Category Archives: Current

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Community Day in Yonkers

Image by Greg C. Cash

On Saturday, August 10, 2019, Pastor Bolling and the Community Baptist Church hosted Community Day. This joyous occasion proved to be insightful, as well as uplifting for the children and residents of this Yonkers, New York community. Prizes like free haircuts, gift certificates, and bikes were raffled off for all those who attended. Coordinator, Mark Corpas, lead the crowd in a spirit driven electric slide, as we all jammed out to gospel music. Although we embrace all types of music, gospel remains at the top of our playlists, especially when we look to connect ourselves for inspiration and spiritual healing. We were honored to participate, and look forward to supporting this event next year.

For more information on how to be apart of Community Day next year contact Mark Corpas at cbcchurchclerks@gmail.com.

STOP THE VIOLENCE RALLY

Image by Greg C. Cash

On Saturday, August 10, 2019 the Bronx community gathered together to raise their voices against gun violence.  Parents, elected officials, and clergyman united on Webster Avenue to take a stand, as the 19th Annual Rally took place.  The Bronx has become victim to several acts of gun violence recently.  Citizens united to pray for hope and courage against random acts of gun violence.  Although this is an issue that continues to infect our urban communities, it has become obvious that awareness is key, as we work for peace and sustainability in our neighborhoods.

For more information about future events please contact:

Princess Lanita at princesslanita50@gmail.com

New Moves With NAN

Getting ready for NAN’s 2019 convention

Greetings,

I hope all is well. This weekend I joined Reverend Al Sharpton and the National Action Network (NAN).  As someone who has participated in NAN events previously (Stop and Frisk March, Eric Garner memorial ceremony, etc.), it seems like a natural progression, as I work to fulfill my desire to enhance our urban communities through information and service.

As a member of NAN, I believe that my work will inspire and heal.  I believe with the guidance of Reverend Sharpton and the staff at NAN I’ll be able to facilitate some of the workshops and community engagements I desire to orchestrate.  I’m really excited about the possibilities that lie ahead, and I’m open to any suggestions on how we can work together to build sustainability in our urban communities.

As a new member of NAN my first assignment is to work with the Guardians to provide security at the NAN Convention.  The convention will be held at the Sheraton Hotel in New York City from April 3rd to 6th, I suggest that you come out and support this great event.  The panels, entertainment, and fellowship will serve as a great way to get in tune with the needs of our communities, as we work together to create the future.

Peace & Blessings,

Jeff

Cory Booker, Ready Or Not?

Cory Booker announces his candidacy for president.

As we learned recently that Corey Booker has decided to run for one of the most prestigious jobs in the world. I have mixed thoughts about seeing another man of color in the office. My main question, is America ready or not? Like most of you, I witnessed all of the foolishness that followed the Obama presidency. It seems that instead of motivating people that change is apparent, we have seen some of the most ignorant and selfish behavior that our oval office has ever recorded. In return, my skepticism about the Cory Booker announcement is legitimate, my observations from the last couple of years lead me to wonder whether this is gonna be a blessing to people of color or a curse. I guess we have to wait to see what occurs, the hard part about this one is gonna be remaining optimistic.

We also learned this week that Kamala Harris is running for President. I don’t know much about her, probably because she is based on the West Coast, but I’m willing to hear her out. Ultimately, I wonder what would be the reaction of society, if we elected an African American woman. As mentioned earlier, we just witnessed the backlash of electing a African American man, I can only wonder what these people would do if we put a black woman in office. The older I get, the more I feel this that this white privilege thing is real. Don’t get me wrong, I have white friends that are just as cool as my best black friends. But I don’t feel that this white privilege thing is about that. It’s the powers that be, willing to suppress and destroy whatever threatens their capitalistic agenda. Through it all we must realize that it’s gonna take time to create a world that generates balance from birth to death for all mankind. How long, I don’t know! But I guess I’ll remain optimistic about this as well, and simple move on.

Peace & Blessings,

Jeff

CHRISTMAS COAT DRIVE AT ARLENE’S GROCERY

On December 12th, 2018 JMS Company & Arlene’s Grocery hosted a coat drive with Goodwill. Our objective was to spread holiday cheer, as we celebrated life with the New York City community. Featured that night was a new band called Collin Suttles & Underground Collaborative. Although we had a light turnout the event served as a unique way to connect with the residents of lower Manhattan. We would like to thank everyone who donated a coat and we are aiming to create more events built around community service in 2019!!

https://www.facebook.com/517326378772426/videos/vb.517326378772426/517664842051232/?type=2&theater

BACK 2 SCHOOL 2018

 

It’s about that time of the year again. Although my personal projects are mounting up, I feel compelled to speak about some of the social issues that continue to contribute to injustice in our communities. I believe that in the true spirit ‘Humanities Heart,’ not only are we responsible to speak up for ourselves, but we must also speak up for the future of urban infrastructure, and our responsibility to create sustainability through our culture.

First of all I must speak about some of the positive events I was able to be apart of this summer, such as Juneteenth with Dr. Barber and Dr. Forbes. Dr. Barber reminded us that many of us are, NOT GETTING THE MEMO! I also attended another graduation with Omar Freilla and Green Worker Cooperatives. I felt exhilarated, as I witnessed another group of entrepreneurs prepare to build from the inside to create change on the outside. I also attended a seminar hosted by Chris Edmin and Teachers College, Columbia University. As I witnessed these young people combine hip-hop and science, I sat in the auditorium both inspired and amazed. I believe that an event like this captures the true essence of creativity, which eventually will conceive progressive growth throughout our communities.

