For Kwanzaa 2020, I am highlighting people who exemplify the principles of Kwanzaa.
People who bring the wisdom and courage to make sure Black Lives Matter. Today's
principle is Ujima - Collective Work and Responsibility.
Monday, December 28, 2020
Saturday, December 26, 2020
Counting The Days of Kwanzaa: Honoring the Principles
This was first published on December 26, 2018 and still relevant today.
The first principle of Kwanzaa is Umoja: Unity
Kwanzaa is that holiday we talk about a lot but tend to forget to celebrate enough. In the mad rush to celebrate the week between Christmas and New Years, this holiday gets pushed to the side with a greeting of Happy Kwanzaa or if we are more enlightened with the question, Habari gani? But there are a lot of reasons to recognize this holiday. First of all celebrations are always great fun. Especially a holiday that brings us together to celebrate our culture and heritage. The end of the year is a good time to connect to our values and principles as a family and a nation. Especially after a year when our moral judgement has been challenged. Think of Kwanzaa as that special time each year that gives us a fresh new look into who we are as a people. This year's theme is ““Kwanzaa and the WellBeing of the World: Living and Uplifting the
Seven Principles.” At a time when principles and integrity have been pushed aside, The Nguzo Saba: The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa reminds us that everyone should live by principles every day. Our goal should always be to leave the world a better place.
For seven days Maple Sugar Child wants to help you stay ahead of the holiday week so that you can celebrate Kwanzaa. Enjoy our culture, history, philosophy, art and music. Each day we will share an inspirational story or message to remind you that this holiday is special.
Friday, December 25, 2020
Donny Hathaway's This Christmas Celebrates 50th Anniversary
December 9, 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Donny Hathaway's holiday anthem "This Christmas." Get into the spirit with Donny's first ever official music video, an animated special drawn by famed cartoonist Lonnie Milsap.
Merry Christmas!
Monday, October 12, 2020
South African Animated Film Takes on Climate Change
Look for more Black Girl Power in 2021
South Africa-based Lucan has released a trailer for their upcoming animated series, Isaura, currently in development. The series follows Isaura, a young girl from a fishing village in Mozambique who attains the ability to breathe underwater and communicate with turtles as she journeys along the east coast of Africa. The series will feature her fight to conserve the ocean, as well as various social and political climate change issues.
Isaura is the brainchild of Lucan, an animation and film collective based in Cape Town. The series fuses Africa’s southern and eastern coastal folklore and culture, emphasizing the importance of a young, African female protagonist when so much of modern media diminishes and depicts African countries as victims of war, poverty, and environmental devastation. Throughout the season, viewers will travel through the streets and coast of Mozambique with Isaura and her family, who make their living as fishermen in a small village. Isaura evolves into a bright young woman, teaching young audiences to be empowered, despite how small and insignificant they may feel at times.
Director Andrew Mcnally and AD Wian van Bergen at Lucan: “The show centers around Isaura, a resilient and resourceful girl living in a coastal village in Mozambique.
“After risking her own life to save a turtle, she is rewarded with a powerful and ancient talisman that allows her to breathe underwater and communicate with turtles. As bearer of the Talisman, Isaura becomes the first human guardian in centuries entrusted with protecting the ocean and restoring the connection between humans and animals.
Look for Isaura in 2021. It is still in development and has no confirmed release date.
Yara Shahidi's Barbie Shero Doll Introduces Young Girls to their Voting Rights
We can look forward to a new season of Black Girl Power
Yara Shahidi, actress and activist has been honored for her social and political activism with her very own Barbie Shero Doll. Mattel as part of the toy company’s ongoing Role Model Series aims to inspire young girls by highlighting empowering female role models including Alex Morgan, Naomi Osaka and Adwoa Aboah. Today the grown-ish star has become one of the most influential celebrities of her generation speaking out on political issues, feminism, racism, STEM awareness and other social justice issues..
Now, ahead of the 2020 presidential election, Mattel is relaunching the collectable doll to encourage young people to learn more about the voting process and cast a ballot if they are able. The doll rocks an Afro and the same Tory Burch “Vote” t-shirt the actress wore to the Eighteen X 18 Presents We Vote Next Summit in September 2018.
The collectible doll “empowers the next generation of voters to stand up for what they believe in, emphasizes the importance of using one’s voice at every age, and shows young voters how they hold the power to help shape a better future,” a Barbie press release states. It retails for $29.99 and is available now for pre-sale exclusively on Amazon and barbie.com (the doll officially launches on Oct. 9).
