Tionna+P.

Phase I: Who Am I? What's My Place?

What really makes my identity is my attitude for life. I have a saying, "It is, what it is. It ain't, what it ain't." Life is everything that it throws at you. It is the reality of who I truly am. I am the strength of many challenges and struggles. I am the courage of life's greatest adventures. And I am the joy of God's destiny. I am the laughter of my mistakes (I love laughing). That is the essence and blueprint of my identity.
 * What __really__ makes up your identity?

My sense of place is where joy and peace resides. Where ever I feel the most joy and peace, that makes up my sense of place. I find that in teaching. I find this in Durham, NC. I find this in my purpose for being on Earth.
 * What __really__ makes up your sense of place?

When ever I have a sense of place that allows me to truly show who I am, it allows me to work within a group well. That is because I have found a sense of comfort. It allows me to really care and show effort in the group project.
 * What roles do your identity and sense of place play when you work with others in a group project?

I am great at observing and reflecting. I am constantly thinking about how things could "run" smoothly, and it allows me to be open-minded about different "things". This also forces me to change the way I think about certain topics and ideas. These will be the qualities that I can bring to a group because it will allow me to contribute my viewpoints, and most importantly listen to my group members' viewpoints.
 * What are the qualities that you bring to the GLIP conversation that will help you make a contribution to your global group?

The importance of education is an issue Durham. This is a lack of truly understanding how important education is in our world. We have an area that is surrounded by some of the top universities in America, yet we still have an achievement gap and high dropout rate. This is an issue that has to be addressed. I believe if I could bring awareness to this issue and possible reasons why this is an issue, it will begin the process of trying to "fix" this problem.
 * What is one local problem (where you live) that you believe needs to be addressed? Suggest some steps could you take to try to solve it?

A person has to have a BOLD attitude if they want to step up and solve issues that have been around for a long time. Think about the greatest leaders in the world. They were all bold about their belief. Ghandi took a bold position aganist a goverment. Dr. Martin L. King possess boldness to change laws. The list could go on and on. Boldness is something that does not have a measure. You cannot have a little or a lot of it. It is, what it is.
 * Finally, some problems have been around for a long time. What qualities do you think a person must have to step up and try to solve them?

Phase II: Sense of Place

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North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company located in Durham, is a landmark. It's significance dates back to April 1, 1899 when it started serving the African-American company. This business became known as "largest African American managed financial institution in the United States." This one institution is a symbol of what Durham's history represents--small business, success, and need. In 1899, it was an institution that saw a need for financial guidance in the African-American community and catered to that need. The founders, John Merrick, Dr. Aaron M. Moore, and Charles Clinton Spaulding are men of significance in Durham. They did something that was unknown in the African American community during that time, created a nationally known successful business. Durham is a city that has a great African American population and many stories of success. This is just one of them with major influence (in my opinion)

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On the company website they stated a "Center of Influence" as there support system. These are the groups and individuals that show support, as well as, recei

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Phase III: Identify Local Issue:

What is your local issue?

What can you do to be address the issue?

What is the global impact of your local issue?

Add these thoughts to your Group's Discussion Forum on Local Issues