EVENT ALERT: The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The Apollo Theatre and The Opera Philadelphia Team up to Celebrate CHARLIE "BIRD" PARKER

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

Just received this from Sparkie Martin - and wanted to make sure you were aware of the upcoming symposium on CHARLIE "BIRD" PARKER, which takes place on Tuesday, March 15 - and followed by an amazing series of tributes in his honor.  There is so much to this that   I'm reposting it in its entirety. I'm sure all my fellow Jazz lovers will be there front and center for this series.  As you can see, it's going to be monumental:

A CELEBRATION OF CHARLIE “BIRD” PARKER Series of Events Will Engage Community, Scholars, Legendary Artists and Historians in Advance of The New York Premiere of CHARLIE PARKER’S YARDBIRD Including THE SCHOMBURG CENTER FOR RESEARCH IN BLACK CULTURE SYMPOSIUM A Free Panel Discussion on the Life and Legacy Of the Influential Saxophonist, Featuring Jazz Scholars and Artists Robert O’Meally, Terrance McKnight, Bridgette Wimberly and Sheila E. Anderson Tuesday, March 15, 2016 

The Great Charlie "Bird" Parker 

CHARLIE PARKER HARLEM TOUR Led by Harlem Historian John Reddick Saturday, March 26, 2016 The APOLLO WALK OF FAME INDUCTION of Jazz Saxophonist Charlie Bird Parker Ceremony to Include Legendary Saxophonist Jimmy Heath and more Wednesday, March 30, 2016 

The New York Premiere of CHARLIE PARKER’S YARDBIRD Friday, April 1, 2016 & Sunday, April 3, 2016 New York, NY, February 29, 2016 – 

In anticipation of the New York premiere of Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD, a co-production between the Apollo Theater and Opera Philadelphia, the Apollo has announced today that it will offer related cultural events for the public at the legendary Theater as well as other community institutions. The premiere marks the Apollo‘s expansion of its programming by introducing opera and is a continuation of the Theater‘s robust education and community offerings. 

Activities will include: a free panel discussion, at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, on Parker‘s music and legacy featuring jazz scholar and historian Prof. Robert O’Meally of Columbia University; Terrance McKnight, a host on New York City music station WQXR; poet and playwright  Bridgette Wimberly, the librettist behind Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD and the host of WBGO-FM‘s Weekend Jazz After Hours Shelia E. Anderson, also the host of the annual Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in Harlem (March 15); 

A Charlie Parker Harlem Tour led by Harlem historian John Reddick (March 26); 

The Apollo Walk of Fame induction of the influential saxophonist with presentations by Parker contemporary, Jimmy Heath and more (March 30);

 And a special dress rehearsal of Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD for community and education groups. 

This series of events has been partially underwritten by OPERA America: The Opera Fund. ―We are so excited to bring YARDBIRD to the Apollo and, leading up to the New York premiere of the production, we hope that these events will provide context and a fuller picture of the creative genius that was Charlie ̳Bird‘ Parker and a better understanding of the YARDBIRD opera. Before people walk through the doors to see the show, we want them to understand the essence of ̳Bird.‘ 

"From the Walk of Fame induction to the symposium at the Schomburg Center, each event is designed to celebrate and explore Parker‘s brilliance, his legacy in the jazz community and his relationship with the Apollo," said Mikki Shepard, the Apollo Theater‘s Executive Producer. "―Also, through these programs, the Apollo celebrates the importance of its community - artists, audiences and students. As a cornerstone for the Harlem community, we always strive to find ways to bring them into dialogue through our artistic programming, and this celebration of Parker is in line with our mission."

 Please see below for the full schedule and description of events 

Tuesday, March 15, 2016; 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm 

Schomburg Center Symposium Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture - 515 Malcolm X Blvd, Harlem, NY 10037 Robert O’Meally, Zora Neale Hurston professor of English and Comparative Literature, and founder of the Center for Jazz Studies, moderates this panel discussion on the life and legacy of Charlie Parker. Panelists scheduled to participate include: Terrance McKnight, the WQXR-FM weekday evening host. He also hosts WQXR‘s All Ears with Terrance McKnight, a Saturday evening program about musical discovery, which was honored with an ASCAP Deems Taylor Radio Broadcast Award, in 2010. Bridgette Wimberly, a librettist, an award-winning poet and author of eight plays who has been commissioned and produced by several theaters Off-Broadway and across the country, including Opera Philadelphia (Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD). Sheila E. Anderson, host of WBGO-FM‘s Weekend Jazz After Hours, Columbia University Community Scholar and host of the annual Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in Harlem. The evening will also feature a performance by T.K. Blue, composer of Latin Bird, a Latin Jazz- themed Charlie Parker tribute CD. Mr. Blue has performed with many jazz artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Randy Weston, Pharoah Sanders, Regina Carter, Bobby McFerrin, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Paquito D‘Rivera and Jimmy Scott. This event is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is strongly suggested. For registration information visit https://www.apollotheater.org/bird_celebration. 

