This Sunday spread the word and come out to celebrate the life of MJ
BBQ in the Park. The Nethermead Field - Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Sunday 12pm -6pm
A SPIKE LEE joint
You thought last year was crazy. This year more folks and songs never heard before !!!!!!
STRUGGLES Corp will be there to Represent and share some MJ love .

Mr. Idris Elba

Hey Ladies. It sure has been a while. Even though we have been out of touch, that does not mean we are not working on things We have a tasty treat coming up for the ladies on Friday August 27th featuring the one any only Idris Elba. Taking place at BAM theater located on Brooklyn. Grab you friends, grab your girls, and grab your husbands. This is likely to be an interesting film.

“The women that I date, they don’t wear scarves to bed. … You look like Aunt Jemima in a candy store.”

T.O.

I don’t think that some men understand how much pride women take in their hair. We don’t just take care of it for our well being, but to look good for our man/woman as well. Some even do it to attract other men/women. It irks me when men talk about how they don’t like when women wear scarves on their head to bed. I have one thing in response to that: ARE YOU CRAZY?! There is nothing scarier than an angry woman pissed because something has affected her way of looking good. When one thing goes wrong with the way we look, than EVERYTHING is wrong.

I did my own personal experiment by not wearing a scarf to bed… it wasn’t a good look in the morning. If you’re a black woman like me, that has hair that doesn’t curl up when it gets wet, but gets nappy instead, and can’t stay straight without some control to it, then you feel where I’m coming from. There is a HUGE process to a black woman’s hair. Let me explain it to you:

1. Shampoo hair 3-4 times.

2. Put conditioner in the hair and let it sit for 15-30 minutes. If you have a head dryer then you can sit under that to get more of a bouncy and healthy effect on your hair.

3. Wash the conditioner out.

4. Blow dry hair.

5. Press hair with a flat iron.

6. Curl hair if a specific style is wanted.

7. Spray hair with any type of sheen.

This process can take up to two hours. If we just went to sleep and woke up the next morning do you think that our hair would even look the same as it did the day before? NO! It’s not.

I’m not denying that some women can go to bed without a scarf and have their hair be fine in the morning, but not every woman has the same type of hair. Not every black woman has the same type of hair. I look at my mother and wonder why she doesn’t wear a scarf to bed, but I then realize, her hair is tamed and she sleeps on a satin/silk pillow cover. Even for her towards the end of the week her hair needs a little help.

“What bothers me is when she wears it outside the house. Besides, I’m a hair person so whatever it takes for her to keep the hair lookin’ right.” (Anonymous) Name Withheld

If you feel like the quote above, then I perfectly understand you. I don’t think that a woman should walk out the house with a scarf on. It’s not an appropriate thing. It goes back to what my mother has taught me, “You represent your family and your boyfriend/husband when you go out the house, but most importantly you represent YOU. So you never know who you will see when you go out the house. Most importantly, you will never know who will see you.” There is a time and a place for everything… the scarf is for HOME at ALL times. I also believe that this issue goes for both ways. I couldn’t stand when my boyfriends at the time would walk out the house with a “wave cap” aka scarf on as well, especially when it was time for them to meet my parents.

Even if you do not like when your girl wears a scarf to bed, it doesn’t change her as a person. She’s with you, right? When you go to sleep it’s her next to you and when you wake up its still her next to you. Also, even though she may put her scarf on does not mean she will not get down to the “business” with you.

P.S.

Dear T.O.,

I’ve seen your daughter’s hair… She will be wearing a scarf as well soon.

Check out the 2010 Mother’s Day Contest Details Here!!

To Enter:
All contestants must be Nominated by someone other then them self. Please start with giving us some information about yourself. Enter your name and your relationship to the nominee: Next, provide us with all of the information we will need that will help us choose your nominee above the rest. Enter your nominees’ name, age, city and state of current residence, and how many children she has. In 100 words or less, please describe your nominee’s “Struggle”’ and why you believe she deserves to be one of the 3 winners of the 2010 “A Gift for Her” Contest. Each winner will receive a special day of pampering at a spa!!! Please be as specific as possible. Thank you. All entries can be sent to info@strugglescorp.org and make sure the subject line is “A Gift for Her”.

