Being Volunteer for the Halloween Gathering

Having Saturday as weekend time filled by volunteering activity was interesting. That was my feeling on last Saturday (10/24). I had a chance to be a volunteer as 2015 Parade Ambassador for the Halloween Gathering. That was the first-ever Halloween Gathering in Chicago.

All volunteers gathered at 4.30 p.m. at Volunteer Check-In on the southeast corner of Columbus and Balbo. The Halloween Gathering started at 6.00 – 8.00 p.m. As a volunteer, I am assigned a block for some hours and made sure that the crowd does not run into the street.

During the event, hundreds of people came. That was family event. I could also see how people from all ages are very excited. Being volunteer for this event was memorable experience.

Starting With Questions

taking photo with Brighid, one of keynote speakers

A Workshop’s Note “Principles for Business Professionals and Entrepreneurs”

Being one of Professional Fellows in Chicago increased my knowledge on how to be more professional in career. There are many interesting talk shows and workshops which talk about being professional people.

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On Friday, October 16, 2015, after my work hours, I attended workshop “Principles for Business Professionals and Entrepreneurs” at De Paul Gallery and Club (1 East Jackson Boulevard). There were three amazing panelists namely:

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taking photo with a committee

·         Merry Green (founder of the Black Women’s Expo)

She is the creator and founder of the Black Women’s Expo in Chicago, the nation’s longest running empowerment exposition for the African American consumer.

·         Oscar Mazariego (Vice President and Regional Manager for Retail Banking in Northwest Indiana at Fifth Third Bank)

Over the course of his 19=year banking career, Oscar has been an engaging and innovative leader driving strategic change. He is also the co-chair for the Chicago Latino BRG and a member of Fifth Third’s Diversity and Inclusion Council.

·         Brighid O’Shaughnessy (Founder and Artistic Director of Erasing the Distance)

Brighid has reached over 55.000 people with theatrical performances about mental health issues.

Mary Mc. Guinness M.Ed.,ACC (Principal Consultant) became moderator for this workshop.

There were some important points that I noted as principles for being business professionals and entrepreneurs.

Merry Green told the participants of this workshop that the first question when she founded Black Women’s Expo was “what can we bring for the community”. Sometimes, we need to also pay attention to personal brand and venture brand. The point is to make sure that you have positive roles for your communities. But, at first, you have to understand about yourself.

Oscar stated to put the questions “what are the highest point to get? What is my goal? What is my organization goal? He also added the important of character because it will drive the people’s values.

Brighid explained the importance of business plan for those who want to start business. Besides that, as a professional people, you need to have good decision making. In addition, being willing to be open minded is much needed.

After attending this workshop, I come to a conclusion that one of important principles for business professionals and entrepreneurs is to start with questions.

Spirit Week at Little Black Pearl

On Monday-Friday, October 19-23, 2015, the students at Little Black Pearl had Spirit Week. The Spirit Week was symbolized with certain clothes. As the example, on Monday, October 19, the students wore pink to support Breast Cancer Awareness Day. It was like “pink day”. Let’s see two reasons why the students wore pink on my YouTube account (Spirit Week “Cancer Awareness Day”)

Another example was on Thursday. The students came dressed as their favorite celebrity. I saw many young talented people there. This Little Black Pearl (LBP) really gave students chance to improve their skills in art as many as possible.

 

happy celebrity day

I also could see their amazing performance on Friday when they had PEP Rally. The students show their talent in dance, choir, band performance and so on. They are awesome, aren't they?

enthusiasm for PEP Rally

Interesting Things of My First Week YSEALI Professional Program

in front of US Capitol, Washington DC

Being selected as one of six Indonesia participants for Economic Development Cohort YSEALI Professional Program fall 2015 is a wonderful moment. This program provides participants a month-long fellowship to work with community leaders to improve participants’ leadership expertise. 

YSEALI Professional Fellows for fall 2015

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I get a great chance to work with my amazing supervisor, Ms. Maurae L. Gilbert McCants at Little Black Pearl Art and Design Centre. It is located in 1060 East 47^th street, Chicago, Illinois.

First meeting with Ms. Maurae (left side of mine)

Here is a little information about Little Black Pearl (cited by Little Black Pearl website)

Little Black Pearl (LBP) is a thriving nonprofit serving youth in the Kenwood/Oakland, Woodlawn, and Bronzeville neighborhoods on Chicago’s south side. Firmly rooted in the black community, as the population has changed, so has Little Black Pearl by working with an increasingly diverse youth population and adding curriculum and services for adults and families.

LBP works diligently to counter the challenges urban youth face by providing a safe environment, positive role models, and rigorous program and skill development activities and opportunities. At Little Black Pearl, youth feel safe and open to exploring, expressing and challenging their ideas and feelings through art.

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My first week fellowship is going well at LBP. It is full of surprises for me. First day when I came, while waiting for my supervisor, the security told me “this is school”. I answered  “as I read on website, LBP is nonprofit organization, but let me ask my supervisor.” Then, the security was busy to check the students’ stuffs.  Thirty minutes later, my supervisor came. We had very great first meeting. She accompanied me to go around Little Black Pearl which has 2 floors and many rooms. She was patient to explain many things and answer many questions. 

In this first week, I came to drawing, jewelry, dance, mathematic and architecture class. I accompanied the teachers and assisted students to finish their work.  I also acquainted with some students. 

making unique earrings with Ms. Amerik

assisting Lechari (11th Grade) to draw her picture

after finishing jewelry class

Kennedy (11th Grade) was too happy to make bracelet for me

I am proud to introduce him. Brian, a young rapper from Chicago.

As I noted above, I got some interesting things here. Firstly, Little Black Pearl Art and Design Centre is high school which offers a unique learning environment. It is founded in collaboration with Little Black Pearl Workshop, the nonprofit organization as I understand. So, there are two places that I have to work with. They are Little Black Pearl Art and Design Centre Academy as the school and Little Black Pearl Aftershool Workshop as nonprofit organization. This change teaches me to strengthen leadership development because I have to be more open minded for every change that might be happen. Secondly, LBP system enables students to develop skills in academics, fine arts and technology. Thirdly, to be accepted in LBPA, the students’ candidate must demonstrate interest in at least one of the following: music, visual arts, performing arts and technology. Fourthly, There are many young talented leaders at LBP, even they are not accepted more in their previous school. LBP always believe they as young generation as hope of community. When I interviewed Mr. Chinnery as Architecture teacher, I was surprised because most of the students know how to design building. They learned this architecture so earlier, on my mind. In fact, they did it. I proved it when I came to Architecture Class. 

 

 

getting involved in Mathematic Class

getting involved in Architecture Class

There are many interesting things here. I also got many lessons during my first week. The most important lesson is to believe that every child or young generation has their own opportunity to get success.

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I have to fully thank to committees of YSEALI Professional Program, staffs of World Chicago, Ms. Maurae (supervisor) and Ms. Ellie (host-mother) and every staff at Little Black Pearl Art and Design Centre.