March 26, 2016; 12 pm – 2 pm

This event takes place at The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, located at 515 Malcolm X Blvd. between 135th and 136th Streets. Charlie Parker Harlem Tour Saturday,  Led by Harlem historian, lecturer and architect, John Reddick, this historic tour will visit Harlem landmarks associated with the legendary musician‘s life and career - from Minton‘s Playhouse, where Parker performed jam sessions early in his career to Abyssinian Baptist Church where his funeral was held. Other stops will include: the Cecil Hotel, Mt. Morris Park, Dewey Square Hotel, Dan Wall‘s Chili House, Clark Monroe‘s Uptown House, the Savoy Ballroom and Small‘s Paradise. At the height of his talent and popularity, ―Bird as Parker came be known, would perform at Harlem‘s most distinguished venues including Small‘s Paradise, the Savoy Ballroom and the world famous Apollo Theater. Harlem also served briefly as Parker‘s home base where he resided at the Dewey Square Hotel on 117th Street and later, upon his death, Harlem would host his funeral at Abyssinian Baptist Church with a service officiated by Rev. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Each year since 1993 the community has celebrated his talent, artistry and Harlem association with the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival in Marcus Garvey Park. This event is free. Limited space. Pre-registration is strongly suggested. For registration information visit https://www.apollotheater.org/bird_celebration 

March 30, 2016; 5 pm – 6:45 pm 

Apollo Walk of Fame Induction Wednesday, Preceding the New York premiere of Charlie Parker‘s YARDBIRD, the Apollo Theater will celebrate its jazz legacy by inducting the legendary and influential jazz saxophonist, Charlie “Yardbird” Parker, into the Apollo Walk of Fame. The ceremony in honor of Parker will include presentations and remarks by Apollo President & CEO, Jonelle Procope; renowned instrumentalist, composer, arranger and educator Jimmy Heath, who played with Charlie Parker; Opera Philadelphia President and General Director, David B. Devan and YARDBIRD star Lawrence Brownlee. Additionally, the Apollo Theater and Opera Philadelphia leadership will make a major announcement. The Apollo‘s Walk of Fame honors legendary performers who have helped shape the American music landscape and built the Apollo into one of the world‘s most enduring cultural institutions. The plaques will be installed underneath the Apollo‘s marquee on 125th street, alongside plaques for numerous Apollo legends including Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Smokey Robinson, Michael Jackson, and Patti Labelle, among others. Parker had a rich history with the Apollo and performed at the Theater many times, beginning in 1943 with the Earl Hines Orchestra—which included Dizzy Gillespie. During his many engagements at the Apollo, Parker further developed his bebop style and also experimented with classical and other musical forms. The Apollo Theater led the way in introducing a broader audience to bebop when, in 1943, Theater owner Frank Schiffman booked the experimental bebop band The Earl Hines Orchestra,  including Little Benny Harris, Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie ―Yardbird Parker. Parker and Gillespie would perform their new style of music at the Apollo as well as at other jazz clubs and after-hours venues, ushering in a new era that resulted in the transformation of big band swing to bebop. Parker was widely considered one of the architects of the bebop sound and conducted bold musical experiments during his engagements at the Apollo. Parker realized a lifelong dream in 1949 to record with string instruments, and in 1950, the first live performances of his cutting edge Charlie Parker with Strings—a recording which bridged the gap between jazz and classical music—was presented at the Apollo. 

Thursday, March 31, 2016; 2 pm – 4 pm

Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD Open Dress Rehearsal  A special dress rehearsal of Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD for community and education groups. 

Friday, April 1, 2016; 8 pm Sunday, April 3, 2016; 3 pm 

Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD (Performances) Featuring: Lawrence Brownlee, Angela Brown, Will Liverman, Tamara Mumford, Rachel Sterrenberg, Chrystal E. Williams, Elena Perroni and the Opera Philadelphia Orchestra The Apollo Theater and Opera Philadelphia partner to present Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD in its New York premiere. The co-production will mark the first time an opera will be performed on the Apollo Theater stage, and the first time Opera Philadelphia will play New York. Set in the famed Birdland jazz club on March 12, 1955, the day Charlie Parker died, the opera invites audiences directly into the mind and heart of the great saxophonist as he composes his final masterpiece, and revisits the inspirations and women who fueled his creative genius. The New York premiere reunites Lawrence Brownlee, the ―energetic, bright-voiced tenor (The New York Times) in the lead role as the legendary jazz saxophonist—a role crafted around the effortless, improvisational style that has made him one of opera‘s most sought-after tenors— with much of the original cast alongside Maestro Corrado Rovaris and the Opera Philadelphia Orchestra, who performed the work‘s world premiere to five sold-out audiences in June. Soprano Angela Brown appears as his mother, Addie Parker, and baritone Will Liverman debuts as jazz icon Dizzy Gillespie. With music by: Daniel Schnyder; Libretto by: Bridgette A. Wimberly; Director: Ron Daniels; Set Designer: Riccardo Hernandez; Costume Designer: Emily Rebholz; Lighting Designer: Scott Zielinski. 

Tickets for Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD are $30 - $125. Tickets will be available at The Apollo Theater Box Office: (212) 531-5305, 253 West 125th Street, and Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com. 

Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD is sponsored by Merrill Lynch. Leadership support from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Ford Foundation, The Howard Gilman Foundation, and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Additional support from OPERA America: The Opera Fund, The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, Pat and Al Zollar, and many other generous donors. The Apollo's 2015-2016 season is made possible by leadership support from Citi, Coca-Cola, Troy and Keisha Dixon, Ford Foundation, The Howard Gilman Foundation, Robert K. Kraft, The Reginald F. Lewis Foundation, Merrill Lynch, The Parsons Family Foundation, the Ronald O. Perelman Family Foundation, JoAnn Price, Earl W. and Amanda Stafford, Time Warner Inc., the Reginald Van Lee Fund for New Works, the Apollo Board of Directors, and many other generous donors. ‪#‎YardbirdApollo‬ ‪#‎bebop era‬ 

Follow the Apollo Theater: Facebook.com/apollotheater Twitter.com/apollotheaterYouTube.com/apollotheater Instagram.com/apollotheater 

