The new Elevate Lounge is a spoken word forum - base on spirituality - a counseling and bereavement Group.
Elevate is about spirtual awareness and consciousness of self as women. It is to promote a positive self image of women and serves as a forum to express and share our hurts, pains, disappointments, fears as well as our joys. There is abuse counseling, rape and bereavement support. A completely Second Life project that we hope will grow and be able to thrive in Real Life
“Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can’t ride you unless your back is bent.” -Martin Luther King Jr.
Just when I think I've read everything about Martin Luther King Jr. I find something else that inspires me all over again. Such a powerful soul. I don't have much to say this time. I'll leave you guys with this video of one of my favorite songs by The Great Duke and Coltrane.
Until Next time.. let's Elevate?
Song by Duke Ellington & John Coltrane "In a Sentimental Mood"
It's that time again. Time to pause and think about the contributions that African Americans/People of Color have offered to the world. Instead of going on and on (like I usually do) about the unsung heroes that "keep the dream alive" I've decided that each week I will feature a young person who is doing just that. I believe the children really are our future and the more we encourage and lift them up it will begin to act as a domino effect in our communities. I believe if we use these media platforms to give them attention and praise for the RIGHT reasons the more they will continue to do the very thing that makes us so proud. Not only that, it will also give their peers an example and an alternative to the lifestyles and reality that so many of us have to deal with every day. Yes it's hard but there is hope and sometimes hope is found in the unlikeliest of places.
In the meantime check out this poem called "A Black American" by Smokey Robinson
"Freedom is never given; it is won." -A. Philip Randolph.
I really meant to post this sooner. Like most of my past blog posts, I planned write out a detailed article on the importance of this time but I only have a few minutes so here we go! This year like every year in February we pause to recognize, remember, and celebrate Black History Month. A time where we can salute the great strides that have been gained since 1926 when it first originated by historian Carter G. Woodson as "Negro History Week". Woodson chose the second week of February because it marked the birthdays of two Americans who greatly influenced the lives and social condition of African Americans: former President Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist and former slave Frederick Douglass. Long gone are the days where Black and White people could not sit next to one another on the bus, at the movies, or in a classroom.
Who would have guessed or imagined back then that we would now have a Black president? Recently, on January 31, 2010 Caressa Cameron, a 30 year old Black female from Fredricksburg, Virginia was crowned Miss America. She was the fifth Black woman to receive this coveted honor. How inspiring and profoundly amazing! There is still "a ways" to go but I believe that if we (not only Blacks and Whites but all nationalities) keep moving forward we shall indeed "overcome."
Black History Month sheds a light on issues that need to be addressed and challenges us to continue to rise above injustices, Ethnic intolerance, and any other acts that do not productively serve our great goal which is peace and fairness. Please take a few moments to remember what was done and what still needs to be done to make this world a better place for our children and generations to come. To all of you making history.... Thank you and continue to fight the good fight!
In closing I'd like to leave you with this poem. Let's keep hope alive, live the dream, and Elevate!
