Morphological Confetti

African American photographer, James Augustus Joseph Van Der Zee was born June 29, 1886 in Lenox, Massachusetts. It’s difficult for me to think of the history of black America without thinking of the photography of Mr. Van Der Zee. You certainly cannot think of Harlem, NY without thinking of him because that’s where he captured some of his most memorable photographs. His main interest was the people of the famed 125th Street. That is where he opened his studio in 1916 called the Guarantee Photo Studio . He would capture the faces and lifestyles of the Harlem Renaissance as well as the everyday people who populated the brownstones and tenements that Harlem is famous for. Van Der Zee also served as the official photographer to Marcus Garvey’s United Negro Improvement Associate (UNIA). James Van Der Zee would chronicle the styles and people of Harlem for over 40 years. Howev er, business eventually slowed down as the years past. People began to buy their own cameras and less opted ...

It’s Monday. People often think of Monday as a day they would rather skip, but I look at it as a new start. I think to myself, what will I do to improve myself for the coming week? What will I achieve? I think of the fall season in the same way. I feel that I associate the fall season with school. It excites me! It’s the cool crisp morning air just before 8am class. It’s the smell of a new textbook and the cracking sound it makes when you open it for the first time. This is how I know I was destined to teach. I’ve been running away from my responsibility as a teacher for the past four years, but now I’m starting to rethink my path. I realize that teaching is who I am or at least part of who I am. It’s evident on my blog. Most of you who visit and comment are also educators or lifetime learners. We all love that we learn from each other and we love to talk about what we’ve learned. Therefore, I am making efforts to get back where I belong. Well, we'll see what this coming fall seaso...

This video by Nigerian artist, 2Face Idibia, celebrates the beauty of African women in the diaspora. If you've ever attended events in the African community (especially weddings) you have heard the song, African Queen . So, sing along if you know it. The song was also featured on Mo'nique's movie Phat Girlz. The movie did not do so well with the critics, but it didn't take anything away from the song. African Queen also makes me think of my own South African Queen (my wife) who is in South Africa visiting our family. Ke u hlolohotsoe rata. ("I miss you love"). Thank you Rethabile for clarifying what I wanted to say in Sesotho. You're a good brother. I didn't intend it for this post, but life is funny that way. Enjoy your weekend everyone. Khotso (Peace)~

oil and paper on board 4x6 By: Stephen Bess I did this piece in 2005 in honor of Stephen Biko. Peace~

Shopping with the wife. Ladies...I implore you!

Time:06:53 This is dedicated to the memory of the Soweto Uprising on June 16, 1976. God bless Africa. God bless us all.

"The pages are still blank, but there is a miraculous feeling of the words being there, written in invisible ink and clamoring to become visible." ~ Vladimir Nabokov

Jamaican writer and poet, Geoffrey Philp weaves a beautiful tale inspired by the West African folklore of Anansi the Spider . Geoffrey Philp’s new book, Grandpa Sydney’s Anancy Stories , revisits the legendary trickster of African/Caribbean lore in a heartwarming story about the relationship between a grandfather and his grandson. Philp’s character, Grandpa Sydney, shares the stories of Anancy with his grandson Jimmy. He tells Jimmy about the cleverness and wit of Anancy and how this little spider was able to overcome and outwit the larger animals. Initially, the Anancy stories were only bedtime stories for Jimmy. However, Jimmy finds out that there are lessons to be learned from this legendary cultural hero when he comes up against a school bully. Grandpa Sydney’s Anancy Stories is guaranteed to delight and entertain readers of all ages. It is great learning tool for the classroom and an excellent introduction to Caribbean culture and folklore. So, if you love a good story or maybe y...

The Washington, DC metropolitan area is one of the most culturally diverse areas of the United States. This is one of the reasons why I love it here. This diversity brings with it a wealth of talent from different countries and cultures. For instance, my wife recently introduced me to Abiodun Koya, a young, beautiful opera singer from Nigeria. Now, there are many groups of hard working Nigerians represented in the DC metropolitan area, but very few of them are classically trained opera singers like Ms. Koya. Abiodun is also an actor, model and poet. I found her love for the Arts and her personality to be both refreshing and inspirational. She is a bright young woman who is passionate about her work and the empowerment of African women in the Diaspora. Abiodun or “Abby” as she is affectionately known attributes her success and accomplishments to hard work, prayer and steadfast devotion. Abiodun has been featured in national and international publications including Africa Vibes Magazine ...

The rules of this meme are simple. Look at the snap, what does it inspire you to say? Well, write it then, but only in the form of a poetry verse, and only one line that fits in with the preceding line. That's it. One line of verse that carries over from the line before, and that is in relation with the picture. Present the poem on your blog as you wish (I've used "font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-size:130%" on mine) The picture is a hut from southern Africa, probably Lesotho, judging by the style. Please tag only one person who you think will play along. Clearly say/show whom you've tagged so we may easily follow the poem as it builds up. The poem is done when a "tagee" fails to deliver, or when it reaches twenty-five lines. Whichever comes first. It will then be time to vote on a final and last line (twenty-sixth). I'll ask all "tagees" to offer a last line, and I'll put up a poll on Poéfrika so people can vote for the...