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So, you’re a teenager now or at least almost there. You’re at the moment in your life when you are discovering more of your likes and dislikes. You may be trying to come up with your own sense of fashion; trying to discover who you are, what you want to look like, how you want to be received. Well, I’m thirty-two years old. I’ve been where you are before. I’ve had self-esteem issues and so many of the feelings that all preteens and teenagers experience.

Let me talk to you for a minute. Listen to your parents and/or your guardian. They want the best for you. I was always really close to my mother (grandmother). She was an incredible woman. She taught me so many jewels in life that I cherish and I am now able to share those same jewels with my two beautiful daughters. I want you to focus on your school work. There’s nothing wrong with having fun with your friends, but understand that there should be a balance to everything. Your parents share a lot of experiences with you because they too were your age before. They love you and want to see you blossom beautifully in life. You may think you have all the answers, but you don’t (smile). I’m sure you’re intelligent for your age, but there’s so much more in life to learn. Take your time and act your age. Be young and responsible. This is the only time in your life that you will be a preteen or teenager. After this stage-you’re an adult forever. And, that can be a wonderful time for you too, but understand that a lot of decisions you make now can shape your upcoming years to be easier or harder.

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Are you experiencing a difficult moment in your life right now? How did you get there? Take responsibility for your contribution to the issue. That’s the only way you’re going to learn from it. Whatever you’re going through will get better. It may not seem like it right now, but better days are ahead for you and you can share your experience with whomever you choose. One day someone is going to need your advice. And, never allow anyone to make you feel less that you are. Never allow anyone to hold you to yesterday. Surround yourself around ones who want the best for you and who are genuinely happy for you.
You are capable of being that outstanding person that you aspire to be. Just believe!

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Sincerely,

Jane

Guest blogger Jamie Jones

A kind heart, a beautiful spirit + a focused mind are the ingredients of young activist + actress Princess Jackson! This dynamic young lady birthed “Sock Out Poverty” because of her fondness for socks and seeing the need in the community. Princess came up with the idea to raise donations which would cover the needs of men, women, boys, and girls who were in need of a new pair(s) of socks. Her goal is to reduce poverty and provide socks for the less fortunate, therefore Socking Out Poverty one step at a time! Princess has continuously spread the word about her message on bettering the community which caught the ear of Steve Harvey where she was featured on his show!

Let’s get to know Princess a little bit better…

Sock Out Poverty, Inc. is an influential non-profit  that provides socks, clothing and other material goods to men, women, boys, and girls that are in need. What made you want to create this powerful organization?

Four years ago while I was on a blanket drive with my mom, I noticed the homeless had blankets, cardboard, shoes with holes in them, but they didn’t have socks to keep them warm. I wanted to give new socks to the less fortunate so Sock Out Poverty, INC was created.

You also share your gifts through acting, what do you love about the acting world? 

I love acting because it allows me to play in different roles. Improv (acting with no scripts) is my favorite. I able to pretend to be some someone else and have fun doing it.

Being young and having responsibilities can sometimes get to be a bit overwhelming, how do you regroup and motivate yourself when you’re feeling a little defeated?

I’m active in acting, modeling, charity events, and school. I stay focus and have a schedule I go by so I will be able to accomplish my goals. I also take 30 minutes each day to listen to something positive and motivating.

The possibilities are limitless for your future! What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be an actress and make music.

We tend to pull characteristics from others in our lives or from people we admire, who inspires you and why?

My mother and music artist ‘I AM JUSTIFIED’ inspires me. My mother inspires as I watch her give to others, it teaches me not to be selfish and give to others too. I AM JUSTIFIED inspires me because he always focus on positivity even when negativity is around. This motivates me to stay positive.

We are all about empowerment, what does EMPOWERMENT mean to you?

Empowerment means to be strong. My goal is when others see my strength, it will encourage others to be strong too.

Time for faves! Celeb Crush? Artist? Food? Movie?

Celeb Crushes are Chris Brown, Trey Songz, Bryshere Gray, and Basketball player Kelly Oubre. My favorite food is shrimp alfredo. My favorite movies are Major Payne and Rude Alone.

Check out more here:

Sock Out Poverty

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You just chugged a Red Bull but you can’t get pass the 1st sentence of your U.S. History notes. We’ve all been there when our mind and energy level seems to be gliding on EMPTY. Well, well haven’t you heard that music is medicine? And the right dose can get you back on track! Check out 10 songs that we guarantee will kick your study break back into gear!

