Toya Smith Marshall is one of those ladies that has managed to do it all and keep it all together.  Professional belly dancer, professional makeup artist, Federal Govt employee, mother, wife, sister lock wearin’, manages 2 blogs (LIFE OF A LADYBUG and MAKEDA), I could go on…

I recently spoke with Toya after learning about her winning essay from NPR’s segment “This I Believe” (thisibelieve.org) a weekly segment that is part of the NPR newsmagazine “Tell Me More” hosted by Michel Martin (thank you Jacqueline Carter- NPR media relations).

Toya’s essay is entitled “Natural” and describes her journey to go natural and acceptance of her authentic self.

Check her essay and the pre-recorded segment online by clicking below…

DOING WHAT’S NATURAL BY TOYA SMITH MARSHALL

…and stay tuned for more on Toya Smith Marshall.

Toya Smith Marshall is one of those ladies that has managed to do it all and keep it all together.  Professional belly dancer, professional makeup artist, Federal Govt employee, mother, wife, sister lock wearin’, manages 2 blogs (LIFE OF A LADYBUG and MAKEDA), I could go on…

I recently spoke with Toya after learning about her winning essay from NPR’s segment “This I Believe” (thisibelieve.org) a weekly segment that is part of the NPR newsmagazine “Tell Me More” hosted by Michel Martin (thank you Jacqueline Carter- NPR media relations).

Toya’s essay is entitled “Natural” and describes her journey to go natural and acceptance of her authentic self.

Check her essay and the pre-recorded segment online by clicking below…

DOING WHAT’S NATURAL BY TOYA SMITH MARSHALL

…and stay tuned for more on Toya Smith Marshall.

I don’t see the news agencies reporting on it, but the most striking comment that Obama made at Alfred E. Smith charity dinner in New York last night was the one where he said something to the effect that who would’ve thought there’d be a black man who is married and a father to his own two kids.  My hubby and I turned to each other like “whoa!” when Obama pulled that one out of his hat.  Humor indeed, but I know he was sending a message to white america and anyone holding on to the stereotype that black men don’t stand by their women and raise the children they helped bring into this world.

Did anyone else catch that?

UPDATE 10/17/08:  Thanks aw for the exact quote.

“Fox News accused me of having two African American children in wedlock.”

There were a lot of other comments I liked that they are talking about in the press.  Like whoever gave him his middle name never thought he’d be running for president.

Here’s a little snippet summary about the event from World News Australia, of all sources, but they had the nicest short blurb..

Twenty-four hours after their final debate before the November 4 election, the presidential hopefuls were the stars at the celebrity-studded event to raise money for poor children in honour of the late New York governor Al Smith.

Another more descriptive short blurb from NPR…

The two men spoke at the 63rd annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, a charity event organized by the Catholic Archdiocese of New York for the benefit of needy children. An estimated $4 million was raised.