Tag: Black history

Malcolm X

Malcolm X planed to create Black Nationalist party that would cooperate with local civil rights actions in order to heighten political consciousness of Negroes. The week before he had an unplanned meeting with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in a hallway after they both observed Senate filibuster on the Civil Rights Bill. Soon after his announcement, a meeting with Malcolm X, E. Grant, and J. Warden to discuss incorporation of MMI (Muslim Mosque Incorporated) took place.

Later an informant reports that Elijah Muhammad has ordered Malcolm X to surrender his home and car, both of which are owned by the NOI. On March 10th Malcolm tells Ebony magazine that the Black Muslim leaders have “got to kill me. They can’t afford to let me live. . . I know where the bodies are buried and if they press me, I’ll exhume some.”

Lorraine Hansberry

On this day, in 1959, Lorraine Hansberry’s ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theater in New York City with Sidney Poitier and Claudia McNeil in the lead roles. The play ran for 530 performances, becoming the longest running Broadway play written by an African-American. This was also the first Broadway drama written and directed by an African-American woman. In 1961 ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ was made into a movie, again starring Sidney Poitier as the chauffeur Walter Younger. Hansberry’s landmark career was cut short when she died of cancer in 1965 at the age of 34.

 Written by Dianne Washington

Erykah Badu

Erica Abi Wright (born February 26, 1971), better known by her stage name Erykah Badu is a Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter, record producer, activist and actress. Her work includes elements from R&B, hip hop and jazz. She is best known for her role in the rise of the neo soul sub-genre. She is known as the “First Lady of Neo-Soul” or the “Queen of Neo-Soul”.

Early in her career, Badu was recognizable for wearing very large and colorful headwraps. For her musical sensibilities, she has often been compared to jazz great Billie Holiday. She was a core member of the Soulquarians, and is also an actress having appeared in a number of films playing a range of supporting roles in movies such as Blues Brothers 2000, The Cider House Rules and House of D. She also speaks at length in the documentaries Before the Music Dies and “The Black Power Mixtapes”

Erykah Badu was born Erica Abi Wright in Dallas, Texas on February 26, 1971. Her mother raised her, her brother (Jabbada), and her sister (Nayrok) alone after their father, William Wright Jr., deserted the family early in their lives. To provide for her family, the children’s grandmother often helped looking after them while Erykah’s mother, Kolleen Maria Gipson (Wright), performed as an actress in theatrical productions. Influenced by her mother, Erykah had her first taste of show business at the age of 4, singing and dancing with her mother at the Dallas Theatre Centre. Erykah Badu was the owner of Focal point in Dallas, Texas.

By the age of 14, Erykah was free-styling for a local radio station alongside such talent as Roy Hargrove. In her early youth, she decided to change the spelling of her name from Erica to Erykah, as she firmly believed her original name to be her slave name. The term ‘kah’ signifies the inner self. Badu is her favorite jazz scat sound and is also an African name for the 10th born child used for the Akan people in Ghana.

Upon graduating from Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Badu went on to study theater at the historically black college Grambling State University. Concentrating on music full-time, she left the university in 1993 before graduating and took on several minimum wage jobs to support herself. She taught drama and dance to children at the South Dallas Cultural Center. Working and touring with her cousin, Robert “Free” Bradford, she recorded a 19-song demo, Country Cousins, which attracted the attention of Kedar Massenburg, who set Badu up to record a duet with D’Angelo, “Your Precious Love,” and eventually signed her to a record deal with Universal Imperial Records.

After 10 years as a vegetarian, Badu became a vegan in 2006: “Vegan food is soul food in its truest form. Soul food means to feed the soul. And to me, your soul is your intent. If your intent is pure, you are pure.” Badu splits her time between Dallas, Texas and Fort Greene, New York.

In 1995, Badu became involved with rapper André 3000 of OutKast, with whom she had her first child, a son named Seven Sirius Benjamin, on November 18, 1997. Their relationship ended sometime in 1999. Their relationship inspired André 3000 to write the song “Ms. Jackson”.

In 2000, Badu was in a romantic relationship with fellow Soulquarian Common; their relationship ended in 2002. On July 5, 2004, Badu gave birth to a daughter, Puma Sabti Curry; Puma’s father is West Coast rapper The D.O.C., originally from Dallas. On February 1, 2009, Badu gave birth to her third child, a girl named Mars Merkaba Thedford, with her boyfriend of five years, rapper Jay Electronica.