Contest starts Monday April 12th, 2010 and ends Sunday May 2nd, 2010
United States Residents ONLY

Check out our site at www.Strugglescorp.org

Facebook Struggles corp

Twitter @strugglescorp

Also Check out
www.nevaehjeans.com
www.boomnproductionz.com

Deadline for entries is Sunday May 2nd, 2010 to info@strugglescorp.org

Ladies and Gentlemen, Womens Month is back!!! Have you heard about the famed college basketball March Madness? Well, the writiers at Dawson’s Ink have decided to put a twist on it. Check out the link for more information!

Dawson’s Ink

Mayor Bloombery along with Speaker Quinn and Anthony Anderson of Law & Order are launching a program to train women and minorities in the Basics and Technical Skills, Like Rigging and Dolly Operation. They will place those people in Mid- Level Production Jobs……..interested are you?!? Click here to find out more

More Info

All Expenses Paid Princeton University Summer Journalism Program
- February 5, 2010 deadline -
Program is for high school student journalists from low-income backgrounds that will take place for 10 days in August on the campus of Princeton University. The program is entering its ninth year; since 2002, more than 165 students from high schools across the country have been selected to participate in the program. They were taught by journalists from The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Miami Herald, The New Republic and The New Yorker; they covered Yankees, Mets, Jets and Liberty games and held a press conference with New Jersey’s secretary of state; they met with Princeton University’s president and dean of admissions; they received counseling on their college applications from our staff, which consists of Princeton University alumni and undergraduates; and they published their own newspaper.
The application process will take place in two parts. For the first part, students should fill out the application (www.princeton.edu/sjp), and then email it to sjpapplication@gmail.com as a Microsoft Word attachment. Before emailing us the application, students should name the document using the following format: Lastname.Firstname. doc. So, if the student’s name is Mary Jones, the title of the document will be Jones.Mary.doc. In addition, the student should type his or her name and high school in the body of the email and put only the name of the Word document (e.g., Jones.Mary.doc) in the subject line of the email. We must receive the application by 11:59 p.m. ET on February 5, 2010.
In the second round of the application process, finalists will be interviewed by the program directors-either in person or over the phone-and they will be asked to provide printed copies of the following items via U.S. mail: an official transcript; the first page of the 2008 (or 2009, if available) income-tax return form (the 1040 or 1040EZ form) of their custodial parent(s)/guardian( s),
or a signed statement by their parent(s)/guardian(s) saying that their income is below the level at which they would be required to file income tax returns; a recommendation letter from a teacher; and clips from their high school newspaper or other publication (optional).
To be eligible for the program, students must meet the following qualifications:
- They must currently be juniors in high school.
- They must live in the continental Uni ted States.
- They must have at least an unweighted 3.5 grade point average
(out of 4.0).
- They must have an interest in journalism.
- The combined income of their custodial parent(s)/guardian( s) plus child support payments, if any, must not exceed $45,000.
Note: This program is for students from low-income backgrounds. If the combined income of the custodial parent(s)/guardian( s) plus child support payments, if any, exceeds $45,000 and a student still wishes to apply, he or she may attach a letter explaining why his or her family qualifies as financially under-resourced.
If you have questions, the best way to reach us is via email at sjp@princeton.edu. Please note that applications should be sent to sjpapplication@gmail.com, which is a GMAIL address. Questions should be sent to sjp@princeton.edu, which is a PRINCETON address.
All application materials-as well as additional information about the program-are available at www.princeton.edu/sjp.
A final word: We know that the process of applying to any selective program can be stressful, not to mention a lot of work-for students as well as their teachers. But, over the years, the students we have had come through our program have told us that, ultimately, the work they put into their application was worth it.

.

Struggle is the best part of life. Good Times are born from a struggle. If it rains for 40 days, the sun will shine on the 41 day. Let’s do all that we can for our brothers and sisters in Haiti

Happy Monday everyone! I know this recession has hit everyone hard, so I figured this would be a good post, for those unemployed people without degrees.

Check this out

For job seekers without a four-year degree, breaking the $25-an-hour barrier can be a challenge. But with more technical certification and associate’s degree programs than ever, many well-paying career options are accessible in a broad range of industries.
The following is a list of lucrative careers for those without a four-year degree, presented with median annual salary data from PayScale.com. That figure is then broken down to an hourly rate by dividing by 2080, the typical number of working hours in a year, according to PayScale.

