Ludacris the Philanthropist

One of the many things we love over here at AULYP is philanthropy. We’ve been observing Chris Bridges’ (AKA Ludacris) philanthropic work for quite some time and like what we see. Following the buzz about his work with the 2010 Census and the CDC’s HIV/AIDS awareness campaign targeting the African-American community, we recently learned that he’s giving away a substantial amount of money this week on V-103’s "Frank and Wanda Morning Show" just because.

Luda stays on the move by providing monetary support and donating time in the Atlanta community and beyond. If you haven't heard much about The Ludacris Foundation's work, let us provide an overview. The foundation has donated $500,000 to support grassroots organizations and invested more than 2,500 hours in service to youth across the nation, according to The Ludacris Foundation's facts.

So where is Luda right now? He’s currently in NOLA encouraging residents to complete their 2010 Census form and to mail it back. Next, he's on his way to New York, DC and Atlanta to promote the same message. Great example of community empowerment! Read more ...

President's Pick of the Month - Pearl Restaurant & Lounge

Hello! My monthly post is here to give you a peek into an exciting little gem in our great city each month. It could be a hot new restaurant, a fabulous event, or just something different to try. Either way, I hope my “Pick of the Month” will help you have a new experience in the A. So I thought I’d start with an old favorite on Peters Street, Pearl Restaurant & Lounge. Please don’t confuse it with Pearl Bistro in Southwest Atlanta. Great restaurant, but not the focus today.

If you love seafood, you’re going to thank me for putting you on to this one. It's the sit down restaurant connected to Baltimore Seafood. Lots of people know about Baltimore for their catfish fingers, shrimp, or crab legs, but if you know Baltimore, you know that it’s only a take-out restaurant. The great thing about Pearl is that you can get the same great seafood in a nice atmosphere with great drinks. So the question is what should you eat? I have tons of faves, but let me just give you something to get you started. The catfish fingers are a must try, but if you’re trying to stay away from the fried stuff then I would suggest any of the vegetables. The green beans are fantastic! But I’m a green bean lover from way back. For those nights when you want to be extra healthy, go with a salmon salad. You won’t be disappointed.

There are a couple of other great things about Pearl. First, it stays open late. It’s open ‘til midnight during the week and 2 a.m. on the weekend. Next, they have a great drink menu. Third, and my personal favorite, is the patio. It’s got a great atmosphere with the cushy chairs, fireplace, and bar. All in all a great lounge spot with great food.

So, if you’ve been to Pearl, I say take another visit for old times sake. If you’ve never been, try it, love it, and share it!

Pearl Restaurant & Lounge
253 Peters Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30313

Until next time,
Kendra Read more ...

Our Visit to CDC's "i know" Launch

Robert Bailey II, Dr. Donna Hubbard McCree, Marvelyn Brown, Lyfe Jennings, Jeff Johnson, Jeremih

Marvelyn Brown, Jeremih, Kevin Reeves, Jeff Johnson, Dr. Donna Hubbard McCree

Earlier this month, AULYP visited the launch of the CDC’s new initiative, i know, that provides HIV awareness and prevention tools to young African-Americans and encourages dialogue about the issue. We went behind the scenes and interviewed Jeff Johnson, award-winning journalist, social activist and political commentator and Dr. Donna Hubbard McCree, team lead and behavioral scientist in CDC’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention.

The Kaiser Family Foundation found in a recent survey that the concern about HIV among African-Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 is declining. That's troubling seeing that African-Americans face the most severe rates of HIV and AIDS in the nation. While Blacks make up 12 percent of the U.S. population, they represent nearly half of the 56,000 new HIV infections that occur each year and half of the more than 14,000 AIDS deaths each year.

We spoke directly to Johnson and Dr. McCree to find out why this may be happening and how we as young professionals can help.


According to Dr. McCree, the burdens of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in African-American communities are higher than other communities. Poverty, higher incarceration rates, stigmas and lack of access to care are some of the factors that are contributing to the HIV/AIDS problem in African- Americans. There are economic burdens, stigmas and discrimination issues.

According to Jeff Johnson, “We have to get over whether we have been personally affected by HIV/AIDS, we are all affected by this and a lot of people are blase about it." He also added that people aren’t really shocked by HIV/AIDS anymore because the face of HIV/AIDS is no longer sick. But whether or not the face is still the same, the impact is still the same.

When asked what we as young professionals can do, Dr. McCree said “We know the science. We need your voice.” African-Americans tend to be silent about the issue. Research indicates that the simple act of talking about HIV can help change the course of the epidemic – by reducing stigma, increasing knowledge about HIV prevention, and motivating life-saving behaviors.

Become a part of the solution. Break the silence, begin conversation or take part in existing conversations. For more information on the entire Act Against Aids campaign, visit http://www.actagainstaids.org/ or http://nineandahalfminutes.org/.

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Greetings!

Greetings! AULYP is so excited to relaunch its blog, Urban Talk. With a new logo and interesting topics lined up for the year, we want you to enjoy your experience on each visit. Urban Talk is designed to keep you informed and seeks to provide topics that help you stay balanced. We’re planning to provide insight into social activities, issues of the day and other topics affecting YPs.