1. Cold water- Major Lazor ft. Justin Bieber 

 2. Let me love you – Mario

3. Castle on the Hill – Ed Sheeran 

4. Best thing I Never had – Beyoncé 

5. Hanging up my Jersey – PnB Rock

6. I just wanna – Lucas Coly 

7. Miss Independent – Ne-yo

8. Finesse – Bruno Mars

9. F.U.B.U. – Solange ft. The-Dream and BJ the Chicago Kid 

10.  Chloe and Halle – Red Lights

Study on!

List created by CORE Intern Semhar Solomon

#NYC Teens! Get ready for the holidays with CORE Mag at our Beautifully Bold NYC event on December 17th from 1p-4p! Dope tutorials, beauty panel and of course fresh goodies will have you kicking off the New Year right!

Not a teen or don’t live in NYC? See how you can sponsor an young lady to enjoy an afternoon of empowerment + beauty when you RSVP at BeautifullyBoldNYC.eventbrite.com.

You’re pretty much amazing. The problem is that everyone around you knows this and wants a piece of you, your time and your energy this semester. So it’s times like these that we give you full on permission to be SELF-FUL! Yep, it sounds better than selfish right? See how to master protecting your time + creativity.

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Ummm NOPE! Have you heard? No is the new black. Or whatever color you want it to be. Okay, we’re going help you get  this ‘no’ thing down in four simple rules:  1.) Don’t lie. 2.) Don’t make excuses. 3.) Don’t over-explain yourself. 4.) Just simply decline. And VOILA! You just nailed the art of saying ‘NO’ to people and situations that drain you.

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Love you but love me more- Yeah spread love…when you have it to spread. Passing out your energy when you don’t have any is like  constantly cooking for others while you’re one the verge of passing out from starvation. If your glass is not full with love for yourself you don’t know how to truly love others around you.

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Your #CHEERsquad- Alright, pull out your mic and your speakers and get ready to give the biggest pep talk of your life. Oftentimes we have so much positivity to say to your friends and fam but when it comes to yourself  we run out. Remember to stay positive, be gentle with yourself and bring on all the joy coming form you.

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Love yourself!

Ok, so I know all the preaching we do to you about savings your dollar bills, I know you wonder “well, can I even enjoy life??” And the answer to that difficult question is “of course!” Wait, Wait… before you bust out your debit card or bombard your parents for a ridiculous amount of money, take a breath and finish reading this full article missy! Ok, so yes life is about enjoying all your moments on this beautiful earth. The trick is finding the balance of having a ball in life without splurging every 2 seconds. Truthfully, if you are constantly in need to buy new things ALL the time, you may be in search for something much deeper that money can’t buy (that’s a whole different article though!). But back to the matter at hand how, what is and when you should create your wish list!

Hmm so you want to know what it is…Huh?- So what is a wish list?? A wish list is a list of all the items you want or all the things you want to do but just currently can’t chuck out the cash for it. You can either have a written list of everything you would want to do or visual pics of what you want. The key is to keep it in a place where you will see it pretty often. On your bulletin board, in your locker, on your ceiling …all awesome places for your list.

Why?? Why?? Why??-The next question that is sputtering from your lips is “Why do I need to create a list, am I getting graded for this??’ Well, since you asked I guess, I can spill the magic behind your wish list! A “wish list” is VERY useful because it helps you stay on your budget and allows you to focus on achieving one item at a time rather than trying to walk out with the entire mall. With any goal in life you focus, work hard, and bam! You achieve it! Well, it’s the same idea with savings! It will give you discipline. When you do get to cross out things off your list, you will appreciate so much more! It’s true, when you spend your own money, you’ll treat it like gold! Yes, GOLD!

But When??– Now…duh! Yes, at this very moment pick up a pen and a piece of paper and go at it! Create a list of 5 items you want or things you want to do and doodle away. Now the key is to save up from allowances and your part time gig to buy one of your wishes. Once YOU save for it (not your parents) you will get in a groove that you will have you saying “Hey, this is not sooo bad after all.” And will have you playing Fifth Harmony’s “Worth Harmony” on repeat! Go for it!

