On the evening of April 29, 2011, at the Wyndham Grand Hotel, the former Hilton, located in Pittsburgh, PA, excelling Point Park University students and prestigious university faculty members as well as notable administrators smiled and posed for photos on the red carpet as they checked-in for the 2011 Outstanding Student Awards, an evening to celebrate student achievement.

And there sat at table number 20 a boy with his soft auburn hair and tie dyed hands from the earlier end of the year festivities of dying shirts and bags, Bernard along with friends munched on some fine salad and were astounded by the pure elegance of the hotel ballroom, but certainly Bernard and his table mates did not know what to expect of his award nomination for the Sophomore Experience in leadership.

The evening began with some funny and inspiring YouTube video clips that involved Point Park students from the powerful dance flash mobs of the G-20 summit to some of the Pittsburgh Playhouse performances like Thoroughly Modern Millie and Carousel. But the excitement of the evening certainly took Bernard by surprise as he watched the video montage capture his first ever Pittsburgh Light Up Night debut!

I did not know they even did this. I am slightly embarrassed, but truly happy that it was displayed to more than 100 people in the room. This means I got exposure!

And he certainly did.

Point Park University President, Paul Hennigan and Senior Vice-President for Academic and Student Affairs, Karen McIntyre welcomed the evening with some delightful campus-wide achievements as well as some reflective moments that various students have about Point Park.  As the night progressed with award presenters and happy recipients, there the nerves just bubbled inside of Bernard and his award category for The Sophomore Experience Leadership Award was called upon.

As the community director and The Sophomore Experience coordinator, Katie Munsch described the achievements of the award recipient having  helped the visually impaired at the Job and Intern fair, the amount of fireworks that went off in Bernard’s head was unimaginable and all sound left his mind as he turned deaf in recognition. With tears in his eyes and excitement in his heart, Bernard walked eagerly to the stage and shook the president’s hand and accepted his award.

I just remember feeling really excited and completely deaf to what was going around me. This is my first award ever to be formerly received and I am on a cloud right now.I just remember going back to my seat and asking if I smiled and if there was clapping, I feel like I just had an outer body experience.

Even though Bernard did not literally leave us for some astral plane expedition, he did manage to dance as he exited the stage with his award in hand and a mile long grin on his face. The energy just seems to not escape from this future television talk show host.

The evening did continue with more honorable awards like Outstanding Advisor, School-based awards, and even the highest achievable award, the President’s Award which the recipient gets an engraved bison-statue. Which graduating senior, Veronika Panagiotou accepted for an overwhelming impact on the quality of life at Point Park through her dedication toward service, leadership, and contributions to the community.

As the night ended with an ice cream sundae buffet in the ballroom lobby, Bernard did manage to take more pictures with the president of the school for his award and congratulated numerous award recipients and nominees.

It was truly blissful to see the excitement and joy in their eyes. I felt the energy in the room and it was certainly positive. I know what award I am going after in the coming years, that is another reason for coming to these events. You get to see what is offered to you and then you can work hard toward achieving it.

There were no acceptance speeches provided by any of the award recipients, most likely due to time constraints, but Bernard did manage to express his utmost gratitude for his accomplishment on his personal blog on Tumblr and you can read his thanks and understand better of why this evening was so inspiring to him. 

]]> http://bernardtalks.com/2011/05/09/sophomore-leadership-award/feed/ 1 bernieluvsellen 209979_1643985270530_1563826801_31194095_8224299_o http://bernardtalks.com/2011/04/21/realityrocksexpo/ http://bernardtalks.com/2011/04/21/realityrocksexpo/#comments Thu, 21 Apr 2011 05:51:10 +0000 BernieLuvsEllen http://bernardtalks.com/?p=1410 ]]>

Two weeks ago, I headed to California to officially use my Prilosec OTC® award to attend the first ever Reality Rocks Expo that highlights and captures the world of reality television at its core. Flying out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Thursday, April 7th was more than a birthday wish– it was an adventure like no other and I learned a great deal about who I am and what I can do for others.

