The Next 400 Gala and We Buy Black Convention will be held on August 23rd, 24th and 25th at the Georgia International Convention Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
This year’s honorees are: Mo’Nique, Yusuf Salaam, Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon and Mahmoud Abdul-Raouf. The keynote speaker will be Basheer Jones, with Derrick Boazman carrying out hosting duties. There is a $100 entrance fee. Click here for tickets.
A few days ago, American poet Sunni Patterson, who is also known for her musical skills, shared a new song entitled Ancestor Song.
This is how she described the track:
“Patterned after the hymn, Precious Lord, Ancestor Song pays homage first, to my own personal Ancestors, then to the collective Ancestors that guide, protect, and support our lives. I wanted this track to be as organic as possible, using what was around me…my hands, my ring tapping the mic stand, a spoon and bowl, an orange juice bottle, etc. I knew I needed my god sister, Jew-el, to bless the piece with her magnificent voice, and my dear Baba Egunwale’s prayer (that he just left on my voicemail. lol. Ha! Blessings all around!) to enhance it, as well. I actually recorded this over a year or so ago, and still this isn’t the “final” version, but I was compelled to share it- as it is.”
A Jamaican based elder from the Rastafari community, who had connections to Marcus Garvey, is now ready to share some never seen before material about the black icon. The elder has information, as well as physical items, that will provide additional insight into the mind of Garvey.
He believes the most appropriate way to share the content is in a documentary, and as such, he is seeking serious investors to partner with.
For additional information about this project, persons are being asked to contact Maria Jackson via email at info@mjent.net
RASTAFARI Mama ASKALE SELASSIE
EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY (WORLD) TO EMPOWER THE NATION OF RASTAFARI
In Service to His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie for over 45 years proven by the fact that all her 4 birth youths were born to a Rasta Mother.
Born in Jamaica and growing in the UK since she was 10 years old, Mama Askale began her working career as a Music Publisher at VIRGIN RECORDS with Richard Branson. Here as the 1st Black employee, she was promoted to Publishing and Promotions Manager and instrumental in the establishment of The FRONTLINE Label, which produced a range of Jamaican Artistes and Producers. This brought Mama Askale in the frontline of Radio & Media Promotions in the UK (1972-1974).
As soon as Bob Marley met Mama Askale in a discussion on Publishing Rights, he invited her to Jamaica, to TUFF GONG to establish Bob Marley Music in Jamaica. Rastafari calling took a major role and accepting this invitation began a journey in Rastafari by moving to the Hills of Jamaica and working with Bob Marley at Tuff Gong until he transcended in 1981. Then travelling throughout the Caribbean Islands promoting TUFF GONG MUSIC.
As Bob Marley used to tell anyone who challenged my work, “she nuh work for Tuff Gong unuh, she work for JAH.” This is Mama Askale, working for JAH, journeying to share and spread HIM message of Love and Unity. From Jamaica and The Caribbean, to the USA establishing the Press and Publicity Dept. for RAS RECORDS (1982-1988).
The Call for Repatriation brought Mama Askale and Family back to the UK, where she re-trained as Social worker and later gaining an essential Degree in Education,” in order to monitor her children’s Education ina Babylon.” The next 2 decades were focussed on Education and travel inside Europe. In Educating the World Community, to Empower the Nation of Rastafari, Mama Askale established strong Media and PR Links worldwide. Travelling to establish the Mission of The EMPRESS MENEN FOUNDATION became a natural duty from His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie Mama will testify. Jah honoured her to travel in HIM Footsteps and meet HIM Creations.”
The Elders of Rastafari ARE the fulfilment of The Creed, according to Mama. The ANCIENTS be Fed: The ANCIENTS be clothed: The ANCIENTS be nourished: The ANCIENTS be PROTECTED and CARED FOR. Duty before they leave I and I.”
In Europe, Directors of The EMF were to be found in France, Spain, Holland, Germany, Slovenia, UK, Croatia, Finland and Denmark (when Ras Chiozo was present). The Annual EMF Ethiopian Calendar became the vehicle for the Promotion of RASTAFARI WORLDWIDE. This continues as Mama, Empress Askale Selassie returned to the Roots, The Motherland AETHIOPIA, where the mission to Educate the Ethiopian Community has become crucial as most Ethiopians have no knowledge of their great King and Emperor as DIVINE. Mama Askale has a solution. Education. Never ceasing to educate, she has now produced the 2nd Editon of the All Amharic RASWORLD Calendar for Ethiopians at Home and Abroad.
Mama Askale, is eager to SHARE and is honoured by The Promoter and Organiser of The Aarhus Reggae Festival in Denmark to come and share her experiences and indeed Ethiopian Souvenirs and much more with Reggae Lovers from a solid and welcoming Source.
