Saturday, February 28, 2015

Happy Black History Month!!!: Quote of the Day -28

Happy Black History Month!!: SpotLight - "Marcus Garvey"

Friday, February 27, 2015

Happy Black History Month!!!: Quote of the Day -27

Happy Black History Month!!: SpotLight - "Ethel Waters"

THE BRIDGE BETWEEN SLAVERY AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT!

"The Perfect Fit"

Blue Heels with Blue Bag Contest: "Feelin' Frisky"

Blue Heels with Blue Bag Contest: "City Blues"

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Happy Black History Month!!: Quote of the Day -19

HAPPY 87TH BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

My Beautiful Mom - Sis Jessie K Wilson

Mom @50

Mom @ 75

Mom  @ 18  - Grad Pic

Mom @86

Mom @ 60

Mom in 30's

Mom @80

BLACK HISTORY in the Making of BLACK HISTORY!!!

BLACK HISTORY in the Making of BLACK HISTORY!!!
ConGrats to Mike Epps for scoring Two Starring Roles in Two Movies about Two Legendary Performers... This Man Is On Fire!!!
First off, he'll be working with another Man on Fire - Lee Daniels ('The Butler' & Hot New TV Show 'Empire'). While non other than former Queen of Daytime TV Oprah Winfrey, who has been casted as Richard Pryor's Grandmother in the up & coming biopic on the Comedy legend.
The Pryor movie has been in the works for years with other actors once casted for the title role, including Eddie Murphy, Marlon Wayans and, most recently, Nick Cannon and Michael B Jordan ('Fruitvale Station'). In 2005, Pryor himself named Epps as his pick to portray him in the movie, and Daniels and Winfrey ultimately honored his choice.
Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor (December 1, 1940 – December 10, 2005) was an American comedian, actor, film director, social critic, satirist, writer, and MC.
Pryor was known for uncompromising examinations of racism and topical contemporary issues, which employed colorful vulgarities and profanity, as well as racial epithets. He reached a broad audience with his trenchant observations and storytelling style. He is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential stand-up comedians of all time: Jerry Seinfeld called Pryor "The Picasso of our profession", and Bob Newhart has called Pryor "the seminal comedian of the last 50 years". This legacy can be attributed, in part, to the unusual degree of intimacy Pryor brought to bear on his comedy. As Bill Cosby reportedly once said, "Richard Pryor drew the line between comedy and tragedy as thin as one could possibly paint it."
 He collaborated on many projects with actor Gene Wilder. Another frequent collaborator was actor/comedian/writer Paul Mooney.
Pryor won an Emmy Award (1973) and five Grammy Awards (1974, 1975, 1976, 1981, and 1982). In 1974, he also won two American Academy of Humor awards and the Writers Guild of America Award. The first ever Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor was presented to him in 1998. Pryor is listed at Number 1 on Comedy Central's list of all-time greatest stand-up comedians.
He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1986. In 1990, Pryor suffered a second and more severe heart attack and underwent triple heart bypass surgery.
On December 10, 2005, Pryor suffered a heart attack in Los Angeles. He was taken to a local hospital after his wife's attempts to resuscitate him failed. He was pronounced dead at 7:58 am PST. He was 65 years old. His widow Jennifer was quoted as saying, "At the end, there was a smile on his face." He was cremated, and his ashes were given to his family.
Please Read More on this True Legend @: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Pryor
The Second Starring Role Mike Epps snagged is the Common-law Husband (Richard Morgan) of Bessie Smith (Queen Latifah whom is also Executive Producer) in the up & coming HBO Movie titled "Bessie"...
Bessie Smith (April 15, 1894 – September 26, 1937) was an African-American Blues Singer.
Nicknamed The Empress of the Blues, Smith was the most popular female blues singer of the 1920s and 1930s. She is often regarded as one of the greatest singers of her era and, along with Louis Armstrong, a major influence on other jazz vocalists.
While in Philadelphia she met and fell in love with Jack Gee, a security guard whom she married on June 7, 1923, just as her first record was released. During the marriage—a stormy one, with infidelity on both sides—Smith became the highest paid black entertainer of the day, heading her own shows, which sometimes featured as many as 40 troupers, and touring in her own railroad car. Gee was impressed by the money, but never adjusted to show business life, or to Smith's bisexuality. In 1929, when she learned of his affair with another singer, Gertrude Saunders, Bessie Smith ended the relationship, although neither of them sought a divorce.
On September 26, 1937, Smith was critically injured in a car accident while traveling along U.S. Route 61 between Memphis, Tennessee, and Clarksdale, Mississippi. Her lover, Richard Morgan, was driving and, probably mesmerized by the long stretch of straight road, misjudged the speed of a slow-moving truck ahead of him. Tire marks at the scene suggested that Morgan tried to avoid the truck by driving around its left side, but he hit the rear of the truck side-on at high speed. The tailgate of the truck sheared off the wooden roof of Smith's old Packard. Smith, who was in the passenger seat, probably with her right arm or elbow out the window, took the full brunt of the impact. Morgan escaped without injuries. Bessie Smith was taken to Clarksdale's G. T. Thomas Afro-American Hospital, where her right arm was amputated. She died that morning without regaining consciousness.
On October 4, 1937 an estimated of over 10,000 mounrners attended Ms Bessie's Funeral. Yet, the grave remained unmarked until August 7, 1970, when a tombstone—paid for by singer Janis Joplin and Juanita Green, who as a child had done housework for Smith—was erected.
Please Read More on this Legendary Woman @: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bessie_Smith
Michael K Williams (The Wire & Boardwlk Empire) will star as hubby Mike Gee. While Tika Sumpter ('One Life to Live','Sparkle' & Tyler Perry's 'The Haves & the Have Nots') has been cast as one of Bessie's (bisexual) love interests.
I Personally can not see wait to see these Stars make History while potraying History that has already been made... Stay Tuned and look out for both Movies... HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH!!!
#HBHM #blackhistory #RIPRichardPryor #RIPBessieSmith

