A Night At The Cotton Club 2 (#CottonClub2)

EVENT LINK: http://yebiescottonclub2.eventbrite.com/

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

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.

TIBH: Ella Fitzgerald

On this date in 1996 the great Ella Fitzgerald went to be with the ancestors after 79 years. The amazing jazz singer and soloist went by many names including "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella,".

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

TIBH: Sierra Leone

On this date in 1961 Sierra Leone became politically independent of Great Britain. It would take another ten years but in April 1971 they became a republic.

TIBH:The Death of Kwame Nkrumah

On this date in 1971 the great African leader Kwame Nkrumah left us to be with the ancestors. While alive Nkrumah was the first President of Ghana and the first Prime Minister of Ghana. He was one of the biggest supporters of Pan-Africanism and was a founding member of the Organization of African Unity(OAU). Kwame was a great leader for the people of Ghana and shining example for leaders of the newly independent African nations. His pro-Africa stance came at a cost as outside forces in 1966 would help overthrow his government in a military coup. He lived in exile in Conakry, Guinea, as the guest of President Ahmed Sékou Touré for the remainder of his life.

Happy Independence Day Togo

On this date in 1960 the Togolese Republic gained independence under Sylvanus Olympio from France. In 1884 through the European "Scramble for Africa" Germany declared Togoland a protectorate. After World War I, rule over Togo was transferred to France.

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.

TIBH: South Africa's First Real Election

On this date in 1994, South Africa held its first ever all-race elections. This was a historic moment for a country that had been so deeply rooted in apartheid for so many years. The election of Nelson Mandela caused the nation to truly start the process of becoming a unified. This new leadership ushered in a chance of a new harmonious country and started the removal of the thick overcast of racial tension that had hovered over the land for decades.

Globalization and Occupation: America's Real Foreign Policy

"This ain't politically correct, this might offend my political connects"
      Jay-Z "DOA"

The last few days I have been on my Twitter account ranting about the current wars throughout Africa and how the one in Libya should be the least of our concerns if we are truly going over there for the reasons we have been telling the world. Somalia, Darfur, and Ivory Coast have needed outside help for their situations for some time now yet they continue to get the blind eye from the world. There have been no "non-fly zones" created to stop the governments or fighting from rebels in any of these nations. In Libya there is leader that has done a lot for his country and people over his reign. There has been no leader in the history of man who has was ever been loved and accepted by all of his people. It should never be the role of America or any other nation to create or get involved in Civill Wars of of another country. Domestic issues should be handled by governments and officials, not outside nations and rebels.  As we get deeper into this current situation with Gaddafi this continues to look like old American politics with oil playing a huge role.  Is this America's true idea of globalization? Occupation, removal of leaders, new governments, and control of oil and other goods for the good of America and its allies? If you look at the U.S.'s foreign policy and the CIA's track record since World War II many would say this is exactly it.

The news like schoolbooks, movies, oral history, museums, all have a story to tell of a nation's history and evolution. For generations across the world the main story has always been that of the experiences, lives, and issues of privileged white males and silence to the voice of others. We have to realize that news and history is not just a bunch of dates and facts but more of a interpretation of events that should come from multiple point of views. History should always have a chance to be rewritten because of the narrow filters we look through to see the world. Today we have the opportunity to have history written by many writers with incredible stories to tell. However we continue to let a select few control how each one of these great moments in history will be viewed for future generations. Here in the U.S. we like to make our history develop through a perspective that reduces the role of slavery, native removal, conquest, as well as racism, genocide, power of class. Without these often forgotten people this country would be far from the super power it became and lack the authority it currently still has throughout the world.


I hope for our sake and the future of America's legacy that things change quickly. We have to be honest and more transparent with our policies. We can't say we have a history of making moves that save people from their leaders, when we let Rwanda happen while Clinton was in office and Castro lasted in Cuba for nine different U.S. presidents in our backyard. We consistently back Israel and their terrible politics as they continue to take from the Palestinians. America's history in the Arab world shows us that there is really only one reason we are in North Africa right now. We can no longer let "black gold" control and determine our policies as the world continues to watch America and its leaders ever so closely each day.

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

Happy Independence Day Namibia

On this date in 1990, Namibia gained its independence and Sam Nujoma was sworn in as the first President.

DMVincible Showcase At SXSW

Harmony Muzik & 368 Music Group Presents DMVincible. This event includes 25 DMV artists representing all parts of DC, Maryland, & Virginia. The show tomorrow is at Prague (422 Congress Ave.) and is from 10:45 AM- 5:00 PM. If you are in Austin, TX for SXSW, make sure you check this showcase out. Find out more about this incredible show at www.dmvincible.com

Q-Tip's Beef With ATCQ Documentary [Video]

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.