In the sprit of a tradition bestowed to my by my Tuskegee Airman, Freedom Fighter, College Professor Dad – Arthur C. Smith, who annually said, “All Black People should be working TWICE as hard on MLK’s birthday…” I’m spending my at The Rainmaker Institute supporting attorneys in the development of their firms.
I can’t think of a more befitting form of self-expression of my admiration and commitment to humanity. Even as a very little girl, I remember my dad’s teachings and the sound of Martin Luther King’s voice resonating through our living room. I distincly recall how incredibly privileged I was to have a family around me who loved me so much.
Growing up, my parents made sure I had friends from across the globe from every imaginable faith, and ethnicity — yes, the little person in pink & gray is me!
Mom, Valerie Moultrie, reading to my nursery school class, at Oak Lane Day School in Blue Bell, PA - 1966
I quickly realized how strong and huge hearted my parents were and that they worked along with their friends and Martin Luther King to create our incredible United States as I know it. True – we have much work to do as humans in the realm of communication, compassion and cohesiveness. I am the last one to “sugar coat” anything!
I invite you to revisit Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech today — and allow yourself to be moved. I’ve no doubt his words will inspire you to continue manifest your dreams and serve those that matter most to you.
Our nation’s acknowledgement of Martin Luther King’s Birthday and the wonderful honor bestowed on The Tuskegee Airman — provides us all with an opportunity to remember the past and see how incredibly far we have come! Many, Many Blessings and Much Joy to you today as you celebrate human-kind!
My father, Arthur (Art) C. Smith passed away peacefully in early December, 2011.
Dad in Television Studio at Cheyney University
For the multitude of our family’s dear friends who are discovering about my dad’s passing for the first time as they read this, I apologize for my delay relaying the news. Our family wanted to make sure the memorial service held earlier this month was a quiet and personal family event. The additional time gave me time to gather my thoughts and emotions, and present this article to you now.
My Step-Mom, Jan called me late one night to tell me dad had a stroke and I immediately flew back to Philadelphia. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to be present for my dad’s return to consciousness for 2-days, eating and giving me a squeeze when I told him I loved him.
Dad holding my hand
Daddy died peacefully in his sleep about 5-days later. Unfortunately, I was not able to return to Philadelphia for the beautiful memorial service on December 17, 2011 that Jan, my sister Lisa, Pam and Peter and Marcella put together for daddy.
However, as the media-mogul daughter that I am, I shot this video, which Peter graciously included in the video that showed throughout the service. So, thank you to all of you for making sure I was “present”…
In the wake of Dad’s passing, I have been reunited with many of my family members who I hadn’t seen or spoken with in many years. The link below goes to my cousin Kamau Smith’s photo album on Facebook containing photos from the memorial service. (I had not spoken with him for more than 15-years!)
The gentlemen in blue jackets are Dad’s fellow Tuskegee Airmen who graciously came to honor Dad in style.
My sister Lisa and I followed in dad’s academic footsteps. Me, with an M.A. in Media Studies and my sister Lisa, with an M.A. in Cross Cultural Education.
Dad taught at Fitz Simons Jr. High School in Philadelphia, where he was chair of the Arts Dept. for many years. In 1968, Art accepted a position at Cheyney University.
He was greatly loved by his students at Cheyney and many of his students became lifelong friends, like Pam Gracy and Michael Bailey.
While there, he became the Director of the Educational Media Program and sponsor of the yearbook and the sponsor of the original models which groomed the students for the Miss Pennsylvania competition during his tenure at Cheyney. Also he became the sponsor of the Cheyney University Video and Television Studios.
In 1988, Art retired from Cheyney after 20 years of dedicated service. At age 9- Art won an art competition, and this motivated his interest in photography and art. He was recognized as one of the most dynamic and creative artists of his time.
He also donated photography and typography collections to the museum. He was interested in history in general, and in the African American History in particular.
Long before the term, “thinking-out-of-the-box” was coined, Art thought out of the box. His ideas and concepts were always a challenge to his family and friends. Dad was sure to keep us laughing and on out toes one of his provocative jokes!
