Blog Radar: Ali Esteem speaks truth

   You may have seen her in a few of my other videos, Ali Esteem. She is a young black woman/college student/blogger who has a lot to say.. oh and my best friend. She recently made this video talking about a few hot topics going on right now including the Trayvon Martin case. I personally have not spoken out but I love that she has. Watch this video!

For more opinions and truth Please visit her blog http://luvyourselfsomeesteem.tumblr.com/

and her YouTube channel:  http://www.youtube.com/user/AliEsteem

Paint and Poetry part 3!

    Paint and Poetry is a monthly event here in NYC, bringing together young artists in a safe haven to be nothing but expressive. The event showcases a collective of poets & visual artists and allows them to show off their work. Last night's event was the third of many and very enjoyable. It was a comfortable setting to show who you really are and have a good time. The event wasn't all about the painting and the poetry; networking was a key factor. I met a lot of new people and made some new friends(& even got a job). It was a great place to MINGLE. The event certainly had a party aspect, dancing chatting, and just hanging out. What is most amazing is that Mojo was able to bring together all of these wonderful people under one roof, all for positivity. A lot of us don't have or know of places to go to express ourselves freely, around other people like us. All in all, it was extremely dope. One of those "You had to be there!" moments. But if you weren't there here's a brief look at how everything went down:

For info on further events: facebook.com/mojothemogu

Here are a few more photos I took:

Mojo

Tola and Gina

Mojo and I

Ashley August

The painters

Outfit of the week

     So this is just a little something I threw together. I love the combination of the vest, shorts, and oxford shoes. Those three things can turn anything in between classy. I could haveve worn a button up top, a t-shirt, a polo top, w/e. I decided to wear a cute graphic tee. To make this look both playful and classy

Song of the week

   So, I first heard this song on Vh1's Top 100 songs of the 90's a few years ago and immediately loved the chorus. I've listened the song/watched the video quite a few times since then but have recently realized the true meaning. The singer is having a conversation with God explaining how he is at point in his life where he is asking "Why?". He feels lost and alone and that he needs guidance. He also realizes that his people(Black people) are acting a certain self destructive way. He thinks back to the time slavery and how black people in America have overcome so much, which the relevance of "Tennessee" being a southern/slave state during that time. What really explains this meaning is the third verse:

Now I see the importance of history
Why people be in the mess that they be
Many journeys to freedom made in vain
By brothers on the corner playin ghetto games
I ask you lord why you enlightened me
Without the enlightment of all my folks
He said cuz I set myself on a quest for truth
And he was there to quench my thirst 

Just a little reminder

    WE'RE MAKING A MOVIE. I will be working on quite a few projects, one in particular I will starting soon. I am teaming up with underground artists to create a short film/documentary about the modern day "bohemian", artists like me. This film will Document lives of us artists and what we do. Including individual interviews, group scenes, events, and FUN. We are also in need of original music for the film. If you would like to take part PLEASE message me or e-mail me at kearahj@gmail.com. The goal is to challenge certain stereotypes we face on the regular basis and show who we really are. Here's our PSA:

 

Please check out and support Underground Artists by becoming a member of our website
http://www.uafilms.org/
and visiting other pages:
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Online shops!

   Online vintage shops that is. Now, if you spend as much time on the internet as I do, you may have come across websites such as Etsy.com and Bigcartel.com which allow users to set up their own online shops and sell what they've got! Well, I've come across(and purchased items from) two online shops which are different and at the same time pretty similar.

  The first I want to talk about is Susy's closet. You may have heard of this young blogger, style icon, and hair GURU named Susy, most commonly known as African Creature. You can find her on blogspot, tumblr, twitter, and just about everywhere else! If you like her style you can be just as dope as she is with the items on her online shop susyscloset.com . Suzy's Closet is a collective a essential vintage clothing and accessories inspired by African culture. From this shop I bought an 80's track jacket.:

The next online shop is Vintagista. Vintagista also specializes in vintage items. If you couldn't tell by the name, the goal of this site is to bring out the Vintage Fashionista in you. Their slogan is "One of a kind fashion find for the modern & sophisticated fashionista/o". At vintagista.bigcartel.com/, The shop certainly lives up to that. With a variety of clothes, shoes, and accessories to choose from; you can express your old soul without emptying your pockets. The item I purchased is a vintage sweater called the "memories made in the coldest winter sweater".

