BIG YOGI

 
"Well, to sum it all up, it was an interesting season for me.  Even though we lost over a third of our games I still have a lot of memories. In the midst of losing you find character, and that is going to help me and my teammates deal with the problems of life ahead of us" ---MVP Dawayne Grant (pictured top row last on the right)

What is more tragic than a man who feels as if he has reached the point of no return, when there are no more options, and the walls are closing in on him?  No movie can recreate the real feeling of despair that a man feels when his life catches up to him and he has to face the consequences.  No book can masterfully weave a gut wrenching, emotional, realistic tale that accurately describes exactly what happens in the heart and mind of a man at the end of his rope.  But for those men who have survived tragedy, who have been close to death, and who have lived on the edge, they understand.  And they would understand what may have been going through the mind of one of my best friends, Dawayne Lavar Grant, on the early morning of July 26, 2012 (my actual birthday), when he was shot dead by Akron police as he held his gun in the air.

It used to be common to hear in the hood that the young street-bred boys were hopeful just to make it to the age of 21. They were so at risk at a young age due to drugs and violence in our communities.  But, I'm here to tell you that that story is a myth.  There is no less risk for a man who is 35 years old vs. an 18-year-old boy being raised by the streets.  The systematic oppression of Black men has been going on for years and the stats support this statement.  Today, Black men are seen as society's problem child and the perpetual cycle of violence, struggle, depression, rage, hopelessness, and survival plague our men; yet, years of systematic oppression keeps the majority from being able to break this cycle.

Dawayne Grant had always been a confident young man, cocky some would say, but he was not a deviant.  Dawayne wasn't born in the worst conditions either.  He had a close-knit family who, even though they had problems and issues that affect most African-American homes, stayed close together no matter what.  Dawayne had high expectations for himself growing up.  He excelled at sports, and oozed ambition.  Reading that quote from our yearbook reminded me of his maturity and "old soul".  Dawayne was determined to succeed in life.

Fast forward a few years later.  After a brief stint playing college football, after not being accepted into the police academy because of physical limitations, he could not change; after struggling being a young black man trying to find a decent job in a small city with high unemployment rates; after succumbing to the street life that attracts so many who find it an easy way to put food on the table despite the fact that it continues the life-long destruction of our culture; after earning the label of being a felon; after having 4 children to provide for, but finding it hard to make ends meet; after losing opportunity after opportunity; after being robbed, shot, and coming close to death on more than one occasion; after coming to a reality that despite the consequences, he felt that he had to live by the gun in a world that is eat or be eaten; and, therefore, we find our good friend Dawayne Lavar Grant in the back of a neighbor's driveway with police surrounding him, no where to go, a felon, possessing a weapon, outstanding warrants, and other charges on the horizon.  The story ends there for my close friend Dawayne, but this is not just his story.  This is the story of many of our Black men.  This is the plight of millions of young men in the hood.  And the sad thing is if you were to speak with any of these men they would quickly tell you that they would not choose this life if they had the choice.

I could write pages upon pages of great memories and good things about my close friend, but I chose to write what was on my heart because I know many of our readers can relate.

Some people will never understand what goes through a Black man's mind -- we rarely express our emotions, and mask it with anger and hardened faces.  But, as I listen to Kendrick Lamar's song "Kush And Corinthians" he gives you a glimpse of what we go through internally: "Let's Get Straight to the point, to the meaning of life, what's my purpose, maybe this earth is, just ain't a good place to be, how far is heaven let's see, is it in the clouds like they said it would be, I wonder when I die will he give me receipts, I wonder will the eyes of the Lord look at me, look at me, look at me, I'm a loser, I'm a winner, I'm good, I'm bad, I'm a Christian, I'm a sinner, I'm humble, I'm loud, I'm righteous, I'm a killer, what I'm doing, I'm saying, I'm  human...I'm running, they say I'm wylin, a youngin with lack of guidance; there's hundreds of us with problems, more money, more drugs and violence; look at the soul of an out of control artist that's dealing with life the hardest, that's on my life but regardless, Ima ride to it, ride to it..."

ONE

 

Jay-Z Got Crazy Game

    
 
Jay-Z is expanding into video game hustle.

The rap mogul and part-owner of the Brooklyn Nets is teaming with 2K Sports to help produce NBA2K13.  Larry Frum of CNN reports that Jay-Z will have input into the music, crowd reactions and in-game menus.

"'NBA2K13' will be the next evolution in sports and basketball culture, and I'm ready to usher in the new era of the franchise," he said in a statement.

Besides his own music, Jay-Z has also included on the soundtrack songs from U2, P Diddy, Coldplay and his Watch the Throne partner Kanye West.