Art Smith’s intelligent wit always made you think. Art was a familiar figure in the Germantown and Mt. Airy community. He was the coordinator of Mt. Airy day for 2-years. He was often seen riding his bike through the community and knew just about everyone.
Arthur C. Smith leaves behind a multi-generational legacy of fine artists, photographers, writers, and teachers. I could not be more proud to be my Daddy’s daughter.
twitter.com/phonedog_noah and the site Noah's last post directs you to have been "disconnected" for now...
I am among a fast growing number of marketing professionals who are building our reputations as online journalists via their blog and social media platforms. In doing so, we are building our influence among our audience, and any employer interested in doing so for their company, will bring on professionals who are demonstrating their skills.
The “proof’s in the pudding” so to speak, and transparent actions speak much louder than words. So, of course any savvy hiring manager will want to be on the lookout for the skill-set.
This being said, John’s statement below truly hit home…
… in a world where social media’s influence can mean the difference between a lucrative sale and another fruitless cold call, social media accounts at companies have taken on added significance.
The outcome of this case is going to set a precidence. Particularly, because more and more marketing and sales professionals are being hired because of their savvyness using Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and other social media platforms, and the number of followers they have acquired.
As employers, you’ll want to stay concious of what you’re paying your employees to do. After all, if they’re being paid to sit in a seat and make calls, then their interactions on social media (and the followers they generate) — are personal. They are not connected to the business you pay them to perform.
Transparency in business practices has never been more important. So, specicifity in job descriptions and fair compensation from the outset will alleviate a multitude of problems later — not to mention the negative public relations impact a lawsuit against an ex-employee in good standing has on your company.
Similarly, if you are an employee of a firm and requested to blog and use social media as an addendum to the duties you were originally signed on to do, make sure the stipulations for doing so are in writing!! Expressing your professional opinion, ie: publicising your expertise on the company’s behalf, your writing skill, and the audience you attain, and the time it takes to create are all valuable skills that you should be compensated for.
Facebook topped Google to become the most visited U.S. Web site, indicating a shift in how Americans are searching for content I talk to literally dozens of attorneys a week and they’re in one of two places when it comes to social media. If you’re a lawyer or small business owner reading this, you’ll most likely find yourself in one of 3-places regarding your online platform:
You have a website and may even blog… when you have the time. You already have Facebook and Linked In profile that you look at sporadically.
You have a website that either looks great or needs revamping, either way it is not enhancing your client intake or bottom line, and you’re “skeptically curious” about using social, so you haven’t set up any profiles.
You haven’t started developing an online presence yet. But since the efforts and money that used to work when marketing your firm that used to work aren’t producing the return you’re looking for you’re curious and want to get started and aren’t sure how…
Here’s some “breaking news”, the entire world is using social media — so it’s very probable that Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter are viable resources for reaching viable consumers of your goods and services!
Ready to jump in the pool, here are the steps to getting started:
Create Your Profile:
The first step to build your law firm or business presence on Facebook, is to create a personal profile. Sign up for Facebook, upload a picture and add contact info in your profile. Once that’s done, upload your existing contact database to see which of your contacts are already on Facebook and ask whichever ones you want to become your Friend. This will get you up and running quickly rather than completely starting from scratch!
Create Your Company Page:
Once your personal profile is set up, you can create a Company page for your law firm or business . the best topics to fill your page with are, news, upcoming events, photos, etc., (Bear in mind that the most effective way to manage your social media platforms is with your blog as the master mind control panel!)
There are also applications that increase the functionality of the page.
If you already have a business website, having a business profile page on Facebook is still estremly important. Your website is your storefront, your blog and social media are the doors and windows that enable people to find you, contact you and become clients and customers. After all, you want to have a presence where your existing and prospective clients are spending their time online.
If you already know there’s tremendous potential of Return on your investment by using social to promote your business or legal practice and are looking for content management, relief and strategical maximization, call me at 917-856-5410.
