2008 Recommended Reading List*

A Picture of Book of George Washington Carver ~~ David A. Adler

African American Fraternities and Sororities: the Legacy and Vision ~~ Editors Tamara L. Brown, Gregory S. Parks and Clarenda M. Phillips

Bailey’s Cafe ~~ Gloria Naylor

Bob Hope: My Life in Jokes ~~ Bob Hope with Linda Hope

By My Brother’s Side ~~Tiki and Ronde Barber

Choices: Guide for Today’s Woman ~~ Mary Jo Meadow Dec1are Yourself: Speak. Connect. Act. Vote.

Drita: My Homegirl ~~ Jenny Lombard

Generations: A Century of Women Speak about Their Lives ~~ Myriam Miedzian and Alisa Malinovich

God’s Little Instruction Book On Prayer  I Already Love You ~~ Billy Crystal

If I Live To Be 100: Lessons from the Centenarians ~~ Neenah Ellis

Letters to a Young Brother: MANifest Your Destiny ~~ Hill Harper

Mountains Beyond Mountains: Healing the World: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer ~~ Tracy Kidder

My Darling, My Hamburger ~~ Paul Zindel

Take Big Bites: Adventures Around the World and Across the Table ~~ Linda Ellerbee

The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity ~~ Julia Cameron

The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream ~~ Barak Obama

The Cat Ate My Gymsuit ~~ Paula Danzinger

The Hiding Place ~~ Corrie Ten Brown

The Holy Bible (King James Version)

The Last Lecture ~~ Randy Pausch with Jeffrey Zaslow The Purpose Driven Life ~~ Rick Warren

The Women Who Raised Me: a Memoir ~~ Victoria Rowell

Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace One School at a Time­ ~~ Greg Mortenson and Dave Oliver Relin

 *Read or reread inspirational books throughout the year and especially during National  Inspirational Role Models Month (NIRMM) designated November month-long celebration time. Please feel free to print/make copies of list and share with others.

©House of Communications 2008

www.nirmm.wordpress.com Web site edition

NIRMM ecommended Reading List Nomination Process

The National Inspirational Role Models Month (NIRMM) Recommended Reading List was launched in 2008 and received an enthusiastic response from both avid and occasional readers. Thus, it will be an ongoing and expanding part of NIRMM.  Nominations for additions to the list can be made throughout the year.  Updates will be completed annually each fall for posting on the Web site and distribution to diverse communities of readers. Outreach efforts include book clubs, stores, churches, community centers, libraries, non profits, organizations and schools.  Please carefully submit your nominations following the guidelines listed below in order to qualify for the drawing held annually upon completion of each list update process. Multiple entries are permitted and earn one chance in drawing for every accepted nomination. Congratulations to Erica Dean, the gift card drawing winner for the launch year, who nominated three accepted list titles. For additional information, e-mail nirmmnews@yahoo.com with “List Inquiry” on subject line or call 313.778.1550.

 

Nomination Guidelines

1.      Think about books you have read featuring inspirational themes, people or

characters.

2.      Keep in mind that you can select fiction or non fiction books reflecting

diverse genres.

3.      Feel free to nominate new or classic books.

4.      Remember that nominating books you wrote is not acceptable.

5.      Read the latest NIRMM Recommended Reading List to ensure that the nomination you want to make is not already on it.

6.      After checking list, type or print the title and author for nominated book.

7.      In 500 words or less, share your reason(s) for making the nomination.

8.      Provide your contact information along with your nomination.  Don’t forget to include your name, e-mail, postal mailing address and telephone number including area code.

9.      Submit nomination via e-mail to nirmmnews@yahoo.com or send it via postal mail to House of Communications, Attn: Darlene House, P.O. Box 23598, Detroit, Michigan 48223 with “List Nomination” on subject line or marked on envelope.

10.  Upon receipt, nominations will be reviewed by NIRMM Originator Darlene House/judges and carefully considered for addition to the list.

11.  All accepted nominations will be acknowledged and an entry will be placed into the next drawing.

12.  Drawing winners will be notified to determine the best way to receive their prize. Options may include presentation at one of the future NIRMM events.

 

Thank you for your consideration and support of NIRMM.

2009 NIRMM Updates

2009 NIRMM Theme: “Acknowledging Past Achievements While Gaining Inspiration for Future Accomplishments.”

2009 NIRMM Spotlight Concept: Ultimate Historic Role Model

 

(Note: NIRMM Originator Ultimate Historic Role Model is Ida B. Wells Barnett)

For more information, please contact us.

Rho Sigma Foundation Hosts Fifth SPIRIT Awards Presentation/Literary Jam

~~Free Special Event News ~~ 

 

 

Contact:  Dana Hughes

                313.778.1550

                housebiz4d@yahoo.com  

 

For Immediate Release

 

Rho Sigma Foundation, in partnership with Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. – Rho Sigma Chapter, presents its fifth annual SPIRIT (Sigmas Promoting Inspirational, Resourceful and Insightful Torchbearers) Awards Presentation/Literary Jam. The exciting free event is set for Wednesday, March 4 at 6:30 pm. in the Southfield Public Library’s Meeting Room (26300 Evergreen Road, Southfield, MI, 248.796.4200). This year’s event spotlights local poets/authors through readings and book signings plus salutes SPIRIT Awards winners who are “innovative educators”. Spotlighted authors/poets include Janaya Black, Dr. Lanny Green, Dr. O. D. Groves, Sylvia Hubbard, Ariana Jackson, Gwen Lewis, Dr. Deborah Smith Pollard, Lois T. Wheeler and Terri F. Williams. Light refreshments will be served. For additional information, call 313.778.1550.

The 2009 Class of SPIRIT Award Winners is a distinctive group selected from nominations matched with attributes of the sorority founders. The Charitable SPIRIT Award winner is Detroit Association of Black Storytellers. The Creative SPIRIT Award recipient is Inkster Public Schools Educator Barbara Jean Donald. The Enterprising SPIRIT Award will be given to Detroit Symphony Orchestra Education Programs. The Nurturing SPIRIT Award winner is Dress for Success. The Guiding SPIRIT Award recipient is Dr. Thomas M. Flake, Jr.. The Transcending SPIRIT Award winner is Women’s Health Boutique Owner Mariam Searcy. The Triumphant SPIRIT Award winner is Michigan Surgeon General Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom.

House of Communications Owner and SPIRIT Awards Originator Darlene House explained the awards recognize “innovative educators” who are individuals, companies, non- or not- for profit corporations/organizations that have carried on the legacy of the visionary seven founders of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. The focus calls for recognition of entities that have not pledged to help realize the sorority founders’ dreams but are doing so.

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority was founded in 1922 by seven school teachers. Rho Sigma Graduate Chapter was founded in 1936 by 17 graduates. The Chapter consistently donated hundreds of dollars each year for scholarships and other activities to support the efforts of undergraduate chapters and high school Rhoers. Rho Sigma Chapter members
–more–

participated in national community projects as well as local initiatives and community service projects. They worked together to accomplish the major goal of the founders – to provide “Greater Service, Greater Progress”.

Rho Sigma Foundation (RSF) was established in 1999 in Detroit as the non-profit, tax-exempt community service arm of the Rho Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. The mission of RSF was to organize, promote, and implement charitable and educational activities in the areas of lessening neighborhood tensions, eliminating
prejudice and discrimination, defending human and civil rights secured by law, combating deterioration of communities and juvenile delinquency and such other activities as may be authorized by law.

www.sgrho1922.org  SGR

2009 NIRMM Theme: “Acknowledging Past Achievements
While Gaining Inspiration for Future Accomplishments.”

2009 NIRMM Spotlight Concept: Ultimate Historic Role Model

(Note: NIRMM Originator Ultimate Historic Role Model is Ida B. Wells Barnett)

Welcome to the official Web site for National Inspirational Role Models Month (NIRMM).

Here you will find posted information reflecting official aspects of the celebration.

• Experience past celebrations’ excitement by visiting our Highlights Station.
• Stop by our Activities Station to discover fun and games for everyone.
• Check with our Newsroom for background information, media/special coverage references and news releases.
• Learn more about awards winners by visiting the Awards Winners’ Circle.
• Stay informed by returning to our Celebration Insights Station for updates about official celebration components.
• Spend quality time in our Inspiration Station learning about ways others have celebrated/plan to celebrate NIRMM.
• For celebration partners/supporters, check out our Resource Page.

Don’t forget to contact us to share your NIRMM celebration highlights. We want to know about who inspires you and what is done to honor them.

2008 Theme: Enjoying Beautiful Creations with Inspiring Revelations.

To see our latest blog posts, please click here.