BIG ROD's E-Move to Nubian Knight Network and Greet The Press with The Future: New Multi-media Company Targeting the Black SGL Consumer

Hey Black Family,
I'm going to be experimenting by moving (or e-moving) all the information I send out to my Nubian Knights Network: Writings on the Black Wall BLOG which has been largely inactive the past year.

The benefit of this change is having all the information I send out archived in one location and accessible by YOU, the Black family. I've been resisting the blog world because, quite frankly, everybody and their damn mother has one, and I really didn't want to add to it. But after serving as a panelist (thank you Cornelius, it was an honor) and also listening as a concerned Black same gender loving humanitarian activist/citizen at last night's (Monday, June 22nd, 2009) Greet The Press with The Future: New Multi-media Company Targeting the Black Same Gender Loving Consumer (at The Brecht Forum), it is imperative more than ever that we as Black same gender loving folks tell and document our stories. And I have to put out a special THANKS to Laurence Pinckney who has been a very good friend to me and constantly staying on my ass for years now about doing this information blog thing because he feels I have a valuable voice in the community.

So anyway, I'll try it and see how this goes. My e-blasts will continue to be routinely posted to my Nubian Knights YahooGroup and the other numerous YahooGroups I post to that a lot of you rely on. That hasn't changed.

Also, to be honest I really get burned out doing this information e-blasting work sometimes. At the same time, the "BIG ROD" persona has grown on-line over the years (beyond my control, too, LOL!) and yet, every so often there will be a different social function I'll attend or that occasional email I'll receive from some brutha or sistah I don't know out there who THANKS me for the information I put out there they otherwise would not have known about. I'm surprised and moved beyond belief by someone I meet in person who is smiling and glad to meet "BIG ROD" face to face and so happy they like my voice in the wilderness and the invaluable info they get from my postings. So because of those experiences and last nights Greet The Press event, I continue to press on (no pun intended) and take breaks whenever I need to revitalize myself.














Lastly, MAN(!), I'll tell you what, I was in awe last night with the heavy hitters we had on-hand at Greet The Press. Progressive folks like Toyce Francis, Mike Street, Dwight, Nathan Seven, Cornelius Jones, Jr., Ra-Fael Blanco, Kirk Shannon-Butts, Derrick Briggs and the list goes on was ultra-qool assness! LOL! Also, I was pleased to see Black (SGL) photographers and videographers doing interviews and whatnot. It was so surreal because I told one person the press is usual white... but not last night it wasn't. It was US! As a first time effort, the talent and people at th event last night was never less than fucking POWERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, let me not ramble on. A humbled thanks to Richard Pelzer, Dwight Allen O'Neal, Nathan Seven Scott, Cornelius Jones, Jr. and anyway else I've forgotten for making Greet The Press with The Future: New Multi-media Company Targeting the Black Sam Gender Loving Consumer happen.

To start off my blog again, I have two links for y'all to check out:

The 38th Annual International African Arts Festiva (Thursday, July 2nd thru Sunday, July 5th, 2009)
http://nubianknightsnetwork.blogspot.com/2009/06/international-afr-ican-rts-festival.html

Employment Listings for YOU and Those YOU KNOW
http://nubianknightsnetwork.blogspot.com/2009/06/hey-black-family-friend-sent-following.html


Take care family and catch y'all on the rebound. Be qool!

--
ROD (aka BIG ROD)

ROD's Space: www.myspace.com/nubian_knights_network

BIG ROD's Photography: http://big-rod.jalbum.net (Turn Ya Speakers On 4 Some Bangin' Music While Ya Lookin')

Join ROD's Network: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nubian_knights_network/

Employment Listings for YOU and Those YOU KNOW

Hey Black Family,

A friend (thanks Stanford) sent the following job employment information to me and I'm just passing it along. Good luck in your job search.

--
ROD (aka BIG ROD)

BIG ROD's Photography: http://big-rod.jalbum.net (Turn Ya Speakers On 4 Some Bangin' Music While Ya Lookin')

Join ROD's Network: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nubian_knights_network



Full time Program Manager and other positions available at large, successful and growing workforce development operation in North Brooklyn. St Nicholas Neighborhood Preservation Corporation’s Workforce Development Division seeks the following staff:

Program Manager, Skills Training – Oversee all aspects of Environmental Remediation Technician or Commercial Truck Driver technical training program including developing training schedule, recruitment and enrollment, coordinating training with technical training vendors, supervise case management and job development staff, maintain and expand strong partnerships with employers, ensure job placement, reporting and funder liaison. Requirements: 3 years of program management experience; strong organizational skills; BA degree; strong written and oral communication skills.

