Arts Today Ezine vol 5.8 by Arts Today Ezine

The The Magnificent

BERNIE HAYES pg #44

Vol 5.8

February 27, 2019

View this and past issues from our website.

BELOVED CHILDREN'S CLASSIC...

THE GRANDEL pg #126

MORAL CRISIS

B. LEBRETTON

BLACK MOTHERS

pg. #22

pg. #50

pg.#94

JERRY WARD

FEATURED ARTIST

DR. MALAIKA HORNE

pg.

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

IN THIS

ISSUE:

...Listen people... Life is a giant, invisible scale with two sides; Good and bad You and your beliefs Are the weights The things you do each day Determine the balance Your conscience is a flawless Judge and jury; It only questions you when you're wrong...

The Temptations,

"You Make Your Own Heaven and Hell Right Here on Earth" (Regarding the last line of this quote from "You Make Your Own Heaven and Hell Right Here on Earth": "It only questions you when you're wrong" Sang by The Temptations on the recording. "The only question is what you want" Written by: BARRETT STRONG, NORMAN WHITFIELD, NORMAN J. WHITFIELD)

Established 2014 Volume 5.8 St. Louis, MO www.the-arts-today.com/ Layout/Design www.bdesignme.com

NOTE:

As the publishers of The Arts Today Ezine we take care in the production of each issue. We are however, not liable for any editorial error, omission, mistake or typographical error. The views expressed are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of their respective companies or the publisher.

pg.

This Ezine and the content published within are subject to copyright held by the publisher, with individual articles remaining property of the named contributor. Express written permission of the publisher and contributors must be acquired for reproduction.

in partnership with Infinite Scholars Program

The Moline Acres Police Department College Scholarship Program wishes to acknowledge some of students in our city that have accepted the promise of a college scholarship for accomplishing the following criteria: 1. 2. 3. 4.

95 percent school attendance 3.3 or better cumulative grade average IN THE NEWS 22 or better composite ACT score INT. TRADE No major discipline problems

Through our mentorship program with Infinite Scholars, the Moline Acres Police Department wish help fulfill the hopes and dreams of families in our community wishing to send their children to co The Infinite Scholars program uses it extensive nationwide network of 500+ colleges and universit find a college scholarship for students who achieve the criteria above. The Moline Acres Police Department is committed to helping our students accomplish these criteria. The motto for this pro is “Our Badges Create Scholars.”

NEWS Moline Acres is locatedOTHER in North St. Louis County, Missouri. To learn more, contact the Moline Acr Police Department at NEWS 314-868-2433 or Infinite Scholars at 314-499-6997. LINKS

16 OP / ED INFINITE SCHOLARS

22 MORAL CRISIS DR.JERRY WARD

Pictured are Moline Acres Chief of Police Colonel Ware, Police Officer Donaldson, and students Charmaine and Charles.

LIVE/WORK/PLAY CALENDAR

BLACK GODS COMICS FEAT. CARTOONIST

118 130 THE WRITER... SHARING SPIRITUALITY... DR. JERRY WARD REKHIT NEBTHET

108 ART OF FOOD LENA JACKSON

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

IN THE NEWS

Export Opportunities in the Americas: Brazil, Canada & Mexico TIME | DATE | PLACE 8:00 am registration 8:30-10:00 am program Thursday, December 7, 2017 Please note NEW ADDRESS: World Trade Center St. Louis 120 South Central Ave. Suite 1200 St. Louis, MO 63105 REGISTRATION $20 REGISTRATION One-on-one appointments available following the program.

Learn about export opportunities in three major markets in the Americas region. Brazil is recovering from recent political and economic upheaval and reforms have seen growth in the energy and agricultural sectors in particular. Canada's economy has enjoyed greater than expected growth, outpacing all other members of the G7. Mexico continues to offer a wide range of opportunities for US exporters from industrial equipment and inputs to agricultural products. Speakers: Mr. Fabio Yukio Yamada Director, Missouri International Trade & Investment Office - Brazil Mr. Ludovic Ortuno Director, Missouri International Trade & Investment Office - Canada Ms. Gloria Garcia Director, Missouri International Trade & Investment Office - Mexico Click here to view speaker bios and learn more.

Contact John Hensley to schedule.

pg.

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pg.

Nominate a poet for Missouri’s next Poet Laureate

Aliki Barnstone, Missouri Poet Laureate from 2016 to today

Do you know a Missouri poet who creates amazing work? Nominate them for Missouri Poet Laureate! Public nominations are open now through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, March 18. In 2008, Governor Matt Blunt established the post of Missouri Poet Laureate. The Poet Laureate has the opportunity to foster the art of poetry, encourage literacy and learning, and encourage the reading and writing of poetry across the state. The Poet Laureate enriches the lives of Missourians by sharing and promoting poetry through public appearances, readings, workshops, and digital and social media. The Missouri Poet Laureate serves a two-year term. We welcome nominations of all eligible poets—whether poets are nominating themselves, or anyone else is

nominating them. The Missouri Poet Laureate Committee of people throughout Missouri will review all submitted nominations and recommend at least three semi-ﬁnalists to Governor Michael L. Parson, who makes the ﬁnal decision.

HOW TO NOMINATE Check our website for complete guidelines on eligibility, the selection process and timeline, and the Poet Laureate’s responsibilities and public recognition.

Missouri Arts Council • 815 Olive Street, Suite 16 • St. Louis, MO 63101-1503 314-340-6845 • toll-free 866-407-4752

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

pg.

Book Review

Bessie's

Resurrection [

Book Title: Bessie’s Resurrection Author: Kimberly A. Collins Publisher: Indolent Books Reviewer: Charlie R. Braxton

is why it is important to understand that when AfricanAmerican poets engage in writing historical poetry, they are not doing it to be trendy or win some kind of award, although some have won a few awards and rightfully so, they are really practicing what I call literary Voodoo, praising and raising forth their ancestors via the printed word. This brings us to poet, Kimberly Collins’ new book Bessie’s Resurrection, which is a fine illustration of what I am talking about. Bessie’s Resurrection is a book of historical poem that focuses on the stories of the lives of three women, named Bessie. Two of the women, Bessie Smith and Bessie Coleman, are historical figures while the other, Bessie Mears, is a character from Richard Wright’s classic novel, Native Son. Using her superb poetic skills Collins weaves the persona of these three women into a poetic trilogy that examines broader issues faced by Black women, the world over. Collins opens Bessie’s Resurrection with the powerful poem, Bessie’s Gospel, which serves to remind the reader that the pain and suffering inflicted upon the Bessies in this book is the same pain and suffering that is inflicted upon Black women the world over, often times, sad to say, by the men whom they have chosen to love, men who look like them.

n traditional African society, poets held a special place in the hearts and minds of the people. Not only were they charged with the lofty task of being the absolute best at mastering the craft of writing poetry, they were also charged with the duty of preserving village and tribal history for future generations to access. This, above all other was a sacred task for the poet because through their verse the reader was not only able to learn history that was relevant to them but, through this knowledge, they were also able to tap into the power and wisdom of their ancestors, whom they believe are with them always. So in a sense, to write and recite historical verse is a form a magic used to conjure up the spirit of the ancestors, ensuring that they live on. For Westerners this all may sound like some kind of spooky mumbo jumbo, the kind you would see in a horror film written and directed by Wes Craven. But, to traditional Africans, as with most indigenous cultures, this is reality. To them, there is no separation between the physical and the spiritual realm, they are both one in the same-a continuum that forms a loop that is eternal as life itself. This is the philosophical basis that lies at the heart of the literary movement, Magic Realism. This

“Our blues breaking a black belt of sky disappearing shards of yellow saved by sunrise stubborn to be gone. Souls howling our blues of misery voices strumming one sound.” Here Collins evokes the blues ethos to immerse the readers into the baptismal water of the pain that has enveloped the lives of her three personas. The first poem is, at its core a ritual poem meant to conjure up the blues ethos in the form of the female persona. The poem is meant to initiate the reader into the experience of the three women the author is writing about. It is there to prepare us for the storied journey to come. It is also www.the-arts-today.com

Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

BESSIE'S RESURRECTION... cont.

designed to show us how the pain in Bessie Mears, Bessie Coleman and Bessie Smith’s lives is intimately connected to the pain in the lives of our mothers, sisters, friends, wives and lovers. In addition to her splendid yoking of the blues ethos, Collins does an excellent job of using the traditional techniques blues singers to give voice to each of her poetic personas. Take for example this extensive excerpt from SHE Song, the poem for Richard Wright’s character Bessie Mears, (who is named after Bessie Smith, by the way).

While many critics will praise Bessie’s Resurrection as a fine example African American historical poetry, and, given the fact the poems’ three personas are historical figures, albeit one is fictional, they would be well within their right to do so. But, I see this book as that and more. At its core, Bessie’s Resurrection is a book of good ole fashion, downhome, gutbucket Blues Poetry that is written in the grand tradition of great poets like Sterling Brown, Langston Hughes and Sterling Plumpp.

“A woman can love a man more than she A woman can love a man more than she O yes she can She give her time She give her dime She don’t give a damn she lovin’ that man more than she she givin’ her whole self whole she givin’ her whole self whole A woman can love a man like that A woman can love a man like that O yes she can Kicked in the gut with love’s steel toe Kicked in the gut with love’s steel toe Lovin’ that man the way she do Lovin’ that man the way she do She sorrow got no place to go” Here, you will note that Collins demonstrates her profound understanding of the blues by structuring the poem like the lyrics of a Delta Blues song. Collins also makes sporadic use of rhyme as well as the excellent use of both repetition and refrain to illustrate the depths of her Bessie Mears’ love for her man, the lyrical repetition also drives home the complexity of loving someone who doesn’t love her back. In addition, Collins uses these techniques to emphasize how damaging that love can be by listing all of the things she is willing to endure to keep her unrequited love around. This is a technique that Collins will adeptly use throughout the book on poems like “Native Daughter,” “Bessie’s Every Woman Blues” and “Hand-Me-Down Mean”

pg.

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

OP / ED SECTION

Moline Acres Police Department College Scholarship Program in partnership with Infinite Scholars Program

The Moline Acres Police Department College Scholarship Program wishes to acknowledge some of the students in our city that have accepted the promise of a college scholarship for accomplishing the following criteria: 1. 2. 3. 4.

