~ 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

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Google To Launch Ultra High-Speed
Gigabit Networks In The U.S.To
Challenge Broadband Providers




Mark Sullivan, PC World
Feb 10, 2010 1:13 pm


Google said Wednesday it will build a series of "ultra high-speed" fiber optic broadband networks that will pump out 1GB bps (bit per second) connections to the lucky “50,000 to 500,000 people” within their reach.

Analysts have long speculated on Google’s fiber holdings. The company has been buying fiber lines in the US for some years now. Now Google appears ready at last to run real networks on the fiber. Google also has close ties with fiber infrastructure wholesalers like Level 3 and Broadband.com.




Google says it will use an open access model, where the owner of the network sells wholesale space on the network to third party ISPs, who will then sell broadband service to consumers under their own flag. Here's Google's own description of the plan.

Google isn’t talking about building a nationwide network. In fact, based on Google’s announcement, the network will reach but a tiny slice of US broadband consumers. So it’s mostly symbolic at this point.

And Google certainly isn’t the first to do this: the fiber-based Utopia Network covering 18 cities in Utah has operated under the same model. The big ISPs worked feverishly in the Utah state legislature to stop the Utopia Network in its early days. But the network got built, and has been active for years.

Verizon's FiOS network is proof that consumers want the speed of fiber broadband. But most broadband is still delivered over copper lines to US households, and at a price per bit that is among the highest in the world.

But this is Google we’re talking about. It has massive influence in business, and, increasingly in regulatory circles. The announcement comes right on the heels of the federal government releasing the first round of funding for broadband networks to rural and underserved areas. It appears to be intended as an adjunct to the FCC’s own Broadband Plan, as if to say: “See, you can do it like this.”

Google loves challenging old business models with new technology ideas. Today’s announcement is the search giant’s opening salvo in a challenge to US broadband, which is monopolistic, slow and sees openness as a threat to profits.

“We hope this will serve as an example to other network operators that the open model should not be feared, but should be emulated,” Markham Erickson, Executive Director of the Open Internet Coalition, said in a release today. Google is the marquee member of the group. “Profit and openness are mistakenly seen to be in conflict; in fact we believe they are synergistic and amplifying,” Erickson said.

Google hopes that the new model will fire up the business of being a small, local ISP. That can only be good. The regulators have allowed the huge ISPs (AT&T, Verizon et al) to dominate the broadband business with sheer scale, forcing the smaller guys out. Imagine buying internet service from Bob’s ISP at a reasonable price; oh, and you get 1GB of throughput.

I sincerely hope the tech and telecom communities rally around what Google is trying to do here. The planned fiber networks are not big enough to excite the suspicions among privacy conspiracy junkies that Google is only running the networks to collect more data about us, and as a new platform for its advertising business.

If the network goes national, those will be important questions to explore. For now, though, Google has a rare opportunity to put real pressure on large ISPs like AT&T and Comcast to sell more bandwidth for less money.

I can get behind that.

Nile Ruff at the Kennedy Center
(with your help) - VOTE NOW!!!
Voting Ends MIDNIGHT On February 14th, 2010


Hello friends -

Our daughter, Nile Ruff, is a semi-finalist for a District of Columbia College Access Program Performing Arts scholarship of $10,000. You can play an important role in her achieving finalist status by viewing her audition video and voting on it.

Your vote (plus the judges' ranking) will determine 10 finalists who will compete for the top $10,000 prize at the Kennedy CenterGala on March 8th.

PLEASE VOTE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE and send this message to as many friends, family members and perfect strangers as you can! You may access the website and vote for Nile anytime between now and February 14th before midnight by visiting HERE.

To ensure one vote per email address, a brief registration process is required to vote (click "Register Here!" at the top right corner of the page). Then please scroll through the contestant photos to find Nile Ruff and click on hers (if you are not already on her page), view the video and click on the number of stars you'd like to give her -- we suggest 5! Of course, if you have more than one email address, you can register and vote using each one. ;-)

Nile says in her essay, What Dance Means to My Life -- "Dance is more than a physical thing; it can also be quite spiritual. The wind I dance around, the ground I dance on, and the sounds that compose my beat make me feel like I’m surrounded by whoever created me."

You can read her entire essay on her page on the site. We're so happy to support our daughter as she pursues her dream.

Thank you so much for your help! We'll let you know the results.

- Patricia Elam and Coles Ruff



Nile Ruff
A Precious Baby Gurl!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Hue-Man Bookstore & Café
February 2010 Events
Harlem (NYC), USA!



