Women's History Month

                                           A portrait of Serena Williams by Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair, 2017.

This has certainly been a new era for African American woman. Last year, Black celebrity image makers have taken their message to a new level. While the women of "Hidden Figures" and "Girl Trip" did their thing at the box office, and Sloan Stephens and Venus dominated the tennis court. This year the women of Wakanda have provided us with diverse "Black Girl Power" images. While  Beyonce and Serena are taking Black motherhood to another level.  Their message is clear, we are strong, in charge and celebrating the joys of motherhood.

A message not taken lightly considering the problematic history of African American women.  For almost three hundred years, they endured rape and abuse, and were forced to abandon their children while they nursed and raised other people's children. The pain and stress of their condition is still fresh in their DNA. In spite of this legacy, they have also been the pillar of their community choosing to be over comers.

Declaring that Black Motherhood is something to celebrate can only be the first step toward addressing the needs of raising African American children and nurturing their mothers.  Now we need to focus on healthcare issues in the African American community like the high rate of maternal and infant mortality, low breastfeeding participation; the discrepancy in educational opportunities, financial problems, poverty, and mental depression.

Even with all their success both Serena and Beyonce have acknowledged the challenges of motherhood to both their bodies and their spirit.

The Boy Who Harnesses The Wind

These times call for stories that encourage and inspire. Children have their pick of superheroes but sometimes they need stories of real heroes, and the hope they bring. Actor Chiwetel Ejiofor gives us the story of a real young hero in The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, premiering on NETFLIX in March. 

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is the true story of thirteen-year-old William Kamkwamba who inspired by a science book, against all the odds, invents an unconventional way to save his family and village from famine in Malawi. His story is emotional, encouraging and inspirational. A story that the whole family can see and share together.

Welcome to Black History Month: 400 Years of History 1619-2019

This year marks 400 years since the first 20 "indentured" servants from Africa arrived in Virginia in 1619. They were forced to come to this country so that others might prosper. Known as the triangle trade, sugar, rum and tobacco were traded for slaves from Africa who were sent to America and England.  None of the products traded were essential for human development or survival. In fact today they are deemed  harmful. Through a modern lens, tobacco, rum and sugar are all considered unhealthy vices.  So from the very beginning, Black lives were destroyed by greed and avarice. Family, men, women and children's lives were impacted in  destructive ways that are still being felt today. Africans became the primary labor force for producing wealth for Europe and its colonies. Businesses flourished in America, and fortunes were amassed through free labor.

This year reminds us of the long journey African Americans have taken since 1619. This month we celebrate the heroes known and unknown who fought against the injustices of slavery and racism, and showed us a brighter future in spite of circumstances. They changed the course of history. African American history is a story of courage, determination and faith that is still being written. This is an American story.

Yale Summer Writers Workshop

The 2019 Yale Writers' Workshop application is now open.

From first to final draft, find your voice at Yale.

The Yale Writers’ Workshop brings together the experience and expertise of leading teachers, authors, editors, agents and publishers in a series of panels and workshops, for the benefit of writers the world over. They offer two sessions on Yale’s historic campus that match the needs of any serious writer. Their faculty provides unique, tailored, and transformative experiences to all participants. Applicants must be 18 years or older. Deadline for all applications is March 15, 2019.

The Yale Writers' Workshop experience includes:
Immersive creative environment
Seasoned faculty of writers and editors
Workshops limited to 10-12 participants
Access to industry professionals

For more information visit: https://summer.yale.edu/academics/yale-writers-workshop. For cost visit https://www.regonline.com/registration/Checkin.aspx?EventID=254637

Welcome to Black History Month!

Happy Birthday, Langston Hughes!

Welcome to Black History Month!

This month always begins with the birthday of an American Icon. Langston Hughes is the writer, poet and activist of the Harlem Renaissance. And as I have explained on occasion the inspiration behind the name of this blog celebrating the African American Child and the people who raise and teach them.

This blog post from February1, 2013 explains the inspiration for Maple Sugar Child:

Today is the birthday anniversary of James Mercer Langston Hughes (February 1, 1902 – May 22, 1967).  Langston Hughes as he was called was an African American icon of the twentieth century. He is also one of my favorite poets and writers. He wore many hats as an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. Hughes is best known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance.  He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form jazz poetry. "

I interviewed him when I was in high school, and he asked to see some of my writings. We met at the Schomburg Library and he took time to read and encourage my work. He told me I was  a writer and he would love to work with me. I was very curious and impressed by his generous spirit since I had not thought of myself as a writer. We stayed in contact for only a short while because he passed away in my first year in college.  I am so grateful for that short encounter with this munificent icon.

Recently I learned that "his ashes are interred beneath a floor medallion in the middle of the foyer in the Arthur Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem. It is the entrance to an auditorium named for him. The design on the floor is an African cosmogram titled Rivers. The title is taken from his poem, "The Negro Speaks of Rivers". Within the center of the cosmogram is the line: My soul has grown deep like the rivers'."

Maple Sugar Child takes its' name and inspiration from his poem, Winter Sweetness.


                                          Winter Sweetness

                                      The little house is sugar,
                                      Its roof with snow is piled.
                                      And from its tiny window,
                                      Peeps a maple-sugar child.

Black Panther Returns to The Theater for One Week in Celebration of Black History with Free Screenings

After a year of breaking records, Marvel Studios’ Black Panther is returning to theaters in a one week engagement. In celebration of Black History, free screenings of Black Panther will be shown at select AMC Theaters for one week running from February 1-7. AMC will show the movie at 250 locations in the U.S. Participating theaters will offer two free showings each day during that week.

Since opening in February 2018, Black Panther has amassed over a billion dollars in sales making it the highest grossing superhero film of all time in North America. Following this success Panther has scored seven Academy Award nominations, including an historic Best Picture nod, and has won for Best Ensemble at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.  Starring Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa, Michael B. Jordan as Killmonger, and Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, Black Panther changed the dialogue on the  marketability of Black films. For many African Americans the film represented a new narrative on Black culture.

Disney is also giving a $1.5 million grant to support UNCF (United Negro College Fund), an organization dedicated to helping minority students gain access to college education and fund their higher education.

To find participating theaters near you and obtain a free ticket, visit the advanced ticketing site for Black Panther.

Visit: https /https://www.weticketit.com/blackpanther/

Are you a high school junior interested in journalism?

Apply to the free summer journalism program at Princeton University.

The Princeton University Summer Journalism Program is a free 10-day journalism program hosted at Princeton University for high-achieving, low income high school juniors.

Students learn reporting from celebrated journalists and are paired with a college counselor during their senior year.

All expenses, including students’ travel costs to and from Princeton, are paid for by the program.

Application deadline is February 15.

Visit psjp.princeton.edu for more info.