Why Celebrate Kwanzaa? Umoja the First Day

Many of us in the hood are so electronically hooked up that we have become an island unto ourselves but kwanzaa is that time of year that reminds us that we are a family and a community. As the saying goes "No man is an island," we are all connected. Gentrification, downsizing, unemployment and a host of other issues have hit our communities hard. As we enter 2013, the principles of Kwanzaa are tools that we and our children can use to build community. The Theme for 2012 found on the official website is Kwanzaa Us and the Well Being of the World: A Courageous Questioning.  Here are the Nguzo Saba Seven Principles of Kwanzaa


Umoja (Unity)
Umoja (OO-MO-JAH) Unity stresses the importance of togetherness for the family and the community, which is reflected in the African saying, "I am We," or "I am because We are."

Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
Kujichagulia (KOO-GEE-CHA-GOO-LEE-YAH) Self-Determination requires that we define our common interests and make decisions that are in the best interest of our family and community.

Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
Ujima (OO-GEE-MAH) Collective Work and Responsibility reminds us of our obligation to the past, present and future, and that we have a role to play in the community, society, and world.

Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
Ujamaa (OO-JAH-MAH) Cooperative economics emphasizes our collective economic strength and encourages us to meet common needs through mutual support.

Nia (Purpose)
Nia (NEE-YAH) Purpose encourages us to look within ourselves and to set personal goals that are beneficial to the community.

Kuumba (Creativity)
Kuumba (KOO-OOM-BAH) Creativity makes use of our creative energies to build and maintain a strong and vibrant community.

Imani (Faith)
Imani (EE-MAH-NEE) Faith focuses on honoring the best of our traditions, draws upon the best in ourselves, and helps us strive for a higher level of life for humankind, by affirming our self-worth and confidence in our ability to succeed and triumph in righteous struggle.

"Under the Christmas Tree" Poems That Delight for the Holiday

Some books grow on you like Under the Christmas Tree by Nikki Grimes. This book of poem has become like an old friend. Every year we read it at Christmas time and renew old memories.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Joy to All - The Christmas Message From the White House

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Since Michelle Obama has been in the White House, I have enjoyed following her “Move It” project and her Christmas Celebration. “This year’s theme is ‘Joy to All.’ It celebrates the many joys of the holiday seasons: the joy of giving and service to others; the joy of sharing our blessings with one another; and, of course, the joy of welcoming our friends and families as guests into our homes over these next several weeks.”  This year's decorations also pay tribute to our Armed Forces and their families.

Let Us Keep the Light Shinning in Sandy Hook

The Light Shines In The Darkness and the Darkness Has Never Put It Out"

My prayers go out to all the families in Newton, Connecticut.   Words cannot express the pain, sorrow and the lost we are feeling as a community.  We may never have answers for  why this horrendous crime occurred but we can keep our candle lit. As a community there is much work to be done but for now we can be a beacon of light for our neighbors in Newton and support them in their time of mourning.

I like the idea that Karen Wolrond shared on her blog, Chookooloonks for reaching out to the families of Sandy Hook. Please share with others and let the light shine.

"If anyone wants to mail sympathy cards or letters of support and solidarity to the school, the school address is: Sandy Hook Elementary School, 12 Dickenson Drive, Sandy Hook, CT 06482. Please copy/paste/share, anywhere you prefer. Prayers and sending a card may seem something small, but at least, it's something we can do."

“I think this is a stellar idea.  It's also something that our kids might enjoy doing to help process their feelings about what they hear on the news.”

The Beasts of the Southern Wild, the fantasy film that was a favorite at Sundance Film Festival can now be seen on demand TV. The story line follows the adventure of a young African American girl, Hushpuppy (played by Quvenzhané Wallis) who  survives an apocalypse in the Bayou of Louisiana.   Although a young girl stars in the leading role the storyline is for a much older audience. The film is rated PG-13. The director and producers of the film have invited everyone interested to the  TV premiere.

Read the following invitation:

“Join us on Friday, November 23rd for an evening of food, friends and film!

In celebration of the Beasts of the Southern Wild on demand release, we’re asking you to host a post-Thanksgiving Day Beasts watch party in your home! Get creative with leftovers, or if you want, we can send you our Bathtub inspired, community sourced recipe book for fun food fare! Need decorations? We’ll send you flyers and buttons to get everyone in the party the spirit!

It doesn’t stop there.  The Beasts team wants to join your Feast of the Southern Wild!  On Friday, Nov 23rd, between the hours of 9pm EST and 12am EST, director Benh Zeitlin, producers Michael Gottwald, Dan Janvey and Josh Penn and our New Orleans based crew will join your party online!

Beyond our wildest expectations, Beasts has traveled the globe and now it’s coming to your home.  Help us share the film and continue the conversation with others!  Beasts will be available on the following platforms, Comcast, iTunes, DirecTv, AT&T UVerse, Verizon FiOS, Amazon, XBOX, Playstation, Vudu, and many more!

If you’d like to host a Beasts watch party, send us an email at beasts@beastsofthesouthernwild.com!”

Higher Education Grants of Interest to African-Americans

From The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education information for college bound students and parents:

Higher Education Grants of Interest to African-Americans -

Filed in Grants and Gifts on November 14, 2012
Here is this week’s news of grants to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

Historically Black Dillard University in New Orleans received a $300,000 grant from the AT&T Foundation to support the university’s Pre-Collegiate Emerging Scholars Program. The program is a free college preparatory initiative designed to encourage students from disadvantaged backgrounds to complete high school and enroll in college.

Fayetteville State University, a historically Black educational institution in North Carolina, received a $100,000 donation from Nicholas Perkins, a 2003 alumnus of the university, for scholarships for entrepreneurial students enrolled in the university’s School of Business and Economics. Perkins is president and founder of Perkins Management Services Company of Charlotte, a food services management firm.

Historically Black Tuskegee University received a four-year, $1 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute for programs to increase research opportunities for undergraduate students. The grant will support the university’s Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CURE) program.

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore, a historically Black educational institution in Princess Anne, received a five-year, $750,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health for a research project on viruses that cause cold sores and complications that can lead to blindness and brain lesions.

Kansas State University received a $1.2 million grant from Cargill, a privately held agricultural and food conglomerate that employs 142,000 people in 65 countries. The grant will support the Cargill Project Impact Diversity Partnership at the university which seeks to increase the number of minority students in the colleges of agriculture, business administration, and engineering.

The program began at Kansas State in 2008. Since that time there has been a 68 percent increase in multicultural students in the target disciplines.
http://www.jbhe.com/2012/11/higher-education-grants-of-interest-to-african-americans-39/




http://www.jbhe.com/2012/11/higher-education-grants-of-interest-to-african-americans-39/

BET’s  presentation of Black Girls Rock! last Sunday hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross and Regina King showcased young women who are committed to changing the world for better. Seeing these young women and the work they were doing was totally inspirational. Although I  thought the TV program was too celebrity driven (I would have loved to see more about the young women), I realized this was their fundraiser.  BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Inc. is  youth empowerment and mentoring organization established to promote the arts for young women of color, as well as to encourage dialogue and analysis of the ways women of color are portrayed in the media. Young women are offered access to enrichment programs and opportunities that place special emphasis on personal development through the arts and cooperative learning.

BET will repeat this show today at 8 pm so check their listings and visit website Black Girls Rock to learn more and give a donation. This is worth seeing with the young people in your life.