The Habari Gani e-Newsletter
 from the ADODI New York Chapter
(Affirming the Lives of Same Gender Loving Brothers of the African Diaspora)

"Habari Gani" in the Swahili African language means
 "What's the word?" or 
"What's the news?"
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LATEST NEWS
Ibaye Robert Brooks
The Post-ADODI Retreat Experience & A Tribute: Ibaye Robert Brooks
A Collage of Pics: ADODI NY Boat Ride (Part II)
Upcoming ADODI NY Events
Read Our Acrhive of Past Issues; Community Links and ADODI NY Email Disclaimer
Community Links of Interest

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CONTACT  INFORMATION

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Ph: 718/596-0342 Ext. #15

ADODI New York Inc.

P.O. Box 7417
JAF Station
New York, NY 10116-7417

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  -ADODI -
THE SIX PRINCIPLES

SPIRITUALLY GUIDED
We seek guidance
to become grounded in the
Divine Energy
that unites and centers
all our spirits.


HONESTY, OPENNESS AND CLARITY
We communicate thoughts and feelings in a sincere
and concise manner.
This principle also speaks to
the need for developing good listening skills as well as awareness of our body
language.


SENSITIVITY TO FEELINGS
We respectfully acknowledge another person's feelings or point of view with or without necessarily agreeing with it.


CAREFRONTING
We reach out to support and assist each other in a
caring and effective manner.


RESOLUTION
We establish a realistic sense of closure of issues
pertaining to our individual and collective purpose.


THE FIVE A's:
ACKNOWLEDGE,
APPRECIATE,
AFFIRM,
 ACCEPT,
ACH�
We believe these five A's
are to be used whenever
we respond to each other
for they enhance the development of the spirit.
It should be noted that
ACH� is the concept of
power and empowering
that reinforces the other
four A's and is the
key dynamic by which this sixth principle functions.

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 AUGUST 2009

ADODI NY Logo
HABARI GANI? (What's The Word?)

Greetings ADODI Brothers,

Peace and blessings! ADODI New York chapter's upcoming "2nd Saturday" gathering is Saturday, August 8th, 2009 from 4:00PM to 7:00PM. Please join the the brotherhood of ADODI New York this month as we are in post-ADODI Retreat mode as we share our recent retreat experiences.

For our new brothers receiving the Habari Gani e-Newsletter, the address and travel directions with a travel map aide link are always provided towards the bottom of this e-newsletter. We hope to see you there! AND PLEASE BRING A BRUTHA OR TWO.

The ADODI New York gatherings are a pot luck gathering so feel free to contribute food, beverage, desserts, etc.

Good or not-so-good let us know your thoughts about the Habari Gani e-Newsletter. Please send email feedback regarding the "Habari Gani e-Newsletter" ONLY to ADODINY [at] GMAIL.com

All other inquiries regarding the ADODI New York chapter itself should be sent to ADODINewYork [at] aol.com

Harambee (Let's all pull together)!Ach�!
ADODI New York


ADODI Online Website (Face Plate)

ADODI Online!
The Official ADODI National Website


__________________________________________________

Clock (Old Fashioned) CC Bkgrd Match
NEW STARTING TIME!
ADODI NEW YORK WILL NOW BEGIN ITS MONTHLY GATHERINGS AT
4:00PM
PLEASE MAKE A NOTE OF THIS BRUTHAZ!

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Ado ROBERT BROOKS
Sunrise:  Friday,  October 24th,  1947
Sunset:  Sunday,  August  2nd,  2009

ADO James Jefferson 2
Ado Robert Brooks
1996 ADODI Summer Retreat
Theme: "Brotherhood of the Survivors"
Location: Camp Ronora
(just over the state line from Illinois into Michigan



ADO James Jefferson 2
1996 ADODI Summer Retreat Program Booklet Cover



ADO James Jefferson 2
Robert (right) Giving A Hug To A Brutha
2009 ADODI Summer Retreat - July 15th
White Eagle Conference Center (Hamilton, New York)


QUOTES FROM THE BROTHERHOOD OF ADODI
AND THOSE WHO LOVED ADO ROBERT...


