Thursday, August 13, 2009

African Booty Scratcher:by Nikyatu Jusu


Filmmaker Nikyatu Jusu was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Sierra Leonean immigrant parents. Her passion for film led her to pursue an M.F.A. in the competitive film program at New York University, where she is currently studying.

Nikyatu recently released her first short film African Booty Scratcher (which Nikyatu wrote and directed), a coming of age story where West African tradition conflicts with American idealism and the protagonist Isatu is forced to reassess her alliances. The short film has earned Nikyatu several awards and festival acceptances. She was a finalist in the American Black Film Festival's shorts division enabling African Booty Scratcher to be acquired by HBO, where it is currently airing. Below, watch African Booty Scratcher:
African Booty Scratcher-The Movie


Make sure you support Nikyatu by visiting her official website: nikyatu.com and read all about her by visiting her blog: nikyatu.wordpress.com.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Black Beauty Fridays: Naomi Sims "The first Black Super Model"



Naomi Sims, whose appearance as the first black model on the cover of Ladies’ Home Journal in November 1968 was a consummate moment of the Black is Beautiful movement, and who went on to design successful collections of wigs and cosmetics for black women under her name, died Saturday in Newark. She was 61 and lived in Newark.
She died of cancer, said her son, Bob Findlay.
Ms. Sims is sometimes referred to as the first black supermodel.
“Naomi was the first,” the designer Halston told The New York Times in 1974. “She was the great ambassador for all black people. She broke down all the social barriers.”
Ms. Sims often said childhood insecurities and a painful upbringing — living in foster homes, towering over her classmates and living in a largely poor white neighborhood in Pittsburgh — had inspired her to strive to become “somebody really important” at a time when cultural perceptions of black Americans were being challenged by the civil rights movement and a renewed stress on racial pride

After five years, she gave up modeling and started a wig-making business with styles designed for black women. It eventually expanded into a multimillion-dollar beauty empire and at least five books on modeling and beauty.
“There is nothing sadder than an old, broke model, and there are many models who have nothing at the end of their career,” Ms. Sims told The Times in 1969.
In the 1980s, she expanded the Naomi Sims Collection to include a prestige fragrance, beauty salons and cosmetics, but by the end of the decade she had become less involved with its daily operations. Many images of Ms. Sims from that period are still used to promote the products that bear her name.
Ms. Sims often attributed her success to using her race as an advantage.
“It’s ‘in’ to use me,” she said early on, “and maybe some people do it when they don’t really like me. But even if they are prejudiced, they have to be tactful if they want a good picture.”
For More information please visit http://www.naomisims.com/

R.I.P Naomi Sims may you have a smooth transition over to the spiritual plane.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

The Cathy Hughes Icon Awards


Was held last night here in Baltimore Maryland at Timothy Dean's Bistro. The Cathy Hughes Icon Award celebrates those radio personalities that go beyond the air waves and exemplifies the spirit of Cathy Hughes. Who is a women of vision, purpose, success and a trail blazer in the communication field. This year award recipients was Tim Watts: Personality Magic 95.9, Neke Howse: Programmer of WERQ 92 Q Jams and now is the Program Director for DC'S WKYS 93.9 (Go Nek), Konan: Personality 92 Q Jams, and Alfred Liggins, Radio One Inc. CEO.
The award show was founded by ACE Group- working to establish an Arts, Culture, & entetrainment district in Baltimore owned and operated by African Americans ( I love it and will support anything they do. SwaggNation - a young adult advocacy movement that encourages full participation in this nations call for government. The host were Larry Young ACE_ Group Chair and Ian Yearwood aka Eman SwaggNation, Founder. The Invocation was given by Rev. Anthony McCarthy presenters where Keller, Michael Roberts, Paula Campbell, Kelson, and Ladawn Black. There where a lot of heavy weights in attendance last nite several senators, Joan Carter Conway first African American woman to be appointed chairman of any of the standing committees in the Maryland Senate, Jazz from Dru Hill, Dewitt A Pettit (Johnny Cochran of Baltimore, Travis Winkey and his model, Lady B of Shero's, Marc Clarke and many more. I'm so glad that I have had the privilege of working with these all these recipients over the years. I have learn so much from them and they all deserve to be recognize and honor. I hope one day I will be too. Congratulations!!!!!

Hip Hop Chaser: The Master Competition


Lately I been going to different events around Baltimore City, Sunday I went to the Master Competition. The Master Competition is a intense MC Battle that test the different skills using on the spot challenges/harsh judge feedback/obstacles etc. Must Impress primarily a large group of MCs. Writers/Lyricist (other than MCs) and media/DJs. Created by The Baltimore Scene the winner of the battle takes home $1000. I judge last year where the winner was A-Class. This year was a little different where each round had a winner and they went home with $100. It was a close competition with Kane and Troy being the last MC left. However Troy also know as God Flow brought out some super human rhymes and won that battle and crown as being the Master MC of 2009. Very good look for the Hip Hop scene here in Maryland. Check out The Baltimore scene website for a in depth review of the competition and to find out about upcoming shows http://www.myspace.com/baltimorescene
Kane on the right The winner Troy with mic in his hand

Mental Ramblings

There is magic happening in my atmosphere. I feel like I'm transitioning to a higher plain. For the last couple of weeks I have woken up with this presence of God being all over me. The dreams I'm having, the prayers that are going up and he scripture that I'm reading has made me realize that my spirit needed to be fed. For I AM a spiritual being and the I AM is in me.