95 percent school attendance 3.3 or better cumulative grade average 22 or better composite ACT score No major discipline problems

Through our mentorship program with Infinite Scholars, the Moline Acres Police Department wishes to help fulfill the hopes and dreams of families in our community wishing to send their children to college. The Infinite Scholars program uses it extensive nationwide network of 500+ colleges and universities to find a college scholarship for students who achieve the criteria above. The Moline Acres Police Department is committed to helping our students accomplish these criteria. The motto for this program is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our Badges Create Scholars.â&#x20AC;? Moline Acres is located in North St. Louis County, Missouri. To learn more, contact the Moline Acres Police Department at 314-868-2433 or Infinite Scholars at 314-499-6997.

Pictured are Moline Acres Chief of Police Colonel Ware, Police Officer Donaldson, and students Charmaine and Charles.

pg.

Editorial Rebeccah Bennett TRUTH: This is not the first time that this country has been run by a bigot. It is not the first time that we have experienced political isolation and social rejection. Founder and principal of Emerging Wisdom LLC.

nd it is not the first time that we have had to figure out how to metabolize our grief and fear in ways that did not immobilize us, but caused us to actualize our power to change the world.

PERSPECTIVE:

Right

and forefathers lived through horrors that were generational in scope and scale. They persisted through times when there was little chance of a better tomorrow, much less a better life â&#x20AC;&#x201C; not even for their kids. Yet they responded to their lot in life by creating resistance movements, aid societies, educational and religious institutions, banks and co-ops, art forms, innovations and spiritual practices that continue to make our lives

better today. Remember that their blood is our blood. Their strength is our strength. They are the ROOTS and we are their FRUITS.

PRAYER:

We call upon our ancestors, those upon whom the sky fell. We call upon our ancestors who experienced all manner of degradation, humiliation, violation and death. We call upon our ancestors, people who swung from trees and were forced to live on their knees. We call upon our ancestors, many of whom persisted, survived and endured without destroying themselves or others. May whatever it is that nourished and sustained them come more fully alive in us. Ashe.

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

pg.

Mother Wit by Malaika B. Horne

Yes! Please send me Mother Wit by Malaika B. Horne $16.00 • ISBN: 978-1-4809-4550-0 Ship ___ at $16.00/book $ * Please add $3.99 shipping & handling for the first book ordered and $1.00 for each additional book. Shipping is USPS First Class.

SUBTOTAL $ ** Shipping and Handling $ TOTAL DUE $ Order from your bookseller or direct from:

DORRANCE PUBLISHING CO BOOK ORDER DEPARTMENT

NAME

585 Alpha Drive, Suite 103 Pittsburgh, PA 15238

ADDRESS

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Mother Wit by Malaika B. Horne

Yes! Please send me Mother Wit by Malaika B. Horne

“Our only hope today lies in our ability to recapture the revolutionary spirit and go into a sometimes hostile world declaring eternal hostility to poverty, racism, and militarism.”

Order from your bookseller or direct from:

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

or cut along dotted line and mail to address listed above along with credit card information or check or money order.

$16.00 • ISBN: 978-1-4809-4550-0 Ship ___ at $16.00/book $ * Please add $3.99 shipping & handling for the first book ordered and $1.00 for each additional book. Shipping is USPS First Class.

SUBTOTAL $ ** Shipping and Handling $ TOTAL DUE $ DORRANCE PUBLISHING CO BOOK ORDER DEPARTMENT 585 Alpha Drive, Suite 103 Pittsburgh, PA 15238

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pg.

Black History Man

Black Archaeologist

a.k.a

uses his time machine to witness black history as it happens.

Dvd’s for season # 4, mid season finale, with five episodes (Two Unreleased) soon to be available, along with seasons #1,#2,#3 at, BlackArchaeologist.com http://kunaki.com/msales.asp?PublisherId=109447&pp=1 GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/manage/black-history-man-season-4

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

MORAL

CRISIS

REVISITED

loyd Hayes and I share a strong interest in Richard Wright’s legacy, especially in how Cross Damon, the protagonist of The Outsider (1953), often articulates philosophical ideas in the novel more powerfully than Wright could in his non-fiction. It seems that fictive propositions which can’t be fact-checked have greater appeal than those refuted by evidence of what has happened in reality or actuality. For this reason, several million Americans believe in 2018 that Donald Trump tweets “the truth” daily as he propagates tiny segments of the great American novel. Does fiction confirm the death of the Truth and the immortality of the Lie? I will not stay for an answer. I’ll just assert that fiction enables Hayes and me to enjoy productive disagreements about how the human mind constructs knowledge. The brief email exchange we had about my blog on “Moral Crisis in New Orleans” (see Appendix A) is a capital example of what I wish would occur more frequently among cultural critics:

******* Dear Floyd, Thanks for the Facebook rejoinder and this passage from The Outsider. Great food for thought. Jerry

From: Floyd Hayes Sent: Friday, August 10, 2018 10:19 AM To: Jerry Ward Subject: Re: Are human being degenerating? Hi Jerry, I wrote a rejoinder to your response. Over the years, I have been guided by one of Wright’s passages in The Outsider: “Knowing and seeing what is happening in the world today, I don’t think that there is much of anything that one can do about it. But there is one little thing, it seems to me that a man owes to himself. He can look bravely at this horrible totalitarian reptile and, while doing so, discipline his dread, his fear, and study it coolly, observe every slither and convolution of its sensuous movements and note down with calmness the pertinent facts. In the face of the totalitarian danger, these facts can help a man to save himself; and he may then be able to call attention to others around him to the presence and meaning of this reptile and its multitudinous writhings” (1953: 367). For me, this statement provides the reason for speaking out about the various contradictions and dilemmas we face in “this place called America,” as Sonia Sanchez says. As always, Floyd

pg.

On Fri, Aug 10, 2018 at 7:14 AM Jerry Ward wrote: Dear Floyd, I appreciate your posing a very tough question about degeneration in your response to my “Moral Crisis in New Orleans” blog. It moves me to think very deeply about the possible rhetorical consequences of my speech act and about the nature of evidence I should use in saying “Yes, humans are degenerating” or “No, humans are not degenerating.” It is obvious from the reply I made on Facebook that I will be thinking about answers in the coming weeks as I move forward in analysis of Wright’s thinking. Your question doesn’t allow us to have a definitive answer. Time, ambiguity, and location just allow us to make qualified speculations. Have a good weekend, Jerry

******* The August 10 exchange reminds me that genuine human communication is predicated on accepting that the political, the aesthetic, the literary, and the philosophical are flashes of thought that appear and disappear endlessly in a continuum or in a four-dimensional Venn diagram. We have maximum entanglement. My faceto-face conversations with very smart adult male inmates at Orleans Justice Center (the jail in New Orleans) are immensely more human, honest, and important in terms of knowledge than what I (or any reader) comes to know about evolving or degenerating American masculinity from reading Gregory Pardlo’s Air Traffic: A Memoir of Ambition and Manhood in America (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2018) or John Edgar Wideman’s Brothers and Keepers ( New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1984) or Walter Mosley’s John Woman (New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2018). The conversations with inmates destroy the walls that metaphors and literature (fiction and faction) create around the subject matter of American manhood and social justice; the conversations make looking into the eyes of the “horrible totalitarian reptile” that is society and systems of criminal justice a pure moment of dread and recognition. It is this moment that must be used in the act of reading for the purpose of understanding American culture(s). The conversations expose what is undeniably artificial about literature and culture and criticism. And if we did not have such artifice, we would likely be paralyzed by mindless silence or greatly more enslaved than we already are by reprehensible noises! My email exchange with Hayes did necessitate revisiting what I wrote about moral crisis and resolving to resist, more strongly than before, the “romance” that academic theory and criticism tempts us to accept. My efforts to construct knowledge will always be marked by errors of one sort or another. So be it. But my future errors must be informed by critical engagements with inmates and by what David Faust examined with remarkable conviction in The Limits of Scientific Reasoning (Minneapolis: University

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

A MORAL CRISIS... cont.

of Minnesota Press, 1984) not by the love affairs many of my peers have with broadcasts about the crises of the humanities. Appendix A MORAL CRISIS IN NEW ORLEANS New Orleans is “celebrating” 300 years of moral crisis, but many of its citizens, elected officials and the tourists they host daily assume otherwise. Their ideas are Trump-flavored rather than properly seasoned with the holy trinity of Creole/Cajun cuisine. They simply transgress. Thus, Timothy David Ray’s recent plea for support of City Council Resolution R-18-344 can appear to be a poignant supplement to prayer to Our Lady of Prompt Succor for help in dealing with violence, murder, and racism. Or it may appear as a supplement to admonitions from Lloyd Dennis and the Silverback Society. It is easy to forget the gravity of Ray’s plea as you get out there and listen to live, local music.

some of the topics being addressed at the Congressional Black Caucus Institute, August 9-11, in Tunica, Mississippi -------opioid addiction, public health and mental health emergencies, criminal justice crisis, the future of work and human capital, emerging technologies, 21st century skills and chartered education, corporate greed and social irresponsibility, gentrification, ecological racism, and crumbling infrastructure---significant topics which violently jazz young children in New Orleans and all American urban arenas. Should we be optimistic about anything? Yes. We should be optimistic that absurd moral crisis in our city will prevail and endure and remain beyond human remedy. Now “celebrate” the enigma of New Orleans in the hurricane of capitalism. Jerry W. Ward, Jr.

“The psychological trauma of constant violence witnessed by young children,” Ray contends, “does not only breed an inclination to violence in them, but also an apathy towards human life and respect for one’s own community or the property of others.” That trauma, however, is not limited to young children. It is distributive and democratic. It afflicts all of us who breathe air in NOLA. Our silence about our self-fashioned apathy is barbaric. And perhaps the horror and damage created by 300 years of history as process and narrative in NOLA is beyond human remedy. The conditions that drive being beyond are not mere accidents of Nature; they are the consequences of choice. It is hardly possible to cheer for the Saints and grieve for the children in an identical moment. If you try to do so, you will choke on your red beans and rice. Or violently regurgitate your gumbo. Long ago, Tom Dent rightly said that New Orleans is weird. And too few NOLA citizens are conversant with Giorgio Agamben’s Homo Sacer: Sovereign Power and Bare Life and, therefore, capable of addressing what is wicked, corrupt, and broken in the Crescent City. Neither Dent nor Agamben, of course, can provide us with the comfort of humor or the extreme unction of political philosophy. But they can remind us of how crucial are

pg.

August 9, 2018

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

“

I choose to reflect the times and the situations in which I find myself. How can you be an artist and not reflect the times? (Nina Simone)

Follo

Read Article Elaine Young Artist

pg.

