Community, Current

April SHOWERS

Special Legal Night Panel Addressing Challenges In Police Misconduct Cases

Good Day People,

Since my last post in March, so much has happened.  Of course the Derek Chauvin trail, then the murders of Daunte Wright, Adam Toledo, Michael Leon Hughes, Anthony Thompson Jr., and Iremamber Sykap to name a few.  As I think, and say Rest In Power to those that we have just lost, I wonder why police brutality continues to plague our communities.  In hindsight, I lowered my voice, and adjusted my glasses to reflect and realize that communication issues continue to exist and destroy our relationships between urban communities and law enforcement.  It’s safe to say, that until we begin to make a conscious effort to address the madness from a proactive perspective, we won’t be able to move forward, coexist, and build nurturing communities.   

On another note, I was able to attend the National Action Network Convention in April.  The ability to witness the Mothers of The Movement Panel with Gwen Carr, Sequette Clark, Sybrina Fulton, and Lesley McSqadden speak with Benjamin Crump, Esq. about life after losing a child was simply overwhelming. I also was really impressed by the youth panels on the last day of the convention.  Awards were given to Reverend Gregory Drumwright, Reverend Marissa Farrow, Reverend Timothy Figueroa, Reverend Stephen Greene, Reverend Jared Sawyer, Reverend Nick Young, and Tylik McMillan. If you haven’t had a chance to attend, you should do your best to be there next year. This proved to be a great way to release some of my COVID-19 anxiety, while connecting my spirit and energy, to higher vibrations through service and celebration.

As we move forward, I am currently working on the Urban Co-Op Initiative.  This initiative is built around servicing our communities with the necessary resources we need to build businesses and promote entrepreneurship in the hood.  Please stay tuned as we work to curate post pandemic events that will be centered around information, entertainment, and justice through equality.  I would like to thank Scarfo Live for the interview this week, I had a great time chopping it up with you, and although we talked about the music business, we found a way to incorporate substance and wellness, as we reflected on the state of our communities.  Also remember to support my project, ‘Censored’ in collaboration with Vocal-NY.  Fifty percent of the proceeds will go to research and study on how to STOP MASS INCARCERATION.  Until next time, I wish you all peace and prosperity.  Remember, there is no road to freedom, freedom is the road (M. Gandhi).

Talk to you soon,

Jeff   

Current, The Co-Op Movement

The URBAN Co-OP INItiative

As a writer/musician/activist,  I continue to witness the need for innovative business and synergy in our urban communities.  Upon completing my studies at The City University of New York last year, I decided to become an advocate for grassroots business.   My first goal was to create a song or theme music to motivate myself, as well as my allies, as we share the message of the movement.  I decided to work with a few of my fellow creatives to compose a record that spoke to the need for sustainable socio economic development within our communities.  We came up with the record, “Co-Op” which we would like to share, as we strive to advocate for justice and equality throughout the universe.

As a producer/visionary, my next goal was to create a visual representation for the ‘Co-Op’ record.  As a writer, I collaborated with a cinematographer and director to share my vision of what a collaborative community should represent.  I decided to reach out to my friends, as well as my business partners, to fuse together a collective unit to inspire change.  To my astonishment, our community came together in the spirit of love and encouragement to create a phenomenal visual representation of the movement.  Our ultimate objective is to continue to grow, as we plant seeds for tomorrow, through cultivating relationships with organizations in the creative community.

With a strong commitment to public service, film, and all multi media outlets, I would like to build The Urban Co-Op Initiative with cuban links.  We are currently soliciting donations to enhance our visibility, and the work we are commissioned to do.  Please support by adding this song to your playlists, connecting with our team to enlighten and work with your organization, and reaching out to us for future collaborations.  Thanks again for your time, energy, and awareness.

