It’s that time of the month again as we bring you another amazing event.
Live & inCOLOR Presents Junk Prints by Chanel Kennebrew featuring DJ Bonnie Danger at Gallery Bar in NYC.

An artist, illustrator and designer of the clothing and accessories line Junkprints, Chanel Kennebrew is a true “boss lady.“
For more on Chanel & Junk Prints check out her inCOLOR feature - Get Love Drunk Off Her Junk: Chanel Kennebrew

Join us as we bring you art, amazing music and pretty awesome people to mingle with. See you there!

I have received past emails from people in response to inCOLOR’s Craigslist ad for contributors, some calling me crazy (among other things) for offering an unpaid position and others asking me if I was on drugs for thinking a past VP of Marketing with over 30 years of working experience might be a bit over-qualified for the position being offered. Needless to say, I was pretty shocked and taken aback after receiving emails calling inCOLOR reverse racism for only featuring people of color.

Is inCOLOR racist? I never thought so and I still do not think so. In response to one the emails I wrote:
The idea for inCOLOR came about after the July 2008 issue of Vogue Italia was released. There was a bunch of talk about the lack of people of color in fashion. Rather than arguing whether or not that is true, I believed that if you felt that they are not being seen or heard then do something about it.  A mentor of mine (who happens to be a white woman, but that is totally irrelevant) suggested that I include other aspects of art. I also decided to focus on up-and-coming artists, after all if someone doesn’t write about it, no one will know about it. So here is inCOLOR today, not a racist, non-inclusive site, but rather a site letting people know that these amazing artists do exist.

When I came up with idea of inCOLOR I was very excited with idea of creating not just an online publication but a network. A network of talented contributors featuring talented artists of color. In both cases I felt that giving people the opportunity for others to see, hear or read their work was a great idea, but now confronted by these views I wonder what other people think.

I recently wrote in my personal blog about being confronted with ideas of race and some issues arose for me:
1. Do the effects of past discrimination such as slavery and other social injustices still have an effect on the world today?
2. In racial discussions do people look at me and think she only thinks that way because she is black or because she is from Africa?
And lastly, should that make me not voice my opinion? Well I would love to hear your opinion.

Live & inCOLOR presents Jade ♥. The second in the series of monthly events brought to you by yours truly, inCOLOR. Like we said, last month was just the beginning. We are bringing inCOLOR off the web and to a location near you!

Join us at Leopard Lounge for the one and only Jade ♥ and the sounds of DJ Bonnie Danger. See you there at 6pm to enjoy some happy hour drink specials and great music all night! Oh wait, did I mention it’s FREE. See you there!

For more on Jade check out inCOLOR’s feature here.

Hello inCOLOR readers,

We want to thank you for all of the support we received from you this year that fled by us so quickly. Though we are still pretty young in this online publishing business, please keep in mind we’re workin hard to keep you in the know of the latest artists, fashion, music, photography and entertainment from metropolitan cities around the country (and soon from around the world).

We are excited to announce that for 2010 we will be providing you guys and new comers with publishing events that will be taking place in awesome galleries/lounges in east coast cities like NYC, D.C., Baltimore, and Philadelphia. Stay live & inCOLOR to receive updates on the artist we will be presenting, our events giveaways and sponsors. All of the events are RSVP exclusive with the opportunity to extend an invitation to friends that are not yet in.

Look forward to our new monthly newsletters starting January 6th.The newsletters will let you in on artists being featured on our website, events and venues we’re hitting up and want to invite you to, a community billboard for our artivist, and last but never the least our monthly music playlist and podcast.

Happy Holidays and warm wishes from all of us at inCOLOR

Obama’s plan to end corruption from health insurance companies and incorporate a government-run health care system is considered ambitious by his supporters and controversial by those who oppose his agenda.  Even some of his followers question a public option mostly because they don’t want to pay for something they already have and because they are worried about a debt that was already substantial before Obama and his agenda got into office.

