Tag Archives: COVID-19

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   

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