Follow Opera Philadelphia: Facebook.com/operaphila Twitter.com/operaphilaYouTube.com/operaphila Instagram.com/operaphila 

ABOUT APOLLO THEATER The legendary Apollo Theater—the soul of American culture—plays a vital role in cultivating emerging talents and launching legends. Since its founding, the Apollo has served as a center of innovation and a creative catalyst for Harlem, the city of New York, and the world. With music at its core, the Apollo‘s programming extends to dance, theater, performance art, spoken word initiatives, and more. This includes the October 2014 premiere and 2015 international tour of the dance celebration project James Brown: Get on the Good Foot, the annual Africa Now! Festival, Apollo Club Harlem, and the upcoming New York premiere of the opera Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD. The Apollo is a presenting organization that also produces festivals, large-scale dance and music works organized around a set of core initiatives: Apollo Music Signature Programs—Amateur Night, Salon Series, Apollo Music Café; Legacy Series— work that celebrates and extends the Apollo‘s legacy through a contemporary lens; Global Festivals including the Women of the World (WOW) Festival and Breakin’ Convention, international and U.S.-based artist presentations focused on a specific theme; and Special Projects, multidisciplinary work with partner organizations. 

Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, the Apollo Theater has served as a testing ground for new artists working across a variety of art forms, and has ushered in the emergence of many new musical genres—including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip-hop. Among the countless legendary performers who launched their careers at the Apollo are D‘Angelo, Lauryn Hill, Machine Gun Kelly, Miri Ben Ari, D‘Angelo, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Michael Jackson, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, and Stevie Wonder; and the Apollo‘s forward-looking artistic vision continues to build on this legacy. The Apollo Theater is a not-for-profit organization and currently in the midst of fundraising for its 21st Century Apollo Campaign, created to extend the institution‘s role in fostering artistic innovation and in building appreciation of American culture around the world. For more information, visit www.apollotheater.org. 

ABOUT OPERA PHILADELPHIA Opera Philadelphia is committed to embracing innovation and developing opera for the 21st century. Described as ―one of the leading instigators of new work in the country‖ by Opera News, Opera Philadelphia was the only American finalist for the 2015 International Opera Award for Accessibility, a category that recognizes innovative ideas that broaden access to opera. The company is charting a bold new path to September 2017, when Opera Philadelphia will open its 2017-2018 season with an immersive, 12-day festival featuring seven operatic happenings in six venues throughout the city. The first festival, ―O17, will feature three World Premieres, plus the exclusive East Coast appearance of Barrie Kosky‘s groundbreaking production of Mozart‘s The Magic Flute, and a recital by superstar soprano Sondra Radvanovsky. Opera Philadelphia will continue to present a spring season each year, including three additional productions in February, March, and April, making it the only U.S. opera company producing an annual opera season that begins with a dynamic festival. For more information, visit www.operaphila.org. ### 

CONTACTS For Apollo Theater Nina Flowers Cynthia Tate 212.531.5334 212.531.5340 nina.flowers@apollotheater.org cynthia.tate@apollotheater.org Isabel Sinistore (Resnicow and Associates) Anne Wilson (Resnicow and Associates) 212.671.5175 212.671.5163 isinistore@resnicow.com awilson@resniFor Opera Philadelphia Frank Luzi 215.893.5902 luzi@operaphila.org 

As I mentioned in the beginning, this is going to be MONUMENTAL!!! BE THERE - THIS IS TRULY BLACK HISTORY IN THE MAKING.

Stay Blessed & 

ECLECTICALLY BLACK

Gloria 

EVENT ALERTS: Fulton Art Fair in Brooklyn,; The Fabulous Josephine Baker fundraiser for African Voices, June 28; Bill Thompson at Greater New York

BY Gloria Dulan-Wilson

The Fulton Arts Fair is a venerable event that has been around now longer than most of Brooklyn's residents - celebrating 54 years and counting. It's full of wonderful, creative work from time honored and new artists – local and national. Interestingly enough, with June also being Black Music Month and Caribbean Heritage Month, there is a cross section of cultures converging on this tiny, yet highly signficant little part in Bed-Stuy – on Fulton between Lewis and Marcus Garvey Boulevards.
Starting every Saturday and Sunday, from 12:00 until 6:00 PM, there wil be paintings, sculptures, photograpy, collages, stained glass creations, as well as entertainment – Jazz artist, R& B and Gospel performers, dancers, poets – you name it, they'll be there. And, according to the weather report the days will be beautiful, balmy, perfect for getting out and about – hanging with your friends, sampling the savory food, and of course, purchasing some of the original, one of a kind art work that you'll find no where else on the planet.

Those artists interested in exhibiting at the upcoming FULTON ART FAIR should contact them at 347-661-7258; or go online at www.fultonartfair.com. Those interested in becoming members, or volunteering to make this undertaking and even greater success can likewise contact them via the same information. Member benefits include broadenig your networking base, with greater access to the public; free exhibition space at the annual Fulton Art Fair; elgibility for juried awards and prizes; referrals to other art venues; and being prominently listed in the annual FAF Brochure and on the Website.
So mark your calendars for the next three week-ends in June, starting today: Saturday, June 16; Sunday, June 17; Saturday June 23, Sunday, June 24; Saturday June 30; Sunday July 1 – and of course the following week end is theAFRICAN STREET FESTIVAL at Commodore Barry Park. That should keep you busy for at least a New York minute or two.

