Gen.Is.Us Revitalized Teen Talk,” hosted by Fatima Thomas, alongside newcomers Jasmine Martin, and Tymier Butler debuted on Comcast cable channel 80. Gen.Is.Us is completely operated by teenagers who are in charge of coming up with topics to be discussed, interviewing individuals, editing material (which can sometime be very long,) and then delivering the tape to Comcast where it is put on television for out viewing pleasure. The process is very complicated, believe me.

So far, Gen.Is.Us. has discussed topics ranging from whether music provides just pure entertainment or serves more of a social purpose, homosexuality in the black community, and teen sex and the role of parents. Some may be afraid to tackle these tough topics or talk about them in public, but these are the topics that will make you think and question what’s really going on around you.

Presently Gen.Is.Us has wrapped up two tapings, one highlighting more of what it takes to bring the show to the big screen with a look of the host and hostesses. The other, the last premier to wrap up season one will revolve around teen violence. The show will also include poetry from students who develop their writing skills through Philadelphia’s Arts & Spirituality Center.

Preparations for season two is already underway and Gen.Is.Us is starting it off by looking for new teen hosts, middle school through college age students. Viewers have a lot to look forward to in season two of Gen.Is.Us, new faces and new topics that will make us wonder about the world around us.

Viewer feedback on Gen.Is.Us is welcomed by email at GenisusTv@gmail.com or visit their myspace page at, www.myspace.com/genisustv

I just recently made this new and updated teen flyer, mimicking a bit from the original made by Steve Bozzone. Its not perfect and I go back to fooling around with it every once and a while to add things and such, but  I think its pretty good. Trying to reawaken my old Photoshop skills Mr. Dan.

Registration is starting soon teens. BTW, I’ll be working on the NPM’s blogging site soon, trying to think of some ideas to revamp it up a bit so some of what I am posting might be there also.

Cokie Roberts is an American Emmy award winning journalist and a best selling author. Her books include We Are Our Mothers’ Daughters, From This Day Forward, Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation, and her latest, Ladies of Liberty: The Women Who Shaped Our Nation. 

As written in the North Philly Metropolis’s  blog, when being in the same room with a famous journalist such as, Mrs. Cokie Roberts, it’s not only mind blowing, but you have to ask yourself how are you able to be so lucky. Cokie Roberts is a true inspiration to the up and coming journalists/authors of the NPM. Tanisha Clanton, William Harris, and Peak Johnson were among the lucky few to be able to interview Cokie. They asked what many people considered to be excellent questions. As the trio entered the WHYY building where the event was taking place, they were brought into what appeared to be a conference room where they made sure that they had all of their questions memorized and their digital cameras charged. Some were a little nervous, though Peak Johnson replied, “This is just like the old days. Most of us are busy with school and work and are unable to really go out on interviews as much.”

Sister Mary Scullion led the trio up to the second floor where they were able to have lunch before the big interview and actually had the early chance of meeting Cokie Roberts herself. Harold Honickman and Lynne Honickman were also in attendance, passing around a copy of the North Philly Metropolis to Cokie who believed it to be a great thing that teens of North Philadelphia are doing. After eating, it was time for everyone to take their seats and as Bill Marazzo, CEO of WHYY introduced Cokie, William, Peak, and Tanisha went over their questions one final time. Though before Peak Johnson knew it, he was already asking his question:

PJ: What life experiences do you think prepared you to be a great journalist?

CR: I was blessed with a very fine education; the Religious of Society of the Sacred Heart educated me. In the 1950’s when I was growing up a lot of people didn’t think girls should be taken seriously, but I was lucky enough that my teachers did. I also grew up in a political family, both my father and my mother served in congress. So I knew what a tremendous effect journalist had on politicians and that they could be very hurtful. You had to be very careful to know that what you were saying was accurate and fair. So I think that that life experience was terribly important in terms of my journalism today.

After reading a passage from her book, Ladies of Liberty, it was Tanisha Clanton’s turn to ask her question:

TC: What is your view on the election between Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton?

CR: It’s a fascinating election. It’s great that Pennsylvania has gotten paid attention to. I think that it’s a very exciting election for the country and I think that the fact that people are signing up to vote is terrific. Even though I don’t like the amount of money that is in politics, the fact that people are sending it as a way of participating shows that they are interested. 

Tanisha was asked by Mr. Bill, what were her friends saying about the election? Tanisha replied, “My friends really don’t know who to choose because you’re having a woman and African-American male both running for president. It’s tough.” Cokie Roberts replied, “They’re good choices.” The mike was soon passed onto William Harris, who quietly asked Cokie:

WH: How long did it take you to write Ladies of Liberty?

CR: Founding Mothers came out in 2004 and this one [Ladies of Liberty] came out in 2008, so in someway it took around 4 years. Though not 4 years of non-stop writing because I have day jobs [she laughs] and I have a life.

William went on to ask, what was the most interesting aspect of life for the women of that time.

CR: Well there were lots of different views; you have to remember that these women had no political rights or any legal rights. A married woman could not own property and a quarter of the country was in bondage. So you had all kinds of legal issues for these women and life was just very difficult. They were pregnant all the time and were losing babies all the time, traveling was very difficult. Just think how hard it was just to get through a day. But with all of that what I found so interesting was how deeply committed they were to this country, how very political they were, how very politically influential they were, and how powerful men of their acquaintance recognized the power of the women and gave them credit.

Cokie was asked another question by a member of the audience whether she thought the woman of today have it just as hard the women during the time our country was being founded. Cokie replied that she didn’t think so, but what do you, the reader think?

