Ms. Shemeka Lynez Sanders – A Beautiful, Colorful Crayon Box of a Woman

October 10, 2013

By Charlene Holmes

When Ms. Shemeka Lynez Sanders was a little girl, her mother always bought her a makeup kit, a nail polish kit, and crayons for Christmas.
So when Ms. Sanders graduated from high school in Jacksonville, Fla., it was no surprise that she would major in the Arts. “I merged degrees in Fashion Merchandising and Design with Business,” she said.
She explained that she initially attended school to learn about skin and became an Esthetician (one who gives facials) and later a nail technician.
“Fashion design, skin and makeup – it’s all relative. Your outfit is not complete unless you have your makeup, nails and hair done. This gives you an overall complete look,” she added.
Although Ms. Sanders grew up in Florida, she was born in Mississippi and lived in Virginia, and Chicago for a while.
“I was a Navy brat. My dad retired from the Military five years ago and moved to McCalla, Alabama. I moved to Birmingham to be with my family a year after they moved,” she said.
While waiting for her Cosmetology license and credentials to transfer to Alabama, Ms. Sanders accepted a full time Management position at Sally’s Beauty Supply Store in McCalla.
“I love it”, she said excitedly.
She continued, “People should be properly educated on what they want and how to get the look that they want. You can spend a lot of money and still not get the look you want. I love sharing my knowledge with customers. I try to be helpful when anybody comes into Sally’s because good Customer Service is important in the beauty industry. You must listen and give good advice. Why should I have knowledge and not share it? That’s what I like about Sally’s. I feel that I am helping people and making a difference in their lives. I like to see people happy,” Ms. Sanders added.
She shared, “One lady came in who had been receiving chemotherapy treatment. She felt depressed about her makeup and was in dire need of makeup advice. I helped her find a good pair of eyelashes and I drew on her eyebrows. She already had the pretty wig. She looked amazing! She felt good about herself and I felt good because I had helped her. The beauty industry is not only about making people look good, but it is about making people feel good about themselves.”
She continued, “Another customer asked my advice about her eyebrows. She bought the pencil and asked if I could assist her with her eyebrows. It was an extra step, but I shaped her eyebrows and she left extremely happy and satisfied; therefore, I was happy.”
“I like the fact that people get the overall beauty experience when they come to Sally’s. I have learned a lot about hair color by working there. I can answer questions about all textures and types of hair and how to color it properly,” Ms. Sanders said.
She shared, “Working at Sally’s has made me miss being behind the chair, but, thankfully, I’m still in the realm of cosmetology, even though I am not doing makeup and hair for eight hours a day. But just sharing my makeup knowledge with people is rewarding.”
Ms. Sanders added, “When people ask me for makeup advice, I always say there are no rules as long as the foundation matches your skin tone and you have the correct eyebrow color and eyebrows that shape your face. The wrong eyebrow color or eyebrow shape can ruin a face.”
She said, when she is asked about the proper color of the season, “I say it is whatever you want it to be as long as the eyebrows and foundation are correct. The lipstick can be purple and the hair can be whatever color the customer wants it to be.”
“Color-that’s me in my little colorful crayon box,” she said.
On the business side, Ms. Sanders said she is working on developing a nail polish line that will simplify and minimize nail polish-manicuring woes. “It should be out in a year or less,” she said.
Since 2004, Ms. Sanders said she has promoted Sacha makeup. “It’s based out of Trinidad and it is geared toward women of color and/or oily skin. I love the product line,” she added.
Ms. Sanders, who wears natural hairstyles and colorful head scarves, said she styles natural hair only and provides skin, hair, makeup and nail services. She said she is available to do makeup for weddings, proms, pageants and even for a Friday night date.
“I do a little bit of a lot,” she added.