They wrapped it all nice and put a thank you note:

  I recommend you ALL to check out both of these shops, especially if you're into vintage fashion and supporting young artist like myself. You won't regret it :).

The Badoo Project

    Badoo is the world's largest and fastest growing social network for meeting new people. First launched in 2006, it has around 140 million registered users worldwide and more than 125,000 new users signing up every day. You can check it out at Badoo.com.
    The Badoo Project is a quest to help New Yorkers say a very personal 'Hello' to their city. It kicks off with a 3 day photoshootathon, where 4 hot photographers will undertake the ambitious task of capturing 1000 portraits of New Yorkers. Based on personality, energy and individuality, a final 24 will then get the chance to say 'hello' to the city. Every billboard, banner and media across New York will star one of their faces.

I signed up for a photo shoot, you should as well! by clicking HERE

*(I found out about this from, my idol, Vashtie Kola's blog)

Quote of the week

We as Black people have to tell our own stories. We have to document our history. When we allow someone else to document our history the history becomes twisted and we get written out. We get our noses blown off.
                                                                                                               -Erykah Badu

Big lips don't exist?

   So, we're looking at magazines and a little section on a page in Seventeen asked "which lips are you attracted to" and only showed 3 different types of lips! The pair labeled as full were no where near full! Believe me, Ali and I know! We're laughing here but it really hurts that we're(we a big-liped people) are not represented in something as simple as this. They could've posted a fourth picture of lips. Like Ne-yo's lips!

Yyou- New single

 Well, a few months ago an upcoming rap artist contacted me to listen to his music and give feedback. I did, and I enjoyed his music. You can see my post about it HERE.
  Yyou sent me the link to his newest track "One bad apple".
The song is very catchy and cute, lol. By cute, I just mean its good. Its very commercial and fun. This is a song you can see on the video for on MTV on a Sunday afternoon, despite the words. I particularly enjoy the sample. That's what Hip-Hop music is: sped-up soul and dope samples. This was a wise choice for the producer of this song. I like it
You can listen to it yourself:

Charitable organization: Pheonix House

    At Phoenix House, a leading nonprofit provider of substance abuse services since 1967, the programs meet the needs of each individual client. Phoenix House has more than 120 programs in California, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia/Metro D.C. Which lead individuals and families affected by addiction from disruptive to productive lives.

    Phoenix House has started a new project call Project YES. Project YES is an after-school prevention/intervention program combined with tailored educational and career services. The program is designed to serve at-risk and delinquent youth, ages 14 - 20, who are in the early experimental stages of substance use and/or are exhibiting other high-risk behaviors. Our goal is to reduce substance abuse and the negative consequences that may result.

LOCATION: The program operates at our East Harlem facility located at 2191 3rd Ave. (at 119th St.) and has an open referral base for youth residing in the Harlem community.

Educational and vocational support is provided during and after an individual’s involvement in the program. Group and individual sessions will focus on:

• Educational Support 
• Employment Readiness
• College Preparation
• Academic Achievement 
• Recreation 
• Individual coaching/ career counseling
• Weekly peer group sessions
• Referrals 

Phoenix House is committed to helping individuals, families, and communities affected by substance abuse and dependence. Visit www.phoenixhouse.org to get help, sign-up for our newsletter, or make a donation.

Underground Artists present: LIMAPALOOZA

    A concert event to fund Underground Artist’s upcoming film Lima. Lima is about a young musician who falls into the world of sex, drugs, and rock & Roll. So I guess it’s fitting we have a rock concert to fund the film.
  First, I'd like to apologize for the darkness of this video. My camera does not have a light one it. But its all about the music! The event was a HUGE success. We had a great turn out and a lot of fun. This event made me realize that all that we're doing isn't for nothing, we can really do this. I am so very proud of our Founder and CEO Mariah.
    If you weren’t at the event, you can still support by going to http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/themarsrob/lima-0. Thanks :)

  Find out about the performers, our artists, more events, and the film buy visiting our site wearetheunderground.org

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