For all you social media enthusiasts in the legal marketing world, Twitter has made some exciting changes…
Twitter is revamping the service with personal Twitter profile pages, a new timeline that includes rich media and other related information embedded into tweets, and easier search for information based on @ symbols (usernames) and hash tags.
More of the latest Philadelphia news on Mumia Abu-Jamal’s case and Filmmaker Tigre Hill’s “Barrel of A Gun”…
Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams’s recent decision not to seek the death penalty for Mumia Abu-Jamal is stirring strong reaction. Thirty years after the fatal shooting of Officer Faulkner, the case still has the power to generate headlines across the globe.
Kudos once again to my dear friend and filmmaker! As controversial as his viewpoints may be, Tigre is’ one of the brave ones to be sure! If you haven’t seen his film, I highly recommend you do. It’s a sure start for intellectual conversation!
I didn’t realize how incredibly blessed I was living in Harlem, in a world full of future-driven, forwad thinking folk from all over the planet. Don’t get me wrong, I truly adore the sunshine and overwhelming generosity of the many new friends I’m making.
While living in my fabulous corner of Manhattan, it wasn’t possible for me to see how much, New York with all of its issues, was a very safe coccoon brimming with intellectual, humanly rational and empathetic people.
It occurs to me now that I was living in a microcasm of the country where the -isms are openly discussed, debated and not tolerated. I’m also painfully aware of how much I went unthwarted because of them. Obviously, I’m not oblivious. I fully realise that inequality exists over the entire planet. That’s not what I mean…
After moving to Phoenix, and meeting the countless number of people that I have, I feel it is important to note that many of my new friends encounter racist and sexist behavior and commentary on a daily basis. Since arriving here at the end of January, I’ve experience several instances myself. This is human behavior that I have been the focus of in the past. Before moving here, I liked to believe was behind me. However, it is behavior that I’ve been reawakened to.
I have found myself deeply disappointed and angry. When I witness this behavior, there is a physical pain I feel, like a fast, deep heart break. It truly hurts. Just yesterday, I realized that I truly hoped this antiquated ideology had ceased in the 1980’s and we still have far to go!
With the issues of human civility facing me, the reason I chose my vocation is extremely clear. I adore working with attorneys, and fully respect and admire them for their mastery of United States Law. The structure of our laws maked them adaptable with the capability of being reworked over time. I belive this construct was put in place in order to provide the best possible life for our citizens and standing for the law is what attorneys do.
You may think that I have an idealistic viewpoints, but I lived in Manhattan for more than 22-years, studied the rulings of Thurgood Marshall during his reign on the Supreme Court, and pay attention to civil justice changes, so I thoroughly believe in the brilliance of our legal structure. So, please realize that my opinion is only mine – not meant to be fodder for agreement or disagreement…
To all attorneys –KUDOS to You!
One of my older aunties used to tell me, “Don’t worry baby, what doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.” She wasn’t kidding either! I’m still getting squeezed to be more than I ever thought I could be. So I guess I’m a full fledged butterfly Ready To Soar!
I am an advisor at The Rainmaker Institute. The Rainmaker Institute provides business development knowledge and Done-For-You services of Blogging and Social Media and Customized Newsletter Writing services that small to mid-size firms need. Please please feel free to give me a call at 888-588-5891 Ext. 402or send me an email at kara@therainmakerinstitute.com.
September is my birth month, so it has always been a month of full of contemplation for me. I was a New Yorker who, until the end of January, 2011, worked on Wall Street for more than 15-years. Thus, the occurrences of September 11th have made this time of remembrance all the more prevalent for me.
This year, the state-of-mind most prevalent for me is CHANGE and the manner in which I’ve implemented it over the last 10 years. So, this post is about honoring the people I’ve lost, not the sadness that I still feel over not having them in my life. Instead, I’ve chosen to write about CHANGE.
For 10 years now, on September 11th, we’ve see an abundance of media images illustrating that day. Personally, I avoid them. Instead, I focus on my own good memories about the people I lost.
Today, I am in the midst of my annual thought processes, I am present to the changes I’ve put into place over the last 10-years. I completed undergraduate and graduate school, started my own company, and recently relocated to Phoenix, Arizona and am working in the realm of one of my passions: working with attorneys.