Sincerely,

Mr. Jeff Collin Suttles

https://orcd.co/coop
Community, Current, Music

Black History Month

Good Day Great People,

Another Black History Month is concluding, and this year we were forced to deal with inconvenient obstacles via COVID-19.  I urge as many of us as possible to stay on top of spacing and mask wear until we get completely rid of this thing.  Personally I still have mixed feelings about the vaccine, and it’s still a strenuous task to get an appointment for  vaccination.  At this point I am forced to keep a watchful eye, as we continue to work at resolving this thing.  I’m here to proclaim brothas and sistas, “BEWARE, STAY WOKE, and LET’S FOLLOW THROUGH!”

I would also like to pay homage to two giants that we lost recently.  These pioneers made incredible accomplishments as representatives of people of color through performance, spirit, and ingenuity.  In this post we salute Cicely Tyson and Hank Aaron Ms. Tyson, can be remembered for her early cinematic contributions to films like Sounder and Roots.  As the former wife of the great Miles Davis, she stood for Black Excellence, before it’s infusion into popular culture.  To top it off, she continued to work, with movie credits as recent as last year.  All I can say is R.I.P. Queen!

Next we gotta acknowledge the great Mr. Aaron, who infamously broke Babe Ruth’s home run record in 1974.  Aaron proved his greatness over and over again as he played in 25 Major League Baseball Allstar games.  As a great model for athletes, he frequently spoke out against racism in professional sports.  He also worked with his wife to establish the Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation, which works with non profits organizations to develop and support our youth.  Again, I must say with humility and sincerity, R.I.P. King!

Moving forward we are still developing our Cooperative Business Movement.  We just completed the PSA/video, which was shot by Branden Widener and directed by Nina Miller Sanchez.  Through it all we remain persistent in the belief that connecting business, in urban communities, is the work of the future.  We would also like to thank everyone who came out to be a part of the production.  Let’s continue to work together, to challenge ignorance and foolishness.  In this way we position ourselves, as well as the next generations, for sustainability through wisdom and awareness.  Until next time!

Sincerely,

Jeff

Community, Current, Music

Presidents’ Day!!

Good Day Good People,

I wanna take this time to spread eclectic energy to you and whatever causes you deem worthy of your time.  As we move along in this first season of 2021, I encourage all of us to seek mental wellness through justice and equality for all mankind.  Upon completion of the recent Trump impeachment hearings we see how controversy and confusion have the power to override liberalism.  The fact that nobody wins or loses unless we find equitable circumstances for all should remain our central theme, without this perspective we fall victims to greed, and become scapegoats to a capitalistic agenda that promotes chaos rather than socio economic mobility.

As another manifestation of the restless times we live in, Congresswoman Malorie Taylor Greene is under scrutiny for comments she made on Facebook regarding the Parkland, Florida school shootings.  Greene allegedly commented on a conspiracy theory that stated that the shooting was staged.  Realizing that the mass shooting was a very serious tragedy, I wonder where her comment came from, and why she felt the need to share her opinion through a Facebook post.  If you have some extended views on where Greene may have been coming from please feel free to comment or email me for clarification or better understanding.  Also, I have attached a petition that is calling for the removal of Greene from the Congress.  Please sign if you feel that Greene should be suspended from her work in the House Education and Labor Committee. 

Finally, we had 4 stabbings on the subway in New York City last week.  To my understanding 2 people lost their lives, due to senseless violence.  I challenge myself as well as those who are reading this to take a moment to share or spread love in your community.  Whether it be a brief conversation, a kind gesture, or direction when it comes to resources.  There are many people amongst us suffering from mental, financial, and spiritual trauma.  Let’s not become so desensitized, that we forget to do our part when it comes to making our world a better place to live.

Remember:  It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.

 ~ John Templeton

Sincerely,

Jeff 

Community, Current, Music

The Dream lives

Image by: Metro Creative Connection

Good Day Brothas and Sistas, 

As we prepare for another Black History Month a mist one of the most troublesome years of our lives.  I feel that it’s a perfect time to acknowledge the accomplishments and goals of the world renowned activist, preacher, and family man Dr. Martin Luther King.  As I look at history, I see his work on earth is still relevant and his approach to the work serves a great model to how we should condition ourselves to deal with the issues that continue to plague our urban communities.  I wrote this peace below to celebrate Dr. King, please join me as we celebrate the life and times of the true king.  We miss you sir!

