W.o.W. : Nia Long

Ok ... so before we start ... don't even ask why we needed this giant picture ... I mean ... it's Nia ... have you seen her? Oh. ok.

"... this is an industry that the more you work the better you get and that the more opportunities you

have the better you get.

...

I think you grow through your experiences; you get better as you grow and I'm not nearly where I think I'm going to be eventually where I inspire to be and hopefully the opportunities will continue to come."

I felt like ... whatever industry you were in ... this would help ladies. I love you all.

Be your best. Always. Be @uthentic.

Kholi.

W.O.W. : Michelle Obama

So ... we're getting things started again and we are OH SO OFFICIAL ... so we thought, who best to bring our ladies a new word of wisdom ... but the MOST OFFICIAL first lady, herself.



I was thinking as I was grinding ... (which is ALWAYS how it should be done ... head first) ... about why in the word e a s e and mikey and i go SO hard ... and I thought to myself ...

"Self, of course! We do it for the people! ... But it's more than that ... we do it because we can't NOT do it. We do it because it has to be done. Like our ladies!"

And so ... of course the first lady concurred.

She said, kho kho (cuz we cool like that) ...

All of us driven by a simple belief that the world as it is just won't do - that we have an obligation to fight for the world as it should be.

and then i was like ... but what if it's too hard or too much or too ... well just too hard and too much like something we can't handle?!?

and she said ...

You can't make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen. We just weren't raised that way.

and i was like ... oh ... aight.

so, my loves, keep it pushin' ... and stay you. stay AUTHENTIC.

kholi.

W.O.W.: Janet Jackson

Hey! Remember this AUTHENTIC chick?

Don't act like you don't! -_- ... Well anyways .... if there's anyone we can think of with longevity ... with the ability to continuously recreate herself ... it's Janet. So we're letting her bring us back in with our Word of WIsdom Wednesdays!

And we knowwww, we've been a bit MIA ... but what HAVENT we been doing lately? e a s e got into Drexel ... I had a bday party ... like seven of our friends had birthdays ... there was the first lgbt arts festival in Philly ... if you missed that ... we got you!

See?!? Told you we were busy! And we've got MAD plans in the making ... just stay tuned!

Anyways ... we found these wonderful words from Janet useful ... so we'll let her take you out while we remind you to stay real.... stay AUTHENTIC.

“I'm convinced that we black women possess a special indestructible strength that allows us to not only get down, but the get up, to get through, and to get over.”

Word of Wisdom: Iyanla Vanzant

Morning ladiesssss! :)


So, I'm journaling this morning ... yes. it can be a verb. -_- ... and I go to my daily act of faith from Iyanla Vanzant's book of ALL books, Acts of Faith ... and I come across this ...

Background information
Birth name	Ronda Eva Harris
Born	September 13, 1953 (age 55)(1953-09-13)
Origin	Brooklyn, New York, United States
Occupation(s)	Inspirational Speaker Spiritual Teacher Writer Scrapbooker
Website	Inner Visions World Wide

"The bell rings loudest in your own home."

and thennnnn ... this ...

"The world I want begins with me."

OMG, Pretty girls (cuz you know you are right, you are all beautiful! and we love you for it!)!

This put my world into all SORTS of perspective this morning. My face was all o_0 ... my mind was like "true ... true ... double true." lol.

But really, we all know there are things we want changed ... this is why we do what we do right? But we have to start at home first ... if only but to quite that nerve-wracking bell ... the alarm that something is out of place ... the thing that disturbs us ... but it disturbs us so bc we believe it is outside when it is always within. Whatever it is, it is us.

Namaste, beauties.

Stay peacefully changing today. Remain gracefully AUTHENTIC.

Word of Wisdom

whattttt?!? we give em to you late ... why cant we give em to you early?!?



Ladies ... I'm pretty moved this week ... and completely short on words.

Why?!? Because I've experienced so much in so little time. I mean that as far as life in general. And really ... just this last weekend. I went to the WOC Conference ... look for a blog about that soon ... and on TOP of that ... AUTHENTIC has been making some really awesome moves... JUST FOR YOU! ... You already know about The F*IX* ... Wait until you hear what's up for the REST of April and May!