Askale Selassie: Facebook
See the works unfold on Youtube
Patrice Lumumba was the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, calling for national unity and overall African independence.
Synopsis
Born on July 2, 1925, in Onalua, Belgian Congo (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), Patrice Lumumba was a writer and civic organizer before co-founding the Congolese National Movement. He became the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo with the country’s independence; yet massive unrest followed with other leaders’ uprisings, along with U.S. and Belgian involvement. Lumumba was killed on January 17, 1961.
Background and Early Career
Future Prime Minister Patrice Émery Lumumba was born Élias Okit’Asombo on July 2, 1925, in the Kasai province of Belgian Congo (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), in the village of Onalua. He was able to hone his love for literature and learning while attending missionary school and borrowing books to read.
After some travels within his country and acquiring different languages, Lumumba became a postal service clerk during the mid-1940s in what is now Kinshasa, later working as an accountant in another region. He also wrote poems and essays for publication, earning acclaim, and became increasingly involved in political movements, keeping in mind the oppression endured by Africans from the Belgian colonial system.
After having established himself as a leader in organizing unions, Lumumba co-established the Congolese National Movement in 1958. He called for countrywide unity, bringing together different ethnic backgrounds, and freedom from colonial atrocities, with major links to Pan-Africanist movements as well.
Becomes Prime Minister
On June 30, 1960, the Democratic Republic of Congo officially took its independence from Belgium, and, at 35 years old, Lumumba became the country’s first prime minister. However, nationwide disarray was to follow with various leaders vying for power, including a Belgian-fortified secession of the region of Katanga, headed by Moise Tshombe.
Lumumba called for United Nations aid to no avail and turned to the Soviet Union for military intervention, with the Congo thus caught in Cold War politics and Lumumba perceived by the U.S. as having communist ties. Years later it was revealed that a C.I.A. operative in the field during the Eisenhower administration was instructed to poison Lumumba; the agent recounted in a 2008 New York Times article he secretly chose not to do so, though some accounts clash with this.
Death and Legacy
With the country falling under the control of military leader Joseph Mobutu, Lumumba was captured and, though at one point escaping, was eventually taken to Katanga, where he was beaten and killed on January 17, 1961. His death ignited international outrage and years later continues to provoke dialogue on foreign investment in creating the turmoil seen after his rise to power and African independence in general. Congo soon endured the decades-long, highly-damaging reign of Joseph Mobutu, who would become known as Mobutu Sésé Seko.
Lumumba, his story and vision have been chronicled in a number of literary works and films, including the 2001 book The Assassination of Lumumba, by Ludo De Whitte, and the Raoul Peck movie released the same year, Lumumba. Peck had also directed a documentary on the leader.
Source: Biography.com
The Jamaican flag will fly at half-mast today (Dec. 2nd), on all government offices and national buildings as a tribute to the late former President of the Republic of Cuban Fidel Castro Ruz who died on Friday, November 25.
Jamaica will join the rest of Caricom in the symbolic gesture of condolence to mark Mr. Castro’s passing and mourn with the people of Cuba.
Prime Minister Holness expressed condolences to the people of Cuba and Mr. Castro’s family as he led a Jamaican delegation on Tuesday, November 29 to attend the official private mass for the former President in Havana, Cuba.
The Prime Minister said Mr. Castro was an outstanding leader who though coming from a Caribbean island developing state, has had the greatest impact on world history. He added that Castro will be remembered for his passionate speeches in defence of the right to self-determination.
Cuba is observing a period of national mourning which will end on December 4.
Jamaica and Cuba have strong bilateral relations particularly in the areas of education and health.
Terrence Crutcher (left) Keith Scott (right)
On Friday, September 16th, 2016, 40 year old Terrence Crutcher was killed by police officers in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was not armed nor was he breaking the law, he was simply standing next to his car which had stalled on the road. Terrence was a father, a husband, a churchgoing man and a college student; however, all the police officers saw was a “bad dude” – this is how they described him before they tasered and shot him.
A couple days later, in Charlotte, North Carolina, another unarmed Black man, Keith Lamont Scott was apparently sitting in his car with a book when police officers approached him, asked him to get out and shot him.
Both killings have gotten a lot of angry reaction from the public, this ofcourse includes members of the music industry. Via their social media, several artists gave their opinion.
Jamaican soul singer Etana tweeted: “I believe the shooting of innocent sun people is to drive fear into the hearts of the wiser younger ones.”
Hip-hop artist T.I. tweeted: “America continues to remind US this ain’t OUR country. It’s Theirs & they ain’t sharing it! Therefore. It’s #USorELSE #RIPTerenceCrutcher”
2Chainz shared a picture of Terrence Clutcher and the officer that fired the shot that killed him and captioned it: “Looks like a bad dude and now he is dead based off his looks rest in peace brother”