The Sensational Josephine Baker, a triumphant tour de force on the life and times of Diva and toast of Paris, Josephine Baker, will be performed at the Beckett Theatre,410 W. 42nd St (bet. 9 & 10 Ave.); will do a benefit performance in honor of African Voices Magazine, which recently celebrated its 20th Anniversary. This wonderful historical play about the life and times of LaBaker, was written and performed by Cheryl Howard, taking us from her early life in St. Louis, MO, to becoming the toast of Paris, and an activist and advocate for her people. The show starts at 6:00PM, Tix are $50.00, and will go to support and expand the wonderful work African Voices does in support of Black writers and Black literati. For additional information contact African Voices at (212) 865-2982; or log on to www.africanvoices.com.

There are a ton of Junteenth Activities coming up, but to me, as a New Yorker, this one is the most important of them all – so try not to miss it:

MAYORAL DECISION: 2013 - Party and Politics
With Former NYC Comptroller Bill Thompson - Candidate for Mayor of the City of New York. The Greater New York Chamber of Commerce will showcase, along with NDD Chairs Thomas Acosta and Howard Teich,  an opportunity to meet, hear and have conversation with all the NYC mayoral candidates, as well as network with other business and professional New Yorkers.  It's called Party and Politics. We are particularly proud to have Former NYC Comptroller Bill Thompson special guest in this second in the series. Tuesday, June 19, 2012
6:00 - 7:30 PM; TAMMANY HALL TAVERN - 218 East 53rd Street (betw. 2nd&3rd Ave.)
Cash Bar.   A festive time for all. Please note: All Member Contributions will made payable to NY Chamber PAC will help fund candidates running for elected office . Friends $20; VIP $100; Sponsors $250. RSVP TO: jaffe@chamber.com

 Personally, just so you know, I'm backing Bill Thompson, and I truly hope that New Yorkers have learned their lesson this time around and will go all out to make sure there are no more slip ups in securing a mayor for all New Yorkers, not just the elite, well heeled sychophants who have managed to continue grinding the rest of the city under their heels.

Chet Whye, head of Harlem for Obama, is bringing EMERGING YOUNG WOMEN to The Apollo Soundstage this Tuesday June 19 at 6:30PM.  The actual title is, "The State of Women in Politics - Emerging Women Speak" and includes  Michaela angela Davis as moderator, with speakers Esther Armah, Glynda Carr, Tamika Mallory and L. Joy Williams.   According to Chet: “ We were examining the true status of women in the political landscape when we came to this realization: Enterprising young women in New York and right here in Harlem run businesses, civic organizations, non-profits and institutions.  Yet, there is a profound underrepresentation of women running for elected office. In this time of major transition and as we make decisions that will affect our community for generations, we need to break down any barriers perceptual and structural to our best and brightest taking the reins in elected office.  event is ticketed to cover costs.” The ticketed event will include a networking reception (complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres). Contact (646) 593-7911 or log on to: www.emergingwomen.eventbrite.com.

Tuesday, June 26: VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE – I am unabashedly saying to all my fellow New Yorkers, as well as those in other states who may have primaries coming up on this, or any other, date – don't allow this time to slip by. Vote, make sure your neighbors, friends, associates, vote. And make sure you vote Democrat so that President Obama will have the support he needs when he is re-elected. Let's not allow any opportunity to secure our base to pass us by. The last two years should have taught us something about taking things for granted, and for allowing the elections to be determined by dollars and yellow journalism. A great deal of ground was lost because we didn't do our job and support those candidates President Obama needed to help get important legislation passed. Our majority went from Democrat to Republican, and the rest has been constant harangue to get the Rep-ugh-blican to pass just simple humanity oriented legislations. I strongly suggest that, unless you are a raving masochist, you don't let thishappen again on your watch.

Additionally, if you have relatives, friends, associates in those states that are hostile to the President, make it your business, as a committee of one, to send them ongoing updates of the good things the President is doing, and why it's important for them to make sure they vote for him. No doubt, the information is not getting to them, and we can't leave anything to chance. The Koch brothers and the red-neck tea baggers are hoping that we will, and that they will have enough money to buy the election from under the American people. I'm betting that we won't get fooled by their garbage.

We have lot at stake here in New York. Not only do we have to re-elect Yvette Clarke, of the llth CD in Brooklyn, but Congressman Edolphus Towns, who is retiring this year, has two equally competent brothers vying for his seat: New York State Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, and New York City Councilman Charles Barron. I know, like and respect both of these Black men. Both have strong track records, both have large favorable, positive followings. But unfortunately, only one can be sent to DC. And because I consider them both friends, I am only going to say that either way you chose, you can't go wrong. And whoever emerges victorious from this, I truly expect the other will give complete and full backing and support for the other.

Speaking of support – President Barack Obama has endorsed Yvette Clarke for re-election to Congress. President Barack Obama Endorses Caribbean-American Congresswoman, Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY) for Brooklyn's redrawn 9th Congressional District.

The President said: “Rep. Yvette Clarke has stood by my side as we tried to create an economy where everyone has an opportunity to own a home, support their family, and look forward to a secure retirement. For over a decade Rep. Yvette Clarke has been working to give a voice to the voiceless, whether it was improving educational opportunity for children, expanding access to healthcare for women in need, or helping small businesses expand and add new jobs. Rep. Clarke is a true public servant and we need her back in Congress, to continue to fight for residents of Central Brooklyn and for our nation.”

