POPCORN, BOOKS & ONE CHILD'S IDEA

There is nothing more rewarding as a parent than watching your children succeed.  When I came across the story about this young man, I immediately reached out to his mom to get more information.

I agreed to do a story on him because I feel that is it so inspirational for other children and is also very empowering for parents.

Sometimes, we try to do everything under the sun to get our kids on the right path.  What I have learned from this particular story, is that if you give a child the right tools and empower them to believe in themselves, anything is possible!

For 10-year old Karter Johnson, reading is his super power.  Karter has been an avid reader since the age of 2! As Karter grew older he continued his love of reading - for him it was like watching a movie without the screen time. One day, Karter shared his concerns with his mom, when a letter was sent to his house by his home-school partnership informing his family, "that if a child was not reading on level by the end of third grade they would not be promoted to the 4th grade." Karter’s mom, was not concerned at all about her child and dismissed the letter. In fact, she threw it out. But, 8-year old Karter was a little more concerned about this situation and started asking questions. 

 

As a result, Karter took it upon himself to do an internet search about the literacy problem kids face. He discovered that reading aloud to children can help to improve their reading. Karter made it his business to help fight the literacy problem that some kids face and made a commitment to be there for kids who need someone to read with. 

 

Cichon, Karter's mom says, "Karter has always had an entrepreneurial mindset, and even loved selling fresh popped popcorn at vending events to make money."

 

So when he learned about the reading problem that kids were facing, he got an idea. That little idea was the “kernel that POPPED“ into his successful and popular business, (Universal Popcorn presents,) Popcorn and Books. 

 

Popcorn and Books is a reading program that encourages kids to read more and to help them build up the love of reading. Through his monthly subscription book box, Karter is able to send fun and exciting books to children all over the country. 

 

In the box, he includes popcorn for the kids to enjoy while they read. He has made it his business to help fight the literacy problem that some kids face and to be there for kids who need someone to read with. 

 

Karter was set to kick off his reading program in March of 2020 by engaging in an in-school reading tour, but the Coronavirus impacted his plans. However, that did not discourage Karter! He decided to take his reading tour online and began reading in his Facebook group, Universal Popcorn instead. His group currently has 300 members and growing! Now, if that doesn't show initiative and perseverance, I don't know what does. Sometimes when one door closes, a better one opens up!

 

 

In addition to reading the books, Karter also began to do book reviews. As a result, many self-published authors and children’s book writers have begun sending him books to review- talk about being a little entrepreneur! Although his plans changed somewhat due to the unforeseen circumstance, the response to his online reading program has been overwhelming.

After being in business for a year and a half, Popcorn and Books is now a 501c3 non-profit organization. Through that organization Karter has launched, ‘Build A Kid’s Library’ where he and his team send high-quality, age-appropriate books to kids in Detroit, MI. and its surrounding areas once a month at no cost to their families! How amazing is that?! 

 

Build-A-Kid's Library encourages kids to read more and enjoy reading - one book at a time! It also provides kids with books to build their own home library.

When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, Karter said, “I want to be an author when I grow up” And then he added, “Well, I don’t have to wait until I grow up to be an author I can do that now!”  Six months later by the end of 2020, Karter Johnson became a published author at the age of 9 years old! Karter, contributed to a chapter in the book, The Science Behind It Vol. 2 - Formulating Success While Impacting The World.  It is a book where 10 young entrepreneurs tell the story of their entrepreneurial journey beginning at a young age.

 

 

Karter also recently completed a certified speaker program and gave his first TEDx Talk! 

As you can see, Karter Johnson is an amazing young man, who has certainly turned his passion into purpose! I couldn't help but smile the whole time, as I read more about this young CEO|Entrepreneur|Avid Reader, turned business mogul.  Karter is a shining example of excellent parenting and an innate business mindset.  It is not often, we come across 10-year olds who actually make the moves to change the world!  In this case, one book at a time!

I hope you are just as inspired by this young man as I was. Congratulations to Karter and his mom for being real difference makers!

