BEAUTY WITHIN ~ TEEN ESTEEM ™

This event was part of the Campaign for the Culture, a holistic initiative that brings together, empowers, educates, and involves people of color and other targeted communities in discussions about vital healthcare and human rights issues related to tobacco use. The goal is to motivate young members of the community to steer clear of tobacco or to quit using it altogether.

A new feature-length documentary on Black singer, minister, activist, and organizer Carl Bean has opened today at the Laemmle NoHo Theater in North Hollywood and will play there through next Thursday. "I WAS BORN THIS WAY."

It's Not a Performance Review Hey everyone! You know that moment when your parents say they have a parent-teacher conference scheduled? Your stomach might drop. You might worry you're about to get called out for that one late assignment or that you're going to hear a bunch of bad news. Here's the truth: A conference isn't a gripe session  or a final judgment on your worth as a student. It's a meeting between three people— you, your parents, and your teacher —who all want the same thing: for you to crush it in class and feel good about your education. The secret to a successful meeting is preparation! Tip 1: Prep Your Highlights & Headaches List Don't go into the meeting blind. Before your parents even leave, sit down and make a quick list. The Highlights (What's Going Well?): Are you getting A's in history? Did you nail that big science project? Write down your wins. It reminds everyone that you're capable. The Headaches (What's Hard?):...

Photo courtesy of the net.  The article, written by Paige Shoemaker DeMio and published on June 16, 2025, discusses the dangers of extreme heat for students and schools, especially in light of the last school year being the hottest on record. Children are particularly susceptible to heat-related illnesses and long-term health issues like asthma, heart disease, and diabetes, which can also disrupt their learning and development. Many school buildings, particularly in low-income and rural areas, are old and lack adequate heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. This leaves students vulnerable to extreme heat and poor air quality. The funding cuts from the Trump administration have impacted schools' ability to address these issues, including the abrupt rescinding of over $2.5 billion in COVID-19 relief funds that were used for HVAC upgrades. Proposed budget cuts also threaten programs for air quality monitoring and energy-efficient systems. There is a drastic need fo...

The teenage years are a whirlwind of change – physical, emotional, and social. It's a time of incredible growth, but also a time when self-esteem can take a hit. Social media, academic pressures, and the constant search for identity can all contribute to feelings of inadequacy and insecurity. So, what can teens do to boost their self-esteem? Focus on Strengths: Encourage teens to identify and celebrate their talents and accomplishments, big or small. Cultivate Healthy Habits: Exercise, proper nutrition, and enough sleep all play a crucial role in mental and emotional well-being. Practice Self-Compassion: Teach teens to be kind to themselves, to acknowledge their mistakes without self-criticism, and to learn from setbacks. Build Strong Relationships: Positive relationships with family, friends, and mentors provide a strong support system. Limit Social Media Comparison: Encourage mindful social media use and help teens understand that curated online lives rarely reflect reality. F...

In actuality, young voters find it more difficult to find out about elections, schedule time to cast a ballot, and even to be aware that they are taking place. Knowing the power of voting, we strive to make election and voting information as accessible as possible, while also acknowledging the obstacles that younger voters must overcome. We are meeting young Americans on social media, where more than 40% of them get their news. Young people's voices count, so we want them to understand the importance of voting. And we'll be right there on Instagram if that's how we contact them! Young people show up to vote when they are equipped with the necessary knowledge. The pudding has the proof. Trends over the last ten years indicate that the number of young voters has increased; the highest young voter participation occurred in the 2018 midterm elections, and the second-highest in the 2022 midterm elections. In addition, initiatives that young people are strongly committed to have ...