The Melanin Collective Magazine RISE OF A KING
ISSUE 2 MARCH 2017
REAL TALK WITH HUDDERSFIELD'S SPIDA LEE ON THE YOUTH, LATEST ALBUM & FUTURE PROJECTS
HEALTH NUTRITION
HUDDERSFIELD NATURAL AFRO HAIRITAGE & BEAUTY EXHIBITION 2017 IS BACK IT’S BIGGER AND BETTER
COMMUNITY NEWS PARENTING AND MUCH MORE
The Melanin Collective is a brand made up of different elements brought together collectively through a magazine publication. The name came from the three C’s of African customs. Collective, Culture and Community, followed by Economics, Management and Culture. You cannot have one without the other. This came from Professor Leonard Jeffries whilst on SA Neter Tv. The Melanin Collective team is made up of freelance writers from the African/Caribbean community based in the UK. Bringing you articles on history, relationships, community news, parenting, community role models, hair care and more. Our aim is to uplift the community through a positive publication.
The Melanin Collective can assure all our readers that all its articles are sourced from reputable scholars & ancestors past and present. Always give thanks to your elders, scholars and members of the community for going through what they have to give us knowledge and power to speak and share this with you. Know Thy Self!!
THE MELANIN COLLECTIVE TEAM THIS MONTH….
EDITOR & CREATOR CORRINE BRAY AKA COCOA BUTTER/RKHTY MA’AT
CO - EDITOR & WORLD NEWS REBECCA KING
SPIRITUAL COLUMNIST LERIEE SLOAN
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PAGE 6 - HUDDERSFIELD’S NATURAL AFRO HAIRIATGE & BEAUTY EXHIBITION
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PAGE 7 - WHAT’S GOING ON
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PAGE 10 - LOCAL BLACK BUSINESS OF THE ISSUE
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PAGE 13 - RISE OF A KING
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PAGE 16 - 50 SHADES OF MELANIN REVIEW
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PAGE 18 - LIFESTYLE, HEALTH & WELLBEING
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PAGE 20 - SPIRITUAL WAKENING WITH LERIEE
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PAGE 25 - BLACK BUSINESS DIRECTORY
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Can you work as part of a team?? The Melanin Collective are looking for a team of 4 people to carry out marketing and sponsorship duties for Carnival 2017. The post will be paid and only requires 3-4 hours per week. Skill required - Excellent communication skills - Strong IT knowledge (work, excel, powerpoint) - Flexibility in working hours Email info@themelanincollective.co.uk by 15th March
LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWS “DON’T REMOVE THE KINKS FROM YOUR HAIR, REMOVE THEM FROM YOUR MIND” - MARCUS GARVEY
H
uddersfield’s
very
own
natural hair event is back and it is bigger and better. Held at Northfield Hall, organisers The Cocoa Butter Project and The Melanin Collective wanted to fulfil last year's attendees wish by hosting not just another hair event. But make it bigger and better for the community to enjoy. The aim of the event is to educate and empower the black community and anyone affiliated with it; parents/carers of mixed raced children and friends. With the constant pressures from social media, media and the system, we rarely see positive images of ourselves in the west. Due to transgenerational behaviour and due to the eradication of our true African identity many of us have developed self loathing and as a result manipulate the way they look to look more european. This is why the hair event is important! An annual event to bring all the kings and queens together and talk about our hair, whilst gaining more knowledge, leaving more empowered.
Last year’s event sold out 3 weeks before the end, with people requesting to be put on the guestlist. This year however, there will be no guestlist as this interrupts with the flow of the event. Huddersfield’s Natural Afro Hairitage and Beauty Exhibition will not only host great talks but host breakout rooms, stalls, workshops and more. Special thank you to the sponsors; Last year and this year Cantu, Grow Healthy, Afrocenchix, KeraCare, British Curlies, Georgia Eyes Photography, Qualia skin care specialists and Jessicurl Thank you to A.M.Y.N, Urbanized Neck Wear. Brushed Culture, Andrew Smith, The NAHB Exhibition Team.
Nigerian teen invents fan that lasts hours without electricity
W h a t I s G o i n g o n
Ukoma Michael, a 13 year old boy from Nigeria, has invented a battery-operated fan that lasts upto 19 hours once charged. Michael creates his fans from Aluminium and wire, using scrap cardboard boxes as packaging for his intentions. The fans come in various shapes and sizes, with the use of low cost materials. Making them accessible to low income families. ‘Blue Wind Farm’ was set up by the young entrepreneur as a solution to the power crisis that Nigeria has been facing for some time, characterised by frequent daily power cuts. In the future Michael hopes to not only grow his fan business, but also specialise in the the development of aircrafts.