Welcome Hue-Man Family

Hue-Man Bookstore & Café
2319 Frederick Douglass Blvd
Between 124th and 125th Streets
New York, NY 10027
Tel: 212-665-7400
Fax: 212-665-1071
Email Us: info[at]hueman-bookstore.com

STORE HOURS:
Monday - Saturday: 10:00AM to 8:00PM.
Sunday: 11:00AM to 7:00PM





This Month's Events & Book Signings

February 2010


Wednesday, February 10, 2010 6:00 p.m.

Racing While Black
Location: Hue-Man Bookstore & Cafe
Description: Starting a NASCAR team is hard work. Starting a NASCAR team as an African American is even harder. H...
More info on this event

Thursday, February 11, 2010 6:00 p.m.

Dr. Michelle Callahan
Location: Hue-Man Bookstore & Café
Description: .....
More info on this event

Friday, February 12, 2010 6:00 p.m.

Monda Webb
Location: Hue-Man Bookstore & Café
Description: 7:33am is a funny, honest, unflinchingly real, and will be sure to make you run the gamut of emotion...
More info on this event

Saturday, February 13, 2010 4:00 p.m.

First Voices
Location: Hue-Man Bookstore & Café
Description: Hue-Man introduce four new voices. Come out an support them....
More info on this event

Monday, February 15, 2010 1:00 p.m.

NY1 NEWS TAPING AT HUE-MAN
Location: Hue-Man Bookstore & Café
Description: CIRCLE CARD MEMBERS ONLY Greetings. We would like to invite you to attend a special NY1 News rap s...
More info on this event

Tuesday, February 16, 2010 6:00 p.m.

Road to Someplace Better
Location: Hue-Man Bookstore & Café
Description: ......
More info on this event

Thursday, February 18, 2010 6:00 p.m.

Dr. Omar. Ali
Location: Hue-Man Bookstore & Café
Description: African Americans and the Presidency explores the long history of African American candidates for Pr...
More info on this event

Friday, February 19, 2010 6:00 p.m.

Dr. Myra Brown Green/Pieced Symbol
Location: Hue-Man Bookstore & Café
Description: ......
More info on this event

Saturday, February 20, 2010 6:00 p.m.

I Gotta Make it to Heaven
Location: Hue-Man Bookstore & Café
Description: ......
More info on this event

Sunday, February 21, 2010 3:00 p.m.

Sunshine Actor's Workshop with Mel Jackson & Q
Location: Hue-Man Bookstore & Café
Description: Acting for Change......
More info on this event

Sunday, February 21, 2010 3:00 p.m.

Sunshine Actor's Workshop with Mel Jackson & Q
Location: Hue-Man Bookstore & Café
Description: Acting for Change......
More info on this event

Monday, February 22, 2010 6:00 p.m.

Marcus Sammelsson
Location: Hue-Man Bookstore & Café
Description: .......
More info on this event

Tuesday, February 23, 2010 6:00 p.m.

Gordon Brown/ Gordon's Way
Location: Hue-Man Bookstore & Café
Description: Financial Literacy has proven to be an advantage...Are you fluent. COme Join New York Stock Exchang...
More info on this event

Thursday, February 25, 2010 6:00 p.m.

Small Business Seminar
Location: Hue-Man Bookstore & Café
Description: In these difficult times continuous education for small businesses is a must. Four business experts...
More info on this event

Friday, February 26, 2010 6:00 p.m.

Enice Toussaint/Enice: Tales of a Multifaceted Life
Location: Hue-Man Bookstore & Café
Description: ......
More info on this event

Saturday, February 27, 2010 11:00 a.m.

Tales from Aunt Tookie
Location: Hue-Man Bookstore & Café
Description: Tales from Aunt Tookie was created by Allyshia Hamilton in efforts to bring a fun story time experie...
More info on this event

Saturday, February 27, 2010 4:00 p.m.

R.A. Ptahsen-Shabazz/Black to the Roots
Location: Hue-Man Bookstore & Café
Description: Since the 1970s, the reggae lyricist/poet has been arguably the most significant collective voice of...
More info on this event

Sunday, February 28, 2010 7:00 p.m.

Sunshine Acting Workshop with Mel Jackson
Location: Hue-Man Bookstore & Café
Description: Acting for Change...
More info on this event


Monday, February 8, 2010

National Black Writers’ Pre-Conference
Celebration For E. Lynn Harris
"VIsible Lives" March 6, 2010
Grand Army Plaza Library (Bklyn, NYC)




A special event taking place Saturday, March 6th, 2010 in honor of the late E. Lynn Harris.

As part of the National Black Writers' Conference happening at Medgar Evers College I would love if you could join writers and friends of E. Lynn Harris as we come together to celebrate his works and life. New York Times best-selling author, E. Lynn Harris, left a distinguished mark in the literary world before his passing on July 23, 2009. Authors and friends include: Victoria Christopher Murray, Karen E. Quinones Miller, Karen Hunter, Donna Hill, and Erika Kendrick, and many more. There will be a special reading by Terrance Dean, Stanley Bennett Clay, and James Earl Hardy from their highly anticipated tribute book to E. Lynn entitled, "Visible Lives" (Kensington). The book is slated for release May 25th, 2010.

