Unique Cruises

An excerpt from FinanceBuzz - 

14 Unique Cruises You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Escape the mundane with cruise experiences that redefine the art of exploration.

By Lucy Clark;  edited by Chris Kissell

Whether you’re a diehard cruise lover or a casual tourist looking to step up your travel game, cruise ships offer a wonderful way to see the sights in multiple locations.

There are plenty of recognizable cruise ships that specialize in specific experiences or themes. However, these lesser-known cruise ship lines may offer a unique experience for those seeking something a little different. 

1. Sea Cloud Cruises

Mainstream cruise ships are often huge and fully modernized. At Sea Cloud Cruises, they focus on a smaller, more intimate sailing experience.

The private yachts primarily use hand-set wind sails to guide the ship. In fact, the routes periodically change to adapt to the weather. The yachts also dock at smaller ports, creating a more unique and personalized travel experience.

       2. Emerald Cruises

With Emerald Cruises, you can enjoy a river cruise through Europe and Southeast Asia.

Some river routes include the Danube, Rhine, Douro, and Mekong. The company also offers yacht cruises on the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Red Sea. You can also cruise through the Caribbean and Central America.

Emerald Cruises is also committed to sustainability, sourcing local ingredients at port and avoiding single-use plastic entirely.

        5.  Ocean Endeavour

Courtesy of Swoop Antarctica

If you’re seeking a true adventure, book a trip on the Ocean Endeavour, which takes guests on a tour of Antarctica.

With limited off-board options, the on-board amenities are vast, including saunas, spas, a pair of restaurants, and more. The experience is also intimate, with the passenger headcount capped at 199.

https://financebuzz.com/unique-cruise-adventures-2?pid=1692

Checkout This Black-Owned B&B in Gettysburg

An excerpt from Travel Noire - 

INSIDE KEYSTONE INN, GETTYSBURG'S FIRST BLACK-OWNED B&B

Not only is the Keystone Inn making history as Gettysburg's first Black-owned B&B, but they are putting ownership and legacy at the forefront.

By Jasmine Osby 

Photo Credit: Photo credit: Keystone Inn

The Campbell family are no strangers to ownership. Back in the 1970’s the African-American family owned 14 properties in the United States. The legacy of property ownership began with their great-great-grandfather in Charlotte Hill, Maryland decades ago. Now, the family is making history in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 

Purchased by siblings Christine, Stephen, and Patrick in 2020, the Keystone Inn is Gettysburg’s first Black-owned bed and breakfast. Built on a family and community, the inn is the newest addition to the city’s rich history. The Campbell family wants Keystone Inn to help shine a light on Gettysburg’s often-overlooked Black history. 

“One of the things we’re very proud of is adding to the story of Gettysburg and highlighting this unique aspect to it,” Patrick told Travel Noire.

Dedicated to ensuring travelers have experiential moments, the Keystone Inn wraps classic charm in modernity. Although the renovated, late-Victorian colonial home is unlike any B&B Gettysburg has had in the past, the Campbell family aims to make their inn an integral part of the city’s historical landscape.

The vision of the Keystone Inn extends far beyond the travel and tourism industry. Through their endeavor, the Campbells pride themselves on showcasing the power of Black ownership in real estate. After their great-great-grandfather died, he wrote in his will that his property couldn’t be sold until all 14 of his children had passed away. When the last one died in 2008, the home remained in the family, continuing a legacy of property ownership. 

Leaving a lasting legacy is at the forefront of the Keystone Inn’s brand. The Campbells believe it’s time for African American owners to take up space in the hospitality industry. Not only are they focusing on the future of the Keystone Inn, but the siblings are working with other Black innkeepers to build a network of support across state lines. 

https://travelnoire.com/keystone-inn-gettysburg-first-black-owned-bb

2-year-old Math Genius on AGT

An excerpt from Meaww.com -

'AGT' Season 19: Simon Cowell demanded help after seeing 2-year-old Baby Dev's skills

After witnessing Baby Dev do the calculations during the 'AGT' Season 19 audition, Simon Cowell insisted on having a calculator

