|
|
|
|
|
|
GETTING BLACK IN THE HABIT
|
 I hope you have been getting your BLACK on and I do not mean the color clothes that you are wearing. I mean -- getting into the habit of supporting Blacks, giving bLack, respecting Blacks, and and loving Blacks. This month is too short for all we need to do, so we must remember to celebrate Black History every day!
 This past weekend, many around the world celebrated the birth of Jamaica's reggae legend, BOB MARLEY who has done more than his fair share to ensure that we have roots, rocking, peaceful and necessary reggae music to enjoy. Those of you who attended Trench Town Rock (TTR) on Sunday at Ras Lounge on Georgia Avenue should still be smiling. I would love to personally BIG UP lady Dera Tompkins for spearheading this wonderful event. TTR was held at a Black owned business, with the right mix of Caribbean and African food, Marley tunes playing all day long, the right vibes, and beautiful people...what more could one ask for? Oh yeah -- the food was very reasonably priced; so much so that I was eating like I was pregnant. The drinks were NICE and also very reasonably priced, and it was an event for ALL ages. Plus they also have internet access! Can you tell that I am plugging Ras Lounge? Good -- now check it out when you are in the area.
Word on the street is that Jamaica's minister of culture, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange is lobbying to make The Honorable Robert Nesta Marley, OM a national hero. As far as I am concerned, Marley should be made into an international hero, for the obvious reasons. It may sound strange but I grew up hearing more about Bob Marley than the seven national heroes that Jamaica has, and while that may not be a good thing, it just goes to show how legendary Bob has been over the years.
While we are on the subject of Bob Marley; February was dubbed "Jamaica Reggae Month" and so it is very important for reggae lovers to understand that the late Peter Tosh who was a Wailer is also another great contributor to reggae music (as a solo act). The only living Wailer, Bunny Wailer, is also an incredible artist who is still doing his thing and keeping the torch alive. The legacy is also alive through the children of Bob Marley (too many to mention), Peter Tosh (Andrew Tosh, who is also the nephew of Bunny Wailer) and Bunny Wailer (Cen'C Love).
Since I am still celebrating Bob Marley, please check the right bar to read an article written by entertainment journalist, Stan Evan Smith. Also, we are inviting you to listen online at www.harambeeradio.com TONIGHT, Thursday, February 10 from 9pm to 10pm EST for PEP Talk! Radio. Joining me on the very special show dedicated to the life and legacy of Bob Marley will be Dera Tompkins, Papa Wabe, and Stan Evan Smith. It will be a Marley tribute show you do not want to miss!
Get bLack in the habit, Creative Director
PEPPY ENTERTAINMENT & PROMOTIONS, LLC
|
|
 |
|
|
BOB MARLEY AT 66:
Stan Evan Smith
 Bob Marley, the uneducated ghetto poet's story is one of the 20th century's most powerful and compelling human dramas. A prolific songwriter and musician, of significance and importance, Marley died at age of thirty-six from melanoma cancer. Every aspect of Marley's brief but extraordinary life has been the subject of the pen. His meteoric rise to international cultural importance and musical significance made him one of the most significant contributors to world culture. Had he lived he would have been sixty-six on February 6, 2011.
Reggae Music's royal house consisted of Bob Marley, the "King of Reggae Music," Peter Tosh the "Black Prince of Reggae Music" and Dennis Brown the "Crown Prince of Reggae Music." While Dennis Brown was reggae music's quintessential singer, its ultimate stylist and most influential vocalist, Bob Marley, was the Poet Laureate of Reggae Music, and, according to cultural critic Dr. Basil Wilson, reggae music's Classical Troubadour.
No other Jamaican since Marcus Garvey has had such a great impact on the world community's consciousness with regard to the struggle for human rights, equality and justice as the Marley legacy.
READ MORE HERE.
|
|
|
|
|
BLACK HISTORY CORNER
| |
February 7 was Black Aids Day. The importance of getting educated, tested, involved, treated and ensuring that those around you (especially your lover) are tested cannot be over-emphasized. I know we have gotten into the habit of "figuring out" that people are clean just by looks, but that is crap and we all know it. Just get tested already and insist on a test from the person(s) you are sleeping with.
BLACK AIDS DAY WEBSITE
"When it comes to HIV/AIDS, the famous saying of when White America has a cold - Black America has the flu rings true when it comes to this disease as well. Every year in the United States, since the epidemic began in 1981, Blacks have been disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS.
More than any other racial/ethnic group in the United States, Blacks account for more new HIV infections, AIDS cases, people estimated to be living with HIV disease, and HIV related deaths. Even though Blacks make up 13% of the US population, we account for about half (49%) of the people who get HIV and AIDS. Blacks don't live as long as people of other races and ethnic groups with AIDS, due to a multiple level of barriers (i.e. poverty, stigma, etc.). Blacks have more deaths due to HIV/AIDS than any other racial/ethnic group.
When looking at the disease from a gender perspective, for Black Men, the most common ways of getting HIV are: (1) having unprotected sex with another man or woman who has HIV; and (2) sharing injection drug works (like needles or syringes) with someone who has HIV. For Black Women, the most common ways of getting HIV are: (1) having unprotected sex with a man who has HIV; and (2) sharing injection drug works (like needles or syringes) with someone who has HIV. Blacks at higher risk for HIV are those (1) who are unaware of their sexual partner's risk factors; (2) with other STDs (which affect more Blacks than any other racial or ethnic group); and (3) who live in poverty (which is about one quarter [25%] of all Blacks)."
READ MORE HERE
 | |
Harriet Tubman by Grenadian artist, Roger James. Taken on 02/07/11 at Grenada's Independence celebration in Washington, DC.
|
Harriet Tubman was born Araminta Ross in 1822. She was a Black abolitionist, humanitarian and so much more. After escaping from slavery, into which she was born, she made thirteen missions to rescue more than 70 slaves using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad.
For eleven years Tubman returned again and again to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, rescuing some seventy slaves in thirteen expeditions, including her three other brothers, Henry, Ben, and Robert, their wives and some of their children. She also provided specific instructions for about fifty to sixty other fugitives who escaped to the north. Her dangerous work required tremendous ingenuity; she usually worked during winter months, to minimize the likelihood that the group would be seen. One admirer of Tubman said: "She always came in the winter, when the nights are long and dark, and people who have homes stay in them."
READ MORE HERE
 | | "Taking Her Back" by Kevin Williams (WAK) |
While many will be celebrating Valentines Day on February, 14; there is another group who will be celebrating BLACK LOVE DAY(BLD) on Friday, February 13.
According to Ayo Handy-Kendi who founded Black Love Day in 1993; Black Love Day (BLD) which falls on February 13 is the 3rd African-American wholyday (holiday) of atonement, reconciliation, celebration and 24 hour demonstration showing 5 Tenets (specific acts) of love:
- Towards the Creator
- For Self
- For the Black Family
- For the Community
- For the Black Race
The theme for Black Love Day 2011 is "Tolerance thru Unconditional Love"
THINGS TO DO:
·It's NOT where you GO for BLD. It is WHAT YOU DO to show love
·Greeting is Nya Akoma (N yah Ah comah) which means get a heart, be patient
·Display the Akoma -- an ancient African Adinkra symbol of love, patience, goodwill, faithfulness,endurance, not a Valentine
·Wear Purple and Black: for spiritual growth & royalty; for the people & freedom from evil
·Buy BLD gifts from Black merchants;
·Get "The Black Love Book" by Ayo Handy-Kendi with BLD traditions,Valentine's Day History, and more.
To learn more about Ayo Handy-Kendi, visit her Facebook Page
|
|
BLACK PERSONALITY/BUSINESS PROFILE
| 
The mission of Shea N More is simple: "to provide the best products and service to our customers at the lowest prices possible." According to owner, Lalordi Muhammad, "We take great pride in our company, our commitment to customer service and in the products we sell."
If you are not inspired to use natural shea on your body, then perhaps Lalordi's personal testimony might inspire you...
"I have lived with eczema all of my life. I relied upon the lotions in the store that had words that I couldn't pronounce like juugapsylocharmoniforum. Three years ago I was introduced to shea butter. My sister showed me that working with raw shea butter, there are so many things you can do. I discovered the cure for my dry skin! Raw shea butter and later, african black soap proved to become the natural remedy that I would use to cure my itchy, dry skin. With her help and guidance, I started making products that would help: lotions, creams, bath salts, etc. I loved to experiment! I joined with her and we set out to providing the very best in natural bath and body products." CLICK HERE for more and to purchase products.
Master See is a performing artist and producer currently living and working in Northern Virginia. His unique style is called "SoulBeat," a blend of soul, funk, jazz and hip-hop with a dash of spirituals all built around a reggae foundation. Drawing inspiration from such diverse artists as Peter Tosh, Fela Kuti, Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, James Brown, Tupac Shakur, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Nina Simone and many others; Master See's work is textured and rich. Penetrating lyrics and powerful vocals are his calling cards. Master See is finishing his next CD entitled THE SON OF MAN which will be available soon.
For more information, email mastersee2009@gmail.com or visit him on Movementunes.com to listen to and/or purchase his music.
|
|
UPCOMING EVENTS
|
 
IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR EVENT LISTED, PLEASE EMAIL INFO@PEPPYPROMOTIONS.COM |
|
|
|
|
|
