How to Shift Gears in Your Career and Reach Success through Your New Mission in Life

Earlene Hancock is one of the most supportive persons I have had the honor of networking with in the world of social media. This "Inspiring Sister of Social Media" just oozes integrity and proactive advocacy.

She is a brilliant woman who knows just about everything you want to know about progressive politics. Whenever, I have a question on the political or social scene she is my go to read on the issues.

Ms. Hancock doesn't mince words or tolerate reactionary behavior. Whether she is weighing in on the positions of the President or Congress she brings sharp savvy political analysis to others on the social media networks.

Kamau: Hey Earlene How can women and people in general reach success through their divine purpose and professional goals?

Earlene Hancock: In April, I celebrate my 20th year in real estate. In 1994, I owned a Christian bookstore and gift shop, for which we were unable to obtain SBA funding. The reason given was that the SBA had to "maintain the separation between church and state".

I inquired if we had left out the word "Christian" and merely called it "Chapter & Verse Books & Gift Shoppe" would we have been approved? The response: "Oh, absolutely!"

After a 2 year struggle in trying to keep the business afloat, it became apparent that it was time for me to return to the workforce. I was looking for a management position (business development) and a friend was an executive assistant to the CEO of Ohio's largest real estate brokerage, at that time, encouraged me to come in and have lunch. Long story short, he made me an offer I could not refuse and I reluctantly entered the alien world of selling.

Reluctantly, because as many of you hold a certain perception about real estate agents, I had those same prejudices. Some fast-talking, wheeler-dealer was not who I was and 20 years later, I still am not. When I accepted the generous offer to join that brokerage, I made a vow that this would not just be a career, it would be a mission.

My mission was to make sure that all buyers and sellers, particularly African Americans, who had been systematically 'abused' in one way or another by the industry, would be treated with the highest regard and would be educated about the home buying and selling process, to the very best of my ability.  I was determined to be their advocate and I'm very pleased to say that those same goals are at the core of how I conduct my business today.

It is also very personally rewarding that I've garnered the respect of my fellow real estate agents, and have maintained an impeccable reputation for which I'm extremely proud. There have been numerous times where I've been involved in transactions with newer agents who, at the close of the sale, have expressed their sincere gratitude for my willingness to help them when they'd stumble.

Several have encouraged me to open my own shop and have said they would not hesitate to put their license with me ~ which is high praise and very humbling.  With the onset of the Housing Crisis of 2008, the past few years have been 'challenging' ~ nevertheless, my focus has remained constant: Put the client first, always. 
Conduct business in the highest ethical manner with unquestioned integrity. When that happens, success follows.

Thank you, Earlene Williams Hancock, Realtor Howard Hanna Real Estate Services Mayfield Village, Ohio
https://www.facebook.com/pages/EARLENE-HANCOCK-REALTOR/190058604340?ref=hl

Back to Kamau - This is a lesson ALL business people should take to heart.  "Put the client 1st - always and conduct business in the highest ethical manner with unquestioned integrity. When that happens, success follows." Great insights Earlene!

About the Publisher of Kamau's Qu!ps

Kamau's Qu!ps is Published by Kamau Austin. Kamau is a popular Blogger, Writer, and Internet Marketing Professional helping small businesses grow more profitable businesses online. If you need web design, blogging, search engine or social media promotion contact him at Search Engine Plan

Write a New Chapter in the 4th Quarter of Your Life

Cassandra Mack on Writing a New Chapter in Your Life

Today to celebrate Women's Heritage Month I wanted to Share the Insights of one of my favorite women to follow online - Cassandra Mack. I call her C'Mack and she is an "Inspirational Sister of Social Media" par excellence.

To those of us who follow her in social media we are both enlightened and entertained with her humor and insightful wit. I enjoy reading her savvy and sassy writings every day on Facebook and LinkedIn.  I've always felt she is a rare talent. Cassandra has a number of books available and is a prolific author.

Below is a very inspirational video for people who feel like life has just not worked out the way we planned. How many of us honestly feel this way?

Do you feel that you would have liked to be further along in life? Cassandra "goes in" on this subject in her unique and dynamic way.  You may feel you are in your 4th and last quarter in life but C'Mack reminds us "where there is life there is possibility."