Donald Glover is set to play Simba in the live action remake of The Lion King Donald Glover also known as Childish Gambino is set to take the starring role of Simba in the live action version the lion king. It was announced by Jon Favreau via twitter that Glover would be voicing Simba, with James Earl Jones taking on the role of Mufasa. After recently winning several awards- including a Golden Globe- for his breakout hit "Atlanta" and landing a role as Lando Calrissian in the upcoming Star Wars spin off, the announcement comes as a welcomed surprise. The studio is yet to set a release date for The Lion King. However, Glover can next be seen in the Han Solo movie in May 2018. Atlanta is also set to return for season two sometime in 2018.
W h a t I s G o i n g o n
Famine declared in South Sudan Famine has been declared in South Sudan as around 100,000 people are facing starvation and an estimated 1 million of the country’s population are in need of immediate assistance. Shortages, caused by the long-running civil war and consequent economic instability, are set to leave an estimated 5.5 million people- about half of South Sudan's population- at a high risk of food inaccessibility and possibly the risk of death in the coming months, according to the UN. South Sudan has been declared on the brink of famine twice in the past three years. However, aid agencies state this time is different. This is because they’re unable to reach the affected areas- most of which are concentrated in the northern part of the country. Officials fear that if something is not done soon it could reach crisis point.
Black Teacher Valencia Clay Fights Racism In The Classroom By Teaching Kids J. COLE Lyrics A 29 year old black teacher from baltimore US Valencia Clay has been all over social media for her unique teaching style of using popular hiphop star J Cole’s lyrics in her classroom to fight against racism. Teaching at Baltimore Freedom Academy, Clay’s style of teaching is encouraging her grade 7-8 students to think for themselves. She not only covers J Cole lyrics but also covers topics on colourism and Donald Trump.
LOCAL BLACK BUSINESS OF THE ISSUE
URBANIZED NECKWEAR BY SJ ADAMS It was early in 2016 when Susan and I first came into contact. Susan contacted me about Huddersfield's First natural afro hairitage and beauty exhibition back in April. Susan was at beginning of an amazing journey of her neckwear line; Urbanized. After receiving a birthday gift from her husband, Susan fell in love with making things, she claims she has always been a 'sewer', however the sewing machine gave her a different kind of inspiration after having the children. Further inspiration came from zips and fabric and thoughts about what she could create. With her natural creative flare and dedication, Susan created Urbanized, Neck Wear with a Twist. Her range includes - Ethnic, African inspired, Classic, Upcycled and Hard Edge. Mens/Unisex, womens, children. Urbanized has become a worldwide brand, with customers in Japan and the U.S. Susan’s has recently expanded her range and created beautiful ties and cravats to wear with shirts, adding a little more edge to your outfit. At a very reasonable cost, pieces start from £15 - £40. Urbanizsed is available on Etsy. You can also contact Susan through Facebook and Instagram.
RISE OF A KING! Greetings Lee/Spida. Thank you for allowing us to interview you. Tell us about your journey creating Rise of a King.
Lee Roberts aka Spida Lee, is a conscious HipHop artist from Huddersfield and has been in the game for over 15 years spanning over 2 studio albums and 3 EPs. Spidas latest album Rise of a King, takes us right back to what hiphop use to be with that classic boom bap sound. When you listen to this album it uplifts you, empowers you and educates you on deep African history to the corruption of the system and addressing the youth. This album is seriously educational and recommend everyone purchase and listen to it. The album starts with a powerful sample of Michael Tellinger lecture on the illusion of money. So you know right from the get go this album isn't for the faint hearted. The Melanin Collective caught up with the veteran to discuss his latest album, his new clothing range and the future of youth.