Program Manager, Green Collar Jobs – Oversee all aspects of new Green Collar skills training program including starting up pilot PV Solar Panel Installation training and designing new training courses in renewable energy, building performance and other green fields. Research potential career tracks. Develop new relationships with employers, training vendors and partners. Assist in securing funding. Requirements: program management experience; interest and/or experience in environmental field; high energy level; BA degree; strong written and oral communication skills.

Program Manager, Dislocated Workers – Oversee all aspects of new placement and job training program for newly dislocated workers. Participate in start up activities, coordinating with other St. Nicks programs and CBOs; supervise staff of 6; development new employer relationships; coordinate reporting; and funder liaison. Requirements: 3 years of program management and supervisory experience; ability to manage diverse relationships; BA degree; strong organizational skills; attention to detail.

Program Manager, Adult Education – New position available overseeing all aspects of our growing employment-focused adult education division. Manage staff that includes DOE teachers. Reporting and funder liaison. Requirements: literacy and adult education technical expertise; knowledge of Adult Ed. funding sources; understanding of case management and/or employment services; BA degree; strong organizational skills; ability to work some evenings and Saturdays; bi-lingual a plus.

Data and Reporting Manager – Responsible for all elements of our internal and external reporting of program outcomes including managing a small staff; using internal reporting system and various government and funder-mandated systems; ensure quality and timeliness of data input and program reporting. Requirements: BA degree; experience with data reporting systems and basic software (Excel, Access); adept and interested in technology; ability to handle multiple projects independently; attention to detail.

Retention Coordinator – Responsible for all post-placement services to ensure job retention including maintaining regular contact with placed clients and their employers; tracking and reporting job retention; determining if customers requirement additional services and coordinating these services with staff and external organizations; and creating programming to help customers keep their jobs and to stay in contact with our organization. Requirements: strong organizational and interpersonal skills; ability to handle multiple projects; attention to detail; Associate degree. Ability to work some evenings and Saturdays; bi-lingual a plus.

Workplace Success Skills Trainer, Bi-lingual – Develop and lead 2-week workplace success skills/job readiness/life skills training cycles for dislocated workers population in English and/or in Spanish; adapt current curriculum to new population; coordinate internal and outside speakers; participate in assessment; case conferencing and job placement for trained customers; ensure participants have resume and other materials to begin job search after training; oversee participants’ structured job search; keep participants highly engaged and motivated. Requirements: experienced in teaching, presentations or training in employment or related field; highly motivated, professional and energetic; ability to train in English and Spanish; knowledge of the needs of dislocated and disadvantaged workers; BA or Associate degree. Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.

Job Developer – two new positions available to provide job placement services to dislocated workers. Responsibilities include: develop employer relationships and placement opportunities; assist customers in job/career exploration; match participants to job openings, prepare them for interviews, coordinate interviews and follow up with employers; assist participants in their own structured job search. Requirements: 2 years of job development or related experience; able to motivate participants; high energy level; BA or Associate degree; strong presentation and interpersonal skills.

Case Manager/Career Advisor, Dislocated Workers – assess participants’ needs and assist them during employment program and during transition to employment. Responsibilities include: assess enrolled participants; develop Career Plan jointly with participants to identify career goals; identify and build on assets; minimize employment barriers; and coordinate services during participation, job search and post placement; maintain case notes and client file. Requirements include: 2 years experience in case management or vocational counseling; strong interpersonal skills; knowledge and experience with issues facing disadvantaged job seekers; highly organized; expertise in substance abuse, domestic violence, criminal justice system, homelessness, or other specialty a plus. BA or Associate degree. Bi-lingual a plus.

Program Coordinator – provide administrative and clerical support to new program staff of six people including scheduling; testing participants; creating computer and paper customer files. Responsibilities include: strong organization, administrative and clerical skills; strong typing skills; attention to detail; ability to interface with clients and employers; ability to handle multiple responsibilities/projects; strong written English skills; ability to speak Spanish a plus.

Data Clerk – support Data Reporting team including inputting customer information in various internal and government and funder databases ensuring timeliness and accuracy; oversee client paper files ensuring completeness and accuracy; review data discrepancies; follow up on missing client information; run regular internal and external reports. Requirements: knowledge of various reporting systems; attention to detail; accurate typing/data entry skills; Associates degree; strong organizational skills.

