Blog Buddy--Author, Writer: Sakinah A. Malik (Part 2)

“You’re all set?” The clerk asked Aunt with a smile.
“Almost, my niece and nephews need a library card.” She pointed to the three of us older children. That included me.
“That’s good.” The clerk responded. She gave each of us a application and pointed to the table across from the check out desk. We completed the applications with Aunt Grace’s help and turn them into the clerk. We watched her hand typed each of our names into the log that contained others who had the privilege of receiving a library card.
My excitement of visiting the main library was eclipsed, as the clerk handed me my first library card and gave me the invitation to come to the library anytime and borrow books.
The reading of books became more than just learning; it was and still is the gateway to knowledge that leads to many of my life experiences, such as how to buy a house, how to self-publish a book, enjoyment reading mysteries and detective stories. Today, in 2009, I still go to the library several times a month to explore, increase and engage knowledge. My favorite smell is the smell of knowledge.

Come back next week to hear more about Sakinah.

Check out her latest project Omari's World at http://www.omariworld.com/

Blog Buddy--Author, Writer: Sakinah A. Malik (Part 1)

Reading was mainly part of school learning for me until the fifth grade, ten years old, when my Aunt Grace who lived in Denver, Colorado came to visit us one year here in Cleveland during the summer of 1962. It was a memorable visit because she exposed me to another way of learning. It was us three cousins, Aunt Grace escorted to the library that summer afternoon. Now, I had been on field trips to the community library with my teacher and classmates before, but I had never been to the Cleveland Public Library, main, downtown Cleveland, Ohio. It was love at first sight! The library smelled of knowledge, as I looked up and up to see columns of books in neat rows. It was quiet people sat reading books, magazines, and even the newspaper just relaxing in various types of chairs. Aunt Grace walked us into the children’s section. She instructed us to pick two books each. I walked around touching books that sat in nice little organized rows at my height. I finally decided on two books. I ran up to my Aunt in excitement she looked at my choices and smiled. The three of us all had our two books. We carried the books up to the check out counter where the clerk took them to be processed for borrowing. She opened the back of each book and removed the card out of each pocket, and begin to date stamp each slip...

Be sure to come back next week for Part 2 of Sakinah's story.

For now, check out her latest project Omari's World at http://www.omariworld.com/

Welcome from Program Coordinator

Welcome, I am so excited to begin this dialogue with you. As the Program Coordinator this initiative is extremely valuable to me. Education is one of the most vital and fundamental elements to being successful. The value of education has deep roots for me. My parents made sure that I received the best education that they could provide. As it has often been said, “my parents didn’t play when it came to school.” I remember how hard they pushed me to do well and demanded that I brought home good grades. My mom once said, “that it was her job to go to work and take care of me, and the only job that I had was to go to school.” That has stayed with me and has been the source of my success. I faced many challenges that could have disrupted my path. The biggest one was becoming a mother my sophomore year in high school. Nevertheless, I was determined to give my child all that I had and more. I knew I could not do this without an education. Therefore, I completed high school, went to college and will be graduating with a Master’s Degree this August. Many of you will face the same challenges and more but there is always hope. With dedication, inspiration, role models, and motivation you too can be a success.

There is promise in grooming thinkers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and scholars. Education Pays – Get Yours is an initiative that champions that promise. Not only do we want our children to know how imperative an education is to their lives but we also want to send that message to the community at large. We welcome your comments, suggestions, and feedback. We want to know what your challenges are and what inspires you. In addition please check the website, www. policy-bridge.org/educationpays , for more information and activities.
Let’s Talk!!!

Sincerely,
Ashley R. Evans
Program Coordinator
PolicyBridge Inc.

Welcome From Blog Publisher

Welcome to the Education Pays Get Yours blog for the Central Neighborhoods of Cleveland.  

This is YOUR  blog where you can talk with friends, encourage one another, learn cool stuff,  meet successful people.  

We encourage you to post pictures, video and audio.  If you want to know how to use the various features of this blog just click on the comment link below my blog posts and I  will get right back to you.  We also invite you to help in managing these blogs.  We need writers, artists, camera, sound recorders and video people if you wish to volunteer. 

We would love to hear your comments to any post so you can click comment below a particular post and tell us what think about Education Pays Get Yours.  

Cec

Blog Publisher

Education Pays Get Yours!

Hey Kids, Let us know what you think about the importance of getting an education and ask any questions about your current experiences in school.

Hello, kids. I am a career journalist. My second worst education move was playing around in high school and getting low grades. I remember selling encyclopedias door-to-door one summer (ugh ! ) when I ran into a guy who offered me a paying job as a copyboy for the Kansas City Star Newspaper. It jumped started my career as a reporter and I later went on to teach at some of the top journalism schools in the country. What is the lesson here?