I wanted to make a conscious album not promoting drugs guns money disrespecting women and not saying the word n***ga. I wanted to make a album that was positive and uplifting. The plan was a 5 track EP called The Return Of The King. As time went by, I was making more and more tracks and they all just seemed to flow. Then I change it to Rise Of A King. So in 2014 something happened to one of my family members and was caught up in the street violence he almost lost his life. One night I was up late and worrying whilst watching TV. I came across a film called "The Butler" it's about a boy who was born into slavery grows up and becomes a Butler in the white house. The butlers son ends up joining the black panthers; It’s a really good film. So it got me thinking. There has to be more to black people than just slavery. I hit the Internet and discovered we were Kings and Queens, we had empires. I knew Egypt was in Africa but to be honest, I never knew they were
that we were kings and pharaohs, so I decided to name my album Rise Of A King and put myself as a pharaoh within the album artwork. To show we are descendants of Kings and Queens of Africa, not slaves or N***as! Track 7 of the album is about the youth asking about your direction and their own. What is the best way to tackle gang culture in the UK? For me what I think the best ways of tackling this gang culture on the music side of it is to stop promoting it in music, it's simple as that, specially older heads. Showing how much money you make from trapping, promoting drugs, guns, surrounded by half naked women and talking about shooting and Stabbing people. To the young youth coming up that sounds like the life and sounds cool. Then you add the pressure from streets and estates. once your kids leave the house there on road most of the time there gonna be looking up to the older heads on the street and seeing that life style. Wanting respect and it's messed up but they see the way of getting respect is through violence and these post code wars is a way for them to get respect and represent there estate. Parents who bring there kids up right, but at the same time some parents do and there kids still end up going down the wrong path. The real gritty truth is its down to the individual to make thay right choice and not fall for that way of life, with some positive influence from musicians, older heads on the street who they look up to pushing them and being proud of them doing positive thing and steering them away from the
street life. And parents too teaching them manners and respect. That's what I think. Speaking of positive role models in the music industry, you recently supported some big name on stage; KRS One, Akala and Pharoahe Monch. I bet that was an amazing experience. Ahhhhhhhhhh it's been crazy You supporting these artist. I gotta shout out ollie Smith from the fresh kids for putting me. I supported Akala in last October then pharoahe Monch in Jan and krs one in Feb. These brother are speak the truth and sharing so much knowledge. I got to speak to Pharaohe back stage and he was humble. On stage he was talking about being free mentally and don't let the power abit control you. Krs one was another. He's got some serious tracks what talk about knowledge of self. I got to jumper on stage with him with a bunch of Huddersfield and Liverpool MCs (hes based lthere now by the way) I spat some knowledge to him, I could see it had his full attention and I knew that he knew exactly wht type of knowledge I was rapping about. That was one of my best moments of my life in the this music game
You are a true inspiration to the community of Huddersfield. Not only do you do music, but you also have an established clothing line called Carriacou Jack. You are set to release a new clothing line called Kemetstry. Could you tell us more about that and when it will be released? I started Carriacou Jack clothing in 2013 when I released a Ep called Carriacou jack 99% to help generate more sales. My mum (in Carriacou now) selling my garms as it's their carnival this month. My new clothing line Kemetstry will be dropping in the spring/summer. It will be based on Egyptian history and I will be doing talks about certain pieces and the history behind that particular item. I can't wait to get it out there. That is fantastic, the new clothing line sounds really exciting. The video for Represent, takes back to that old skool 1940s style of dress. What was the thought process behind the concept. When is the next video and single out from the album? The idea for the represent video came from the beat. The sound of the beat, the sample sounds like something from the 1940s in some back ally club. So my cousin who directed the video was like try get a live band for the video shoot and we was vibing and I was like let's go for that old school look everyone dressed in suits and trilby hats. A friend of mine called dre was like try get a 1940s car and I was like yh am gonna do that. I made that happen. Alot of work went into that video. Big up Sam seed Dom mills for that video.
The next video am gonna be putting out is a track called "where will I go". Am looking to start planning the video very soon. When will you be performing next? My next performance I think is in Nottingham at the end of March more info will be out about that show soon. TMC
You can purchase Spida Lee’s new album Rise of a King and Carriacou Jack merchandise from; www.carriacoujack.com Spidalee.bandcamp.com
Music, Film & Entertainment review Every issue of The Melanin Collective magazine, will bring you a reviews on the latest films, documentaries and music that's caught our eye….
50 Shades of Melanin 50 Shades of Melanin is a documentary written and created by sisters Cauline (27) and Naomi (18) Grant of Look At My Black Beauty aka LAMBB. That focuses on Colourism in the UK. LAMBB created by the sisterly duo in 2015, set out to empower, Educate and begin to help health black women of the 21st Century, through an online haven that publishes documentaries, articles and more. The documentary is gorgeous and I loved it, there was no separation of colour or hue, there wasn't a focus on one’s particular experience, but rather their perspective on topic within the colourism subject. I did notice the people who were featured were of a particular age bracket Naomi and Carline did this on purpose stating “we wanted to focus on the younger generation, because we have a voice and things do affect us". Naomi and Cauline want the healing process to start through having conversations about transgenerational issues that affect us as a community today; one being colourism. The documentary is thought provoking and a conversation starter, definitely one to watch and share with your, peers.
