~ AN AFROCENTRIC GATEKEEPERS PALACE FOR INFORMATION ~


Otta Benga, Formerly Enslaved
The Epitome of a Nubian Knight

Otta Benga, Formerly Enslaved<br>The Epitome of a Nubian Knight

Followers of Nubian Knights Network
"Thanks For The Support Everybody!!!"

QUOTATIONS OF "BLACK"

"Whenever I use BLACK it relates to some history of Africans in that particular place. It’s the idea of the color BLACK as a metaphor, or as a representation of African-Americans. It’s the notion of BLACK- BLACKNESS - and all its other meanings in relation to the history of race..."

- Fred Wilson



"Most of my fortitude to continue doing the work comes from the moral outrage I feel about the injustices that Black people endure disproportionately daily."

- N. Abdul-Wakil



"In the end, what matters is not skin shade but pan-African consciousness. Loving your complexion, your nose, lips, hair length and texture, no matter what the politics or trends decide, and simply be. That's the problem with us (African folks). We're still learning how to love ourselves. So used to glorifying others and putting others first..."

- Dredlocks Tree

The REEL Black Same Gender Loving Filmography Resource (A 24/7 ONLINE FILM DATABASE)

The REEL Black Same Gender Loving Filmography Resource (A 24/7 ONLINE FILM DATABASE)
Click The Pic To Access The Film Library Database! (166 Films)
LAST UPDATE: Monday, December 3rd, 2012

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

The 40th (AROBAINI) Annual International African Arts Festival / July 1st - 4th, 2011
10AM - 9PM Daily (Rain or Shine)
Bklyn, NYC (Since 1971)



Official Website: iaafestival.org


WOW! This is so historic! Can you believe this awesome Africentric event had first started in 1971???

"AROBAINI" in the African Swahili language means "40" and it is so INCREDIBLE that International African Arts Festival has endured the test of time. I am so EXCITED for this upcoming EVENT!!
I will see if I can pick up 2 more African necklaces for myself. I have them envisioned and what I want...

- ROD



Click Images To Enlarge


The 40th Annual International African Arts Festival will take place on Friday, July 1st thru Monday, July 4th, 2011 at Commodore Barry Park (Navy Street, between Park and Flushing Avenues, on the border between Downtown Brooklyn and Fort Greene) rain or shine.

This four-day annual arts and crafts festival includes an African Marketplace, dance and music performances, and fashion shows. The festival is dedicated to the preservation of art forms, traditions, and cultures of Africa and its diaspora.

For more information, visit: www.iaafestival.org or connect on Facebook.





IAAF MISSION

The International African Arts Festival (IAAF) is dedicated to the preservation of art forms, traditions, and cultures of Africa and its diaspora.

The IAAF perpetuates all the artistic traditions that stem from African cultural practices throughout the world. As a celebration of our fortieth anniversary the festivals theme this year is AROBAINI (Swahili for "forty"), the mission of the IAAF is to bring together traditional and contemporary arts of African Diaspora by creating a venue that provides programs for artistic expression, entrepreneurial economic opportunities, and shares cultural experiences with a diverse audience of patrons.




40 (AROBAINI) YEAR HISTORY

The International African Arts Festival began in 1971 as the African Street Carnival, a PTA’s block party fundraiser for an independent school in Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn with local entertainers, about 20 arts and crafts vendors, along with food prepared by the parents. Almost 2,000 people came to the event and it was a success.

The International African Arts Festival (IAAF) has been part of the Brooklyn’s cultural landscape for 40 years. Each year a committed team of Board members, consultants, part-time seasonal staff and volunteers, work together to transform a city park into an outdoor African cultural oasis that celebrates traditional and contemporary expression of various African cultural art forms.

Today, the IAAF is a community-based, non-profit organization that produces an annual event attracting an estimated 75,000 attendees from all over Brooklyn, New York City, the United States and from around the world.

In 2001 the IAAF relocated to Commodore Barry Park which is the third transition to a larger venue to accommodate its growing audience. The original line-up of local folk arts entertainment which has included dance companies such as Dinizulu African Dancers and Drummers, Marie Brooks Pan-Caribbean Dancers, emerging singers like Martha Redbone and many others continues to be an important part of the Festival’s programming.