There are many who have health insurance and are content despite the many reasons they shouldn’t be (i.e. denying coverage to individuals with pre-existing medical conditions and sky-rocketing healthcare costs despite having billions of dollars in waste and inefficiency).  But for the some (probably only a handful) who don’t have to deal with the aforementioned ills they think a health care bill that includes a public option is an unnecessary expense—they should try to explain that to the families who know if they had this “unnecessary expense” of an option they would still have their loved ones with them.  They can only make that argument with conviction to like-minded individuals.  Unfortunately, some of these individuals are in the Senate—Republicans and some Democrats alike.  Their titles are different but, the one thing that binds them is their love for conserving money, unless of course if it is used for a war.

Throughout the past few years and even more so now, we’ve been told that our nation is already in debt and that adding to our debt will be disastrous, particularly for the younger generation who will be footing the bill.  As one who is part of the young generation I don’t mind paying taxes that will help out those that can’t afford what should already be their right to have.  As Americans we already help pay for public schools, law enforcement and other social services that benefit us, why shouldn’t we pay for health care? 

If we are willing to go in debt fighting in a war—which by the way takes lives— why are we so hesitant to invest in something that will, without a doubt, save lives.  Many of us invest in college and in most cases, our money is well spent; If we aren’t able to get a job as soon as we graduate, at least we are more well-versed than we were as incoming freshman—but I digress.  Public health care is necessary and Americans need to realize President Obama is conscious of the deficit and one of his main health care goals is to control health care costs.  Rarely is any kind of public service free, and like I said a public option is worth the investment. 

Having a health care reform bill that includes a public option is way overdue and we can’t let the voices of the selfish (who often disguise themselves with the label “conservative”) cost us progressive legislation that will help millions have a better chance at life.  This historic bill is not perfect and if it passes it still will have imperfections, but it is definitely going to have a lasting impact on Americans.
If you’re unsure about what the health care reform bill entails and why it’s so necessary for ALL Americans go straight to the source:
http://www.healthreform.gov/
http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/obama_plan_card.PDF

That’s right! It’s the first ever inCOLOR Giveaway and we have teamed up with inCOLOR’s featured designer Bukky Are of House of Versatile Style to offer this limited edition, not yet in stores, one-of-a-kind piece. So tell us about your one-of-a-kind style and you could be rocking the one piece t-shirt this new year. And fellas don’t feel left out, you are more than welcome to submit your entries and win the tee for that special lady in your life. Just remember to have your image uploaded along with a caption describing your style to inCOLOR’s Facebook page. The deadline is now Monday January 11 at 11:59PM.

Recently, I went to an art and book convention to help my mother promote her publishing company, F.O.L. Press. Our stand was within viewing distance from an obnoxious bright yellow and green sign screaming “BEAT BLACK KIDS: What have you been beat with?” After hitting the peak of discomfort, my mother nudged me. “Go over and see what that book is about.” After expressing my discomfort (due to an abused past under a different caretaker), I went. I inquired about the book; to my surprise and pleasure it was about why NOT to beat black kids. Finally! After a bonding session, I went to my mother and excitedly explained the book to her. Of course, my mother disagreed along with the other older women surrounding the table.

I think it’s sad and pathetic that not abusing your children is a revolutionary thing. How are we supposed to become leaders of the future and no longer be a minority constantly subjugated to negative stereotypes when there is something clearly wrong with our upbringing? Though we try, we can no longer fully blame white people for keeping us down while we are keeping ourselves down. Though there are racist people out there, they mostly are doing their own thing. We need to do our own thing and stop complaining as a people and reevaluate ourselves. First, we should start in the beginning of one’s life: childhood.

Beating a child may stop a particular action but, look at the long-term effects. It causes hate, making the child act out in some other way usually making the child worse off. I still flinch when someone raises their hand and I’ve never been confident.

It’s hypocritical when parents talk about the atrocities of slavery and the treatment of blacks in America when, at home, they are using the same or similar type of abuse. Hitting will always have the same effect on someone whether the authority is between a black and white adult or a black adult and child. It’s hypocritical when adults curse in front of or curse out their children and when the child gets in trouble for doing the same exact thing in school resulting in that punishment. It’s a vicious cycle of post traumatic slave syndrome that will continue to perpetuate as long as we don’t change our mindset. I seriously recommend “Beat Black Kids” to every parent and parent-to-be. Our future may depend on it.