PARENTS
Home Schooling School. In the West, all we hear is school is important and it is important to get a decent education in order to become part of society, to get a decent job and be somebody. The kind of education they speak of is sending our children to mainstream school in order to get this sought after education that is not readily available in ‘developing countries’. What they fail to tell us is that, there is an alternative way to educate our children, especially black children. Although mainstream school does have its place,homeschooling is becoming more and more popular. Not just with black parents but white parents too. According to the BBC in 2015, their report said that homeschooling numbers had gone up by 65%. That is a massive jump, 65%!! Across 190 local authorities over 36,000 children were home schooled. The school population is 9.5 million, the stats did not reflect children who had never been to school, as the number would be much higher.
Many argue that school, equips children for the world and society. To a degree however, when black children are constantly being shown negative images of their ancestors and only being taught about mary seacole, rosa parks and nelson mandela. Of course they have played their part in our amazing history but they are not the only one that are part of it. As black parents we need to always make sure our children see themselves, positive images of who they are especially in the home. We are not all in a position to homeschool our children, but we can make sure our children grown up with good self esteem. Social media and westernised anglo saxon ideology is dictating to who our children become. Homeschooling take a great amount of dedication and time, but we can do our best when they return home. That is when their education starts.
LIFESTYLE, HEALTH & WELLBEING A brand new website it set to launch on 1st March 2017 in celebration of International Women’s Month. The new brand Laid Bare UK is a website created for all shades of black women in the UK. The website will have a blog, online shop, guest writers, listed events in the area put on by fellow black women and its affiliates.
LAY IT BARE…….
Laid Bare is a place for black women to relate, educate and empower themselves and understand what we go through is normal and through this we can build wholesome relationships with ourselves and others around us. www.laidbareuk.com
Yummy mummy walk…. Do you have children and want to keep fit during the holidays? Look no further.. During last summer, Michaela McKenzie of Deighton (Huddersfield) came up with an idea to bring the community together, whilst promoting better well being and fitness. Michaela a mum of one, realised that children were not playing out the same as they used to. She fondly recalls playing out all day and only coming in when the streetlights came on or if they needed something to eat. Due to the rise of technology and social media, children do not have the same social skills, no community spirit and as a result we no longer know who’s children belong to who or actually knowing who the child’s are. The Yummy Mummy walk, set up last summer aimed to bring the community together, taking walking and getting to know other parents in the area. Due to the walks success, Michaela will be doing the walking again in the spring and summer. To book your place please contact Michaela at: kkayla188@gmail.com
HEALTH & WELLBEING
SPIRITUAL AWAKENING Every issue of The Melanin Collective, our resident spiritualist will share her spiritual journey to inspire, educate and encourage readers to start their own. Her vast knowledge of meditation, healing and crystal usage will aim to awaken your soul. After a few months of feeling pretty groggy about life and the constant depressing patterns and life lessons I appeared to be faced with I knew something in my life wasn't right. Unsure of what the 'something' was I accepted that this could be another mystery to add to the many questions I seemed to have about life and what that exactly entails. I knew one thing for sure I found great fulfilment serving others. Having 13 years experience in supporting people with learning difficulties enabled me to provide competent high quality care for others,on numerous occasions I would find that my clients would say 'I see lights at the top of your head',little did I know that my aura was present for all whom 'could' see. During a shift my co-worker explained spirituality,I found myself gasping numerous times as my heart palpitated I knew that I was receiving answers to questions that I had been asking myself for many
many years,everything seemed to make sense. A few days passed and the more research I did the more I understood why I see orbs everyday in my eyes but have no sight problems,why I have dreams and through those dreams I am yet to find a dream to be untrue,why my hands and the soles of my feet burn almost constantly,why my head feels open,why I would just know things about people and not be wrong,for the first time I felt 'home'. A few days passed by and I saw the same co worker again this time was different,she has a white tissue paper with something inside,she had a glint in her eye! She handed me the tissue and said "I asked my psychic friend to look at your aura this is what she gave me to give to you,she said to meditate with it". I graciously accepted the gift,my heart palpitated with force,I opened the tissue to find a crystal that I now
know to be selenite. My whole body from top to bottom vibrated and tingled,I felt light headed,I knew from that day,my life had changed. After many deep meditations and much research I found myself attending open circles to build my confidence as I approached any spiritual person I was told of my power,I stood in the middle of the circle and told each person something about there lives that only they would know,in those moments I learnt to trust what I was being told. I blew every person in the circle away. I decided to believe in me,to support me and I'm so happy that I did,I now do readings full time and I make crystal Jewellery I cleanse and programme the crystals to help the client to break cycles,to enhance health,to heal emotional mental or spiritual wounds. Since I have shared my gift and served others I have found such fulfilment in my life,I continue to evolve and learn something new every day I now live my life in a balanced gracious abundant way! Crystals are millions of years old, forged during the earliest parts of earth’s formation. Crystals are millions of years old, forged during the earliest parts of earth’s formation. They are the most orderly structure that exists in nature, meaning they have the lowest amount
ofentropy (a measurement for disorder). Crystals are structured in such a way that they respond to the inputs of all different energies around them, leading them to oscillate and emit specific vibratory frequencies.