The game will be released in October. 

  

Project: Prepared School Supply Drive

     
 Lifesaver Health Care,and Kidz Castle Enrichment Center teams up with PrestonMiles Clothing to give back to the communities of Central Ohio for the fourth annual Project: Prepared school supply and backpack giveaway.  LSHC an eastside Home HealthCare company and Kidz Castle Enrichment Center a downtown daycare thrives on giving back to the community that supports us.  We employ only qualified staff and make every effort to accommodate everyone we service.  PrestonMiles Clothing is a brand new kids clothing company produced in Columbus, Ohio. When asked about the inspiration behind the brand, "We want to create fun, high spirited clothing that promotes individuality, creativity and imagination" says creative director Michael Oliver. Valued initially for creating their tees using only phthalate free or water based inks, they strive to be both a socially responsible and environmentally friendly brand. For more information please visit www.prestonmileskids.com
 
Columbus Ohio - July 2012 with the excitement of the upcoming 2012-2013 school year approaching, many families of Central Ohio find they are struggling to afford the basic school supplies necessary for success. Life Saver Health Care and Kidz Castle Enrichment Center have joined forces with PrestonMiles Clothing to host the 4th annual "Project: Prepared".
 
"Project: Prepared" was created by these dynamic entrepreneurs to obtain monetary and supply donations from local business owners, organizations and individuals in order to distribute book bags brimming with school supplies to at least 300 school aged children.  100% of all proceeds go to the youth participants.
 
The "Project: Prepared" school supply will take place on August 12, 2012 at the Barnett Recreation Center (1184 Barnett Road) during the hours of 1:00pm until 3:00pm. This community supported location is easily accessible by COTA, has ample FREE parking and is also in close walking distance to communities that would benefit from this opportunity. In addition to distributing school supplies, there will be snacks and beverages on hand, a DJ providing age-appropriate music, a sparkling mini water park, a Get Better Basketball Clinic and local celebrities, athletes, and community leaders in attendance to shake hands, take photos and speak with the kids to get them motivated for the up-coming school year.

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iPhone 5 Announcement

    
 Apple has once again made a huge announcement, or have they? The announcement of the new iPhone 5, by outside sources, has some saying: "It will be Christmas in September".

It seems like Apple is always making a monumental statement with their products, and the release of the iPhone 5 will be the biggest to date. One day after the historical September 11th date, Apple will be announcing details about their best cell phone to date. The source that has confirmed the report, All Things D Blog (who also confirmed the release dates of iPhone 4S and the iPad 3 correctly), predicts the announcement in Sept 2012.

With the hoopla over the Samsung Galaxy S III, it will be interesting to see how the iPhone 5 stacks up against it. The Galaxy S III has been graded to be one of the best cell phones on the market today. The 4G network, and the slim design alone, has consumers salivating at the chance to be one of the first to purchase the iPhone 5.

Even though Apple hasn't officially released the date for the iPhone 5, reports have been made by numerous sources - so, we should get word in the forthcoming weeks. No word on the price as of yet; but some say with a new 2yr plan, it will cost somewhere between $199-$399.

via Examiner

 

A FlyPaper Member Gets Locked Up!

   
 Dear FlyPaper Mag Fan,

I'm proud to tell you that I, Chris Jones of FlyPaper Mag am going "behind bars" to help in the fight against muscle disease.

 I'm joining other community leaders to help raise critical funds for MDA, and I need your help to reach my bail!

The Columbus Downtown Executive Lock-up 2012 takes place on 08/09/2012, but I'm raising my bail before I go to jail! All you have to do is click here to make a secure, online donation today. Your support will help families living in our community with muscle disease, and help guarantee that I get out of jail. I will be sure to add you to my list of contributors.

Please support me in this important goal by visiting my fundraising page and making a contribution. Your tax-deductible donation makes a difference to the hundreds of kids, adults and their families who live right here in our local community.

Thanks in advance for your help. Don't hesitate to call or email me with questions.

Thanks,

Christopher Jones

To make a donation online now, please visit my personal page.

 

 

  

 

   

 

 
ARTIST :: MEEK MILL ft. WALE, TREY SONGZ & DJ SAM SNEAK

TO LISTEN & DOWNLOAD :: CLICK HERE

 
ARTIST :: NaS ft. RICK ROSS

 
ARTIST :: FRANK OCEAN

TO LISTEN & DOWNLOAD :: CLICK HERE

 

TRACK :: KUSH

PROD BY. :: RASHAD

TO LISTEN & DOWNLOAD :: CLICK HERE

WTH?