Articles | National Greek Awards™

Worried About Haters? THRIVE!
September 26, 2016 Comments Off on Worried About Haters? THRIVE!

By Brad Mitchell (Blog #11: Lifestyle)

For some odd reason, in these days and times, one of the few ways you will know if you are doing something right in life is by knowing whether you have haters. A person claiming to have haters is very common. Personally, I don’t care that much about the matter directly, but I learned a long time ago that I was different in the sense of how I look at life and view the world.

The degree of validation people gain from knowing that someone is living day to day with hate towards them is quite alarming to me. The glorification of haters is at an all-time high in my opinion, but I feel as though there are deeper matters that require attention and awareness. There is one aspect in regards to the Hater -vs.- The Hated relationship that really blows my mind. It seems these days that the hated do more investigation on their haters than their haters do back on them.

I have heard conversations where people will give out so many specifics about their haters that it really leaves me in amazement. Government names, current addresses, places of employment, number of kids they have, vehicles/ license plate numbers & on a few rare occasions, social security information. My response to this is…(CLICK HERE to Read More…)

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Brad Mitchell

Brad Mitchell, Writer
Member of Alpha Phi Alpha® Fraternity, Inc.

Brad Mitchell’s Official Blog
Brad Mitchell on Twitter®
Brad Mitchell on Instagram®

* The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Greek All-Star™ Awards™.

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Mirrored Image of the Past
September 15, 2016 Comments Off on Mirrored Image of the Past

By Tavon Harris (Blog #10: Lifestyle)

I see myself in people, the thoughts the vision and even the lack of confidence that is covered and molded by attitudes and insecurities. Our negative world teaches us to not be kind, but to be selfish and cruel. The greatest challenge I faced was humbling myself and learning that it’s not what happens to you, but how you respond. That’s everything.

Inevitably something is going to happen an life takes its course but it’s a different feeling knowing despite what people think about u you continue to be you and do good. I believe I was chosen to live this. No one knows what plan is in the works and I can already see it manifesting. I just hope that ignorance doesn’t stop their growth, the growth of a race, or the growth of endless knowledge to which we are exposed.

As a writer, and even more now as a thinker, we are a a critical part in history. A part where we are viewed as the new age, the “millennial” of present day, which allows my mind to imagine the many works we can do together. I am inspired to do more for our culture and community, why you may ask? It’s simple, genetics! We are descendants of Kings and Queens. The help that we need is not money or houses or jobs. It’s the…(CLICK HERE to Read More…)

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Tavon Harris, Writer

Tavon Harris, Writer
Member of Alpha Phi Alpha® Fraternity, Inc.

Tavon Harris’ Official Blog
Tavon Harris on Instagram®
Tavon Harris on Facebook®

* The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Greek All-Star™ Awards™.

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Wisdom Wednesday: Keep Going!
September 14, 2016 Comments Off on Wisdom Wednesday: Keep Going!

By Brad Mitchell (Blog #10: Lifestyle)

If you are like me, then you have the habit of being so focused on where you want to end up in life that you don’t pay enough to the things you are encountering right now in your present.

We are all very aware of our potential and where we WANT to be professionally, educationally, financially and even family wise. It’s pretty much the basis of why we do the things we do and make the decisions we make.

One thing that we can’t forget is that we are living LIFE. Life has the crazy ability to make us love things when everything is going well and hate things when all hell seems to be breaking loose in our lives. It’s our human nature to feel this way and its foolish to think that you haven’t felt this way at some point in your life.

I am a firm believer in the relationship between the heart and the mind. These two entities embody the essence of who we are. Our minds create the thoughts and ideas that we physically carry out. Our hearts determine the magnitude of the effort shown in those areas. It takes time for the relationship of the heart and mind to be on the same accord. We often find ourselves in…(CLICK HERE to Read More…)

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Brad Mitchell

Brad Mitchell, Writer
Member of Alpha Phi Alpha® Fraternity, Inc.

Brad Mitchell’s Official Blog
Brad Mitchell on Twitter®
Brad Mitchell on Instagram®

* The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Greek All-Star™ Awards™.

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Comeback Power
August 28, 2016 Comments Off on Comeback Power

By Tavon Harris (Blog #9: Lifestyle)

As the semester begins and the routine turns back into reality, I find it is important to have a vision and goal going forward.

