Miked Up

So as you know February is Black History Month and as an educated African-American, I love this time of the year. This month is full of inspiration because I want to someday make something great that leaves a lasting impact. As an aside, I love saying appreciate me, its Black History Month to people.

 

Although, today is about something bigger than me; have you wondered what makes someone's voice able to project in arenas, auditoriums, or even a club. I bet you haven't stopped to think, how can I be able to hear that guy on the stage? Or maybe have you ever wonder how you can hear your friend while on your Iphone? Well, to alleviate the suspense, I am talking about Dr. James E. West.

Dr. West was born in 1931 in Prince Edwards County, Virginia. West started out as an intern for Bell Laboratories and later joined full-time after graduating from Temple University in 1957. Dr. James E. West and a colleague while at Bell Laboratories developed the Electroacoustic Transducer Electret Microphone, also known as the mic. They received a patent for their efforts in 1962.  James West has received numerous awards and honors including a Fellow of IEEE, Industrial Research Institute's 1998 Achievement Award, 1995 Inventor of the Year from the State of New Jersey and induction in the Inventors Hall of Fame in 1999. James E. West holds 47 US patents and more than 200 foreign patents from his 40-year career with Bell Laboratories. This single invention is still widely used today. This small, lightweight, and cost effective design made it possible for people to communicate.

West's career was not established to claim fame but to involve himself with programs designed to encourage minorities in sciences. As a member of the Association of Black Laboratories Employees (ABLE) at Bell Labs, he helped orchestrate the Summer Research Program and Cooperate Research Fellowship Program. Dr. James is now a research professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD.

I don't even have to say how important this single ingenuity was to us. From the Iphones, computers, and sound equipment, the mic has benefited us all.

http://www.black-inventor.com/James-E-West.asp

Baltimore Take Down

Super Bowl XLVII  Champions

Baltimore Ravens

It is official, the Baltimore Ravens have defeated the San Francisco 49ers in a thriller at the Mercedes Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The game was awesome, but way too close for Ravens fans. The final score was 34-31.

During this game many Ravens stepped up like Tight End Dennis Pitta, Wide out Anquan Boldin, the defense, and most of all Quarterback and Super Bowl XLVII MVP Joe Flacco. I know that Joe and the offense started off hot, but Ray Lewis and the defense should no mercy to Colin Kaepernick and the Niner offense. The turnovers played a huge role in the win tonight. I believe the 34 minutes power outage and game stoppage hindered the Ravens from running up the score. I wanted to see the Ravens put up a forty burger, but the blackout allowed San Francisco to regroup and refocus. After the power outage, the 49ers went on a 17-0 run that allowed them to come within three points. With the game growing closer and reality of a Championship fading away, the Baltimore Ravens offense and defense made key stops that allowed the Vince Lombardi to come home with Ray and the Baltimore Ravens. 

Again, congratulations to Joe Flacco for earning the Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl XLVII, Ray Lewis for his incredible, legendary, Hall of Fame season, and the entire Ravens franchise on their second NFL Championship. 

"No weapon..." -Ray Lewis

Tasty Treat Monday

Tasty Treat Monday

Good morning everyone, I hope you enjoyed Super Bowl XLVII, but, as you know, today is Tasty Treat Monday. For this segment we have Monkey Bread Muffins. This sweet treat make a great addition to any meal or outing. Try this great recipe.

You will need:

• 1 teaspoon of apple pie spice
• 1/4 cup of white sugar
• 1 can of refrigerated biscuit dough, separated and cut into six pieces (Pillsbury)
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons of butter
• 1 teaspoon of water

Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Butter 6 muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.
2. Combine the apple pie spice and white sugar in a small bowl; roll the biscuit pieces in the mixture to coat. Divide the coated pieces between the prepared muffin cups.
3. Combine the brown sugar, butter, and water in a small saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil, stirring continuously. Allow the mixture to boil until the sugar is completely dissolved, 2 to 3 minutes. Spoon the mixture over the biscuit pieces.
4. Bake in the preheated oven until golden, and the tops spring back when lightly pressed, 8 to 12 minutes. 

Enjoy.

Sunday Morning Bit

Our Daily Bread

By: David C. McCasland

RBC Ministries 

February 3, 2013

Read: Nehemiah 8:1-12

Savor The Flavor

In a fast-paced culture of “eat and run,” few people make time to enjoy a leisurely meal in the company of friends. Someone has even remarked that the only way to enjoy a seven-course meal today is to get it all between two pieces of bread!

After many of the Israelite exiles in Babylon returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and the walls of the city, they gathered to hear Ezra read from the Book of the Law given by God through Moses (Neh. 8:1). They listened to God’s Word for hours, while teachers among them “gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading” (v.8).



When they wept because of their shortcomings, Ezra, along with Nehemiah the governor, told them this was not a time for sorrow but a time for rejoicing. The people were told to prepare a feast and share it with those who had nothing, “for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (v.10). Then “all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them” (v.12).

The spiritual banquet God has prepared for us in His Word is a cause for great joy. It is worth taking time to savor.

Lord, give us a hunger and a thirst to know You more

that can be satisfied only by time spent with You in Your
Word. Help us to savor that time and, as we do,
to grow more in love with You each day.

Christ the Living Bread satisfies our spiritual hunger through the Living Word.

Super Bowl XLVII

The Super "HarBowl"

I hope everyone is excited about Super Bowl XLVII. It is going to be a great and physical game. As I told you guys earlier in the week, I will be offering my amateur analysis on this big match up between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers.