To apply, applicants should send a cover letter indicating position desired, resume, and salary history/requirement electronically to St. Nicks Human Resources at HR@stnicksnpc.com or via fax to 718.943.3085 or 718.486.5982. Visit www.stnicksnpc.org to learn more. We are EOE.

The 38th Annual International African Arts Festival : July 2nd - 5th, 2009 (Brooklyn, NYC)

International African Arts Festival
http://www.iaafestival.org

Greetings, Working together to continue the legacy of the 38th Annual International African Arts Festival, the 38th Annual International African Arts Festival starts Thursday, July 2nd through Sunday, July 5th, from 10:00 am until 9:00 pm, at the spacious Commodore Barry Park at Park Avenue and Navy Street in downtown Brooklyn, NY 11205. GOOGLE MAP Festival goers will gather each day to enjoy live music, dance, spoken word performances, African marketplace, showcase performances, fashion, and hair shows. Children of all ages can enjoy an exciting children’s program featuring storytelling, clowns, and a youth talent search. This year’s theme is “Mashariki” which means The East in the language of Swahili. The 2009 Festival is dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the founding of The East, the institution that gave birth to the African Street Festival, now known as IAAF. We also acknowledge everyone, who has helped over the past 38 years to build this institute of culture and commerce. Due to the challenging economic climate, the support of the community is needed to produce this year’s event. Please make a donation and tell a friend to make one too! The IAAF is a non-profit arts organization and all donations are tax deductible. Asante Sana ! “Thank you very much!”

























--
ROD (aka BIG ROD)

ROD's Space: www.myspace.com/nubian_knights_network

BIG ROD's Photography: http://big-rod.jalbum.net (Turn Ya Speakers On 4 Some Bangin' Music While Ya Lookin')

Join ROD's Network: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nubian_knights_network/

MY REFLECTION: Scandalous "Homosexual Bashing" E-mail From Mt. Calvary Holy Church Found!

Hey Black Family,

When the news of this scandalous email uprising was brought to my attention I have to be honest and say I was so f*&king pissed!!!!! It is subjectively clear to me that this woman had an agenda and simply didn't care who she hurt. How does one air someone's alleged business like that? You run the risk (quite willingly on her part) to destroy the lives of those bruthaz mentioned. Friends and family relationships can be destroyed by allegations. Who gave her ultimate power to decide what is right or wrong with her alleged information to publish to other people?

For contextual purposes, you can read the original email (minus people's names thanks to the stand-up journalism of Justin Smith) from the original source of publication at GBMNews.com

So now, in response to the morally reprehensible act of the woman parishioner of the Mt. Calvary Holy Church (located in Washington, DC) who sent the email to over 300+ parishioners, below is the response of Rev. Dr Yvette Flunder who received the scandalous email as well and who is the presiding bishop over the church. I am proud of Rev. Flunder's compassion and well thought out progressive response in this very serious matter.

Read on...

ROD (aka BIG ROD)

Rev. Dr Yvette Flunder

Beloved,

A few days ago I was copied on an e-mail from an alleged member of Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church in Maryland, pastored by Bishop Alfred Owens. The e-mail identified by name those persons thought to be Same Gender Loving, and gave great detail as to their attendance at parties, where they lived and with whom, alleged other sexual proclivities and where they served in the ministry.

The e-mail requested that these individuals be taken down from their ministry jobs. Additional results of the included Pastor Owens convening a meeting of those named in the e-mail and polling them to determine who among them were seeking help to be free from a SGL lifestyle. There have been numerous follow-up emails from folks named in the original e-mail that are defensive, threatening and angry. Several have decided to leave the church after many years of faithful membership.

What a tragedy, but the reality facing Mt. Calvary is not unusual. It is indicative of a psychosis that permeates many churches with regard to the presence and involvement of SGL people, who have great love for God and for their church communities.

Psychosis defined:
SGL people who contribute to their own oppression by continuing to support churches that oppress them and are complicit in structures that support homophobia, homohatred, hetero-privilege and encourage internalized homophobia (Similar to battered spouse syndrome) and church leaders that seek to define themselves as straight at the expense of their SGL parishioners by publicly dehumanizing them

Why?
Many SGL people have a need for big church and anonymity and a need to identify with perceived success (mega-church) Other causes include their support for traditional church leadership (male pastor and pastor's wife), pageantry, benefit of assumed heterosexuality or ambiguous sexuality, family commitments/ loyalty and opportunity to hide ones other life. For those who benefit financially from the church, secrecy seems to be an economic imperative. Public ridicule of SGL people may often be an effort to hide the reality of the presence of SGL people.