Congresswoman Clarke graciously accepted the President's endorsement, stating: “I want to thank President Obama for his endorsement, and I look forward to going back to Washington to work with him and to fight for the people of Central Brooklyn.” said Congresswoman Clarke, who was first elected to Congress in 2006. Rep. Clarke is a champion on immigration, small business and homeland security issues; and sits on the Homeland Security and Small Business Committees. She also serves as Secretary of the Congressional Black Caucus and Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. Normally our primary is held in September, but this year's New York Congressional Primary election is June 26. You don't want to miss or overlook it – if you do, you'll blow it. And remember, because of low participation in the 2010 Census, Brooklyn's lines have been redrawin, which is why we have a new “9th” district. Congresswoman Clarke is being challenged by Sylvia Kinard, who is a resident of Flatbush. I am, of course, backing Congresswoman Clarke.

So tell your friends, relatives, neighbors, etc., to make sure they get out and vote on Tuesday, June 26 – the community they save will definitely be their own.

As promised, I am writing an OBAMA-A-DAY to keep the stupids away:
President Obama drew a sharp contrast between his presidency and what it would be like if America somehow slips up and Romney gets in. Can you say total reversal of fortune boys and girls? That's what it would constitute – jobs, health, education, affordable housing – all would be swept out the door, and the rest of America could possibly end up living on the sidewalk should you allow Romney to become president. Be Afraid – very Afraid – and make sure you use the greatest weapon you have at your disposal: YOUR VOTE.

After speaking in Ceveland, Ohio, President and First Lady Obama flew to New York – first visiting the World Trade Center, which has now 104 stories nearly completed. Obama inscribed on the beam, "We remember we rebuild we come back stronger!" followed by his signature. After complimenting the 50 workers on doing a great job, the President and the First Lady went on to attend two New York fundraisers - The first at the home of Sex and the City star, Sarah Jessica Parker; the second at the home of Pop-Diva Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon, and their adorable little twins. While the fundraisers were considered “high powered” the President provided opportunity for those whose pockets were not quite so deep to win the honor of also attending the event via a drawing. Those who contribute as little as $3.00 toward his campaign are eligible to win an all expenses paid trip to where ever the fundraiser is being held. In addition to being a great incentive, it also keeps voters mindful that everyone can and should contribute something, no matter how modest your means. What would you ask the President, if you had the chance? Make a donation today to be automatically entered to win dinner with President Obama, along with a guest of your choice and four other supporters. You can make a contribution by logging on to www.barackobama.com and hitting that button. Find your nearest local campaign headquarters and volunter to help with the upcoming camaign; get involved, and get the rest of your family and friends involved as well. No job is too big or small; all contributions count, and your vote is the most important thing you have to ensure this country continues upward towards healing, not downwards deprivation.

If you have something positive you want to share about President or First Lady Obama, Vice President Biden, or any of the others in his camp or campaign, please feel free to email me at gloriadulanwilson@gmail.com. I am also urging my fellow bloggers, journalists, writers, radio and TV personalities to make it their business to keep the positive, good news about our President in front of America. It's our job. We are the front line to the truth about our President, not the meanstream press, the hostile Koch brothers, the tea baggers, Romney or anyone else.

Remember:
An OBAMA-A-DAY keeps the stupids away.

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson

EVENT ALERT: Rainbow Push Coalition Celebrates their 15th Annual Wall Street Project, January 25-27

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

It's hard to believe that fifteen years have passed since the First Wall Street Project opened in New York City. It was 1997, at at that time we actually were on Wall Street, with many of the events happening either in board rooms, on the trading room floors, or at the World Trade Center.

I can remember sitting in the top of the World Trade Center at one of the luncheons, in a facility where the ceilings were arched, and so low that you had to bend to be in there, and you could not see the speakers because the columns blocked your view.

They've come a long way from those early days of trying to make Black people more financially literate, investment action oriented, and move away from the mentality of a consumer to that of a producer.

It's important that I say this, and that you grasp this and how significant it is that Rev. Jackson saw, and understood early on - before the economic downturn, before the mortgage crises, before the rampant foreclosures - he understood the devastation of not having economic parity for Black people -whether here in the US, or Africa, the Caribbean, or anywhere else we reside.

His mission has been to provide us with as much education, exposure, opportunity and understanding of what Wall Street was about, and what it meant to us, who had been psychologically, physically, emotionally and economically kept out of the loop. The realm of investment, the marketplace, and the high stakes of finance had been relegated to the realm of whites and high rolling Blacks, the few who were allowed behind the "green" door. The rest of us were either part of conspicuous consumption, or the welfare state (at least that is where we were pushed).

When Rev. Jackson first enunciated plans to study Wall Street as a means of breaking down the next barrier of racism, many of his peers in the "movement" thought he had lost it. Others thought he had joined the ranks of the "capitalist pigs." Interesting, since we all need and want money how many of us tried to pick the idea apart as though it was some kind of pariah.

However, we who have given up more free labor on this planet than any other group of people in the world, and have not been compensated for our efforts - for the blood, sweat, tears and lives that went into building this nation - including the hallowed hall of Wall Street, Dow Jones, Broad Street and the other denizens of the almighty dollar. We, more than anyone, need to learn to work smarter, not harder, how to invest in growth funds, how to plan for longevity and retirement, how to make wise deals and purchases. When you think about it, the investment they made in bringing us here from Africa has paid off for everyone but us - big time.

Now it's time to learn how not to make the mistakes that the "smartest guys in the house" made, which caused the economic mess we're in right now, while at the same time begin to develop our own autonomous investment and banking systems, as have other groups, so that we too can underwrite our children's education, purchase our own homes, build quality communities - in other words, call the shots.

