To my Homie, Lover, Friend...Happy Birthday, KHOLI!!!

She walked into the room, following a line-up of young women that I watched from across the room. She, however, definitely stood out, with a fire-red mane, super-fab glasses that hid eyes that I would later find to be too honest for their own good, and a grin that caught my eye because I caught hers. What can I say? I’m kind of amazing. (Actually, as I was introducing myself to the room, I opened my mouth and my man-voice was M.I.A. “I fly like paper, get high like planes…”) I apologize for my shameless plug during my attempt to honor my boo. I also apologize for my failed attempt at false modesty. I AM amazing…like Yeezy and Jeezy.

So…the grin. That grin told me that she “saw” me and said grin also told me (later) “Nigga, I got plans.” But, that story is for yet another day. Over the course of the summer of 2006 and the years to follow Ms. Kholi has made it evident that friendship, love, respect, passion, and total freshness (not like body deodorant, but like “flyy,” the now defunct “swag,” and “bad” like…[Insert Michael Jackson voice here] “Who’s bad?!”) are important to her expression as a woman and as a human being.

I love Kholi because

1. She enables my random ridiculous dramatics (e.g. the aforementioned shameless plug…still many more to come).

2. She is THE only person I allow to call me MIKEY (the way she says it is so CUTE…like me *told you*).

3. She is smart like flash cards and times tables.

4. She sends the best text kisses. I promise you that when my phone receives a Kholi “muah;)”, I know my unlimited daytime minutes are well spent.

5. My mom still calls her “my enabler”; which is really the pot calling the kettle black. Trust me.

6. She wrote in my journal…and I have to admit that I read it from time to time to remember “us and our plans”…cause we got’em, yo.

7. She has a dangerous obsession with shoes.

8. When I told her that I wanted to be a stripper when I grew up, she said no. When I begged and used my charm, she still said no. She’s still saying no as I type this.

9. She inspires me.

10. She told me this, “Mikey, we’re trophy’s.” …and I believe her.

C.Y.T.Kholi, I love you. You’re my girl, sister, lover (of my soul), homie, and friend. I am so proud to label your presence in my life, knowing that none of these words properly express your impact in my world. Thank you and Happy Birthday, ma. You are truly an AUTHENTIC chick.

Love,

mikey

BOYS & CLOTHES Magazine seeks boss chicks!

WHAT IS A BOYS+CLOTHES BOSS CHICK?
As a B+C Boss Chick, you'd be the official style representative for your city. Contribute your fashion and lifestyle tips and picks to our readers via our blog twice a month and our tri-annual print magazine. Share what your city's bossiest stylistas are wearing and how they're living.
THINK YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?
Check out the Boss Chick Style Commandments and send a few of your best flicks and a brief summary telling us why you're the official go-to fashionista who needs to be the rep for your city! Email your submissions to info@boysandclothes.com
Read more about what it takes to be BOYS+CLOTHES BOSS CHICK HERE

Mic On Monday: Mama, can you hear me?

Yesterday, May 10^th, marked the first Mother’s Day under an African America/Black President of the United States. This new era of change and hope ushers in a host of questions and concern. On my heart yesterday, as I told my mother thank you for supporting me and loving and enabling my manhood and humanity, I meditated on the children that we’ve lost within the past few months whose mothers have to grapple with supporting their child against the wish of greater society or choosing to participate in the conformist thinking of fundamentalist America. It is really important to me that the work that I do and the energy that I place into the universe encourages the humanity in LGBTQ-SGL children in spite of the negativity that rests beyond our doorsteps and even in our homes. My prayer this Mother’s Day was that our mothers, fathers, and children can begin to fight for the sanctuary our humanity deserves so that no matter what, all of our lives will be lived in the most open and positive of lights. I want mother’s of non-heterosexual children to be able to say “I love my child. I am proud of my child. I support my child,” all without the worry of what our world will think or do to spoil such a proclamation.

 

Please add names to this list of children who cannot say “Happy Mother’s Day.” Please add names to this list of children whose mother’s will not hear “Happy Mother’s Day.” Please add names to this list so that we will not forget the work we must do to honor these innocent souls.

 

 

We begin here:

 

Jaheem Herrera

Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover

Lawrence King

 

 

mic

Ricky Powell comes to Philly! Wednesday, May 6th

Last week, I had a chance to meet one of my favorite photographers Ricky Powell and start plotting a photo & painting collabo.

"Ricky Powell is one of the best photographers of our time."--Run of Run-D.M.C.

"Ricky is one of the best photographers I've ever worked with-- and I've worked with a lot."--LL Cool J

"Whether it was the birth of the Beastie Boys or Run-D.M.C. or Public Enemy, Ricky was there...I could go on and on, but in short, Ricky's the bomb!" reminisced Fab 5 Freddy who called Ricky the “The Weegee of hip hop.”

Well, they said it and it is true... Ricky aka the Rickster is the OG of street photography. A native-New Yorker, he is responsible for capturing the essence of what makes the city the cultural capitol of the world. His photos of Run-DMC, Public Enemy, Eric B. and Rakim, Slick Rick, LL Cool J, Fab 5 Freddy, Steven Tyler, Dondi, Doze, Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, Nina Hagen, John Lee Hooker, Paloma Picasso, Calvin Klein, Barbara Walters, Grace Jones, Francis Ford Coppola, Sofia Coppola, or Cindy Crawford have now become iconic mementos of some of the most influential artists that shaped the cultural landscapes of the 80s and 90s. As they say real recognizes real, Ricky is a legend in his own right. Check out more of his photos on his website and give him some love on myspace.