This is an interesting game because the teams are very identical in their game plan and structure. However, the difference between these two teams lies with the quarterbacks. Every knows what Colin Kaepernick (SF) is all about, the pistol speed option, but as far as Joe Flacco, (BAL) the critics have ate him alive. Personally, I believe Joe Flacco is the real deal. He is elite. He can make the throws. He understands the game and his playoff stats for postseason 2012 says it loud and clear. I believe this is his year to validate his claims about being elite. The remaining difference between Joe and Colin is that Colin is more athletic. Playing quarterback is the toughest job on the field, you're basically orchestrating an offense to score points but it is not always that simple with the new defensive schemes and stunts. With the 49ers offense being run heavy and thrives off the play-action, I can see Colin putting up gaudy numbers, but I can also see the Ravens D getting a lot of takeaways.

With Baltimore making the switch from Cam Cameron to Jim Caldwell at Offensive Coordinator, Joe and the offense have been about to move the ball more effectively and take deep shots often. Joe Flacco might just be a quarterback from the University of Delaware, but he can launch the ball. The gel that holds the offense together is the play from running back Ray Rice (BAL). Ray can carry the ball, pass protect, and work in space. He is an all-around back and keeps the Ravens offense on schedule. 

I know that San Fran comes in with the hottest offense but Ray Lewis (BAL) and his corps will handle their business. I applaud the 49ers and Patrick Willis (SF) for their apparent success, but if I had to choice between the niners defense or the inspired ravens defense, I will go always go with the Ravens because Ray Lewis knows how to motivate the masses. I am positive that the Ravens D will be discipline and handle their responsibilities concerning who has who in the pistol offense. 

This season has been magical. I wish Ray Lewis had some more years left because I love watching the man play. He is an inspiration to his family, team, the city of Baltimore, and the NFL. He is best to have every play middle linebacker. It was great watching him I hope to see that squirrel dance one last time. Ravens 20-17. Party up in Baltimore, the Lombardi is in town.

February One

History Made Simple

To you the first of February is just another winter day; to others its a reminder that Valentine's Day is approaching, but to the city of Greensboro and the community at North Carolina A&T State University, February One was a defining moment that drastically changed the outlook on life.

On February 1, 1960, four freshmen A&T students, David Richmond, Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair, Jr (Jibreel Khazan), and Joeseph McNeil, decided to do something that's never been done. They decided to go down to Woolworth's Diner for a bite to eat. [For some background, Woolworth's Diner was an all white diner.] So, the owner did not want to serve the young men in his diner so he told them to retrieve their meals from the back door. As a result, Richmond, McCain, Blair, and McNeil thought that living as a second class citizen was not acceptable so they decided to start a non violent protest to gain equality. The action these four men took was very simple, a sit-in.

In this era of the Civil Rights Movement, the A&T four did not see sudden success. They came back to Woolworth's weeks upon end, but all they wanted was social equality. The store owner thought that if he ignored them long enought, the boys would just give up, but that did not happen. Instead, the sit-in started growing in number and gaining tons of media publicity because social inequality was a national issue. The sit-in grew from just four A&T students to students from Bennett College, what is now UNC Greensboro, and citizens of the community. The actions that Richmond, McCain, Blair, and McNeil took sparked a movement in the south where students and other people in communities were sitting in public entities demanding social equality.

What these four freshmen students started on February 1, 1960 changed how African-Americans live America. I believe this action also paved the way for other races to have equality in America. The courage and audacity of these men speaks volumes about their maturity; to be freshmen students and have the desire to change the world is awesome and that is pride, Aggie Pride.

These men helped resurrect the Civil Right Movement spearheaded by Martin Luther King, Jr that was on a decline. However, with the efforts of Richmond, McCain, Blair, McNeil, and the community around them, the Civil Rights Movement took off and the rest is history. So now you know, February One should always be in your heart because what these men did not just affect them, but you also. The A&T Four will not only last for eternity, but it will inspire others to be great. The moral of this powerful story is that, at any age, you can make a change. The change could be in the nation, community, or in someone's life. So, lend a helping hand because no one knows the effect it could have.

I take it as an honor to have met the A&T Four. I met them last year during the 52nd Anniversary of the Sit-in and will be seeing them again, today, February 1, 2013 for the 53rd Anniversary. It is a privilege to even walk the same campus as these great men. I just hope someday I can leave my impact on this world for the better.

 AGGIE PRIDE!!!

If you get the chance, come down to North Carolina A&T State University and experience the history.

Super Bowl Half-Time Treat

Beyonce'

As I am sure everyone knows that Beyonce' will be Super Bowl XLVII's half-time show, but I bet a lot of people are wondering whether the sixteen-time Grammy winner will lip sync...again.

For the record, I did not have a problem with Beyonce' lip syncing the Star-Spangled Banner. I think professional singers know when they have to dial things back for the sake of preserving their vocals. I do not think people understand the demand that is involved with singing as a living. Think about this: if you received hundreds and hundreds of request to perform a physical task that you make your living off of and you want to continue your career, will you knowingly deteriorate your gift to accommodate the requests? No. But people, I completely understand that it was not just some high school football game Beyonce' was singing for, but still I believe she did what was best for her career. What more could you ask for?

As for Super Bowl XLVII, she will definitely be in full effect. I did not say that to say the Super Bowl is better than the President's Inauguration because there is no comparison, but Beyonce' should not be criticized for this. I am sure that the President could request a charity show from her and she would be on board. So, people, don't worry Beyonce' will be in full effect on February 3rd.