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

COOKIE Time... WWCD?!!!!

Untitled #1754

New Contest: "The Harlem Renaissance"

New Contest: "The Harlem Renaissance"

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Happy Black History Month!!: Quote of the Day -15


Happy Black History Month!!: Quote of the Day -15
Featuring: The Staple Singers 1971 Song "Respect Yourself" Please watch/listen to them Perform "Respect Yourself" @:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0kPAECYNIs
The Art: "Mind Reading" Created by Frank Morrison can be found @: http://www.aviscafineart.com/Other_Artists/Frank_Morrison/Works_by_Frank_Morrison/works_by_frank_morrison.html
#HBHM #QOTD #BlackHistoryMonth #blackHistory #polkadots

HBHM & HAPPY SUNDAY!!!: "The Staple Singers"

HBHM & HAPPY SUNDAY!!!: "The Staple Singers"
I'm sure you are wondering by now, what does Soul Train, Don Cornelius and the Staples Singers have to do with Sunday?!
Well, let me tell you... since it's onset Soul Train & Don Cornelius were a part of Young Black Life. Though it did not air on Sundays, not unlike Church (for most Blacks), you tuned in for your weekly (saturday morning) dose of Soul Train. Show Host Don Cornelius (RIP) was Tall, Dark & Handsome with the most Sultry speaking voice... He became our Black Dick Clark (RIP) - Cool, Positive and knew what was Hip!
Soul Train is an American musical variety television program, which aired in syndication from 1971 until 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul, and hip hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists have also appeared. The series was created by Don Cornelius, who also served as its first host and executive producer.
I think it is Extremely hard for White people to understand why People of Color and/or other minorities are so excited about their History and seeing themsevles Represented in All Genres of Media... because they've always had it! So, it's like anything else We've Always had... We pretty much take it for Granted and can Only Appreciate such Blessings and Respect others when We place Ourselves in their shoes and begin to ask, What If I...?! We don't have to be alike to be Equal, We have to be Respected!!!
Anywho, Well on this Episode of Soul Train was The Staple Singers... The Staple Singers were an African-American Gospel, Soul and R&B singing group. Roebuck "Pops" Staples (1914–2000), the patriarch of the family, formed the group with his children Cleotha (1934–2013), Pervis (b. 1935), Yvonne (b. 1936), and Mavis (b. 1939). They are best known for their 1970s hits "Respect Yourself", "I'll Take You There", "If You're Ready (Come Go with Me)", and "Let's Do It Again", all of which (except "I'll Take You There") peaked on the Hot 100 within a week from Christmas Day.
While the family surname is "Staples", the group used the singular form for its name, "The Staple Singers".
Please watch/listen to them Perform "Respect Yourself" @:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0kPAECYNIs
Read more about The Staple Singers @: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Staple_Singers
And Learn more about the History of Soul Train and the Legacy of Don Cornelius @: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul_Train
And Have a Beautiful Sunday and a Prosperous Week! And Remember, When GOD Blesses You, You are to Bless Others!!... LOve Peace & enjOY!!!
#happysunday #HBHM #BlackHIstoryMonth #blackhistory #gospel #music #PolkaDots #BlackWhiteandYellow

