Mos Def, Jeffrey Wright To Star In Broadway Play “A Free Man of Color”

Mos Def is heading to Broadway in the upcoming production of “A Free Man of Color” starring alongside Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe Award winning actor Jeffrey Wright. You may remember Wright for his most recent role in the film Cadillac Records playing Muddy Waters.

The play, written by John Guare (think Six Degrees of Separation circa 1990, film adaption featuring Will Smith), is set in New Orleans 1801. Wright plays Jacques Cornet, “a new world Don Juan and the wealthiest inhabitant of this sexually charged and racially progressive city. Jacques thinks all is well in his paradise until history intervenes, setting off a chain of events which no one, much less this free man of color, realizes is about to splinter the world.”

Also starring in the film is Joseph Marcell (Geoffrey the butler from “The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air”).

“A Free Man Of Color” is set for October 21 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater in New York City.

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Krysten Hughes

Video: Miguel Atwood-Ferguson Ensemble f. Bilal “Someday We’ll All Be Free” (Live)

I had an opportunity to interview the very talented Miguel Atwood-Ferguson a few months ago for BET Centric. The L.A. based musician wears many hats including freelance multi-instrumentalist, dj, arranger, composer, music director, producer, and educator.

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Krysten Hughes

The Microphone Sessions Presents: The Mind Of Makaveli

One of my allies, Leila Steinberg, (Tupac’s first manager and life-long friend) will be facilitating “The Microphone Sessions” a 13 week course on the revolutionary, intellectual, and metaphysical ideas of Tupac Shakur, as expressed in his music, message, and movement under the moniker “Makaveli”.

In conjunction with TruthAboutTupac.com and Leila’s non-profit organization Alternative Intervention Models,”The Microphone Sessions” is casting select participants for the academic seminar.

They are looking for diverse individuals who will commit to 13 weeks of reading, researching and exploring various themes in Tupac’s music and legacy. The in-depth semester will include curriculum centered around Tupac’s literature, interviews, music, movie symbolism and political organizing. Also, there is an amazing line-up of guest speakers who were celebrity associates, close friends and family of Tupac.

… Continue Reading

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Krysten Hughes

Video: John Legend & The Roots “Wake Up Everybody” feat. Common & Melanie Fiona

Spotted at okayplayer.com, where there are a couple of videos of cool interviews with the artists involved with this inspirational ditty.

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The Editor

What Is Entertaining Us?

I’m not sure what to think about this video. I am kind of disturbed that I am so amused by it. But after I really thought about it (and watched it again,) I became aware of the creativity that went into it’s production and how it really is catchy. But when I considered the fact that this “funny” video is actually based on a young lady being violated, I was again reminded of the manipulative influence that media has on our thought processes. It is not hard at all to watch this video 50 times and still be tickled on the fiftieth time, but each time the video is viewed, the viewer is seeing the story of someone else’s trauma put in the form of an entertaining clip.

The video:

The original news report:

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Kwesi Low

Can Everyone Be Reached?

I get a personal joy from registering young people to vote for the first time. I am always excited when I come across 17 year-old young people and I get to let them know that they can vote as soon as they turn 18.  Since President Barack Obama has been elected, it seems as if the consensus among young people has changed from apathy to excitement.  This leads me to believe that the political and social change we envision is happening with the young people. Yesterday, I realized that half the people that I spoke with and registered were under the age of 20.  In several years, these young people will be the policy-makers, legislators, and law enforcers.  On the other hand, those who choose not to engage will be the victims of the process. My job is to remind them that even being a victim is a choice.

I realized then that the political process can start with voter registration and dialogue about the political process.  From the conversations that I have had with various young people, I have realized that they are not regularly in practice of speaking about the political process or what is encompassed in the realm of politics.  Based upon my conversations with young people during the voter registration campaign, I realized that young people are not being engaged on their level by policy makers or adults who understand the process. They are, however, being engaged by music videos and popular culture. I am curious about how to blend the two because the ones who resist engagement are the ones who embrace the false reality created by pop culture and mainstream media. My question is this: how do we as community organizers engage the young people who are in opposition to the very process that determines the projected quality of life for us all?

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Kwesi Low

TRUE Skool Comes Under Fire For Promoting Art!

A mural created over the weekend during an event organized by TRUE Skool, a group in Milwaukee that works to empower at-risk youth through cultural projects, was this morning after coming under scrutiny by local officials.

Ald. Bob Donovan is calling for an investigation of the group and wants to “see why precious grants and resources are being used to ‘educate’ young people on how to create graffiti,” according to a statement released this morning.

“In my opinion this outfit is nothing more than a front for propagating and endorsing graffiti,” Donovan said in the statement.

The mural, emblazoned with the words “Raw Love” and created with a group of students under the direction of professional artist Jay Sterling, who also goes by J. Bird, was designed to be temporary and was going to be removed today at 1 p.m., said Sarah Patterson, executive director of TRUE Skool. Things got heated at the site this morning, which Patterson said could have been avoided with if Donovan had simply called the group.

“I just think it is ridiculous when young people in the community see our aldermen go on TV irate…when they try to do something positive and are being called criminals and vandals,” said Patterson, who said Donovan attended the group’s block party last year.

“It is really sad – we still have those who view art as not valuable,” she said.

Read more of this story at the jsonline

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The Editor

Bringing the Champagne to the Campaign!

PARTY WITH A PURPOSE!

Atl is a socialite city and we all enjoy a good time. We love to pop bottles, spill the champagne, step out in the finest clothes, and let our hair down to party with the best of them. There is nothing wrong with a little fun, in fact it is encouraged, but partying is even better when it’s done for a purpose.  Everything in life is done for a reason, anything done without a purpose is time and energy wasted.

The League of Young Voters Education Fund and Lady Cartel have partnered up to take over Atlanta  with a nightlife voter registration campaign geared towards the age group of 18-29. This is an effort that everyone can participate in, from the ages of 18-118, to inspire changes in our community. Everyone has a voice and to make sure it is heard, we as a community have GOT to make some noise. The volume of our community will be ALL THE WAY TURNED UP just by a simple act of putting the pen to the ballot.

LETS MAKE IT HAPPEN.

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arlynn