According to Cassandra If you have your health you can make those 4th quarter changes. This video is about making those timely and urgent 4th Quarter Changes. Check it out...

My Interview with Cassandra Mack below...

Kamau: Cassandra How can women and people in general reach success through their divine purpose and personal goals?

Cassandra Mack: Here's how I see it: I believe that women can become successful through their divine purpose and personal goals by first having a vision for their lives and doing something each day, no matter how small that moves them in the direction of their purpose and vision.

I think it's also important to connect with positive people who are supportive of your dreams and vision.

Kamau: Cassandra can you tell us how you deal with social challenges and adversity like sexism, racism, lack of capital or getting good mentors?

Cassandra Mack: Speaking for myself, I can't say that I have overcome sexism or racism because these issues are still very present, but I look at these things in terms of reflecting on what women who have come before me have done to keep rising and reaching their goals no matter the obstacles.

So even when I am faced with obstacles, for me it's about moving around or above the obstacles by looking for other avenues. So if one door closes then another one will open, I just have to persist until another door opens.

Cassandra also writes
Powerful Books for Men 

As far as capital, I think that in this day and age you often have to raise your own, whether it's through a product or another service that you add to your business. C'Mack's advice to women is "don't let the fact that you are a woman stop you from fully pursuing your dreams."

And last but not least, believe in yourself, don't give up and network. To learn more about Cassandra's Strategies visit Cassandra Mack's website or to order her books Click Here for Strategies for Empowered Living

About the Publisher of Kamau's Qu!ps

Kamau's Qu!ps is Published by Kamau Austin. Kamau is a popular Blogger, Writer, and Internet Marketing Professional helping small businesses grow more profitable businesses online. If you need web design, blogging, search engine or social media promotion contact him at Search Engine Plan

How to Overcome Depression, Thoughts of Suicide, and Eventually Embrace Success

Cassandra James

March is Women's Heritage Month.  I am honored to showcase the successful insights for some of the most extraordinary and "Inspiring Sisters of Social Media" that I have had the pleasure of meeting over the years.

Today I am sharing the insights of Cassandra James, a promising writer, educator, coach, and entrepreneur who at one time was so depressed over a relationship (that ended badly) that she contemplated suicide.  Only a timely and perhaps divine intervention gave her pause and redirected her from ending her life.

 (Please note: if you are having thoughts of suicide call 911 or contact a mental health professional right away).

Similar to Tina Turner, Ms. Cassandra James found Spiritual grounding in the practices of Buddhism. A lot of her present outlook is informed with the insights of this Spiritual philosophy.

You can hear the whole account of Cassandra's bout with depression and suicidal thoughts to emerge a successful speaker, author, educator, and coach in the television show "Over the Hump" video below...

I asked Cassandra how women can reach success through their divine purpose and personal goals? I also asked her to reflect in terms of your unique experiences on being successful and overcoming obstacles like sexism, racism, lack of business capital, the need for mentors, etc.

Kamau: How women can reach success through their divine purpose and personal goals?

Cassandra James: LOVE this question! We need a return to the VERY basics, Kamau. I was born a woman but was not taught to appreciate and cultivate feminine energy. Women are so steeped in victim consciousness that we can’t transform the world even though we are the nurturers of life!

Gender is not happenstance; an appreciation of feminine energy builds self-esteem, clarity of purpose, and equality through appreciation of the complementary strengths of yin and yang. We have been taught that femininity is about etiquette, looks, and/or wardrobe when scholarship in the divine feminine teaches traits like compassion, self-awareness, authenticity are just some of the virtues that lead to wholeness as a woman.

Some resent the role of nurturer because in their mind it has become synonymous with self-sacrifice; so let me put it this way. If you aspire to be in business, what is one of the FIRST things any marketing consultant will ask - who is your target audience? Self-awareness can help you clarify your market niche. When your business grows, what virtue will help you develop customer loyalty?

Compassion helps you relate to others so you are engaged in building relationships and not just ‘selling.’ All the thought leader wisdom of the day is about creating value and sharing it with the world. Building a life and a business is a spiritual journey. Developing our humanity is not something we do because it is ‘nice’ or ‘right’ there are very practical and tangible benefits that come from drawing from a philosophy of developing our humanity; in the process of our changing ourselves we change the world.