"Time's a Gettin' Harder: Stories of the Great Migration" Save the date of C2C's production" Stores of the Great Migration" in celebration of Black History Month 2019, with the Saint Louis Public Library. The performance will take place: o Thursday, February 21st, 2019 o Schlafly Library (225 N. Euclid Ave.) o 7pm Although emancipated, the hopes of freedom were dashed during the Reconstruction Era, crushed further

by Jim Crow. African-Americansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; burning desire to control their own destinies led to the difficult decision to pull up long-planted roots and journey into the unknown. The stories will recount through narratives, music, and slides that will describe true accounts of individual lives and collective experiences of people who participated in and witnessed the Great Migration firsthand.

An artist's duty, as far as I am concerned, is to reflect the times. (Nina Simone)

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QUICK REVIEW JANUARY

This evening, head over to Grand Center for a Young Friends Event before checking out The Bad Plusband that will be jammin’ at theFerring Jazz Bistro. The trio’s arrangements range from pop, classical, and other styles. A menu of delicious eats and great drinks will add to your listening pleasure in the popular lounge renowned for excellent acoustics. This is, of course, First Fridays in Grand Center, and all of the Galleries are free and open to the public. If you are looking to pregame a bit, you might find me over at the lounge at KDHX for a happy hour starting at 4. Bring your own records from home, or borrow some of theirs for the community spin that runs til 7. After I get thrown out for turning it into ClubNate and/or playing jams that no one wants to hear (#notready), DJ Future Ex Wife will keep the party rolling. On Saturday, pony up 10 bucks for a good cause to check out Whisky & Thunder at theReady Room while supporting a great cause!Play It Forward STL, a non profit whose mission it is to “ensure each child in St. Louis is provided with the opportunity to discover his or her musical talents” is hosting this event and will also have a musical instrument drop off for you to donate usable instruments. After being cleaned and repaired, the instruments will then be distributed to underprivileged children and lower income school music programs.

for you to learn about outdoor community building at the Gateway Outdoor Summit at St. Louis Union Station Hotel.The keynote speaker is St. Louis native Luis Benitez, director of the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office. A sixtime Mount Everest climber, Benitez is a strong advocate for expanding business ventures and recreational activities in the great outdoors. Registration required. On Saturday the 12th there’s plenty to do out and about. The Sheldon Concert Hall always delights audiences with stellar stage performances. Keep in mind, too, the many great exhibits in the Art Galleries, such as The

Also on Friday, Greensky Bluegrass will fill The Pageant with toe-tapping sound. Straight out of Kalamazoo, Michigan, the band transcends the traditional genre to evoke a new way of hearing those iconic rhythms that get everyone moving! On Saturday the 19th, if classical music is more your thing, a concert ofBeethoven and Schumann, with conductor Karina Canellakis and violinist Renaud Capuçon, is scheduled at elegant Powell Hall.

The second in a series of community conversations organized by Opera Theatre, Representation & Responsibility: Racial and Gender Equity in Film and Television features a panel discussion on an important topic. Change continues to unfold in popular culture, so take a moment to listen or join in the discussion. A wine and cheese reception follows. Into The Third Dimension at Fontbonne UniversityArt Gallery showcases student and faculty 3D

Immigrants: Works by Master Photographers (last viewing on Saturday the 12th) and St. Louis Through the Lens of a Child: Photographs by Students of Forsyth School(through February 2nd). It will be a treat to see the creations of talented children studying right here in our own home town. Art Saint Louis will be hosting a free reception for their new exhibit on Saturday evening.Attention to Detail is a all media juried visual art exhibition that will feature artworks that are predominately defined by the details of their composition: Artworks that are either marked by a density of detail or intricacy, or by details presented in isolation or contrast to surrounding elements— all works where significance, meaning or impact is achieved principally in or through detail.

Wednesday the 9th is opening night of Canfield Drive performed by the The Black Rep at Washington University Edison Theater. The play continues for several weeks in January and highlights the shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri, that sparked outrage and a national conversation on justice. This powerful performance will move audiences to ponder the stark realities of our time. A must see!

Friday the 11th is an opportunity for you to learn about outdoor community building at the Gateway Outdoor Summit at St. Louis Union Station Hotel.The keynote speaker is St. Louis native Luis Benitez, director of the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office. A sixtime Mount Everest climber, Benitez is a strong advocate for expanding business ventures and recreational activities in the great outdoors. Registration required. On Saturday the 12th there’s plenty to do out and about. The Sheldon Concert Hall always delights audiences with stellar stage performances. Keep in mind, too, the many great exhibits in the Art Galleries, such as The Immigrants: Works by Master Photographers (last viewing on Saturday the 12th) and St. Louis Through the Lens of a Child: Photographs by Students of Forsyth School(through February 2nd).

Friday the 11th is an opportunity

pg.

artwork from regional community colleges. This will definitely be a dynamic show. The exhibition continues through February 15. On Monday the 21st Derek Palacio, Deborah Taffa, and Tiana Clark share their work in the River Styx Reading Series annual multicultural literacy program atRooster on South Grand. Besides great storytelling, the food will be good too. Rooster was voted best breakfast in Missouri -- and best crepes, best Bloody Marys, and best brunch in St. Louis.

From the 24th through the 26th MADCO 2 graces the stage at with vibrant movement and color at The Touhill Performing Arts Center. The audience participates by voting on their favorite choreographed piece on Thursday and Friday. The winning dance will be performed Saturday.

The Enterprise Center Winter Jam 2019 is an in-the-round performance on Thursday the 27th. Several top groups and musicians, including the Newsboys United, Ledger, and Danny Gokey, to name a few, hit the stage. Tickets are only $15. That is a steal for an evening filled with such a mix of outstanding artists!

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

JANUARY

QUICK REVIEW

continued

pg.

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

LIVE WORK PLAY

Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019 St. Louis

I'd like to offer my apologies, as it is the middle of February, and I have not shared with you some of the great things that St. Louis has to offer this month. Fortunately, I have been busy helping clients achieve their real estate goals, and even mixed in a family vacation as well! However, I am back, and as Mary Anne Evans wrote under her pen name George Eliot, It's never too late to be what you might have been and my hope is that we all get out and see what we can become as we enjoy what is hopefully the last weeks of winter in St. Louis! All the best. –Nate

Tonight, you can take a peek inside St. Louis’ first selfie museum, The Selfie Room, opening Friday

FEBRUARY

15 thru

FEBRUARY

There are several love-themed photo areas, making it a great date spot. Also tonight, you can check out the Jeremiah Johnson Band at the National Blues Museum for Howlin’ Friday. I promise that you’ll have a good time! If you are looking to take it easy on Friday, you may enjoy anIntroduction to Zen Meditation. The class include the history of Zen and how to practice Zen in daily life - while at work and at leisure. Also tonight, the Duane Reed Gallery is hosting a free opening reception for not one, not three, but two new exhibits! Constructs of Meaning, featuring mixed media from a variety of talented local artists is sure to stimulate the senses. The next exhibition is Sharing the Process, which features works of art based on a classical pen-and-ink drawings. On Saturday morning, you can head out to the Midwest Musical Conservatory in Ballwin to enjoy the classical Indian music of Saint Thyagaraja Arandhana. The Field House Museum is host to Kid›s Corner on Saturday from 10-2, featuring new crafts and exhibits for the whole family at the historic house in Downtown St. Louis. The girls and I had a great time here a few months ago. You’ll find me at the Missouri History Museum on Saturday afternoon for Fair Housing: 50 Years Later, which will be a panel discussion and a screening of the movie Owned: A Tale of Two Americas Tomorrow, aka Saturday, you could also head over to Soulard Market Park for the Soulard Mardi Gras Cajun Cook-Off. Did you know that St. Louis is host

pg.

Local Events FEBRUARY

to the 2nd largest Mardi Gras Celebration in the country? If you are looking for different flavor, you may consider Jekyll and Hyde, presented by the Next Generation Theatre Company at the Florissant Civic Center Theatre in, you guessed it, Florissant! and Saturday Balanchine’s iconic ballet Rubies and Other Love Stories is presented by Saint Louis Balletat Touhill Performing Arts Center. The red costumes and romantic theme set the perfect mood for a Valentine date! Continuing through Saturday the Pulitzer Arts Foundation will display the works of modernist photographer Lola Alvarez Bravo: Picturing Mexico. The artist traveled throughout her native country capturing images of the people, buildings, and natural landscape, transforming the typical into dramatic and abstract images that surprises viewers. You could also head down to Powell Hall in Grand Center for The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra program which is devoted to Russian composer, Sergei Prokofiev featuring Music Director Designate Stéphane Denève’s arrangement

of Prokofiev’s Cinderella ballet. If on Sunday, you just happen to have friends in town and are taking a tour of the world famous Anheuser-Busch Brewery, afterwards, if you are sticking around the Soulard area, you might want to check out Molly’s, Mission Taco, or1860’s Hardshell Cafe. If you head across the street, you might want to head over to the Benton Park Cafe for a casual lunch. If you are looking for a different flavor, one of my favorites, Yemaja Brasil, is sure to delight. Of course, you are a quick Lime Scooter ride away from Lafayette Square where you can show off the rich architecture and history of this great St. Louis neighborhood. It is believed that Lafayette Park is the oldest urban park west of the Mississippi River. Where you are relaying that info, you might enjoy the Mexican flavor of Laredo on Lafayette Square or SqWires, where you can enjoy some live music with Chris Swan from 11-2. If you opt for a more upscale flavor, I might suggest Polite Society or Vin de Set where you can over look the city and enjoy a great view of the recently minted Gateway Arch National Park. Monday is the night to see the Tony-

On Sunday Pints and Plants is presented by Alpha Brewing Company where you can come try some of the best vegan food St. Louis has to offer! They have teamed up with local restaurants to celebrate the strong and growing plant-based community here in our city. $18 gets you your first pour, a limited edition pint glass, and all the vegan food you can handle! If you are heading to Downtown St. Louis, Love Jones The Band will be on stage on Sunday night at BB’S Jazz Blues and Soups. Foam St. Louis down on Cherokee Street will be host to FoamFest on Sunday, where you will find over a dozen performers on stage from 1-11pm. Free Week at the Atomic Cowboy kicks off on Sunday night with Nightchaser and Jamo presents Silent but Sexy, a Silent Disco. Free week runs all week long with a variety of great live entertainment!

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

LIVE WORK PLAY

winning playAvenue Q at Westport Playhouse. It’s a funny story about a college grad, his friends, neighbors -- and some puppets -- who play pivotal roles on his journey toward self-discovery. On view at the Saint Louis Science Center isGuitar: The Instrument that Rocked the World. What a perfect opportunity to learn all about this iconic, and possibly favorite, musical instrument! Discover how it evolved over the years in a variety of forms. Many cool artifacts will be on display.