These are a few events that come time mind as I search for motivation in the mist of current disparities. Situations like the Brooklyn nail salon incident, the Dashawn McGrier beat down, and the unfortunate fate of Kalief Browder, have me in a state of uncertainty, wondering about the safety my friends and family. I not sure if it’s normal to feel this way, but I hope that we are moving closer to the solutions rather than agitating the problems.

 

Send me your replies; OUR VOICES ARE STRONGER TOGETHER!

Black Excellence

 

As we review the state of of American culture, many things come to mind.  Our economy, especially for our urban communities, has changed. We see more people creating heinous acts as a form of rebellion against a system that has promised us so much, but given us so little.  We are forced to deal with confinement, marginalization, and racism as a way of life. What are we going to do? Where are we headed from here? These are questions that I frequently ask myself as I work to coexist and remain productive in this so called, “land of the free.”  Through it all I am compelled to resight the words of the great Frederick Douglass, “ without struggle there is know progress.” But how much is to much? Depending on who you have a conversation with, these answers may vary, but I have chosen to celebrate our history and growth, as we move forward.  I truly believe this is the answer, as we continue to strive for what I heard Sean Combs refer to as, “Black Excellence.”

I asked myself the other day, what is, “Black Excellence?”  Is it the way you wear your skully? Or is it the way your braids look after their completed? Is it the way you greet one of the homies when he tells you he just purchased his first home?  I’m not sure what it is, but I recognize it when I see it. Upon preparing for this article, I reached out to my editor, Mr. A.J. Woodson. I asked, “what do we need to address, as we move forward?”  Mr. Woodson told me to speak from my heart and soul about the black community. As a Westchester County resident, I am witness to the struggles of our urban communities, these environments are deemed by many as contemporary paradises or economically advantaged communities.  Although I know better, I understand that the span of Westchester County is quite big, my goal is to have more conversations with people of color in areas like Irvington, Pleasantville, and Purchase. I believe that these conversations have the potential to provide answers, as we work to heal a system that has discouraged and scarred many.  In this way, our voices will provide substance through patience and understanding. My greatest fear is that our urban communities will become divided through the inability to compromise as we sit at the table.

Subsequently “Black Excellence,” can also be measured through our approach to community enlightenment.  The ability to participate through mentorship and service in the community should not be underestimated.  “Black Excellence.” can also be described as a form of exercising your voice in the community. The ability to speak up when things are not right, or the ability to shake your neighbors hand for a job well done, should be one in the same.  We should never succumb to a “crab in the barrel,” mentality if we are truly striving for, “Black Excellence.” As I view urban communities in 2018, I see how the World Wide Web has given urban communities greater access to information. As a teenager in High School, an encyclopedia was a welcome addition to our den’s bookshelf.  Now we all have encyclopedias on our laptops, cell phones, and tablets, yet many of us lack the ingenuity to get the most out of them, in regard to producing “Black Excellence,” in our communities. Yes, I believe that technology will play an intricate part in evolving Black Excellence in our urban communities. We just have to figure out how we wanna do it.

This process of development is probably not going to happen overnight, but I believe it’s important to create awareness.  Awareness through mentorship and service in the community, as mentioned earlier, would be ideal. Organizing people on a grassroot level is always key, especially as we facilitate conversations about, “Black Excellence.”  I believe it’s important to continue to monitor the pulse of the next generation, as they also have the responsibility of representing, “Black Excellence.” I believe that the youth in our urban communities represent a different kind of American reality.  Although they have dreams and goals like youth in all cultures, we must guide them to make the correct decisions as they strive for, “Black Excellence.” Let’s face it, for any form of, “Black Excellence,” to manifest itself, some type of protocol or game plan has to be applied.  Otherwise we run the risk of wasting time, submitting to peer pressure, and building our dreams on false hope. I understand that this is all part of growth, but I also identify “Black Excellence,” with communities that foster and guide from within, to eliminate costly mistakes.

On another note, I would like to celebrate the people of color who won recent Oscars.  Although many of us shun these ceremonies as paganistic celebrations. We should aspire to applaud the achievements of Chance the rapper, Kobe Bryant, and Jordan Peele, as a form of, “Black Excellence.”  This approach also lends to preservation, as we celebrate the historical achievements of past Oscar winners such as Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson, and Forest Whitaker. In this way, we promote and cultivate a system built on, “torches being passed.”  In my opinion, this would solidify the term, “Black Excellence,” not only as a term we attach to goals being accomplished, but as a term we have adapted to as, “A Way Of Life.”

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY

As we approach another Super Bowl Sunday, I reflect on my decision to boycott the National Football League (NFL) this year.  After witnessing our guy Collin Kaepernick lose livelihood; I became livid at how a league could discriminate against a person for exercising his/her first amendment rights. This was a perfect example of how this country continues to promote a, “be all you can be message,” as long as you march to the beat of our drum. I’m hopeful that the time will come in this country that we, “practice what we preach.”

 

In hindsight I don’t know if my efforts to abort the NFL really brought about change or awareness, but I felt it was my duty to conduct myself in a manner that was conducive to creating change. Small strides seem to be the way our country and people will eventually gain justice and liberty. This liberty should not be accompanied with stipulations that pacify an already flawed system, but it should unite, educate, and exude freedom. As the Eagles and Patriots take the field, remember that it’s a game and games produce winners and losers. My issue this season was that we all become losers when we support censorship, in regards to justice and equality for all.

 

Peace

 

Please check out my full article here:

 

P.S. Lol, you gotta love the commercials tho!!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eKYR_iL5eU