This event is free and open to the public. I hope you all can make it out for this special tribute.

Also, Brownstone Books will be on hand with copies of E. Lynn Harris's books for sale, and the authors will sign his books on his behalf.




Date: Saturday, March 6, 2010
Location: Brooklyn Public Library at Grand Army Plaza
Phone: (718) 230-2100

Time: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Admission: FREE
Audience: Open to all.
Co- Sponsored by the Brooklyn Public Library at Grand Army Plaza
www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org

This event is part of the Black Writers Conference taking place at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn.




Friday, February 5, 2010

Layon Gray's Black Angels Over Tuskegee
Off-Broadway Premiere At St. Luke's Theatre
Opening Night Monday, Feb. 15th, 2010
New York City

This Poster Is So Beautiful!!




Layon Gray's historical drama Black Angels Over Tuskegee will make its Off-Broadway premiere at St. Luke's Theatre, 308 West 46th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues), beginning performances Friday, January 29th, with Opening Night set for February 15th. Based on true events, six men explore their collective struggle with Jim Crow, their intelligence, patriotism, dreams of an inclusive fair society, and brotherhood as they become the first African American fighter pilots in the U.S. Army Air Forces. Black Angels Over Tuskegee goes beyond the headlines of the popular stories of the Tuskegee Airmen and exposes the men who exhibited the courage to excel in spite of all the overwhelming odds against them.





Previews: January 29th - February 14th
Show Open: February 15th at
St. Luke’s Theater
308 West 46th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues),
New York City

(Monday, Friday, & Saturday-8pm / Sunday-5pm)
Tickets are $31.50 and $56.50
Available at www.telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200.




TECHNOLOGY WATCH: Gesture Cube
Hey FAM, This Is Pretty DAMN QOOL!!



Hey FAM,


The Gesture Cube looks ultra-qool. Definitely something you'd see from a futuristic film, yet reality based in 2010.

A little different yet remnants of Microsoft's Surface Computing technology or Oblong's Surface Computing/3D Gesture technology.




Thursday, February 4, 2010

GMAD & GMHC presents
I HAVE A DREAM Mini Ball
Friday, February 12th, 2010
At THE LAB in Brooklyn, New York City








GMAD & GMHC presents

I HAVE A DREAM Mini Ball

Friday, February 12th, 2010
@
THE LAB
Brooklyn, New York City

5-11PM
No Cover Charge





The Lab

1428 Fulton Street
(between Brooklyn Avenue and Kingston Avenue)
Brooklyn, NY
Train Travel: "C" local train to Kingston/Throop
5-11pm/ No Cover Charge

FREE HIV TESTING AS WELL AS INCENTIVES, FOOD AND BEVERAGES



African-Americans in Beauty & Cosmetics
FQ Face- (Beauty in a Box) In 1917 Sarah Breedlove aka Madam C.J. Walker was known to have the largest business owned by a African American in the USA selling her “Wonderful Hair Grower “and other hair care products. Many of years later, Clairol Hair Products put an aspiring black model on the front of a hair dye box that would later become the 1st Transgender Women to grace a national advertisement campaign that is now known as The Icon Tracy Africa. Tonight in honor of Ms. Tracy Africa we want to see natural beauty. Bring it in all white lightly painted, no theatrical makeup! Who was born beautiful? $100




BQ Face- (The Blueprint) some say that Lil Richard is the blueprint for male artist who take an initiative in the way that they look. He was coined the 1st male to wear female make up. He says “I was born a pretty baby, I am pretty man, and when I leave this juke joint, if I ever do, I will be a pretty legend”. In the ballroom scene we all know what being a pretty legend is. Tonight in honor of the blueprint himself, Whitney Garcon, and other face legends such as; Erskine Christian, Ira Aphrodite, Luna Legacy, & Tony Milan come tastefully done in a 3 piece suit, but don’t forget to add a lil touch of lil Richard. $100

BQUiD- (Wig Out) in the 1960’s Black women in America fell in love with the Wig. The perm was the thing of the pass and to be a part of the new beauty you had to own you a wig. Tonight in honor of the girls that remain wigged out like the new legends Mariah Balenciaga and Alyssa Garcon and the Legendary Rupaul, come serving us carta in a 60’s inspired wig. $100

Women- (Miss America) Vanessa L. Williams holds the title of being the 1st black women to be crowned Miss America in 1983. Jamie Balenciaga, Poison Mizrahi, and Aisha Prodigy are all examples on how women still hold face titles in the ballroom community. Tonight, in your Ms. America gown & sash bring us forth a mug that is capable of being deemed Ms. Ballroom. In honor of a Women’s Face Legend, have her name on your sash. $100



