Monthly Archives: March 2011

My Biggest Speech Yet

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My Biggest Speech Yet!
I’ve been going since I was a kid.  30 years to be exact.
I was four years old when I first started attending because I was FORCED to.  There were no ifs, ands, or buts about it.  But, as time went on, I found that I truly looked forward to attending and would try to re-arrange my schedule in any way to attend.
I’m talking about the Student Acheivement (formerly known as Black Achievers) Program at Jefferson Community College (now JCTC).  You may question why I’ve attended this event for the most part of 30 years.  No, it hasn’t taken me 30 years to complete a degree.  I’ve been a part of the program for that long because my father, the late Thomas Stephen Yeager, created the program and the Black Affairs Advisory Council at JCC.
I can tell you, though, its a very uplifting ceremony and you hear stories of people that have overcome odds to better themselves and further their education.  The past several years there have been guest speakers and I have taken photos for OnyxLouisville.  But, to my surprise, this year I was asked to play a larger role.  I – Michelle Yeager – am going to be the guest speaker.
At first I was on cloud nine to be asked, but then all of the emotions hit me. Here’s a program founded by my father, that I’ve attended numerous times in the audience, that my mother (and then myself) passed out the T. Stephen Yeager Scholarship at and now they are asking me to be the featured speaker at the 30th Year of the event.  Whoa!!
I think for days before starting to write my speech.  I want to make it just right.  I don’t really know what to say.  Do I write about my personal accomplishments and success?  Do I talk about the great influence my parents were to me and the community?  Do I tell a bunch of knock knock jokes and hope they get it?
I finally figured out which direction to go based on a Facebook message from someone I’ve never met….  I can’t share that email with you right now because it’s the basis of my speech.  But, you’re more than welcome to come and listen to it tonight at 7:00pm at the Student Achievement Program in the new Health Science Building at JCTC.  Although I’ve given plenty of speeches, this one feels like the most important one yet – how do you say THANK YOU to people that mean so much to you?!
March 2011

Neva Gonna Get It

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NaturalHeart  

 Neva Gonna Get It?

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the process of going natural.  An OnyxLouisville reader emailed the following:  “I have been told numerous times by my guy friends that the average Black man does not want a woman with natural hair…and that as long as I am natural, I will be single.”  I wondered if this was true so I did some investigative work.

I talked with some natural females.  One person said that a guy told her “if I wanted to see all that natural ish, I’d go to Africa”.  Another woman was in a longterm relationship with a man and as soon as she cut her hair, he completely left the situation.  Another person enjoyed her natural hair but ended up getting a relaxer because of the pressure from her boyfriend (and they are no longer together).

Some said they the haven’t had any trouble dating since they went natural.  I remember last year we did a “Singled Out” event.  I tabulated all of the matches.  One female had a lot of men interested in her.  I actually looked her up on Facebook to see who she was and she is someone that wears her hair natural in locks.  That was a true indicator that the words love + natural can go together.

The men that commented had one general view.  Many men said they like natural hairstyles that are nicely kept.  One guy said “Men are very visible and I’ve seen some natural hair on woman that looks a hot mess.”  So, it’s more about whether or not it’s natural – it’s more about how you keep it styled.

I also found that men seem to generally prefer long hair (either natural or relaxed).  Many women with natural hair found that as their hair grew longer they started receiving more compliments from men.  The great thing about the people in the discussion is that the majority of the women in the discussion are currently dating, engaged or married!! So love is definitely possible.  Kevin Wigginton summed it up best – “Brothers and Sisters please keep in mind Natural hair is just that Natural. Some of our Sisters have hair that’s Straight, Curly, Kinky, and Wavy. We have to remember not only do we have different shades of beauty but different grades of hair. All of which are Beautiful Naturally. Be proud my Sisters no matter what your hair texture is or the amount melanin that’s in your skin because all of you are beautiful.”

CLICK HERE to read the discussion and give your view

New Growth

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New Growth

Mar 11-3I am a proud member of the Ponytail Nation.  Morning, noon or night you can see me rocking a ponytail.  I’ve been trying to grow out my relaxer since June of last year and it definitely has not been an easy experience.

I thought I was insane when I decided to start the process at the same time as working in the fitness industry full-time.  They seemed counterproductive.  However, it has been a blessing in disguise.  When you’re in sweats all day, people don’t expect you to be made-up and cute.  They don’t care about your hair, they care more about your physique and what you can do to help them.  Nobody skips a beat when your hair is pulled back every day!

I get my hair straightened regularly and boy does it look great when I leave the salon.  However, that look is oh so temporary.  When you teach 10 Zumba classes a week and sweat in each one – it’s pretty much a lost cause.  That’s the awesome thing about being part of the Ponytail Nation.  Brush it (or as much of it as you can), pull it back and you’re good to go.  I can always tell when I’ve had really good workouts because the back of my hair is so nappy and it balls up so tight like it’s holding on for dear life.  As much as I’d like to cut my hair to bob length, I know it wouldn’t work right now because I couldn’t pull it back in a ponytail.  And nobody wants to see a bob with rows and rows of naps that look like Easter eggs all over the White House lawn.