FEBRUARY

18 thru

FEBRUARY

For all of you who appreciate not only music but also the arts of painting, sculpture, textiles, among others, the Ann Metzger National Biennial Exhibition is showing at the St. Louis Artists’ Guild. This exhibition is juried by assistant curator of modern and contemporary art at the Saint Louis Art Museum, Hannah Klemm, and honors Ann Metzger, who was a longtime St. Louis Artists Guild member and mentor. Artists in all media from across the United States are invited to submit their work. This exhibition will showcase some amazing creative talent, so do not miss what promises to be a feast for the eyes! On Friday, be sure to head over to Forest Park and check out The St. Louis Art Museum for their monthly SLAM Underground event. This month celebrates their 5th anniversary and they have all kinds of art adventures, Prize Wheels, and signature cocktails! Help them make the 40th SLAM Underground one of the best yet. Type Hike presents Arch their 5th series, featuring 60 posters commemorating The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (The Arch) becoming The Gateway Arch National Park, which is our nation’s 60th National Park! The festivities are on Friday atBrennan’s Work & Leisure in Midtown. If you can’t get enough of Soulard, in prep for Mardi Gras, you can enjoyRoland Johnson and Soul Endeavor at Hammerstone’s on Friday as well. Heavy Metal cover band Thrash Society will be blessing the stage on Saturday night at the Crack Fox in Downtown St. Louis. Celebrate Black History Month at Powell Hall as Lift Every Voice: A Black History Month Celebration is upon us for the 25th anniversary of the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus. This annual concert celebrates African- American culture and community traditions that have influenced the history of St. Louis, as well as cities around the world. On Saturday, the 23rd The Bootleg at the Atomic Cowboy will be host to theS.L.U.M Fest Hip Hop Awards, an annual music Awards show to acknowledge local St. Louis underground music/art/dance artists. Also on Saturday, the St. Louis Public Library- Walnut Park branch will host a thought provoking discussion , The East St. Louis Race Riot of 1917:Look How Far We’ve Come. Check out the St. Louis Public Library Black History Monthfor the entire list programming. On Sunday, the Purina Pet Parade , the world’s largest costumed pet parade, combines all the fun of Mardi Gras with all the most adorable pets in a parade parade. It is free to watch and easy to head straight to the Taste of Soulard or Wiener Dog Derby after the parade wraps up.

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LIVE WORK PLAY

Yes, we have another great month ahead of us. I look forward to seeing you out and about enjoying our wonderful St. Louis! All the best. -Nate

P.S. Here is the latest Housing Report for your review. The market is starting to warm up! Let me know if there is anything that I can do for you. –Nate Nate K. Johnson

FEBRUARY

18 thru

ABR,CIPS,CRS,GRI,SRES Real Estate Solutions Group Redkey Realty Leaders 314-575-7352 Direct 314-514-9600 Office nate@livingstl.com www.livingstl.com

FEBRUARY

28 continued

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Experience You Can Trust. Our products and services have helped millions of American families and businesses prepare for life’s major events and their related expenses. As a licensed agent,* I can help you: • Meet your everyday needs • Save for your children's education • Save for retirement • Preserve your estate • Prepare for the unexpected • Care for elderly parents

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Gateway Division Office 314-319-5405 frenchaire.gardner@mutualofomaha.com Insurance products and services are offered by Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company or one of its affiliates. 3300 Mutual of Omaha Plaza, Omaha, NE 68175 *In WA and OR: producer AFN41485_1014

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;

â&#x20AC;?

Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. --Â Charles Mingus

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MAGNIFICENT

The

in African American History

espite the hardships, African Americans managed to develop a strong cultural identity and a black urban culture blossomed. Today, as in the past, black Americans make significant contributions to every segment of American society.

stateswoman, philanthropist, humanitarian, and civil rights activist best known for starting a private school for African-American students in Daytona Beach, Florida and co-founding UNCF on April 25, 1944 with William Trent and Frederick D. Patterson.

While researching some of the contributions we have made in business, the arts and entertainment, science, literature, politics and law, I noticed the many names, both male and female that begin with the letter ‘M’, such as:

Mahalia Jackson was an American gospel singer. Possessing a powerful contralto voice, she was referred to as “The Queen of Gospel”. She became one of the most influential gospel singers in the world and was heralded internationally as a singer and civil rights activist.

Marcus Mosiah Garvey Jr. ONH was a Jamaican-born political leader, publisher, journalist, entrepreneur, and orator. He was President-General of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League. Malcolm X was an American Muslim minister and human rights activist. Some saw him as a courageous advocate for the rights of blacks, a man who indicted white America in the harshest terms for its crimes against black Americans; others accused him of preaching racism and violence. Martin Robison Delany was an African-American abolitionist, journalist, physician, soldier and writer, and arguably the first proponent of Black Nationalism. Delany is credited with the Pan-African slogan of “Africa for Africans.”

Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama is an American writer, lawyer, and university administrator who served as the First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017. She is married to the 44th U.S. President, Barack Obama, and was the first African-American First Lady. I wish I could chronicle Maxine Waters, Merdean Gales, Marabeth Gentry, Martha Bass, Melissa Harris-Perry, Margaret Bush Wilson, Martha Jane West and so many more. I am sure every letter in the alphabet would reveal names that are and were so important to the growth and substantial strides blacks have made in the pre and postcivil rights era. How many can you document? ~ Bernie Hayes

Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the civil rights movement from 1954 until his assassination in 1968. Medgar Wiley Evers was an African American civil rights activist in Mississippi, the state’s field secretary for the NAACP, and a World War II veteran, who had served in the United States Army. Muhammad Ali was an American professional boxer, activist, and philanthropist. Nicknamed “The Greatest”, he is widely regarded as one of the most significant and celebrated sports figures of the 20th century and one of the greatest boxers of all time. Marian Wright Edelman is an American activist for the rights of children. She has been an advocate for disadvantaged Americans for her entire professional life. She is president and founder of the Children’s Defense Fund. Marian Anderson was an American singer. Anderson was one of the most celebrated singers of the twentieth century. Music critic Alan Blyth said: “Her voice was a rich, vibrant contralto of intrinsic beauty. Mary McLeod Bethune was an American educator, Copyright © 2017 - All rights reserved.

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

pg.

BLACK COMIX RETURNS - African American Comic Art & Culture

A hardcover collection of art and essays showcasing the best African American artists in today's vibrant comic book culture.

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

pg.

How Outdoor Afro Uses Forest Park as an Opportunity for African Americans to Connect with Nature

Photo by Izaiah Johnson

In our latest blog feature, we spotlight the St. Louis Chapter of Outdoor Afro, the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading nonprofit network that celebrates and inspires African American connections and leadership in nature.

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

Featured

Artist

Submission

pg.

Beatrice

Lebreton

BIO

I am a French native artist now based in Harlem, NY. I have been captivated by the arts since early childhood, discovering a deeply rooted fascination with drawing, coloring, playing with fabric remnants, and doing needlework with my grandmother at my side. My process of art making has always be driven to tell a story. I find my main inspiration in my multicultural heritage, researching African and other ancient cultures for histories and traditions. Inspired by the beauty, grace, and dignity of African women, I started to create a series of not exactly “portraits” but more “representation” of these multi-dimensional women. This was the beginning of many more series dealing with the female image, women’s position, contributions, struggles, and identity.

My newest series comprises of multi-layered abstract paintings influenced by the minimal shapes and motifs of Kuba dance skirt textiles. Lines, surfaces, colors, materials mingle, fusing into a language of their own and creating a dialogue between the patterns. I received a Masters of Fine Art from the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux Arts in Paris and a Masters in Ethno-aesthetic, majoring in African Art from La Sorbonne University. I have created commissions for hospitals, hotels, the DFW Airport among others and I am currently under contract with MTA for 2 stations in Brooklyn, NY.

My work has progressively developed into the narrative, creating stories and social commentaries… using it as a means of communication, focusing on symbolism and metaphors. Experimentation is a huge component in my work. As a mixed media artist, I combine both abstract and realist elements, which visually create richer and more interesting tensions by adding textured, stitched, and beaded surfaces to the painted sections. The patterns, fabrics, and beads become a focal motif that add a tactile touch and fuse into what I characterize as a language stretched between the limits of the imaginary and the history.

contact@beatriceart.net

www.beatriceart.net

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Featured

Cartoon Art Submission

pg.

Alan

Gray

#blackgodcomics My name is Alan gray, known as BlackGodComics on social.These are some of the latest ips in development for BlackGodComics. Details will come out over time, I want you all to receive this story in the right way. Follow @BlackGodComics on Instagram and other social media platforms.Â

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March 2: Craft Supply Swap Do you have yarn you still haven't used to make that scarf? Fabric remnants that are too big to throw out but have collected at the bottom of your closet? Bring them to our Craft Supply Swap! Trade your leftover odds and ends for new treasures, and get to know other local crafters in the process.

March 6: Carol Shepley--St. Louis: An Illustrated Timeline Join award-winning author and historian Carol Shepley as she discusses the new edition of her book, “St. Louis: An Illustrated Timeline.” Learn how this fur-trading outpost on the Mississippi grew into a major American city.

March 13: Read It Forward with Nic Stone Teens! Get your free copy of "Dear Martin" at your Library while supplies last. Hear author Nic Stone talk about her life and books. Don't forget to Read It Forward and pass along "Dear Martin" to a friend.

March 23: Breakfast with Author Jim Merkel Join author Jim Merkel as he discusses his book, "The Making of an Icon: The Dreamers, the Schemers, and the Hard Hats Who Built the Gateway Arch." The book compiles well-known, and rare, stories about the visionaries, finaglers, protesters and fearless-but-skilled hands involved in the conception and construction of one of America’s most distinctive and beloved national monuments. St. Louis Public Library 1301 Olive Street St. Louis, MO 63103 314-241-2288 slpl.org

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

ART OF BEAUTY

Vitamin

pg.

A Powerful

ANTIOXIDANT

Antioxidants are substances that inhibit oxidation "or reactions promoted by oxygen, peroxides, or free radicals" (Miriam Webster). Free Radicals can be damaging to the body and have been linked to cancer, premature aging and other diseases caused by oxidative stress. Antioxidants neutralize the cellular damage caused by free radicals. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble, lipid-based vitamin that can be taken as a supplement, applied topically or by eating foods found in a well-balanced diet. Its properties are required for the proper function of many organs in the body.

see us. It can show, if we are suffering ailments, our diet, and our age (for some). As we grow older our sking loses elasticity and thins out which results in wrinkles and sagging. Vitamin E use in skincare goes back many years as help with dry skin and wrinkles. Today, it can be found in many creams and lotions sold in the health and beauty industry to achieve younger looking skin.