"I feel very sadden about his passing. ADODI had introduced me to many fine, bright men & he is surely one of them."
 
-
Ado W.R.


+++++++


"Thank you for sharing with us the unfortunate transitioning of Ado Robert Brooks today. I was fortunate to have met Robert at this year's retreat and really got to know him through several small group breakout sessions. I express my sympathy to my brothers who were close to him and grieve with all my brothers for our loss."

- Ado S.W.



ADO James Jefferson 2
Ado Robert Brooks (right)
2009 ADODI Summer Retreat - July 15th
White Eagle Conference Center (Hamilton, New York)


"Robert was a great guy. He was a man of honor, patience and tremendous humor."

 - Ado S.W.


++++


"Hello Brothers,

I am saddened by this news.  I just met Robert for the first time at our retreat.  And now he's gone.  I wish I got to know him better.  Its clear to me he was a great man and I could have only grown in his presence.

Saddened,"
 
 - Ado D.H



ADO James Jefferson 2
Ado Shelton (left) and Ado Robert Brooks (right) Share A Moment
2009 ADODI Summer Retreat - July 15th
White Eagle Conference Center (Hamilton, New York)



"I too was shocked when Steve W. gave the news to me of Robert's passing, and I am still stunned.  Robert has been a fixture on the ADODI Retreats every since I can remember. Most recently Robert and I have gotten closer as we sat together on the Retreat planning committees.
He was always a person who would bring calm to the planning committee meetings and keep us on task, always putting the 6 principles to use.

2 years ago Robert hosted me in his home before the Retreat, and was my roommate during the retreat.  And yes Vincent, we did share many stories of personal tragedy and triumph with each other. Robert was a peace with both and used them to become a better person. Robert is a prime example of how you cannot judge what someone has gone through by how they appear on the outside.

Robert was more than a friend, he was a mentor and I will miss him greatly!"

 - Ado Shelton


+++++


"When Robert Spellman, passed early last year, I didn't know where to begin. Robert had been a father to me in SO many ways and guided me and helped me understand who I was as a young Latino gay male, ESPECIALLY in NYC.

 
Today, I have lost an equally important part of my life. Ado Brooks was one of the first men I met when I first came to ADODI in 2003 or 04. And he made it a point to include me in everything ADODI was a part of. I owe who I am as Ado today to him.
 
Thank you Ado Brooks, for being a part of ADODI and a part of me. You will be missed."
 
 - Ado D.M.

 _____________________________________________



ADO James Jefferson 2
Ado Robert Brooks
2009 ADODI Summer Retreat - Thursday, July 16th
White Eagle Conference Center (Hamilton, New York)



"My ADODI Family
 
I do not know the right words to share, but my heart tells me that I most..  I am sad for the loss of my friend Robert, but I am happy for the time that I had.
 
Robert was my roommate for the last retreat, and for those who have been his roommate, you know that there were late nights of deep conversations.  We shared our lives journey.  The sad days of using for all the wrong reasons, the memories of the GOOD pieces we wish that we could have again, and the reasons why ADODI is such a wonderful venue for being just who you are, without any shame.
 
The tears have stopped for the moment, but the sorrow remains.  I ask that you help me, and other brothers through their sorrow by sharing your joys of knowing Robert Brooks.  I need your love and your hugs.
 
I LOVE YOU ALL,"
 - Ado V.B
 
"P.S. As I end this note, The tears have started to flow...
"



ADO James Jefferson 2
All Photography (except the 1996 retreat photo)
by ROD PATRICK RISBROOK



"Dear Robert,

I know you are at a good place - still I am missing you like crazy."

 - Ado D.W.


+++++++


"I am so deeply saddened and heartbroken. We have lost a wonderful brother and a good friend. I loved him so much and will miss him so much. To me, Robert Brooks embodied the true essence of what it means to be ADODI.
"

 - Ado P.S.


+++++++


"My Dearest Robert, between your wisdom, caring, patience, joy and commitment to the community, you truly epitomized the essence of ADODI. We are all so much better for knowing you and have a special angel/Ibaye to advocate and watch over us. It will be increasingly difficult not to miss your spirit. Thank you for the love and grace you provided to so many of us (tears are falling now), you will be remembered with affection & reverence.

