Category Archives: Community

Back 2 School Mix

August 21, 2017 jeff 2 Comments

Hey Y’all,

As we come to the end of another summer, I decided to put together a Back 2 School Mix for motivation and therapy. I hope that you dig this mix, please send feedback. This music is our historical soundtrack; I truly believe that if we take a microscopic look at the origin of this music, we will find our future collectively.

Unfortunately, we found out this weekend that one of our great activist/comedians went home to Rest in Power. In my humble opinion, Dick Gregory was a man that lived his life in service to urban communities through out the world. Ultimately, he is a great example of the type of discipline and courage it takes to challenge a system that continues to fail the citizens of our grassroots society.

Peace & Blessings,
Jeff

Community, Current, Employment

Humanities Heart Looking For New Contributions!!

July 11, 2017 jeff 10 Comments

Hello,

I hope your summer is going well. We are looking to feature NEW poetry, photography, music, and articles as we enter the Fall 2019 semester. Please contact us if you have anything you would like to contribute to our publication. Remember, we are the voice of the community!!

Peace & Blessings,

Jeff

Community, Current

Talking Public Education With Stephen Brier

May 23, 2017 jeff 2 Comments

As we approach the end of another semester, Stephen Brier was gracious enough to grant me an interview that focused on the history of public education in the New York City area. Dr. Brier, an accomplished educator, speaks of his influencers, his professional life, and how he maintains balance as he manages a heavy workload. Brier is currently a professor in the Ph.D Program in Urban Education, he is also The Graduate Center’s Senior Academic Technology Officer and co-founder/director of The New Media Lab. Join me for a conversation with one of The Graduate Center’s most celebrated faculty members. This interview is sure to open yours eyes in regard to social justice and education in New York City public schools. As Dr. Brier mentioned in our conversation, “No Progress Without Struggle (F. Douglas).”

Peace & Blessings,

Jeff

Community

FIGHT FOR US-CUBA RELATIONS!

April 11, 2017 jeff 10 Comments

On March 25, 2017 our community came together to support the integration of the United States and Cuba. The National Conference for the Full Normalization of US-Cuban Relations was held at Fordham University School of Law. Issues such as ending various sanctions against Cuba (economic, financial, and travel), were discussed. The bottom line is that we would like to see all attacks on our Cuban Brotha’s & Sistas come to and end. Check out the footage that we were able to get at the Public Rally held at The Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial Educational Center. For more information call 917-887-8710 or email to info@nationalcubaconference.org.

Community

The Morris Justice Project Works To Annihilate ‘Stop and Frisk!’

April 4, 2017 jeff 4 Comments

As I continue to share my thoughts and views on police brutality. I was invited to a demonstration at Columbia University last week that featured a presentation about police reform from a group called the Morris Justice Project. This project has been in existence for the last 6 years and this group has made tremendous strides, as they work with communities in the South Bronx area near Yankee stadium. The Morris Brown Project has become notorious for their stand against, “Stop and Frisk“. With a visit to the White House and several acknowledgements from the New York City community, they continue to serve South Bronx communities as a voice for justice. Check out the video below and make sure you to follow The Public Science Project on twitter.

Peace & Blessings,

Jeff

Community

Black Spades Speak Out Against The Slander Of Afrika Bambaataa

March 28, 2017 jeff 13 Comments

In a day and age where rumors run rapid in inner city communities, allegations against hip hop legend Afrika Bambaataa seem unreal. Most of us consider Bambaataa’s Planet Rock one of the major influences, in a B-boy driven era, that birth a new culture and lifestyle in American history. Personally I believe that a man is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, or amongst his peers. Last summer as we celebrated unity and non-violence at Crotona Park in the Boogie Down Bronx, the Black Spades spoke out against external forces dealing with an internal issue. Take a listen to what was said, and send me your opinions on the best way social justice should be approached, as we work to create a safe and harmonious environment for the future.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JVqICPBSvQ

R.I.P. Dr. Abdul Malik Salahuddin “Sunshine”

Peace & Blessings,

Jeff

Community

Can we obtain Social Justice through Soul Food?

Gallery March 15, 2017 jeff 2 Comments

In a world where people are constantly concerned about their diets, Michael Twitty is examining social justice through food. Twitty a culinary historian, based in Washington D.C., suggests that we preserve the heritage, of what most of us refer to as, “Soul Food.” Twitty investigates the battered past of his ancestors, and how food played a significant role in African American history. Until I viewed this brothas presentation I had never considered the importance of the food that I was raised on. Check out Twitty’s view on food culture, you may never look at a pork chop the same way again.

Peace!

Community

It’s Tax Season, Let’s Talk Financial Literacy!!

March 2, 2017 jeff Leave a comment

Yes Brotha’s & Sistas, tax season has arrived again, and financial literacy remains key as we continue to strive for ultimate liberation. Although most of us are planning to catch up on bills, take vacations, and upgrade our technical devices, it’s imperative that we begin to seriously consider investing a portion of our returns. While checking out content on YouTube, I ran across this Breakfast Club interview with Stacy Tisdale. This interview was very insightful, and I feel that this type of dialogue should become the norm in our urban communities. Check it out; let me know what you think:

Community

Farrakhan Speaks Black Economic Truth

January 26, 2017 jeff Leave a comment

Yesterday while surfing the Internet, I came across an early message from The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. As a black man that grew up as a Pentecostal Christian through the Apostolic faith, I have grown to gain understanding of the economic status of African American people. Take a listen to this short message from Minister Farrakhan. His message is routed in hard work, decency, and relying on our own communities to build economic independence. Let’s keep it funky, I appreciate the Caucasian friendships that I’ve cultivated through the years in my journey, as a writer/musician, but ultimately I believe that people of color (especially black people) need to begin to claim responsibility for their own economic growth. In America, and many other cultures throughout the world, this is simply the only way to create true wealth for a nations sons, daughters, grandchildren, allies and kinfolk. Listen to Minister Farrakhan break it down in 1969!!! You may not totally agree, but this sounds like an excellent place to get started. If you have thoughts and views on this issue please email me, the only way we can begin to destroy this problem is to share our thoughts and views with each other. Till next time, Shalom my Brotha’s & Sistas!

It’s Time To Do Better,

Jeff

Blogging for Social Justice