Kamau: I totally agree. I think women have natural gender characteristics that can make many of them very successful in their professional careers. Can you tell us about some unique experiences and challenges you've had to over come like sexism, racism, lack of capital, or finding mentors, etc? 

Cassandra James:  Unique experiences on being successful and overcoming obstacles like sexism, racism, lack of business capital, the need for mentors, etc. I can’t say I believe in sexism and racism as much as I do classism. Even so, with the advent of the internet I have become tremendously resourceful with getting the information I need to overcome this. I study voraciously.

There is a term in Buddhism called Bodhisattva, one of its translations is “one who has become a master at life.” Studying cause and effect has trained me in understanding the root cause of phenomenon.

As a result I feel less hindered by a lack of capital; it does slow me down but it does not make me give up. Perseverance is probably one of the greatest virtues of all because there is only one way to develop confidence and that is by overcoming obstacles; they aren't always resolved overnight.

Mentors are paramount and I do not want for them. I get guidance from senior leaders in faith; I coach as well as receive coaching. I am inspired by biographies of Andrew Carnegie, Rodney Dangerfield, Bob Proctor, and more.

I read titles like “The Millionaire Mind” so I am in training in the energy of money, the use of money, trends in moneymaking, the mindset of the wealthy and the poverty-stricken.

More on Cassandra James

Book by Cassandra James
Order Her Book

BIO Born in Jersey City and a graduate of Seton Hall University, Cassandra has worked in the legal and Information Technology industries as an employee and entrepreneur. She believes "Turning poison into medicine is what it is all about. She reveals she "needed years of study in Nichiren Buddhist philosophy to help me out of the pity party and mindset of victim consciousness that had become my life experience." 

Having suffered through a turbulent relationship within her single parent household, in the early 2000s Cassandra was estranged from family and severely depressed from a sudden, traumatic romantic breakup. Vacillating between thoughts of suicide and revenge, Cassandra went on the Web to research how to increase her intuition as a defense mechanism.

It was then that she came across the Buddhist concept of The Ten Worlds. It was the best explanation of human behavior she had ever encountered. In time she came to realize wisdom was the healing balm she needed.

No longer a victim, she seems life's obstacles as a great source of benefit. Empowered by this new core philosophy Cassandra has set out to help others understand the power that exists in their life for healing and transformation one life at a time.

Cassandra has published "How to Go from BooHoo to WooHoo in 90 Days," You can Order Her Book by Clicking Here She also and launched a public speaking career with a vengeance. In her mind there is nothing sadder than suffering because of a lack of wisdom.

She is also a member of the Soka Gakkai (Value Creation Society) International, a United Nations non-governmental organization where she works on community projects to empower and enlighten others locally and internationally.

About the Publisher of Kamau's Qu!ps

Published by Kamau Austin. Kamau is a popular Blogger, Writer, and Internet Marketing Professional helping small businesses grow more profitable businesses online. If you need web design, blogging, search engine or social media promotion contact him at Search Engine Plan.com

Empowering with Diversity An Inspiring Sista of Social Media Cheryl Cofield

Diversity Expert Cheryl Cofield

I wanted to end Women's Heritage Month (the term Women's History Month is such an oxymoronic contradiction in terms) on a HIGH note!  I am blessed to have met some of the most dynamic and positive women in the world through social media and therefore want to highlight the efforts of these AMAZING Women. 

Today I am showcasing the excellent work of an "Inspiring Sista of Social Media" Cheryl Cofield. Cheryl is a highly sought after keynote speaker, diversity strategist and culture expert, as well as an attorney. She worked for a number of years at Wal-mart, where she worked in the compliance, HR innovation and diversity arenas.  Also Cheryl over the years has given me some inspiring insights on my life and career.  She has a heart of gold for helping people of diverse backgrounds.


Recently Cheryl has been working on helping make work environments more supportive and affirming for introverts. I'm naturally an introvert so I am truly appreciative of her efforts.

She is working with Georgia Institute of Technology, to make it a more positive work environment for introverts.  To give a more clear understanding of how work environments may hinder introverts Cheryl explains in a recent Psychology Today Interview "Many working environments are unknowingly designed for extroverts because theirs is the dominant style in Western culture. In order to foster a culture that welcomes, enables, and affirms introverts at Georgia Tech, we are developing introvert-friendly hiring processes and procuring “job aids” to enhance introverts’ ability to thrive in the workplace."