New Pilgrim Baptist Church

Birmingham Times

October 10, 2013

Miles College Homecoming Schedule

Birmingham Times

October 10, 2013

Oct. 13-19
Sunday
11 a.m .– Service at Miles Chapel (pass out Mardi Gras Beads and Mask)
3 p.m .– Mask Decoration
4 p.m. – Coronation
9 p.m. – Masquerade Ball
Monday
6 p.m. – Talent Show
8 p.m. – Bonfire (Burial of the Thorobred)
9:30 p.m. – Hot Wing Eating Contest
11 p.m. – Club Sub

Tuesday
11 a.m. – High School Visitation Day/fun fest
8 p.m. – STS Bus Skating 8-12

Wednesday
11 a.m. – Miles College Trivia
8 p.m. – Comedy Show

Thursday
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Dedication
5 p.m. – Community Service
6 p.m. – Fashion Show
7 p.m. – Bourbon Street/Block Party

Friday
11 a.m.– Stroll Off
9 p.m. – Concert

Saturday
9a.m. – Miles College Homecoming Parade
4 p.m. – Miles College Homecoming Game
8 p.m. – Step Show

A Quest to Know Jesus

Birmingham Times

October 10, 2013

OMNIPOTENT POWER OF GOD
Man’s power is more limited than he realized, for he has no power unless God gives it to him. Although man thinks he can climb the highest mountain, build the largest and highest buildings and skyscrapers, he really cannot do anything unless God gives him the knowledge and power within himself to believe he can, first, and only then can he start to climb the ladder of life. God holds all the power within Himself.
You may read in Genesis, the 11th chapter, where the people of the land decided they would build themselves a tower to heaven, just as man thinks he is going to do now with his spaceship or whatever he has chosen to name and design his work. God showed the men of the land in Genesis that all power and knowledge comes from Him, and only He decides what He wants to allow man to accomplish in the earth, which the knowledge of God created in the beginning of time on this earth for man. Man has been making his own choices since Adam and Eve in the Garden. They decided to make their own choices, and they were driven out of the beautiful Garden of Eden. Man is about to overstep his bounds now, if he has not already.
The Power of God is incomprehensible. God has built a progressive mind within man and, it was God that said in Genesis 1:26, “Let Us make man in Our Image and Likeness.” Therefore, God made man to have a will and desire to build, design, and make great things, but God will limit man, when he goes beyond God’s plan for him.
As you can see man has overstepped his limits now, but we believers in Jesus know that God is ready and about to close His chapter in the earth. Are you getting ready to go with Jesus when He comes?
www.thealmightyeyes.com

THE CITY VIEW

Birmingham Times

October 10, 2013

THE PRESIDENT’S CUP Photo Credit Gregory D. Jones

People, Places and Things

Birmingham Times

October 10, 2013

By Gwen DeRu

RACES AT TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY!! OBAMACARE!! MAGIC CITY CLASSIC!! BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH!! FOOTBALL!! ….WITH MORE TO SEE AND DO….ALL AROUND THE STATE!!

ENJOY THE COOL DAYS AND TAILGATING FUN!!

Birmingham is still commemorating the 50th Anniversary of 1963 – a pivotal year in the city’s history and the civil rights movement. The eyes of the world are ‘still’ on the city.

Visitors are here taking in the old, but more the new. And, people are still exploring the history of the city, the state and the world.

Here are a few more things going on…
SAVE THE DATE –
MAGIC CITY CLASSIC SCHOLARSHIP BREAKFAST – The Magic City Classic Scholarship Breakfast is October 26, 7:15 a.m. at the Harbert Center. WSK LLC (Waldrep, Stewart & Kendrick) is now hosting the Magic City Classic Breakfast that will take place at the Harbert Center on Friday, October 25th at 7:30 a.m. The African American Business Council has hosted this breakfast since its inception but cancelled it this year and deciding that they could no longer underwrite it in the years to come. Attorney Kelvin Howard took the iniatitive to converse with the firm to support the cause. Attorney Charlie Waldrep agreed. Now, the Magic City Classic Scholarship Breakfast has a new sponsor and WSK’s generosity is truly appreciated by all. Thanks WSK, LLC. Thanks Kelvin on your upfront support and good thinking on a worthy cause. On behalf of all of Birmingham, the two schools, the alums and our visitors, we do appreciate you and all of your efforts. Keep up the good work! See you there! Call (205) 327-8333 or 266-0304 for more.