African-Americans in Entertainment & Art
FQ .vs. BQUID Performance- (Bronze Venus) Freda Josephine Baker aka Josephine Baker the bronze Venus is known to be the 1st black women to star in a major film, to integrate an American concert hall, and to become a world-famous entertainer. She gave a stellar performance each and every time she performed no matter on what stage she did it on. Tonight paying homage to all the performance divas like Kristina, Ashley, Sania, Latisha, Alyssa, DeDe, Sandy, Niambi, Meeka, Deasja, Yolanda, and The Falling Legend Allura, bring it in a recreated look of when one of those divas took Grand Prize and became the “Performance Venus”. Mini Grand #1 $250

BQ Vogue Fem- (Revelations) In 1958 Alvin Ailey founded the 1st black modern dance troupe named The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. Through his devoted work and firm beliefs his company was nicknamed the Cultural Ambassador to the World. Tonight in a look inspired by a modern dancer bring it in the name of performance diva legends such as; Lil Kevin, Charles, Paul, Arturo, Eric, Malachi, Ray-Ray, Peanut, Shay-Shay, Pony, Tieffa, & the Falling Legends Paul & Mystery. Mini Grand #2 $250

BQ Realness x/Twist- (“Why Do Fools Fall In Love”) Frankie Leymon & the Teenagers released the track “Why do fools fall in love?” in 1956 which later would become their most successful recording. Are real boys still real once they fall in love with Vogue? That’s a question that ballroom has yet to answer. Tonight get your tens for part one in a school boy effect and come back and get scored as your favorite vogue fem diva. (We must know who youre are, from performance to the look)



African-Americans in Film & Media
BQ Runway- (I’m a Bad Motha...Shut your Mouth) In 1971 Gordon Parks directed Shaft a American blaxploitation film which theme song “Shaft” recorded by Isaac Hayes became a African American classic along with the movie. Shaft was known to be smoothest cat around New York City. Tonight all the original “G’s” like RR Chanel, Tony Revlon, Rodney Balenciaga, Ricky Mizrahi, Steve Legacy, Jay Blahnik, Bernie Jourdan, Andre Mizrahi, Devin Elite, & new “G’s” such as Dominique Revlon & Keith Balenciaga are out of town and you have to protect New York from all the unfashionable thefts. Bring it down the runway in a 70’s inspired effect and please don’t forget your Fro’ the bigger the better.

Female Figure Runway- (Foxy Brown) Pam Gier was quoted to be the 1st female action actress due to her many roles in the 1970’s blaxploitation films where she took on big, bold, assertive roles; she also is the 1st Black women to head-line a motion film. Being sexy and seductive but with a graceful aura is what got Ms. Gier the role as Foxy Brown and that kept black women and little girls across the USA mimicking her every move. Tonight paying homage to the women that ballroom looks up to such as: Mahogany Chanel, Lisa Garrett Revlon, Tyra Mugler, Monica 007, Mariah Revlon, Baby Garcon, & Eve Prada bring us a look straight from Foxy Brown. $100



African-Americans in Sports & Medicine
BQ Sex Siren- (The Greatest) “Fly like a butterfly, sting like a bee, all the sex sirens wanna be like me” If you think that you are the sexist sex siren that ever walked besides the Legends Buddha Balenciaga, Jihad Ebony, & Raplhle Allure then you have what they call the Muhammad Ali syndrome. Muhammad Ali aka Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. was deemed the “Sportsman of the Century” due to his 56 wins throughout his boxing career. He also had a mean cockiness with him no point intended...lol, tonight is the night to bring it in a boxer effect and to call out who u don’t see walking this category to the ring. (Catboy .vs. Jr .vs. Sr)


African-Americans in Leadership
Team Realness (1 BQ Figure, 1 Butch or Transman, 1 FQ Figure, 1 BQUID)
From the beginning of our journey to the unknown land on slave boats to the Detroit and Los Angeles riots to the election of the first Black President of the United States of America we as African Americans have seen many of our brothers and sisters step up in leadership roles and commit their lives to changing and shaping America. From the courageous tales of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad to the uplifting words of Mya Angelou’s “And Still I Rise” poem to the Iconic “I Have a Dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. we honor the individuals who contribute their talents to make America recognize African America culture, Tradition, and Heritage.

Tonight each member of your team must come in full effect as an African American Leader. Each member must tell the judges how their chosen person contributed to the African-American movement. After each member is done the group must then tell the judges on how their team will contribute to the Ballroom Scene, it could be holding a coat drive, organizing a can food drive, etc., and why that certain task is needed in today’s time. Remember we as a community will be holding you accountable for what you committed to if you’re the winning team. Grand Prize $500


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