Thursday, October 8, 2020
The Obamas' Higher Ground brings Black Girl Power to the Screen
In 2021 we can look forward to starting a new year with Black Girl Power
President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s production company, Higher Ground, is adapting Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty and illustrator David Roberts into an animated Netflix series. Created by Chris Nee, known for the hit children’s television series Doc McStuffins, Vampirina, Little Bill, and others, the show will center on Ada Twist, an 8-year old who happens to be an extremely brilliant, young, Black scientist. There will be themes of friendship, scientific discovery and teamwork. Netflix has ordered 40, 12-minute episodes.
Not only will the show feature a brown-skinned little girl, the animated series will also have Kerri Grant, who has worked as a screenwriter for shows such as Mira, the Royal Detective and Nella the Princess Knight as the showrunner for Ada Twist, Scientist.
In addition to science-based themes, the series will also feature real scientists. In a recent statement to Deadline, Nee stated, “As a fan of the books, I was taken with the diverse characters, striking designs and vital message that science matters. Plus, Ada fulfills my personal need to populate children’s television with strong girls who aren’t afraid to be the smartest kids in the room. Once Kerri Grant came on board to showrun, I knew we had the dream team to bring this special series to life.”
Grant is thrilled to be a part of this project as she explained to Deadline, “As a young, curious Black girl who grew up loving TV, I simply became accustomed to rarely seeing images that reflected me onscreen — and the ones that did, represented an anti-intellectual stereotype that led me to hide my own light under a bushel. “To be a part of bringing a show to kids that features a young, Black girl being unapologetically the smartest kid in the room, in a world as diverse and visually stunning as the one created by the book series’ author and illustrator, fills my heart to capacity. Working with Chris Nee, my old boss, and certified preschool TV hit-maker; and Higher Ground and their commitment to representation, dreaming big, and excellence, has been the alignment of so many stars, it’s truly a celestial event.
We can look forward to seeing Ada Twist, Scientist on the screen in 2021.
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Bringing the Message of One Love to the Most Vulnerable
We all share the same home...We are one people, one love.
John R. Lewis
"Over forty years ago, my father wrote One Love about unity, peace and universal love during a time when there was much trouble in the world.
Even in a time when we aren’t able to get together, his message remains true today, we can get through this global crisis if we come together through one love and one heart."
Cedella Marley
Cedella Marley, three-time Grammy award winning singer, and eldest daughter of Rita and Bob Marley, explained that “Daddy would be happy to know his message of unity is being heard. "One Love" was written as a call for global solidarity at a time when the world was very divided, much as it is now.” She believes,“Only by uniting with one love and one heart can we defeat this virus, protect our children, and make the world a more just and equal place.” The reimagined version with its unifying message debuted on July 18.
As Cedella further explains, “All over the world, children and families are suffering. Whether they are living in refugee camps, slums or favelas, or they lack access to healthcare or school, or are being treated unfairly because of their race, religion, ethnicity or gender, our dream with this song is to reimagine a world where all children are treated equally – just as my father intended.”
Your donation will go towards UNICEF’s emergency efforts to support children and their families with what they need to stay safe, delivering: soap, masks, gloves, hygiene kits, protective equipment, life-saving information and support to healthcare systems. Join UNICEF and the Marley family to help. COVID-19 hits vulnerable children and families hardest.
Even before UNICEF contacted her, Cedella was introducing children to her father's music with children's book based on her father's songs including One Love, Every Little Thing, and Get Up, Stand Up. Through these various projects, she intends to keep her father's legacy alive. Each book emphasizes the importance of community, and is filled with positive images and visual diversity for young children. Copies can be purchased at neighborhood bookstores, Barnes and Noble and Amazon.
Support children affected by Covid 19 around the world with donations to UNICEF, and share Bob Marley's message of One Love with your children and community.
Support children affected by Covid 19 around the world with donations to UNICEF, and share Bob Marley's message of One Love with your children and community.
Monday, July 20, 2020
Academy Award Winner, Hair Love will become a Series on HBO Max
The short film, Hair Love, the brain child of Matthew Cherry, a former NFL wide receiver turned filmmaker is being picked up by HBO Max. After winning an Academy Award in the best animated short film category, HBO Max is adapting the film, Hair Love into a 12-episode TV series called Young Love.
The 2020 Academy Award winning filmmaker Matthew A. Cherry is a Chicago native and a former NFL wide receiver who played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers and the Baltimore Ravens.