I believe the reason we settle for things that we know do not benefit our lives is because of fear, doubt, and the harsh reality of failing. When you realize your ability and worth, you expand your vision and look within and resolve to yourself that you have something within you that can enable you to be stronger and more powerful than anything around you.

“Come Back Power!”; something inside you that can enable you, that forces you to be better and stronger than anything out here.

Surround yourself with those people who feed your success and vision. If you are serious about your success, get serious about effort to make that dream come true.

Once you know who you are, you…(CLICK HERE to Read More…)

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Tavon Harris, Writer

Tavon Harris, Writer
Member of Alpha Phi Alpha® Fraternity, Inc.

Tavon Harris’ Official Blog
Tavon Harris on Instagram®
Tavon Harris on Facebook®

* The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Greek All-Star™ Awards™.

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Life Lesson #4: Each One Teach One
August 7, 2016 Comments Off on Life Lesson #4: Each One Teach One

By Brad Mitchell (Blog #9: Lifestyle)

This post today is somewhat of a venting session for me. My biggest pet peeve in the world right now deals with the youth of this generation and how older people are quicker to judge them, rather than be a beacon of light in their lives.

It seems as though, as generations pass on, there is a huge generational gap that is widening day by day. It is my worry that if we as adults and people don’t take out more time from our “busy” lives to be an example for these youth who we often overlook, then whatever hope there is to cling on will be nonexistent .

Professionally, I work with young people ages 12-19 on a daily basis. These youth come from all different dynamics and backgrounds. Although their living situations may differ, whether internally or externally, they have more in common than even they are willing to admit.

My office is currently located where people in society would classify the area as “the hood” or “the ghetto”. Yes there is gang activity, drug activity, crime and police constantly on patrol, but I have never let that stop me from pursuing one of my many passions which is helping youth be the greatest individual they can be. With this idea in mind, here are some ideas and ways we can help these youth achieve that goal.

SHOW GENUINE CONCERN FOR THEIR FUTURE. The easiest way to get a young person to buy in to any information you have to offer them is to first develop a real RELATIONSHIP with them. All youth troubled or not, have a…(CLICK HERE to Read More…)

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Brad Mitchell

Brad Mitchell, Writer
Member of Alpha Phi Alpha® Fraternity, Inc.

Brad Mitchell’s Official Blog
Brad Mitchell on Twitter®
Brad Mitchell on Instagram®

* The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Greek All-Star™ Awards™.

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FOCUS
July 11, 2016 Comments Off on FOCUS

By Tavon Harris (Blog #8: Lifestyle)

I am a living witness that if you continue to press on and don’t give up, your dream will become a reality. If you put your effort and energy into anything, it’s possible.

I believe I was put on this earth to inspire people and give them that undying hope that if I made it through situations then surely you can. I don’t sell dreams of making millions of having fancy cars, there’s no substance in that. I want you to be inspired and passionate to the point, success is all you think about, you no longer settle for mediocrity!

We live in a generation of “talkers.” We talk about how good we want to have it, but what real steps do we take to make this dream a reality? Your focus should be on what you constantly can’t get off your mind. You should have a WHY for everything you do.

This life of which we are a part gives you a platform to do and be anything you desire, but it won’t ever happen if you don’t put your all into everything you do. If you’re worrying about what this person is doing or how a situation has impacted you, you’ll…(CLICK HERE to Read More…)

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Tavon Harris, Writer

Tavon Harris, Writer
Member of Alpha Phi Alpha® Fraternity, Inc.

Tavon Harris’ Official Blog
Tavon Harris on Instagram®
Tavon Harris on Facebook®

* The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Greek All-Star™ Awards™.

Read more
If It Ain’t About the Money…
July 3, 2016 Comments Off on If It Ain’t About the Money…

By Brad Mitchell (Blog #8: Lifestyle)

Money…Money…Money! For as long as I have been living (26 years), one of the first resources I was introduced to was money. As time has progressed, the concept of money has been brought to a larger scale. This is definitely not a negative by any means, depending upon how you interpret the message of money.

Over the past few years I have gained a growing concern, not so much for money, but the way the idea and concept of money is being shown and perceived by my generation and future generations to come. It seems that the ideology of money is becoming a tactic to steer people in the wrong directions and even leading to tragic circumstances. It is my goal and daily passion to “get back to the essence” of what life is all about so people can understand that they have complete control over their lives and not allowing materialistic objects, such as money dictate them.

