YEBies Presents: A Night At The Cotton Club 2

First off, sorry for the lack of updates. The transition to a new site is a whole lot harder than I ever thought it would be. Thanks for bearing with me.

Ok back to reason of this post.  It's Back!!!!!! This February 11th, we will be having our 2nd annual black history month event. This year's affair will take place at Zeba Bar in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Northwest, Washington DC. Staying true to what we do here at YEBies, we honor our past with this night that brings the different scenes of DC together to party, socialize, and network. There will be live performances from the singer/song writer Camari Drew and an eclectic mix of music from DJ Spicoli on the 1s and 2s. There will be several raffles going on as we also try to raise money for Louder Than Words Foundation. Last year we had a great turnout and were able to raise enough money to support several scholarships.

Click the flyer below for the event link

Summary

Who : Yebies.com

What: A Night At The Cotton Club 2

When: February 11, 2012 (10PM - 3AM)

Where: Zeba Bar, 3423 14th St NW, Washington DC 20010

Why: To unite our supporters from the DMV and neighboring cities around an evening full of drinking, dancing, and music. Also to raise brand awareness of YEBies as we prepare to re-launch our new website and raise money for the non-profit Louder Than Words Foundation.

**If you can not make out to Washington D.C. for this night but would like to donate click the link below**

Your continual support is greatly appreciated. You will never know how it truly helps. It's the only thing that keeps me going at times. Hit me back on Twitter (@yebies / @yebiesonline) if you have any questions or just want to chop it up. See you on the 11th at ZEBA

The Real Reason Why Gadaffi Was Killed

Many people have been mourning, not celebrating the death of Moammar Gadhafi. Over the years foreign media agencies have failed to tell the whole story about the often misrepresented Gadhafi. Over the years, the Libyan leader was portrayed as a money and power hungry tyrant for the world's uninformed to believe. They would leave out stories about the good deeds that the former Libyan dictator did for blacks Africans and other people of color across the diaspora. He was one of the last Pan-African leaders left with enough courage to stand up to outside powers. Gadhafi brought millions of black people who were in the shadows under King Idris when he took power to the forefront, afforded them education, and gave them towns and opportunity. His next move of pushing the gold standard and wanting his oil bought in gold would have created a shift in global economic power for years to come. His idea of a universal gold currency in Africa was going to be the catalyst for the unification of Africa and its economies. It called for a dramatic decrease in foreign economic dependency which would of given Africa more leverage in future deals.

YEBies Birthday: Dick Gregory

On this date in 1932 Dick Gregory was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Over the years Gregory was used his many talents as a comedian, social activist, social critic, writer, and entrepreneur to talk about race and its impact here in America. He is often best known for his autobiography Nigger which is still selling well since its release in 1964. His activism is still going on as he continues to live in the DC area. Please check out the clips below to get a better idea of just who this great man is.

Gregory and Sonia Sanchez @ Busboys & Poets 2010

Sick and Tired... (Poetry)

Poet Shihan poem on the things he is sick and tired about.... See if you are sick and tired of any of these same things... Leave comments.

"This Is To The Memory of Danroy Henry"

In this video the father of college footballer Danroy Henry thanks Jay-Z and Kanye West on behalf of his family for bringing attention to the murder of his son in their Watch The Throne track ‘Murder to Excellence’. Danroy Henry was shot and killed by a New York Police Officer last October.

UBOW (Unauthorized Biography Of Oprah Winfrey) [Video]

Shaun Boothe has finally returned from a pretty lengthy hiatus to bless us with the next video in his incredible “Unauthorized Biography Series.” It's great to see that he didn't give up on this series like i thought he might have. Hopefully, our wait won’t be so long for the videos to come.

Black Jesus aka The Lords Prayer

I need the athletic departments of schools in the MEAC, CIAA, SWAC, and SIAC to get back on their job. It can't be that grades are the issue why the talent will not come or get in. I put the blame on each school, starting with the administration over the years and it goes all the way down to the alumni across the globe. We have to do a much better job representing our universities and colleges to the youth. Having great winning programs equals more dollars for the schools, their current and future students, and their surrounding communities.

[Preview] Hole In the Head: A Life Revealed

Growing up in one of the most historic towns for African Americans in this country, Vertus Hardiman hid a shocking secret under a wig and beanie for over 80 years. He was experimented on at age of 5 by a county hospital in Indiana during 1927. Vertus was one of ten children, all experimented on with radiation that day. This film tells his amazing story of strength,courage, and perseverance.