If you would like to contact myself regarding your spiritual journey, healing, crystal usage and more. Please feel free. Instagram: @_jus_moi_ Facebook: Leriee readings Mobile: 07494451994
ITAL IS VITAL In the last issue of The Melanin Collective magazine, we talked about Dr Sebi and his Alkaline lifestyle by consuming non hybrid and electric foods to eliminate mucus from the body which can cause disease. In this issue we go a step further and discuss the Ital lifestyle which is very much what our late ancestor advocates. (Dr Sebi sadly passed away in custody on the island of Honduras, in August 2016). The origins of the Ital also known as lifestyle of consuming organically grown food and cooked without salt. The lifestyle is centuries old, dating back to ancient Kemet (Egypt). However is now synonymous with Rastafarian culture, particularly the Nyabinghi sect of the religion. Veganism is slightly different, as the lifestyle is not limited to only eating organically grown fruits and vegetables. The Ital lifestyle is important to the production of Melalnin, this is not only backed up by Dr Sebi but Llaila Afrika in his book Melanin. Living in the west has detrimental effects on our health and well being, not getting enough nutrients, vitamin D from the sun and eating genetically modified food. Eating organic and GMO free food is not easy, the cost and the lack of choice makes its very difficult to eat out and commit to.
If you cannot afford organically grown foods, do research for groups who grow their own without the supermarket price tag and you support someone local. If you cannot find anywhere, sticking to a diet rich in green food and alkaline foods is the next best thing. There are some really nice eateries that serve beautiful vegan/Ital food across the country if you decide to eat out. ●
Ital Fresh - Liverpool
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Oracle Organics Brixton Market Goat Cafe - Huddersfield
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Mrs Vegan Green Supper Club To book contact: mrsgreensvegan@gmail.com 07905082624 Huddersfield
BLACK BUSINESS DIRECTORY Eateries Gravy’s Caribbean Flavour Fresh and authentic caribbean Restaurant & Takeaway 126 Halifax old road Huddersfield 10am - 10pm 01484 961876
Jerk House Jerk specialists & Jamaican cuisine
Lions Kitchen Caribbean Takeaway 105 Fartown Green Road Huddersfield HD2 1AF 01484 423222
Charmaine’s Caribbean Cafe 111 Bradford Road Huddersfield HD1 6DZ 01484 536568
Restaurant & Takeaway 160A Manchester Rd Huddersfield HD1 3JA 11.30am - 11pm 01484 516910
Lando’s Cafe Afro caribbean & English Cuisine 27 Lower Fitzwilliam Street Huddersfield HD1 6BA 01484 900936
Howe Harrison Jamaican Cuisine Takeaway & Restaurant 642 Leeds Road Huddersfield HD2 1FB 07867524417
BLACK BUSINESS DIRECTORY Supermarkets Mackinley’s The Caribbean & African Food Store 12 Byram Street Huddersfield HD1 1DR 9AM - 5.30PM
Saving Grace Music Saving Grace Music work as a two sided entry functioning a independent record label as well as operating as social enterprise working with individuals at risk of social, economical exclusion due to their background. www.saving-grace.co.uk
01484 767022
Services
Clothing Florists Benaiah Matheson Design Benaiah Matheson is a clothing brand derived from an amalgamation of 3 elements, Balance, Love & Consciousness. https://benaiah-matheson.myshopify.com/
Vinyl Vandals An independent & bespoke fashion brand & music collective, where everything is Vinyl or music related. Established in 2002. www.thevinylvandals.com/
Pink Petals 68 Rufford Road Golcar Huddersfield HD3 4RN 07778 649611
Health & Beauty Qualia Skincare Specialists Unit 4a Springfield Mills Denby Dale Huddersfield HD8 8TH 07871436423
BLACK BUSINESS DIRECTORY Services Queen of Claws & Beauty Room LTD Unit 2 Cloth Hall Street Huddersfield HD1 2EG
WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE? info@themelanincollective.co.uk
(Open in 3 week)
Wellbeing X - Service Support Support for ex service men and women and mental health support
WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE? info@themelanincollective.co.uk
Brian Jackson Centre 2 New North parade Huddersfield HD1 5JP 07981719023
WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE? WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE? info@themelanincollective.co.uk
info@themelanincollective.co.uk