1. Sales director
“If you are interested in a career change, but do not want to commit to further education, consider a sales career,” says Sharon Reed Abboud, the author of “All Moms Work, Short-Term Career Strategies for Long-Range Success.” Sales directors oversee sales staff to help meet objectives, plan and implement sales programs, and work to maintain budgets, among many other duties. While formal training is not a requirement for this position, sales experience and an outgoing personality are vital, according to Abboud. “Successful sales persons can often have the opportunity to climb the career ladder to increasingly lucrative management positions,” she explains.

Sales director: $91,900/ $44 per hour

2. Security administrators, computer network
“As technology increases its reach, cyber crime is becoming a major concern for companies,” says Debra Yergen, author of the “Creating Job Security Resource Guide.” Security administrators work to prevent, troubleshoot, and repair security breaches while educating network users on cyber safety. Certification or relevant experience is essential to entry to this field, especially in absence of a four-year degree.

Security administrators, computer network: $72,000/ $35 per hour

3. Elevator installer/repairer
Elevator assembly, installation and maintenance are the main responsibilities of this position. Participating in an apprenticeship program coupled with paid on-the-job training is the standard, and workers must pass a licensing exam. Union membership is typically required by employers, and unions can help to ensure “an excellent salary, benefits, and pension,” says Marky Stein, author of “Get a Great Job When You Don’t Have a Job.”

Elevator installer/repairer: $67,100/ $32 per hour

4. Real estate broker
Usually commission-based, real estate brokers’ salaries are sensitive to shifts in the economy. Despite the current real estate market, Yergen predicts “resurgence in salary in 2010 with the extension of the housing tax credit.” Brokers are tasked with understanding real estate markets, performing transactions, and advising buyers on their financing options. Additionally, real estate brokers must pass a written exam and maintain a license.

Real estate broker: $65,400/ $31 per hour

5. Nuclear medicine technologist
“Nuclear medicine technologists administer a type of drug called radiopharmaceuticals to patients and create diagnostic images that ultimately determine the presence of a disease,” explains Yergen. With an increasingly large middle-aged and elderly population and advances in technology, job growth for nuclear medicine technologists is likely to remain steady. A certificate or an associate’s degree is needed, and a license is a requirement for many employers and states.

Nuclear medicine technologist: $64,100/ $31 per hour

6. Radiation therapist
Administering radiation treatment to cancer patients is the main role of a radiation therapist. “As radiation therapists continue to be a critical part of the medical radiation oncology team, it will translate into an uptick of jobs,” predicts Yergen. There is also room for personal advancement in this field, with opportunities that include teaching and research. Training through an associate’s degree or certification program is necessary, and a license is required in many states.

Radiation therapist: $63,500 / $31 per hour

7. Construction manager
Construction managers oversee the construction of structures, facilities, and systems, and are often on call around the clock. On-the-job construction experience and/or completing a construction management certification program provide entry to this position.

Construction manager: $63,400/ $30 per hour

8. Air traffic controller
“As an air traffic controller, your job will be dedicated to keeping the skies safe. It is a very demanding and rewarding occupation.” says Abboud. Providing an essential role in aviation, air traffic controllers ensure that planes maintain a safe distance between each other and help to coordinate efficient scheduling.

With most positions employed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), air traffic controllers must complete a FAA-approved education program and pass a pre-employment test.

Air traffic controller: $63,000/ $30 per hour

9. Video game designer
Video game designers create the storyline and structure of a video game and determine the rules of play. They typically need to possess an understanding of software design and computer programming, and a degree or certification from a technical school can provide an advantage. Although currently at a point of high popularity, video games tend to go through phases of increased and decreased popularity, cautions Yergen.

Video game designer: $62,300/ $30 per hour

10. MRI technologist
MRI technologists train in programs available through hospitals, colleges and universities to earn a certificate or associate’s degree. With more doctors’ offices and clinics providing diagnostic services, demand is higher than ever, says Yergen. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Health care will generate 3 million new wage and salary jobs between 2006 and 2016, more than any other industry.”

MRI technologist: $61,000/ $29 per hour

Source: All salary data is from PayScale.com. The salaries listed are median, annual salaries for full-time workers with 5-9 years of experience and include any bonuses, commissions or profit sharing. Hourly rates are calculated by dividing the yearly salary by $2080.

Happy New Years Everyone!!! Sorry I have been AWOL for a minute but let’s just say Graduate School is a VERY SERIOUS THING. However, that is not an excuse, so I plan on being back on it in the New Year. Please know that updating the site regularly is definitely on my task list, but I need your help!!! What would you like to see more of? What are you interested in? Hair? Service? We are here for you!!!