Repping Haiti in February 2010 at "Hope for Haiti"

Thanks to all the wonderful comments on last week's Newsletter.   Special shout outs to Pamela O and Jenee B for their warm emails which left me smiling for an entire two days.  I am very happy to know that like me, many of you welcomed the new year with smiles, the feeling of happiness, love, and other great things. The idea of the Vision Board is no joke, so please also understand that this is something you should start any time you are ready to make a commitment.  The easiest fix is to get a journal, write down your goals, be very clear about how you can go about achieving them, and constantly revisit them.  You should be realistic and also jot down little tidbits which directly relate to achieving those goals.  I find that positive quotes also help.  If you need a little more help, please email me and I will be happy to share with you.  It is not as easy as I am making it sound either, so know that we can help each other as we move to make this our best year ever! 

With that being said, be careful of procrastination.  This week's quote is "Until you value yourself, you will not value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it."  M. Scott Peck.

Time is sure flying; it is already January 12, 2012 and even more shocking is the fact that today is 2 years since the earthquake shook Haiti and killed an estimated 300,000 people.  Hopefully, you have not forgotten about Haiti.  The tendency is to be shocked to the core, obsess about a disaster, pray, look at photos, have events, and then eventually fall back into our normal routine.  Based on the damage that was done to Haiti, I am sure you also know that two years is not enough for the country to be rebuilt.  Despite their resilience, I am sure that spirits of many Haitians remain broken.  Let this email not be about sadness or bringing up unpleasantness, but more about a reminder for us to check in on our brothers and sisters and support when we can.  Two years later, a lot of money has been donated to various organizations, yet there are reports of little progress and loads of uncertainty as it relates to the future of Haiti. 

On tonight's PEP Talk Radio Show, I will be speaking with Johann Richard of Kay Nou and Paul Pumphrey of Brothers and Sisters International -- the two individuals (and organizations) I donated to from the proceeds of my "Hope for Haiti" event in February 2010.  Also joining the conversation will be Huugens Jean and Philip Knowlton, the directors of the Award Winning Documentary Film, LIFTUP.   Yes, the conversation will be around HAITI so if you feel the need to call in to join us, please do so. 

Please scroll down to learn more about these personalities but do tune in tonight, Thursday, January 12 from 9pm to 10pm EST on www.harambeeradio.com to be a part of the conversation.

Happy birthday to my wonderful mother who celebrates this Sunday.  Until we rap again in two weeks, peace be with you and yours.  

Yaa Gyasi Peppy Parke

Creative Director

Peppy Entertainment & Promotions 

SEASON 2, PEPISODE 10 WITH PAPA WABE  

Since we uploaded this show last week, we have received many comments on how enjoyable many found the pepisode.  If YOU have not checked it out yet, please take about 27 minutes to do so and let us have your comments.  

Season 2, pepisode #10 with Papa Wabe CREDITS: Cinematography, lighting and editing: Mark Leeke Associate editor, producer and host: Yaa Gyasi Peppy Parke Produced by: Peppy Entertainment & Promotions Music by: Kehv - 'Conscious Farmer' Keinana Rastafunk Roland - 'Hip Hop Nation" Peppy's Hair: Demesha Dyer of Jaha Hair Studio (Silver Spring, MD) Peppy's Makeup: Nicole Wright Special thanks to our LIVE studio audience. "As I log on to look at this one, I instantly start to laugh...this was such a funny interview being in the studio. This is really a nice one. Although Wabe acted up, the interview questions were taken seriously...Love it.. Bless up both of you and excellent job with the editing Peppy and Mark." Tonya Martin

We are approaching the close of Season 2 and there are very many videos which did not make the final 13.  Some of our favorites are below and in all honesty, most of the ones we feel connected to are the ones which were shot in Ghana.   

Look out for clips of these and many others, as well as some hilarious bloopers in the season 2 finale.