Get YOUR kids their own subscription box to Popcorn and Books and get them going with their OWN kids library too!

MINDFULNESS & GRATITUDE JOURNAL FOR KIDS

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For more information contact:

Cichon Renee at 586-935-7368 or iwillteachthem@gmail.com

Find him on Social Media at Popcorn and Books

www.popcornandbooks.com | www.karterjohsnon.com | www.instagram.com/_popcornandbooks_ 

 www.facebook.com/groups/universalpopcorn | www.facebook.com/popcornandbooks 

WE MUST

WE MUST...
We must not fear
We must get educated on issues
We must not believe rumors
We must work together
We must recognize the lies
We must believe science
We must verify facts
We must maintain objectivity
We must NOT promote censorship
We must protect our freedoms
WE must stay “woke”
 

We must live life safely but happily
We must protect each other
We must learn NOT to judge
We must see beyond color
We must be kind to each other
We must promote peace
We must learn to love unconditionally
We must teach our kids empathy
We must have COMMON sense
We must remember the things that really matter....
We must not just survive...
We must thrive!

-Lissette Rozenblat

SPEAK OUT AND END RACISM

If you are not furious about what happened to George Floyd at the hands of merciless police officers, then you might as well just keep on scrolling and go read something else because there is nothing here for you. Everyone else who believes this was an absolute atrocity, it is good to know you have a soul. 

As a Latin woman, I guess I am in the category of being a minority, but it still doesn't change the fact that I am a white woman, who recognizes I have a certain level of privilege.  And no, I am not referring to economic privilege.  I am referring to the fact for example, that I don't have to have "the talk" with my son, like my black mom friends do, about what happens if he gets stopped by a police officer.  Granted, while everyone must be respectful and cautious with the law, it is a FACT that a black man in America is not afforded that same privilege of talking back or asking questions in such a situation.  Immediately, the hostility and suspicions begin.  Not in all cases, but lately (thanks to cell phone videos) we see what has really been happening for so long. 

Below is a very poignant write up being circulated on social media:  ( I Can)

I’m broken. I have privilege as a white person because I can do all of these things without thinking about my safety:

I can go birding (#ChristianCooper)
I can go jogging (#AmaudArbery)
I can relax in the comfort of my own home (#BothemSean and #AtatianaJefferson)
I can ask for help after being in a car crash (#JonathanFerrell and #RenishaMcBride)
I can have a cellphone (#StephonClark)
I can leave a party to get to safety (#JordanEdwards)
I can play loud music (#JordanDavis)
I can sell CDs (#AltonSterling)
I can sleep (#AiyanaJones)
I can walk from the corner store (#MikeBrown)
I can play cops and robbers (#TamirRice)
I can go to church (#Charleston9)
I can walk home with Skittles (#TrayvonMartin)
I can hold a hair brush while leaving my own bachelor party (#SeanBell)
I can party on New Years (#OscarGrant)
I can get a normal traffic ticket (#SandraBland)
I can lawfully carry a weapon (#PhilandoCastile)
I can break down on a public road with car problems (#CoreyJones)
I can shop at Walmart (#JohnCrawford)
I can have a disabled vehicle (#TerrenceCrutcher)
I can read a book in my own car (#KeithScott)
I can be a 10yr old walking with our grandfather (#CliffordGlover)
I can decorate for a party (#ClaudeReese)
I can ask a cop a question (#RandyEvans)
I can cash a check in peace (#YvonneSmallwood)
I can take out my wallet (#AmadouDiallo)
I can run (#WalterScott)
I can breathe (#EricGarner)
I can live (#FreddieGray)
I CAN BE ARRESTED WITHOUT THE FEAR OF BEING MURDERED (#GeorgeFloyd)

And no, it doesn't matter if I am Hispanic, if I am Jewish, Catholic, Grey, Gay, Straight, whatever, the fact is, if you are white in America, you have a certain level of privilege that is not always afforded to the black community. That is reality...still...in 2020.