His work has been exhibited at the Eyejammie Fine Arts Gallery, New York and Upper Playground, San Francisco and was featured in "500 of the Greatest Rock and Roll Photos," presented by Kodak. Powell is the author of Frozade Moments: Classic NYC Street Photography (Eyejammie, 2004), The Rickford Files: Classic New York Photographs (St. Martin's, 1999), and Oh Snap!: The Rap Photography of Ricky Powell (St. Martin's, 1998). Public Access are Powell's never-before-published collaborations with top artists, graffiti writers, and photographers including Ron Galella, Ron English, Phil Frost, Lee Quinones, Sam Flores, David Choe, Dalek, DR. REVOLT, ZEPHYR, QUIK, TEAM, DAZE, SEEN, KAWS, JEST, BIGFOOT, SSUR, and HAZE, among others.

will post development about our collabo project

You can get the whole Rickster experience if you are in Philly 5/6/09

Shadow's Space in Philadelphia is hosting what's looking to be a fantastic group show entitled "Climb in the Back Window." Curated by iO Wright, the show features paintings & photographs from Anthony Lister, Cheryl Dunn, Ricky Powell, Luiza Sa, Augustine Kofie, Allesandro Zuek, Skullphone, Curtis Kulig, Erik Otto, and iO Wright. Show opens May 6th.

in New York, Fri. 5/8/09 SOUTPAW
Friday Night Fever
Sankofa / Sweetie / The Antidote
Ricky Powell (The Lazy Hustler) doin' "the World Famous Ricky Powell Slideshow"
$12 8 pm doors
downsouth, the brooklyn premier of the movie "Captured", & art exhibition starring Livingroom Johnston, Dave Chino & Sacha Jenkins (Piecebook)
>> buy tickets

Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word

“I’m sorry.” It’s amazing how much hurt or pain or frustration or anger is lifted off one’s shoulders when this statement is offered up as a personal sacrifice and a balm used to ease a bruised ego or upset heart. When was the last time you told someone that you were sorry, that you apologize for harming their well-being? I am always surprised at how easy it is for us to say “I’m sorry” in the day-to-day happenings such as when we forget to return a pen or paperclip to a co-worker that we borrowed from their desk. Or when we interrupt someone’s conversation. Or when we take a bit too much time at the McDonald’s drive-thru trying to find the exact change for your Southern Style Chicken Sandwich with extra pickles & and large Triple Thick Vanilla Milk Shake.*
Nevertheless, such trivial episodes in our lives for whatever reason elicit this weighty statement. However, when we hurt someone, whether intentionally or not, we seem to lose the capacity to issue this statement that is otherwise so easy to say. Why is it that the moments in which our whole being should submit an apology, we choke?

“I’m sorry” has saved friendships, relationships, and families. It’s yielded perspective and alternatives during situations where neither party wanted to compromise. It’s enabled our common humanity in times of war and chaos. It’s initiated dialogue between various peoples & nations. It’s ended arguments that may never have suffered resolution. It’s created peace.

“I’m sorry” is so profound a statement that it not only eases our spirits when we hear it from someone who has wronged us; but, it also comforts us when we apologize to ourselves. When was the last time you told yourself that you were sorry? For not acknowledging your abilities and talents? For succumbing to fear, gossip, or negativity? For not enabling your potential? For not listening to your conscience? For not respecting yourself? For not being AUTHENTIC? (ßreal talk.)

Let’s make this interactive. Today check me out on Twitter @ www.twitter.com/envyoftheworld. Within your realm of comfort, tell me some of the people or situations or issues for which you wish to apologize. Start with yourself first. For instance, your message will go as follows:

“I’m sorry: 1. B/C I chose not to prepare for my tests. 2. B/C I underestimated the parentals & their awesomeness. 3. B/C I haven’t accomplished as much recreational reading as I know I have time to accomplish.”

Now, if you don’t Tweet, please feel free to leave a comment in the same format. However you choose to participate or if not at all, please know that we are all entitled to an apology if someone harms us or if we harm ourselves. Take some time to apologize to yourself and to someone. And the next time you say “I’m sorry,” please realize the power you hold. It’s mighty.

Till next time…

Stay up. Stay real. Stay AUTHENTIC.

mic

American Violet...the beginning of remaining AUTHENTIC

...my day was made whole after watching
American Violet today..

Synopsis stolen by www.moviefone.com ;)

"Based on real events and set in a small Texas town in the midst of the 2000 Bush/Gore Presidential election, 'AMERICAN VIOLET' tells the astonishing story of Dee Roberts (critically hailed newcomer Nicole Beharie), a 24 year old Africa-American single mother of four who is wrongfully swept up in a drug raid.
Despite the urgings of her mother (Academy Award nominee Alfre Woodard), and with her freedom and the custody of her children at stake, she chooses to fight the powerful district attorney (Academy Award nominee Michael O'Keefe) and the unyielding criminal justice system he represents. Joined in an unlikely alliance with an ACLU attorney (Tim Blake Nelson) and former local narcotics officer (Will Patton), Dee risks everything in a battle that forever changes her life, and the Texas justice system. 'AMERICAN VIOLET' also stars Emmy Award winner Charles S. Dutton and Xzibit."

So, in my efforts to make this broadcast short and sweet...make time to see this movie. It's only about an hour and a half long....and you'll walk away viewing your community differently.

until next time!
BE Real Stay Authentic!

e a s e