Here are some key factors to keep in mind when dealing with the concept of money…(CLICK HERE to Read More…)

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Brad Mitchell

Brad Mitchell, Writer
Member of Alpha Phi Alpha® Fraternity, Inc.

Brad Mitchell’s Official Blog
Brad Mitchell on Twitter®
Brad Mitchell on Instagram®

* The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Greek All-Star™ Awards™.

Read more
What Does It Mean To Be A Man?
June 19, 2016 Comments Off on What Does It Mean To Be A Man?

By Tavon Harris (Blog #7: Lifestyle)

What does it mean to be a man?

Does it mean to think concretely into the ideas of what it means to be a man? Is it about who inspired the role you take as a man and who assisted in that development? What being a man means to me, no matter color or ethnicity, is that you are of the male sex and you also carry yourself as you were taught when you were raised.

The male role is so strong in today’s society that we are often looked at to lead. Whether it’s within the household or with parenting a child, the male, at least in my family, has played the role of disciplinary just as much as a mother.

Sadly, many of the men have no examples within their own home to show them, so their idea of being a MAN in today’s society is guided by a television and advertising markets or some other model that could care less about the development of a man while watching their show or buying their clothes.

Its tricky how societal beliefs can change how being a man is defined or standardized in a way so bad that we can’t be unique men without being looked as “less than a man.”

When I was growing up, I…(CLICK HERE to Read More…)

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Tavon Harris, Writer

Tavon Harris, Writer
Member of Alpha Phi Alpha® Fraternity, Inc.

Tavon Harris’ Official Blog
Tavon Harris on Instagram®
Tavon Harris on Facebook®

* The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Greek All-Star™ Awards™.

Read more
Marriage: Sacred Union or Modern Trend?
June 15, 2016 Comments Off on Marriage: Sacred Union or Modern Trend?

By Brad Mitchell (Blog #7: Lifestyle)

“I, ____, take you, ____, to be my lawfully wedded(husband/wife), to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part”

This is one of the most powerful phrases used by the bride and groom in a wedding ceremony. A verbal affirmation not just to God, but to each other and also everyone who has received the privilege to be in attendance for this occasion as well that they will do everything in their power to live within the union of their marriage and let nothing come between.

The rate which marriages are happening is higher now than it has ever been. By the same whim, the rate of divorce is at an all-time high as well. What seems to be the issue as to why something so sacred is not being able to withstand the test of time?

Here are a few things to consider (based off of my observations of failed marriages) that those who are pondering proposing or are in the process of tying the knot to keep in mind…(CLICK HERE to Read More…)

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Brad Mitchell

Brad Mitchell, Writer
Member of Alpha Phi Alpha® Fraternity, Inc.

Brad Mitchell’s Official Blog
Brad Mitchell on Twitter®
Brad Mitchell on Instagram®

* The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Greek All-Star™ Awards™.

Read more
The ‘Letter’ That Reshaped History
May 28, 2016 Comments Off on The ‘Letter’ That Reshaped History

By Tavon Harris (Blog #6: Lifestyle)

(*Image source credit: youngafrikanpioneers.wordpress.com)

I still believe one of the greatest things a human can posses is knowledge, and it is with this knowledge we understand the root of many of our issues today and stop the cycle known as oppression.

To deeply and richly understand history and the development of today’s norms, classes and statutes, we are to look at the pioneer. The British slave owner who had that much hate for African-Americans as a people, came up with a “fool proof method” of how to control and enslave a vulnerable population for years to come.

This explains our hatred for one another because it had been instilled in us.

We have been conditioned even within our own culture to dislike our race, discredit our history. The only real changes we are seeing are the ones who are fighting harder to stay the same. David Banner said that the black population is the only race who takes advice of how to get out of oppression from the very people who oppress us.

The deeper issue is…(CLICK HERE to Read More…)

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Tavon Harris, Writer

Tavon Harris, Writer
Member of Alpha Phi Alpha® Fraternity, Inc.

Tavon Harris’ Official Blog
Tavon Harris on Instagram®
Tavon Harris on Facebook®

* The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Greek All-Star™ Awards™.

Read more

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