The most interesting thing about this is the irony that we live in New York City, the financial capital of the world. Yet we know nothing about it. The major industries in New York are FIRE - Finance, Insurance, Real Estate - yet they are not taught in any of our schools in a meaningful way. Neither we nor our children have ever been exposed to the inner workings of Wall Street. We know it's there, but except for the few Black proteges, we are more likely to see African Americans as security guards and custodians, than having a pivotal role in the high end banking, finance and investment arenas. The schools in New York may teach you how to count money, but they don't teach you how to use, invest, expand it. Why is that?

Last year, the Rainbow Push Coalition quietly celebrated its 40th Anniversary on December 25, 2011. The great thing is that they are as relevant and active today as they were when they were first formed. In October 2011, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. celebrated his 70th Birthday anniversary. And like these stellar programs he's created, he keeps getting better with age. There are few out there who can match his stride, his energy and his dedication to Black people. In celebrating these milestones, we are all winners as well, because he has taken the time to provide us with a blue print that we can follow out of this mess we're in - if we would but follow it (see gloriadulanwilson.blogspot.com - January 15, 2011).

The theme of the 2012 Wall Street Project is "Bringing Everyone to the Table." The Economic Summit this year will be lead by Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. and Terry J. Lundgren, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Macy's Inc. It will feature such panels as: Wall Street Project Career Development; Retooling and Retraining Break Out Sessions; The Women's Luncheon; The Minister's Prayer Breakfast and Roundtable. Among the presenters will be John Grant, Author, Career Coach and Speaker; Staci Grant, President C&G Enterprises; Pat Thomas Motivational Speaker and career coach. There will be other speakers and surprise guests as the conference gets underway.

Rev. Jackson indicated, in a recent teleconference, that the possibility of putting together a mutual bank or credit union similar to the Black United Fund of New York, to make it possible for Black investors to underwrite their own programs, has been a consideration for quite some time. "I am quite familiar with the program and the principles established by the late Walter Bremond, and think it would be a powerful tool for Black Economic Development. It would be an natural resource builder for programs that are underserved or poorly underwritten by mainstream finance or charitable organizations." New York's Black United Fund, which was established by Kermit Eady, at its zenith raised more than $111 million a year, which was then put back into the Black community in the form of affordable housing, business incubator programs, scholarships, and business start up loans. (Many will remember it was destroyed by then persecutor Elliot Spitzer in his bid for the gubernatorial nomination - but that's another story for another day).

The most salient points of Rev. Jackson's teleconference was the fact that South Carolina continues to be the bastion of racism and abuse, despite the progress made under Dr. King to destroy many of the negative institutions. The new version of the prison industrial complex is proliferating there, where factories are actually being established within the prison walls, and those who are incarcerated are forced to work for pennies a day. Apparently there are also investors who are underwriting this heinous program in order to save money. If not curtailed, it will be a means of undermining President Obama's move to bring businesses home to make jobs available for Americans who have been out of work since the onset of the economic downturn. How to handle this will be one of the main focal points of this year's Wall Street Project.

Also of concern are our voting rights, which are being target by South Carolina and Arizona. Republicans are pushing these laws in states across the country claiming they are needed to deter voting fraud, but offer no evidence of its existence. In fact, the laws will disproportionately impact African Americans, Latinos and poor people — who are less likely to have a driver’s license. In South Carolina, the Dept. Of Justice concluded minority voters would be 20 percent more likely to be disenfranchised than white voters (excerpted from Rev. Jackson's weekly report)

He will also focus on foreclosures, building and developing decent affordable housing, home ownership, and quality of life issues. Stated Reverend Jackson: "Banks got bailed out; people got locked out." Millions of homes have been lost from the Black community - the largest land grab rip off in history. His 2011 panel dealt with more humane ways to help families in distress than the methods used by recalcitrant banks and lending institutions, who claim to not want their homes, but proceed to foreclose and take them anyway. This year's panel is set to take it to the next level. If you happen to have been a victim of these scams, you'll want to be there as well.

If you haven't attended any of the Wall Street Projects over the past 15 years, make this the time that you break that pattern. Make a paradigm shift. There are a great many contacts to be made, a lot to be learned - networking with peers, as well as establishing new contacts, and expanding those you already have. Come for the seminars - they're priceless! Your input is as valuable as the panel of experts sitting on the dias. With so many opportunities for innovation, you may well walk away with a solution to problems you considered impossible; or you just might make a connection that you thought not possible.

And lest you thought he has overlooked brothers and sisters in Africa, he's just returned from Johannesburg and Bloemfontein South Africa to join other leaders across the globe in paying tribute to the ANC and the people of South Africa. "This is not just an ANC celebration, but one for the entire continent and, indeed, for peace and freedom loving people around the globe. I look forward to giving a report to the American public upon my return," he stated.

Make no mistake about it, Reverend Jackson is “Bringing Everyone to the Table” in a way that has never been done before. We can be either at the table or on the sideline. As President Barack Obama said (sang) at the Apollo: "Let's Stay Together!" It's the only way we'll survive. It's the only way we will win. It's the only way we'll Succeed.

Here's a little history for those who are not familiar with how the organization began: In 1966, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. appointed Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. to serve as the first director of Operation Breadbasket in Chicago, IL. In 1971, three years after King's assassination in Memphis, TN, Rev. Jackson founded Operation P.U.S.H (People United to Save Humanity in Chicago to continue Dr. King's mission. In 1972, the idea of the "Black Expo" (Black Business Exposition) was developed to "expose" African-American businesses. In 1984, the National Rainbow Coalition was formed in Washington, DC following Reverend Jackson's first presidential campaign. Rainbow's focus was to unite progressive people, historically locked out of the mainstream of American politics, into a "coalition of conscience," dedicated to making America more inclusive. The Rainbow PUSH Coalition is a progressive organization protecting, defending and expanding civil rights to improve economic and educational opportunity.