Always,"

 - Ado G.B., Jr.







We will miss U my brutha!
Your heart was always filled with
COMPASSION, LOVE and HUMOR!

You now join the great lake of the
African Ancestors as Ibaye!

You'll always remain in OUR memories
as a cornerstone of ADODI and will not be forgotten

A Tribute To You...

Ach�!



 _____________________________________________



The Post-ADODI  Retreat  Experience
&
A Tribute:  Ibaye  Robert  Brooks
Saturday,  August 8th,  2009  @  4:00PM:

Audre Lorde Project
85 South Oxford Street
(between Fulton Street & Lafayette Avenue, next to the church)
in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn, NY
4:00PM - 7:00PM

Due to circumstances beyond our control the topics may change without notice.
We apologize for any inconvenience.

4 Mile Nature Trail Hike - ME (ROD) Composing A Shot
Pictured left to right:
Ados ROD, Damon and Kobi (team leader) on a Nature Hike



"As the retreat opened, we were treated to a poetry reading by the organizers. A poem by Pat Parker titled "Where Will You Be When They Come?", a very powerful poem that began to set the tone for the coming weekend and one that helped me begin to recement why I was on the New York Planning Committee. As the weekend progressed I quickly began to realize that I was blessed and was part of a family I never knew I had. The weekend told me that i twas ok and that I could be me around my brothers. Out side of my mother and father, I had never felt so loved."

 - Daniel M. (testimonial)
1st Time Ado (ADODI National Summer Retreat 2009)

4 Mile Nature Trail Hike - ME (ROD) Composing A Shot
Ado ROD (aka "BIG ROD") Taking Pictures On A Nature Hike


"I did not know what to expect as we approached the retreat site.  But underneath it all, I was sure I'd have a very good time.  Paul had mentioned enough of it to let me know I was in good company.  Once there, it was all quite normal in that we all bonded as men and thoroughly enjoyed each others company in joyful, loving ways.  What awakened me most were the two rituals: we honored those that passed on before us and welcomed those of us who were new to the retreat experience."

 - Derek H. (testimonial)
1st Time Ado (ADODI National Summer Retreat 2009)


4 Mile Nature Trail Hike - ME (ROD) Composing A Shot
ADODI National 2009 Summer Retreat Banner

4 Mile Nature Trail Hike - ME (ROD) Composing A Shot
ADODI Memorabilia From The Past 20 Years
(ADODI National 2009 Summer Retreat)


4 Mile Nature Trail Hike - ME (ROD) Composing A Shot
Waiting For The Rites of Passage Ceremony
(ADODI National 2009 Summer Retreat)

4 Mile Nature Trail Hike - ME (ROD) Composing A Shot
Bruthaz Chillin' In The Chandelier Room
(ADODI National 2009 Summer Retreat)

4 Mile Nature Trail Hike - ME (ROD) Composing A Shot
Da Goats Lickin' Fingers
(Nah, No Bitin'! LOL!)

4 Mile Nature Trail Hike - ME (ROD) Composing A Shot
Bruthaz Returning To Their Cabins Late At Night
From One Of The Evening Activities At Another Location
(ADODI National 2009 Summer Retreat)


________________________________________



A Collage of Pics From
The 4th  Annual  ADODI NY  Sea Tea Boat Ride
(PART II)


More Pics of The ADODI Boat Ride
From Sunday, July 5th, 2009

All Photos Courtesy of Daniel Mejia!


P7050042 - Herb and Gene @ The Official ADODI Table
Herb and Gene Monitoring
The Official ADODI New York Information Desk

On The Boat Ride


P7050042 - Herb and Gene @ The Official ADODI Table
Young Bruthaz Posing For A Group Shot


P7050042 - Herb and Gene @ The Official ADODI Table
Smiling Bruthaz Having A Good Time


P7050042 - Herb and Gene @ The Official ADODI Table
Garry


P7050042 - Herb and Gene @ The Official ADODI Table
Awwwwwww...
A Beautiful Couple Dancing Together!


