FBG Networking 101: 3 Ways to Maintain Networking Relationships

What is a network?

According to ReturnofRelationship.com, a network is a person or group of people who you "like, trust, and respect" in some form or fashion and vice versa. This can be anybody from your family members to people you meet at a work conference who have valuable information to get you to the next level.

So after you go to a networking event and have passed out and received several business cards from great and interesting people, what do you do next?

That is the question that catches several people up and they end up missing out on connecting with GREAT PEOPLE. And trust me, I am at fault of this too! So I am giving my own self some advice as well.

A great networker is not a person who can walk up to someone and give them a card, it is a person who can formulate and maintain that relationship after the fact! It is all about following up to show them that regardless of what terms you met them on, you are still interested in getting to know that person.

Here are some ways to maintain those networking relationships.

• Social Networking -- adding them on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIN is a great way to see what they do and what they are interested in after the event is over. Comment on their page or send them @replies on their tweets

• Invite them to Lunch or a Happy Hour -- Most young professionals like to meet up at trendy, hip spots to release stress from a hectic day at office. Try inviting the person to lunch or to have a cocktail to just talk. This is a great way to build a solid relationship!

• "Just wanted to say Hi" call/email -- People love to be randomly thought of from time to time, so "touch base" with them randomly. An "out of the blue" call/email to just say you were thinking of them will probably make their day especially if they were already having a bad one. Even if this is a strategic move, it will make them feel special and instantly put you on a good foot. This should contact should be all about them and what they are up to and what they are working on. Ask them about their family, something they have going on on the side their hobbies, or anything that is not work related. Try not to ask them for anything you want from them when making this call/email. It loses its genuineness and makes it seem like you wanted something from them all along.

Hopefully these are just a few tips you FABULOUS BROWN GIRLS can try to improve on for your networking skills. Don't be afraid to let people know you think they are awesome (stroking ego a little bit doesn't hurt) and that you would not mind getting to know them further.

What tips do you have to share with FBG? Leave a comment and let me know!

Racism and Fashion: Vogue's Black Face Photoshoot

I know Fashion is supposed to be seen as Art, but what are we supposed to think when we see things like this?? The first thing that comes to my mind sure isn't ART!!! .. smh...

It's not like their aren't a plethora of African models all around the world who could have taken even better photos.. So what message are they really trying to portray. I am not sure if this was meant to be racist, but Europeans always have a funny way of doing things. I am sure they believe that it is high fashion and rolling thier eyes at our ridiculous American ignorance..

Its like we are always taking one step forward just to take 50 steps back.. I mean didn't black face take place in the late 1800's?? Wasn't that like over 100 years ago..?

Do you think this black face Vogue photo shoot is racist..?

To read the history of Black Face in America Read NPR's "The Legacy of Black Face

If You're Not Married, Your Single

One of my Fabulous Brown Girl readers put me on to this young gentlemen in the video below. He is a no holds bar commentator on subjects that us young professionals are going through on a daily basis. And he gets extra points for being from my hometown of Houston, TX.. His HTOWN drawl is classic!

Check out what he has to say about people who are not married, but think they have rights to a person, when in actuality you are really single until you are married-- no matter how long you have been with him or her. In my opinion his points are valid, but I am sure he has a lot of people who challenge him. I personally agree with him on a lot of his points! Watch his video and decide for yourself.

Check out his own blog - iHustleNation.com . I think his views do hit home for a lot of different reasons.

Watch and leave a comment to let me know what you think!

Hampton University's New Queen

As many of you are now aware, Virginia HBCU, Hampton University recently crowned Nikole Churchill as their Queen on October 9th. On the surface there is nothing really shocking about that, but what has come to many as a huge surprise is the fact that Nikole is Caucasian. Being that Hampton University is a HBCU and the majority of its student population is of African decent, Nikole race is and her win is just very ironic. One of the highest accolades a student can receive went to someone who is a non black.

Instead of congratulating Churchill on her sweet accomplishment, she received a great deal of backlash from the black community, especially from HBCU students past and present. Some people feel that if you are a non black student attending an HBCU you shouldn't do anything that would bring you notoriety or representation of their campus! That, to me, is unfortunate... I mean she must have done an awesome job to supersede the other contestants, right?