Written by Dianne Washington

Sho-Time

Karine Sho-Time Thornton was born in the Bronx, the home of Hip Hop music where tradition and culture was born. Sho-Time always had a passion for art, he went to the high school of Art & Design studying architecture and Animation. He discovered he had a passion for creating music. Most of his early recordings were produced by Tron on the Beat. In the process of establishing himself and his brand, Sho-Time added media and film to his resume, uploading video’s with today’s up and coming and mainstream artists. This was the birth of Sho-Timetv, which was established as a media outlet in 2010. Sho-Time has worked with companies such as Def Jam, Sony, Universal recording and many more, Sho-Time interviewed the cast of the hit show on the OWN Network, The Have and Have Nots and Love Thy Neighbor by Tyler Perry. Sho-Time has been featured on many radio stations across the country. Sho-Time has worked with sites such as Urltv, Vladtv, WorldStarHipHop.com, WhatsHotinHipHop.com and many more. Sho-Time has hosted and judged countless showcases and concerts across the board. One thing that comes to mind when you hear the name Sho-time is his work ethic and drive. People always say this man is every where and by the looks of things, he is not slowing down. Sho-Time is a plethora of gifts and talents but the best of all these things is his passion, the passion you see in everything that he does, that is why he is successful. Sho-Time inspires others who are close to him. I have had the privilege of knowing him and can say he can change lives with the examples and determination he puts forth on every project in public and personal life…. 

Adhama “Pretty Lyon” Cruel

Adhama “Pretty Lyon” Cruel is Brooklyn, NY native as well as overall entertainer. As a recording artist, dancer, model, and actress “Pretty Lyon” as she is known professionally has put together quite an impressive resume of work in New York City and the surrounding areas. A trained dancer and vocalist, PrettyLyon released her project, Princess Of Brooklyn Mixtape and participated in The Black Light Chronicles, which serves as a compilation album featuring established contemporaries.

Wanting nothing more than to be a model for hard work, and quality Pretty Lyon is a spokeswoman for the unity of women in Hip Hop and the entertainment industry as a whole. Living, and breathing the arts both inside and out of the booth Pretty Lyon is at home as a creator. The ever personable upstart is on the scene frequently shaking hands and creating relationships that will last, while promoting her brand. Turning her childhood passion for writing poems into full compositions of music that share her thoughts, experiences and speak for those who are voiceless in a sense. The release of her debut Good Girl Bad Habits introduced this Princess to the world and her moves henceforth have solidified the reason for her being on a lot of people’s radar. With more to come, Pretty Lyonis certainly an artist who will come to blossom in today’s entertainment business creating a catalog of great work.

– IMDb Mini Bio

Written by Charisse Smith

Rodent episode 2

If you had an opportunity to watch Rodent, Episode 1 than you would know that the show is packed with drama. Episode 2 is no different. In the absence of Hammer Thornton Vanessa Hollingsworth has been making some corporate decisions. She has been hiring anyone that came into White Lines Media. Felix and Niles are not feeling the decisions that Vanessa is making. Her excuse is that Hammer can’t be there because he is tied up at the moment! When she said he was tied up at the moment she did not just mean that figuratively. She meant it literally. She had the man tied up in her bedroom and was drugging him up. Thank God for his wife and two closest friends. They saved him from Vanessa but that was after Niles made a pass at Gladys. I wonder what will become of that! Felix has a problem of his own. Farrah came off of the elevator of White Lines Media and caught him lip locking with the new talent who is also  his new girlfriend. She gave oh boy back his ring and told him that she will see him in court after dismissing ole girl. At least Farrah was woman enough to know that it was not the girl’s fault.

I guess you want to know what is going on with Drew and his drama! His sister Khris called Pops over to the house. She had some really disturbing news. She is pregnant. Pop swore to kill Drew’s friend only thing is his friend denied ever having sex with Khris. I guess it’s time for a DNA test. That is not all that is going on with the Douglass family. Drew is over at his children’s mother’s apartment when Pops walk in with a key. Before Drew even has an opportunity to find out why his dad has the key to the apartment Pops goes off on Drew about him being irresponsible and not having a job. Wait that’s not the end. Drew is in the room about to be intimate with the mother of his children while Pops is behind the door with his shirt off.

In Episode 1 Ebony told Porsha to find her own hive. Porsha turns to her mother’s long- time boyfriend Greg for a place to stay. Greg watched Porsha grow up all of her life but that doesn’t make him resist when Porsha uses her black girl magic to entice her mother’s boyfriend into sleeping with her. While they are making it do what it do, in walks Ebony with a key that Greg gave her. Imagine his surprise when Ebony informs him that Porsha is her daughter.

Meanwhile Krystal decides to go out clubbing with her straight friends Farrah and Michelle. They are hungover and asleep when Krystal hears her girlfriend Dime walking out. She wakes her girls up and tries to get them out of the apartment before Dime can get an attitude. All hell broke loose when Dime finds Krystal’s bra laying on the sofa. This is when Dime decides to smack daylights out of Krystal!!!!

I am telling you episode 2 was definitely something to be watched. Between the fight scene with Vanessa and Gladys, Felix getting caught by his wife, Pop’s in Drew’s Baby momma’s apartment I was on the edge of my seat. Khris being pregnant and the sex scene between the father and daughter was over the top. I sure cannot wait for Episode 3. This is definitely All my Children In The Hood.

