Captain and Mrs. Anthony Carigo with "The Bottom Line" host, former Congressman, & NAACP President, Kweisi Mfume, following the taping of a panel discussion of Intercultural families. "The Bottom Line" airs Saturdays @ 7:00 P.M. on Baltimore channel 11, WBAL. The Carigos are members of Washington, DC-based Interracial Family Circle, and the (800-500-9040), Prince William County, VA's "Embracing Multiracial Heritage" Project, and the Filipino-American culture groups, and Filipino-American Association of Southern Illinois.
New Millennium Consulting is involved in several long term projects that focus on cross-cultural relationships and experiences of multiracial families.
The non-fictional work explores black biracials and transracially adopted African American/biracials and their parents. The working title is "Mixed Bag". It includes thoughts on parenting, politics, and social identity development, and offers fresh ideas on issues of racial loyalty and ethnic belonging. The collection of written and photo essays, interviews, and professional guidance also includes input from those individuals and families that believe their mixed heritage is irrelevant to their overall social and emotional functioning.
A fictional story series for children is also in progress. One is about an Asian/African-American student who transfers to a predominantly white school, and the surprises she finds. Another is about a multiracial boy whose parents have divorced. A series of ten books is planned.
We are seeking publishers!
Dianna Dresser-Heckman L.C.S.W. and Venetia interviewed numerous biracial adults and children between 1998 and 1999. This research will benefit upcoming works by each author.
If you are biracial or are the parent of biracial children, and would like to contact NEW MILLENNIUM about your (child's) joys and challenges, we would be VERY grateful!
Teens and college students interested in forming a cross-cultural discussion group may contact us about the M.I.X.E.D group. We will set up a bulletin board on line and discuss ways to form actual groups in your communities and on college campuses.
MULTIRACIAL INDIVIDUALS EXPLORING ETHNIC DIVERSITY
Adult monthly meetings at the Chinn Park Regional Library, Woodbridge, VA. have been postponed until a core group of ten individuals or families contacts us and makes a commitment to regular participation.
Participants are asked to bring in any articles, handouts, or materials they believe are relevant to the multiracial community.
New Millennium offers training and facilitation of a program that compels parents and guardians to spend at least one day each year in their children's classrooms. The target audience is parents and guardians of kindergarteners through eighth graders. The classroom visitors are expected to provide lessons about anything relevant to their particular lifestyle, vocation/career, or culture. Guidelines are provided.
We believe that schools that employ Lessons from Home will see significant improvement in morale and character, thus achievement.
To set up an informational interview, contact NMC @ 618-604-6406. There is no obligation. NMC monitors the Project for an entire semester and develops parent and faculty points of contact for continuation of the Program in subsequent years. The fee is $700.00 per grade level + travel and accommodations for two consultants.
Our lead consultant will meet with elementary school children during any nationally-designated ethnic heritage month (excluding Virginia's Confederate History Month and the like). This 45-minute dialogue is used to explain why heritage months are celebrated and how we can all legitimately celebration each other's cultural heritage. Race and color are brought up within the context of things we shouldn't believe (e.g., stereotypes) and things we can safely believe (e.g., learning a second language broadens competence). There is no fee; however only four schools are addressed yearly. Heritage months include Black History (February), Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage (May), Hispanic Heritage Mid-Sept.- Oct.), and Native American Indian History (November).
30 days notice is appreciated.