Whether you smooth it on after bath or ingest it orally via supplement and/or food, your skin (and body) will benefit from this powerful antioxidant.

Some Natural Sources of Vitamin E

Our skin is the largest organ we have, with a total of about 22 square feet. It serves as a "coat" for our bodies and performs several functions.

Skin:

• Protects internal organs and structures from biological, chemical and mechanical attacks. • Regulates body temperature (sweat glands) • Protection against cold and excessive water loss • Sense of touch, info exchange between body and the outside world Our skin is an open book to the those who Copyright © 2017 - All rights reserved.

Sunflower Seeds Almonds Cashews Hazelnut Oil Sunflower Oil Almond Oil Pine Nuts Pistachio Peanuts Pecans

According to the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine, healthy adults can take a maximum of 1,000 mg of vitamin E daily.

Black Berries Cranberries (dried) Mango Kiwi Atlantic Salmon Avocado Rainbow Trout

Sweet Red Pepper Broccoli Mustard Greens Spinach (raw)

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

January 7, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kris Marino info@vizawards.org Cell: 314-680-1214 Website: www.vizawards.org

Left to right standing: Carmen Dence, Susan Barrett, Kathie Winter and Kari Ely Left to right sitting: Brea McAnally and Jacqueline Thompson

Saint Louis Visionary Awards for Women in the Arts

Sun Theater in Grand Center. Rhonda Carter Adams and Sharon Price John are the co-hosts for the evening.

Names 2019 Honorees

For additional information about the Saint Louis Visionary Awards sponsorship opportunities and ticket information, visit www.vizawards.org. Individual tickets are available for $50.

ST. LOUIS – Saint Louis Visionary Awards is proud to recognize the 2019 visionary honorees: Kathie Winter (Major Contributor to the Arts); Carmen Dence (Outstanding Teaching Artist); Brea McAnally (Outstanding Arts Professional); Susan Barrett (Arts Innovator); Jacqueline Thompson (Emerging Artist); Kari Ely (Outstanding Working Artist). The Saint Louis Visionary Awards is one of the most prestigious recognitions in the local arts community. Saint Louis Visionary Awards celebrates the numerous contributions and achievements of women who work in or support the arts in St. Louis.

About the Awards:

Saint

Louis

Visionary

The Saint Louis Visionary Awards has been reimagined by an independent committee of women (many past Visionaries) to celebrate the numerous contributions and achievements of women who work in or support the arts in St. Louis. The Saint Louis Visionary Awards is a 501(c)(3) organization and has a committed board of directors who take great joy in honoring women working in the arts ranging from established arts professionals and arts educators to emerging artists and community impact artists. The board of directors also offers angel fund tickets to members in our community who may not otherwise be able to attend the celebration.

“There are so many women in the region doing transformational work in the arts. We couldn’t be more impressed with the 2019 honorees” said Sara Burke, Co-Chair of the Saint Louis Visionary Awards. “They truly deserve this recognition.” The 2019 Saint Louis Visionary Awards Ceremony is scheduled for Monday, April 22nd, 2019. Program starting at 6:00 p.m. followed by a reception at 7:00 p.m. at the

pg.

2019 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT THE 2019 ST. LOUIS VISIONARY AWARDS ON APRIL 22nd is to support the extraordinary women of St. Louis who personally and professionally contribute to the preservation, growth and strengthening of our regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rich cultural tapestry. We offer an array of sponsorship levels. There are a range of benefits for every level of support. At all levels we pledge to reinforce your business identity in the community. $5,000: Presenting Sponsor Invitation to Sponsor Reception Recognition as "Presenting Sponsor" & logo on invitation, signage + event program Mentions on all television and radio appearances Logo and name in all press releases Logo included on all e-blasts Logo recognition on all social media outlets Website listing as sponsor with logo Logo displayed at awards ceremony Ten (10) tickets to the event with reserved seating $2,500: Visionary Award S ponsors Invitation to Sponsor Reception Website listing as sponsor Name or logo on invitation, signage + event program Six (6) tickets to the event with reserved seating

CATEGORIES:

$1,000: Diamond Sponsor Invitation to Sponsor Reception Name or logo on signage + event program Four (4) tickets to the event with reserved seating $500: Gold Sponsor Invitation to Sponsor Reception Name on signage + event program Two (2) tickets to the event $250: Silver Sponsor Invitation to Sponsor Reception Name on signage + event program One (1) ticket to the event $100: Angel Ticket Fund Invitation to Sponsor Reception Name in event program Your gift provides two complimentary tickets to community members who would not otherwise be able to share in this event.

Outstanding Working Artist: presented to a woman currently working and achieving great accomplishments in the arts. She has earned significant acclaim over an extended period of time and consistently displays excellence in the practice of her art form, enriching artistic expression and unique style.

Emerging Artist: presented to an up-and-coming artist who has demonstrated her talent and a strong commitment to building her career in the arts. Community Impact Artist: presented to a woman who uses the arts to create awareness about community issues and through her work promotes dialogue, breaks down barriers and sparks change. Outstanding Arts Professional: presented to a woman who has dedicated her professional career to fostering creativity and encouraging ongoing participation in the arts. She raises the profile of her organization by causing a widespread impact on the St. Louis arts community. Outstanding Teaching Artist: presented to a woman dedicated to providing artistic instruction to a range of students, as both a profession and lifestyle. She has made a strong impact on the individuals and community she has fostered through her role as an educator.

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

Major Contributor to the Arts: presented to a woman who has been a strong supporter of the arts through volunteering, serving on boards, donating, and raising funds. Arts Innovator: presented to a woman who has transformed the arts in St. Louis by founding or creating an organization or initiative. Lifetime Achievement Award: presented to a woman who has had a long and distinguished career in the arts and has made a lasting impact in her field.

Please take a moment to fill out the request for information below. Invitations will follow. SAINT LOUIS VISIONARY AWARDS SPONSORSHIP FORM: Yes, I will sponsor the 2019 Visionary Awards at the selected level:

❍ $5,000: Presenting Sponsor ❍ $2,500: Visionary Award Sponsor ❍ $1,000: Diamond Sponsor

❍ $500: Gold Sponsor ❍ $250: Silver Sponsor ❍ $100: Angel Ticket Fund

❍ In addition to my indicated sponsorship commitment, I would like to purchase

tickets ($50 each)

Name: Organization: Address: City, State, Zip: Day Phone:

Email: Name as it should appear in the program: PAYMENT OPTIONS ❍ Enclosed is a check for $ ❍ Please charge $ Card Name:

made payable to Saint Louis Visionary Awards to my ❍ VISA ❍ MasterCard ❍ American Express

Card No:

Exp:

Billing Address: City, State, Zip: Signature: Name as it appears on the card:

Please Remit Payment to: Saint Louis Visionary Awards Attn: Kris Marino 3547 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63103 All gifts are tax-deductible. For more information contact Kris Marino Phone: (314) 289-4108 Email: info@vizawards.org

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❍ Discover

CVV:

Arcus People's Choice Award Be heard and vote for a company or organization that you believe inspires a greater St. Louis!

The Arcus People's Choice Award is selected from the 2019 Arcus Awards finalists. This award, presented by RubinBrown LLP, will be revealed live the night of the event on February 28th and will conclude the Arcus Awards.

Voting is now open for the People's Choice Awards!

Online voting ends at midnight on Wednesday, February 27th.

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Black Mothers Deserve More Recognition

Black Mothers Deserve More Recognition Attacks on Black mothers have to stop

For decades, there has been a consistent drumbeat about White teachers being more effective teaching Black children, to the point that a large number of White teachers are Malaika Horne, author of Mother Wit â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Exalting Motherhood while Honoring a Great Mother

in predominantly Black schools.

There

have been movies with powerful messages about

this,

Michelle

Pheiffer

Dangerous Minds. A White ex-Marine, she miraculously brought a classroom of Black hooligans under control and to get the hang of learning, first with karate and then through sheer guile and wit. There are others, such as: Stand and Deliver, Lean on Me, Teachers, and Dead Poets Society. But then disturbing studies and news reports started emerging such as Black children experiencing higher rates of suspension (Missouri being one of those states) and Black children receiving more

corporal

punishment.

(Although

thought

physical

punishment was against the law, but apparently not everywhere.) Suffice it to say, much of the problems can be traced to teachers who lack cultural competence.

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

BLACK MOTHERS... cont.

Now there is an about-face. (Although we could have predicted this.)

Reports are showing that White teachers are no more

effective than Black teachers and it appears many are doing more harm than good in Black classrooms. Not only this, it’s a terrible indictment against Black teachers. An almost similar attack has been waged against Black mothers, most particularly stories circulating that they don’t care about their children’s education and that Black children don’t want to learn.

Mothers tend to love their children beyond human

comprehension. As Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu, educational consultant and author of more than 30 books, proclaimed decades ago “Black mothers raise their daughters and spoil their sons.” While some make take umbrage at his assertion, it resonated at the time and still does to this day. So, for Black mothers to hear that they don’t care about their children’s education and without a good way to get their voices heard, it’s almost like no words to express the feelings of disappointment, demoralized.

confusion

and

frustration,

let

alone

being

This is often coupled with the realization that in

the eyes of the public, many lack adequate understanding of the powerful role of the Black mother. pg.

Sometimes Black men pile on and this becomes intolerable.

the burden that mothers (anywhere and everywhere) must shoulder to raise or rear their children is too, too much. When the father is absent, it’s almost unbearable.

But “still they rise”

and they trudge on with heavy steps in too often harsh conditions.

This is why these women deserve better.

They’re

the salt of the earth and should be recognized as such. This is one of the reasons this writer authored the book: Mother Wit:

Exalting Motherhood while Honoring a Great Mother.

this era of “Black Girl Magic” and the strong political unity and purpose of Black women voters and elected officials, it’s high time to throw down the gauntlet, challenging the unwarranted attacks on Black mothers.

And why, you might ask are these

attacks so frequent and virulent?

Probably the weightier

consideration is the attempt to breakdown the most fundamental of institutions: the family. family.

And mothers are at the heart of the

They are the stalwarts.

To be born into a hale, hearty and healthy family is truly a blessing.

