Tag Archives: VOCAL-NY

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

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!