Feeling frustrated and let down, Churchill ended up writing a letter to President Obama to express her frustration and invited him to come speak to the campus of Hampton on the issue of race and equality.

To:President Barack Obama

October 11, 2009

Aloha Mr. Obama!

My name is Nikole Churchill, a senior nursing major at Hampton University. This past Friday October 9, 2009, I was honored to be crowned Miss Hampton University 2009-2010. It truly was the best night of my life! With that being said, I am sad to say…… that my crowning was not widely accepted and many negative comments regarding my win have been shared throughout my campus.

It would be much easier to say that possibly some were not accepting of the news because I wasn’t the most qualified contestant; however, the true reason for the disapproval was because of the color of my skin. I am not African-American. Despite the unfortunate beliefs that some are saying I should not have won, I am desperately trying to focus on those who believe in me and support me and my goal to represent this beautiful, multicultural campus the very best way that I can. I would love your help!

I am hoping that perhaps you would be able to make an appearance to my campus, Hampton University, so that my fellow Hamptonians can stop focusing so much on the color of my skin and doubting my abilities to represent, but rather be proud of the changes our nation is making towards accepting diversity. People are even nicknaming me, “lil Obama” because of various reasons. This is truly an honor as well!I am also from Hawaii (Wahiawa) and I am hoping that you can assist me in opening some closed minds and help share some aloha spirit throughout my campus. I feel as though you could relate to my situation, which is why I immediately wanted to contact you. I was interviewed last night at the HU vs. HU football game by news channel 13 and I mentioned how individuals such as you and myself are making changes in hopes people can stop placing so much focus on our skin color by letting that define what we can, cannot, should, and/or should not do. Dr. Harvey welcomed me last night to the family with open arms and I was beyond honored when he told me that he is behind me 100%. I am proud to represent Hampton University and I am so proud having you to represent our home, our country. Your support with my crowning as Miss Hampton University 2009-2010 would be graciously appreciated. Please reply, I will be looking forward to it!

-Nikole Churchill Virginia Beach , VA

Today, Churchill released a statement apologizing for writing this letter, (a little too late if you ask me) and that she now only wants to represent the students at her campus in a good light.

To read the statement Nikole released click here

So what do you think? Should only FABULOUS BROWN GIRLS be allowed to compete in HBCU pageants or represent their campus in key leadership positions?

And to all my fellow BISON, could you see this happening at Howard?

Leave a comment and let me know what you think!!

New Michelle Obama Doll

How do you all feel about the new Michelle Obama doll... or should I say "action figure"? According to the New York Daily News, the company that produced President Barack Obama's action figure thought it would be a swell idea to produce one of his wife. The action figure is not made by Mattel, so it is not in the likeness of the barbie doll. The action figure comes in three of Michelle's most popular outfits and her signature flats. I don't know how I feel about her exaggerated face and arms. So I am going to give it a thumbs down... hmmmm

A Little Fabulous Brown Girl Inspiration

Hey Fabulous Brown Girl readers! I hope all of you enjoyed your weekend and got a chance to relax and have some free time.

I just wanted to share something with those who may be in a situation where fear of what other people may think of you could be holding you back from the blessing God may have waiting for you.

Whatever fear you have is not a feeling that God gave you because fear is NOT of God. A lot of times we go through life trying to please and impress other people. We choose not to do what makes us happy because we worry about what other people will say. But God's love matters most, NOT what people think of you. God will hold your hand through the bad, the tough, and the unsure times.

Please understand that the joy that is unspeakable is the joy you get when you are doing what God says you should be doing NOT what other people say you should do be doing. People are humans and they will let you down and disappoint you time and time again. So why stress yourself out if pleasing them is not allowing you to have God bless your life?!

Remember I John 4:18 says There is no fear in [God's] love..

Have a wonderful Monday and a blessed week!

FBG Music Break: Monica: Before You Walk Out of My Life

Who doesn't need a break?

So join FBG while we take our Music Break with some good ol Monica!! TGIF!