Too understand more about introverts and how much of our population have this characteristic Psychology Today explains "... 16 - 50 percent of the population consists of introverts, who get their energy from having “alone time.” Careers promoting introvert’s strength include scientists, writers and artists, although television personalities David Lettermen and Barbara Walters are self-proclaimed introverts. Introverts enjoy spending time alone or in small groups of people, but may get overwhelmed in new situations or in large groups of people. They prefer to focus on one task at a time and observe a situation before jumping in." For more of a break down of the charactistics of an introvert Click Here

For professionals or entrepreneurs who are natural introverts her insights into helping them may make you more successful and productive. I didn't realize until I read her article in Psychology Today, how intricate and complex being an introvert in an office environment could be and more importantly I am impressed with how we can be supported to be more successful.

In this regard, Cheryl is doing some pioneering work in helping introverts to be more productive and comfortable in the workplace.  Hopefully her insights will be modeled in other work environments.  Thanks Cheryl for thinking of the introverts in the world! 

Checkout her Full article on helping introverts in Psychology Today.

About the Publisher of Kamau's Qu!ps

Published by Kamau Austin. Kamau is a popular Blogger, Writer, and Internet Marketing Professional helping small businesses grow more profitable businesses online. If you need web design, blogging, search engine or social media promotion contact him at Search Engine Plan.com

Thank You Peeps for Helping Us Reach Our 1st Thousand Page Views!

Thank you peeps! I started this New Kamau's Qu!ps Blog not long ago and have received my 1st Thousand Page views. I know that's not a lot but it's a start and I truly thank you for springboarding my success.

God has been leading me to breakout of the search engine and social media box and stop being a slave to their algorithms. Algorithms on Google and Social Media Sites limit the amount of exposure you can have to reach an audience.

You can have thousands of friends, followers, and fans on social media sites but you'll only reach 5% of them at a time.  So I was being held back.  It is time to break free and create platforms of my own or work more with platforms that want you to make money like eBay and Amazon.

Life is all about growth and change and I am thankful you've come along to share a little in this sojourn in life with me. Again I am truly grateful to you.

Play Your Natural Position in Life

The UnStoppable DJ Soaring over Opponents

Sometimes you can have ALL the Heart, Commitment, and Talent in the World but are Playing the Wrong Position in life.  And this is especially the case in new fields of endeavor. 

When you play the wrong position you'll never reach your FULL Potential. But all isn't lost...

...Especially if we learn from our mistakes.  When we get into a new endeavor it is important to know the rules of the Game.  Now we may think we know the rules of the game by using our simple observation.

However since we are in a new endeavor we may really not know all the rules to the game. One of the best ways to know the rules of the game is to reach out to get a successful consultant, coach, or trainer in a field of endeavor to help us (these are sometimes called mentors).

They know the rules of the game much more than we do.  Obviously, you want to reach out to people with a lot more expertise than you have to coach, train, or consult with you.

Sometimes just learning to play the proper position can mean ALL the difference in our success in a new endeavor. It is important to understand our weaknesses and play to our strengths in life or in any endeavor.

To give you an example I was very driven to want to be a professional basketball player when I was going up.  I would workout running in the morning, doing strength building exercises, and play 3 to 5 hours of basketball a day.

My favorite basketball icons were people like Connie Hawkins, Dr. J, Larry Kenon, David Thompson, and forwards like that in the NBA (I know I'm dating myself).  I tried to pattern my game like these NBA greats. This would have been fine I guess except these were guys who were at least 6'6" and up and I was only 5'10". If I were 6'7" or taller maybe this would have been feasible - but I was not!

In hindsight I put a lot of my efforts into jumping high, boxing out, and backing people under the basket to shoot like a much taller and larger player.  As you can image I wasn't very successful. But what did I know as a 14 year old who had just become enthralled with the game of basketball?  I really needed a savvy insider of the game of basketball to school me.

Plus I started playing basketball in 8th grade. Most of the really good players were playing basketball in 3rd grade so a coach would have been essential to help me fast track my development and perhaps catch up to people who started earlier.  

Moreover, I noticed guys my height who put more focus on dribbling the basketball, shooting from the outside, and driving to the basket and passing the ball off went much further in the sport.  I also notice where I was playing street ball the guys my height who got into college basketball were on organized teams playing and being coached.

