Thelma Golden TED Presentation

How did I miss this! Thelma Golden, the impressario curator of Studio Museum of Harlem led a presentation at TED on the Intersectionality of Race & Sexuality In [...]

Some Of These Singers Need To Take Their Cue From Mary J. Blige

Now, I don’t know Mary J. Blige nor am I endorsing the singer for sainthood, but I have noted that when she publicly declared a moratorium on displaying her inner demons in public and followed that up with the song, “No More Drama” she meant it.

Clearly the woman has done some inner work at sorting out her chaotic childhood and cleaned up her behavior because there was a time when she had a reputation for being problematic. While she has always been a very popular recording artist she clearly wasn’t always a happy person. I won’t recap her background but suffice it to say it includes much of the non-beneficial behavior that we’ve discussed at this and the BWE forums.

What I’ve found very interesting and increasingly more encouraging is how she’s branched out musically, working with a wider variety of artists like Elton John and U2, how she went on a specific fitness and styling regime which had a noticeable impact on her appearance and softened her image and her specific advocacy work on behalf of women and girls.

Continue reading Some Of These Singers Need To Take Their Cue From Mary J. Blige

Secrets Of An Income Generating Guru

Having been inspired by the Sojourner Passport posts where blog host Khadija features web sites to help us monetize our blogs or create passive income, I’ve done a little research of my own to add two sites to that list.

As I’m writing this post I have HGTV design show on in the background where one of the co-creator’s of the television show Glee is having his home styled. Having lived in Los Angeles I’m drooling over the neighborhood where he purchased his home: Beachwood Canyon. It’s a slightly hilly area that full of quaint bungalows and still has a neighborhood feel in central Hollywood. One of my favorite coffee bars in the vicinity is Bourgeois Pig, an eclectic bohemian hang out.

Continue reading Secrets Of An Income Generating Guru

You Snooze You Lose

A blogger who failed to plan for future contingencies falsely claimed I “stole” a domain name she wanted (that I don’t own) and in what I can only describe as a fool’s quest decided to try to publicly shame me by whining about it on a social networking site (and at her blog I assume). I don’t respond favorably to such manipulations but realized this is a teachable moment for the larger issue of the continued elevation of black women. I usually don’t read her blog or converse with her so I was more than a little perplexed why she presumed to determine that I took something from her. She wanted to own a specific domain name based on a blog post she’d written from what I’ve gathered. I also converse with another person who uses an online moniker that could be considered a variation of the phrase she’s claimed as her sole idea so where does it end? The domain name I did buy is also a variation of the phrase but you know how it is when facts get in the way of common sense and decorum. Winning an argument becomes more important than being humble enough to learn a lesson. I didn’t pay the fee to make it a private purchase because I frankly had no idea someone would go off on a public rant nearly eight months after the fact claiming something was taken from them as if it happened yesterday. Doesn’t it suck when you realize you’ve been left behind after the fact? Yet the blame lies squarely with you  and no one else. From what I’ve gathered all of the variations of the domain name she wants have been purchased but those sales were made private (for an additional fee) so she can’t rage against them. Continue reading You Snooze You Lose

Reinventing Yourself With Yahoo Shine

I just looked at the video of the interview I did during BlogHer 2010 with Yahoo! Ok, so the perfectionist in me wishes I had a wardrobe stylist but I liked what I said. At least the stargazer lily in my hair looked and smelled great. Thanks to author Carleen Brice for suggesting I wear it! [...]

Shirley Sherrod Falls On Sword For NAACP Reinforcing The Self-Sacrifice Indoctrination For Black Women

 — The most important choice you can make is what you choose to make important.

There may be some dissent  to this conversation but there also needs to be some serious discusson about the direction the current generations of black women will take their lives and the legacy for the future. If we evaluate the status of the collective since the 1960’s we will find growth for a group of individuals but a stunning collapse for an increasing majority. Avoiding the present set of circumstances and misplacing blame does not serve the interest of black people (in particular African-Americans) who should be firmly established by now and continually moving forward.   Being reactionary to certain open opposition does not address the foundational cracks from within and is not the core problem. Fighting white hegemony will not ever elevate the status of blacks in this country when they are wholly divided. 