In the words of a fave of a ll faves .... Angela Bassett

“I'm just so blessed to be able to do what I just love and have loved since I was a teenager, since I first found it, and to be encouraged by others for it.”

Are YOU Ladies?
Let us know! Be Real. Be AUTHENTIC.

WORD OF WISDOM .... ON THURSDAY!!!

"I'm learning to accept the lack of privacy as the real downer in my profession."

Born Maria Halle Berry

August 14, 1966 (age 42)

Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Years active 1989-present

Spouse(s) David Justice (1992–1997)

Eric Benét (2001–2005)

Domestic partner(s) Gabriel Aubry (2005–present)

The words above, from one of my MOST favorites ... Halle Berry of course! ... are so indicative of what I have been feeling the last three weeks ... forget that ... the last THREE MONTHS ... or years ... whatever's most honest! lol.  Between being completely violated in the airport .. to feeling like everyone knows your every move on myspace, facebook, ning, and twitter (p.s. follow us at www.twitter.com/authenticfamc), to feeling like day in and day out you are making yourself completely available to artists, managers, friends, family, students, colleagues, etc, I REALLY CRAVE THAT KHOLI QUALITY TIME.

But you know what?  I daily realize, that although I think ... "kholi ... do it anyways ... this is what you were chosen to do" ... it's really not about what I've chosen at all.  THIS IS WHAT I'VE BEEN CHOSEN TO DO. And this is why it matters.

I have honestly realized that sometimes, we complain about our greatest blessings.  

"I have too much work to do. ... I can't believe this flight is taking this long ... I can't believe this line is this long ... I wish I didn't have to go to this meeting."

Honestly, in this economy, when people are losing jobs, homes, cars, families, LIVES, when people have not even been given the opportunities that we have, let alone the opportunity to complain about them ... WE SHOULD TAKE THESE TOUGH DAYS ... and BE GRATEFUL ... not for struggle ... but for the fruit of the struggle, for the gift of what sometimes feels like a curse ... even for the lack of privacy ... because it means that somewhere ... in the masses of those that just want to be nosey ... there is someone that genuinely wants to know if you are ok ... if you are safe ... wants you to know that you are loved.

because it just feels right ... NAMASTE.

Get Real.  Get Right.

Stay AUTHENTIC.

WORD OF WISDOM .... x2!!!

Hey Ladies!  As always!  Mikey's ON IT!  Clearly he had your W.O.W. wayyyyy before I could even get myself away from grading papers and reading 400 pages of 2oth century Black Radical thought to think about you!  But come onnnnn ... WHO LOVES YOU BABY?!?

Soooo ... ok.  I fold.  Maybe Mikey loves you more today. :(

But Look what I brought you!  

Toni Cade Bambara

loves you too!

(so ya ... pay attention!  take notes. -_-)

Sister Warrior,

You called me up without knowing. Through repetition, through attraction. I saw people putting my name on your door. Saw you holding onto that old copy of the The Black Woman. Saw you mis-spelling “irresistable” everywhere you went.

What asha says about you and Audre is true for us. I would have loved you. And I do, through the sisters and daughters who I have sent into your life, who have carried me to you with love. Cheryll, Nikky, Kai and Aishah are the living doorways for our ongoing love. Of course we would love each other, and hear me when they tell you of their love, and I will be listening when you remember to tell them.

Now listen. The most urgent thing to tell you is that your health and the future of this world are caught up intimately. Center your wholeness. Start your day with feeding your spirit, feeding yourself before you get to everyone else you want to feed. And use our examples to truly understand what it means for this culture to be cancerous, and yet to still be the place we live. Grapple with that as you love yourself, as you love your community, as you make choices as to what and who your time and energy will embrace, and as you notice the limits of your body young one, remember your spirit, because we are all here, cheering, laughing, remembering and waiting for you to practice and fulfill being whole and at home.

With all the urgency of morning,

Toni Cade

(source)

I mean DO NOT ACT like you can't use TWO Words of Wisdom this Wednesday.  COME ON!

Stay Real.  Stay AUTHENTIC.

