We might imagine of our children as our everlasting children, but their bodies don’t all the time tell the same story.

Research shows that more black children experience the changes and challenges of puberty sooner than other racial groups. For example: Report 2024 of the TH Chan School of Public Health at Harvard says that black girls from lower socioeconomic statuses start menstruating sooner than average age. AND 2012science reported an earlier onset of puberty for boys in the US, with black boys reaching puberty sooner than other groups.

That’s why Redd is publishing his latest book “The Real Body Manual”, designed to facilitate conversations about puberty. Known for her groundbreaking work on body literacy, Redd’s latest book tackles the complexities of adolescence with cultural sensitivity, providing a photographic guide to the body that features medically accurate information.

The problem of early puberty in black girls

One of the key issues Redd raises is the phenomenon of black girls particularly experiencing puberty sooner than in previous generations. Factors reminiscent of weight loss program, stress and possible epigenetic influences are often cited, but they are true no clear single cause. Redd emphasizes that no matter why this trend is happening, it highlights the need for early and honest discussions about body changes.

Redd, a Harvard graduate, mother of two and former Miss Virginia pageant winner who grew up in the state, says it is important to understand the nuances of “body talk” in African-American families. In many households, there could also be a generational discomfort with discussing body changes, often due to past trauma or cultural taboos. Redd believes breaking the silence is crucial.

“My mother, bless her heart, she is the most prim and proper Southern woman on the entire planet. She’s just adorable. She was very nervous (about the book),” Redd explains, noting that she selected to include the photos in the textbook for the sake of providing medically credible visuals explaining every thing from sexually transmitted diseases to growing pains. The book features multicultural photographs that show how body condition manifests itself otherwise on different skin tones, making it more accessible and accessible to Black youth.

How parents take care of adolescence

For parents scuffling with the considered their children growing up, Redd offers a straightforward message: knowledge is power. While it could not lessen the emotional impact of seeing your child mature, there may be a way of pride in watching your child grow. She encourages parents to educate themselves with their children, noting that her book is meant for each parents and young people.

How to talk to children about puberty

1. Start early: Start the conversation as soon as kids start showing curiosity about their bodies. Use age-appropriate language.
2. Use correct terminology: Terms like “vagina”, “penis” and “breasts” ought to be standardized from the starting. This helps remove stigma and promotes a healthier understanding. You haven’t got to use cute nicknames to discuss body parts or discuss them with shame.
3. Be honest: Share what changes you may expect and when to seek the advice of your doctor.
4. Create an open space: Encourage children to ask questions freely, without fear of judgment.

Redd’s will probably be published on October 22 by Penguin Random House and will probably be available wherever books are sold.

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It’s homecoming season in African America – that joyful time of 12 months when graduates of our beloved Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) return to the backyards from where we got here to collect and remember the people we all know (and do not know) in celebrating good times. Homecoming is actually a special event, people from near and far come to literally look at people and hug others, wishing one another all the best in the hope of seeing the same people next 12 months. While I doubt most individuals will determine on a specific HBCU because of homecoming season, that first visit to the backyard during the most joyous time of 12 months on campus can actually make the decision easier, even years in advance.

(For the record, I’m fully aware that reunions are held primarily at white institutions with black alumni. I can’t be convinced that that is an analogous experience. Thank you for coming to my PanamaTalk.)

This brings us to this past weekend. My wife is a proud graduate of Howard University. We live in Washington, D.C. – which is where Howard lives – so every Homecoming Weekend he normally travels away to have interaction in the various healthful shenanigans that go on at Homecomings across the HBCU spectrum. Since the overwhelming majority of these activities happen at night, it normally doesn’t leave much room to bring your kids along to witness the wonders of life at an HBCU. Anyone who has ever tried to take kids on a tailgate trip in the spirit of exposition can let you know what a foul concept that is.

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Well, in 2023, Howard got here up with the great idea to include FamilyFest into the homecoming celebration. (Note: YardFest is Howard’s most famous homecoming event; it’s a concert that typically features the hottest black music bands of the 12 months.) FamilyFest is an on-campus event you can assume takes place earlier in the day and is built in order that younger kids can enjoy it while parents reminisce about one another before larger crowds of younger people get there doing things that younger kids do. people do in larger crowds.

This 12 months my wife decided we might take our kids to FamilyFest so that they could see the campus, so we could do this lovely touristy thing and see the buildings and spaces that meant a lot to her. It was cool for me too, because I had no idea which dorm she lived in or what her college days were like. It’s nice to take a walk down memory lane. It was also nice that our kids got to experience this part of her life. One of these kids loved it a lot that I’m now convinced he will Howard University. He is currently eight years old.

I actually have written lots about my children, and one of them has a personality that approaches every thing quickly and passionately. He discovered Michael Jackson and never let go. Same with football and WWE. It seems he had an analogous experience with Howard. From the moment we arrived on campus he had all the questions and desired to see anything and every thing.