Dark Girls: Preview [Video]

This film will be released in Fall/Winter 2011. This upcoming documentary explors the deep-seated biases and attitudes about skin color, particularly dark skinned women outside and within the Black American culture.


Directed by Bill Duke and D. Channsin Berry
Produced by Bill Duke for Duke Media
and D. Channsin Berry for Urban Winter Entertainment
Co-Produced by Bradinn French
Line Produced by Cheryl L. Bedford
Edited by Bradinn French

Miles "The Trumpet Man" Davis...

Miles Davis, one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, was born on this date in 1926 in Alton, Illinois. Davis was at the forefront of almost every major development in jazz from World War II to the 1990s. His sound was one only made by him and was constantly evolving.

TIBH: Coretta Scott

On this date in 1927 Coretta Scott was born in Marion, Al. She would go on to marry Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1953 and be an integral part of his civil rights movement in the 50's and 60's. After her husband's assassination, Coretta continued to play a role in the fight for the rights of blacks and women in America.

Cornel West On Barack Obama [Video]

How do you guys feel? Is Dr. West correct? Is there much hope for 2012?

YEBies Birthday: Gil Scott Heron

On this date in 1949 Gil Scott Heron was born in Chicago, Illinois. Heron, a Lincoln University alum, is one of my favorite poets and musicians. You can see the influence  he had on hip-hop with is poetic and musical styles. Last year Gil released his first new album in 16 years, entitled I'm New Here.

The Galveston Giant

On this date in 1878 Jack Arthur Johnson was born in Galveston, Texas, the second child and first son of Henry and Tina "Tiny" Johnson who were former slaves. Henry Johnson was of pure African descent, and traced his ancestry back to the Coromantees who came from modern-day Ghana. Jack grew to become the first African American world heavyweight boxing champion from 1908–1915. In 1910 Johnson took part in what was considered "The Fight Of The Century" against James J. Jeffries. Jeffries was a white former champion who came out of retirement to "reclaim" the title. The fight took place on July 4, 1910 in front of 20,000 people. In the 15th round, after Jeffries had been knocked down twice for the first time in his career, his people called it quits to prevent Johnson from knocking him out. The "Fight of the Century" earned Johnson $65,000. Johnson was the original owner of the Harlem club that would later become The Cotton Club

Today In Black History: Toni Morrison

On this date in 1988 Ohio native Toni Morrison won the Pulitzer Prize for her novel Beloved. The book would later become a movie in 1998 staring Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover.

"Black people are victims of an enormous amount of violence. None of those things can take place without the complicity of the people who run the schools and the city."
-Toni Morrison

The Graduation Rate Of Black Players On 2011 NCAA Tournament Teams

College athletics continues to fail our young black men while these institutions of higher education make thousands and often millions off of their talents. The NCAA makes billions of off these "amateur" players in the name of a free education. Something has to change ASAP.

Charts courtesy of The Afro

Today In Black History: Freedom’s Journal

On this date in 1827, the Freedom’s Journal newspaper was founded. It was the first Black-owned and operated newspaper in the United States. The paper was started by a group of free Black men in New York City. It served as an counter to racist commentary published in the mainstream press. Samuel E. Cornish and John B. Russwurm served as its senior and junior editors. The Journal consisted of news of current events, anecdotes, and editorials and was used to address contemporary issues such as slavery and "colonization," of blacks back to Africa. The paper only lasted until March of 1829.

Today In Black History: Joseph Jenkins Roberts

On this date in 1809 Joseph Jenkins Roberts was born in Petersburg, Virginia, the son of free "Blacks" whose heritage was more than seven-eighths white. Roberts was a Black nationalist during slavery who would go on to become the first president of Liberia from 1848-56. At the age of 20, he immigrated to Liberia with his mother and younger brothers became a merchant, and also an unofficial aide to the white governor of the colony, Thomas H. Buchanan, a member of the American Colonization Society, which sought the return of American freedmen to Africa. On Buchanan’s death in 1842, Roberts was appointed the first Black governor of the colony.

From 1856, he served as president of the new Liberia College and, during a prolonged financial crisis, served again as president of the republic from 1872 to 1876. Joseph Roberts died February 24, 1876 in Monrovia, Liberia.

YEBies Birthday: Quincy Jones

On this date in 1933 Quincy Jones was born in Chicago’s South Side. He is arguably the most celebrated music composer and producer of the 20th century. He has be nominated for a record 79 Grammy Awards and has won 27 Grammys. Jones's career in music has lasted over five decades and has worked with many of the most accomplished musicians over this span.

[Video] THURZ (of U-N-I) – Rodney King (prod. Ro Blvd)