Word of Wisdom: Oprah Winfrey

You can have it all. You just can't have it all at one time. - Oprah Winfrey

For many here at AUTHENTIC, the newness of 2009 is fading and the crunch of midterms, work, and home are beginning to seem overwhelming…or at least annoying and cringe-worthy. Put on your Oprah Thinking Cap aka your Oprah “Get Money” Hat and be your most AUTHENTIC self. Know that your work, frustration, sleep depravation, creative chills, arguments, stank faces, and bitchassedness are all worth the “ALL” of which Ms. Winfrey speaks.

Get that Hump out of ya’ back…’cause Oprah said so!

Get AUTHENTIC.

P.S. Please excuse the mad tardiness of WoW this week. Folks be testing me and whatnot. Seriously, I just took three exams. *stank face*

AUTHENTIC CHICK OF THE MONTH: Ms. Wise

Tell us who you are ... using your favorite lyrics from your favorite album/poem. Feel free to explain if necessary.

“These streets hold my deepest days
This hood taught me golden ways
Made me, truly this is what made me
Break me, not a thing's gonna break me

Ohh, I'm that history I'm that block
I'm that lifestyle I'm that spot
I'm that kid by the number spot
That's my past that made me hot….”

Nas. ft Chrisette Michelle (Can’t Forget About You)

Not necessarily my fav song…but on my top list indeed.

Who have been your top five influences musically/poetically?

In order:

1. Prince Rogers Nelson aka Prince aka Mr. Purple Rain

This man is a musical genius. And did I mention he’s beautiful?? A beautiful musical genius. He’s always made the art….the art never made him. And his fans appreciate that…..The millions of fans who will sell out a concert if he had one 2day, over 2 decades since he first started in the game.

2. Shyster aka Ms. Betty’s Son

Philadelphia poet who has remained true 2 his mission….2 save the children and the streets.

3. Taalam Acey

No need 4 an intro. This poet is just vicious….lyrically blessed….and dedicated 2 his craft. He gives me hope and encouragement 2 keep doing what I do.

4. Lauryn “L Boogie” Hill

Maaaaan “talented” doesn’t describe this woman!! She’s simply illl….dope…gifted!! I can relate 2 the deep-voiced tomboyish young lady from The Score as well as the flourishing woman in The Miseducation. And Un-plugged was just beautiful!! Don’t sleep on it! Like the rest of the music world, I wish she would make her way back in2 the game…. We need you Ms. Hill.

5. The Notorious B.I.G.

Wow…I can only pick 5, huh? Ha…Well Biggie has 2 be on the top 5.…definitely. Who in the game has yet to do it better?? Ok, some may say Jay (who would’ve been my #6) but he’s yet 2 possess that raw feel that Big bought to the game….

Have the people that you worked with influenced you or your art in anyway.

If so, who and how?

There has been a select few that have influenced (and supported) me and I never hesitate 2 shout ‘em out. But in particular, I have 2 big up my main producer, E-The Poet Emcee from Baltimore, MD. He’s not only a man of talent, but a man about his business. He’s taught me that it’s ok 2 mix business with your art…..as long as you stay true 2 craft….and most importantly, yourself. Besides, if it’s what’s you’re good at, why not succeed off of it??

Besides other poets, what has helped you expand your art over your career span?

My words are healing somebody….I know it. I’ve been told. I can see it in their faces….when I’m at a show….or a workshop….I’m changing lives. We (The spoken word artists) are changing lives. God gave us this gift 4 a reason.

What's the perfect Ms.Wise poem song/poem for the club?

Haha….the club though?? Ummm….I guess “My Chucks” Definitely a head banger.

My Chucks - Ms. Wise

(UHHHH ... Ms. WISE ... DON'T BE LIKE THAT >>> JUST answer the question! Give the people what they want! lol)

The car?

“Reason” The production on this track is sick!! Shout out 2 Philly’s own Maxx Steele.

reason.mp3 - Ms. Wise

The bedroom?

lol…“Who I Am Is”

Who I Am Is - Ms. Wise

The kitchen?

“Time”

An early morning jog?

Something from the upcoming CD….I got some hip hop tracks 4 yall

Shopping?

“The Professor”

The Professor - Ms. Wise

What do you have planned for the world in 09?