Brenda Muhhamad PEP Talk! Unedited (Teaser)

"Peppy, I thoroughly enjoyed the interview you did with the lady who now lives in Ghana.  She makes me want to take a chance and relocate to a place among my people.  America will never be for Black people and stories like Brenda's reinforce this.  You are golden so please do not stop doing what you are doing."  Stephanie Jenkins, PA

Imahkus PEP Talk! Interview LIVE from Ghana

"Peppy, I listened to this interview and was absolutely amazed by Seestah Imahkus's story.  You did an amazing job with the questions and you make me want to repatriate to Ghana.  Keep on being the beautiful spirit that you are."   

Andrew Belford, Jamaica

Many thanks to our newest Season 2 sponsor, Richard Willis of Sankofa International. Richard Willis, Yaa Gyasi, Robinette Livingston and Reverend Hackney at planning meeting on 01/11/12

"It is a pleasure and honor to partner with Peppy Entertainment and Promotions (and Rosie) to ensure continued success of our God inspired passions.  Peppy Entertainment and Promotions has demonstrated the highest level of quality, professionalism, and commitment to successfully complete mission related projects and programs, making our community, nation, and world a better place for all.  I wish Peppy Entertainment and Promotions (and Rosie) the very best.  Keep up the great work!" Richard Willis

Please visit our Official PEP Talk Site, www.yaapeptalk.com  for all the latest interviews, music and much more for your listening and viewing pleasure.  

WANT TO SPONSOR PEP TALK! AND BE EXPOSED TO OVER 1.5 MILLION VIEWERS?

CLICK HERE.  

PEP Talk! pepisode #5 with Johann Richard of Kay Nou Visit www.kaynouinc.org for more information on the organization which is dedicated to 'Cultivating a Better Tomorrow for Haiti's Youth.'

 LIFT UP RECEIVES DISTRIBUTION, COMMEMORATES HAITIAN EARTHQUAKE

Award-Winning Documentary LIFT UP Sets Distribution Date as January 12th, Commemorating the Two-Year Anniversary of the Haitian Earthquake

(January 3rd, 2012):  Covalent Productions is pleased to announce that award-winning documentary LIFT UP will be available online starting January 12th to help commemorate the two-year anniversary of the Haitian earthquake. January 12th marks the end of a successful, year-long international film festival tour during which LIFT UP was honored to receive the Amsterdam Film Fest Van Gogh Award, Documentary Directing and the Williamsburg Film Fest Outstanding Achievement, Feature Documentary award. What began with a world premiere screening at the Haitian Embassy in Washington D.C, will soon be simultaneously available to audiences everywhere.

"Though this project started with a personal journey, it quickly took on greater significance as it grew to include the narratives of so many survivors," said Co-Director Huguens Jean. "We're thrilled their stories will finally be accessible worldwide."

"The digital distribution model is perfect for LIFT UP," said Co-Director Philip Knowlton. "For so long Haiti has been negatively portrayed around the world. We're interested in portraying the amazing enduring strength of the Haitian people to new audiences."

Profits will be donated to help the rebuilding process in Haiti.

LIFT UP is co-directed by Philip Knowlton & Huguens Jean and produced by Andrew Bly. For more information please visit http://liftupmovie.com/ 

LIFT UP - OFFICIAL TRAILER

Paul Anthony Pumphrey has been an organizer and activist for over forty years. He is a co-founded and member of the board of directors for Friends of the Congo (FOTC).  

In 1998 Mr. Pumphrey help co-found Brothers And Sisters International, Inc. (BASI) which is a nonprofit set up to support and encourage investments in socially-responsible business and community economic development enterprises. BASI also works to assist community groups, organizations and agencies in the implementation and management of projects and programs to enhance economic development within disadvantaged communities of the United States of America, developing nations, particularly in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.  

Mr. Pumphrey is leading BASI's efforts to help the people of Haiti as they work to rebuild their country and their lives. Mr. Pumphrey helped organized teach-ins and delegation visits to Haiti. He also raised money, school supplies and secured electronic equipment for Haitian grassroots organizations.   

Mr. Pumphrey is a member of Universal Negro Improvement Association, UNIA Division 330.