I’m not quite ready to do the “big chop”.  I’m getting closer, but am just not there yet.  We actually almost did it a couple of weeks ago.  However, after further conversation we realized that I wanted long hair for my wedding so the cut has been put on hold again.

Each visit to the salon is a check on the length of the new growth.  You can see by the photo at the top that I’m on my way.  I’ve had some good growth over the past nine months and can definitely see a difference in the natural texture and the relaxed texture.  The more I go through the process, the more I notice the beautiful natural hairstyles of the women in Louisville.  I received a lot of great tips.  I am excited to see how my hair will look when I make that transition.  Time shall tell when locks will drop.

YeagerNewG2

M.Y.  March 2011

Magical Moments

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Magical Moment

Mar 11-2You never know you’re making a difference until you see that you’re truly making a difference!  This past weekend I was invited to speak to a group of young ladies at an event called Magical Moments.  It was organized by Jessica Taylor and Regina Johnson.  They started the buzz about it several months ago with adults.  Everyone was asked to go through their closet and find formal dresses, shoes and accessories that they are no longer wearing.

Part II was finding enough volunteers to assist with the event.  Women signed up to help with registration, sort through the dresses, do makeup and hair and just serve as a voice of inspiration to the young ladies.

The third group of people was the most important – high school ladies were invited to come out FOR FREE – YES FREE and pick out their prom dress and matching accessories.  This is the second year Jessica has put on the event and she had no idea how the turnout would be.  Well, let me tell you – the high schoolers came out.  The looks on their face was simply prices.  In front of them were racks and racks of beautiful dresses. All different shapes, sizes and colors.   They looked like little kids in a candy shop trying to find the perfect one.  You could always tell when they found it because the girl’s face just lit up and beamed.   Some of the girls didn’t even want to take the dress off because they were so in love.

I was surprised when two ladies came up to me.  They participate in our Zumba class at First G.  From head to toe they looked fabulous!  I can’t wait to see their prom pictures and am excited to help get them in shape for their big day!  Over 200 dresses were donated and over 100 high school ladies came out.  The event has grown so much that they will probably need to move to another larger location.  The great thing about this event is that Jessica and Regina did it all on their own.  They didn’t work through a non-profit organization or a business, they did it by themselves because they wanted to make a difference.  Regardless of your status, simple gestures can make a huge effect!  Magical Moments….  Enough said!

M.Y. March 2011

Ring My Bell

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Ring My Bell

Mar 11-1So, last week I talked about the death of my engagement ring and anticipation of being reunited with the new version.  Well, there were dozens of phone calls made.  I was told I would receive the new ring last Friday.  Cool.  Thursday night, though, Milton receives an email stating I will receive it on Tuesday instead?  Excuse me? What happened to Friday, Saturday or Monday?  Once again flustered, Milton calls to look into the situation.

They couldn’t mail it by Friday but now said it would arrive on Saturday via Overnight Saturday delivery.  I was given a tracking number and watched it the entire time.  It left Seattle, Washington Friday at 4:10pm, left FedEx ramp at 7:22pm, arrived in Memphis at 12:55am, left FedEx ramp at 4:40am, arrive in Louisville at 6:27am, on FedEx vehicle at 8:00am.

Now, here’s where it gets tricky!  I teach Zumba classes every Saturday morning from 9:30-10:15am.  I placed several notes on the door asking the delivery person to leave the package at a neighbor’s house.  Before I left, I called FedEx and asked about what time they may come.  I was told that I (not someone else) must be there to sign for the package and that it would be delivered by noon.

So here it is 8:45am.  I know the package is in route and I have to teach a class. What’s a girl to do?!  I waited as late as possible to leave and drove slowly down my street in case a FedEx truck was near. I started Zumba with the wonderful ladies and told them I would need to leave right after class because of my engagement ring dilemma.  Their response was – “What are you doing here?  Go home and wait for it!”  Luckily my right hand lady Jessica was there and stepped in to teach the class.

I ran out the door, into my car and drove quickly home.  Toward the end of my street I saw something that looked like a truck.  As I approached my driveway I saw the FedEx driver pull away!  Luckily I live by a cul-de-sac so the driver had to turnaround.  As she drove toward me I jumped out of my car and jumped up and down for her to stop.  I told her who I was and she said, “Honey, I felt so sorry for you. I saw all the notes you left on your front door so I went on and left it with your neighbor.”  I told her how appreciative I was.  I got the box and drove back to Zumba.  A couple hours later Milton and I met halfway in Seymour, IN.  He opened the box and re-presented me with my engagement ring.  This new ring is absolutely amazing in an emerald cut! Let the wedding planning continue!