Well, the 3^rd cd is scheduled to drop on March 26^th. “The Death of Roxanne” This is also my birthday!! Yessss ((snaps fingers)) lol. I plan 2 have two events on this day, including a listening party and a show/slam. Other than that, I will be holding events on a monthly or bi-monthly basis 2 keep the arts flowing throughout Philadelphia, Jersey, and surrounding areas on behalf of myself and my new crew (The R.A.B. crew…ask about us*). The fall (September) will launch my high school tour that will take place in the areas of Camden, NJ, Philadelphia, PA, Baltimore MD and Washington DC. Of course, I’ll be involved with slam. My first big move with slam this year was my recent win in the Woman of the World qualifier here in Philly. As a result, I will compete in The Woman of the World International slam in Detroit, MI from March 18-21^st. As much as I used to criticize this aspect of poetry (and sometimes still do), slam has helped me grow as an artist. 2009 is going to be MY year….just wait and see.

What's the Soundtrack for your life? Pick 7 songs/poems (NOT YOURS).

1. Taalam Acey- Love Yourself

2. Stacy Epps- Floatin

3. RES- I’ve Known the Garden

4. Prince- The Beautiful One’s

5. Janelle Monae- Sincerely, Jane

6. Shyster/ Chris Cream- Rising

7. Nas ft. Chrisette Michele- Can’t 4Get About You

Finally, tell our readers the best way to keep their hustle Real and AUTHENTIC in 09.

“Shelter in your humility like the home that you’re living in.

Let your artistry pay your soul bill in place of your Benjamins

‘Til your spirit rocks, sold-rock, unshaken by any men……”

Extra stuff:

-originally from Camden, NJ/residing in Philadelphia PA

-2008 Philadelphia Grand Slam Champ

-2008 and 2009 Philadelphia female slam champ

-placed 8^th in the nation (Woman of the World Int. Slam 2008 Detroit, MI)

Find more photos like this on AUTHENTIC

So ummm ... Just in CASE you're a stalker like US!

Find Ms. Wise on Myspace or AS ALWAYS BEING AUTHENTIC or on TWITTER or FACEBOOK!

Did I miss anything?!? -_-

OH WELL. STAY REAL. STAY AUTHENTIC.

MUAH!

WORD OF WISDOM

So ... I know it's not Wednesday ... but I NEEDED a word of WISDOM ... ANYWAYS (and ya ... sometimes its hard to get to the computer to blog while in transit from Harlem to NJ ... SUE ME).

(mm. i apologize for that ... it's one of those days, ladies.)

anyways ... our WORD OF WISDOM comes from none other than?!?

JUDITH JAMISON

Judith Jamison was appointed Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in December 1989 at the request of her mentor, Alvin Ailey, who personally chose her to succeed him before his untimely death. A native of Philadelphia, she studied with Marion Cuyjet, was discovered by Agnes de Mille and made her New York debut with American Ballet Theatre in 1964. She became a member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1965 and danced with the company for 15 years to great acclaim. Recognizing her extraordinary talent, Mr. Ailey created some of his most enduring roles for her, most notably the tour de force solo, Cry.

After leaving the Company in 1980, Ms. Jamison appeared as a guest artist with ballet companies all over the world and starred in the hit Broadway musical Sophisticated Ladies. In 1988, she formed her own company, The Jamison Project; a PBS special depicting her creative process, Judith Jamison: The Dancemaker, aired nationally the same year.

I could go onnnn and onnn and onnnn... about her ... but what's important ... is what she has to say to us today ...

“Once you've danced, you always dance. You can't deny the gifts that God sends your way.”

and boyyyy, is this true. honestly chicks, today is one of those days i find myself tired ... wondering whether what i'm doing is even DOING anything ... whether i should throw it in.

But I already know that answer ... I can never stop being AUTHENTIC ... it's in my blood. NEVER stop writing ... I'd stop breathing ... NEVER stop critically thinking and appreciating the world around me ... I have no investment in suicide.

Be you, beauties. At your best always.

Love you.

oh ya! click HERE for HAPPINESS!

Wednesday's Word of Wisdom

"I said nothing . . . . She was looking at me, expecting something. She wanted me to tell her that I knew what it was like, but I wouldn't tell her." - Corregidora, Gayle Jones (1975 , 64)

Gayl Jones (born November 23, 1949) is an African American novelist, poet, playwright, professor, and literary critic from Lexington, Kentucky. [1] After earning the Frances Steloff Award for Fiction while attending Connecticut College, she graduated with a Masters in creative writing at Brown University. The same year, she published her first book Corregidora.