I met a woman on the plane and we hit the talk button for three hours. I simply soaked up her life like a sponge and truly appreciated every moment. I picked up on her personality and wisdom through her lived facial expressions and bubbly word choices. I knew that  made a connnection.

She had told me her memoir and it conveyed a message of hope. Hope in that people are social creatures. As humans we attach to one another regardless of our struggles, because we can not do stuff alone when times are simply rough. I remember while attending private school, that my mother told me that basically “people need other people” and I then appreciated her wisdom, but meeting this complete stranger was uplifting and gave me the hope that even this age of technology does not keep all people from talking to one another. But it allows for people to become aware of other stories and lives, we did officially declare ourselves Facebook friends as we hugged one another and departed ways in Dallas with smiles on our faces like we just gave each other a million dollars.

The plane ride was the most rewarding human experience and for it to happen on my 20th birthday says a lot. I am a big person on life’s pleasures. But simply knowing of coincidences or miracles, meeting people can spark a life in us that we were not already aware of.

At the Reality Rocks Expo which opened on April 9th and resumed on April 10th, I met quite a bit of people in all areas of the entertainment bubble. From casting agents to celebrity news writers, each person that I shook hands with or exchanged business cards, it reflected a sense of pride and courage to be in a room filled with common interests and goals.

As I entered the ballroom plotted with photo-booths and sign up tables, I began to feel a rush and then came a man that was carrying a lot more than a brown leather side bag stuffed to the  seams. Instead of sprinting over to Access Hollywood, I stopped and a connection was formed. Giacomo Knox, 38 year old freelance producer seemed to be on the tip of his toes because he has a dream and no one seems to notice it. Knox created a web docu-series reality show based on his  reunion with his father whom had not seen for 33 years. When he talked about A Week With My Father, I saw the light in his eyes and felt the familiar rush radiate from his body as I too experience with becoming a television talk show host. I was amazed to talk to someone who already made his dream into a reality by creating his idea into a show and it inspires me to do the same, however, it is obvious he is hungry and there at the expo for a better meal instead of being served a microwaveable dinner.

Our chat lasted about 15 minutes and we exchanged cards and we departed. I walked around the room until my first workshop panel discussion with the “Queen of Hosting” and founder of BecomeAHost.com, Marki Costello. My enthusiasm meandered through the pockets of people and I stopped by at multiple tables like Authentic Entertainment, BecomeAHost.com, and American Auctioneers. Yet another lasting connection was formed with Cyndi Targosz, a celebrity life coach and author. Targosz is creating a new reality show dealing with the real concerns that are the shadow for many celebrities. I spoke with her agent about her idea and later during the day I came back to actually meet the socialite. 

I attended three workshops at the expo and my first was the fiercest reality check and of course Marki Costello’s quick and powerful forefront-personality bombarded the room with such weight that I wanted to make myself known the moment I entered the arena. I wanted to impress the panelists of who I am and what I stand for.

Lessons I took from this workshop:

• Brand Yourself– What makes you tick
• Mass Appeal– What multiple areas can you tackle and make money from
• Do your research– Know what they have done and if you match their style

She called me out as “Red.”

This internet power has been such a success that it is probably the number one go-to spot to pass the time or for some to set up your dreams and let them fly.

Rachel DeJesus, a New Jersey native, is taking on the internet by its horns, well not exactly horns, but you catch the point. This American Idol-reject is making her sensational singing passion known by creating videos and posting them on her own YouTube Channel. Did I mention the service is free. Yeah, free!  DeJesus auditioned for seasons 8 and 10 of American Idol, but the judges did not choose her to be the next American Idol. Bummer! So she noted quite clearly that if you going to audition for television then a little more entertainment fluff is needed.

“My only drawback, I felt, was that I had to “stand out” of the crowd. Wearing a ridiculous costume was not going to cut it for me, but maybe whipping out my Tracy Turnblad costume from a year and a half ago and belting out a memorable song would have helped me.”

And she certainly could not have said it better.