So, who was George Floyd and how has his death taken the black community to the tipping point and wreaked havoc in so many communities around the Country? And why does it matter? There is so much to discuss here.  Well, let me start by saying that George Floyd was a 46-year old man, who was arrested on May 25, 2020 in Minneapolis, for allegedly trying to pass a counterfeit $20 bill at a store (either knowingly or not) during a time where he lost his job due to Covid-19. Floyd was brutally murdered by the Minneapolis police officer, who had him pinned down with his knee on Floyd's neck, while other officers looked on doing nothing. The officer callously kept the pressure on Floyd's neck, while he casually kept his hand in his pocket, as he stared into the camera of numerous cell phones. A crowd gathered as they recorded on their mobile devices what was happening and were yelling to please let Floyd stand up. The cries of "I can't breathe" were heard once again, reminiscent of Eric Garner, another incident where we watched an unarmed black person die at the hands of relentless police officers, like countless others.

This article is not being written to bash police officers in anyway. There are many good cops, who put their lives on the line every single day to keep our communities safe. However, there are a few who use their badge as a weapon to unleash their racist mentality on a community they resent.  It is this anger and resentment that I will try to breakdown.

Who was George Floyd? He was a black man, known to his friends and family by the nickname of  "gentle giant."  He was 6 feet, 6 inches, and in high school he was a star tight end for Jack Yates High School and played in the 1992 state championship game in the Houston Astrodome. He may or may not have been guilty of the crime he was accused of (forgery/passing a fraudulent bill.) He was also in trouble with the law years ago, not that it matters in this case. Floyd was working for the last five years as security for a local restaurant (which coincidentally, or not,) is where the officer who killed him worked as well, moonlighting as a security officer at the outside of the club, while Floyd worked inside.  It is yet unknown if the two knew each other personally.  Regardless of his past, or whether he was guilty or not. There is NO justification for the slow and brutal murder of Floyd on the streets of his own neighborhood.  That police officer kept his knee on Floyd's neck even after he was told that there was no longer a pulse on Floyd.  There are also videos surfacing showing how no EMT actually arrived on the scene.  They were cops with bullet proof vest on, who placed Floyd directly into an ambulance without attempting any resuscitation on the spot.  When George Floyd was taken away, his body was already limp and had no pulse.

Inexcusable.

Later, the authorities declared that Floyd had died at the hospital like almost half an hour after the knee incident and the autopsy (days later) claimed that he had previous medical conditions, which could have contributed to his death.  Absolutely absurd!

And now, we are being distracted by the rioting and looting going on in Minneapolis and other pockets of our Country right now. What started out as protest for George Floyd's death, quickly evolved into rioting. Rioting is obviously not the answer and there are many innocent people getting caught in the crossfire. There are always people who just loot and instigate problems and not focusing on what the real protest should be about...CHANGE.  However, with that said, we have to acknowledge that there is an anger that has been bubbling for way too long and it has just literally exploded. 


When they tried to protest quietly and kneel at NFL games, they were criticized. When they wore t-shirts, that said "I can't breathe," they were ignored; when they gave speeches at award ceremonies talking about the inequalities they face, it once again, fell upon deaf ears. And now here we are!  The black community's cry for help and empathy are not being heard. In fact, it feels as if they are completely being ignored...intentionally. The truth is the black community has had enough and rightly so. 

In my opinion, this Country has never truly been and example of “shining.” We are a hypocritical nation living under the pretense of “greatness” and equality. While, granted, this is the land of the "free" and the land of opportunity, it is also a country that was founded on pillaging native American Indians and later enslaving African-Americans, as if they were property. And years and years of unwarranted wars, where we went in under the pretense as being the “saviors” of the world.  There is no getting back to "normal" or great" because it never was.  It is way passed time to reflect if we want to maintain a free and peaceful nation.  

The fact remains that GEORGE FLOYD was brutally murdered at the hands of angry, racist police officers, who chose to stand by and watch, while their fellow officer slowly pressed the life out of Floyd. Pure evil. The police officer who literally killed Floyd with his knee had been written up more than a dozen times before during his career and there were never any consequences for him.  He was recently arrested as a result of public outcry and relentless protesting. The other officers have yet to be charged, as of the time this article was written.