Silence is an oft forgotten skill. In a day of internet, e-mails, text/instant messaging, smart phones, and the like, we're all innunadated with the need to speak, most times saying needless nothing. As in the scene above, Women of AUTHENTIC, we "[look] at you, expecting something." Unfortunately, in today's male-dominated, heterosexist, etc. society, sometimes the fear and discomfort of your powerful silence creates unncessary and fruitless action that manifests as

women putting in work to be, and aid in, the exploitation of a man's fantasy of womanity and beauty.

Don't just say anything. Say something from head to toe, from heart from soul. Be heard AND listened to.

It's Hump Day, ladies. Take a moment to shut yourself away and embrace the power of your silence. Like granmamma used to say (and all ya'll granmamm's used to say this),

"Think before you speak."

You may find that you're speaking much without uttering a sound.

AUTHENTIC Women, you are brillant and strong and beautifully vulnerable and intelligent and great...without uttering a sound.

Happy Hump Day!

Wednesday's Word

(on Thursday ... Whaaaaaat?!? who ain't got no life?)


Anyways ... Wednesday's Word comes from a woman i respect mucho much ....

Barbara Smith


Barbara Smith (born December 16, 1946) in Cleveland^[1] is an American, lesbian feminist^[2] who has played a significant role in building and sustaining Black Feminism in the United States. Since the early 1970s she has been active as an innovative critic, teacher, lecturer, author, independent scholar, and publisher of Black feminist thought. She has also taught at numerous colleges and universities over the last twenty five years. Smith’s essays, reviews, articles, short stories and literary criticism have appeared in a range of publications, including The New York Times Book Review, The Black Scholar, Ms., Gay Community News, The Guardian, The Village Voice, Conditions (magazine) and The Nation. Barbara has a twin sister, Beverly Smith, who is also a lesbian feminist activist and writer.
(source)

So ladies, i know it's supposed to be like one quote right? Because it's Wednesday's word? But what I'm trying to tell you is that you're lucky I didn't submit an entire article!!

This woman had some awesome one-liners! ONE in particular I absolutely adore! But I won;t even tell you ... I'll let you pick your own! Girl, I know you got your own mind!

“This invisibility, however, means that the opportunities for creative research are infinite.”


“One of the greatest gifts of Black feminism to ourselves has been to make it a little easier simply to be Black and female.”

“You can only paint through your experience and sub-consciousness.”

“Black women as a group have never been fools. We couldn't afford to be.”

“Trust is to human relationships what faith is to gospel living. It is the beginning place, the foundation upon which more can be built. Where trust is, love can flourish.”

mmmhmmm ... I knew you'd like them! See how AUTHENTIC is always looking out for you!

OK OK! QUICK! TELL US! Which one was your favorite? WHY?!?

AUTHENTIC CHICK of the MONTH

Sooo ... for those of you who haven't looked over to the left side of your screens recently ... the AUTHENTIC CHICK OF THE MONTH issssss .... *****dunh dun dun dunhhhhhhhh***** (extra)

Fiona Simone



Fiona Simone solely relies on her own perceptions and theories on how her reality is defined, manifesting her ideals through music, fashion, and vernacular. She is everything the game has been missing. Being multi-faceted and multi-dimensional are synonymous with the Female MC. She is more than a critically acclaimed rapper. In addition to rap, she produces, engineers, ghostwrites, and is adept in graphic design.
Fiona Simone is not a novice when it comes to the music industry. She has been rapping since the age of 15 and began experimenting on making beats shortly thereafter. In 2006, Fiona launched Open Mind Music, her own production company and signed her first artist. A Miami native, she has been living in Atlanta for over 10 years.

For those of you who didn't catch the writeup about Fiona on Kholi's Blog a couple weeks ago .. DON'T EVEN WORRY! We have something even better than that!

Soooo ... you know AUTHENTIC is always stalking talent ... so we somehow (never under estimate the power of big words and batted lashes) convinced Fiona to get us an interview! GIRL! Read BELOW! ... as ALWAYS ... take notes, chicks!