With over thousands of views on her YouTube channel, one particular video, with at least 400 hits, is one of my favorites! DeJesus is performing “Good Morning Baltimore” from Broadway’s hit musical Hairspray. As a spunky school girl who just wants to sing, DeJesus nails her audience with her high-rolling acting skills as well as belting those beautiful notes as Miss Turnblad greets the morning onlookers of Baltimore.

Since 2008, DeJesus has uploaded close to 30 videos and there are certainly more to come. However, more recently her YouTube fame has spiked dramatically with a video post that has caught YouTube users’ eyes and ears!  More than 1,600 views, DeJesus records herself sitting in front of her webcam with her hair up, shirt falling along her shoulders ever so teasingly,breathes in the comforting air around her, and pops the notes of Bruno Mars’ song  Talking to the Moon. When asked about her most viewed video, she had this to say

“That is such a milestone and I hope my other videos will get the same recognition as well.”

My best goes out to her other videos, but I am going to place my money on that this Bruno Mars song is her best yet and the other videos truly reveal where she had once started from, bouncing around her high school auditorium with a 1960′s demeanor of a character whom only wanted their dreams to come true. Yet, being rejected twice, DeJesus is not throwing out her starbright passion of singing.

“I may not have make up on or my hair all done, but what matters in my YouTube videos is that I am heard! I strive to do better in my singing and I am fortunate that I have come this far with such great support from close friends and family and also my fellow YouTube viewers.”

YouTube is helping her to keep her dreams a reality and inspiring others to do the same. You can subscribe to Rachel DeJesus on YouTube and follow her on Twitter at @heyuhitsrachhh.

“I have so so so much to learn and I would love to have all of you on board for this wonderful journey.”

This talented youngster is going far in life because she has America’s Future Talk Show Host on her side and you should too! If you want to appear as a SHOWCASE profile on The Bernard Charles Show then tell us your story!

I had asked all of you to connect with me on various social networking platforms and most of you did. So I am so appreciative that you did in order to enter this giveaway! It was a pretty nice giveaway considering I used my own money to purchase the prizes. So be thankful…LOL. Well, to get to the point of the matter, I am really pleased to present to you all the winners of The Bernard Charles Show’s 100th Post Celebration Giveaway and the winners are Meghan Manahan for 3rd place, Emily Petsko for 2nd place, and for 1st place is Allison Martini. Congratulations to the winners and to those who took the time to enter as well.

Believe me there will be more awesome opportunities to follow, so don’t delete me just yet if you didn’t win! This is just the start of greater possibilities!

Avon is doing more than just selling make-up…

Avon Voices is Avon’s first-ever global online singing talent search for women and songwriting competition for men and women.  A panel of celebrity judges, including Fergie, Natasha Bedingfield, Sheila E., Diane Warren and more are on hand, providing singing tips and helping select our finalists.

And if you are picked as a finalist, you’ll get the chance to TRAVEL (takes care of that vacation resolution) to Hong Kong, Rio de Janiero, Paris, Hollywood, New York or Nashville, plus PHOTO AND VIDEO SHOOTS, a PROFESSIONAL MAKEOVER and coaching (feeling oh so pretty).  The best part is, the winners may get the opportunity record a professionally produced album (the whole world will now hear you).

How to Enter

It takes 30 seconds.  Record a video of you singing 30 seconds of a hit song from the approved list that you can do right from your home.  It’s a year-long competition but you only have until February 13, 2011 to submit a 30-second video clip at www.avonvoices.com.

This program benefits the Avon Foundation for Women’s global campaign to end violence against women and girls.

A new 13th sign called Ophiuchus is not a sign at all just like Pluto is not a planet any more. This is utterly ridiculous and this really irritates my inner Aries and I want some deep deep meditative intuition to show me the truth, no bullsh*t either! This was my immediate response as soon as I heard of a new zodiac sign that has changed the arrangement of all the other approved signs.