Obviously if I had a coach he would have pointed out to me my focus needs to be on playing guard (a position for the shortest but quickest guys on the court) and not forward for guys much taller and stronger. But I also would have had to be coachable to accept the direction of a coach and be willing to change my game.

To be honest being in a team sport that was unpredictable probably wasn't my strongest suit. However, at least having a coach or a mentor would have changed my direction -  I'm sure and I would have enjoyed a better result of my efforts.  When you're starting a new endeavor make sure you reach out for help from people who have expertise in this new field. 

In short, Learn the rules of the game and also play a position that well suits you.  BTW I help people who are want to make more money with an online business. If you need coaching in this regard contact me by visiting my site Search Engine Plan

(c) 2014 Kamau Quips by Kamau Austin All Rights Reserved!

  

Isn't Women's History Month like an Oxymoronic Contradiction in Terms?

I think Women's History Month Sounds like an Oximoronic Contradiction. That's why I'm calling it "Women's Heritage Month."  I love and appreciate the women in my life so I want to help contribute to celebrating their tremendous sacrifices this month in my own special way.

Stay Tuned as I Showcase Inspiring Sisters of Social Media this month. These are women who have been an inspiration to me over the years in my sojourn in social media.

These ladies are making major contributions in their families, places of worship, and society only as women can.  In the next coming weeks we will be hearing what they have to say about some of the following issues and subject matter.

They will be sharing their unique experiences on being successful and overcoming obstacles like sexism, racism, lack of business capital, etc.

They will also talk about the need for mentors, better relationships, mental and also physical wellness or health.  These are women making it happen and also making the world a better place. These Sisters of Social Media promise to be very inspirational.

Jeff Foxx from WBLS Interviews Music Impresarios On Giving a "Tribute to the Ladies"

Renowned Radio Personality Jeff Foxx, of WBLS fame, has just recently interviewed two outstanding music impresarios Charles Morais and Skip Boardley, Jr., formerly of the legendary Crown Heights Affair. They talk about how they were inspired to create "Tribute to the Ladies." "Tribute to the Ladies" is a provocative single which affirms the tremendous contributions of women. 

This is obviously a great song to talk about especially during Women's Heritage Month (isn't Women's History Month an oxymoron LOL!).

Check out their insightful Interview below. Just give it a few seconds to load...

Check Out Entertainment Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with The Jeff Foxx Radio Show on BlogTalkRadio

More about Charles Morais and Skip Boardley Jr

Visit Charles Morais Music

Queens, New York - March 13th, 2014 - A significant number of music fans, especially women, express their concerns that too often in today’s youth orientated urban music there is much in the lyrics that objectifies and demeans women. However, two veteran music producers are going against these disturbing marginalizing music trends against women of color, and in fact taking the music industry by storm

Skip Broadley Jr., and Charles Morais have worked with some of the top legendary luminaries in music including the Jackson 5, Crown Heights Affair, the Spinners, the Commodores, and Kool & the Gang just to name a few. Morais, also has contributed to a body of music with his diverse music skills and talents. He in fact wrote the dance classic “Body Music” which was on Prelude Records.

Morais also played keyboards for the Strikers. He is a former keyboard player with the pioneering and legendary Crown Heights Affair. Charles is furthermore a former keyboardist for Made in USA, formerly signed to Delete Records.

These two established music industry insiders are now collaborating on independent musical expressions and “Tribute to the Ladies” is their 1st single created to affirm and lift up women. Many in the industry ask what better way to start a musical venture than to create a song that celebrates the women in our lives?

“Affirming women is definitely going against the grain in contemporary urban music and promises to rock the music industry because women buy a great deal of music but ironically are often disrespected” opines Kamau Austin, a popular social media writer and blogger. Austin feels we need more music industry celebrities and creative geniuses like Skip Broadley Jr., and Charles Morais, to “stand up” and create positive and loving music about women the way they have done.

“The lyrics for “Tribute to the Ladies,” just came to me in the studio” reveals Skip Broadley Jr., the lead vocalist of this future R&B classic. “It was as if the words flowed down from the divine presence above - into me” adds Broadley.

