Enjoyed sharing my story with the young students from Boys Hope Girls Hope. Thanks John for inviting me and keep up the good work.  You guys were a great audience.

So excite and honored to emcee the kickoff ceremony for  the Youth Peace Olympics.  Looking forward to being a part of the program. Congrats Alma and the organizing committee.

I recently attended the Girls at the Table luncheon sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club. It's an opportunity to mentor the young girls ages 11 to 17.  It's always good to spend time with them. They are smart and funny and fun to be around. Thanks to Sharon Bethea for inviting me. It was also great to see Jacqui Vines. She served as guest speaker.

Feeling stuck in a deadend job? Having trouble reaching your goals? Want to do something different but don't know what to do?  The Good Job Workshop is for you.  This workshop will teach you how to discover your passions, how to get what you really want and how to develop a step-by-step plan to reach your goals.  It will be held on May 14 from 10 a.m. to noon at the East Baton Rouge Parish Professional Development Center, 3000 North Sherwood Forest Blvd.   The cost is $10 in advance. $15 at the door.  The workshop is based on Author/Journalist Michelle McCalope's new book "That Good Job: A guide to pursuing your passions and following your dreams." (Amazon.com).  The book includes a step by step workbook to help you develop a plan to reach your goals. The book is $20. You can register for the class and the book at $30, but the book is not required to attend the class.  Go to www.michellemccalope.net for more information.

The 4th Annual Baton Rouge Area Association of Black Journalists Scholarship Luncheon was another huge success. CBS' Kurt Davis served as guest speaker and we honored Pioneering Journalists Dr. Jinx Broussard, Photographer James Terry, and Former State Senator Sharon Weston Broome. Thanks to everyone who attended and special thanks to our members for their hard work. 

Miss USA crowned in Baton Rouge

The new Miss USA Olivia Jordan formerly Miss Tulsa was crowned recently at the Baton Rouge River Center during the Miss USA Pageant on July 12. It's the first time Miss Tulsa has won the coveted title. The 51 contestants spent nearly two weeks in the Capital City enjoying our food, culture, and our good ole Southern hospitality. All the ladies said they definitely wanted to come back and visit. The crew enjoyed dinners at Sullivan's  Mestizo's, and Ruffino's as well as tours of the Atchafalaya and other attractions. The ladies were all so gracious and so much fun. I really enjoyed getting to know them. Kudos to the Mayor Kip Holden, Visit Baton Rouge, and the Miss Universe organization for a job well done! I want to see them back next year!

New hotel opens in downtown Baton Rouge

There's a new addition to the downtown landscape.  The Holiday Inn Express hotel recently held its grand opening. Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden, other elected officials, and business and community leaders attended. The three-story boutique hotel is located on North Boulevard and St. Ferdinand.  It features 88 rooms, a fitness center, an executive boardroom and meeting room, and a business center. Check it out. It's really nice!

So excited to cover the Miss USA Pageant once again this year and so glad they're back in town. The pageant will be held Sunday July 12 at the Baton Rouge River Center, but the ladies are in town now seeing all the sights. My Scene TV caught up with them at Mestizo's restaurant. Check out my interviews here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWd6beC1lu0

                       LSU Coach lends support to Sickle Cell Foundation

LSU Defensive Coordinator Coach John "Big Chief" Chavis is lending his name to a great cause.  Coach Chavis sponsored a golf tournament at the University Club on May 19. Proceeds will be donated to the Baton Rouge Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation.  On Sunday, May 18, Chavis hosted a kick-off party and silent auction at L'Auberge Casino Hotel.  I emceed the party which was attended by Sickle Cell Executive Director Lorri Burgess, Board President Darryl

Robertson, community leaders, and supporters.  I emceed the event for the second consecutive time.  I always enjoy supporting my friend Lorri.

IBM Talent Manager risks life to find authentic self

As you know, I recently wrote a book, "Good Job" about following your dreams and pursuing your passion and not being afraid to take risks. Well, my friend Dima Ghawi, an IBM talent development  manager, is a perfect example of someone who has done just that. She risked her life to leave a pre-arranged marriage and customs to find her authentic self. It's a journey I encourage everyone to take for themselves. Check out her amazing story here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nr62XUtlu0&list=PLsRNoUx8w3rMlIjGzSFEYeJUQENW2u50Q&index=16

Customer Reviews of "Good Job"

When you write a book or create anything else, you never know how people will respond. You hope they see its worth like you do, but you never know. So I'm so thankful for your positive response.  Here are a couple of my first customer reviews. To purchase the book, go to amazon.com or michellemccalope.net.

Customer Reviews                          

By DIMA GHAWI Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: "Good Job": A guide to getting the job and career you really want (Kindle Edition) I enjoyed reading "Good Job" by Michelle McCalope and following her amazing story. The book is filled with wise life lessons, risk taking, and encouragement. It is a great resource for everyone from college graduates to experienced professionals. So many people feel stuck at their jobs and are afraid to take a risk. "Good Job" will help them envision the career possibilities, tackle their fears, and invites them to a different way of thinking.

My favorite quote from this book is: “The great thing about life is it’s your life. You can change it whenever you like”.