THE NEW ZODIAC

ARIES = APRIL 19 – MAY 13
TAURUS = MAY 14 – JUNE 19
GEMINI = JUNE 20 – JULY 20
CANCER = JULY 21 – AUG 9
LEO = AUGUST 10 – SEPTEMBER 15
VIRGO = SEPTEMBER 16 – OCTOBER 30
LIBRA = OCTOBER 31 – NOVEMBER 22
SCORPIO = NOVEMBER 23 – NOVEMBER 29
OPHIUCHUS = NOVEMBER 30 – DECEMBER 17
SAGITTARIUS = DECEMBER 18 – JANUARY 18
CAPRICORN = JANUARY 19 – FEBRUARY 15
AQUARIUS = FEBRUARY 16 – MARCH 11
PISCES = MARCH 12 – APRIL 18

Are we serious now??? I think not, what…are they going to tell us next, that a 13th month is gonna come. No way! I think people who are going to believe in this 13th sign should be warned. Who wants a serpent tamer as their figurehead in the cosmic world! I don’t think my fear of snakes has anything to do with my dislike of this re-found sign, but I just feel that if so many follow the bible, they can agree that snakes are a symbol of evil thus this sign can be of evil nature. Or it can be shown as man overcoming evil by taming it. Yet, this new revealed sign makes me look at the wave of men dancing with temptation (men and women and gay and straight). Either way, you messed with this fiery battering ram. And I need to butt heads with the officials involved in this hocus pocus. As far as I and my mother are concerned the Babylonians disregarded this 13th sign for a specific reason. Even the number 13 comes across as bad.

Since we are entering 2012 and all this new zodiac sign crap is playing in the game, I think I shall retreat to my sacred bedroom and meditate for real astrological answers.

So now I guess the new look is much more bolder just like their coffee, but we can be assured that its great taste will stay the same.

I hop onto my computer this morning about to have a meltdown when my wonderful mom of superhero abilities comes zooming in past the table and sits in front of me with her Lysol can gun armed and ready to fight against my brother’s flu symptoms. She looks at me and says “Snooki  was on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”

“No.” replying back as I look at my computer screen perusing my Facebook notifications. Hopefully, I did not seem too pushy but she continues talking.

“Well I meant online.” (We have no cable at all, but today sometime the cable guy is going to come.) She says rather curiously as if I should know what she was talking about. Well, I don’t and to be honest I can’t even keep up with Ellen DeGeneres, even though people suspect me to. It is very thoughtful for people to do so, but I don’t have all that time to be a stalker and I just concluded that Ellen won’t see me in the wave of people anyway. So, my wonderful mother continues after I gave her the look.

I looked rather placid, since I had nothing to write for my blog and she already knows how I feel about Snooki and that whole Jersey Shore cast. Not going to rant here.

“Well, Miss Snooki went on the show and told everyone outright that  her not blacking out was a good night.” I looked at her again with some interest and then the topping came after. “Snooki is a twit.” I laughed and she smiled a bit after noticing her remark was a bit forthright.

“Yeah, but that’s what she is known for and that’s what people seem to like.” I stated trying to sort out Snooki’s motives for telling her drunkenness habits on a nationally broadcasted talk-show. “She’s so good, she has us talking about her right now.”

“But there are girls out there that look up to this girl.”

I was even more interested and so I asked “There are?”

All in all, my sister’s friends seem to look up to Snooki’s character as well as the other members of the cast. I could probably shovel some reasons as to why people look up to her and the cast, but I am not going to waste my time, because as far as I am concerned, my mother is right. She is a twit. And these “celebrities” need to get it in their thick skulls that doing bad stuff and not respecting themselves is wrong. This is where that line of Reality TV comes in that I don’t agree with, but I have my own motives into wanting to get involved with the television industry. I want to make positive change and the bullies, alcohol, and wannabees are not going to ruin my chances of making my life better! So for all those you do like her and her badass crew then you need to do some deep meditation and soul searching before you come talk to me about your life’s dreams.

So for all of your curiosity and entertainment, here is your one and only SNOOKI being a twit.

Happy New Year to one and all! This is the second day of the bright future ahead of us and lets all take a minute to stop and breathe in harmony that surrounds us all. Great! Lets begin!