“Okay say calm, don’t freak out and most important do not tumble down these stairs. You’re good, just be yourself and don’t over think the situation. Wait, did I spill something on my shirt earlier. Ugh! I hope he doesn’t notice! Ok, ok here he comes! Wait do I look? I don’t want to stare! Oh he’s gorgeous! Oh my goodness he’s looking! He’s looking! What do I do?? Dang! I knew it was a step there!Nooo! Now, he’s going to think I’m the weird girl who can’t walk down a flight of stairs. My life is over!’”

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Yes, these are all the dramatic thoughts that popped in your head 2.5 seconds before you turned the corner to walk by your crush. For the past 2 months you have been relating every love song on the radio to him and your guys “future” relationship. Now you’re tired of just imagining the first conversation you will have with him, the first laugh you, or even the first kiss. To be honest you’re not even sure how much you even like him since you guys never officially exchanged words but long glances instead.

Here are few ways to catch the eye of your secret crush…

Kick Up the Confidence– You’re smart, beautiful, talented, hilarious, ambitious ….yes the list can continue to unfold. The problem isn’t that you don’t know how fly you are it’s just when you see your crush you start to question all your great traits. Well, it’s time to throw those insecurities out the door…for good! Just because you see someone you may be interested in that doesn’t mean that your characteristics vanish. Actually it’s time to embrace your qualities even more. Once you begin noticing everything you have to offer, your nervousness will go out the window. You’ll realize that he should want to get to know you better!

Laugh It Up!– Your life is already stressful enough, do not add your crush to the list of things that keep you from getting 8 hours of sleep at night. The experience of crushing and attracting people is a fun experience. Not only guys but people are just naturally attracted to people who enjoy to have fun and are not afraid to be themselves. Once you get all the extra nervous jitters out of your system and your natural fun personality come through, you will start to see a major difference in all who you attract.

Brains Over Beauty– Yeah, I get it. All the rules tell you to bat your eyes, switch your hips, and make sure your face of makeup is perfect to get a guy. Hmmm Toss it! Yes guys do notice your appearance but you’re already beautiful so what’s next?? If you’re truly interested in catching the guy you like stop looking at him as a guy and look at him as a person. In this case you will be able to talk to him like a friend and have a chance for you guys to truly like each other as a whole. They’re tons of fly girls but only few have a fly attitude to go along with it.

So go ahead and catch the eye of that special guy, I’m sure it will turn the other way soon.

Each time a life is taken away by another individual there’s pain, sadness & frustration flowing through the situation struggling to understand the reasons behind the senseless actions. These emotions are especially magnified when it happens to an young person who hasn’t even had the chance to truly start their journey of life or tap into their dreams. Our hearts are still heavy after learning that 14-year-old Treyonta Burleson had her life snatched away by another teen who shot and killed her during a petty dispute that she wasn’t directly involved in that started on Facebook. Treyonta was a bright beam of light who was spotlighted as a ‘Featured Girl of the Week’ on C.O.R.E in 2013. It shakes our spirit and rattles our minds that the one aspect she wanted to change in her life was to improve her neighborhood and stop the violence.

Social media is a powerful tool that is now a staple for teens and some simply couldn’t imagine a life with out it. Even though it can bring millions of people together it can also have the same effect of tearing others down. Words are the pathway to actions if we give them permission. Violence rapidly stems from arguments starting online and eventually pokes its head out in real life after sparking the fire for so long.

Love. The one word that holds so much weight but none all at the same time. Love is the word said as commonly as ‘hello’ that people often forget that’s the one purpose why we were placed on this earth.  We first have to genuinely learn how to love ourselves  and believe in our own light & purpose.  We can only value another’s life if we truly value our own. The simple fact that so many teens of color are dying by the hands of each other shows that there’s a lack of love for ourselves so it’s difficult to appreciate anyone else’s journey.

Life is an intense quest filled with bubbling highs and dark lows. But the beauty of it is we have each other for support and encouragement. Instead, of constantly becoming enraged with each situation that you disagree with just stop. Stop to truly listen what the other person is saying. Stop to see where is it stemming from. Stop to see is this a personal insecurity you’re actually dealing with yourself. Stop to see if your abrupt actions are worth the consequences.

If another can easily anger you, it is because you are off balance with yourself.

Rest in beautiful peace, Treyonta. Thank you for shining your light so bright that others were encouraged by your life.

Sending love + light up.

Need a study break? Check out Willow Smith’s new song —-> Why Don’t You Cry?

Take a peek as she takes you on an emotional ride with her creative vision!

Enjoy:)

Because it’s true we all have them….#FirstDayofSchoolThoughts! Check out our faves!