His Hair Love, which centers on a father's effort to do his daughter's textured hair for the first time, resonated with both families and young children. The story was based on his book by the same name. Cherry stated that he was inspired to create Hair Love to counter stereotypes about Black fathers, and to increase positive images of Black hair.
According to a press release by Warner Media Group, "the all-new animated series Young Love expands on the family introduced in Hair Love—including millennial parents Stephen and Angela, their daughter Zuri and her pet cat Rocky—as they juggle their careers, marriage, parenthood, social issues, and multi-generational dynamics all while striving to make a better life for themselves." Young Love will be a 12-episode 2D animated series available on HBO Max. Hopefully, this new series will follow the premise of Hair Love with its heart felt message, and explore issues relevant to Black families.
Children's Author and Illustrator, Jerry Craft Pens Book of the Year!
Congratulations to New York Times bestselling author and illustrator, Jerry Craft who is having a very special year. His book, New Kid, is the winner of the 2020 John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature. This is the first graphic novel in the Newbery's nearly 100 year history to receive the award. He also received the 2020 Coretta Scott King(Author) Book Award. Every year this award recognizes an African-American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults:
In New Kid, readers meet seventh grader Jordan Banks who loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan is one of the few kids of color in his entire grade.
As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds—and not really fitting into either one. Can Jordan learn to navigate his new school culture while keeping his neighborhood friends and staying true to himself?
New Kid is a timely, insightful novel about starting over at a new school where diversity is low and the struggle to fit in is real. Young adults will find this book a great addition to their summer reading list with its message of diversity and change. New Kid will resonate with many in this season of social and political transformation.
Saturday, July 18, 2020
We Celebrate the life of Our Great Statesman John R. Lewis
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| John R. Lewis February 21, 1940 - July 17, 2020 |
While young people take to the streets in protest, one of the iconic leaders of the Civil Rights Movement has passed away. John R. Lewis became an activist for Civil Rights as a young teenager with the same zeal as some of the young people today. He was beaten and clubbed for standing up for his rights but he paved the way for the generations to come. Young readers can learn more about his life and the Civil Rights Movement in his graphic novel trilogy, March. He has left us his legacy and shared his wisdom and encouragement in his words and actions. Please be sure to share his wisdom with our children and young people.
"Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble."
— A tweet from June 2018
"Freedom is not a state; it is an act. It is not some enchanted garden perched high on a distant plateau where we can finally sit down and rest. Freedom is the continuous action we all must take, and each generation must do its part to create an even more fair, more just society.”
— From his 2017 memoir, "Across That Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America"
"You are a light. You are the light. Never let anyone — any person or any force — dampen, dim or diminish your light. Study the path of others to make your way easier and more abundant."
— From his 2017 memoir, "Across That Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America"
“My dear friends: Your vote is precious, almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have to create a more perfect union.”
— A 2012 speech in Charlotte, North Carolina
Thursday, July 16, 2020
Marvel Announces New Graphic Novel featuring Black Panther's Suri
Young readers will be able to follow the Marvel character, Suri in a series of graphic novels next year when Marvel Entertainment expands its partnership with Scholastic. Marvel had already begun publishing diverse picture books which included prose title, Shuri: A Black Panther Novel, written by New York Times bestselling author Nic Stone. The graphic novels, however, will be written by another New York Times best-selling author Roseanne A. Brown. Brown’s previous works include the mystical young adult novel A Song of Wraiths and Ruin. The illustrator and story line will be announced at a later date.
The first book to be released as part of the new deal between Marvel and Scholastic will be Miles Morales: Shock Waves by Justin A. Reynolds and Pablo Leon, in which Morales has to solve the mystery of an apparent kidnapping and its potential connection to a fundraiser Morales himself is running in the wake of a natural disaster.
Monday, July 6, 2020
Descendants of Frederick Douglas Read Excerpts of His "Fourth of July Speech"
The U.S. celebrates this Independence Day amid nationwide protests and calls for systemic reforms. In this short film, five young descendants of Frederick Douglass read and respond to excerpts of his famous speech, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" which asks all of us to consider America's long history of denying equal rights to Black Americans.
On July 4, people gather throughout Massachusetts and other parts of the country to read this famous speech. Read the whole speech here.