I would also like to open a dialogue based on what happened to the brotha Keyon Harrold’s son.  For those who haven’t heard, Keyon’s son was accused of stealing a young ladies cellphone at the Arlo Hotel in Soho.  My question is: was it the color of his skin? Or was it the way he carried himself?  Either way it was a flagrant display of discrimination!  To this young ladies defense, if she has one, the news is constantly painting pictures of our young people behaving like neanderthals.  So in a crazy kind of way she may have just been reacting to what she believes all young people of color are doing!  Miya Ponsetto, was charged with attempted robbery, grand larceny, acting in a manner injurious to a child and two counts of attempted assault, I would also like to mention that she is from the west coast.  So maybe she found herself in a different place and just overreacted because she wasn’t familiar with her surroundings.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not making excuses for her , but at this point I am training my thoughts and opinions to be as objective as possible.  Anyway let’s support Keyon’s campaign for justice and equality by signing the petition.  Please text Keyon to 55156.  

Finally, please support my new project #Censored by purchasing a t-shirt.  You also will receive a free download of the EP, which is filled with a fusion of soul, hip hop, jazz, house, and ambient music.  I sincerely hope that the New Year brings many of us peace, through hard work, quality time with family and friends, and the pursuit of our dreams.  Let’s all take time to support and  share information with our communities.  Remember it takes a village to create sustainability.  

Until next time,

Jeff

Community, Current

from 2020 to 2021

The Commitment March (August 28, 2020)

Peace Brothas & Sistas,

Last time I logged in we were trying to get a grip on reparations with the December 12th Movement,  I haven’t spoken with Roger directly as of late, but through his WhatApp posts I know that he is well, and still motivated to share the message of justice and equality in our neighborhoods throughout the universe.  First of all I would like to thank everyone who attended our Labor Day PSA/ Video Shoot/Rally.  Your attendance made a serious statement to the need for us to create more cooperative businesses in our communities.  My sincere belief that building awareness based on the process through sharing communal concepts remains the same.  Ultimately, I have come to the conclusion that this is one of the messages I would like to continue to share, as we work from a grassroots perspective for sustainable solutions in the hood.   

On another note, I released a new instrumental project with VOCAL-NY on Halloween last year.  This project is dedicated to the dismantling of mass incarceration.  Statistics show that millions continue to fall victim to injustice as they are imprisoned through a system that was created to promote economic inequality.  Through this initiative we plan to take a stand!  Head over to the website (https://collinsuttles.bandcamp.com/releases) and purchase a t-shirt (50% of the proceeds go to creating change in regards to mass incarceration), you will also get a free download to the music project which is entitled #Censored!  Please don’t delay, your support is essential to the movement, we can’t create change without the support of our communities.

Finally, I would like to send my condolences to MF DOOM’s family, and all the other giants we lost last year through Covid-19, homicide, suicide, natural causes, and uncontrollable trategies.  As a creative person, I am familiar with the work of MF DOOM, Kobe Bryant, Chadwick Boseman, Sean Connery, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, John Lewis, James Lipton, Fred ‘Curly’ Neal, Ken Osmond, Little Richard, Regis Philbin, Charley Pride, Carl Reiner, Ann Reinking, Kenny Rogers, Gayle Sayers, Don Shula, Tom Seaver, David Stern, Jerry Stiller, John Thompson, Alex Trebek, Eddie Van Halen, Bill Withers, and my own Aunt, Gail Suttles.  Although there are many names that are not included in this list, let’s remember that we are only here for a moment, let’s create lasting change, love each other, and build a better world for the next generation.

Until Next Time,

Jeff

This mix is dedicated to the giants we lost in 2020!

Community, Current

Producing Reparations?