Results
This sickness has resulted in the destruction of self-esteem, open vicious attack against the personhood of countless individuals and their families and has produced self inflicted theological and physical violence, duplicity and inauthentic leadership (some leaders are themselves SGL and or bi-sexual), loss of valuable members, lack of focus on other vital justice issues and ministry destruction. This does not reflect the ministry of Jesus that welcomed and affirmed all. This psychosis also causes destructive behaviors amplified by secrecy and resulting in irresponsible sexual behaviors, and an inability to form and sustain lasting healthy authentic relationships. Are there more churches like Mt. Calvary? Certainly! There are numerous examples of churches disproportionately populated by SGL sisters and brothers, who are not only bereft of affirmation, but who live in an atmosphere of continual debasement, degradation and fear of exposure which leads to suicide, disenfranchisement from the church, addictions and other self-destructive behaviors.

Rev. Dr Yvette Flunder

The light that is being cast on this disparity is no accident t is the active will of God, which must be acknowledged and embraced. This oppression is not making SGL people straight. It is just driving SGL people further underground. The real questions are, what actions are necessary to move churches beyond toleration to acceptance and affirmation and eventually to celebration of the SGL community and their extraordinary contributions to the Christian Community? What is the alterative for those who cannot wait for change to occur? What is the responsibility of SGL people to participate in their own freedom? I would suggest the following as action items for SGL people and their allies to consider and use to frame discussions regarding relationship and involvement in churches and faith-based communities.

1 . Faithful support for affirming churches and faith-based organizations
2. Education regarding a theology of full inclusion of SGL persons in the life of the church
3. Active involvement in inclusive theological education of family and friends
4. Active involvement in inclusive theological education of churches and faith communities
5. Education regarding Human Sexuality
6. Commitment to ethical behaviors that include honesty, authenticity and truth telling
7. Confrontation when misinformation, destructive comments, oppressive theology or dehumanization occurs.

It is time to move beyond avoidance and to move toward the dialogue necessary to heal this painful breach. We would welcome those who are ready to move into God's Bright Tomorrow, as evidenced by the Extravagant Grace, and Radical inclusivity of Jesus Christ to join us in conversation at The Fellowship. Please visit our web page at www.radically inclusive.com and join us at our Leadership Conference in February and our Annual Meeting in June. It is time for change.

Pax Christi! (Peace in Christ),

Rev. Dr. Yvette A. Flunder - Presiding Bishop, The Fellowship
Rev. Dr. Wyatt I Greenlee - Episcopal Assistant, The Fellowship

Constructing My Own Black "Blueprint" (Part I)

Hey Black Family,

As a precursor, this entry was inspired by an inquiry by a friend of mine regarding the Black same gender loving (SGL) film called "Blueprint". I responded to his email and decided to share my comments on "Writings on the Black Wall". This serves to nurture the more personal of me as opposed to the nuremous emails I send out there regarding the African Diaspora. Just getting used to this new space of mine. Well, read on...

... As for Blueprint, I LOVE the film so much and YES, I do speak highly of the film and have been using quite a bit of energy to promote it any which way I can. I even fixed up my MySpace page and added a promotional flyer to compliment the Blueprint video I already have embedded on my page.

I mean, all I can say is that the film spoke to in a way in which I connected with the two main characters; not to say their experiences are my own. But the way the story developed I had (have) a vested interest in the characters of where they were going in the story, and eager for them to get to know each other better though one of the characters was being difficult (backstory issue). Also, there was no "chile" and gurl" type dialog in the film (which is refreshing and mirrors my own sensibilities of how I carry myself as a same gender loving brutha) and the two young and early 20-something bruthaz were (relatively) masculine. There were two sequences in the film (I won't say) that I personally would have done with a brutha in real life if I was highly interested in. I like diversity and to experience different adventures in life (the Gemini in me). I like that aspect of the film. Frankly, it is a film I would make, or would have made.