In some parts of the world, a café can actually be licensed to sell alcohol, one place being France. Shocking, I know. Could you actually imagine walking into a quiet peaceful place and see bottles of Tequila, Beer, and even more liquor surrounding coffee and baked goods? By being able to write this article about Project H.O.M.E.’s newest edition, I was able to learn a little more about café’s in general. Take this for examples, in the United Kingdom, café’s are known by another name, Greasy Spoon. Though they don’t sell coffee or baked goods. By the name you can probably guess that a Greasy Spoon sells burgers, sausages, fried eggs, friend bacon. Mostly fried or grill food. Not very healthy, but it makes my mouth water nonetheless and if you’re hungry yours too.

While the actual term for café is defined as being is “an informal restaurant offering a range of hot meals and made to order sandwiches.” Café’s are different from coffee houses, which usually only focuses on coffee alone. A café’s is regarded by some to be the central gathering point to gather for conversations, meetings, studying, etc. Which I’m sure anyone can imagine. If you have never been to a café’ (Like me, though I’ve only been to one once and know I work at one) picture this, big comfy chairs, the aroma of coffee and cookies, and you and your friends talking about the days events.

When walking past a café, the smell of coffee often reminds me of baked goods. The specific would only be cookies, I like cookies.  The taste of coffee, unless it has plenty of cream and sugar, has never really been, for a better choice of words, my cup of tea. I never really considered myself a café person. It must be admitted in this article that within my mind the actual knowledge that café’s existed had been absent. Where have I been must be the question that you are asking. The only time that a café was mentioned to me had been when reading up on Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling and others. Surprisingly enough, café’s are the ideal spot for writers. For the Free Library Of Philadelphia patrons who have been coming to the main branch for years can now be seen when leaving with not only a good book in hand  but either a cup of coffee or a treat from the H.O.M.E. Page Cafe’..

It was on April 16, 2008 that Project H.O.M.E. together with the Free Library of Philadelphia and Metropolitan Bakery held the grand opening for the newest addition to the Project H.O.M.E. family, the H.O.M.E. Page Café. So far, since the opening of the café it has been a huge success. Whether it be rain or shine you can always find a faithful visitor of the library arriving at the café for his/her cup of coffee or cookie. Myself on the other hand can often be found buying Alex’s Lemonade, a peanut butter bar, or actually working there as either cashier or server. There are times when even I can be found in the corner taking advantage of the library’s free wireless internet. Forgot to mention that people go to café’s to work too.

“Our mission stems from the “O” in Project H.O.M.E.-Opportunities for employment,” says Lisa Kavanagh, Manager of Businesses at Project H.O.M.E.  “In the case of formerly homeless people, some have little or no work experience. In our supported employment environment, our hosts receive the building blocks to become a great employee. It also builds work experience for their resume, and builds self worth to know you are a part of something great.”

Ms. Lisa Kavanagh, receiving her college degree from the Art Institute of New York in Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management, had worked in great and expensive restaurants in New York City. “I left that life because making expensive food for someone with too much money was not fulfilling.” She adds.  As the manager of Businesses for Project H.O.M.E., Ms. Lisa gets to utilize her culinary background while overseeing business.

Starbucks has contributed financially to the café by loaning them coffee equipment and providing a trainer before the café actually opened. Bank of America also gave generously by giving the café financial resources to get up and running, “These are benefits that other businesses don’t have.” The Back H.O.M.E. Café has an extraordinary relationship with Metropolitan Bakery; Metropolitan has helped train the hosts of the café sells their baked goods to H.O.M.E. Page which they do not do for anyone else in the city. “Seeing customers recognize their products and name has helped business tremendously.” Added Ms. Lisa.  

“The idea of the Café came from Ms. Linda Johnson in 2006,” says Sister Mary Scullion, Co director of Project H.O.M.E. “We saw that it was an opportunity both for the Project H.O.M.E. residents as well as the Harold A. Honickman Young Entrepreneurs.”

During grand opening day, the café was filled to capacity. Beginning first with speeches from project organizers and café employees followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony by Mayor Michael Nutter. “The benefit of opening in an existing building is that we have an instant audience!” says Ms. Lisa, “Library patrons and staff are pleased with out presence and business is thriving, something not always common for new businesses.”

The concept for the café was built upon both the Back H.O.M.E. Café’ and Catering which is operated out of Project H.O.M.E.’s main offices at 1515 Fairmount Avenue and Project H.O.M.E.’s Marketplace operated at RittenHouse Square by teen members of the Harold A. Honickman Young Entrepreneur program. The café; has employed 10 formerly homeless Philadelphians and five teens from the young entrepreneur program. Employees earn $8.75 an hour.

Ask what she hopes the café will accomplish and Sister Mary replies, “My fondest hope for the Café is that it is a fun place to go to get quality food and drink and it is a successful launching pad for our young entrepreneurs and for formerly homeless adults getting back into the workplace.”

“Working with teens is incredible,” says Ms. Lisa, “So much changes for them over a short time that it’s hard to keep up.” Readers, let me just say that working at H.O.M.E. Page isn’t as hard as one may think. Though making coffee is a breeze, lattes and cappuccinos are a little hard for me to master, though I’ve been getting better at it. Seeing the customers bright smiles after each transition always makes my and the other hosts/hostesses day. 

“For the café I want to help many residents and teens gain great work experience in a public setting,” added Ms. Lisa, “My fondest hope for our hosts is that they go on to other jobs when the are ready to have the confidence that they can succeed in anything, and on occasion use something that they learned here in the future, whether it be for work or home life.”