Greetings Brothas & Sistas,

Last week I attended a reparations rally, which raised some serious questions about our society and the climate we currently live in.  Growing up in Massachusetts, going to a parochial school, playing little league sports, and attending a Pentecostal church, I was never introduced to the trauma that my forefathers had unfortunately encountered.  To be honest, if it had not been for Spike Lee films, I probably would never had been compelled to think about the history of people of color.  Which is really sad!

Moving forward, I have awakened. As we prepare for the Commitment March in Washington DC this week, we celebrate John Lewis’s labor.  We denounce the brutal beating of people of color in our urban communities. We stand together for justice and equality, which is what our tax dollars are, suppose to represent.  As of this day, 731 people have died at the hands of police (2020).   As of this day, many of the people in our urban communities (estimated 40 percent) fail to see the importance of casting their ballots.  It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why our conditions remain the same!  Let’s work to change the narrative people.

As mentioned earlier, I attended a rally last week in Columbus Circle organized by the December 12th Movement.  These Brothas and Sistas spoke about decolonizing our colonized societies, they played audio recording of slaves being auctioned off like cattle, and they simple exposed the hand of the oppressor, and the ideology they do business under which obviously favors their hidden agendas.  At this point, I am literally speechless.  I wish you all a blessed fall season, let’s put on our seat belts, and prepare for another cycle of deceit and shenanigans. 

Peace & Blessings,

Jeff

“Use Me” by Bill Withers

  

Community, Current

Thank You Cuba

Good Day Brothas & Sistas,

I hope you all are well. This weekend we participate in the Africa & The World Thanks Cuba celebration.  We would like to thank the Zimbabwe Cuba Friendship Association and the Get Out of Cuba Way Movement for the invitation, we believe that these events help promote camaraderie among the United States of America and Cuba, even though under our current regime, this relationship continues to remain under attack.

Last week we started working with State Assembly candidate Shanequa Charles to promote change in the Bronx community.  In a conversation with Ms. Charles she explained that the Bronx is one of the most impoverished communities in the state of New York.  I was blessed to be able to create her campaign theme music last week as well.  Our goal is to wake, and ignited the citizens of our Bronx communities.  Although it’s still early in the campaign, we believe that Shanequa Charles is the strong black women that our community needs, as we work for sustainable economic change, through engagement and awareness.

Lastly, please keep the family of Davell Gardner in your prayers.  Davell was shot to death at a cook out in Brooklyn at the tender age of 1 years old.  These situations, although saddening, should provide some form of motivation for our urban communities.  We have to do better, if not for ourselves, for the next generation.  I humbly challenge each of you to do your part.  This situation wasn’t created by one individual; therefore, it’s going to take many us to cultivate change.  Check out Shenequa Charles campaign them below.  Write her name in and vote, this fall, for the Independent Stronger Together Party!  

Peace & Blessings,

Jeff

Community, Current

Healing Through Pain

Good Day People,


I hope this post finds you well.  Unfortunately, we lost a few more lives to gun fire this week. I sincerely believe it’s time for us to become advocates for gun control.  Although I do believe that if used correctly (hunting and security for example) guns can be positive.  Unfortunately, we see in our urban communities, how access to guns, remains an issue, which continues to stunt the growth of our communities. It’s a simple question y’all, “when are we going to come together to STOP the nonsense?”


As a citizen of New York, we deal with strict gun laws.  Although these laws are in place, we continue to come up short.  How does a one year old, Davell Gardner Jr., get killed by a stray bullet, in his stroller at a cookout in Brooklyn?  How has there been over six hundred shootings this far in 2020 (AND IT’S ONLY JULY)?  Statistics show that we had 394 total shootings in 2019.  At this rate, we will easily double the number of shootings in NYC this year, once again, THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!  It’s time to take a look in the mirror, we can blame people outside of our communities for the rise in these numbers, my suggestion is that we begin by looking in.


Please join us Saturday as we congregate to shut down gun violence.  This rally is dedicated to the lives that have been lost to gun violence, we will stand together to initiate change.  Furthermore, I am scheduled to rock out with my band UC (Underground Collaborative), as we are requested to play Sam Cook’s “A Change Is Gonna Come”.  Please meet us at Morningside Park Saturday, as we work with Silent Cry and other organizations in the movement, to share the message of justice & peace through unity.  Until next week be blessed, it’s time to Heal Together.  

