For Dreamers, Thinkers and Achievers
By Cheryl Mattox Berry On a recent trip to the mall, I walked by a new play area for children. There were several toddlers playing on a giant turtle. One of the mothers saw her son push another little boy, and she immediately went over to him and told him to “play nice.” How refreshing […]
Continue ReadingBy Cheryl Mattox Berry My heart goes out to the family of a 12-year-old Florida girl who took her life last week because of cyberbullying. Why does this keep happening over and over? The Associated Press estimates there have been about a dozen suicides in the USA over the last three years that can be […]
Continue ReadingThe following speech was given at a graduation for middle school girls participating in Emerging Young Leaders, a national initiative of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. In the fall, these girls will join Pearl Essence, a mentoring program sponsored by Pi Delta Omega Chapter in Miami. By Chanel, 18, Class of 2013 There are six […]
Continue ReadingBy Kennedy, 17, junior People shouldn’t live life with regrets. That sounds so cliché, I know, but it’s true. Living with regrets can just make your life miserable, especially when you’re someone like me. If you over think everything, if you’re constantly analyzing, re-evaluating and feeling guilty, regrets can be your worst nightmare. They hang […]
Continue ReadingBy Cheryl Mattox Berry I’ve watched with pride and amazement as two of my nieces, ages 14 and 16, have grown into confident, opinionated, selfless and respectful young ladies. Why am I surprised? These days, it’s easy to get swept up in a pop culture that worships narcissism, outrageousness and stupidity. How do you maintain […]
Continue ReadingBy Cheryl Mattox Berry Despite your best efforts, sometimes you get a case of the blues. It happens when things aren’t going your way, people let you down or you feel that no matter how hard you try nothing ever changes. Don’t despair; you’re not alone. No one is happy all the time. The key […]
Continue ReadingBy Cheryl Mattox Berry My niece, who attends college in Tennessee, called the other day. We hadn’t spoken in a while, and I was glad to hear her voice. However, I immediately detected something was wrong. Her charming, Southern lilt was flat and sad. I wondered if it was boy trouble, an argument with her […]
Continue ReadingBy Cheryl Mattox Berry Don’t wait for cupid: Be cupid on Valentine’s Day. I hate to see girls eyeing their friend’s swag with envy as they walk home from school empty-handed. If you don’t have a boo this year, you’re not alone. There are lots of boys, girls, men and women who will spend the […]
Continue ReadingBy Cheryl Mattox Berry When I was in sixth grade, my class staged a Christmas pageant. It was written and directed by my teacher, the late Mrs. Bernice Harris, a much sought-after speaker and one of my mentors. I delivered the closing monologue, and the words I recited that day have stuck with me throughout […]
Continue ReadingBy Cheryl Mattox Berry No. Say it. Again. That two-letter word is hard for some people to say regardless of how they feel. It could be that they don’t want to hurt the other person’s feelings or that a no response would make them look like a bad person. Sometimes, it’s okay to say no. […]
Continue Reading