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After Dinner Speech
After Dinner Speech
After dinner speech given in a night party after graduating from college
Ladies and gentlemen, it feels good to get to the end of a long journey. Before saying much, allow me to appreciate your attendance to our occasion this day. I feel humbled to note how you all up to come and witness the completion of my college degree. It is a great honor.
First, I would like to pass my sincere vote of thanks to all of you for making time for this event. I could not have celebrated if I did it alone. Secondly, let me propose a vote of thanks to the University for providing such an agreeable space for this occasion and lastly to my colleagues for accepting to organize and grace this occasion and being such excellent hosts. The college has given us the opportunity to meet our dreams through education. I am sure the best conditions for organizing such a great event in such an efficient manner would be a bit wanting too many of you. There are very superb lecture halls with carpeted floors and padded seats and various projection facilities just to name a few. I also would like to thank my lovely parents for playing a big role in my education life. I must admit they have stood by me all through.
Lastly, let me thank all contributors to this program, which has emerged to be one of exceptional interest, quality, and range. The only problem was that one had to make a valid ongoing choice between a number of lectures of equal potential interest and appeal. This is a sign of vitality in the Theoretical Mechanism, in this nation. This year’s program was bursting at the seams with very exciting new contributors and another spillover into a fourth parallel session of an inevitable, welcome, consequence of this vitality.
My course tutor was one of my favorite professors that I will live to remember. He always emphasized on noting important points from every number of items learnt. He taught me the skill of identifying important things and leaving the others. He always told us to employ the skills even in the real world. Whenever he brought a topic for discussion, they used diverse colors to emphasize where main points are. The objective here was to convince the audience that all the statements given are of critical importance. Use of multiple colors also showed the lapse of concentration on the main ideas. If one did not identify these points while answering questions, a student would end up being answerable and sometimes penalized.
I have to award the prize of my lecturer of the year who emerges to be our Philosophy teacher. His class was always the best and the most entertaining. He was transparent and taught with all vigor his soul could afford. He even sometimes used cartoons that left his students with smiling faces after the end of each presentation. The price is a refill of his exemplary teaching skills and his friendly nature to students.
I must admit it has been a long journey walking through many hurdles and hardships. All you efforts are really appreciated. Every one of you has played his/her role to the success we are celebrating today. I could not have made it alone just as they say, “no man stands alone.” There was a time in my journey when I almost gave up. This was when I lost my course tutor who was also my educational mentor. It was a big blow to me since he was the person I trusted during my life in campus. However, my dad realized and saved me from the situation. Thus, I cannot fail to pass my thanks to my dad in his absentia for his support and accrediting his confidence in my ability.
Now I would like to award unique gifts to a number of people who have played a significant role in my success. My first award goes to my academic sponsor, Mrs. Katrina Palma. She has shown the way the way to a bright future that is through the power of education. She sacrifices her money for my education without counting many sleepless nights she spent thinking about my education. I really celebrate you, my mum.
The first award goes to my parents for their good job. I lack words to express what they have been to me. They have always been there for me in all circumstances since I started my course in this college. I cannot recall a single day when they forsake nor left me. I did not sleep with an empty stomach only because they were quite mindful about me. They continually motivated me and I can stand firm to say that mum and dad are my heroes. I really applaud you for being persistence in your love to me.
Prize number three goes to Peterson, my best friend. He proved validity of the saying that goes “A friend in indeed is a friend in need.” He has made many sacrifices not only to me but also to many of my friends in times of crisis. He once donated blood for me after I was involved in a fatal car accident and paid part of my hospital bills. Your deeds cannot go unremembered.
Now I will not award any more prizes, but I am made to understand that you can buy your own prizes near the bar downstairs. So, perhaps I should try to resist the temptation of giving each one of you a prize at the moment. Anyway, I appreciate each one of you.
Now allow me to once again thank you all for coming. Your efforts and time are not vain. I will always value and live to remember you. For those who could not make it to come, may you pass my vote of thanks to them. The after-graduation party will go on till late in the morning and you may leave at your own pleasure.
References
Bowden, J. (2010). Making an after dinner speech: how to make a speech that has them rolling in the aisles (2nd ed.). Oxford: How To Books.
Semino, E., & Short, M. (2012). Corpus stylistics speech, writing and thought presentation in a corpus of English writing. London: Routledge.
Developing a strategic business plan
A business plan is a list of the things to do or a formal statement with a set of business goals, the reasons they are believed to be attainable and the plan to implement and to put in action those goals and objectives. A business plan must always have the goals and objectives of the business as they are what determine the validity of the business. For anyone who plans to carry out a business and has not come up with the objectives and strategies to maintain it, then that business is deemed to failure.
Whenever a business plan is needed, one should think of the components of the business plan and how unique they are from the other businesses. This can be done by coming up with strategies that will make the business plan unique (Reading 2004). The success of the business is determined by how well one comes up with the strategies and the ways to implement them.
Goals and objectives
In order to develop a good business plan, one should begin by setting the goals and objectives of the business to be started. These are the outcomes that the business owner expects from that business and its effect on those that are concerned. These goals must be strong and effective as per the settings of the business.
SWOT Analysis
The second plan should be the carrying out of SWOT analysis where the entrepreneur identifies the strengths, the weaknesses, opportunities and threats that are vulnerable to the business. These are the issues one should be keen on as they will positively or negatively affect the business depending on how they are handled.
Develop Strategies
This is the stage where the entrepreneur develops strategies to help in the improvement of the business (NSGIC 2006). There are common strategies that many entrepreneurs go for and the business ends up remaining at the same level or depreciating. A wise entrepreneur will gather information from other successful entrepreneurs and use that data to come up with unique strategies. By having unique strategies a business will be at a higher competitive advantage as compared to the competitors. Most of the effective strategies are usually customer oriented as the customers to the business are the key concept in a business environment (Reading 2004).
Implementation
In this stage the entrepreneur has the obligation to put the strategies at work and ensure they are effective. When implementing the strategies, the entrepreneur should consider the internal and external factors affecting the business. These include factors like technology, customer trends, industry and competition.
Measurement and Evaluation
This is where the entrepreneur carries out an evaluation of whether the strategies that have been set are effective or not. One should check the trend of the business and determine whether the strategies that have been set are effectual (Nykiel 2003). If they are not, the entrepreneur should implement others in order to avoid business failure.
Entrepreneurs should be very enthusiastic while developing a business plan because it may lead to the success or failure of the business. It is essential to focus and execute the strategies that will assist in the growth of the business. Businesses should focus on the satisfaction of the customers’ needs rather than being product oriented. It has been evident that those who are product oriented are not as successful as those who are customer oriented. Ensure efficiency in the goals and objectives set forth in the running of the business for a positive outcome.
Reference:
Nykiel, R. A., (2003), Marketing your business: a guide to developing a strategic marketing plan, Rout ledge.
NSGIC, (2006), Strategic Plan Template, Federal Geographic Data Committee. Retrieved September 10, 2010 from,
HYPERLINK “http://www.nsgic.org/hottopics/strategic_plan_template.pdf” http://www.nsgic.org/hottopics/strategic_plan_template.pdf.
Reading, C., (2004), Strategic business planning: a dynamic system for improving performance & competitive advantage, Kogan Page Publishers.
Afro-Atlantic Histories Field Trip Assignment National Gallery of Art
“Afro-Atlantic Histories” Field Trip Assignment National Gallery of Art
Student’s Name
Institution of Affiliation
Date
1. What is your excitement level (on a scale of 1-10 with ten being highest) to see this exhibition? What do you expect it to be like?
I was very excited to see the exhibition. I expected to see the African history in diaspora including the depictions of slavery, fashion and correlation of African people in Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean. I would say that I was 10/10 on excitement level.
2. What is meant by the title of the exhibition “Afro-Atlantic Histories”? What is the scope of the exhibition, and what are its stated intentions?
The exhibition Afro-Atlantic Histories examines the histories and effects of the transatlantic slave trade. It is driven by a need and a necessity to identify parallels, frictions, and dialogues between Afro-Atlantic visual cultures, including their experiences, creations, worshiping, and thinking. More than 130 works from Africa, Europe, the Americas, and the Caribbean, dating from the 17th to the 21st centuries, are included in Afro-Atlantic Histories. Aaron Douglas, Theaster Gates, and Kerry James Marshall are among the top African-American artists, as are Eustáquio Neves of Brazil, Canute Caliste of Grenada, and Senèque Obin of Haiti.
3. How do you understand the “African diaspora” as expressed in the exhibition?
Diaspora populations can be described as members of an ethnic or religious group, that originated from the same place but dispersed to different locations. In this case, the African diaspora as expressed from the exhibition has been used to refer to members of the African descent – predominantly black people, who originated from Africa but dispersed to different locations across the globe which in this case include Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean. Based on this, the exhibitions specifically entail histories of African communities dispersed into different parts of the world, and which dates back to the transatlantic slave trade.
4. What are the range of identities that you see displayed? How does this impact your understanding of what it means to be a “person of color”? Are the common elements to the black experience that you can identify? Are there surprising identities that you would not have expected? If so, what are they, and how do they change your perspective?
There are various identities from the artwork that was displayed including gender, social class, race and ethnicity, religion and age. The various identities of Africans is a clear indication that people of color are survivors. For example, race and social class has been depicted in slavery portraits which indicates that people of color were treated as slaves because they were considered low persons in the society. Besides, the gender identity has been portrayed with men and women as having different roles and this has been the traditional African set up since ancient times. Women dress code is different from that of men and their roles are also different, and this identifies with people of color. Despite expecting identities of racism and ethnicity in regard to slavery, I didn’t expect to find artworks regarding freedom displayed especially those regarding sexual identity. For example, Samuel Fosso, ‘Self portrait (as Liberated American Woman of the 70s) depicts how people of color have changed their believes over the years, and now identify with the LGBTQ community. Some of these identities tend to complicate the understanding of the people of color as they have been newly adopted, changing the whole dynamics of understanding people of color in regard to sexuality and sexual identity.
5. This is, of course, an ART exhibition. Choose three works of art and discuss how they (as works of art) effectively communicate history and identity in an impactful way through images.
a. Aaron Douglas’s into Bondage (1936)
The artwork into the bondage depicts an effective communication of the identity and history of the black people. The artwork depicts the horrors of slavery and the immense struggles that Africans had to undergo for emancipation. It portrays how Africans were taken as slaves and taken to America in chains. However, the artwork also communicates glimpses of hope as a woman can be seen raising her hands towards the sky and a man gazing towards the North Star in a powerful stance. Slaves escaped to the North to find freedom and thus, the artwork comprises of various elements that communicates horror of slavery and emancipation as a symbol of hope.
b. Dalton Paula’s Zeferina (2018)
Zeferina has a strong presence in regard to communication messages about slavery. To begin with, the portrait is that of a black woman with a sharp eye focus; and who seems to be filled with rage. The artwork portrays an influential leader of a slave rebellion who was sentenced before receiving recognition for her efforts. Since Zeferina’s face was not recorded, the artist had to fully imagine her appearance and purposefully left her earrings unfinished to signify her undefined legacy. This artwork effectively communicates history and identity of black people in an impactful way in that many people including Harriet Tubman among others dedicated their lives to help slaves. They wanted their people to be freed from slavery. Zeferina artwork communicates a message of bravery, and depicts women of color as brave and fearless.
c. Zanele Muholi’s Ntozahke II (2016)
Ntozahke II is a great piece of artwork in the National Gallery of Art. It is a striking self-portrait in which the artist mimicked the Statute of Liberty in a draped cloth garment and hair doughnuts that form a crown, with a gaze off into the distance. This artwork effectively communicates history and identity of black people in regard to liberation of black people. The Statute of liberty is a symbol of the American freedom, and the mimicked artwork symbolizes African American freedom.
6. What was your favorite work of art in the exhibition? Why?
Based on the three artworks described above, I find Aaron Douglas’s into Bondage (1936) to be my favorite, and this can be attributed to the message it communicates.
The artwork depicts the horrors of slavery, in regard to how slaves were obtained, and transported to the Americas. While at one point it depicts hopelessness due to bondage, it symbolizes hope on the other hand. The artwork also communicates glimpses of hope as a woman can be seen raising her hands towards the sky and a man gazing towards the North Star in a powerful stance. This is a symbol of hope, and this has been the identity of Africans, they believe in hope for a better future.
7. What was your least favorite work of art in the exhibition? Again, why?
There are lots of artworks that were fascinating, but very few can be considered least favorite as they all communicated black history. One of the artworks that I can consider to be least favorite include Hank Willis Thomas’s A Place to Call Home (2020). The artwork depicts a connected North America and Africa in lieu of South America. It speaks to how African Americans navigate their sense of belonging within both places and encourages reflection from all viewers. This artwork is less convincing as it communicates little about the history of Africans in regard to the experiences of slavery, but merely depicts continents. Based on this, I consider this artwork to be least favorite as its message is not clearly depicted.
8. Which work of art didn’t interest you at first, but became much more interesting after you read about it? Explain.
There are various artworks that seemed off at first, making it easy to ignore them. However, after careful reading, they became more interesting, almost becoming favorite. One such artwork includes Daniel Lind-Ramos’s Figura de Poder (2016–2020). The artwork is made of a collection of found commonplace materials from Lind-Ramos’s afro-Puerto Rican community in Loiza. The everyday objects in this artwork evokes carnival traditions, music, sports, and other pieces of community life as a site of cultural resistance through the distinctly dynamic sculpture. This artwork combines different elements of the black culture during slavery including tools that were used in most activities of a slave’s life. For example, it mirrors, concrete blocks, cement bag, sledgehammer, construction stones bag, paint bucket, wood panels, palm tree trunk, burlap, leather, ropes, sequin, awning, plastic ropes, fabric, trumpet, pins, duct tape, maracas, sneaker, tambourine, working gloves, boxing gloves, and acrylic. These tools can be used to describe the hard work that black people were subjected to during slavery.
9. Now that you have viewed the exhibition, how would you rate the experience on a scale of 1-10? Reflect on what you have learned, and what you would have missed in terms of your education if you had not viewed the exhibition. Lastly, what are the two biggest take-aways for you after this experience?
After completing the tour on the exhibition Afro-Atlantic Histories, I would say that I have accomplished what I purported to see. However, I would rate the experience as 9/10 since there were some artworks that were not compelling and did not meet my expectations in regard to the history of the black people as the title of the exhibition purports. There are various things that I have learned regarding black history from the exhibition. One of the lessons is that despite the dispersion of black people to different countries across the globe, their culture has remained almost intact from fashion and other aspects of culture. Another lesson is that as times pass, black people have adopted different sexual orientations as they have been associated with the LGBTQ community, and this symbolizes a culture that is slowly fading away. Lastly, the horrors of slavery were immense with blacks being subjected to various tortures including being chained, however, this did not kill their hope of being free. As most of the artworks depicts, there is a lot of hope, with many people dedicating their lives to freeing fellow blacks from the jaws of slavery. This is a great lesson since it teaches Africans to always be their brother’s keeper.