A Change Gonna Come

by Sam Cook

I was born by the river in a little tent
Oh, just like a river, I’ve been running ever since
It’s been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change’s gonna come, oh, yes, it will

It’s been too hard living, but I’m afraid to die
‘Cause I don’t know what’s up there above the sky
It’s been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change’s gonna come, oh, yes, it will

And I go to the movies, and I go downtown
Somebody keep telling me, don’t hang around
It’s been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change’s gonna come, oh, yes, it will

Oh, when I go to my brother
I’d say brother, help me, please
But he winds up knockin’ me
Back down on my knees

There been times that I thought I wouldn’t last for long
Now I think I’m able to carry on
It’s been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change’s gonna come, oh, yes, it will

Community, Current, Music

Co-Op

Shalom Brothas & Sistas,

I hope that you celebrated the 4th of July in a safe and intuitive manner.   I feel elated that the Brother Minister Louis Farrakhan spoke to our hearts and minds on Saturday, he shed light on some serious issues that I have been grappling with.  I can’t get into it all on this blog, but let’s just say, THE TRUTH WILL SET US FREE!  Additional, the Reverend Al Sharpton blessed our souls on Saturday, he gave hope to the future and how we should position ourselves in these perilous times, please join us as we take the movement to Washington D.C. on August 28, 2020.  At this time, I’m completely humbled and inspired as we approach the next phase of CoVid19.  I pray that the Most High will keep and guide us all, as we continue to deal with these troublesome issues. 

On another note, we lost another young King last week to senseless violence.  We can’t blame this one on the police, this occurred more than likely by one of our own kind.  Brandon Hendricks was brutally murdered on June 28, 2020; we stood with his mother and the rest of the family on July 2, 2020 on 176th and Davidson in solidarity.  Please keep the Hendrix family in your prayers; my heart is heavy right now.  Come On Man; Let’s STOP THE VIOLENCE!!

Brandon Hendricks rally on 176th & Davidson.

In light of the times I created this song that I sincerely hope will ignite the spirits of  the people in our urban communities.  It’s about cooperative businesses and how they can create change in our neighborhoods.  With this concept, we can become unstoppable, in the words of Public Enemy, “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back.”

Here are the lyrics. Please add this song to your playlists. 

Big shout out to Revolt TV for the broadcast Saturday!

Peace & Blessings,

Co-Op

Check a check one two

Rap:

We can rise, we can build

Work smarter in the chill

Make a mountain out of hills

Break a billion down in bills

If it’s just for me its failure

We been lied to that success

What good is financial freedom 

When all around you is duress

When all around you there’s the jecs 

Vecs sleepin on some steps

People sleeping without eating

Parents working shift stress

If you about to hit your second third 

Make that sh*t a swish

If you ain’t got no one to lean on 

You can lean on this

Verse:

We can do it together

Through the stormy weather 

Build a team that’s strong

You know it’s been to long

So what are you gonna do

To make the dream come true

It’s about that time

Gotta see the community shine

Bridge:

Get yourself align with a plan

Do it anyway that you can

The community & your fellow man

This is how you take a stand

Because

Chorus:

Collaborative Communities Open-up People

Collaborative Communities Open-up People

Collaborative Communities Open-up 

Collaborative Communities Open-up People

Verse:

It only takes two or three

So are you working with me

Connect the business with a plan

Get continuity & stand

For the Mom & Pop Store 

Against the corporation door

Cause if they ain’t giving back

Then they can’t see our stack

Bridge:

Get yourself align with a plan

Do it anyway that you can

The community & your fellow man

This is how you take a stand

Because

Chorus:

Collaborative Communities Open-up People

Collaborative Communities Open-up People

Collaborative Communities Open-up 

Collaborative Communities Open-up People (4x)

Blogging for Social Justice