The organization is headquarted in Chicago, IL at 930 E 50th St., can be reached by calling (773) 373-3366. For information on this years 15th Annual Rainbow PUSH Wall Street Project, visit www.rainbowpush.org. Rainbow PUSH Coalition ✆ publicservices@rainbowpush.org via bounce.bluestatedigital.com

The 15th Annual Rainbow PUSH Wall Street Project is being held on January 25 to the 27, and the Sheraton Towers Hotel, 53rd Street and 7th Avenue, New York, New York. See you there.

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Who I am, What I Write, Why I Write, and Why Some People Are Blocked from the Blog

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson:

Hello All: I recently had occasion to respond to an individual who is a "self-styled activist" who had invited me to participate in a protest demonstration against President Barack Obama, which would have taken place in Harlem in front of the Apollo while the President participated in a fund raising concert held in his honor.

The email which I received on January 17,2012 was so hostile that I immediately shot back an email to the author, Nellie Hester Bailey, informing her that I was blocking her from my blog, and that her info would no longer be welcome. I also put her on blast as a warning to others that, as I have so often stated, if you have negative things to say about President Obama, "I ain't the one - I'm on his side."

Ms. Bailey retaliated by trying to "call me out" castigating me in the BlackList. However, I have largely ignored her tirade. Until today, when I received an email from a brother, Curtis Moore, who basically stated: "I have a new saying you can lead a human to knowledge. But you can't make think. Gloria has sent a lot of email with I don't agree with. There are people who you send email to that don't agree with what you send them. Just think how the world would be if all people are thinking the same thing at the same time. There may be peace of earth but I feel it would be a dull place. I don't feel that we should ban a person because they don't think the way we." Curtis Moore

And I wanted to set the record straight in reference to who I am, what I write, why I write, who I write for, and why I felt it necessary block this individual from my blog:

Hi Curtis: For you I'll make a response.

I did not ban the Nellie because she did not think the way I did. I banned her for the attack dog, disrespectful attitude she has and continues to make against President Obama.

Now, quiet as it's kept, I certainly don't agree with everything the President says or does - only 97%. And I don't expect anyone else to agree with anyone all the time. What I did say, and I've reiterated it several times during the course of writing my blog, gloriadulanwilson.blogspot.com/Eclectically Black News is that I will not be the purveyor of hostilities against the President, or overtly negative attitudes or statements against him. She crossed the line.

Now, me being me - Black feature writer - not just a journalist, but a member of the Partisan Press (meaning, I live here just like you do. I vote, I have concerns and an opinion, and I tend to write from that standpoint), I reserve the right to not be objective when it comes to certain things, issues. When I am writing for the regular Black press or for the meanstream news, then of course I have to speak from that "middle of the road objective tone."

These are some of the things I am for:

1) Black people. I am openly and unabashedly pro Black people
2) African People - I am openly and unabashedly pro African people, except for dictators and those who are killing other African people
3) Japanese People - I am openly and unabashed pro-Japanese people - but their leaders are brainwashed, so they are fair game
4) American Indians (a/k/a"Native Americans"): I am openly and unabashedly pro-American Indians, especially, Cherokee (except for Chad), Creeks, Crowes, Apaches - My family is at least 1/3 Indian
5) President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, the Obama Kids - I am openly and unabashedly pro OBAMAS - except for the 3% of the decisions he makes I don't agree with.
6) Popcorn and Peanut butter: I absolutely and unabashedly love Popcorn
- home popped not that theatre or microwave crap - without butter. I love Peanut butter on practically everything - especially the fresh ground organic peanut butter from the health food store. I think a monument should be raised to George Washington Carver (who invented peanut butter); and all American Indians should be receiving royalties everytime anyone anywhere in the world buy popcorn - whether it be from Orville Redenbacher or the theatres - since they had Popcorn first!!
7. Affordable, desirable homes: I absolutely, unabashedly and totally believe that every body in the world deserves a decent place to live, regardless of who, what, and where they are. Or how much or little money they have. It's why I support NACA. I think when you live in the richest country in the land they can at least provide you with a decent home - not a shelter.

I am an Eclectic Black Woman. I know and love my people, my lineage, appreciate and respect my heritage. And that includes Nellie, as well as some other brothers and sisters I disagree with. That does not mean that I have to post everything they say on my blog. I am not going to allow the denigration of President Obama space in my writing. It's my policy. I put my own people first, of course, but Obama takes precedence. I also try to disagree without being disagreeable - if people let me. Some times they do, sometimes they don't.

I don't do "tit for tat" in the media, because it give the mean stream ammo to use against us. So as far as I'm concerned the ranting and raving and foaming at the mouth like some kind of rabid animal really gets them no where with me. I don't rise to that bait, because there are so many more important things going on right now that I am focused on.

