My Global Hustle

My homey Denise Gomes read my blog about “Donating to Charity” and (in true Denise fashion) decided to add her 2 cents. Denise provided some very informative feedback and hopefully you will find this information useful too. Miss Gomes is truly a force within the philanthropic world. I’m lucky to have her as my buddy… 🙂

Check out her feedback…..

~ YG

Here is some additional advice to assist you in your charitable endevors…..

To research your selected nonprofit, go to http://charitynavigator.org/ and search for your organization. The site offers detailed reports on the financial health and organizational efficiency of your chosen cause.

Another useful site is Give.org. However, Charity Navigator is more user friendly and allows you to do organizational comparisons.

You may also want to donate on a family member or friend’s behalf (i.e., make a tribute gift). I recently donated a sheep to a poor farmer in Africa on behalf of my best friend. She loved it! Check out the following sites to make tribute gifts.

https://www.oxfamamericaunwrapped.com
http://www.globalgiving.com/gifts/index.html

One more thing, I disagree with “if you have never heard of the charity, DON’T donate to it.” I recommend researching the organization first.There are a lot of well known nonprofit brands that spend a great deal on marketing and branding. However, they are not necessarily the best at fulfilling their mission.

At the same time, there are a number of nonprofits that are well-respected within the nonprofit community for their program effectiveness, financial management and innovative program models that are relatively unknown to the general public.

I recommend checking out the following lesser-known but highly respected organization:

Scojo Foundation: http://www.scojofoundation.org/

Scojo is one of my favorite orgs because it’s has a very innovative model for tackling Global Poverty. Check out how Scojo empowers people and makes them social entrepreneurs.

Happy Donating,

Denise

Filed under: Guest Bloggers, Philanthropy by !YG
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HAPPY 2007…….

I wish Peace and Blessings to you and your family!

How did YG spend New Year’s Eve? He must have attended some fabulous soiree in an exotic location…… NOPE! Sorry to disappoint U guys, but I was working last night. My colleagues and I managed to have fun despite all the drunkards loitering in and out of the telly.

2006 was “The Rebirth of Cool” and the motto for 2007 is “Dreams Come TRUE!” We will continue to travel to sensational locales that will titillate your senses. I’m hoping that some of you might join me on a couple excursions this year, so be ready if I call your #. I’ve already mapped out where I’ll be sipping Perrier Jouet Christmas ’07 and New Year’s 2008. (just think tropical)

As you spend the day recovering from that hangover, cuddling with a loved one, or wondering Y such and such is lying next to U… Just remember to ask yourself: What New Challenges will I tackle in 2007?

Paz,

YG

Filed under: YG Flicks...A Bon Vivants Life by !YG
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Black Maestro chronicles the life of Jimmy Winkfield, legendary horse jockey and 2 time Kentucky Derby winner (1901 & 1902 and the lastAfrican-American to  win the Derby). He amassed more than 2500 wins before retiring from racing. Many of you know that I’m huge fan of biographies and this book truly “took the cake”. During an era when Jack Johnson was knocking dudes out, Jimmy Winkfield was making a name for himself on the racing circuit. Eventually, Jimmy was driven out of the US horse racing business by Jim Crow laws, Player Haters , and his love for horses.

So guess where Mr. Winkfield ends up? In Russia…... Now think about that…. It’s the early 20th century and this black man ends up in Russia and has success of legendary proportion. Jimmy eventually became fluent in Russian and Polish, lived the opulent life in Moscow, and destroyed his competition on the race track. Mr. Winkfield needless to say was a BOSS, who dined with Czars and aristocrats alike. (truly YG)

 This story becomes even more interesting once the Russian regime was overthrown by the Bolsheviks. As a result of the revolt, Jimmy lost everything and was forced into exile and left destitute….. Exciting right? Jimmy exhibited true resilience by regrouping in Poland/France and rising back to the top……

Then came WWII…….., U will have to read that part yourself.. 🙂

~YG

Filed under: Books by !YG
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Filed under: Photography My Passion by !YG
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