Reactions has been mixed about this movie. Some of the responses have been "oh, it was okay" or "been there, seen that, done dat" to "Man, I really connected with the sensualness of the characters in the "X" sequence of the film", etc. Subjectively speaking, I had a conversation with one friend and we felt that possibly some of the older bruthaz didn't like the film because these 20-something bruthaz were featured (perhaps a longing of something past which might imply why I read the "been there, seen that, done dat" quote) or maybe they'd like to see older bruthaz featured in a Black SGL film. However, it's all supposition of my part and a theory.

Constructing My Own Black "Blueprint" (Part II)

You said: "...the main reason you think highly of this film is because it's a black film."
Well... yes and no. I don't blindly support something because it is purely Black. And some people in certain circles have that assumption about me especially when it comes to films. I am discriminating and definitely do not support a film or anything else simply on the merits of it being Black and/or homosexual. Blueprint happened to have a nice mesh of story, being Black and homosexual and worked FOR ME in that context. I've been having more and more conversations with friends about my not supporting Black romantic comedy films with the heterosexist/romantic slant; movies like: The Wood, Brown Sugar, Tyler Perry's recent Why Did I Get Married?, A Thin Line Because Love and Hate and the list goes on and on and on. I have reached a point in my life (after my self-acceptance of my homosexuality 10 1/2 years ago) that I am so fucking tired of heterosexism up in my face every single day from tv ads, to billboards on the streets & highways via car, to couples kissing on the buses and trains of NYC, to music videos, to seeing it depicted in films. So, those are movies I don't support even though they may have a good story and are Black. And a lot of those types of Black romantic comedies are "popcorn" (aka shallow) films anyhow. I always prefer a good Black drama but those are far and few between. Another subject for another day.

Conversely, I think I'm probably looked at a little differently among friends because I CHAMPION Black SGL films so (aggressively) much and ALWAYS looking for the next Black SGL film experience or slice of life, and franky I just really have no interest in the white gay films. I hear some of them are good (even from you), and I have no doubt that some of the white gay themed films are good, but I am so tired of heterosxism and white folks as well up in my face all the time that I am bitter and tired of it. Anyway... enough ranting. Had to get it out.

Lastly, I would never "hate" on you for "saying/thinking" anything. If you have a "feeling" that Blueprint might not do it for you, then by all means don't go out of your way to spend the $10 or $11 bucks on it. I just LOVE the film "for me" and enjoy promoting it with passion. I really can't say if Blueprint will be a "worthwhile cultural experience" for you. I might say that about the African SGL film DAKAN (Destiny), however, it's story mirrors the plight of SGL bruthaz here in the States.

Scholarships Aren't Just TRIX For Kids

Cuz,

Thanks for the follow-up.

The Gaia Community Scholarship and most of the others out there are typical of the criteria by which a lot of adults like me and others in similar situations don't fit into. I believe I told I you that when I went through that email that (floats around the Internet from people forwarding it) listed 101 African-American scholarships, all of the criteria was you either have to be (1) a high school senior, (2) a college undergrad, (3) a college graduate or (4) a filmmaker (in my field) that has a project already finished filming and needs post-production monies to finish or "sweeten" the project. Unfortunately I and other adults don't fit any of those categories.

I'm glad I'm not a bitter person in regard to this topic, but at the same time I think there should be more programs out there that support motivated adult individuals who have a career or life path goal already figured out and wish to get monetary assistance in obtaining their dream. I have no doubt that there may be (scholarship) programs with monies waiting in the wings for people to claim, but it becomes an issue of people simply not knowing about it. I've read on-line and heard on progressive radio stations (probably NYC's WBAI 99.5 FM) of sooooo many monies going back to the government vault because people didn't claim or apply for the grants, scholarships or whatever. Well! If people don't know about it then how can they claim it?????!! While most of these programs are geared toward younger people (which is not a bad thing), the fact also remains that a lot of young folks 18 to 25 in age and sometimes older have no idea what they wanna do, yet have all these monies made available to them from the get-go. I think a lot of people who reach their 18th birthday are not always sure what they wanna do with the rest of their lives. Or people change goals (sometime numerous times) in life which is not uncommon especially in the information age (as opposed to the industrial age where it was common for our parents to reside at the same job for 20, 30 or 40 years) in which we live and can simply roll-over one's 401k plan from one account to the other.

In any case, Cuz, I'm so passionate about this that I'm going to copy and paste this in my Nubian Knights Network: Writings on the Black Wall blog. LOL! I can only laugh for now, I guess.

ROD