Black Writers Reunion and Conference

BWRC is offering a comprehensive workshop schedule sure to provide something for every writing professional. Some workshop topics include Dialogue and Style, Marketing the Write Way, Quit Your Day Job, and Profiting from Poetry. See a full schedule of the topics included here.

There are many more offerings to this year’s BWRC, including writing competitions, scholarships, and keynote speakers. The event looks to be a remarkable networking opportunity for those serious about a career in writing. Check out  www.blackwriters.org for more information, and click here for a special video of past conference highlights.

1stFriday.com, Inc.

“We believe that African Americans have unique social and professional information needs – our issues and problems are very area-specific. Connections is the only social and professional networking platform that serves the needs of African Americans at the local level,” said 1stFriday.com CEO Jay Ward.

Connections boasts Geo Social networking tools

Connections is open to everyone, regardless of whether their city hosts an active 1st Friday chapter. According to 1st Friday.com there are now 29 U.S. cities with First Fridays chapters, where African Americans gather to connect. A Connections profile will allow visitors to search for other African Americans with similar personal or professional goals, join groups, or send and receive messages from other Connections members.

“The more people who join and use the Connections network, the more useful it will become for the Black community. That’s our goal,” said Ward.

Hustletown readers: Is Connections poised to become the new Blackplanet.com? If you use this site or plan to, tell us about your experience below!

Photo By Freddie Rankin

Three years ago, Teesha Borum felt directionless and discouraged about her progress.  Instead of giving up on her goals, or settling into a 9-5 trance for a decade or two… she did something drastic. She packed up her belongings, said goodbye to Phoenix, and moved to Atlanta for a fresh start.

Now she is 2010′s America’s Next Natural Model, and continues to add impressive credits to her resume–including a Bronner Brothers national print ad campaign and extra work in Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns. She is closer to her dreams, now more than ever.

Is it time for you to leap and grow some wings? Check out Borum’s thoughts below–your future may thank you.

1.   Seek Out Good Vibes. “I felt stagnant, like there was no creative energy,” Borum recalls of her months before the move.  This is a serious red flag for any entrepreneur to change up the surroundings.  The opportunities Borum heard of in Atlanta made the city number one on her target list.

2.  Just DO IT. “There was definitely a sense of urgency,” she says. “Time was running out.” Delays and excuses will stall your goals for decades instead of months–leaving you with the dreaded question: What If? “When your spirit calls you to do something, you owe it to yourself to listen and follow,” Borum says. “The twist and turns that you experience will all lead to something great.”

3.  Manage Your Finances. Save as much as possible before your departure. For Borum, a nine to five job was not an option. Casting calls and modeling opportunities required an extremely flexible schedule. Whatever your entrepreneurial goals, at least three to five months of saved income will help ease the transition to a new locale.

Photo By T-Smart Photography

4.  Hustle the Network. Borum overcame the initial challenges of being a new face through several platforms, such as Facebook and LinkedIn. Borum also checked craigslist.org regularly for work, set up a profile with Model Mayhem, and even did some video blogging to maximize her online presence.

5.  Stoke the Flame. “Do what you love and love what you do. If you don’t know what that is, love the journey in finding out”. Borum’s motto continues to sustain her whenever frustrating times arise. Don’t sway from your desire, and you will reach it–and probably have some fun along the way too.

Borum plans to continue her acting and modeling – one aspiration on her lengthy checklist is to appear in Coca-Cola commercials. “To be honest, I am not nearly where I would like to be in life, but I am a few steps closer to making [my dreams] a reality,” she says. “I choose to enjoy the journey and leave the destination in God’s hands.”

Hear more from Teesha Borum at www.teeshaborum.com.