The Little WAC Celebrates BLACK HISTORY MONTH!

The Dream Big Festival

The PYPM Dream Big Literary Arts Festival is a four-day weekend of workshops, special events and community service projects that encourage youth to use their voices to create change in their communities. Embracing the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Dream Big seeks to promote literacy, social change and community involvement as a means of elevating oneself, intellectually and spiritually, as well as inspiring those around us to do the same. PYPM is committed to helping youth discover the power of their voices, and Dr. King is a key role model of the effectiveness behind one’s voice and the power to create change through words. The festival is an opportunity to help youth develop their writing and performance practice, and build upon their leadership skills as active members of the community. Visit www.pypm215.org for more information about the Philly Youth Poetry Movement.

Visit www.dreambigfestival.org for more information.

The Greater Atlantic City Day Of Stars Featuring Def Poet Shanell Gabriel

The Greater Atlantic City Day Of Stars

Monday January 16^th, 2011

12pm to 8pm

The Shore Mall

EHT, NJ

Presented by Raymond Tyler’s Music and Entertainment Report and

The Little Wellness Arts and Cultural Center!

Contact Person: Raymond Tyler

Website:www.LittleWAC.com and www.TheMusicandEntertainmentReport.com

Email-LittleWAC@gmail.com

Phone 609-418-0171

          The Greater Atlantic City Day Of Stars

On Monday January 16^th, 2011 bring your whole family out for a wonderful day that will pay tribute to a wonderful American Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Shore Mall will play host to a one of a kind celebration of the civil rights leader. Admission is free.

The celebration starts at 12 Noon at The Shore Mall (near The Boscov’s Indoor Mall Entrance.) Enjoy a rare opportunity to meet several specialized vendors who will be in town for the day. Discuss books at “An Author’s Alley” where writers will be available to personalize their books just for you as well as discuss their craft one on one. On the other side will be “An Artist’s Alley” where you can buy art, photography, or in some cases commission pieces right on the spot. There will be exclusive CD Signings and other one of a kind tables will be  set up as well with information on health and safety.

At 2pm our pre-show starts with some very special performances sponsored by The Music and Entertainment Report.

At 2:30pm The Little WAC presents a business talk with Ms. Jamie Mitchell from The UCEDC. She will also have a table at MLK Day of Stars to speak one on one with business owners.

At 3pm the main program starts with presentations in dance, poetry, music and public speaking by contributors from New York, Philadelphia, Maryland and South Jersey.

We will have all kinds of surprise guest stars for those who attend, however our Guest Of Honor this year is Def Jam Poet, Ms. Shanelle Gabriel. Her music and poetry has inspired people all over the world and The Little WAC is proud to bring her back to The South Jersey Area.

For more information or to find out about sponsorship and presentation table opportunities, please contact Raymond Tyler.

Question Of The Day. Is There Any Such Thing as Women's Work Today

This is the 21st Century!

So is the term "woman's work" out dated

What about gender roles?

What happens now that we live in a world where more professional jobs and college chairs are filled by women?

Is cooking and cleaning going to become man's work?

Has the paradigm been turned upside down?

Do any women want to stay at home anymore?

Are there been who would rather watch the kids?

Best answer to this one will get the new Amy Winehouse CD, Lioness Hidden Treasures.
Must answer by 12 am midnight January 12th

Atlantic County Government Honors Kaleem Shabazz with Their MLK Award!

Two Lifelong County Residents To Receive 2012 MLK Awards

Two lifelong Atlantic County residents who have worked in multiple capacities to improve the lives of their fellow citizens will be honored at Atlantic County's 25th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Birthday Celebration. The event, to be held at 11 AM on Friday, January 13 at the County Office Building, 1333 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King and recognize John McLernon, a licensed clinical social worker and Director, Community Relations and Social Services; and Kaleem Shabazz, community leader and president of Shabazz and Associates.

McLernon is a resident of Northfield who started his career as an Atlantic City Press reporter detailing the social impact of the casino industry on county residents. In 1986 he joined Atlantic County government as a coordinator in the Office on Aging. He would later become a supervisor in the Adult Protective Services Unit where he helped protect residents from abuse, neglect and exploitation. As the coordinator of the Atlantic County Human Services Advisory Council he also helped identify services and funding to meet the unmet needs of county residents. Since 2001 he has served in his current position where he is responsible for administering emergency assistance programs and intervention to at-risk families in addition to implementing discharge planning services for inmates at the county jail that promote successful transitions upon their return to their communities and help to reduce recidivism.

"John embodies the principles upheld by Martin Luther King,” stated Dennis Levinson, Atlantic County Executive. “He continually provides an outstretched hand to lift people up, to encourage them to help themselves, and to embrace a better life. He is one of the most caring and compassionate people with whom I have had the pleasure to know and work. He has never turned his back on anyone.”

Kaleem Shabazz was born and raised in Atlantic City where he continues to reside today. He has devoted himself to many professional and civic organizations. He is the president of Shabazz and Associates and currently serves as a board member for the American Conference on Diversity and as vice president of the Atlantic City Boardwalk Holocaust Memorial organization. He is the former South Jersey Director of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, a past member of the Martin Luther King Commission, and a co-founder of the local African-American Male Conference. He is also a past board member and Executive Director of the Atlantic City Art Center.

"Kaleem is synonymous with Atlantic City. There are very few Atlantic City initiatives that he has not been involved in, especially those that promote education and acceptance of cultural and ethnic diversity. He is well respected and truly dedicated to making a difference in his community and beyond,” said Levinson.

In addition to the presentation of the 2012 MLK Awards, the ceremony will feature a keynote address by Rev. Milton Hendricks, pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Pleasantville and a past MLK award recipient.

Little WAC Wednesday's! The Sketch Book Exchange!

Join us for a night of sketching drawing, coloring, sharing ideas and turning them into images!

All Ages. All skill levels. Everyone from Fine Artists to Anime Welcome to come and sketch, eat and drink. Even if you don't draw at all come out and model or just appreciate. Admission $10....(Discount admission by following us at www.LittleWac.com)A limited amount of supplies will be at The Doris Jazz Room. There will be a raffle for art supplies.

Become a follower here and get into the sketch book exchange for only $5 and only $3 if you are a student!

Photo Opportunity! THE ARTS COMMISSION'S KWANZAA CELEBRATION

Original Ray Tyler with Brown Sugar at Redding's Southern for The Atlantic City Art Commission's Annual Kwanzaa Celebration.
Tuesday December 27th at Redding's Southern Cuisine in AC!

Elinor Mattern Leads A New Poetry WorkShop At ACCC

Poetry Workshop—Mondays, 7–9:45 p.m. Prerequisite: Creative Writing I or permission of the instructor. The course provides instruction and practice in classical and contemporary techniques and forms of poetry, with an emphasis on mastering the basic rhythms, patterns and forms of poetry. (3 credits) Classes begin Jan. 23 at the Mays Landing Campus, 5100 Black Horse Pike, and are open to current students and members of the community interested in learning more about poetry. Registration begins Nov. 28. For more information, visit www.atlantic.edu or call (609) 343-5000 or 703-3825.