"EDUCATION AND HOW IT MOTIVATES ME"

Overlords fans, I would like to introduce to you Shirley Slaughter,

a Twitter friend and person who firmly believes in paying it forward.  Shirley was kind enough to host me on my Overlords Blog Tour and now I'm happy to give her a landing spot on her tour.  Shirley is very active in the community, especially in the education department, which she is going to talk about today. Please help me in welcoming Shirley to our blog.  Read on!

"Hello, Mike. Since this is my very first blog tour I’m so excited that you are the fourth host that I am visiting. I can’t believe I have come this far in the land of twitter considering where I started. As you know, I have been sharing a little bit about me so folks can get to know me better. As I continue to tell my story I am beginning to realize how multi-dimensional my pursuits are. I believe in giving something back and that is what motivates me.

EDUCATION AND HOW IT MOTIVATES ME

My name is Shirley Slaughter @motorcityauthor. I was born and raised in the great state of Michigan and lived here all of my life. I am married to my best friend Langston with two children and now grandchildren some of whom are talented themselves. My mother was a gifted individual and now I know where some of those talents come from. I graduated in 1993 Magna Cum Laude from Cleary University with a BBA Degree. My grandparents were educators. I talk about them in my book more extensively. I have been active in my community which included joining the school board in the Oak Park School District.

I was asked to help out a college friend of mine who ran for board trustee and won two terms. After she completed her terms she asked me to run and having no excuses I couldn’t refuse. I was concerned about my community and property values and figured either I better put up or shut up. I served one term and joined the legislative board to have a say in local school policy changes coming out of our Capitol in Lansing, Michigan. I realized I cannot stomach involvement in politics (although I love staying informed) so got off that “train” and got involved in other areas.

Speaking of trains I stated that I was multi-dimensional. It means that I engaged in numerous other endeavors such as saving our local train station which was in an advanced state of decay. Around 1992 I resurrected the Friends of the Michigan Central Depot and called it the New Friends of the Michigan Central, and was its president. I created a newsletter called On Track and was featured in a special section of the Detroit Free Press (had a 13-year career there) a major newspaper. I think the newsletter caught their attention. My Thesis at Cleary University was titled, The Implementation of the Most Comprehensive Approach to Restoring the Michigan Central Depot. Since then other groups have sprung up.

In later years I mentored four freshmen girls through the Winning Futures Program. All had come along with a myriad of problems. But they managed to get through the program and we developed a very close relationship. Winning Futures will help these girls for the rest of their lives because they were taught life skills and how to stick with something and see it through. They learned how to interview for employment opportunities; how to speak and dress well, collect references that can help them land jobs, and many more positive things.

I am a former member of the Detroit Writers Guild and there was a lot of educating going on. I am still listed on the web under “Members Books.” The theme and mission was getting children to read and improve on their skills. There is a major problem with children in Detroit lacking basic skills. The guild also was involved in the arts as well and put on shows showcasing the skills we brought to the table.

I was a block club leader; a member of KPC Ladies Auxiliary, Court 189 , a branch of the Knights of St. Peter Claver National, affiliated with the merged Presentation-Our Lady of Victory Church. I was always involved in something or other even trying my hand in a few business ventures. One was Amway which is how I met my husband. Dabbled in an online business as well. None made me any money but you take your chances and I did learn a lot.

I am a firm believer in paying it forward. My godmother helped put me and my siblings through school until we graduated. She was another angel along life’s road. I paid it forward by assisting my goddaughter through higher learning. Today she is a social worker and was instrumental in helping my own brother work his way through the mental health system. You see, he was in real trouble and she got assigned to him. It’s so amazing how this works. That’s why finding Twitter friends and helping each other out was a natural for me. There is so much more I could say on this topic, but I will let you get the rest in my book.

Click on this link to catch the sale while supplies last!"

http://rememberourladyofvictory.com/?page_id=24

Here is My Contact Information:

gallerybyleslie@gmail.com

iUniverse.com

http://unfoldingofarose.ning.com/profile/ShirleyLSlaughter

www.facebook.com/sslaughter3

http://Twitter.com/motorcityauthor

www.linkedin.com/in/historybuff

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00EXRCH20

Website blog: http://rememberourladyofvictory.com/

Giveaway!

For each comment left (1 per day) on each day of my tour, your name will be entered into a drawing.  ONE (1) lucky winner will receive an autographed copy of my book "OUR LADY OF VICTORY:  THE SAGA OF AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN CATHOLIC COMMUNITY" and a $5 Amazon Gift Card. 1 daily comment = 1 entry into my giveaway.  Thanks again for the support and good luck in winning!!!

Thanks, Shirley.  Overlords fans, please give my friend Shirley's books a look and help her on her journey.  Also, visit her other blog stops to learn more about her and her great works.