“Just think about the women who have helped you in your life” chimes in Charles Morais the composer for “Tribute to the Ladies.” He subsequently asks “where would we be without the women in our lives like our Grandmothers, mothers, sisters, daughters, wives and other female loved ones?” Morais credits his mom with inspiring him to become proficient in music sending him to piano and music lessons at a very young age.

Checkout the Tribute to the Ladies Video below...

Tribute to the Ladies, is certainly an artistic expression that digs deep into our soulful love and appreciation of all women and women of color. Charles Morais and Skip Broadley Jr, the collaborators, creators and producers of this uplifting single, came up with both the lyrics and melody of this elegant song.

Both men have extensive and distinguished backgrounds in the music industry. Charles Morais was born and raised in Brooklyn New York. At age six his mother enrolled him into classical piano lessons. At this age he began to learn musical fundamentals.

At age 13 he started to play with several local bands in the area, because in those days there were bands on every block. At that time he enjoyed the rich eclectic and diverse blends of music being played by these bands. Charles also gives special thanks to his mentor, teacher, and personal friend jazz pianist Bill O’ Conell.

Skip Boardley – was born and raised in Delaware.  He has worked with Arthur Conley (“Sweet Soul Music”). Skip also performed with Willie Feaster and the Concrete Wall and also Lloyd Price. He is also the former lead vocalist and writer for the legendary Delite Recording Group “Crown Heights Affair.” He has written songs for the R&B group Enchantment. Boardley performed on stage with the Jackson 5, Spinners, Commodores, Kool & the Gang, and Con Funk Shun to name a few.

You've Come a Long Way to Perfection!

Hey Lupita you now have the perfect accessory to go with your million dollar beauty and gorgeous gown! I remember when very few people knew about you. But your fans who believed in your genuine spirit and acting aplomb made sure the world was going to stand up and notice!

Social media really had an important part to play in your rise to prominence no doubt, along with your exceptional fashion sense and style gracing the covers of major magazines and the media.  You are the epitome of grace, style, and are certain eye candy.  Chocolate eye candy at that!

As I said in a previous post: I believe this film "12 Years a Slave," is one that needs to be seen by all members of the viewing public. This picture rubs a little raw with certain audiences on both sides of the equation.

Mainstream conservatives don't want to deal with the subject matter and some educated or "conscious" Blacks are anxious about the portrayal of Blacks always in less than flattering roles winning Oscars in Hollywood.

After the Oscar buzz is over I hope you get a comprehensive list of movie parts other than just slave and similar roles.  I want to see you in other parts also casted in a hot romance or as the resourceful hot girl friend.

I want to see you in a plethora of expansive roles.  I'm encouraged that you are also in a new movie coming up recently too called Non-Stop I saw in a trailer.  You can view the trailer here.

If she gets typecast as the slave girl or demeaning roles consistently in Hollywood I'm gonna be pissed off towards the industry.

Message to Hollywood, don't typecast Lupita in one dimensional roles! She deserves more!  Kudos to you Lupita a job well done!  

Bio of Lupita Nyong'o

Lupita is Stunning in
 Bright Colored Dresses

Nyong'o was born in Mexico City, Mexico, to Dorothy and Peter Anyang' Nyong'o, a politician in Kenya. It is a Luo tradition to name a child after the events of the day, so her parents named her Lupita (a diminutive of "Guadalupe," Our Lady of Guadalupe).

She is of Luo descent and is the second of six children. Her father was the former Kenyan Minister for Medical Services.

At the time of Lupita's birth, he was a visiting lecturer in political science at El Colegio de Mexico in Mexico City,and her family had been living in Mexico for three years.  Nyong'o moved back to Kenya with her parents when she was less than one year old, when her father was appointed a professor at the University of Nairobi.

She grew up primarily in Kenya, and describes her upbringing as "middle class, suburban". At age sixteen, her parents sent her back to Mexico for seven months, to learn Spanish.

During those seven months, Nyong'o lived in Taxco, Mexico, and took classes at Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico's Learning Center for Foreigners. In 2013, her father was elected to represent Kisumu County in the Kenyan Senate.

Nyong'o's mother is currently the managing director of the Africa Cancer Foundation and her own communications company. Her cousin Tavia Nyong'o is a scholar and professor at New York University.

In 2012, her older cousin, Isis Nyong'o, was named one of Africa's most powerful women by Forbes magazine.