It’s more important than wealth, it’s more important

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What do I do? I help the college bound teens of busy parents write extraordinary college entrance essays. And, I provide perceptive leaders with trustworthy diversity & inclusion facilitation. My book, Chop: A Collection of Kwansabas for Fannie Lou Hamer, is available at www.femininepronoun.com

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

BLACK MOTHERS... cont.

and most often coveted; yet they’re not sufficient to become a positive and productive citizen.

To be born into a hale, healthy and hearty family is truly a blessing. It’s more important than wealth, it’s more important than good looks or athleticism – although these can be important and coveted; yet they’re not sufficient to become a positive and productive citizen.

Stable families regardless of income are the building blocks of society.

Stable families instill character among their children.

As the saying goes: “Your character is your power.” Character, childrearing.

discipline

and

self-awareness

are

essential

Letting African American children know about

obstacles in their environment is crucial.

This is why parents

must not only talk to their children about police brutality, but also must help them address the flawed educational system. My mother supplemented education for her children with trips to the library, including reading at home. Also, talk to them about discrimination in the workplace, including your own experiences, and the history of the media’s negative stereotyping of an entire ethnic group. And oh yes, talk to them about the erasure of the many contributions of African Americans throughout history and not just doing February’s Black History Month. So, talk to them pg.

100

about the uglier, meaner and seamier side of American culture. But also emphasizing what they must do to survive and thrive. And in order to prosper, the first thing (after good childrearing) is to obtain a quality education including college or postsecondary.

The book is about one woman, Flora Dell Horne, but it is a critique of Black mothers. It’s a way to take a personal account as an indication of what many low- and moderate-income women must go through to make sure their children are properly educated so they can compete in a hyper-racist, sexist and competitive country.

Most importantly, it’s to recognize the

“sainted mother.” Flora was not without fault, but she had this air of benignity, kindness and no-nonsense, so in our eyes she was the sainted mother, nurturing the hallowed co-relationship between parent and child. In her quiet, unassuming way, she commanded respect, obedience, awe and fear. We’d call her nowadays a tiger mom. ~~Mother Wit, Malaika Horne

In a White patriarchal society, in other words, where White upperclass men dominate, many attempt to control competition and squash any realization that talented African Americans can perform at the highest levels. Similar to the establishment media Copyright © 2017 - All rights reserved.

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

BLACK MOTHERS... cont.

lying about Black schools failing (which became near a selffulfilling prophecy), they propagandize about the fear of the socalled bête noir (the Black beast), particularly young Black males, who they contend are the source of America’s crime problems and their parents created the monsters. It is no accident that African Americans are over-represented among

the

low-income,

receiving

inadequate

education,

disproportionate incarceration with less access to occupations that pay higher wages.

Left to the devices of the U.S. system,

Blacks could well become a permanent underclass unless progressive-minded people of all ethnicities demand fairness and equality, which includes dismantling racism, classism and sexism. That may seem like a pipe dream, a tall order, a fanciful hope or scheme.

Yet our progress thus far has been based on

progressive and fearless African Americans and their allies pushing for political equality and social freedom. As we commemorate another holiday for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, we’d be remiss if we didn’t show respect and gratitude for him and scores of others who sacrificed with laser focus attention for us to enjoy the fruits of their hard work and struggle.

Yet, there is much work to be done. pg.

102

And it starts

with the family, first the mother who births the baby and in almost all instances suckles, feeds and cares for the baby. This is not to ignore the role of the father, as mothers can’t do it all.

The part the father plays is also critical.

As the term work-life balance gains more currency, fathers and other relatives will have increasing awareness that mothers need help with child-rearing, cooking and domestic chores.

In other

words, mothers need more support. While recently riding MetroLink, I was appalled to hear an African American man railing against a woman U.S. president. “A woman can’t be no president,” he loudly scoffed to a woman who seemed to giggle at everything he said.

“They can barely take

care of the home front.” My heart sank and it appeared that every other woman on the train had the same subtle but visceral reaction.

Not only do

women take care of the home front, they work outside the home, cook, clean and rear and love their children -- and many times take care of their elderly relatives and their husbands.

Hence,

we must express more gratitude and appreciation for their selfless and endless love and devotion.

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

BLACK MOTHERS... cont.

And in the words of one of our literary giants: (a partial rendition of a heartfelt poem is below) The Negro Mother . . . I had only hope then, but now through you, Dark ones of today, my dreams must come true: All you dark children in the world out there, Remember my sweat, my pain, my despair. Remember my years, heavy with sorrow And make of those years a torch for tomorrow. Make of my pass a road to the light . . . But march ever forward, breaking down bars. Look ever upward at the sun and the stars. Oh, my dark children, may my dreams and my prayers Impel you forever up the great stairs For I will be with you till no white brother Dares keep down the children of the Negro Mother Langston Hughes

Malaika Horne, PhD, is a book author, journalist and academic writer

pg.

104

DISPLACED

&ERASED

The history of Clayton, Missouri's uprooted black community. emmakriley.com

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

PRE-ORDER TODAY::

2018 marks the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King death. Here is my new book "My Mother. Barack Obama. Donald Trump. And the Last Stand of the Angry White Man," honest look at America 50 years later on race, sexual violence, guns, more.

pg.

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Would you like a printed copy(s) of an issue mailed to your home? Send your request to us by email **Remember to include the volume/issue** Cost may vary per issue.

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pg.

108

ART OF FOOD

Restrictions Traveling with

irst things first, I must say that I am forever grateful to Southwest Airlines & their flight sales!!! Without them, this vacation (and ones to come) would not have been possible.

So my cousin and I spent 6 days and brought in the New Year in New Orleans, LA. We hopped on buying airline tickets as soon as the sale started, narrowed down an Air B&B and let the anticipation stew. New Orleans still holds a special place in my heart and I still look forward to calling it my home, one day soon. As a child, my mother and I used to spend summers in the Crescent City as she attended the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University. Although I don’t remember everything about that time, I remember the energy of the city every time I return. Now my cousin Nicole loves New Orleans so much that she visits at least 3 to 4 times a year! She has created a Google Doc of restaurants and different places to visit. Some of those restaurants we visited are chronicled below.

shrimp sautéed with pork Tasso and creole tomato sauce served over fried green tomatoes, a buttermilk biscuit and two poached eggs). The Chicken St. Charles was hands down my favorite! The chicken was crispy, juicy and cooked perfectly, & the biscuit and the cream sauce (even though I had to eat around the Tasso) was a satisfying combination. I liked the Shrimp Boogaloo benedict but it was not something I would want to try again. It may sound odd, but the creole tomato sauce was too tomato-y for me. After the first few bites, I felt the acid reflux beginning to brew & I had to stop. However, the poached eggs on top of both were cooked

Day 1: Once we landed in New Orleans and got settled in our Airbnb, we decided to eat & grab some groceries before we crashed for the day. Our first stop was The Ruby Slipper for breakfast! Our wait for a table was not long at all, we were seated within 10 minutes of us checking in. As I was looking over the menu after we were seated, it was at that moment that I realized this trip was going to be really hard. I don’t have a lot of dietary restrictions but I do not consume pork or beef & I have (what I think is) the bougiest allergies: truffles. Although they had different options that sounded delicious, what I wanted was their eggs benedict. Of course the ones that sounded the most appealing contained pork, Tasso to be exact. Now Tasso is a type of spicy cured pork often used in Cajun cooking. So I decided at that moment, that I may have to break one of my dietary restrictions and consume a small amount of pork. Almost every traditional version of staple New Orleans dishes contain pork! It is virtually impossible to not get a bowl of gumbo, jambalaya, red beans & rice, without some type of sausage in it, unless you find a vegan/vegetarian establishment. So I decided to get The Peacemaker which is the choice of any two of their signature benedicts. Out of the six benedicts, I decided on The Chicken St. Charles (fried chicken breast served over a buttermilk biscuit, topped with two poached eggs, finished with a pork Tasso cream sauce) & The Shrimp Boogaloo (Gulf

perfectly. I even recorded myself cutting into the eggs & they ran down the sides of that biscuit flawlessly! Later that night, after we got our necessary sleep & unpacked a little we headed to another New Orleans, Port Of Call. Now if you haven’t been it’s a small establishment with maybe 10 to 12 tables to your left along with about 20 to 15 seats available at the bar to the right. As to be expected, it was crowded however, the way my cousin kept talking about their food we just waited for a table or seats at the bar to open up. After about fifteen minutes, we snagged two seats at

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

ART OF FOOD... cont.

the bar, and then….hit a roadblock again with food! Now Port of Call is known for their burgers, but I don’t eat beef. I haven’t purposely consumed any beef in 21 years, so trying to even eat a single bite now will make me sick. So I was left to a salad, which was completely necessary, and their gigantic loaded baked potato. While these two

the Smoothie King Center to watch the Houston Rockets take on Anthony Davis and his squad. It was my cousin’s first time at a live NBA game, but we both can cross-out getting on the jumbo-tron at a sporting event! (We made it y’all!!! LOL) After the game we headed back to the French Quarter to eat at a local favorite, Coop’s Place, a small very eclectic spot with a [clean] dive bar atmosphere. The one waiter in particular that we had was unforgettable, he was knowledgeable with his extremely friendly, loud and carried a no non sense New York attitude. He does not allow phones at the table! He scowled at my cousin a few times for trying to check her phone, send a text or even trying to take a picture of our plates. Where I found it extremely funny, I also understood and appreciated why he made this a rule for any of the tables he worked. Now I should have ordered the fried chicken, since that’s what is highly recommended but I decided to try the Redfish Meuniere. The dish was 8 oz. Redfish fillet floured & sautéed with a tangy shrimp & butter sauce with Worcestershire, lemon, and hot sauce. Served with a house salad & green beans. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it. It was a little too salty for my liking, so I definitely wish that I had ordered their fried chicken. For the life of me I cannot remember what cocktail we ordered, but whatever it was our waiter said, “No!” and proceeded to offer an alternative drink that he created called, The Friendly F***er. That drink there……we ordered another round!

Day 3: 12/30

items were filling they were not soaking up the alcohol from the infamous Neptune’s Monsoon cocktail. I have no idea what ingredients are in this drink, nor will they reveal it. However, it’s fruity but strong nature makes Port Of Call, a necessary stop from here on out on every single New Orleans trip I make in the future.