This is the time of year where the haves are separated from the have-nots, and though the holiday season is about something more, there’s nothing like a child’s face when opening a gift. There’s nothing like giving something that wouldn’t have otherwise been gotten. A philanthropist, promoter, videographer, budding photographer, emcee and traveller rolled into one, feleciacruz, one of the founders of the nonprofit Fighting for Futures, is committed to the cause. “At the end of the day, if we’re not doing something, all of us collectively, to give back to other people, what is it really worth?“ Fiji to Cambodia to India to New York City, Fighting for Futures remains true to their creed:

Fighting for Futures is an organization that uses creative means to empower unprivileged youth around the world.“

Fighting for Future spent most of the summer of 2009 promoting benefit shows for Chanty, a young girl from Cambodia, who was then provided money for school/supplies, food, transportation, etc., to ensure that she received the best education possible. Check out a segment of the 30 seconds in 30 Days series, from July 2009, below.

For a while now, Fighting for Futures has been making things happen year round, creating opportunities and platforms, such as event and marketing campaigns, for artists to give back in their own way. The team of artists and supporters behind Fighting Futures, including Eric Sosa, Sid Muralindhar, Tammy Warner, VR PHOTOGRAPHY and Initiative Radio with Angela McKenzie, among others believes, “Artists, support. Whatever you’re doing, you can utilize that to give back to somebody. You don’t have to go to Cambodia ... you don’t have to sit a village in India with no water. That’s what I choose to do. My whole life I’ve always just wanted to do what I love, and at the same time do things for other people.“ Fighting for Futures’ latest event is a joint venture with Toys for Tots. On December 4th, Fighting for Futures, Natalie Crue, and Sosa Management present HOLIDAZE: A benefit concert for Toys for Tots and Fighting for Futures featuring some of New York City’s hottest underground hip hop artists. “We have a lot of things going into this show. All these people have to be giving everything they have towards a good cause,“ and there’s no doubt that they will. The lineup for HOLIDAZE is stacked, feating performances from Dres from Black Sheep, Eric Sosa, Terry Poison, Prophit, Warren Britt, Spills vs feleciacruz, Hasan Salaam and many more, as well as live painting from well known artists Lichiban, Marthalicia and Danielle Mastrion. The show kicks off at 9pm at Crash Mansion. Entry is $10 + an unwrapped gift at the door.

For more about Fighting for Futures go here.

A young blond white woman enters an elevator. The next floor, a young black man wearing a suit enters soon after. The elevator closes. The white woman grabs her purse for dear life. As she clutches to whatever money she may have, the black man begins to speak to the audience about the constant racism a black man faces upon entering an elevator. He explains that she may think he doesn’t notice but, he does and “it makes me want to snatch the f**king purse out of your hand and beat your racist ass to the ground,“ he retorts angrily. But rather than resorting to the stereotypical racism expected of him, he takes the higher road ... and “boos” her, consequently scaring the crap out of her, causing her to instinctively offer him her purse for a second.

This is Reckless Tortuga, the sketch comedy group that is blowing up all over youtube and facebook. When I first saw this video and the whole “Racism in the USA” series. I cracked up and sadly enough upon watching the crew’s hilarious videos, I couldn’t help but feel sad because I could relate to his situation. Though I did not directly relate to the elevator video, I did relate to “Racism in a Car” video. This video discussed the infamous move where a white person sees a black person and immediately rolls up his or her windows and locks their doors. Other videos include “Racism at the Bus Stop” and “The Blind Date.“ Each time when something inappropriate happens, protagonist Eric Pumphrey stops to say the thing that no one says but every minority is thinking. Soon after, he comes to a resolve that makes the appropriate, hilarious action usually resulting in chaos.

Reckless Tortuga is an independent sketch comedy group consisting of director, Jason Schnell along with actors and writers Lindsey Reckis, Eric Pumphrey and Rachel Miner. According to the recklesstortuga.com site, they started their group “one weekend because we wanted to make some funny videos.“ They sat down, wrote a few PSAs and shot them soon after. “Since then we have become addicted to making sketch videos.“ This group has a lot of talent and I look forward to their next videos. Check them out but I warn people who do not relate to this or are guilty of this, you will probably become hugely paranoid … which might be for the better.

inCOLOR has been nominated for the Black Weblog Awards! Click the link above to check it out. Stay tuned for more information on voting.