Her uncle, Aggrey Nyong'o, was a prominent Kenyan physician, killed in a road accident in 2002.

Nyong'o currently resides in Brooklyn, New York. She is fluent in English, Spanish, Swahili, and her native Luo. On February 27, 2014, at the Essence Black Women In Hollywood luncheon in Beverly Hills, Lupita gave a speech on black beauty.

Lupita talked about a letter she received from a young fan who stated she was unhappy with herself until she saw the actress on the cover of a magazine. In her speech Lupita talked about the insecurities she had about herself as a teenager; growing up as a dark skinned black girl, women that looked like her were barely portrayed in the media and when they were, they not deemed as being beautiful.

She states that, her views about herself changed when she saw South Sudanese supermodel Alek Wek become successful. I wish her great success in her career and at the Oscars voting tonight!

Ms. Lupita You're Almost Perfect

Lupita Arrives for the Oscars Tonight

Dear Ms. Lupita you look AMAZING. You look Almost perfect except you're missing one thing. An Oscar in your hand will be the perfect accessory to your beauty. I wanna see an Oscar in yo hand yung thang tonight!

I think you are doing a good job of showcasing the natural beauty of Black women every where Ms. Fashionista! I hope other sistas are inspired more about their natural beauty.

I believe this film "12 Years a Slave," is one that needs to be seen by all members of the viewing public. This picture rubs a little raw with certain audiences on both sides of the equation.

Mainstream conservatives don't want to deal with the subject matter and some educated or "conscious" Blacks are anxious about the portrayal of Blacks always in less than flattering roles in Hollywood.

After this Oscar buzz is over I hope she gets a comprehensive list of movie parts other than just slave and similar roles.  I want to see her in other parts also casted in a hot romance or as the hot girl friend too.

I want to see her in a plethora of expansive roles.  I'm encouraged that she is also in a new movie coming up recently too called Non-Stop I saw in a trailer.  You can view the trailer at the bottom.

If she gets typecast as the slave girl or ugly roles consistently in Hollywood I'm gonna be pissed off towards Hollywood. Don't mess with my Lupita LOL!  Below is a bio of Lupita courtesy of Wikipedia...

Bio of Lupita Nyong'o

Lupita is Stunning in
 Bright Colored Dresses

Nyong'o was born in Mexico City, Mexico, to Dorothy and Peter Anyang' Nyong'o, a politician in Kenya. It is a Luo tradition to name a child after the events of the day, so her parents named her Lupita (a diminutive of "Guadalupe," Our Lady of Guadalupe).

She is of Luo descent and is the second of six children. Her father was the former Kenyan Minister for Medical Services.

At the time of Lupita's birth, he was a visiting lecturer in political science at El Colegio de Mexico in Mexico City,and her family had been living in Mexico for three years.  Nyong'o moved back to Kenya with her parents when she was less than one year old, when her father was appointed a professor at the University of Nairobi.

She grew up primarily in Kenya, and describes her upbringing as "middle class, suburban". At age sixteen, her parents sent her back to Mexico for seven months, to learn Spanish.

During those seven months, Nyong'o lived in Taxco, Mexico, and took classes at Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico's Learning Center for Foreigners. In 2013, her father was elected to represent Kisumu County in the Kenyan Senate.

Nyong'o's mother is currently the managing director of the Africa Cancer Foundation and her own communications company. Her cousin Tavia Nyong'o is a scholar and professor at New York University.

In 2012, her older cousin, Isis Nyong'o, was named one of Africa's most powerful women by Forbes magazine.

Her uncle, Aggrey Nyong'o, was a prominent Kenyan physician, killed in a road accident in 2002.

Nyong'o currently resides in Brooklyn, New York. She is fluent in English, Spanish, Swahili, and her native Luo. On February 27, 2014, at the Essence Black Women In Hollywood luncheon in Beverly Hills, Lupita gave a speech on black beauty.

Lupita talked about a letter she received from a young fan who stated she was unhappy with herself until she saw the actress on the cover of a magazine. In her speech Lupita talked about the insecurities she had about herself as a teenager; growing up as a dark skinned black girl, women that looked like her were barely portrayed in the media and when they were, they not deemed as being beautiful.

She states that, her views about herself changed when she saw South Sudanese supermodel Alek Wek become successful. I wish her great success in her career and at the Oscars voting tonight!