Day 2: One of my Archonette sisters attended Xavier University of Louisiana and still resides in New Orleans. She is a self-trained chef and mmmmaaaannnnn is her food AMAZING! Saturday morning we headed over to Candra’s place for a brunch with her and her friends (fellow XULA alumni). Our cost for entry was simply a bottle of champagne for mimosas. The spread she conjured up herself was beautiful: Traditional French Toast, Turkey Bacon, Sweet Potato Pancakes, Croissant Stuffed French Toast, Scrambled Eggs, Mixed Fruit, Grits & Crawfish Potatoes. It was heavenly, we all went back for seconds and thirds! Everything would make your mouth water, but those Crawfish Potatoes were unmatched. I’m still trying to remember the exact flavor profile so that I can attempt to make it here at home one day soon. As a diehard basketball fan, there was no way I was going all the way to New Orleans & not watch the Pelicans play. After we chilled out and fought the “itis”, we headed to

pg.

Sunday mornings are always made for Brunch so we headed over to the historic Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans. Li’l Dizzy’s Café was everything I needed in my life and everything I was desiring on this trip: beyond amazing food with a home/chill atmosphere. Now for whatever reason, before I even left St. Louis for this trip I was craving collard greens really bad. The catch is though, I don’t even eat greens! I’ve never been a huge fan and if I do eat them it’s literally like 3 small forkfuls and that’s it. I’m not sure if it was the texture or flavor that I didn’t like before, now all of that has changed. Oh I definitely fulfilled that craving & others that I didn’t know I had, this Sunday morning. Their weekend buffet is only $17.99 and is filled with all the traditional buffet choices and classics of Creole-Soul Food. Peachy bread pudding with a rum glaze, fresh & crispy fried chicken, creamy macaroni and cheese,

110

seafood gumbo with crab legs, sweet & buttery cornbread, etc. and of course the greens of perfection. I remember rocking in my chair humming Fantasia’s “Collard Greens & Cornbread” and finally being able to agree with the sentiments of those lyrics. One of the coolest thing about Li’l Dizzy’s is that you can see how hands on & active the owner is, in its daily operation. Mr. Wayne Baquet was helping to clean tables, greeting customers, taking names for the waitlist, helping servers, etc. all while wearing a smile. After we ran around the city doing some light shopping we stopped by J’s Creole Wingery in the 7th ward. The unique part about J’s is its architecture and how they combined 2 shipping containers and turned it into a small dine-in restaurant. Your flavor choices: Spicy Hot, Sriracha Lemon Pepper, Honey Heat, Creole Rub, Lemon Pepper, Hickory Smoke BBQ, Garlic Parmesan, Honey Mustard & Island Jerk. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of these however of the 2 flavors that I tried, the Honey Heat wings were undeniably gratifying.

Day 4: In order to preserve our energy, we didn’t go out at all for any adventures during the day on New Year’s Eve. So I decided to chill out for the day and take a break on spending. Between the small amount of groceries that we purchased on the first day any leftovers, we were set for the day.

Day 5: Crescent City Pizza Works was a clutch stop, when it’s in the wee hours of the morning of January 1st and majority of places are either crowded or closed. When you close your eyes and take the first bite, their pizza can instantly make you feel like you’re in the sidewalk of a New York City street, grabbing a quick bite before you head down to the subway on to the next stop. Copyright © 2017 - All rights reserved.

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ART OF FOOD... cont.

The French Market is an open-air market that stretches five blocks that features local produce, handmade crafts, dining, specialty art, retail shopping and more. I originally just wanted to buy a beautiful scarf/shawl for my ailing aunt and a few souvenirs, then I smelled it. I wasn’t sure what it was, but it all smelled delicious. As we were walking down the market, passing all the different little restaurants and then I saw it, Loretta’s Authentic Pralines. Not only do they sell different flavored pralines, but they also sell cookies, beignets and more. At this point I hadn’t had my fix of beignets just yet, and I knew Café duMonde is forever crowded. I contemplated the whole time I was in line, what

experience firsthand. And when you do, don’t share your order! You’re going to want your own. Looking at The Corner Oyster House menu, I had a nostalgic moment. On their menu was Paneed Chicken Pasta, which was one of the dishes I had to cook for a final in my second semester of culinary school. (Aced that final, by the way! Lol) However I decided to try their Crawfish and Crab Cakes Pontchartrain Pasta. The dish is two crawfish and crab cakes, linguine with lemon butter sauce topped with lump crabmeat. I loved this dish, minus one thing. It had small diced onions and green peppers on top of the pasta. I am not a fan of green peppers and although they added them for texture, it was not a necessary component to the dish. I did try to scrape them off, but it was so much and it was chopped so small, it was virtually impossible. Those crab cakes however…….PERFECTION! They were flawlessly seasoned, flaky, crispy on the outside and a taste of heaven on the inside. I would order that dish again and just ask for no green peppers or onions sprinkled on the top of it.

Day 6:

flavor beignet I wanted to try. The chocolate? Traditional? Or praline beignets? When it was my turn to order, I told the cashier my contemplation and she cleared it up for me in 15 seconds when she said the beignets are filled with the a praline filling! My jaw dropped and watered at the same time. These praline beignets were hands down the most delicious, fluffiest and addicting beignets I’ve ever had in

Parkway Bakery and Tavern was located about two blocks away from our Airbnb. So on our last day in New Orleans, I decided to go for a leisure walk and grab a po’boy from Parkway. I thought I was doing well on time, getting there around 11:30 when they opened at 11:00. However, I was completely wrong! There was already from the front counter out the back door to the outside covered seating area. It took a little minute to get up to the counter to order but it was worth the wait for sure. I ordered the shrimp po’boy, completely dressed and a small container of banana pudding. A dressed po’boy comes with all the fixings, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and mayonnaise. Unfortunately, I can’t report on the banana pudding because I was too full to eat it and TSA would not let me take past the security checkpoint. The po’boy however was satisfying. The shrimp was perfectly cooked with its crunchy breading, the French bread was the perfect texture to compliment all the textures of the dressed po’boy. Now the remoulade sauce left me wanting a little more. It wasn’t bad but I was expecting a stronger flavor. On your next trip to New Orleans, I hope you get to experience some if not all of these establishments! They are sure to please and fulfill every craving you may have. I’ll me hitting the road again soon so if you have recommendations for other restaurants, especially in New Orleans, Portland or Houston please contact me (Doré) at gspDoreinfo@gmail.com. * Li’l Dizzy’s Café, Loretta’s Authentic Pralines & J’s Creole Wingery are all black owned establishments

my life. I can’t even accurately describe how amazing that praline filling was. It is definitely something you HAVE to

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~Léna O. A. Jackson www.facebook.com/gspDore www.instagram.com/gspDore gspDoreinfo@gmail.com

Bon Appétit,

Doré

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

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CALL FOR ART “All Colors” OVERVIEW: “All Colors” is an invitational and juried arts exhibit featuring the art of approximately 100 artists and 200 pieces of art. The show takes place January 13 through February 28, 2018 at the St. Louis Artist Guild, 12 Jackson Avenue, Clayton, Missouri 63105. We expect strong attendance, as the “All Colors” exhibit is a fund raiser with art and related funds to benefit artist of all disciplines, small not for profit 501C3 organizations and community/neighborhood organizations. Clayton, and the surrounding region have long been supporters of the arts and Portfolio Gallery and the “All Colors” sponsors are committed to make this exhibit a successful fund raiser and to introduce the St. Louis Metropolitan region to artist that mainstream publications have overlooked. HOW TO APPLY: Online applications may be completed though Portfolio’s website at www.portfoliogallerystl.org Click the Call for Art link that will take you to the sign-up, upload and payment. Each application must include the requested uploaded images and an artist’s statement of 100 words or less explaining the artist’s creative process including specific information about technique and materials.

Submit your art now!

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

LABOR DAY SPECIAL!! ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS FOR WEEKLY MEAL PREP, CONTACT INFO BELOW!

Meal prep plans, personal chef, and health coaching services available. Plans starting as low as $75.00- For limited time only!! For more information contact fabulouslyveganme@gmail.com and visit fabulouslyvegan.com!

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Walking the Blue Line: A Police Officer Turned Community Activist Provides Solutions for the Racial Divide By Terrell Carter Bettie Youngs Book Publishers

$15.00 paperback

“As I recall my experiences, I find it incredulous that people in law enforcement honestly believe and say that a racial divide and racial profiling don’t exist. An officer’s mind is divided: first, between the police and the general public and second, between the police and minorities.”~ Terrell Carter Walking the Blue Line follows the author’s experiences growing up as a black child in St. Louis, MO, a racially charged city still trying to overcome its divided past, and his five year journey as a law enforcement officer which led him to reevaluate his views on citizens and police alike. Readers are taken on a compelling journey as he details personal stories of the challenges of navigating this new world, including how he had to testify against a former partner for falsifying a major drug arrest. Terrell details the thoughts and tactics of police officers based on their training in the police academy and lessons they learn on the streets and how this information can help citizens better understand why officers do what they do while still holding them accountable for protecting and serving their communities. Walking the Blue Line can be ordered from www.terrellcarter.net, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and traditional booksellers.

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The Writer/ The Publisher/ The American Creed “These are critical days when, more than ever, men seem to become captives of their personal ambition for wealth, social position and influence, and when their adventures in power politics and in finance politics, both at home and in the international field, also make them captives.” Pat Jackson, c. 1940, quoted by Murray Kempton in Part of Our Time: Some Ruins and Monuments of the Thirties (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1955). In 2019, everywhere, the writer is free, and everywhere, the writer is in chains. So too is the publisher, although the self-publisher may be an exception; the final objective of the publisher is profit. Both the writer and the publisher genuflect, in different degrees, before the American Creed --- a principle abstracted from the American/ Racial Contract. Everywhere in what we misapprehend as reality, we discover implacable chaos. Thus, time and culture do make captives of us all. In the field and function of publishing, the tyranny of the numerical majority flourishes, much to the disadvantage of the writer who happens to belong to a numerical minority of one sort or another. The reader/consumer is captive to angels and demons of desire. The only escape is a refusal to purchase and read publications, and the reader/consumer will have none of that. The necessity of art and communication precludes that option. But publishers should be aware that many reader/consumers are indeed cognizant of manipulative designs, the ethics of the New Jim Crow in the United States of America. Reader/consumers are not hopelessly dumb regarding the metaphor of incarceration that is more a web than a metaphor.

spiders mythologize that the “hidden normal” is a fluke or a post-truth. Thus does the web choke intelligence. Roxane Gay obtains a degree of fame for celebrating the joy of being female and fat and, one dares assume, medically-challenged. She is not obligated to push back against Wright, Ellison and Baldwin, but astute critics note the friction between her writing and that of Sapphire in PUSH (1996). Publishers know sisterhood of the imagination is powerful. On the other hand, Kiese Laymon does push back, despite having delivered what the prurient American Creed hungers for ---a feast of the excruciating pain of being American, black, male, fat, and targeted --in Heavy (2018). Having read Black Boy, Laymon “ wondered if black children born in Mississippi after Wright would have laughed, or smiled more at his sentences if he imagined Mississippi as home” (138). He wondered how Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time might “read differently had the entire book, and not just the first section, been written to, and for, Baldwin’s nephew” (144)… if “Baldwin would have written to his niece” (144). There is more pulling than pushing in Toni Morrison’s anointing Ta-Nehisi Coates as the writer who “filled the intellectual void that plagued [her] after James Baldwin died” and in Coates’ appropriation of the title of a superb poem by Richard Wright, Between the World and Me (2015). And the publisher/spider must be pleased with surprise that many reader/consumers have warmly embraced and become intellectually empowered by Maurice Carlos Ruffin’s satiric first novel We Cast A Shadow (2019), a book that, among other things, retrofits fragments of Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man. The web endures and prevails and pre-veils, of course, but it fails to obliterate eternal truths that germinate in the souls of African Americans. ~Jerry W. Ward, Jr.