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Happy Black History Month!!: Quote of the Day -14

Happy Valentine's Day! "It takes Two!' (Rosa & Raymond)

Happy Valentine's Day! "It takes Two!' (Rosa & Raymond)
HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH!!!
One would be Hard-pressed to find a photo of Rosa Parks Husband Raymond Parks, much less one of their Wedding! However, I searched High & Low on the internet... Blog after blog told the Great LOve story of the two, yet Mrs Parks was always coupled with a Dark-skinned gentlemen that was indeed not her hubby.
Being ...somewhat familiar with the Parks LOve story, I was aware that Mr Parks was extremely Light-skinned with piercing Blue eyes (I so wish I could have found a photo displaying that of this Black Man.. but to No avail). I was able to scrounge up these two photos that (from what I have read) do him nor his Eyes any justice!
It has also been said that this is the reason Mr Parks was kept out of the Public's eye and Rarely photographed, due to the assumption that he was a white Man and that the Civil Rights movement did Not Need suvh a Distraction!
Anywho, How Rosa and Raymond Met:
When Rosa was nineteen, and Raymond was 29, they met through a mutual friend. Raymond was an immaculate dresser and considered to be very handsome and charming.
Chapter 4 of her memoir is titled “Marriage, and Activism”. In her telling, Rosa Parks’ political activism did not diminish, but grew because of her marriage.
“I first met Raymond Parks when a mutual friend, a lady I knew very well, introduced us….When he saw me, he wanted to come and call on me, but I thought he was too white. I had an aversion to white men, with the exception of my grandfather, and Raymond Parks was very light skinned. He was in his late twenties and working as a barber in a black barbershop in downtown Montgomery owned by Mr. O. L. Campbell. I was in my late teens. I knew he was interested in my, but I just spoke politely to him and didn’t give him another thought.”
But Raymond Parks persisted, and in the spring of 1931 he and Rosa McCauley started seeing each other. They were married in her mother’s house in December 1932, settled in Montgomery, and the next year Rosa got her high school diploma after returning to school with Raymond’s encouragement.
“He was the first man of our race, aside from my grandfather, with whom I actually discussed anything about the racial conditions. And he was the first, aside from my grandfather and Mr. Gus Vaughn, who was never actually afraid of white people….”
Religion: Rosa and Raymond were members of the African Methodist Episcopal church (AME) and in 1964, Rosa became a deaconess.
Education:
Rosa attended Montgomery Industrial School for Girls, Booker T. Washington High School, and Alabama State College. With the support of Raymond, Rosa went back to school in 1933 and obtained her high-school diploma.
Although Raymond did not have a formal education, he did hunger for knowledge. Self taught, he had a thorough knowledge of domestic affairs and current events. Many people thought he was college educated. He spent his life encouraging others to get an education.
Rosa Parks and her husband suffered the usual punishments for black protest: hate calls, death threats and loss of employment. Eight months after the boycott’s successful end, the impoverished Parks family fled Montgomery for Detroit. They remained economically insecure until Parks finally found steady employment in 1965, working in Representative John Conyers Jr.’s Detroit office until her retirement in 1988. Only in the late 1970s did Parks’s obscurity lift with her recognition as a national figure of historical import.
* When Rosa and Raymond Died:
Raymond Parks died in Detroit, Michigan, on August, 19, 1977, after a five year battle with cancer.
Rosa Parks died on October 24, 2005 at her home on the east side of Detroit while she was taking a nap. Rosa had suffered from dementia for several years. She lived in the Riverfront Apartments complex that overlooked the Detroit River and the border with Ontario, Canada. (May their Souls & LOve Continue to Rest in the Awesome Power of Peace!)
Rosa Parks made history again on Sunday, October 30, 2005, when she became the first woman to lie in honor, 180 feet below the Capitol dome, in the ornate Rotunda. She was also the second black person to receive this honor.

ref: http://worldhistoryproject.org/1932/12/18/rosa-parks-marries-raymond-parks
ref: https://masscommons.wordpress.com/2013/02/21/rosa-parks-story-ours-part-7/
#HBHM #HVD #happyvalentinesday #love
#rosaParks #BlackHIstoryMonth #blackhistory #civilrights