When I first discovered OWN, I was on my computer and there I was following my daily rambles of Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr, then suddenly, I ended up on the OWN site and Oprah Winfrey was looking for the next TV star with Your OWN Show! My heart dropped to the floor and I paced around a bit before I made any hardcore decisions. Then I looked over my computer screen and  perused the site  and said YES, I can! After I mustered up enough strength I looked at the rules and regulations to enter the contest. The entrant had to be 21 years or older. I don’t know if this happened to anyone else, but this opportunity skyrocketed my passion and then my ideas suddenly crashed to the ground all in a matter of seconds. Really, Oprah! Twenty-one years old seems like the reason would be an alcohol-related ruling, but who really knows. So, I just subscribed to the site’s updates and I left it saying to myself, if they needed someone younger they will sure enough ask.

Since, the launching of OWN, it has come to people’s attention that Oprah carries a strong and faithful audience aged around 50-years-old. In this recent CBS news video that I found on YouTube, experts are suggesting that Ms. Winfrey should in fact consider reaching out to the younger population. This younger audience is not exactly said to be of a certain age, but my immediate assumption would be teens and probably the college era of youth. But only the terms young and youth are used, so who really knows. All I know is that the young people of today do know who this thriving successful black woman is and many students need just as much positive empowerment as the older folks!

Photo credit Lindsay Dill

I am certain that Oprah’s new age thinking is going to appeal to a younger audience by the simple fact that there is this giant increase of vampire loving and werewolf adoring young fans, Harry Potter fanatics, and even a newly rising following of The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanna Collins. Not saying new age thinking is about those creatures and themes entirely, but at the root of it all there is commonality among people today for something more magical and worthwhile like a real life adventure! That’s what kids these days want.

All in all, it is a matter of inspiring teens to believe again, help them create at their best, and then motivate them to  teach others to dream further by passing it forward. So ask me now how I feel about that rule on being 21 to enter Winfrey’s Your OWN Show. My response is going to be that I am going to bet on myself first.

You have to know that I like the attention that the idea of racism holds. The actual negative possession of such bigotry is not up my alley, but I am deeply curious about why and how the issue operates. It effects many people differently. My hometown, we do not talk about racism. If it creeps into a conversation then, we all agree that racism is bad. And the conversation is quiet and seems to cool the air. As far as my father’s side of the family, an outsider would definitely think they are racist, because they are open about calling anyone not white, by their stereotypical name. It is quite sad, because I don’t view a person by their skin, but by them being themselves, their birth-name in fact!

Absolutely! I look at people inside and out by their names and I then associate name with person and vice versa.  But this idea of racism is really compelling and coming from a boarding school with an equal population of both white and black, with just a smaller amount of Hispanics and Latinos, I am quite comfortable talking about the subject.

I feel as though I adapted a view that many do not even discover especially on my paternal side of the family. They sure enough are aware of the ‘ole time favorites like Martin Luther King Jr., Oprah Winfrey, and even Mario Lopez. However, the regular day people they do not see. The people who are just like them, working just as much, but society has locked in their vision to see in a way of prejudice, instead of the element of being human. Do you feel the same way?

This is why racism intrigues me so much. Certainly, I am curious for the new year. I would like to be aware of these boundaries that society as a whole created over time that lock in our expression and individualism as a person with other people just because of skin color. From there one  can branch out in other categories like; socio-economic structure, employment whereabouts, and even where one shops for clothing and food. It all relates to one another.

So, this 2011 new year resolution is racist because it is about racism itself.

To learn more about how racism affects people in their daily lives.

My first step into understanding this clandestine battle is reading Class Matters written by correspondents of  The New York Times. Here I will be able to understand the current class situations that face the United States and hopefully get a deeper insight as to how racism certainly has an affect in the matter. Here is a special section of The New York Times tribute to CLASS MATTERS.

How you can get involved

I certainly cannot face this 2011 journey alone and I am looking for your help! If you have any reading materials to suggest please comment below or contact me. Also, I am looking for experts to write for this show-blog about the subject. In addition to getting involved, I am interested in your thoughts and please ask questions! You can check out my FORMSPRING page to ask your audience questions. If you have any other creative ideas then do send them this way and you will certainly be praised and credited for such awesome thinking!