In your journey through life, you will inevitably be confronted with valleys that appear too precarious and challenging to cross. The valley may suddenly appear as the loss of a loved one, a serious illness, a broken relationship, a financial crisis or some other personal tragedy. Whatever the cause, your normal life comes to a screeching halt and you are left standing on the edge of the valley without a seemingly rational way to get to the other side.

Every person will face what appears to be an impossible challenge or challenges during their lifetime. Fame and fortune do not provide an exemption; just think about the Kennedy family or Michael Jackson or more recently, Tiger Woods. The valleys of life will appear and how you build a bridge across will have a significant impact on the remainder of your journey.

From 1947 to 1948 Mary-Lee Taylor studied to become a beautician at Lelia College of Beauty Culture established by Madame C.J. Walker on Centre Avenue and Reed Street in the Hill District. Sixty-two years later, Taylor’s granddaughter, Tiffany Fielder, is following in her grandmother’s footsteps. She and nine other women graduated Jan. 19 from the YW Enterprising Women Program. Her hope is to operate a hair care business.

For 12 weeks students in classes 11 and 12 of the Asset Development Initiative of the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh met at the North Side campus of Community College of Allegheny County to participate in the non-credit course designed for women wanting to start a microenterprise.

WHAT A CREW—Front row from left: Alice Williams, Connie Robinson and Tara Ellison-Jones, leaders of the YW Enterprising Women Program are proud of the graduates. Back row from left: Wilhelmina Royster, Lakisha Ford, Penda James, Piper De’Andrea, Linda Despines, Jahmel Jordon, Annette Piper, Sabrina Clark and Tiffany Fielder.

Workshop series

FEB. 3—Dress for Success will host their Workshop Series from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at their Career Center, Warner Center, 332 Fifth Ave., Downtown. As a part of the opening of their new center, every Wednesday there will be a workshop that covers topics such as “Basic Job Search Skills,” “Resume and Cover Letter Writing.” “Internet Basics and Online Job Searches” and “Mock Interviews and Tips.” Each workshop will begin with an informational session and follow with hands-on approaches. It is free of charge and open to all women. Call 412-201-4204.

Job workshop

FEB. 3—Pittsburgh Young Professionals and Point Park University’s Career Development Services will host “Finding a Job: It’s Like A Dating Workshop” from 6:30-8 p.m. at Point Park University, 409 Lawrence Hall, 201 Wood St., Downtown. Interviewing, like dating, is often about first impressions and these initial interactions can make or break one’s chances of landing their dream job. Join PYP for an interactive seminar with Point Park’s Career Development Services, as they discuss the dos and don’ts of successful interviewing. They will also touch on the skills needed to make one shine above other candidates. Reservations are requested. The cost is $5 for non-members of the PYP. E-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Business series

FEB. 4—The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will host their Business Program Series from 12:15-1 p.m. at the Downtown and Business branch, 612 Smithfield St. The topic is “Get Organized NOW for a Stress-Free Tax Session!” Diana Smith, tax specialist for the Internal Revenue Service, will be the presenter and will explain the most effective ways to organize one’s important 2009 tax documents and discuss current updates from the IRS that can help save time and money. This event is free and open to the public. Call 412-281-7141.

Professional networking

FEB. 4—Jessica Lee will host “Entrepreneurial Thursdays” from 5:30-8 p.m. at Little E’s, 949 Liberty Ave., Downtown. This week’s theme is “Universities, Technology & Entrepreneurs.” This is a professional networking event with live jazz/R&B music. There is a $10 cover charge with a full bar and dinner selections. Business casual is the attire. No jeans or tennis shoes. For more information, call Sandy Marshall at 412-802-6780 or visit www.jessicaleesong.com.

Training program

FEB. 8—The McKeesport Development Corp. will host a Business Training Program from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at 502 Fifth Ave., Suite 601, McKeesport. The program will assist interested entrepreneurs in learning the nuts and bolts of starting or expanding a home-based or small business. The program will run through Feb. 26, The program is free and open to the public. Registration is required. For more information, call Deborah Molinari at 412-664-7000.

Get rid of the clutter

FEB. 10—The Pittsburgh Coaches Association will host “Get Rid of the Clutter, Make Room for Success!” from 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Grand Concourse, Board Room, 100 W. Station Square Dr., Station Square. Patty Kreamer will lead the session and discuss strategies to clear the clutter that impacts one’s income, gain more clients and profitable business, discover systems that can be transferred to one’s client and how to be more focused and set clear goals. Registration is requested and the cost is $30 for members and $40 for non-members. E-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Business series

FEB. 11—The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will host their Business Program Series from 12:15-1 p.m. at the Downtown & Business branch, 612 Smithfield St. The topic is “How to File Your Taxes Online.” Diana Smith, tax specialist for the Internal Revenue Service, will demonstrate how to file one’s taxes online using an IRS e-file provider. This method offers many advantages, including minimizing the possibility of errors and the ability to receive one’s refund within two weeks by having it directly deposited into their checking or savings account. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 412-281-7141.

Non-profit workshop

FEB. 12-The Duquesne University’s Non-profit Leadership Institute will host “The Non-profit Leadership Boarding School: Freshman Year” from 8-11:30 a.m. at the University’s Rockwell Hall, Room 220, 600 Forbes Ave., Uptown. This training program addresses the roles and responsibilities of non-profit board members. Attendees ill be introduced to the non-profit sector, legal obligations of non-profit board members and other important aspects of non-profit governance. The cost is $50 per person or $35 per person for three or more individuals from the same non-profit. For more information, call 412-396-6231 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Certification & Contracting Workshop

FEB. 24-The U.S. Small Business Administration will host an 8(a) and HUBZone Certification & Contracting workshop from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at The Riverside Center for Innovation, 700 River Ave., 1st floor Conference Room, North Side. It is free to the public.  MBE/WBE and Veteran-owned businesses are encouraged to attend.  Registration is requested.  For more information, call Marisa Fentzel at 412-395-6560 ext. 109.

(To have information on Business Calendar, send information at least two weeks in advance to: 315 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219; Fax: 412-481-1360 or e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .)

by Charlene Crowell
NNPA Financial Writer

(NNPA)—Before a packed audience of publishers, representatives of the payday lending industry and the Center for Responsible Lending debated whether this small dollar loan was helpful credit or a debt trap. The engaging debate, part of the recent National Newspapers Publishers’ Mid-Winter Conference held in Charlotte, N.C. drew candid comments from presenters and publishers alike.