I totally recommend "Good Job", it is an easy read and its lessons apply to everyone. "

By Amazon Customer Verified Purchase This Book will definitely give you the push and motivation you need to go forward and step into something greater!!!

Award-winning journalist writes book to encourage others to follow their dreams

I''m excited to announce my new book, “Good Job”:  A guide to getting the job and career you really want.” I want to inspire you to pursue a job or career you really enjoy, not just one that pays the bills.  After all, it's not a 'good job' if it's not a good job for you.  I've been blessed to pursue my passion of being a journalist for more than 15 years, working in nearly every facet of the industry. I've worked as a newspaper reporter, magazine writer and editor, public relations practitioner, television reporter and fill-in anchor, and now web producer.  I want to encourage others to follow their passion too.  In the book, I share the many lessons I've learned along the way that will help you in your journey.  For example, I know that fear is the number one reason people stay in dead-end jobs. But I've learned that you have to move forward in spite of the fear if you're ever going to realize your dreams.   I talk about this lesson as well as others including the importance of having the right attitude, conducting informational interviews, and sharing your dreams with others. The book is available at amazon.com or michellemccalope.net. I would love to hear your feedback and I appreciate your support.

Jaguar Nation says goodbye to a legend 

Jaguar Nation said goodbye to one of its own today, the legendary Dr. Isaac Greggs who served as director of the Human Jukebox for more than 36 years. Band Director Lawrence Jackson said Dr. Greggs gave his "best years" to Southern, retiring at age 77.  It was a wonderful celebration of his life--the musician, the family man, the mentor, the teacher, and the friend. One of his sayings everyone repeated was "It's gonna be alright. You'll be alright by Wednesday." I have fond memories of Dr. Greggs when I was at Southern. He always greeted me with a warm smile and a hug and some of my best times on campus were enjoying the band. I interviewed him last year when he was inducted into the Louisiana Black History Hall of Fame.  My photographer and I laughed because he kept telling him to "take our picture."

We'll miss you Doc. Thank you for everything you did for Southern University. You will always be a part of Jaguar Nation.

Kinsey Collection Creator tells his story

Bernard Kinsey wants to dispel what he calls "the myth of absence."

"The myth of absence is that African Americans are invisibly present," said the creator of the Kinsey Collection, an African American art exhibit currently on display at Epcot at Disney World in Orlando.

Kinsey was speaking to students at the Disney Dreamers Academy sponsored by Steve Harvey and Essence magazine. The four-day program is designed to inspire and motivate youth to follow their dreams.

"Lewis and Clark had a Black man with them,” Kinsey says. “We were there with Lincoln and Grant, but all of this has been left out of the history books or history. We're saying let's look at the narrative a little different."



That different narrative is a collection of 40 pieces of African-American art, artifacts, documents, and sculptures that were collected by Kinsey and his wife Shirley. The pieces have traveled the country including being on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

 The Epcot exhibit was unveiled at the Dreamers Academy on March 9.

"The Kinsey Collection is all about achievement and accomplishment,"Kinsey says. "We want to talk about the people who made a difference in building this country."

Bernard Kinsey talks about the Kinsey Collection.

A book is available about the history

  of the collection

This Bill of Sale is one of 40 pieces in the collection.

The pieces tell a story that Kinsey says is 'absent.'

Kinsey and his wife, Shirley have collected the pieces during their travel to 90 countries.

The exhibit features information about Blacks in all walks of life.

Celebrities share their stories at Disney Dreamers

Steve Harvey, Michelle Eubanks, president of Essence Communications, Grey's Anatomy's Chandra Wilson and James Pickens, Chef Jeff, and Motivational Speaker Jonathon Sprinkles are just a few of the celebrities participating in Disney Dreamers Academy in Orlando.

Steve Harvey is the host of the Disney Dreamers which is in its sixth year.

Grey's Anatomy's Chandra Wilson and James Pickens narrate the interactive portion of the Kinsey Collection exhibit at Epcot.

Michelle Eubanks is the president of Essence Communications.

Jonathon Sprinkles is a motivational speaker in Houston.

Chef Jeff hosted the Culinary workshops at the Dreamers Academy.

Kinsey Collection debuts at Disney Dreamers

The grand opening of the Kinsey Collection, an African American art exhibit featuring 40 pieces, was held at Epcot. It was part of the Disney Dreamers Academy that is underway. You have to check it out. Click here to learn more!

I'm back!

I'm revamping my blog, Front Row. I started the blog when I was in Beaumont, Texas working as a communications consultant in 2009. The blog has been inactive since 2010 because I've changed jobs and relocated to my hometown of Baton Rouge, La. Now that I've made the transition, I'm ready to go again. The blog will cover news and events locally as well as across the nation. Stay tuned for more!

"Colored Girls" Draws Big Crowd

Genesis Beauty Salon sponsored a premier of Tyler Perry's "Colored Girls" Sunday afternoon at Hollywood Theaters and there was not an empty seat in sight. It was full of beautiful African American women from all age groups including myself. It was a beautiful sight to see. I really enjoyed the movie and I really enjoyed seeing it with the ladies! Thanks Alesha Wells for hosting us!