Interviewed by Rashad J. Smith VH-1’s Master of the MixesĀ Ā judges believed that by letting go an irreplaceable component to the show, they are that much closer to choosing theirĀ Master of the Mix. I believe that they have clearly made a mistake! Previously referred to as the “Diddy of DJ’s” … HOLLYWOOD’S CHAMPION OF NEW […]
Having a mentor is crucial. It was as important for my life as my grades in school, my extra curricular activities, and my exposure to the world at large. I believe these are all things that young people need to break cycles of oppression and poverty, however, without having someone to guide you in the […]
A new year brings a new start, and offers us the temporal metaphor to leave our failings and mistakes ābehind us,ā and march boldly into a reality of opportunity, reconciliation, and love. In this effort, I offer that we leave many of the detrimental narratives surrounding Black youth in its rightful placeāin the past. Let […]
According to a recent study, black students whose families instill in them a sense of racial pride do better in school. The instilling of racial pride is an integral part of the learning process!
Megan Piphus, an upperclassman at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, recently appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. She’s using music, ventriloquism, and puppetry, to inspire youth to dream big and in color!
Over 60 leading civil rights figures came together in Washington DC to unveil a black agenda for President Obama’s second term. Do you think it’s a comprehensive one? Will the Obama Administration pay it any mind?
Accompanied by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, President Obama toured the destruction and devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Sandy yesterday.
At the border in Arizona thatĀ separatesĀ the United States and Mexico (Photo by Paradise Gray) Last week, courtesyĀ of twoĀ incredible organizations that formed in protest of Arizona’s racist immigration legislation SB1070, the Sound Strike and Culture Strike, I was blessed to visit Tucson, Arizona. Ā Part of the trip was to perform at a arts festival for migrant […]
I was in lower parel, the first time I saw a policeman harassing a family who was homeless. This was the first time I felt the familiarity of invisible walls built up in the center of a city that stretched just as far as the wallets of those willing to pay just enough to not […]
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgASe3CIw9E Along this path through American history my people have forgotten how to dream. My people are playing their part in making the black/white problem normal. How can you blame us? Our concept of “reality” constantly proves the impossibilities of our imagination, our creativity. What is real, for folks like us, has no conditions. Unfortunately, […]
Urban schools districts are frequently associated with the idea of failure. These schools, which are nestled in the center of large cities across the United States, are perpetually labeled as unsuccessful institutions. The images of failure take many forms. The most problematic image is when people think of urban schools as places where young students […]
Reports cards came out this week for students that I work with. I can remember being in elementary school scared to see what I knew were grades that my parents would not approve of.Ā Report card pick up days were even scarier. These particular days were marked as the time of year when parents had […]