BY ARITRI PAUL

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA: An early-release audition from the first episode of 'America's Got Talent' Season 19 has been released by the program ahead of its May 28 airing. It highlights 2-year-old Devan Defreitas, known as Baby Dev, a math prodigy who dazzled the judges with his abilities, even making Simon Cowell demand a calculator amidst it all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP5-zKvjDoY

https://meaww.com/agt-season-19-judge-simon-cowell-demands-calculator-after-2-year-old-baby-dev-shows-off-his-amazing-skills

Theresa Claiborne - a United Airlines Captain who made history

https://youtu.be/_jtJouJTyNw?si=DkdR0uDE84wNJfyf

PILOT SURPRISES MOM

https://youtu.be/nN9Bm1JvOUM?si=sGbj6BDa25vE4G6v

Rockin' Horse

 

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Meet Abdon Atangana: The African Ranked #1 Mathematician in the World

https://youtu.be/broyJbHweZI?si=4U1xNw8ITXeanq6m

Marvin Gaye - What's Going On (Official Video 2019)

https://youtu.be/o5TmORitlKk?si=om2wikJnaPbYDUMm

A Dad's Lesson For Us All

From Cafe Mom - 

My Dad Watched Me Get Dumped Then Sent Me a Powerful Text I'll Never Forget

By Michelle Stein

Recently, a college student shared the text messages she received from her father following a breakup. Fallon Thompson, who plays volleyball at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, posted a video of her dad's touching advice, and the internet instantly fell in love with him.

https://cafemom.com/lifestyle/internet-praises-emotionally-intelligent-dads-message-daughters-breakup/scott-then-left-is-daughter-with-a-fitting-analogy

Texas valedictorian delivers speech right after dad's funeral

https://youtu.be/q_uXK18DeL8?si=oHDcLa61P0nvkmM6

Sister Circle | Sisters Of The Court: Sisters Who Rule | TVONE

https://youtu.be/8vxb37hknvg?si=Ojc3S7Cn-T54pGPT

Southern Comments to Avoid

An excerpt from the Wealthy Nickel - 

16 Comments You Should Never, Ever Make to a Southerner

by Rebecca Holcomb

1. Sweet Tea

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

During a trip to Michigan with my southern husband, we were invited to lunch, where my husband kindly asked the waitress for sweet tea. Word to the wise: If someone asks you for sweet tea, it is far better to say you don’t have any than to offer them iced tea with sugar from the table.

Anyone who makes sweet tea knows you cannot add sugar to cold tea and get good sweet tea. At most, you’ll end up with iced tea with gritty crystals.

2. Instant Grits

Having moved to Florida in 2003, I can tell you people in the South are serious about their grits. Cheesy grits are especially favored, but cooking them well is a big part of most “Southern” cooking. Creamy with a texture similar to cream of wheat, these savory grains are a great addition to Southern specials like fried chicken and excellent barbecue.

However, never are they “instant,” and asking someone if they are may get you disinvited from dinner.

4. Y’all

When I was growing up and in school, a contraction of the words you and all wasn’t a word. However, down South, it’s been an accepted part of everyday vocabulary since before I was born. One particular sticking point, though, is where you place the apostrophe.

Y’all is the correct way to write it; anything else is unacceptable. Also, ain’t, which wasn’t a word when I was in school, is now proper (according to Webster’s Dictionary) language and should be spelled correctly.

12. Bless Your Heart

While hearing this phrase may make you think that the sweet grandma you met at the grocery store is complimenting you, it’s more likely that she thinks you’re a bit dim. “Bless your heart,” or any version thereof, is not often given as a nice comment. Take a moment to evaluate the situation, and you’ll know whether someone’s insulting you. If you’re unsure, chalk it up to indifference and move on.

https://wealthynickel.com/things-not-to-say-to-southerner/

Leading By Example

 

@jesssaysitsokaytobeweird #coparenting #treatothershowyouwanttobetreated #mothersday #raiseemright #JessSaysBeWeird #leadbyexample ♬ original sound - Jessica.Anne

I Can't Take My Eyes off You

https://youtu.be/3AoRPY0nOJE?si=wRuwVIbIRr7o8yXL

Black-Owned Pilot School

An excerpt from Travel Noire - 

A NEW BLACK-OWNED FLIGHT SCHOOL IS MAKING WAVES IN THE RACE FOR MORE MINORITY PILOTS

Gwinnett County has opened its first Black-owned flight school, joining a nationwide effort to increase the number of minority pilots.  

by Faith Katunga

Gwinnett County, in Atlanta, Georgia, officially has its first Black-owned flight school, joining a nationwide effort to increase the number of minority pilots.  Look Up Flight Academy, owned by Mike Ojo, is a much-needed opportunity for aspiring minority aviators. As a successful pilot in his own right, Mike Ojo has always felt a deep connection to the air. However, he did have some reservations on his way to the skies. 