He desired to enter buildings – any buildings. He desired to walk around the yard. He saw the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts constructing and got there. The constructing was locked, but I’d must take him there so he could scratch that itch; he loves “Black Panther,” so when he saw the name and the constructing, well, he was out. There’s a reason why, if I needed to bet on which of my kids would find yourself at Howard University before leaving last weekend, it might be this one; his personality seems prepared for school. I am unable to quite explain what it means, but what is known doesn’t must be explained, you already know?

My other kids enjoyed the experience, however it wasn’t the same. My 15-year-old daughter, a highschool sophomore, has Spelman College on her mind (understandably), so while I’m sure she was excited to come back home from college, that wasn’t the most vital thing. My nine 12 months old thought it was cool, but I am unable to say whether it was a memorable experience or not. We’ll see about the four-year-old; he was too busy adopting his aunts to care where he was.

As a Morehouse Man, I sit up for my children having the ability to see my institution and judge for themselves how they feel about the atmosphere there and whether it’s a place where they see themselves. You never know when or even when it is going to occur. I believe this has already happened with my eight-year-old. Even though Howard University shouldn’t be Morehouse College, I see him on this campus becoming the version of himself he desires to be.

Now if you happen to’ll excuse me, I actually have to look the couch for change. According to Howard, it costs almost $60,000 a 12 months to take classes, so I would like to start out saving now.

It’s officially homecoming season! Amid tailgates, tap shows and backyard reunions, profession experts encourage everyone, especially young professionals, to use returning home as a possibility to expand their skilled networks and increase their probabilities of recent profession opportunities.

It’s no secret that the skilled job market is especially difficult at once, especially for Black professionals. With quite a few studies confirming the uncertain state of the labor market, profession experts are emphasizing now greater than ever the importance of connecting with job seekers. Just as McCaskill encourages job seekers to network regardless of where they’re of their careers, he recognizes the solemn nature of coming home.

“During the farewell ball and events like this, you are at the intersection of culture and career,” he noted. “Coming house is an ideal place to strengthen your network and stand out in a competitive job market. Just making that connection, one connection when you’re back home with the precise alumnus who then introduces you to the precise alumnus, might be the difference between spending a month on the lookout for a job or six months on the lookout for one.

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With that in mind, listed here are 4 ways to construct meaningful relationships if you return to the backyard:

Networking = constructing connections

“Networking is not about handing out business cards. Networking is about identifying a community of people who are rooting for you to win,” McCaskill explained.

While networking can lead to profession success, the premise of this skill is constructing relationships with people. So before you approach anyone, understand that this just isn’t the time to bombard them with questions or requests for mentoring or employment. Networking starts like several conversation: with an introduction.

“Just like your goal isn’t to get married and have a baby with every person you meet on a date, your goal in networking is to have a great conversation and maybe connect later,” he added. “When networking, I want to talk, introduce myself to someone, where they (learn) something about me, hear and receive something about them, and then maybe we can connect and talk later.”

Understanding time and place

The homecoming is stuffed with various events. Before you rush out to secure a spot on the annual step show, McCaskill recommends stopping by the campus alumni office to see what events offer networking opportunities in a more “traditional” way (e.g. mixers, panel discussions, etc.). However, if a possibility arises outside of those more formal networking spaces, don’t hesitate to start a conversation with the alumni around you.

“Look, most people coming home aren’t necessarily going to be in the mood to talk about work, especially at cocktail parties, social gatherings and tailgates,” he explained. “Yes, it could be cocktails, it could be some tap dancing, it could be some old style storytelling, but should you’re in these spaces together with your sorority brothers or sisters, it’s an ideal opportunity (to construct connections).

Practice and preparation

McCaskill says job seekers should approach these interviews with “curiosity and confidence.” To construct your confidence, she recommends preparing and practicing a 30-second presentation explaining who you might be, what you do, and what you are on the lookout for (hint: you would like to connect or stay connected). Once you have polished your introduction, be certain your LinkedIn profile is updated and/or use virtual business cards or features like LinkedIn QR codes to seamlessly connect with people regardless of what.

“We all have our phones with us most of the time, whether we’re standing in line for Hennessy or waiting in line for a game,” he added. “When you talk to someone, nine times out of ten they could not provide you with their phone number, or you’ll be able to’t spell their name in an email, but you’ll be able to pull up their LinkedIn instantly. You reach out and send yourself a note to be certain you reciprocate.

Don’t forget to follow up

Contacting people is as vital as the primary meeting. After meeting someone at a family function that might turn into a possible skilled bond, make sure to include a customized note in your email or LinkedIn request – mentioning something from the conversation. However, this just isn’t a one-time step. Be sure to reach out to your recent connection to proceed constructing relationships well beyond the realm of homecoming.

“You have to have a relationship-building and community-building mindset,” McCaskill said, highlighting LinkedIn’s “Catch Up” tab, which allows users to stay awake to date with their friends’ profession milestones, etc. “People want to know that you’re there to think about them before you will need them. So all these things matter.”

Ultimately, as we start our return home, McCaskill wants everyone to remember to “bring the best of yourself wherever you are. So you can have a quick two-minute conversation in a pleasant environment and turn it into a powerful networking moment. We’re talking about Black people who turned everything that was difficult into something amazing. You can easily turn a fun homecoming moment into a networking opportunity.”