Today marks a milestone in the lives of those who remember a great GIANT among men, The Honorable Ted Kennedy. We mourn his death and send our prayers to the entire beloved Kennedy Family. I am reminded that it was Senator Kennedy who always smiled and said good morning in the early 1970’s as I walked the halls of the U.S. Senate young and scared as a new page, intern and professional Senate staffer from 1970 – 1989. One day, Senator Kennedy got on the elevator with my dear friend, Martin King, III and asked, “What state are from?” I smiled and said, “I am from the great state of Louisiana and I will become Louisiana’s Barbara Jordan one day. He smiled and said, “Young lady, I look forward to becoming your colleague one day, keep the dream alive!” To this day, I hold that memory near and dear and when times get tough I often think of his words as encouragement to me to carry on no matter how tough things may be. He was an extraordinary leader and humanitarian with a great legacy.

Today also reminds us of the time three years ago in New Orleans, Louisiana when many of us looked in disbelief at our country’s most severe natural disaster.. Hurricane Katrina. We still can remember those images of innocent people struggling to survive while we watched in horror of this in America…the Land of the Free. It is an irony that these two events are merged together by time and sacrifice this week with many feeling a sense of loss and hope all wrapped up into one week.

Today, I pay honor to those who lost their lives fighting for freedom fairness and justice in The Big Easy, my home state and what I hope we will never forget…the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. To the many families who left their lives and homes in search of a kinder, gentler place of peace and tranquility…An America in search of itself.

So, today, we honor and remember Senator Ted Kennedy and The Families of Hurricane Katrina. We promise to never forget you or your legacy.

REST IN PEACE!

James Butler and Suzanne Mayo

Mr. James Butler is a war veteran, former Head of the Kansas Human Rights Commission, a graduate of Kansas State University and and 95 years old community activist celebrating on 9/19/08. Mynette Management Co. celebrates and salutes Mr. James Butler for his service to the state of Kansas and the United States of America for always standing up for others.

“Mr. Butler has been a father, an author, a mentor and a true role model to so many throughout his life. We salute you today for standing up for others and for always keeping human rights at the forefront in America, said Suzanne Mayo-Theus, CEO of Mynette Management Co.

MANHATTAN — Suzanne Mayo-Theus, an advocate for under-represented populations and a tireless leader of such civic undertakings as the rebuilding of post-Katrina New Orleans, has won the 2008 Michael C. Holen Outstanding Leadership Award, presented by the Kansas State University leadership studies program.

Mayo-Theus will receive her award at the leadership studies recognition ceremony at 7 p.m. Monday, April 21, in the K-State Student Union Ballroom.

Mayo-Theus, a K-State doctoral student in family studies and human services, Manhattan, is CEO of Mynette Management Co. and a professional speaker. She also is the mother of a 14-year-old son, Destin Theus.

“Suzanne epitomizes positive passion,” said Candi Hironaka, associate director of the leadership studies program. “She has an optimistic and hopeful attitude and always displays this no matter what is going on in her life. She embodies a spirit that connects with people across all boundaries.”

The Holen Award was established in 1999 to honor those who embody the leadership studies mission of developing knowledgeable, ethical, caring and inclusive leaders for a diverse and changing world. previous recipients include Buck O’Neil, Page and Nancy Twiss, Deb Patterson, Linda Thurston, James Coffman, Grace Hwang, Ruth Ann Wefald, Carol Gould and Atina Hanna.

Mayo-Theus has traveled internationally as a speaker and consultant for colleges as well as government agencies. She addresses such topics as motivation, college success, leadership, organizational effectiveness, racial identity, student life and fundraising. She has helped raise more than $50 million for not-for-profit organizations and institutions of higher education.

A native of Louisiana, Mayo-Theus has organized student groups and corporate executives to support the people displaced by Hurricane Katrina. As part of that effort she helped K-State students organize an “alternative spring break” trip to help with the clean-up. She continues to advocate for restoring New Orleans.

Her most recent work has been with Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, the inspiration for “The Great Debaters” movie starring Denzel Washington. Mayo-Theus coordinated the world premiere and asked Washington to help this historically black college. The actor contributed $1 million to re-establish the school’s debate team.

Source: Robert Shoop, 785-532-6085, rshoop@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Andy Badeker, 785-532-6415,
abadeker@k-state.edu

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Betti O, longtime friend and client was apart of making history in Iowa for the primary caucus campaign gala on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2007. Senator Clinton told Betti O, “From One Diva To Another Diva…Thank You for a great performance tonight.” Betti O was also featured on the ABC Nightly News and the New York Times Blog on January 2, 2008. A true spiritual sister, Betti O is pure example of Success = Preparation + Opportunity. CONGRATULATIONS BETTI O!

Wiley College, an HBCU in Marshall, TX is richer and better today because of the hard work and graciousness of donors like Mr. Denzel Washington, director and star of the new movie, The Great Debaters. Denzel donated $1 million dollars to Wiley College to reinvent their Debate Team that has not existed since the early 1930s and 1940’s. Produced by Oprah Winfrey, Harpo Films and Harvey Weinstein, Weinstein Company, and starring Forest Whittaker, Nate Parker, Jurnee Smollett and Denzel Whittaker it reminds me of my parents hard work as college professors and teachers of tomorrow’s leaders. It is Denzel’s best work!

“This movie is also the most powerful movie I have ever seen,” said Suzanne Mayo, CEO of Mynette Management Co. The work Mynette Management Co. did in three (3) weeks for Wiley College is a true testimony to being trained to craft your gift. I thought the movie was so powerful people would go and it would be #1 at the box office, but the $1 million that Denzel donated to Wiley College is what only God can do with hard work, determination and favor. I look forward to the future accomplishments that will come in for Wiley College. Mynette Management is proud to have been associated with this extraordinary project and for the great work to be continued as we help to develop the New Wiley College Great Debaters!

Mynette Management Co. has agreed to partner with the Girl Scouts Program Beyond Bars and Beta Sigma Chi Sorority to promote re-entry and unification of families among girls whose parents are incarcerated. This national program, BEYOND BARS started in 1975 in Maryland and is now operating in 27 states. In Topeka, KS, there are some 175 girls/families affected by incarceration and are actively involved in the Beyond Bars Program. This important work is now spreading into communities across America as the mothers return home and are reunited with their children. Today, some 19 college students in Beta Sigma Chi Christian Sorority are mentoring girls scouts in Troop 2038 each week and are actively involved in these young girls lives. Truly this program is ONE OF A KIND in the United States and will have positive implications for generations to come. Our Hats GO OFF: To Margaret Moore of Girl Scouts and the members of the Beta Sigma Chi Sorority. Mynette Management Co. donates $250 a month towards this important work in our community in uniting families. “I will always support this important program because it truly helps families in transition,” said Suzanne Mayo, CEO of Mynette Management Co.

Suzanne Mayo, CEO announced today that Mynette Management Co. had adopted McDonald #28 Elementary School in an effort to assist them in securing band instruments and books for the library. This effort is result of attending Essence Editor’s Susan Taylor’s Day of Service and Day of Presence held on August 29, 2007 commemorating the 2nd Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. “Our energy will go into securing wind instruments and books for the school by their Christmas Break. Several persons from across the country have contributed and are seeking used instruments having them repaired. On December 8th, I will go to McDonald #28 Elementary and present the instruments to the students that we have collected so far. We will let the students know personally of our commitment our love, support and energy towards helping them rebuild their band program. “We have reached out Grambling State University’s Band Director, Dr. Parnell who has joined us in this effort to help McDonald #28 March in the 2008 Mardi Gras Parade,” said Suzanne Mayo, CEO. For more information, contact Suzanne Mayo or Ms. Stephanie Jordan, The Arts Director at McDonald #28 at (301)448-6264.