TELL US WHO YOU ARE ... USING YOUR FAVORITE LYRICS.

"What don't kill me builds me/

What don't break me makes me tougher/

There were many times when I felt it couldn't get no rougher/

Times I rather died than to suffer/

Engine still gunning, tank on empty/

Me against the world, all odds against me/

Ain't no love, it took a lot to convince me/

Now I'm like fuck em though, I'm-a keep trucking yo'/

If you ain't feeling me, what is all the fronting for/

I'm-a do Fi, nothing less and nothing more/

Tell 'em don't get comfortable cause I'm on they're ass/

And I'm-a prove I ain't gotta change my swag/

Critics so blind, when they gone see/

That it's a million Tomboys just like me/

And I'm the leader of the movement, I gotta keep it moving/

How you gonna refuse it, when it's excellent music/"

-Welcome Back Ladies Room 2.5

I know that's like an entire verse but that's the best I can describe myself and how I feel. It's pretty much self explanatory. It tells my struggle and frustration as a talented artist that has faced a number of adversities due to how I choose to present myself visually and verbally.

WHO HAVE BEEN YOUR TYPE FIVE INFLUENCES? ... MUSICALLY?

My top five music influences are Tupac, Outkast, Lauryn Hill, Marvin Gaye, & Jay-Z.

HAVE THE INDIVIDUALS YOU WORKED WITH INFLUENCED YOUR WORK IN ANYWAY? IF SO ... HOW AND WHO?

The people I've worked with have definitely influenced me and my music. I would have to say I'm more influenced by producers and engineers than artist because they play a major role in over all production of the music. A great producer and engineer can make an amateur artist sound advanced. I learned how to produce and engineer by observing them over the years.

BESIDES OTHER MUSICIANS, WHAT HAS HELPED YOU EXPAND YOUR ART THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER?

People who have helped me expand my art over the years would have to be a collection of investors, producers, managers, dopeboys, friends, and fans.

WHAT'S THE PERFECT FIONA SIMONE SONG FOR ....

The perfect Fiona Simone song for the club would have to be "Limelight"...

Limelight - Fiona Simone

for the car would be "My Car," lol....

My Car Feat. Bandkamp - Fiona Simone

for the bedroom, "Give It To Me".....

Give It To Me Feat. Chu & St - Fiona Simone
(A PERSONAL FAVORITE ... :-) ... HEHE)

for the kitchen, "My Place" ...

My Place - Fiona Simone

for an early morning jog, I would say, "Keep It Moving" ....

Keep it Moving Feat. Bandkamp - Fiona Simone

and for shopping, "Feeling Some Type Of Way."

Some type of way - Fiona Simone
(FAVORITE OF ALL TIME!)

For those of you feelin' some type of way right now ...

maybe we all need a couple more pics of what this AUTHENTIC hustler looks like ...

I mean ... who doesn't love a chick on her GRIND?

... ready to reconvene? cool. pens poised. notepads at hand?

WHAT DO YOU HAVE PLANNED FOR THE WORLD IN 09?

My plans for the world in 09 is to instill hope and faith in female rappers again. I will prove that females rappers can be just as prominent as any successful male rapper by displaying the creativity, content, and lyricism.

WHAT'S THE SOUNDTRACK FOR YOUR LIFE? PICK 7 SONGS.

I - Crumbling Herb (Outkast)

II - Me Against The World (Tupac)

III - A Change Gone Come (Sam Cooke)

IV- The X Factor (Lauryn Hill)

V - What's Going On ( Marvin Gaye)

VI- Grind From The Bottom ( Fiona Simone)

VII - Song Cry (Jay-Z)

FINALLY, TELL OUR LADIES HOW TO KEEP THEIR HUSTLE REAL AND AUTHENTIC IN 09.

The best way to keep your hustle Real and AUTHENTIC in 09 would be to do it yourself. I learned from 08 that if you want different results then you must do things differently.


...

For those of you who can't get enough of FIONA SIMONE ... click HERE to hear The Ladies Room 2.5 on IMEEM.

OR JUST CLICK HERE FOR HER MYSPACE!

Well Ladies? What do you think? ( I mean ... and of course the gentleman too ... ;-) ... hehe)