thenublack

Film Friday: Bouncing Cats

mediumkid — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:00:45 +0000

I was speaking to my sister about long term plans for thenublack and we both agreed that film screenings would be a cool venture to get into…This is DEFINITELY going to be on the list! I hope this comes to the UK….(excuse me while I go off and call some folks).

UGANDA has been called one of the worst places on earth to be a child. In the South, children face the threat of poverty and disease. In the North, these threats are enflamed by brutal, mindless war inflicted by the Lord’s Resistance Army (L.R.A.) that has divided families, displaced millions and led to the abduction and mutilation of tens of thousands of children resulting in the deterioration of identity and culture.

Bouncing Cats is the inspiring story of one man’s attempt to create a better life for the children of Uganda using the unlikely tool of hip-hop with a focus on b-boy culture and breakdance. In 2006, Abraham “Abramz” Tekya, a Ugandan b-boy and A.I.D.S. orphan created Breakdance Project Uganda (B.P.U.). The dream was to establish a free workshop that would empower, rehabilitate, and heal the community by teaching youth about b-boy culture. Based in Kampala, Uganda, B.P.U. has recently expanded to include permanent classes in Gulu, Northern Uganda. Abramz teaches classes three Times a week to more than 300 kids from all parts of the country. Many of the children are homeless, victims of war and poverty, and few can afford proper schooling yet they walk from miles away to attend the B.P.U. classes. As Abramz says, “This is where many people”s pride is. It’s a skill that no one can take away from us.”

Official Website

Facebook

Twitter

via KMBA

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Miles

mediumkid — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:00:04 +0000

“When you’re creating your own shit, even the sky ain’t the limit.”

-Miles Davis

Source: Tompalumbo

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Sesame Street: Nigerian Style

mediumkid — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:14:53 +0000

“Sesame Street,” once a mainstay for a generation of Nigerian children who grew up with the U.S. show on the state-run TV network, will return to screens in Africa’s most populous nation this fall, funded by American taxpayers but distinctively Nigerian.

Produced and voiced by Nigerians in formal – if squeaky – English, the show aims to educate a country nearly half of whose 150 million people are 14 or younger. Its issues focus on the challenges faced by children in a country where many have to work instead of going to school: AIDS, malaria nets, gender equality – and yams, a staple of Nigerian meals.

“Nigeria is diverse; we have 250 different ethnic groups, so many different languages. We don’t have the same customs; we do think differently,” executive producer Yemisi Ilo said. But “children are children. All children love songs and all children love furry, muppety animal-type things.”

Renamed “Sesame Square,” the show will air 26 episodes in the first of its scheduled three seasons, with one show for each letter of the alphabet.

via thegrio

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T-Shirt Tuesdays: Bon Bon Vie

mediumkid — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:00:50 +0000

All available from Bon Bon Vie

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iamthenublack: Niki McNeill of SingleBubblePop

mediumkid — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 07:01:27 +0000

Introduce yourself

My name is Niki McNeil and I am a designer, artist and blogger!

I’m a Carolina girl at heart but I live in Atlanta now and I love it.

I am a creator by nature, so I’m always looking for ways to express myself in an artful way. I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember and always will. It comes naturally to me!

I studied Interior Design for two years and in that time I discovered that the design world is so big; I don’t want to tie myself down to one discipline. I’m creating a career of designing many things, from homes to commercial spaces, graphics and eventually products.

fav lyric from a song

“Patience is a virtue, life is a waiting game, peace must be nurtured and all the money in the world can buy you nothing!”

- ‘Seasons Change’ Corinne Bailey Rae

who and what inspires you?

People living their lives authentically inspire me. The practice of living your life in a way that’s congruent with whom you truly are. Blogging is my way of cataloging my inspirations and has connected me to some amazing people! Other bloggers and artists I find through blogging constantly inspire me. Color, texture, pattern and lettering stimulate my creativity and traveling always gives me new ideas.

icons past & present

I always admire Nina Simone & Corinne Bailey Rae and I’m constantly inspired by new ‘icons’ everyday!

the nublack philosophy/mantra according to Niki McNeil

Always remember to self-edit. Complacency is the enemy of progress!

Check me out

Blog

Twitter

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visualise: Niki McNeill

mediumkid — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 07:00:04 +0000

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inspired by: Claudia Jones – Activist, Visonary & Mother of Notting Hill Carnival

mediumkid — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 07:00:37 +0000

Claudia Jones, a visionary and pioneer who dedicated her life to the struggle for workers and equal rights in the 20th century. While much of her early work as a feminist, Black Nationalist, political activist, community leader, journalist and communist, which was done in the USA, she is also remembered in the UK as ’the mother of Notting Hill Carnival’.

She lived in New York for almost 30 years, she became an active member of local Communist politics, and in 1941, at the age of 25, she become the National Director of the YCL. By 1948 Jones had been elected to the National Committee of the Communist Party of the USA and become the editor of’Negro Affairs’ for the party’s paper the Daily Worker.

One of Jones’ best-known legacies is the annual Notting Hill Carnival. She helped launch the event as a response to the 1958 riots, when tensions had turned violent as racist mobs attacked local Black residents. Using the West Indian tradition of carnival, the event was intended to create closer relations between all local communities. The first carnival was held in January 1959 in a local hall.

In the early 1960s, despite failing health, Jones helped organise campaigns against the 1962 Immigration Act. This had made it harder for non-Whites to migrate to Britain. She also campaigned for the release of Nelson Mandela, and spoke out against racism in the workplace.

Claudia Jones died of a heart attack on Christmas Eve 1964, aged just 48. She was buried in Highgate cemetery next to the grave of Karl Marx.

via ItzCaribbean + BHMUK

Although many feel Notting Hill Carnival isn’t what it used to be, Claudia Jones efforts brought the culture that many left behind in the West Indies to England in what is now one of the biggest Carnivals in the world.

I found this while I was doing some research – a documentary about Claudia Jones:

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Walkin’ Proud

mediumkid — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:00:30 +0000

by Horace Ove

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Event: Grenadian Diaspora Youth Forum

mediumkid — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:08:23 +0000

I received a message on Facebook about a Youth event being put on by the Grenadian High Comission next month.

All Youth Of Grenadian Heritage, 16 Years and Over:

You are invited to explore, discuss and present your views on how to embrace your Grenadian Heritage, and become involved in building a better Grenada.

Please register on the attached form and return to:

High Commission for Grenada

The Chapel

Archel Road

West Kensington

London

W14 9QH

I had to do a little bit of searching to actually find the form but I’m definitely looking forward to attending this event. I know there have been a few meetings already with the adults forum, so it’ll be interesting to see how many young people turn out for this one.

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Esperanza Spalding: Chamber Music Society

mediumkid — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 07:00:05 +0000

Not that I really needed pursuading before but this is further proof of why if you’re in London on November 13th you should check out Ms. Spalding’s performance at the London Jazz Festival

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