February 2014


www.hamptonroadsmessenger.com


Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Alumnae Chapter to Host 2014 Authors Showcase


Kick off Black History Month with three authors with ties to Hampton Roads


The Hampton Roads Messenger 3


VA Offers New Tools to Ensure Post-9/11 GI Bill Beneficiaries Are Informed Consumers


BY CURTIS COY What’s the first thing you do


when shopping for a big-ticket item? You might shop around, ask friends and relatives for their opinion, or compare items online. In today’s world of instant online access to a wealth of consumer information – from online reviews to infographics comparing products, product websites, and online shopping sites – consumers are used to finding and comparing information online before they buy.


Michael Stevenson Curtis Bunn Chesapeake, Va. –NSU Alumnus


and best-selling author Curtis Bunn, Chesapeake Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Judge Eileen A. Olds, and Celebrity Chef Michael Stevenson will be the featured authors at the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Chesapeake-Virginia Beach Alumnae Chapter’s 2014 Authors Showcase. This annual event will be held Friday, February 7, from 5-7 p.m. at the Springhill Suites located at 1446 Crossways Blvd. in the Greenbrier section of Chesapeake. A $20 admission fee includes a $10 book credit. Proceeds from the event will support the chapter’s scholarship and community service programs.


best-selling


Bunn is the author of several novels


including


Homecoming Weekend, Baggage Check, and his latest, The Truth is in the Wine. In this gripping novel of twisted moral dilemmas, a man tries to save his troubled marriage by taking a trip to Napa Valley after secretly winning the lottery.


Olds, a past president of the


American Judges Association—the largest independent organization


Poetry Slam Season & Festival are:


FROM PAGE 2


• Peninsula Qualifying Slam February


22nd, 2014,


Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center, Newport News


• Virginia Beach Qualifying Slam March 2nd, 2014, MOCA Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, Virginia Beach


• Norfolk Qualifying Slam March 29th, 2014 Tidewater Community College Roper Theatre, Norfolk


• Grand Slam Finals April 26th, 2014, Norfolk State University, Norfolk


Brave New Voices (BNV) is a


week-long international festival that brings together over 500 youth from around the country and around the globe. "Brave New Voices is truly a life-changing experience for many of our youth. It is an opportunity for them to explore a new cultural landscape while building relationships with other youth poets and leaders from around the world" said Deirdre Love, Executive Director of Teens With a Purpose. The BNV event is sponsored by Youth Speaks, a non-profit organization, and will take place in August 2014. At the four-day event, teens will


Judge Eileen A. Olds


of judges in the United States and Canada—is the author of Twin Expectations: Raising the Bar, Raising Expectations, Raising Children. In the book, she shares guiding wisdom and practical advice for child rearing.


Stevenson, who spent time as


a chef in Norfolk in the mid-2000s, has been the personal chef for the Washington Redskins and prepared food for the likes of Dick Cheney and Tom Cruise. His cookbook, A Way to a Woman’s Heart, contains 90 plus simple recipes prefaced by “heartfelt stories” from more than 100 women.


Throughout the event, each author


will share stories about their book, meet guests, and sign books. Light hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will be available. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door. The 2014 Authors Showcase is being presented by the Fundraising and Arts and Letters committees of the Chesapeake- Virginia Beach Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., of which Theresa G. Baker is chapter president. To purchase tickets in advance or for more information, call (757) 625-2736.


attend world-class workshops and performances by renowned poets, writers, and musicians, and will participate in an Olympic-style poetry competition against teams from across the U.S and abroad. This year Philadelphia is the host city. Duplicated around the country, are smaller events such as the 2014 Hampton Roads Youth Poetry Slam Festival presented by the affiliated organizations to prepare youth in their region of the country for this awesome opportunity. TWP’s Hampton Roads Youth Poets presents literary arts education and youth programs in the areas of creative writing, spoken word and poetry for change (civic/social engagement).


Hampton Roads public school


districts, art and higher education institutions have lined up in support of the 2014 Hampton Roads Youth Poetry Slam Season & Festival. The festival will feature dynamic youth poets, ages 13-19, from Hampton Roads and local youth musicians. The slam season also includes performance workshops and open mics throughout the Hampton Roads region. Top poets and teaching artists from the region and beyond will facilitate creative workshops that will nurture their growth as spoken word artists. The festival is open to youth ages 13-19, young people can inquire about the entire slam season including slams, workshops or open mics at TWPTheMovement.org or by calling 757-747-2679.


contribution to the Navy during World War II, but to society as well. By the end of the war, 64 African-Americans had become officers in the Navy.


Striving for equality at home and


blazing a trail for future African-Amer- ican Sailors, Wesley A. Brown became the first black graduate of the United States Naval Academy in 1949, joining the Navy's Civil Engineer Corps and retiring at the rank of lieutenant commander. He passed away May 22, 2012 after a distinguished career both in the Navy and in the civilian workforce.


Edna Young was the first black


woman to enlist in the regular Navy and later the first black woman to achieve the rank of chief petty officer. Young joined the Navy after the passage of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act July 7, 1948.


In December 1996, Adm. J. Paul


Reason became the first black naval officer to wear four stars and assumed command of the Atlantic Fleet, comprising nearly 200 warships, 1,400 aircraft, and 122,000 service men


Thanks to VA’s new GI Bill®


Comparison Tool, you can now find information online about Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and the schools and training programs available to education beneficiaries.


Before this tool launched,


estimating how much beneficiaries may receive under the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit was challenging. Many beneficiaries provided this feedback to our GI Bill Facebook page. The new comparison tool makes it easy


Navy History FROM PAGE 1


to estimate Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits with just one click.


In addition, you can find and


compare information on our 10,000+ approved education and training programs, including estimated tuition and fee amounts and your projected housing allowance. Also available are each school’s graduation rate, student loan default rate, and Yellow Ribbon participation. Together, the GI Bill benefit estimator and school comparison information enable students to compare education options and make the best decision for their future.


Also, for the first time, VA is


publicly releasing information about the number of students receiving VA education benefits at a particular school. Through the online comparison tool, students can now see how many Veterans attend the school of their choice. In the future, VA will add additional functionality to the tool, including the ability to compare up to three schools side-by-side.


and women based at 18 major shore facilities.


Vice Adm. Michelle Howard is


recognized for many first accomplish- ments, including the recognition as the first female United States Naval Academy graduate to be promoted to the rank of admiral, the first black female to command a combatant ship, and the first black female promoted to two-star and three-star admiral. She has also been confirmed by the Senate to serve as Vice Chief of Naval Operations, the service's No. 2 uniformed officer. She will be the first black and first woman to hold the job and the first female four-star admiral.


These outstanding examples of African-American Sailors are just a handful of those marking history with firsts and distinguishing the Navy as a force for freedom and equality.


African-Americans continue to


serve with distinction, now comprising more than 17 percent of our active duty Navy total force end-strength. Sailors and their commands are encouraged to use this month to celebrate and recognize the exceptional and distinctive contributions and the unique histories and cultures that our African-American shipmates bring to our Navy.


Norfolk Public Library recognizes


African-American History Month February 2014


• African Storytelling


•Historical Reenactments • Gospel Concerts • Steel Drum Demos


• Dance Workshops & more!


Go to www.npl.lib.va.us/AAHM for a complete list of events and a booklist.


All NPL events are free and open to the public.


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