My vision for all of us feeling moved on this day is to bask in the memory of people we’ve lost by ‘riding the wake of their spirits’ and create, re-create, prosper & love each other fully.
Heather Morse over at the Legal Water Cooler made mention of CHANGE in her article “Best Quote Ever“.
Heather’s looking at the speed that we communicate now vs. only 7-years ago, and if legal marketers are ready take to take it on…
Honoring the memory of my friends and family who have passed, and all those young spirits surrounding me, I’m going to shift this conversation into one about quality of life aka “business development and lifestyle”.
Heather’s right on point here…
I began educating attorneys about how social media works and the importance of it for their firm’s growth more than 3-years ago. When I realized that what they needed was not only more information, it became obvious to me that I could not provide them with the services that supported their needs as a sole-proprietor. This is why I implemented CHANGE, and began working as an Advisor at The Rainmaker Institute.
If you are an attorney or a marketing person working with a law group, your time is best spent practicing what you have mastery in, not talking on Facebook all day! The Rainmaker Institute provides knowledge and Done-For-You services of Blogging and Social Media and Customized Newsletter Writing services that attorneys need.
Please give me a call at 480-648-2628 if you’re seriously ready to take on CHANGE. I look forward to working with you on your firm growth goals and putting a plan into action!
If you’re an attorney struggling to build your practice, then you probably believe that the best way to use your time is by practicing law. The reality is, you are not in the business of practicing law. Your business is building relationships (also known as marketing) so that you can practice law.
In this book you will learn specific principles and tools you can use to grow your practice, too. The one thing you will NOT find within its pages is an ‘easy button’. Unfortunately, in the world of legal marketing there’s simply no such thing! I can certainly attest to how much hard work, effort and money it takes to build a successful business and it will not happen overnight.
The great thing is, if you are willing to work we can help you make it happen!
As an advisor at The Rainmaker Institute, I work with solo and small firm legal practitioners to create a more clearly defined focus and distinctive business strategy. In partnership with my clients, I support them to develop a competitive advantage for new business, higher reputation recognition, and empower them to attract, win, and retain the clients they really want.
Stephen Fairley, has helped thousands of attorneys achieve their goals of creating a financially successful and personally satisfying legal practice.
Echoing Stephen’s invitation, I invite you to download and print this e-book and read it with a pen and highlighter in hand. The specific strategies you’ll find within its pages, once applied, can make the kind of dramatic difference in your practice that lasts a lifetime.
If you are serious about implementing support services specifically designed for solo and small firm attorneys, please feel free to give me a call at 888-588-5891 Ext. 402 or send me an email at kara@therainmakerinstitute.com.
I looked up from my desk at The Rainmaker Institute yesterday afternoon, my attention drawn to the exclamations coming from two of my colleagues.
“Man, that was good!”, It turns out that they had cheese steaks from Mike’s Burgers, Cheese Steaks and Ice Cream, located near our office in the Gilbert Town Center. Now, our Director of Sales is a big guy, and he said, “At 6′6″ and 295 pounds, you know I’ve have a few cheese steaks, so for me to say this place is good…”
(I’m a Philly born & raised gal, so I’ll be taste testing this afternoon and updating this post a bit later!)
Mike’s Burgers, Cheese Steaks and Ice Cream has the look & feel of the malted shop on “Happy Days”, with the old-school warmth, hospitality and aromas of great food radiating.
Connect to Mike's Burgers on Facebook
His online platforms aren’t in full swing just yet, but do show him some love by Liking Him on Facebook . (His page isn’t branded just yet — see, ol’ school goodness!!)
You can check out a really nice article about the restaurant’s re-launch in
Mike’s will be adding family special event nights, like family night where kids eat ree, two-for-one burgers, and $1 Scoop Wednesdays!
Owner, Mike Canzona impressed me so much when I met him, that talking with him got my creative muse in action. I’ll be adding faves to my Phoenix Hot Spots page as I continue on my new adventure of life out west. Stay tuned!