“I always thought it wasn’t for me because I never saw anyone who looked like me in a pilot uniform,” Ojo expressed during an interview with WSB-TV’s Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson. His experiences reflect a larger issue within the industry. Minority pilots currently make up only about 3% of the total aviation workforce.

With Ojo’s dedication to expanding minority access to aviation, the Look Up Flight Academy is a vanguard of progressive change. The Gwinnett County airport, recognizing the significance of this initiative, approved a 25-year lease for the academy. The school will open its doors by summer. This launch will follow the renovation of a vacant building and hangar at Briscoe Field, creating a conducive learning environment for students.

https://travelnoire.com/gwinnett-county-black-owned-flight-school-opens

The inspiration for New Orleans' St. Mary's Academy

https://youtu.be/x02NUryZn3I?si=kZSJafKGqsNUZPqj

Malcolm X Quotes

 An excerpt from Newsone.com - 

20 Malcolm X Quotes Every Black Person Should Know

His eloquent, but fearless style of writing and reciting still resonates with people from all walks of life.

Written by Bilal G. Morris 

                                                                                                                                                                      

A father, a civil rights leader, and a symbol of courage; Malcolm X was a true pioneer to the advancement of human thought.

On Sunday, May 19, the civil rights leader would have turned 99 years old

Source: Richard Saunders/Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty Images /
Richard Saunders/Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty Images

Malcolm X Quotes About Violence

1. “If violence is wrong in America, violence is wrong abroad. If it is wrong to be violent defending black women and black children and black babies and black men, then it is wrong for America to draft us, and make us violent abroad in defense of her. And if it is right for America to draft us, and teach us how to be violent in defense of her, then it is right for you and me to do whatever is necessary to defend our own people right here in this country.” — Speech, Nov. 1963, New York City.

2. Concerning non-violence: “It is criminal to teach a man not to defend himself when he is the constant victim of brutal attacks.” – Malcolm X

3. “I am for violence if non-violence means we continue postponing a solution to the American black man’s problem just to avoid violence.”

4. “I don’t favor violence. If we could bring about recognition and respect of our people by peaceful means, well and good. Everybody would like to reach his objectives peacefully. But I’m also a realist. The only people in this country who are asked to be nonviolent are black people.”

5. “I don’t even call it violence when it’s in self defense; I call it intelligence.”

Malcolm X Quotes About Education

 6.”Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”

7. “Without education, you are not going anywhere in this world.”

Malcolm A Quotes About Media

8. “The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent.”

9. “The press is used to make it look like (the black man) is the criminal and (the police force is) the victim.”

https://newsone.com/4186419/malcolm-x-quotes-you-need-to-know/

Favorite Movies Nobody Has Watched

An excerpt from BuzzFeed - 

"This Is My Favourite Movie Of All Time And I've Never Met Anyone Else Who Has Seen It" — 21 Of The Best Films You've Never Heard Of

"This is my favourite movie of all time and I've never met anyone else who has seen it, or even heard of it."

By Amy Glover

1. Breaking Away (1979)

20th Century 

"It won an Oscar for the best screenplay... There aren’t many movies as human and decent as this one, especially not ones that also make you feel good about life and make you smile. The movie is an American classic and is so little known decades later. There's such little interest that it appears to be out of print on Blu-ray and possibly DVD as well. The last time I saw it on TV was on AMC circa 2012.