Written By: Regina Alston

Jalen Hemphill

Jalen Hemphill is an aspiring singer/songwriter, dancer, DJ, actor,  hip hop enthusiast, and blogger. He has been entertaining his whole life but didn’t decide to want to do it professionally until he was 14 years old. He is currently a student at Hostos Community College working towards his associates degree in Liberal Arts and after graduating, he will be working towards his dreams of becoming a professional entertainer. 

One of Jalens’ attributes is his clothing line. A true Hip Hop Fan, Jalen aka Jay-Doggz wardrobe represent true 80s and 90s hip hop. Look out for this young aspiring talent actor/singer/songwriter. With many hats on his head theres no telling what he has to offer. He is a brilliant individual with an amazing, headstrong attitude. His fashion style and just the way he promotes himself as a person reveals how socially structured he is. He sticks to his own style, he doesn’t care for opinions against it because it makes up who he is. His charm when speaking brings many in, as he is generally a nice guy and is always willing to help whenever possible. He’s a down to earth young man and to be within his circle of friends would be the best choice anyone has ever made.

His motivation will drive you, just as much as it drives him to become the best version of himself.

He will be great.

 

African Venus

“African Venus” was created by the sculptor Charles Henri Joseph Cordier in bronze in 1851. The sculpture was created as a companion piece to an earlier work created by Charles Cordier entitled “Said Abdullah of the Mayac, Kingdom of the Darfur”. The model was a young African woman by the name of Seïd Enkess who was a former slave in France. Both busts became popular after France abolished slavery in 1848. Charles Cordier himself was sympathetic to the abolitionist movement.

 

Written by Dianne Washington

RODENT THE URBAN SOAP OPERA

Rodent: Episode One; The Introduction of Characters

If you have had the time to watch Rodent the Urban Soap Opera you are familiar with what is going on. If you have not watched it by now I will make you familiar with the plot of the show. Episode one is the introduction of characters. You will meet all of the people featured in that episode and learn a little about their story.

Felix, Niles, and Thornton are long time friends. Actually, they are more like brothers. Thornton and Niles come to rescue Felix from the sidewalk where he is waiting with his black garbage bags after his wife Farrah put him out. Tired of his social media adultery Farrah decides that it is time for her husband of twenty years to go.

Farrah loves Felix with all of her heart. It is evident when she approaches a young lady that he has been making conversation with her husband inside of his social media inbox. Still Felix manages to win his wife back despite the advice of her friends Michelle, Sasha and Krystal.

Then there is Drew. Drew is a father of multiple children. He is the oldest of Pop’s children. He has siblings, a set of twins, that he uses and manipulates to his convenience. Drew is irresponsible with no job. He is constantly soliciting funds from his family to support his children. His brother Khris is a model with a bright future ahead of him. His sister Khris wants to be down with the boys. She goes to hang out with her brother Drew and wakes up in a very compromised situation.

Lola Hammer is Thornton’s wife. She is beautiful, and has no area with playing nice with other women while inviting them into the bed that she shares with her husband. Things go south when she wants to play with one of her husband’s business partners Jose Rodriguez. She is caught rendezvousing with him while her husband is supposed to be out of town on business.

Vanessa is in love with Thornton Hammer. Her obsession with him has become really bad. So bad in fact, that she decides to kidnap him and take him home. She will stop at no length to be with the apple of her eye. Even if it involves felonious capers.

While this is going on seventeen-year-old Porsha is in a new relationship with a recent graduate from her high school named Shane. Ebonie, Porsha’s mom disapproves of the relationship. She and Porsha share a love/hate relationship. Ebonie will go to the extreme to prove to her daughter that Shane is not the man for her. She even goes as far as sleeping with her daughter’s boyfriend to prove her point.

Episode one of Rodent the Urban Soap Opera is filled with nothing but drama. You will ooh and ahh from the beginning until the end. Make sure you use the bathroom and have everything that you need within arm’s reach. You will be stuck and unable to move until the show ends.

Written By: Regina Alston

click the link to watch episode 1 below.

Written By:

Regina Alston

Margot Webb and Harold Norton

From 1933 until 1947 Margot Webb and Harold Norton performed on the Afro-American vaudeville circuits of night clubs and theatres in Harlem, around the Northeast and the Midwest.

Margot Webb She was born Marjorie Smith IN 1910, and grew up in Harlem, was seduced by ballet and other “Europeanist” genres, dropped out of Hunter College, was a headline dancer in the Cotton Club 1933-1939. She danced Waltz, Tango, Bolero with her partner Norton in the dance team of “Norton & Margot” They performed in London, Paris and Germany before WW II.

Later in life, she became a physical education teacher and she may very well still be alive. Brenda Dixon Gottschild found her living in Miami as recently as 2000.