Black women who continue to follow the old models are less likely to thrive at the levels other women whose communities are supportive.  Or as blog host Halima of  Black Women’s Interracial Relationship Circle  stated in her post, “What Would Self Do” :

“The truth that has been shielded from black women to keep them working like a mule, is that when black women thrive as individuals, the so called community would thrive automatically, it wouldn’t need to be something you have to plot and plan for. Think about that for a second and think about the fact that even ancient tribes understood this basic principle!”

Continue reading Shirley Sherrod Falls On Sword For NAACP Reinforcing The Self-Sacrifice Indoctrination For Black Women

SXSW Panel, Blog Anniversary & Support

So I’ve missed my blog-a-versary by a month but better late than never! Two years and counting  running this online forum  has gone by in a blink. The past year has been at times challenging, enlightening and invigorating both personally and professionally.

Your continued support is appreciated.

It’s that time of the year for SXSW panel ideas to be submitted for a popular vote by the August 27th deadline. It eventually goes before a committee before being selected but I still think it beneficial to participate. This year’s submission is titled, “What  Steve Jobs Can Teach Us About Engagement” 

Continue reading SXSW Panel, Blog Anniversary & Support

My New Favorite Networks: Brazen Careerist & Empire Avenue

I’m back from my mini-break. Sometimes we all need a break and I realized that when I couldn’t bring myself to do more than comment at a few blogs and extend myself past 140 characters using Twitter. I also have some personal needs to address and was exhausted (in a good way) after attending BlogHer ‘10. More on that to follow. I have been behind the scenes making new online friends, increasing my networking, checking out the initiatives of women making empowering choices and conducting research.

Which brings me to these networks:

Continue reading My New Favorite Networks: Brazen Careerist & Empire Avenue

The NAACP is DOA

And they know it.

Which is why they’re scrambling to put the wheels back on the truck.

This is the same NAACP that was co-founded co-opted and run by whites until the late 1970’s.

Malcolm X said it best when he urged black ownership and sovereignty during his The Ballot or the Bullet speech – as excerpted here:

Your vote, your dumb vote, your ignorant vote, your wasted vote put in an administration in Washington, D.C., that has seen fit to pass every kind of legislation imaginable, saving you until last, then filibustering on top of that. And your and my leaders have the audacity to run around clapping their hands and talk about how much progress we’re making. And what a good president we have.

Now, I’m not saying this necessarily applies to this adminstration but one has to ask why President Obama RUNS from black people to pacify false accusations from some white people about the mere potential for addressing our needs specifically. Just as black women have specific gender needs under a larger feminist agenda we deserve to be heard. The NAACP may be called the National Association for Colored People, “colored” being the term used to describe BLACK people specifically, but now it in practice stands for many things, none of which has anything to do with those of us with a vagina.

The NAACP does NOT stand for uplifting and protecting black women.

Continue reading The NAACP is DOA

Why Were Obama, Andrew Breitbart & Ben Jealous So Quick To Demonize Shirley Sherrod?

Who wants to be integrated into a burning house? – MLK

Where’s Newt Gingrich when you need him? He was offering his assistance and support to the NAACP last week in their stupid misguided attempt at promoting faux controversies and blatant fundraising schemes fighting racism by denouncing the Tea Party. Not to help black people of course but to divide and conquer.  I bet you Ben Jealous would sure love a distraction story right now.

This is the same Newt Gingrich who led a very successful Republican obstructionist/attack  agenda when he served as Speaker Of The House during the Clinton Administration amongst other things. Thanks to Billy Jeff’s proclivities, their failed attempt at impeachment and constant pressure he signed the very flawed Telecommunications Act of 1996 into law. I’m reminding you dear readers of this most recent history because it ties into this latest debacle from the last 24-hours.

Continue reading Why Were Obama, Andrew Breitbart & Ben Jealous So Quick To Demonize Shirley Sherrod?