Roger Ebert gave it four stars and called it 'a precious cinematic miracle.'"

u/WhatsMyAgeAgain-182 

8. The Station Agent (2003) 

Miramax

u/Camille_Toh  

"This is a lovely film. I’m going to mention that Peter Dinklage is the leading character (in a tremendous ensemble cast) in order to get more people to watch it." 

u/Dogs_Akimbo

11. Ghost Dog: The Way Of The Samurai (1999)

Arthaus / Lionsgate Films, Madman Entertainment / MORE

u/jinyx1

"That recurring bit in Ghost Dog where he and the French guy talk every day despite not understanding each other was so endearing." 

u/alltherobots

https://www.buzzfeed.com/aglover/best-hidden-gem-movies-most-people-dont-know

Success Depends On This One Skill?

An excerpt from CNBC Make It - 

Amazon CEO: An ‘embarrassing’ amount of your success depends on this one skill

By Morgan Smith

Andy Jassy on stage at the 2022 New York Times DealBook in New York City,
November 30, 2022.Thos Robinson | Getty Images

The trick to getting ahead at work isn’t being the fastest learner or the smartest in the room — it’s having a positive attitude, says Amazon CEO Andy Jassy.

Jassy, who took the top job at Amazon after Jeff Bezos stepped down in 2021, shared his “best career advice” in a new interview with LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky. 

“I think an embarrassing amount of how well you do, particularly in your 20s, has to do with attitude,” Jassy, 56, said. 

It’s not just about being cheerful, he explained. Having a positive attitude means you work well on a team and honor deadlines, among other strengths. 

If you have the right mindset, Jassy said you should be able to confidently answer “yes” to the following questions: 

• Do you work hard? 
• Are you more can-do than naysaying? 
• Do you do what you said you were going to do? 
• Can you work in a team? 

These strategies are “so simple” and yet often overlooked, he said. 

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/05/19/amazon-ceo-an-embarrassing-amount-of-your-success-depends-on-this-skill.html

Extraordinary Black Scientists

An excerpt from AfroTech - 

15 Black Scientists That Changed Our Understanding Of The World

By Leah Jones

Shirley Ann Jackson (b. 1946)

Photo Credit: Nicholas Kamm / AFP

Dr. Shirley Jackson is a physicist and the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Jackson’s research has primarily focused on theoretical physics, semiconductor physics and condensed matter physics. She conducted groundbreaking research in the field of semiconductors, leading to advancements in telecommunications and computing. Her work laid the foundation for technologies such as fiber optics, solar cells and the portable fax machine. Jackson also served as the chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission from 1995 to 1999, becoming the first woman and first Black American to hold this position.

~~~~~

Neil deGrasse Tyson (b. 1958)

Photo Credit: John Lamparski

Neil deGrasse Tyson is an astrophysicist, author, and science communicator known for his efforts to popularize science and make complex concepts accessible to the public. yson has made significant contributions to astrophysics through his research on star formation, galaxy evolution, and the structure of the Milky Way. However, he is perhaps best known for his work in science communication. Tyson has hosted several television series, including “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey” and “StarTalk,” where he discusses scientific topics in an engaging and entertaining manner. He has also authored numerous books aimed at making science understandable and engaging for people of all ages. Tyson’s ability to convey complex scientific concepts with enthusiasm and clarity has made him a beloved figure in the world of science and education.

~~~~~

Katherine Johnson (1918-2020)

Photo Credit: Eddy Chen/Disney General Entertainment Content

Katherine Johnson was a mathematician whose calculations were critical to the success of NASA’s early space missions. She is one of the most famous Black scientists in history. Johnson’s mathematical genius played a pivotal role in the Mercury and Apollo space programs. She calculated trajectories, launch windows and re-entry paths for many of NASA’s missions, including Alan Shepard’s 1961 flight and John Glenn’s historic orbit around the Earth in 1962. Her calculations were so accurate that Glenn specifically requested her verification before his flight. Johnson’s work was instrumental in ensuring the safety and success of NASA’s missions during the space race.

Katherine Johnson’s contributions to space exploration were recognized with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. Her story gained widespread attention following the publication of the book “Hidden Figures” and the subsequent film adaptation, bringing her achievements to a broader audience. She is celebrated not only for her groundbreaking work as a mathematician but also for breaking barriers as an African American woman in a male-dominated field.

https://afrotech.com/black-scientists/