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.

www.nationalblackwritersconference.org

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.

Tickets On Sale NOW

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.

Gesture-Cube.com

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 1^st 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 1^st 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 1^st 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 1^st 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 1^st 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 1^st 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

For More Information Click To Enlarge

The Nude Book Vol. 1.0 The Best Coffee Table Book Celebrating Black Male Beauty

Official Website: TheNudeBook.com

Yes! A pleasant surprise, right...?!

I happen to be browsing by the Hoodsworld: The Beauty Of Men Of Color blog and I saw an advertisement on the side that said The Nude Book. I said, "Hmm... let me check this out" and I instantly was impressed with brutha Alex-Ade Ogundiran's photography. It took me about 5 minutes (if not less) before I decided to add another quality book to my collection around the Black male body which has an artistic attraction and integrity to it, and NOT just a book hi-lighting nudism to be lewd. There's so much trashy stuff out there that it just translates to soft porn. However, The Nude Book Vol. 1.0 avoids that and really adds some nice b&w and color photography to the Black male body expose landscape.

Trust me... a lot of the book is risque and I LOVE the play on the leave it to the imagination of the viewer portraits with hanging underwear and towels obscuring private parts and such in its exquisite art of the Black male body. However, because of my ideology around the Nubian Knights Network and what I will or will not publish, I can only share a select number of pics that I feel is appropriate. However, you an visit Alex's website to see more portrait pictures.

If you trust my word with regard to my previous talks about Black (non-nude) male calendars then trust my judgment here. A beautiful collection of work to say the least, but, again, more risque!

So... The Nude Book Vol. 1 .0 (90 pages) is available from Alex's website at TheNudeBook.com and the price is a low $19.99 plus $5.00 for shipping. You have the option of paying via PayPal or directly via your credit/debit card.

I placed the order on February 1st and I received the book today, February 3rd, 2010 via USPS Priority Mail in the flat rate cardboard type envelope. Just 3 days to get it! The service was FAST and EFFICIENT! That means a lot to me when I order from a merchant and decides whether I'll order from then again as well as tell friends and family and report about it on my blog here about my positive and negative experiences. In this case everything was a positive experience including some briefs email correspondences with Alex. And he gave me heads up that he's working on another book project for later this year! Qool! Qool!

One major thing I should mention is that in the lower left hand corner of the book by the bar code it has a suggested retail price of $49.99 U.S. / $59.99 CANADA. I also checked at Amazon.com and it is listed as available and IN STOCK at $49.99. So, I don't know if Alex is running a limited sale price or not via his website, but you are advised to take advantage of the great price for a great book via his website.

My only disappointment was that Alex also has a 2009-2010 11" x17" wall calendar for $14.99, but that he is out of stock on it and had to refund me. I told him to please let me know when he gets more published stock. (As an aside, since I'm a collector of Black male calendars, I'm not limited by the year in which they are published. I'll buy any calendar I see that I like regardless of year).

A few more pics below to share below... so, what are you waiting for?

Order da
Nude Book Vol. 1.0 by photographer Alex-Ade Ogundiran.

This Is One Of My Top Favorite Images In The Book.
LOVE This Brutha'z Swooshing Lox;
Also Because He's An ACTIVIST
Under The Black Entrepreneurs Theme

Click Da Pic To Enlarge

THE ANOINTED at The Fire This Time Festival A Black Same Gender Loving Theater Play Limited Engagement: February 4th - 7th, 2010 NYC

THE ANOINTED

Synopsis: Set in a surreal church office, Germono Toussaint's THE ANOINTED tells the story of a well known pastor on the cusp of making a big revelation to his church, well, until at least he unexpectedly gets a visit from his past.

Thursday through Sunday Run:
FEBRUARY 4th (Thu), 5th (Fri), 6th (Sat), 2010 @ 8PM;
FEBRUARY 6th (Sat) & 7th (Sun) @ 2PM
THE ANOINTED at The Fire This Time Festival Horse Trade Theater
85 East 4th Street (between Bowery and 2nd Avenue) in the East Village

LIMITED ENGAGEMENT: Buy tickets in advance.

Amid the diffusion of the term “post black black,” seven up-and-coming playwrights of African descent including Deborah Asiimwe, Radha Blank, Kelley Girod, Katori Hall, Derek Lee McPhatter, Germono Toussaint, and Pia Wilson have come together at a festival showcasing new short plays. Germono is an Underground Studio Artist at Freedom Train Productions. THE ANOINTED CREDITS: Horse Trade Theater (Producer), Freedom Train Productions (Artistic Producer), Andre Lancaster (Stage Director), Terell Richardson (Assistant Director), and Travis M. Allen and Ronald De Suze (Actors). Germono Toussaint is an Underground Studio Artist at Freedom Train Productions.

THE ANOINTED Trailer from Freedom Train Productions on Vimeo.

Henrietta Lacks's "Immortal" Cells - A Poor Black Tobacco Farmer Had A Groundbreaking Impact On Modern Medicine

Henrietta Lacks' cells were essential in developing
the polio vaccine and were used in scientific landmarks
such as cloning, gene mapping and in vitro fertilization.

Journalist Rebecca Skloot’s new book investigates how a poor Black tobacco farmer had a groundbreaking impact on modern medicine

By Sarah Zielinski
Smithsonian.com
January 22, 2010

Medical researchers use laboratory-grown human cells to learn the intricacies of how cells work and test theories about the causes and treatment of diseases. The cell lines they need are “immortal”—they can grow indefinitely, be frozen for decades, divided into different batches and shared among scientists. In 1951, a scientist at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, created the first immortal human cell line with a tissue sample taken from a young black woman with cervical cancer. Those cells, called HeLa cells, quickly became invaluable to medical research—though their donor remained a mystery for decades. In her new book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, journalist Rebecca Skloot tracks down the story of the source of the amazing HeLa cells, Henrietta Lacks, and documents the cell line's impact on both modern medicine and the Lacks family.

READ MORE...

These HeLa cells were stained with special dyes
that highlight specific parts of each cell.
The DNA in the nucleus is yellow,
the actin filaments are light blue
and the mitochondria—
the cell's power generators—are pink.