Vera Wang,the well-know fashion designer
will show off her figure skating skills at the
ABC TV program Dancing With The Stars.

After designing costumes for famous figure skaters
Nancy Kerrigan and Kristi Yamaguchi, the almost 60
New York based designer Vera Wang will design
skating costumes for herself for the next season of
Dancing With The Stars.

According to E!, Wang is set to compete on the ABC show.

The recognized fashion designer was trained as a professional figure skater while growing up. She has competed as a figure skater 1968 Figure Skating Championship and was featured in the Sports Illustrated’s Faces in the Crowds. And when she failed to enter the U.S Olympics team, she entered the fashion industry.

Wang who is famous for her wedding gown designs and recently her inexpensive Simply Vera clothing collection at Khols, will draw her admirers to the ninth season of the ABC TV show.

ABC announced today that Dancing With The Stars will premiere on September 21.
Wang is probably working on her fitness and costumes already so she can show a sense of style to the show’s fans and impress her devotees.

Not Just Vintage would like to cordially invite you to their summer shopping event. On Thursday, June 11, from 7 to 10 p.m., they will be unveiling their new summer collection, introducing menswear for the first time! Please join them for this exclusive preview of their new merchandise available for purchase. Feel to contact Not Just Vintage if you need any more information.

Not Just Vintage
1260 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11216
(347) 240-5070

We hope to see you there!

Today I read an article in New York magazine about a new craze in the anti-aging phenomena. Women are actually going to spas for a Spermine Facial. This facial consists of rubbing synthesized human sperm on a person’s face and then using an infrared light over it for penetration. This service currently runs for about $250. According to studies there is an antioxidant in human sperm that makes skin softer and more wrinkle-free.

Over the years women have subjected themselves to bizarre and sometimes painful rituals all in the name of beauty. These practices are often done for a myriad of reasons whether self-imposed or imposed by their society’s beauty standards.

Below is a list of some of the most interesting rituals I have found:

1. A common beauty ritual among Japanese Geisha’s is to apply fish and bird droppings to their faces. This is believed to keep the face smooth and clear.
2. The Hari’s Bull Semen Hair Treatment is an intense conditioning treatment that uses organic pedigree Angus bull semen.  The bull semen is used with extracts from Katera, a kind of Iranian plant in order to add shine and strength to the hair. The odorless treatment sells for around 85 pounds in London.
3. Victorian women had their lower ribs removed in order to produce small waists.
4. Ancient Egyptian queens cleaned their teeth with baby urine to keep them bleached white.
5. We can’t leave American’s out of this either: Would you ever inject the single most toxic protein into your face all for beauty? Well that’s what people do when they inject the Botulinum toxin (bo + tox= botox) into their faces in order to prevent frown lines, or armpits to decrease sweating. A new study found that botox may cause brain damage.
6. Snail slime is believed to rid the face of acne, and improve stretch marks.
7. The ancient Greeks mixed crocodile excrement into the baths in order to beautifying their skin.

This list is not meant to judge people who believe in these practices, but instead to expose you to the extreme measures women go through in name of beauty. When she used to relax my hair, my aunt would tell me, “pain is beauty”. But really does it have to be? Take this as a reminder to love yourselves for who you are and not feel pressured to go to the extreme in order to achieve someone else’s perception of beauty.

As I was doing my daily browsing of the Washington Post, I happened on the story of Clifton Williams, a 17-year-old classical piano prodigy from Southeast DC. It would be extraordinary enough if the kid had been playing piano since he was knee high to a chicken as we say down South. He has been, but that’s beside the point. Although he’s been taking lessons in jazz, gospel and blues piano for 10 years, he’s only been playing classical for three years and he doesn’t even own his own piano.