It is noteworthy that allusion to combinations of Wright, Ellison, and Baldwin constitute a web. Clever spiders, American publishers spin webs inside of webs inside of webs. Many writers are trapped by the idols of the market and the tribes, and many African American writers ---many not all -- are trapped to affirm and confirm that exquisite suffering is indisputably “normal.” The spiders are less than anxious to have the entrapped find the “hidden normal,” which might be narratives of African American women and men who use racial wisdom, kick the odds, and become relatively successful professionals The Copyright © 2017 - All rights reserved.

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Socks that heal broken a he a rts DONATE Socks for Courtney is a fund-raiser/Sock Drive in memory of Courtney Adavia Kemp

pg.

120

Shop Online Today at NOrepublicansNEEDED.com

Wear Your Disgust on Your Tshirt

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ART OF HEALING Your Ad or Article could be here!

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RICKKITA EDWARDS

CARDIO-CORE & MORE AT NORTH COUNTY REC. CENTER

TIMES: MON WEDS FRI 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

She teaches a class 2 Mondays a month at Faith Miracle Temple 7:15 pm - 8:00 pm. (ALL CLASSES ARE FREE)

COMING SOON! WAIST-NOT FITNESS PERSONAL TRAINING #GETWAISTEDBYRICKKITA

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Interview with Lewis DIUGUID: Award-Winning Journalist Uses Example of Father to Encourage Today’s Men

There is much discussion today about ways to stem the downward spiral of young African American men. Veteran journalist, Lewis DIUGUID, mines the past to offer hope for the future. TheVillageCelebration’s Vickie Newton talks with Diuguid about his book, Our Fathers: Making Black Men.

Listen to the Interview

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

Beloved Children’s Clas

The Grandel

This month Metro Theater Company presents “The Hundred Dresses,” a moving play that masterfully addresses topics of bullying, prejudice and immigration along with a message of tolerance, empathy and understanding.

pg.

Based on the Newbery Honor book by American children’s author Eleanor Estes, and adapted by William Kent Williams, “The Hundred Dresses” is as timeless and keenly relevant today as it was when the book was first published in 1944.

The audience is introduced to Wanda Petronski, the new girl in Room 13, an immigrant who lives in a shabby house and doesn’t have any friends. Every day she wears the same faded blue dress, but tells her new classmates that she has a hundred dresses at home. Her classmates tease Wanda about her hundred dresses until one day she disappears from school. As guilt overtakes the children, they decide to find out what

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ssic Takes to the Stage happened to Wanda and to make amends. Bullying, friendship and forgiveness are at the center of “The Hundred Dresses.” It takes audiences of all ages on an exploration of tolerance and empathy. It especially helps younger audiences learn important life lessons about having courage to stand up for others and taking responsibilities for our own actions. Critics and experts have long lauded the story

$14-$20, and are available through Metrotix at 314-5341111 or metrotix.com.

“I am delighted to bring one of my favorite stories to the Grandel stage. ‘The Hundred Dresses’ explores the power of girls, and shines a light on the consequences we face from small thoughtless actions in response to those who are different from us. It is a story for our time.” — Julia Flood, director of “The Hundred Dresses” /artistic director of Metro Theater Company.

as one children won’t forget and its adaptations as a must-see for families. “The Hundred Dresses” is based on incidents in the life of author Eleanor Estes. When she was a child, she watched her friends bully a classmate—a Polish girl who wore the same worn dress each day. She was a bystander, watching, but doing nothing, but felt guilty as she grew older. Eventually she became a children’s librarian and later an author, wanting to teach others the lesson she wished she had learned as a child. Estes wrote 19 children’s books and one novel for adults. All are still widely read but “The Hundred Dresses,” which was awarded the Newbery Honor in 1945, continues to be the most popular. Metro Theater Company’s five-member cast for “The Hundred Dresses” includes Sophie Murk as Wanda, Alicia Revé Like as Maddie, Hailey Medrano as Peggy, Philip C. Dixon as Mr. Mason, and Jacob Cange as Tommy/Mr. Svenson. The play is directed by Metro Theater Company artistic director Julia Flood.

Photos courtesy of Metro Theater Company

“The Hundred Dresses” runs at the Grandel Theatre in the Grand Center Arts District through February 24. Tickets are

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

#BlackDollsMatter

Buy Now!!!

Bring a sense of pride and strength to the extraordinary girl in your life. Madeline Delilah Doll and chapter book www.stagemotherproductions.com pg.

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

Sharing

Our spirituality is our foundation for how we think, speak and act. It shapes our beliefs, our lifestyle and culture. There are many tribes in Afrika that do not let their youth start school until they are seven years old. Before that time they are spending time at home with Mother, the first teacher, and the family. They are learning about their family culture and lifestyle at this time. They are learning about morals, values, manners, keeping themselves in order, keeping the house in order, how to relate to others within and outside of the family. They learn how to make things beadwork, painting, food, etc.. tapping into that power of creativity. It is at this time that children also become conscious of Spirituality. When they learn at an early age about the higher powers, the ancestors and the connection that we have with these forces, it creates stronger and more competent individuals. Children who are aware of spirituality tend to have a higher self-esteem, they are more happy and have a sense of security that other youth may not have. In the same way that some use religion and fear to control people, we can use spirituality to develop righteous and responsible members of our community. Children are naturally more spiritual and when we confirm their gifts and feelings we make Spirit even more real and important to them. The morals and values that children learn will affect the way they relate to themselves and others in their future. Spirituality teaches us to live in a righteous and positive way. Spirituality shows us that we are not alone, but that we are connected to all. Sharing this thought process will create an attitude of abundance as opposed to lack. It creates the mindset that we can accomplish what we set out to, when we do right. Spirituality helps us to feel our power as we call on the forces and see them working in our lives, it develops our spiritual powers even more. When we work with Spirit we become more aware of our own Spirit and our psychic powers. When ones feel empowered, they are usually more successful at achieving their goals. Our intuition is a psychic power that is important to develop. It is meant to assist us as we move thru our lives. It will help us make the best choices and decisions for ourselves. It can also stop us from doing something harmful to ourselves and others. When we teach our youth to listen and follow their intuition, we know they are connecting to the higher part of themselves and the guidance is in alignment with the higher forces. Therefore the decisions will also be made in alignment with the higher forces. The europeans separated church from state, however our ancestors did not separate spirituality from anything nor any aspect of life. We saw the spirit in all things and therefore were able to live in harmony with all things. This is what we want to see our community come back to again. Our ancestors left universal laws and many stories to teach us how we should live. They show us how spirit is in all living things and that there are different aspects of ourselves that must be developed. The physical, the mental, the emotional and spiritual bodies are all aspects that we must develop and maintain from the time that we are young and throughout our lifetime.

We know the importance of living and raising our children with integrity, order and spiritual morals. The ancient laws also create a very good foundation for anyone to build their business on. For example order is crucial for the management of a business. Truth in ones words and actions is necessary for any entrepreneur to establish trust and respect within their personal and business life. This spiritual consciousness will have a profound and very positive impact on our community. It will build stronger individuals who will develop stronger families, who will build a stronger community. When it comes to pg.

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SPIRIT

uality With Our Youth

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SHARING SPIRITUALITY... cont.

business, we will deal with morals so that we are in harmony with each other and the earth. We are sure to have more success and longevity with our businesses when our entrepreneurs are living with a spiritual foundation. As we are in the process of recreating and reshaping our community we are thankful for the opportunity to add the wisdom of our Ancient Ancestors into our lives and the lives of our children. Taking the time to share and teach our youth about Spirituality is a step toward nationbuilding and the true upliftment of our community. It will surely lead us to stronger, more productive and more successful businesses in our community as well.

Rekhit Kajara Nebthet www.rasekhihealing.com rasekhitemple@gmail.com

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

THE TEARS OF MOTHER EMANUEL

John Jennings Associate Professor Visual Studies SUNY Buffalo tumblr: http://jijennin70. tumblr.com/

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Volume 5.8 February 27, 2019

"Quiet Time" by: Lonnie Powell

"Cuban Dancer" by: Ed Johnetta Miller pg.

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June 26, 2017 PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Contact: Robert A. Powell 314-265-0432 Portfoliogallery@att.net,

Portfolio Gallery today issues its call for art, and invites visual artist of all disciplines to enter at:www.portfoliogallerystl.org The “All Colors” Fine Art Show will feature 100 artist and 200 pieces of art, both local and nationally known artists, collectors and educators to the St. Louis Region.

The “All Colors” exhibition will feature the art of invited artist Dean Mitchell, Charles Bibbs, Manuelita Brown, Ed Johnetta Miller, Lonnie Powell, Robert Hale, Sandra Smith, Cbabi Bayoc, Thomas Sleet, Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi, Ronald Johnson and others. Our goal is to create an exciting art event that attracts a national audience. Sells income will support general operations of Portfolio, Inc. a not-for-profit 501C3 arts organization and further be used to provide grants to St. Louis artists, small notfor-profits and community based organizations. Please join the award winning Portfolio Gallery as it presents its 1st Annual “All Colors” Visual Arts Invitational & Juried Exhibition to be held January 13th through February 28, 2018, at the St. Louis Artist Guild, 12 Jackson Avenue, Clayton, Missouri 63105.

Portfolio Gallery is a member of The Alliance of Black Galleries

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OPPORTUNITIES

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CAREERS

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A big Thank You to our CONTRIBUTERS

Arts Today Ezine vol 5.8

Articles inside

Art of Food: Traveling With Restrictions

Moral Crisis Revisited

Bessie's Resurrection