IT IS RACING AT IT’S BEST – Racing fans don’t have to wait long now with the races just one week away. This is something that we all have been waiting on – CAMPING WORLD RV SALES 500 WEEKEND at Talladega Superspeedway. See you at the races.

TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY – Bowyer Ready for the Party at Talladega Superspeedway – NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase driver Clint Bowyer knows firsthand where “Party Capital” of NASCAR is located – the infamous Talladega Superspeedway and the world famous Talladega Blvd. in its infield. On Oct. 18-20, Clint will be ready when Dega’s “Party Central” starts rocking during the Camping World RV Sales 500 weekend. Bowyer knows the importance of having a good time, and there’s no place on the NASCAR circuit that hosts a party like Talladega and Talladega Blvd. – complete with thousands of fans, the Miller Lite Infield Track Bar, the Saturday Night Infield Concert, and a Mardi-Gras-like atmosphere. The most competitive racing in NASCAR combined with a mix of southern hospitality returns to Talladega Superspeedway October 18-20, 2013 for the Camping World RV Sales 500 Weekend. For tickets and information visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA. This is more than a race…This is Talladega!

NASCAR Drivers Denny Hamlin and Darrell Wallace, Jr. Launched NASCAR College Programs at University of Alabama and Auburn University – Talladega Superspeedway launched two NASCAR College Programs at the University of Alabama and Auburn University. Prizes were given out at the event, and both drivers gave students rides to class throughout the day. The first 100 students will win exclusive party passes to a hospitality area in the infield at Talladega for the Camping World RV Sales 500 and a seat on a charter bus to bring them to ‘Dega on race day! Also, one lucky student will challenge each driver in a game of “coke” pong to win a BIG prize. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Driver Denny Hamlin (a 22-time Sprint Cup race winner) will be at the University of Alabama. NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Darrell “Bubba” Wallace, Jr., a Mobile, Alabama native, who ranks ninth in the championship point standings will be at Auburn University. Both drivers compete for Joe Gibbs Racing.

MORE ABOUT TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY – Talladega Superspeedway had three of NASCAR’s “Young Guns” – Jeb Burton, Darrell Wallace Jr. and Timothy Peters from the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series – in Birmingham recently to visit with students at Avondale Elementary School. They, also, joined Birmingham Mayor William A. Bell and Talladega Superspeedway Chairman Grant Lynch across the street for a ceremonial tree planting at Avondale Park. The tree planting is in conjunction with NASCAR’s Green Initiative and the Arbor Day Foundation. The ceremony will anticipate the track’s plan to plant 90 trees across Birmingham’s parks following the Oct 18-20 Camping World RV Sales 500 weekend that will feature the fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race. (Keep up the good work Talladega Superspeedway. We do appreciate your efforts and bringing your support and the fans’ dollars into our city and surrounding area. I look forward to the races next week.)

OBAMACARE – OBAMACARE is RULED CONSTITUTIONAL – We’ve heard about it in bits and pieces over the past three years – the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and how it will benefit all Americans. But, the specific details can be confusing, even overwhelming. Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, the ACA will provide 6.8 million uninsured African Americans an opportunity to get affordable health insurance coverage. The bottom line is if you are not insured, low-cost or free plans will soon be available. If you already have insurance, you may be able to find an even more affordable plan.
Millions of uninsured Americans will be able to sign up for affordable health care. They can now start enrolling in affordable, quality health coverage. Since you are required to have health insurance, make sure that you get informed as much as you can over the next few months. Make sure that everyone is informed about Obamacare by sharing the information with them. Go to www.Healthcare.gov for more.

White Sox Set to Open 2014 Season Against Barons at Regions Field
White Sox return to the Magic City for exhibition game for first time since 2007- Birmingham Barons will open the 2014 season by hosting their parent club, the Chicago White Sox, in an exhibition game at Regions Field on Friday, March 28th. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. CDT. The contest will be the first exhibition to take place in Birmingham between the two clubs since 2007 and the seventh overall in the 28 seasons of their player development partnership. In its inaugural season, Regions Field was named the Ballpark of the Year by Baseballparks.com while hosting 410,186 fans, the 4th-highest total in franchise history and the 4th-highest attendance total in Southern League history since 1964. Following the season, the Barons were named Southern League Organization of the Year and have been nominated for Minor League Organization of the Year. The Barons and White Sox first played in Birmingham at Rickwood Field in 1986. The two teams would play five more times at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in 1991, 1998, 2000, 2003 and most recently in 2007. The Barons are the longest tenured of the White Sox six affiliates. “After I visited Mr. Reinsdorf and the Logans about an exhibition game in a new world class stadium, we delivered a stadium and a championship team,” said Birmingham Mayor William Bell. “We are grateful and I am excited about the White Sox coming to Birmingham and look forward to an exciting second season championship team.”

THIS WEEKEND…..
**Wells Fargo Boo at the Zoo – Boo at the Zoo – Wear your favorite family-friendly costume and watch as the Zoo transforms into a destination of spooky attractions, trick-or-treating, themed rides and games at Wells Fargo Boo at the Zoo. See your favorite ©Marvel characters like Spider-Man, Iron Man, Thor and Captain America* for a special meet and greet, autograph signing and personal photograph opportunity. The Zoo will also host a Creepy Carnival Tent with themed games, a hayride search for Sasquatch and a candy village, organized by local nonprofit organizations and child-centered businesses. The Zoo will close at 4 p.m. There will be: Scarousel, Eerie Express, Sasquatch Safari Hayride, Grusesom Golf, Cajun Sadie’s Fortune Telling Adventure, Creepy Carnival Tent, Monster Nash Dance Party, Themed Wildlife Show and more. DATES are October 11-13, 20, 23-24, 27 and 31 (5-9 p.m.) and October 18, 19, 25, and 26 (5 – 10 p.m.) Character appearances dates are 4 -5 Captain American, 11-12 Thor, 18-19 Iron Man and 25-26 5- 10 p.m. Go to www.birminghamzoo.com for more.

TODAY….
**MARTINI THURSDAY w/MOLLY BENNETT, 10 p.m. at Ona’s Music Room.
**TIT FOR TAT- BREAST CANCER AWARENESS – Check out Tit For Tat with the girls for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Isis Jones is hosting a jam session – Ladies edition with special performances by some of the best ladies in the business….. dani, Candy West, Sharron, De’Nina Parker, Aretta, Neta Young, Nadia Tellis, Jill Gray, Christinay, Marquita Anthony, Ashley Sankey, and Kibibi Jones PLUS DJ Willie in the Mix. NO COVER, but please donate. See you at the Jazz Underground. Call (205) 202-3640 for more. SUPPORT BREAST CANCER!!

FRIDAY…..
**FESTIVAL EXPRESSIONS, 10 p.m. at Ona’s Music Room.
**SOULED OUT LIVE, 8 p.m. at Jazz Underground.

SATURDAY…..
**CHILDREN’S LITERATURE AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT – The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) will present a teacher workshop,” Children’s Literature and the Civil Rights Movement” 9 a.m. -1 p.m. in BCRI’s Woods Community Meeting Room. The workshop is free, open to the public, and will provide tools and resources to assist teachers in incorporating children’s literature in the teaching of the civil rights movement. Registration is required. Lunch will be provided. Space is limited. Contact Sam Pugh at 205-328-9696 x 246 to register.
**SASSY BROWN AND SASSY BROWN BAND w/TIM BOYKINS, 10 p.m. at Ona’s Music Room.
**THE REVIEW BAND LIVE, 8 p.m. – 2 p.m. at Jazz Underground.
**SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE with CHRIS COLEMAN and a LIVE BAND, 10 p.m. at Merienda Lounge.
**DANI AND SHARRON LIVE, 8 p.m. at Jazz Underground.
**SATURDAY NIGHTLIVE at Merienda Lounge. Call (204) 422-9849 for more or (205) 282-9057. See you there during Magic City Classic Weekend.

SUNDAY…..
**SALSA SUNDAYS, 8 p.m. at Jazz Underground.

COMING SOON….

**OCTOBER 16 – ESCONDIDO AT WORKPLAY THEATRE – Escondido is Nashville, TN-based artists Jessica Maros and Tyler James who met while James was recording their mutual friend at his home studio. The two spent a couple months together crafting song, bonding over a shared love of spaghetti westerns and ‘70s music and then made, “…a splendid gem of a debut album…” (The Huffington Post) titled The Ghost of Escondido. The10-song album was recorded live in a day and released earlier this year. Escondido toured with the Staves in May, and spent June and July on tour with Lord Huron. This fall, in-between headlining dates and Canadian support dates with Said the Whale, Escondido will head back into the studio to track their follow-up.

OCTOBER 24 – THE THREE KINGS AT CRESENDO – The Three Kings will kick off the classic concert at Crescendo. MIKE HAM, BERNARD BUGGS and MOSE STOVALL will be rocking the house with all kinds of good tunes. I have seen them and will be in the house. See you there!

OCTOBER 25 – CALVIN RICHARDSON at CRESCENDO – Calvin Richardson better known as the Prince of Soul, will perform at the Crescendo Classic Jam, 9 p.m. at Crescendo. Other performers include Dani and Sharron. Darryl Johnson will be hosting. Call (250) 337-6999 for more.

OCTOBER 25–27 – SHERYL UNDERWOOD at the STARDOME COMEDY CLUB – One of the funniest female comediennes that I have seen is Sheryl Underwood. Sheryl has appeared on ABC’s “The View”, “Politically Incorrect”… the “Late, Late Show” with Craig Kilborn…”Chelsea Lately” HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, host BET’s Comic View…was a regular on Comedy Central’s “Tough Crowd…popped up as a guest on the WB’s sitcom “Nikki.” … Film credits include Bulworth and Master P’s I Got the Hook Up. For more, call (205) 444-0008.

**AND….. DON’T MISS….
TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY RACES OCTOBER 18 – 20!! SEE YOU THERE!! (Tell you more next time!!)

NOW….a BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT….TAMICA WASHINGTON, CHERYL FAYE ENGLISH, CHARLENA JACKSON, AMBER ENGLISH, RUBY GREENE, HENRIETTA GRAY, DAKARI AVERY, CHRISTINA HENDERSON, CRYSTAL BROOKS, ANITA D. WATKINS, DONNA BAILEY, DEDRICK ENGLISH, SR., TRACEY HOOPER, MOSES WILLIAMS, MARY GUNNERSON, BOBBY CALLENS, and CHERIE FIELDS!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL CELEBRATING!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU…MANY, MANY MORE HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!! ENJOY!!

Well, that’s it. Tell you more ‘next’ time.

(People, Places and Things by Gwen DeRu is a weekly column. Send comments to my emails: thelewisgroup@birminghamtimes.com or gwenderu@yahoo.com)

UAB’s Alys Stephens Center, ArtPlay present Ailey Revelations residency

Birmingham Times

October 10, 2013

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center and ArtPlay, the ASC’s home for arts education, will present their first season-long artist collaboration beginning this fall. A five-day residency with the Ailey organization’s Arts In Education program, Revelations: An Interdisciplinary Approach, will be held for Birmingham-area middle school students October 7-11, 2013 and will continue through the winter with study assignments from the company.
This innovative, curriculum-based initiative for public school students utilizes Alvin Ailey’s Revelations as the inspirational framework for an in-depth study of language arts, social studies and dance. The culmination of the program in March will be marked by a visit from Ailey II, the youthful and gifted second company of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, with a Meet the Artist school show on March 17, 2014, as well as a public performance on March 28.
Ailey Arts In Education Master Teacher Nasha Thomas Schmitt, a former company member, will conduct the Revelations Residency that is organized through Opus 3, the ASC and ArtPlay. The residency will feature Ailey Arts In Education Teaching Artist Noibis Licea and musician Matthew Hill. This is the first international touring company to be in residence at ArtPlay.
“I am thrilled for UAB’s Alys Stephens Center and ArtPlay to have this kind of collaborative relationship with the esteemed and world-renowned Ailey II Company,” said Theresa Harper Bruno, chair of the ASC Corporate Board. “This residency will be an invaluable experience for local students and educators, offering unparalleled opportunities for learning, growth and development. Providing programs like this for the community is one of the reasons ArtPlay exists, and it helps fulfill the ASC’s mission of making the arts available to everyone.”
At least 150 students from St. Barnabas Catholic School and William J. Christian K-8 School, plus teachers from both schools, will participate. Students will be in session with the Ailey artists for 90 minutes each day Tuesday through Friday. On the first day, ArtPlay teaching artists and teachers will participate in development workshops with the Ailey artists as part of the residency.
Created in 1999, the Revelations program engages students’ analytic and creative thinking skills while exploring the life story of Alvin Ailey and “Revelations,” Ailey’s beloved 1960 masterpiece. Students connect this story to their academic studies, life experiences and community, as well as to the broader world around them using customized lesson plans designed by the Ailey teaching artists. From November through March, local ArtPlay teaching artists and participating school teachers will continue to work with the student group monthly to prepare them for Ailey II’s arrival and their final presentation in the spring.
Ailey II dancers will visit the ASC for a Meet the Artist school show, free for area students, on March 17, 2014, at the ASC, 1200 10th Ave. South. ArtPlay residency students will hold their final presentation later that day for their teachers and peers. As part of the ASC’s 2014 winter/spring season, all 12 Ailey II company members will return to perform for the general public on March 28, 2014. Tickets will go on sale later this fall; call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org for more information.

Historic Museum Highlights Achievements at Black High School

Birmingham Times

October 10, 2013

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Ullman High School National Alumni Association has recently received approval from University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to establish a museum in the Ullman Building at 1205 6th Avenue South in Birmingham, Alabama 35233. This museum will be unique since it will tell the story how one Black school in Birmingham overcame the obstacles that were prevalent in the era of segregated schools. Guests will see evidence of the high quality of education students received at Ullman. These artifacts, files, and memorabilia are a representative sampling of the contributions made by former students and staff who have continued to make great achievements throughout the United States, and indeed, throughout the world.
In the midst of our 50th Year Anniversary Civil Rights events, September 12, was the chosen date to open this extraordinary museum. Mr. Willie Scott, Chairman of Ullman’s History and Archives Committee and one of its oldest alumni, believes Ullman’s flaming torch still lights our path and guides us on our way. President Eugene Sharpe feels that Birmingham and UAB have benefited immensely from Ullman’s legacy of inspired teaching and mentoring of its high school graduates. It is the hope of the National Alumni Association of Ullman High School to inspire future generations and the community by using our rich history and success stories as examples.
The Birmingham community is encouraged to provide donations and help secure memorabilia for the museum. Please contact Mr. Sharpe (205) 836-0309, Mr. Scott (708) 805-0923, or Mr. Smith (205) 934-8188, for more details on how you can make the Ullman Museum a viable resource of our City

Media & Communications Strategies, Inc. Hires Danielle Blevins, Esq.

Birmingham Times

October 10, 2013

Expands their Media Relations, Crisis Management and Public Affairs Team

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The renowned, boutique communications firm, Media & Communications Strategies, Inc. announced the expansion of its Washington D.C. office with the addition of Account Associate, Danielle Blevins. Ms. Blevins, formerly a Junior Associate, will begin her new role immediately. She will gain more access to the work of the firm and be fully integrated in to the processes of MAC Strategies.
“We are delighted to have Danielle join our team and bring the imagination, insight and experience which has served her so well over the years. She has great intuition, is very knowledgeable, thoughtful, and a quick study,” said Scott Sobel, President of Media & Communications Strategies, Inc.
Prior to joining Media & Communication Strategies, Inc., Danielle graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law. She served as a Managing Board member and as Publicity and Website Editor for the Alabama Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Law Review. In addition, Danielle was a member of the school’s national trial advocacy competition team for two years. After receiving her law degree, Danielle immediately became a member of the Alabama State Bar in September 2012. Previously, Danielle worked five years with the number one FOX-affiliate in the country, FOX6 WBRC-TV in Birmingham, Alabama as a sponsored scholar of the Emma L. Bowen Foundation. Danielle covered the high-profile trials of Alabama Governor Don Siegelman and HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy.
Danielle has been working with MAC Strategies since February and is excited to be joining the team full-time. In that short period, Danielle worked closely with MAC Strategies’ clientele locally, nationally, and internationally. Her legal and media backgrounds make her an exceptional asset to the Media & Communications Strategies’ team and to its clientele.
A Birmingham, Alabama native, Danielle graduated with honors from the University of Alabama. She graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Communications specializing in broadcast news with a double minor in Computer Science and Political Science. Danielle is a fellow of the Blackburn Institute, an organization dedicated to ethical leadership for its lifetime members.

Why Isn't Everyone a Christian?

Birmingham Times

October 10, 2013

Matthew 13:3
Jesus often explained the mysteries of God in little stories called parables. The parable in Matthew 13:1-9 explains why not everyone became a Christian after hearing the Word of God.
In this story, a farmer (God) goes out scattering seeds everywhere in order to grow his crop. If there was a problem, it was not the farmer or his seeds. The problem was in the ground receiving the seeds. Jesus speaks of four types of ground (people) in this parable.
The first type person is compared to the ground between rows. People walking on it pack it down. The seeds merely sit on top of it until the birds come and steal them away. He may have been referring to the closed minds of the Jewish leaders who had their belief system in place, which did not include a carpenter’s son named Jesus, or a gospel proclaiming love and grace. The idea that God was doing a new thing was unacceptable to them. A living God does new things, but sadly, if our minds are closed, we miss them.
Jesus compares some people to seed falling on rocky soil. It has no deep root system, so it springs up quickly and disappears the same way. They are bandwagon Christians who profess Christ because everyone else is doing it. Some have revival religion. They get hot for God during the revival, but when the revival disappears, they do too.
Jesus compares some who hear the Word of God to thorny ground. The ground cannot grow two crops at the same time, and neither can we serve two masters. One crop will crowd out the other. Sadly, “money” is the god of our world. It crowds out all else, including God.
We are thankful that this parable is not completely a sad one. Jesus compares some people to good ground. When the seed falls, they take it in, keep it, and care for it. Given time and cultivation, the crop will come, and multiply thirty times, sixty times, or even a hundred times. The abundant glorious harvest will make the losses insignificant.
Jesus speaks of four types of people. Which are you?

Dr. Robert Wilkerson is a minister, writer, and founder of People for the Christian Way, an organization whose mission is to encourage all people to practice Christian principles in business, politics, and every area of life. drbobwilkerson@bellsouth.net, www.peopleforthechristianway.com.

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