I stop here to talk about myself. I used to mess around with the keys myself, occasionally writing a song or two, yet I wrote myself off a long time ago. Why you ask? I always felt that me and my horribly monotone Casio keyboard playing self had no chance against even the worst of my church piano players. They could play off the radio by ear. Some even could read music. What could I do, I didn’t have a real piano and I certainly couldn’t play whole songs by ear. OK, I lie, I think I did a killer by ear rendition of “God Bless America” once, but that never made it outside of my bedroom.

Yet, seeing this kid and so many of my artist friends overcome major obstacles, makes me re-think my logic of my musical training and even my musical leanings. Williams didn’t let not having a piano stop him, thanks to his church, he can practice anytime he wants. He’s not bothered by the fact that it’s out of tune, he brings his soul to the ivories and that soul makes up the difference. The work has paid off, he will appear on “For the Top,“ a showcase of young classical musicians which airs on NPR, this Sunday evening. He also earned a $10,000 scholarship from the Jack Kent Cook Foundation, some of which he used to purchase his own piano.

Meanwhile, I’m going to go grab my songbook and reach back to the two semesters of piano I did have. After all, like Williams, I may not have had the best instruments or even the top teachers, but that can’t stop me from playing music. Watch him talk about his gift and play Prokofiev’s “Suggestion Diabolique” below.

In response to the bad economy, if the money, cash (HOs) flow is slow right now, here are some great snacks on the cheap.  My “Five Under Five Faves”:

1. PB&J with BC
This is your classic peanut butter sammy but with a twist; banana chips! “Yum residence, can I help you?“  It’s been my lunch for the past two days!

2. Jamaican Patties
Now Jamaican me hungry! These patties never get old for me. My personal preferred vendor is Golden Krust.  The Jerk chicken patty really hits the spot, plus it’s like two bucks.  FYI, I was disappointed to find out that the Golden Krust locations at 23rd St. and 8th Ave. have closed.  Poo stix!

3. Pizza
The good ol’ standby, hot or cold. I’ve been looking for the best spot around and someone recently suggested John’s of Bleecker Street. Has anyone been? Let me know if you have a recommendation!

4. Empanadas
Who can resist anything fried; especially when stuffed with cheese?  These bad boys are sold on pretty much every corner in my neighborhood of Inwood.  They’re about $1.25 and are always fresh and crispy.

5.  Falafel
Falafel stands are not just for the drunken pit stops at 3 am, though that is a great time to start!  I like the falafel/baba ganoush combo sammy.  These are somewhere between $3 - $4.  My hot spot: Rainbow Falafel, Union Square.

$@bs

More by this author at:  http://thesabs.com

One would think that on an island so insanely packed with everything else, tasty frozen yogurt would be easy to come by, yet recent developments have caused concerns about accessing quality fro-yo; at least for me. I’m a longstanding fan of the treat since the TCBY and Everything Yogurt days, good brands both. I haven’t seen a TCBY in years for the exception of rest stops. Everything Yogurt actually became Bananas and I’ve never seen one of those.

Instead, I have seen a few new frozen yogurt establishments pop up whose products I’ve sampled and been disheartened.  A place near where I used to work sold Yolato.  I swear I am not lying when I say it tasted exactly like Lemon Pledge.  Not that I eat Lemon Pledge… but when I used to, it could have passed for the product Yolato claims is frozen yogurt.  I was disappointed to say the least.

Some friends recommended other places I should try, namely Pinkberry and Red Mango.  There happens to be one of each adjacent to each other on 14th St. and 6th Ave., so one day I decided to check them both out.  First I stopped at Red Mango; a friend had recently raved about the place. I never purchase without sampling and though it was definitely better than the Lemon Pledge, I didn’t like it enough to buy any.  I moved on.

I had heard and read a lot about Pinkberry, and as I approached the counter I felt pretty confident I was going to leave with some frozen yogurt and ordered a sample of regular, which I took to be vanilla; but I just didn’t like it. One particular brand that I do like that no one else seems to is Smoochies. I also really like Tasty Delite and there are plenty of these around when needed. Then too, sometimes you can still find the ol’ Columbo standby at a deli or salad bar. Needless to say, the quest goes on – to be continued…

$@bs

More by this author at: http://thesabs.com

Picture it: A Saturday night in New York City and the town is calling your name. To prepare, you head to the gym for a hot and sweaty workout then come home to start the “transformation” process: plucking, blending, and waxing — and that’s just the men! Once you’re RED CARPET ready, you give yourself one last glance in the mirror, grab your Blackberry and head out to meet your friends — in order to paint the town red. That’s the illusion New Yorkers give to everyone around the world, but what happens when the myth is just that ... a myth?