Friday, June 19, 2020
Juneteenth with 20/20 Vision
Juneteenth 2020 is like no other. This is the year of 20/20 vision, where new insight and changes are coming hard and fast. Of course, the first Juneteenth celebrated in 1865 cannot compare. That year the slaves learn for the first time that they were free. This information had been kept from them by slave masters for two years so one can imagine how they felt when they learned that they were finally free. Happy and also angry? We are not sure how they celebrated but I think they probably didn't know exactly what to do as this new reality set in. We know that for many the first thing on their mind was to look for family. So Juneteenth has always been a time of bringing family and friends together. This was a time of healing, of thanking God and praying, and finally being able to share their love with their family. There probably was also a lot of anger, and a hope for justice. Freedom meant something different to everyone, some packed up to leave and some stayed. After emancipation there were stories of newly freed slaves moving across the nation, building new families and creating new communities. While the significance of the first Juneteenth will always be etched in our minds, this Juneteenth is also one to remember. Today new alliance are being formed and new truths revealed. Change is in the air and there is no turning back.
Every year Juneteenth is celebrated not because Black people have enjoyed the fruits of freedom but because they are resilient and determined in spite of racism, financial hardships and the inability to achieve the American dream. Black people celebrate their survival. This is their way of being resilient and carrying on. They celebrate their culture, their music, food, dance and traditions. Most important they celebrate that they are still here despite the fact America has never lived up to the true freedom promised in the Emancipation Proclamation.
Juneteenth Google Doodle by Black woman artist Loveis Wise with music by producer Elijah Jamal.
Happy Juneteenth!
Lift Every Voice and Sing – often called “The Black National Anthem” – was written as a poem by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) and then set to music by his brother John Rosamond Johnson (1873-1954) in 1899.
Lift Every Voice and Sing
James Weldon Johnson
Lift ev'ry voice and sing
'Til earth and heaven ring
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the list'ning skies
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun
Let us march on 'til victory is won
Stony the road we trod
Bitter the chastening rod
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died
Yet with a steady beat
Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered
Out from the gloomy past
'Til now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of…
Monday, May 11, 2020
Ayesha Curry debuts Sweet July Magazine
Magazines have played an important role in influencing pop culture but now with competition from social media, sales of magazine have dwindled. In spite of dire predictions for print media, Ayesha Curry, author, TV host and wife to the Golden State Warriors player, Steph Curry believes this is the right time to debut her new lifestyle magazine, Sweet July. It will embody the Currys’ lifestyle and will incorporate topics such as family, friendship, food, community and home. The premiere issue, devoted to Being Present, encompasses four key areas: Community, Taste, Impact, and Self-Care, where Ayesha shares her guidance on finding gratitude in the everyday, practicing beauty rituals, feeling peace through time with family and friends, the joy of family dinners, throwing an epic lady's brunch, easy style, and much more. As everyone hankers down in quarantine, a new magazine might be just the right novelty to catch the eye.
“As the pandemic continues to affect the lives of our readers and their loved ones,” Doug Olson, president of Meredith Magazines thinks that “Sweet July’s uplifting approach to family, food and community creates a strengthened sense of togetherness that is needed right now.”
“As a woman of color, it’s important to me that media reflects real, relatable women, and I’m excited to create an outlet for young men and women that celebrates diversity and inclusivity,” explains Ayesha Curry.
The name, Sweet July was inspired by Ayesha’s strong connection to the month (she got married in July and each of her three kids has a birthday in the month). Sweet July is published under PEOPLE’s parent company, Meredith Corporation. It is available on newsstands nationwide now for $9.99, and at Meredith’s Magazine Store here. Beginning April 24, Sweet July will also be available via Amazon, Apple News+, Zinio, and the Barnes & Noble Nook.
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Strictly Germ-Proof
April is Poetry Month and we definitely need a poem that puts a smile on our face.
The Antiseptic Baby and the Prophylactic Pup
Were playing in the garden when the Bunny gamboled up;
They looked upon the Creature with a loathing undisguised;—
It wasn't Disinfected and it wasn't sterilized.
They said it was a Microbe and a Hotbed of Disease;
They steamed it in a vapor of a thousand-odd degrees;
They froze it in a freezer that was cold as Banished Hope
And washed it in permanganate with carbolated soap.
In sulphurated hydrogen they steeped its wiggly ears;
They donned their rubber mittens and they took it by the hand
And elected it a member of the Fumigated Band.
There's not a Micrococcus in the garden where they play;
They bathe in pure iodoform a dozen times a day;
And each imbibes his rations from a Hygienic Cup—
The Bunny and the Baby and the Prophylactic Pup.