P7050042 - Herb and Gene @ The Official ADODI Table
Harry, Herb, Don and Friend


P7050042 - Herb and Gene @ The Official ADODI Table
Daniel (pictured left) and A Friend


P7050042 - Herb and Gene @ The Official ADODI Table
Howard (pictured left)


P7050042 - Herb and Gene @ The Official ADODI Table
Good Friends Don, Paul and Harry


P7050042 - Herb and Gene @ The Official ADODI Table
A Brutha Getting His PicTaken Near The Night Sky



P7050042 - Herb and Gene @ The Official ADODI Table
Jason and Joe


P7050042 - Herb and Gene @ The Official ADODI Table
Group of Friends Chillin' Together


P7050042 - Herb and Gene @ The Official ADODI Table
 Bruthaz on the Dance Floor 1


P7050042 - Herb and Gene @ The Official ADODI Table
 Bruthaz on the Dance Floor 2


P7050042 - Herb and Gene @ The Official ADODI Table
 Bruthaz on the Dance Floor 3


P7050042 - Herb and Gene @ The Official ADODI Table
Resident ADODI Boat Ride DJ ---> Cameron Da DJ


P7050042 - Herb and Gene @ The Official ADODI Table
Another Pic of Garry

-

We Hope To See Our Regular NYC and Out Of Town Bruthaz
Again Next Year for The 5th Annual ADODI Sea Teat Boat Ride (2010)!!

Also, We Hope To All You NEW Bruthaz Checkin' This e-Newsletter
Who Haven't Been To Our Boat RIde.
We Hope The Pictures Are A Nice Glimpse Into The ADODI Experience!

Peace!
ADODI New York Chapter
 

____________________________________________________



ADODI Palm Card Final Design 3.0 (front)

In the process of having FUN on the boat
we hope that a number of you have taken home
and looked over our palm cards that were widely distributed
throughout the boat. We hope to see a number of you swing by our monthly 2nd Saturday gatherings where you don't have to wait another year to see some familar faces from the boat ride experience
and at the same time forge new relationships.


ADODI Palm Card Final Design 3.0 (back)



UPCOMING EVENTS FOR ADODI NEW YORK

Saturday, September 12th, 2009
Regular ADODI Monthly Gathering
4:00PM to 7:00PM

Saturday, October 10th, 2009
Regular ADODI Monthly Gathering
4:00PM to 7:00PM

Saturday, November 14th, 2009
Regular ADODI Monthly Gathering
4:00PM to 7:00PM

Saturday, December 12th, 2009
Regular ADODI Monthly Gathering
4:00PM to 7:00PM




ADODI's HERITAGE

(Founded in Philadelphia, PA in 1986
by ADO Clifford Rawlins)

IN OUR 23rd YEAR!


ADODI, the plural of ADO,
is a Yoruba word that describes a man who "loves" another man.
More than just a description of partners in Africa, the ADODI
of the tribe are thought to embody both male and female ways
of being and were revered as shamans, sages and leaders.


Who is ADODI?
ADODI is a community of men of color who affirm their
African lineage and love of men. Our purpose is to foster and
encourage the self-discovery, validation, empowerment and
liberation of all members of our diverse community.


Where do we meet?
Every 2nd Saturday of every month @
Audre Lorde Project
85 South Oxford Street
(between Fulton Street & Lafayette Avenue, next to the church)
in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn, NY
4:00PM - 7:00PM
A potluck dish is welcomed but not required - An open heart is!

DIRECTIONS:
"C" train to Lafayette Avenue; "G" train to Fulton Street;
 D, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4, 5 trains to Atlantic Avenue/Pacific Street
Buses: B25, B26, B38 or B52 to closest stop to S.Oxford Street
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TRAVEL MAP

REMEMBER, EACH ONE REACH ONE!

SHARE THE EXPERIENCE:
INVITE AND BRING ANOTHER BRUTHA TO OUR GATHERINGS!

ADODI Founder Clifford Rawlins (foreground)
ADODI Founder and ibaye Clifford Rawlins
(pictured left in foreground) at the

1992 ADODI Retreat at Fellowship Farms in Pottstown, Pennsylvania.


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