We must stand up for what is right.  We have to speak up for those who can longer speak and fight for justice! George Floyd should be alive today! His death has sparked something in this Country that has not been seen in many, many years.  Floyd's untimely death was a catalyst for change.

I often wonder though, how in the world we can we stop racism when there is such division in our own Country at every level.  Recently, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, promoted a video on Twitter that opens with "Cowboys for Trump" founder, Couy Griffin, declaring that “the only good Democrat is a dead Democrat.” Griffin made these comments at a New Mexico church while rallying a crowd to protest stay at home guidelines and amid the Corona virus and the POTUS promoted it via his Twitter. Then days later, as a result of the rioting, President Trump, once again, took to Twitter to condemn Minneapolis demonstrators as “THUGS,” threaten military intervention and predict local looting could lead to “shooting,” prompting the social-media company to take the unprecedented step of limiting the public’s ability to view and share his tweet. He stated, "Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts" 

Imagine that, the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES promoting this kind of rhetoric.  How in the world are we suppose to find any real guidance, when the "leader" of this Country is constantly bashing, ridiculing or firing anyone who disagrees with him or who is different than him. His language is conducive to instigating more violence!  

There are also videos surfacing of white agitators at riot locations, police officers shooting rubber bullets at journalists and peaceful protestors and an NYPD officer pushing a woman with full force onto the ground, when she was simply standing and verbally protesting (not armed.) {Note: she ended up in the hospital} and also a CNN reporter, who happens to be black, was arrested (detained) on live TV.  It is all too surreal and seems very Orwellian at the same time.

What I do know is that Peace and Chaos cannot co-exist.

Honestly, I think it is going to fall on us - We the People!  We have to become social justice warriors and speak up and take action when we are witness to such hatred and racism. I also believe it is very important that the local leaders of this Nation have to step up and stop the craziness going on within their own cities.  If things continue on this course, where looting and vandalism, prevail, the mission of protesting and fighting for justice and equality will be lost.


We also have to take our power and teach our children and grandchildren that racism is wrong at every and any level!  We must empower the youth of today to stand up and speak out peacefully and productively for change, as they will be the leaders of tomorrow.

This is our time to make things right...to teach our children to be kind, loving, empathetic, compassionate and tolerant of all human beings. 

"We have to be held accountable for what is happening in this country. What happened to George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery - and countless others - can not go without justice. Please talk to your children about racism, privilege, bigotry and hate. If you aren’t talking to them, someone else is." 

- Reese Witherspoon

There will always be differences, that is what makes us each special, but not to the point where it should cost someone their life.

Silence is complicity and education is key! We MUST speak out and end racism!

If you want to make a difference and don't know what to do or say, you can always use your economic resources to help by taking action here!

 

TAKE ACTION!!!

Blogger: 

Lissette Rozenblat

SMARTY PANTS

 Here is a great way to give back while giving your kids a healthy vitamin. Recently, I took my son to the pediatrician and she recommend I start giving him (and my daughter also,) a multi-vitamin. She recommended "SmartyPants," so I immediately went home, got online and ordered it.  As I researched the product I was happy to learn that SmartyPants comes in gummy form, has tasty flavor and is involved in giving back! 

For every bottle of SmartyPants you buy, they make a 1-for-1 nutrient grant to Vitamin Angels, helping mothers and children around the world gain access to life-changing vitamins and minerals.

So far, they have made over 3.9 million nutrient grants. They hope to make 10 million grants by 2018! 

So, if you want to give your child a multi-vitamin, and help mothers and children around the world, consider "SmartPants."  SmartyPants Kids Complete is more than a multivitamin. It is a great-tasting gummy multivitamin, with 13 essential nutrients, including vitamin D as D3, vitamin B12 as methylcobalamin, and folate as methylfolate, along with omega 3 fish oil – all in one.Oh! And it's gluten-free!