I was recently invited to a Web site launch party at one of New York’s trendiest clubs located in the Meat Packing District. Usually, I don’t find myself at such places since I’m a low-key guy who’d rather spend his time at home watching re-runs of the Golden Girls — but I digress. I had a personal invite as I write food reviews for this online publication and my presence was “mandatory”. But since I was going to be given the “royal-diva-treatment” while there, I thought, “Why should Lindsey Lohan have all the fun, I’ll go!”

I arrived at the club just as the owner of the online publication drove up and I was immediately ushered in with his entourage. I felt special. I felt adored. I also felt a bit out of place since I was the only gay male in his group and my trendy blazer and jeans ensemble made the gay-factor distinction. I followed the group to their V.I.P. seating space which was flowing with vodka bottles ice buckets and champagne galore; I then noticed a strange phenomenon — the club was struck with the Blackberry plague.

Everyone in attendance was on their Blackberry, ignoring the person next to them obsessively checking their phones. Girls on the dance floor would “do a little dance” then stop to txt then dance again. The guys would walk over to a girl, strike up a conversation, txt (while ignoring the girl), and then continue with their “come-on” lines. As I stood there engulfed in a curious wave of confusion I wondered, “Has human interaction been eased out by texting?”

In a time when we have the technology and the advances to connect with anyone in the world, have we been afflicted by the Blackberry Plague causing us to loose sight of what…or in this case, “who’s” in front of us? I thought the entire point of going out was to enjoy the night and celebrating good times—I guess in the end it’s all about texting the night away.

(Photo credits:graphicshunt.com & specials.msn.com)

In the new tradition of the new Strawberry Shortcake Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer may be getting a makeover as early as next fall.  According to Nickjr.co.uk the show was “designed to engage pre-schoolers in a play along adventure.“  It seems that not only is Dora getting a makeover some of her new adventures will include getting new clothes, jewelry and accessories.  This makeover is prompted by Nickelodeon/Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP) making the decision to make Dora “grow up”.  The new Dora will be a “tween” which is defined as preadolescence or in more common terms “too old for toys, but too young for boys”.  This is new terminology for an age bracket identified by marketers as a group that can be heavily marketed to.  People are calling her “Dora the Exploiter” now.

“‘Dora the Explorer has been one of the most successful properties for nearly a decade, with an average of 21.1 million viewers, including 6 million preschoolers, tuning into the television show each month,‘ explained Leigh Anne Brodsky, president, NVCP.“  Dora’s growth spurt is part of a NVCP/ Mattel brand expansion that includes an online interactive Dora Links fashion doll whose customizable appearance can be changed at a whim.  As girls play online they can continue the Dora makeover by changing her hair length, jewelry and eye color on screen. 

Parents are outraged because Dora is Latina and a bilingual role model to many little girls.  Those against Dora’s new look protest “What happened? FIRST it was Dora’s Magic Talking Kitchen, THEN Dora Princess, THEN Dora Babysitter in her cousin’s show, NOW DORA TWEEN.“  There is a petition circulating for people to sign to express their disapproval to Mattel and Nickelodeon.  “The petition is supported by the work of Hardy Girls Healthy Women (HGHW). Hardy Girls is a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and well being of girls and women.“  ~ipetitions.com

In all fairness the younger Dora and her products will still be available.  A case can also be made for having a favorite children’s show character grow with the children who are her fans.  And what will become Diego her cousin?  My personal concern is that little girls may learn that growing up and becoming a woman involves mini dresses, that looking like a woman of color can be easily, readily and preferably changed and that femininity is all that you can buy and put on. 