Arthur Guiterman
Monday, April 27, 2020
Why We Stay Home
The African American community has taken a serious blow from the Coronavirus pandemic. Explaining what is happening to young children can be difficult but two Black Medical School students have written a free e-book to help clarify Covid-19 to our little ones!
In this new e-book, young children will meet Suzie and Millie. Suzie is really excited to be able to stay home with her Mommy, Daddy, and older sister Millie! When Suzie expresses this to Millie, she explains to Suzie why they have been staying home with a quick lesson on Coronavirus.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We hope you are protecting your family and staying safe.
Parents can download the e-book for free
If you can support the authors please do! They are taking donations to keep this free, so contributions are being accepted.
Download this FREE e-book
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Happy Earth Day 2020
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| Haitian Born Artist and Naturalist James Audubon |
After 50 Years of celebrating Earth Day we see pollution rising and the earth replenishing itself. While a pandemic has made us realize we have a lot to learn about ourselves and the planet we live on, let us celebrate that change is possible.
Monday, April 20, 2020
National Domestic Violence Hotline
During this time when home should be a place of safety and refuge many women and children maybe experiencing violence and fear for their safety. If you or anyone you know is experiencing mental or physical abuse please reach out for help for your own safety.
The Hotline provides lifesaving tools and immediate support to empower victims and survivors to find safety and live free of abuse. They also provide support to friends and family members who are concerned about a loved one. Resources and help can be found by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
If it’s not safe for you to call, or if you don’t feel comfortable doing so, another option for getting direct help is to use our live chat service here on this website. You’ll receive the same one-on-one, real-time, confidential support from a trained advocate as you would on the phone. Chat is available every day from 24/7/365.
https://www.thehotline.org/
1-800-799-7233
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
What Can We Tell Children About Black History
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| Ruby Bridges Norman Rockwell - The Problem We All Live With |
Often young students think that they can't relate to history. They believe history is the story of another time and another generation. Maybe, if they realized the important role Black children and young adults have played in the formation of American history they would be more interested. American history would be very different without the pivotal role played by young Black children.
During slavery children started working as early as six years old. They along with their parents worked in the fields and homes providing the free labor that allowed this country to develop into the economic power that it is today.
After slavery educating children to read and write became a priority. Former slaves set up schools where young people were taught and in turn taught others. For these young people education and knowledge became the tool for social advancement. Today children need to understand how important education was for these young people and how eager they were to learn. Today children need to be reminded that education is still the key to our advancement.
We can't talk about the Civil Rights Movement without mentioning the participation of young people like Ruby Bridges and Lynda Blackmon Lowery. Ruby Bridges has become an iconic figure representing the young children who integrated schools after Brown vs The Board of Eduction made segregated schools unconstitutional. Lynda Blackmon Lowery, author of "Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom," was one of the youngest participants in the 1965 Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March. Several years before she had heard Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speak and joined the movement at a very young age. There she learned the principles of non violence, and was beaten during the Selma to Montgomery March. They were not alone. There were many young people across the country stepping out against segregation and racism. Young adults sat at lunchroom counters, integrated classrooms. marched, and were beaten and jailed for their convictions.
Black History Month offers an opportunity for young people to learn about these courageous people who at a very young age made a difference and paved the way for their generation.
What Can We Begin To Tell Children About Black History Month
Celebrating the African American Child
Welcome to Black History Month 2020
What Can We Begin To Tell Children About Black History Month
Black History Month was created as Negro History Week in 1925 by Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard-trained historian, and founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). This was during a time when African American were told that they had no history or culture. He hoped to raise awareness of African American’s contributions to civilization and chose the week that encompassed the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. His efforts not only enkindled a fire and interest by educators and scholars but the creation of Black history clubs. By 1970, the week had become Black History Month.
Although Black History Month is only one month, we celebrate our heritage 365 days of the year. Each time we step out and proclaim our rights as human beings we are a part of a grand human history story.
February gives us the opportunity to honor those that have stood strong with purpose and changed the face of this country. Those who pushed us to be more, and to take fear into our own hands like Harriet Tubman who carried a rifle and no one turned back. She was fearless and never lost a fugitive slave. Our history reveals people who saw the light no matter how dim the circumstance.
Our history is the foundation on which we stand. Our ancestor speak to us through our history, and their dreams and hopes come alive.
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Grace Hopper Celebration 2020
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