About the product

• 13 ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS & WILD-CAUGHT OMEGA 3 FISH OIL for brain health*
• VITAMIN D3 for bone health* + HIGH POTENCY B12 for mental focus and energy balance*
• NON-GMO. GLUTEN-FREE. ALLERGEN-FREE. Contains NO synthetic colors, artificial flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives. TESTED AT EVERY STAGE of the manufacturing process. 

                                                                 

MAKING A DIFFERENCE - HELPING TO SAVE THE LIVES OF CHILDREN IN ALEPPO

Some of us work. Some of us stay home with our kids. We all try to make a living in some way. Sometimes, we go on vacation. For the most part, we are happy and successful. 

Now, I ask, do we make a difference? It is easy to go on with life, checking our social media platforms daily, engaging in business, dealing with our kids, school, homework, sports, aimlessly going through our routines.  I wonder though, how can we just go on and not make an effort to help others and make a difference in the world, when possible?

I am aware that no one likes political conversation on social apps, or when we get too serious over things that may cause arguments or conflicts at our dinner table conversation, but as I read the articles and watched the news, I was shocked more and more every day with what's happening in Aleppo. 

Do most people even know what Aleppo is? What's happening in Aleppo? Do they even know where Aleppo is and why should they care?

Why Doesn't Anyone Care about What's Happening in Aleppo ??!! I think it may be because it does not affect our own little bubble here in our "great again, America world" but 11 million Syrians have been driven from their homes and the worst part is that thousands of CHILDREN ARE BEING INJURED and/or KILLED in Aleppo! As human beings, as citizens of the World, WE HAVE TO CARE!

As a mother, as a parent, I implore you to do something! We have to do something! We went to war over the lie that another country had weapons of mass destruction. Well, here we are in 2016-2017 and the world IS witnessing mass destruction! Mass destruction of an entire civilization in Syria! Innocent Children are dying at the hands of savages. If we as a Nation wanted to do something, we could. We should not be apathetic.

We are not here in this world to just coast through it and not make a difference. WE ARE HERE in this world to MAKE A DIFFERENCE for the BETTER!!! 

Most people do not know what to do. This is the least we can do - DONATE to help fund The White Helmets ! The WHITE HELMETS is group of unarmed volunteers, who risk their lives to help anyone in need - regardless of their religion or politics. The White Helmets volunteer rescue workers, operate in the most dangerous place on earth.

They have saved more than 73,530 people from the attacks in Syria, but there are many they cannot reach. There are children trapped in rubble they cannot hear. For them, the UN Security Council must follow through on its demand to stop the barrel bombs, by introducing a 'no-fly zone' if necessary.

The volunteers save people on all sides of the conflict - pledging commitment to the principles of “Humanity, Solidarity, Impartiality” as outlined by the International Civil Defense Organization. This pledge guides every response, every action, every life saved - so that in a time of destruction, all Syrians have the hope of a lifeline. The White Helmets mostly deal with the aftermath of government air attacks. Yet they have risked sniper fire to rescue bodies of government soldiers to give them a proper burial. Many of the volunteers, of White Helmet have been injured themselves. Let's help get them back on their feet, so that they can go in and rescue more victims. https://peoplesmillion.whitehelmets.org/

If we can't stop the violence, at least we can be part of trying to rescue the survivors! We must MAKE PEACE NOT WAR ! We must be a part of the solution, not the problem! TO SAVE ONE LIFE IS TO SAVE ALL OF HUMANITY!!!!

Make a Difference!
https://peoplesmillion.whitehelmets.org/... 

This is not about race or religion...this is about HUMANITY!!! Obviously, you do not have to donate or even care about this particular cause (disaster) but my point,when I started writing this, is that we should all make an effort to make a difference, to care, to get involved somehow. Not just sit on the sidelines in shock and say "Wow, that's horrible," and then do nothing.

No matter what your cause, no matter what you want to fight for, start today! "Stand up for what's right, even if you are standing alone!"

Thank you, Lissette Ro - MAKE PEACE NOT WAR

Buy your "Save Aleppo" T-Shirt here. Proceeds will be donated to: The White Helmets.

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-38329461