So, just for the sake of balance, here are the things that I am solidly against:
1. Drugs, their users, their abusers, their pushers, and their transporters (we all know who they are and why they're doing it) and those who try to call it an "illness" - I am openly and unabashedly against drugs.
2. Anything and anyone from any part of the Bush family regardless of where in the world they are, how nice they are - if they got one tenth of one per cent of Bush blood in them, they're a Bush - and Bushes are bad - From George I who headed in the CIA, to George II who bankrupted the planet, to all his administration.
3. Newt Gingrich - read statement #2
4. Flies, snakes, waterbugs, roaches, - read statement #2 again - actually I like them more than the Bushes, but not much.
5. Parents who neglect their kids (there is no excuse - sorry, poverty and ignorance are not reasons either).
6. Poverty and being poor (or not having enough money); I openly unabashedly hate not having enough money - and I'm trying very hard to get out of that situation (and I know millions of people who totally agree with me on this); and people who put me in a position to not have access to money are really on my list - review #2, again.
7. Fanatics of any kind - I don't care who you are, what your cause is, where you came from - if you are a foaming at the mouth religious or political or even a social fanatic - you're out! Not going to deal with you. What ever that malevolent force that is driving your mania to a frenzy, I want none of it, will not endorse it or write about it. Fanaticism is just two inches away from insanity.
8. People who talk too loud on their cell phones, as though there was no one else in the room, or as though they're trying to let us in on their business. Cut it out. No one wants to hear it. It's stupid and rude.
9. Educated fools - who know the cost of everything and the value of nothing. Who can speak $50.00 dialectically intellectual words that mean absolutely nothing; and can communicate with the rest of the world.

Of course, these lists are not exhaustive. I keep adding stuff. Some days my likes are longer than my dislikes, and some days they are shorter. But these thus far are the tops.

Okay, some of that was a little tongue in cheek - but if we don't learn to take some of the things we confront with a little levity, we'll always be frowning, always be in an attack mode, and always be expecting others to attack us. That's not where I'm coming from. We are in the midst of one of the greatest times and the greatest phenomenons in history; we have an opportunity to really make a difference. I am not going to squander it arguing with people who think it still okay to play crabs in a barrel divide and conquer games.

That said, I really want us as people to understand that there are times when we have to draw the line and say "this far and no further". I have an obligation to my readers to maintain a certain standard of quality when it comes to gloriadulanwilson.blogspot.com/Eclectically Black News. I told them there would be no profanity, porn, ignorance involved. I am somewhat 'Old School,' but I do try to be up to date with new info and technology.

I totally embrace the Eclectically Black Community. However, for me "Eclectic" means taking it from the highest and best standpoint of who we are as Black people. And there are some things that we are doing, that just don't make the cut for me.
There area some things that we ourselves are materially responsible for making happen in our community - and we are not going to get it done by picketing President Obama or Mayor Bloomberg. There are some things that we have to take the responsibility for making happen using our own ingenuity, resources and intelligence. If 100 people can waste the time trying to make the President look bad (yeah! I said it!!!), through pickets and signs, they can use that time and energy to put together a real case for resolving the issues.

I don't have all the answers; I'm not even going to try to find all the answers - but certain principles I was raised with when it comes to Black people - loyalty, unity and things Black - were violated, and I will not give it space on my Blog.

I will not openly fight with my Black brothers and sisters - It's against my personal religion. I will not get into spit fights in public no matter how much I dislike you. The best thing I can do is just block you. So, I said what I had to say, and that was the last word on it for me in reference to the issue.

If you have something positive to write or report about President Obama, or anyone else of our Eclectically Black Community, that you would like me to feature on my Blog, feel free to send it to me, and I will be most happy to include it.

President Obama (as well as the rest of the Eclectically Black Community) has enough redneck, racist, rep-ugh-blicans, tea baggers, Uncle Toms and Tomasinas, negroes, and the mean stream press try to bring him down, thwart what he's trying to accomplish, and prevent him from being re-elected so that he continue doing the great work he has started out doing. The man has accomplished more in the 3 short years he's been in office, than any of the other past presidents combined over the last 20 years. You need to recognize!!!

My job is to present the most positive empowering, uplifting reports about him and other Black people that I can find. I am the anti-mean-stream press. I am not just a journalist (and make no mistake I am a journalist) I -as I stated before - represent THE BLACK PRESS. Not the negro who wants to be white press. Not the press who wants to appease the white readers to "cross over".

I only write for Black people, about Black people. I am the one, when someone says some insipid thing about Black men or women, will take them on and at the same time wake other Black people up so that they can likewise deal with it as well. I am not now, nor have I ever been politically correct. I am politically astute, however.

While I am not the voice of Black people, I am a Voice For Black People. It's what I do. Not going to change that.

Again, thanks for your comments, interests and concern.

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson

PS: by the way, "Black" is a state of mind, not just our complexion; so don't get it twisted - I only deal with consciously Eclectic Black people.
###

FYI: MY ORIGINAL RESPONSE TO THE INVITE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PICKET AGAINST OBAMA, FOLLOWS BELOW:

Hi Nellie:

You are hereby blocked from sending me any more emails. As I have warned you and all others in the past, I will not countenance any anti-Obama mail - period.

I AM FORWARDING THIS BACK TO THE BLACKLIST AS WELL BECAUSE I AM NOT CIRCULATING ANYTHING THAT ADVOCATES DEMONSTRATING AGAINS PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA.

You wanna occupy Harlem you need to deal with those individuals within Harlem that have sold Harlem out - long before Obama even considered running for president.
You have your sites set in the wrong direction on the wrong target, and while you're doing that, Harlem is being stolen from right under our very noses, and going to hell in a handbasket.

You need Obama to back you up; so stop trying to tear him down. Deal with those characters who are right there within arms reach that you appear to be afraid to confront. President Obama is a "safe" target and a scapegoat for those who are not willing to really take a stand for the gentrification and ethnic cleansing that is happening in your community.

Ask yourself who owns Harlem? and if cannot see your name on a condo, co-op, Newsbrownstone, or house - ask yourself why? Ask yourself what is happening to the BLACK businesses in Harlem?

Get Real - Get to the heart of the issue Get off Obama's back and back him up, before all Harlem is back on someone's plantation somewhere, because we're too focused on divide and conquer b.s. issues to deal with who's really back of all this crap.
Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson