The Emblem of The Helping Hand – Paying Respect and Paying it Forward

Thanks to Wayne at Electronic Village for passing the Helping Hand to Dallas South. The Helping Hand is a concept initiated at Sojourner’s Place. Here’s how The Villager describes Sojourner:

Sojourner commits her life to “leaving the pile higher than (she) found it“. She seeks to “pay that help and support forward” to those new to the blogsphere. As such, she created the “Emblem of the Helping Hand” as a token of her appreciation for blog mentors and a source of encouragement for those who are up and coming.

So here are the rules:

The rules for this award are simple:

• Select 10 bloggers: 5 you consider your blogging Helping Hand then “Pay it Forward” by extending your “Helping Hand” to 5 additional bloggers in support and encouragement for their efforts.

• In passing on the Emblem, each recipient must provide the name of blog or blog author with a link for others to visit.

• Each recipient must show the Emblem and put the name and link to the blog that has given it to her or him.

• Link the Emblem to this post: Helping Hand: Much Obliged and Paying it Forward so that others will know it origin and impetus.

• If you have not already done so, show your recipients some love by adding them to your blog roll, Technorati Favorite list, or in any other way to further let them know that their blog voice is important to you and being heard.

• Add your name to The Helping Hand meme at my new blog entitled The Emblem of the Helping Hand and don’t forget to leave a comment as a permanent record of all Helping Hand recipients.

• Display the rules

To these 5 Blogs I give “Emblem of the Helping Hand” for all the help that you have given me along the way. Of course Villager would be on the list if he hadn’t tagged me first. Thanks Wayne, it’s an honor.

1. Dallas Progress -Mike Davis was there for me from the very beginning when I didn’t know a widget from a gadget. His straightforward style has been an excellent example, as has his willingness to serve in the community. Whether it’s on the City Planning Commission or helping to tear down drug houses, Mike D. is always on the case (and congrats on the Eagles).

2. What About Our Daughters – Gina McCauley is the dean of Black Bloggers, even though everyone may not be willing to admit it. Besides WAOD and the work she has done checking BET and D.L. Hughley, Gina started the Michelle Obama Watch Blog to make sure the coverage of the next First Lady was not crossing the line. She is also the founder of Blogging While Brown, the first conference for bloggers of color.

3. Eddie G. Griffin BASG – This ex-Black Panther is the epitome of old school activism using new school tools. I ran across Eddie almost two years ago and followed his blog every since. He’s been active in national issues but always represents in his native Ft. Worth, working inside and outside of the system.

4. Monroe Anderson – I met Monroe at the DNC National Convention where he was a credentialed blogger though he’s often omitted in talks of the “Denver.” The veteran journalist writes often for Ebony/Jet and has been helpful in the career change that I’m going through.

5. Pam’s House Blend – Pam calls her site An Online Magazine in the Reality-Based Community, and she an authority in the GLBT community. I’ve had the wonderful pleasure of meeting Pam both at the Blogging While Brown conference in Atlanta and the DNC Convention in Denver. I so admire and appreciate her calm demeanor, especially as she blogs about issues that are so hot. But at Pam’s House Blend….it’s always steaming.

If you’re not checking out the follwingblogs then you should be. While there’s a definite Dallas flavor to my Paying it Forward Blogs, they take on wide range of issues.

1. Because I Said So – Kristin (formerly known as Jazzy) has been a Godsend to Dallas South. After meeting her once at the Dallas South Blogoversary Party, Kristin agreed to serve as the co-host of my Blog Talk Radio Show. Her blog has traditionally be all over the place like mine, but in 2009 she has decided to focus her topics for a month. She has devoted January to writing on issues concerning Africa.

2. EdGray4America – As I’ve expanded my social networking horizons to Ning and Facebook, I was introduced to Ed Gray’s Blog. Like myself, Ed’s and his blog are very heavily skewed towards national politics, though he his extremely active in local politics personally. I’ve enjoyed interacting with Ed on various platforms and admire the work he does on his blog.

3. Change the Wind – Rev. Gerald Britt is establishing himself as a go to source on Dallas issues. He is an important member of the Central Dallas Ministries team, and is published monthly in the Dallas Morning News. His blog seeks to” change the wind in the current discussion on the policies and systems related to poverty in the United States of America.”

4. Now That’s What I’m Talking About – Theo Johnson started his internet venture as a podcast, but has developed a really nice blog in the process. The fellow A&M grad and Delta husband is known nationwide for his technical savvy and helping spirit. His insights are as diverse as his interests.

5. Go Zack – This young brother out of Chicago is making a name for himself. He aspires to become a television reporter and will be griding throughout ’09 in a quest to break into the mainstream media. Zack always has interesting perspectives and it’s worth it to check in on him from time to time.

Well these are my ten entries for the Helping Hand Award. Congrats to all and thanks for everything that you do.

Other emblem recipients include: