Beauty's International (AFRICAN) Marketplace During ROD's Trip To Michigan... And More

Beauty's International (AFRICAN) Marketplace Official Website:
BeautysInternationalMarketPlace.com

I had a most EXCELLENT and FUN time in Michigan for the 1st annual ADODI Detroit Spring Retreat.

As usual I was treated with UNCONDITIONAL LOVE from the GATEKEEPERS... same gender loving (SGL) Black men. ADODI has been a fruitful part of my life for 10 years now and it still amazes me how bruthaz who come from all around the country (and even abroad from the UK) go the whole mile to ACKNOWLEDGE , APPRECIATE, AFFIRM ACCEPT and ACHÉ one another.

Anytime I go to any city I always make it a mandate to do at least one or more Africentric ventures. There can never be enough African history to learn, or supporting a Black business in the spirit of the 4th KWANZAA principle Ujamaa (oo-JAH-mah-AH): Cooperative Economics!!!!!

So, I asked my friend & ado YES to show me something Africentric and he came through for me. He took me to Beauty's International (AFRICAN) Marketplace and The Gateway To Freedom underground railroad monument in downtown Detroit at Hart Plaza overlooking the waterfront where across the ocean you can see CANADA!!!!!

Beauty is a Nigerian sistah who owns the African store establishment. We didn't get a chance to meet her, however her daughter Ari hosted us for a scheduled shopping visit after we called. Between my friend & ado Calvin we spent over $200 there. What a great selection of African clothing, jewelry, ornaments, banners and a bunch more.

Please call and visit the store

Beauty's International Marketplace
21590 Greenfield Road
Suite 108
Oak Park, Michigan 48237
Ph: 248 968 3607

GOOGLE MAPS

Or Visit And Shop Online:
BeautysInternationalMarketplace.com

Below are some pics from my trip to Michigan...

All Photography Copyright © 2011 ROD PATRICK RISBROOK

Beauty's Daughter Ari. She Was So Qool
And Helped Us Tremendously

My Friend Calvin Trying On An African Suede Coat

Calvin Mackin' Out With Da Hat On.
The Whole Outfit... SOLD!!!

ME (BIG ROD) And An African Outfit
That Really Caught My Attention
-
It Has A Roomy Look To It
That Makes ME Look A Little Heavy! LOL!
That's Okay. Don't I Look Good In It?
Or It Looks Good On Me?

This African Out Really, Really Spoke To Me.
Calvin and Yes Overwhelmingly Said It
Looked FAB On Me And That It Fit Me To a Tee.
Okay then... SOLD!!!!!
-
(P.S. > For Some Reason I Was Thinking
This Would Make For A Perfect Outfit To Have At My
African Same Gender Loving Commitment Ceremony)

Okay, I have other pics from Michigan where there was so much I didn't get to see and yet had a GREAT FREAKIN' TIME!!!!

NEXT UP... KICK

The Office of KICK, An Advocacy Organization
For Black Same Gender Loving Folks In Detroit
www.e-kick.org

KICK's Front Reception Desk

Yes! These Chocolate De-lite Suckers
Are Exactly What You Think They Are.
They Taste GUUD, Too!

KICK's Office Wall
The Executive Director Is The Respectable Curtis Lipscomb

KICK's Leeaflet Handouts

KIck's African Masks On The Wall

Bruthaz Just Chillin'




My Friend Yes Outside the Office of KICK
A Special Brutha Who Made My Stay In Michigan A Pleasant One




All My ADODI Bruthaz (left to right):
Curtis, Yes, Calvin, Bryan and Charles N.

KICK's Annual "Kickin' It On The River" Boat Ride
Wednesday, July 27th, 2011
Click The Flyer Above To Buy Tickets!

NEXT UP... Motown Museum

We didn't have time to do the tour so Calvin and I stopped into the Motown Store really quick. Calvin bought a hat for a friend here in NYC...

Calvin Poses I Front Of The Historic Motown

NEXT UP... Downtown Detroit

A Giant Joe Louis Black Fist, Baby In Downtown Detroit!!!

AND FINALLY...!!!!!

The Gateway To Freedom Overlooks The Ocean To...
CANADA!

My Friends Brutha Edward, Yes and Calvin


A Brother Couldn't Ask For Anything More
With A Brotherhood Like This
And 40 Other Bruthaz From The ADODI Retreat

Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center's Kickstarter Fundraiser Reaches Out To The Planet!

Link To Fundraiser! THANK YOU!

Yolo Akili- "Are We The Kind of Boys We Want?" Docu-Drama Spoken Word Music Video Thursday, March 24th, 2011 Premiere

Yolo Akili- "Are We The Kind of Boys We Want?"
Docu-Drama Spoken Word Music Video



Spoken Word And SGL Artist Yolo Akili

And check out Yolo's website, too. I went to Amazon.com and downloaded Yolo's new CD Purple Galaxy back in September 2010. CDBaby.com and iTunes also has his music as well.

Touch...Poems & Others Writings of Love, Erotica, & Sensuality by Jair, The Literary Masturbator NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE On Lulu.com

Official Book e-Retailer (Purchase): Lulu.com

Touch...
Poems & Others Writings
of Love, Erotica, & Sensuality

For some reason sensuality and erotica have been labeled dirty and bad. In our society we are often taught that having those urges are impure and sinful. For me the truth of the matter is a healthy combination of spirituality and sensuality creates a much better balance for a person to understand who and what they are. How can you explain to a lover what it is you like if you’ve never explored what that is? I am not suggesting that a person needs to have a lot of sex or try many things but to not even be able to think about and suppress what comes natural seems like the most unnatural thing to me.

Hopefully you will find this collection of poetry (and other writings), artwork, & photos to be fun, fulfilling, entertaining, and on some level it expands your ideas of connecting to yourself and others. In other words I hope it “Touches” you...

- Jair, The Literary Masturbator

Official Blog: Confessions Of A Literary Masturbator™

Touch... Will Also Be Coming To
Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble Soon!
Meanwhile, Get Your Hard Copy At Lulu.com
- An Indy Book Publisher

Also Available For Electronic Download
To Kindle And iPad Devices For $5.99

Black Comic Books Day: New York Edition Black Indy Artists Hue-Man Bookstore & Café In Harlem Saturday, February 19th, 2011 (2PM - 4PM)

Click Image To Enlarge

Reference Links:
Black Comix.com: Black Comic Books Day: New York Edition

Hue-Man Bookstore & Café Official Website:
huemanbookstore.com

GOOGLE MAPS

Historic Black Same Gender Loving Couples HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!! A Self-Affirmation To MYself And All SGL Bruthaz & Sistahs Out There...

PLEASE SUPPORT
BLACK SGL MUSIC ARTIST NHOJJ!!!
A BEAUTIFUL SGL SONG FOR US BY US!!!

ALSO SUPPORT BLACK SGL MUSIC ARTIST NHOJJ!!!

Black Same Gender Loving Bruthaz And Romance - Is It Dead?

MOOZ-Lum (A Film by Q) Premieres This Friday, February 11th, 2011 In 10 Cities - A Must See Film Of The Africana Experience!!

Official Website: moozlumthemovie.com/

UPDATED Wednesday, June 15th, 2011
NOW ON DVD!

Synopsis:
Pulled between his strict Muslim upbringing by his father and the normal social life he's never had, Tariq Mahdi enters college in a state of confusion. New relationships with Muslims and non-Muslims alike challenge his already shaken ideals, and the estrangement with his mother and sister troubles him. With the help of new friends, family and mentors, he begins to find himself and open up to an Islam he hasn't been exposed to. But when the attacks of 9/11 happen without warning, he is forced to face his past and make the biggest decisions of his life.

MOOZ-lum Theatrical Trailer from Qasim Basir on Vimeo.

Last week on Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 I took a friend with me to see an advanced screening of the film MOOZ-Lum at the Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center in the Manhattan. The film stars Evan Ross, Nia Long, Roger Guenveur Smith and Danny Glover.

Both of came away with a most spectacular experience. I can genuinely say that this is one of the best pieces of cinema produced from the Africana experience that I have have seen a long while. It really is that good FAMILY!

And not only we were treated to a great story with great acting (especially Nia Long who played a strong Black woman which was sooooo good to see), but we were treated to a LIVE Q&A session via a Skype computer connection from 30 year old African-American director Qasim "Q" Basir. And then a 5 panel Q&A discussion called Islam and the Black Experience.

And EXTRA EXTRA SPECIAL was a special appearance by actor and activist Ruby Dee who sat in the audience and watched the film with us. When she was mentioned she got a standing ovation from people in the audience INCLUDING ME!!

Ruby Dee Made a Quick Statement On The Stage
Walter Reade Theater At Lincoln Center

Marketing of this film has been done totally on-line with word of mouth and a new marketing campaign which looks to get bigger in the future called DEMAND IT service whereby the people in their respective cities who voted for the film will get the film exhibitioned.

As a result when the film opens THIS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH, 2011 it will be playing in 10 cities!! Below is the info and a link for local listings:

ATLANTA ● CHICAGO ● DALLAS ● DETROIT
HOUSTON ● LOS ANGELES ● NEW YORK
PHILLY ● SAN FRANCISCO ● WASHINGTON, DC

And Now Mooz-Lum Has Opened
In 5 More Cities February 18th, 2011:

COLUMBUS, OH ● ELIZABETH, NJ
MINNEAPOLIS, MN ● PHOENIX, AZ ● SEATTLE, WA

Purchase your tickets now: http://bit.ly/moozlum-tickets

LIVE From Detroit, We Were Treated To A Q&A Session
With Director Qasim "Q" Basir
Via A Skype Computer Connection

Actor Roger Guenveur Smith (pictured right)

Mooz-Lum Starring Evan Ross

Actor Nia Long

THEATER INFO FOR NEW YORKERS:

AMC Empire 25
234 West 42nd Street
(between 7th & 8th Avenues)
New York City 10036

AMC Empire 25 Webpage

GOOGLE MAPS


CHECK HERE FOR ALL OTHER CITIES:
- Purchase your tickets now -
http://bit.ly/moozlum-tickets

Official Website: moozlumthemovie.com/