Over the years, the stages of the Festival have featured renowned artists such as Blue Magic, The Mighty Sparrow, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, KRS-1, Lauryn Hill, India Arie; artists who grew to achieve national and international acclaim.

The small vendor market has grown into an African Marketplace with over a hundred micro-enterprise vendor/small business membership database of entrepreneurs. The market place offers an array of one of a kind, handcrafted, original designs of merchandise ranging from jewelry, urban fashion, t-shirts, body oils to imported African fabric, artifacts and furniture, original paintings, hand-carved marble sculptures and much more. In addition, the outdoor Food Court offers the community an array of talented cooks and chefs preparing a wide variety of scrumptious foods. The savory favors range from traditional soul food to spicy Caribbean dishes, to African, Latin, vegetarian food, seafood and even gourmet style
raw foods

The IAAF offers family focus entertainment and resources to the community.




UPDATE (Tuesday, July 5th, 2011):

I only took a few pics with my Nokia N900 Mobile Internet Device...











One of the more POWERFUL pictures was this art painting of the brutha with the
AmeriKKKan flag noose around his neck. What was so interesting was that so many people were snapping pictures of that painting. It was almost paparazzi like as people stopped in their tracks at this particular vendor's tent. If I had the room and the duckets I would have bought it. The art piece absolutely RESONATED with so many African folks yesterday, myself included.

For me it just reaffirms the notion that I have not been, nor ever will be, a full human being in these United States of AmeriKKKa...


The ADODI New York Chapter Celebrates
ADODI's 25th Silver Anniversary With 3 Events
On The 4th of July Weekend

Click Image To Enlarge


Click Image To Enlarge

FRIDAY, JULY 1st, 2011
9PM - 1PM

Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture

53 Prospect Park West
(between 1st & 2nd Streets)
Brooklyn, New York 11215

TRAVEL: 2, 3 or 4 train to
Eastern Parkway Brooklyn Museum
OR

F or G train to 7th Avenue
GOOGLE MAPS




Click Image To Enlarge

SATURDAY, JULY 2nd, 2011
12 Noon - 10PM
Coach Bus Leaves 12:30PM From
Adam Clayton Powell, Jr Harlem State Office Building







Click Image To Enlarge

SUNDAY, JULY 3rd, 2011
7PM - 10PM

We will set sail on The Queen of Hearts from Pier 40
which is 2 blocks south of Christopher Street and West Side Highway.

Please be advised that there is no food or drink allowed on board, and all carry-on bags are subject to search by the boat owners. Boarding will begin promptly at 6PM.

NOTE: PHOTO ID IS REQUIRED

TRAVEL DIRECTIONS TO THE
6th Annual Boat Ride:
Take the #1 Train to Christopher Street.
Walk 5 blocks west to West Side Highway
(by the round water foundation landmark).
Then walk approximately 1 1/2 blocks south to Pier 40


Pricing:

The White Party is $50

The BBQ is $30

The Boat Ride is $25


If you buy a combination ticket to all three events that cost is
$75.00

Tickets may be bought from:

Chris 347-401-1000

Don 917-805-2249

Eugene 347-264-2716

Herb 917-696-3610

Howard 917-865-3305

Paul 917-533-5607

If you have any questions, any of the above people will be more than happy to answer them.



ADODI's HERITAGE
(Founded in Philadelphia, PA in 1986 by ADO Clifford Rawlins)
WE'RE IN OUR
25th
SILVER ANNIVERSARY YEAR!




ADODI, the plural of ADO,
is a Yoruba word that describes a man who "loves" another man.
More than just a description of partners in Africa, the ADODI
of the tribe are thought to embody both male and female ways
of being and were revered as shamans, sages and leaders.


Who is ADODI?
ADODI is a community of men of color who affirm their
African lineage and love of men. Our purpose is to foster and
encourage the self-discovery, validation, empowerment and
liberation of all members of our diverse community.


Where do we meet?
Every 2nd Saturday of every month @
147 West 24th Street
(between 6th & 7th Avenues)
New York CityBrooklyn, NY
3:30PM - 7:00PM
A potluck dish is welcomed but not required - An open heart is!

TRAVEL MAP: GOOGLE MAPS
#1, C, E, F, N or R train to 23rd Street


REMEMBER, EACH ONE REACH ONE!
SHARE THE EXPERIENCE:
INVITE AND BRING ANOTHER BRUTHA TO OUR GATHERINGS!