Our president, Kendra Shipmon, is debuting her new blog post President’s Pick of the Month.

Do us a favor! Subscribe to our page. Post comments with your opinions. We love interesting conversation.

Thank you for visiting our blog!
~AULYP Read more ...

Your Politics: Cartoon No Laughing Matter

From: The New York Post/AP

Al Sharpton described it as, “troubling at best given the historic racist attacks of African-Americans as being synonymous with monkeys.”

State Senator Eric Adams called it a throwback to the days when black men were lynched.

Col Allan, editor-in-chief of the Post, responded, “The cartoon is a clear parody of a current news event, to wit the shooting of a violent chimpanzee in Connecticut. It broadly mocks Washington’s efforts to revive the economy. Again, Al Sharpton reveals himself as nothing more than a publicity opportunist.”

Now that America has a Black president, he will be criticized and parodied just as those before him. With a Black man holding the highest office in the nation, some may think we have entered a post-racial era. How do we respond to criticisms of the president that may also smell of racism?

John Legend called for a boycott of the New York Post as a response to the cartoon.

The public has called, written, protested and rallied against the newspaper.

The White House has said it’s not even newsworthy.

So, what do you think about the cartoon? Where is the line, and what are our options if we feel that the media has crossed that line? Urban Talk would love to hear what the YPs think!
here is the rest of it. Read more ...

Your Physique: Love Your Heart!

We Heart You!

There are so many things to celebrate this February: Black History Month, Valentine’s Day, Presidents Day (Go Lincoln and Washington!), and Fat Tuesday! But, Urban Talk wants you to mark something else on your calendar this month...February is American Heart Month. Sure, right now we are young, successful, and outrageously attractive, but we have to face the facts:

• Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for African-American males and females age 20 and older.

• African-American women face a greater threat of death from heart disease than women of other races.

• In 2005, African American men were 30% more likely to die from heart disease, as compared to non-Hispanic white men.

Definitely scary, but knowledge is power! Here are some simple things you can do to lower your risk of heart disease:

• Work out at least 30 minutes most days of the week to keep your heart pumping.

• If you smoke, STOP! In Europe, a pack of cigarettes says, “SMOKERS DIE EARLY!” That’s the truth, so kick the habit this month.

• Eat a healthier diet. Sure fried chicken and mac and cheese are great, but save ‘em for the holidays. Enjoy grilled meat and lots of veggies in your everyday diet.

• Get a physical: know your blood pressure, cholesterol levels and BMI, and if any of them are out of whack, talk to your doctor about getting back on track.

Start a healthy lifestyle today! Let that be your Valentine’s Day gift to your loved ones, because they want you around for many more years to come!

For more information visit www.americanheart.org and check out a Toolkit for African Americans here. Read more ...

Your Palette: The Glenwood

Last night in a failed attempt to grab a bite to eat at one of East Atlanta’s trendy restaurants, we stumbled upon The Glenwood. The Glenwood looks average enough, a tavern plain and simple. So I walked in expecting bar food; a hearty burger, maybe some fries. But the menu brought a pleasant surprise, including selections to please ANY palate.

Before I go on, I must admit that I am currently no abstaining from meat. As such, I initially chose tempura vegetables with Cucumber Wasabi Aioli, Sweet Chili, Ginger Soy as an appetizer. Then, I glanced down the menu and found Fried Pickles!! Who can resist fried pickles? Salt and grease, together? Clearly, this is a must have. The best part is they did NOT disappoint. The greasy goodness was made even better when dipped in the dressing, which was reminiscent of ranch: a condiment that makes everything taste even better.

Just as I finished licking my lips and downing my glass of H2O (yeah I’m abstaining from adult beverages too) the entrées arrived. I ordered bowtie pasta in marinara sauce served on a bed of spinach and mushrooms. (The menu has an option of white wine alfredo sauce, but I’m getting healthy remember. You can also add shrimp or chicken). Upon first bite, I was in love. The marinara embodied the full flavor of fresh tomatoes and herbs married beautifully with deliciously sautéed spinach and mushroom. I died and met vegetarian heaven. Or so I thought.

Then I looked across the table and locked eyes with the most beautiful piece of lasagna I’ve ever seen in my life. Smothered in a blanket of cheese, stuffed with vegetables and even more cheese on the inside, I made a beeline to taste it. This hearty lasagna solidified The Glenwood’s place as my favorite new restaurant.

So, you must go. Yeah, I know, Atlanta has tons of swanky, trendy, celebrity restaurants. But, I promise you will not be disappointed if you head to The Glenwood. It satisfied my vegetarian soul, and the menu also had meat galore. From the shrimp or oyster po’ boy to the rack of lamb to the rabbit loin, you meat lovers will be in heaven as well. Wine lovers can savor the wine list; cheese lovers can sample the cheese spread. The Glenwood is the perfect place for a date, dinner with friends, or a business meeting. It’s a must know spot for Atlanta’s Young Professional.

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