-Madam Toussaint

nickjr.co.uk

businesswire.com

urbandictionary.com definition of tween

“Houston! We are on the rocket ship and heading for the stars!” –Grace Makutsi

Last night was the series premiere of HBO’s The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. The show is based on a series of ten novels by British author Alexander McCall Smith and stars Jill Scott as Precious Ramotswe, the first female private investigator in Botswana. Scott’s performance as Precious was wonderful because of the sincerity and intelligence she brought to the role. Anika Noni Rose, most known for her role as Lorell Robinson in Dreamgirls co-starred as Grace Makutsi, assistant to Ramotswe and the agency’s secretary. The character of Makutsi provides many humorous moments due to her quick wit and independent nature.  The portrayal of Botswana, its people, and its landscape was beautifully captured by director, Anthony Minghella, who sadly passed after completing the series. If the first episode is any indication of what’s to come then expect well written dialogue, many humorous moments, and interesting characters. While the pilot which aired yesterday was 105 minutes, only six, 60 minute episodes of the series have been filmed thus far.

This show is truly a must watch, so tune in to HBO, Sundays by 8pm to watch The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.

Today I was listening to Pandora and I realized how much of the R&B music I listen to is from across the pond. For those of you not familiar with how Pandora works, the site is set up to allow for people to pick a particular song, artist or genre and the website will use distinctive parts of the songs to choose other songs that you can’t help but like and not skip over. I created an Estelle station a few months ago and daily I get treated to not only tracks off her both of her albums, but jewels from Amy Winehouse, Adele and Corrine Bailey Rae. Long before these other artists came on the scene, I remember jamming to the first Joss Stone record and swooning over Craig David.

The one major thing that keeps me coming back to listen to these bands is their authenticity. They seem to dig deep and say things that I haven’t heard out of many American artists lately, especially the females. They respect and honor the sounds of old, and do a great job of fusing the new. They also respect different styles of voices and body types. They’ve also put American artists on notice. Not only are American R&B and hip-hop artists taking notice, they are signing them to labels, putting them on hooks and joining the hooks themselves.

However, I know many think bands and artists from Britain are really just imitating the sound America and especially Motown, created for R&B. Those charges have been levied for years, starting with the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and others. However, I believe wholeheartedly in the cliché that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and they can continue to flatter me. Tell me, what do you think of this latest British invasion on hip-hop, R&B and soul.

(Photo credits:Google Images)

Not to diminish her status as the mother of all humanity, but Eve hasn’t been the only woman to make significant historical contributions in her lifetime. Women have and continue to make momentous impacts on life as we know it. So take some time out to recognize the designation of March as Women’s History Month, a month that commemorates all feats female.

It’s hard to imagine what life would be like had Eve not accepted that fate-altering fruit. After all, what would PMS stand for? Would the excruciating pangs of labor be reduced to the sharp sting of an ant bite? Pondering these questions can truly allow the impact of women’s actions to be placed into proper perspective. The same questions can be asked of women like Zora Neale Hurston. Would female writers such as myself be allowed entry into the literary world had she not authored her groundbreaking novels? And surely we can all appreciate the woman behind Liquid Paper, Bette Nesmith Graham. My culinary skills still leave much to be desired, but I’m positive Fannie Farmer‘s creation of the first standardized cooking measurements has prevented many cooking disasters. Without Debi Thomas‘s Olympic gold medal in ice-skating, many women might not bother to even lace up their skates. Geraldyn Cobb was the first woman to meet the criteria for astronaut training, thereby opening the door for the 60-plus female space explorers who,in her wake,have journeyed beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Susan B. Anthony let all women know that we have a right to rights.

These major contributions are noted on both national and international platforms, but let us not forget the seemingly small milestones reached by women we encounter in our daily lives. I think about the women in my family and how their previous efforts have affected my life.  For example, my grandmother taught my mother the importance of fostering a caring, supportive relationship with her children, which has greatly impacted our family structure to this day. I am confident that my grandmother’s legacy will survive the passage of time, and that her words will continue to ring in the ears of our future generations.  With that said, I salute all women, past, present and future, for without us, where would we be?  How have women’s historical acts impacted your life?  If you are a woman, what legacy do you hope to leave in this world?

"Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and, above all, confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained."

—Marie Curie
Physicist and Chemist

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