Just taking a quick minute to post. It has been a few days and I have some photos that need to go up but give me a sec.
I just finished doing a shoot today that was supposed to last for a few days but we were able to knock out everything today. So I am taking the much needed time away to chill.
In fact right now, I am relaxing at beautiful Ponte Vedra Beach - and posting. Ain't technology grand!? I know that I will have some hot poetry when I leave here. You know Hurricane Ernesto just passed this way so it is really calm and beautiful out. You never know though -- the next big storm maybe just around the corner.
I back with more later but for now -- let me reminisce on Amazing You . . .
Light . . .
amazing you
for you
you
don’t understand how you amaze me
but your musings are frought with mediocrity and you just don’t want to grow
the complexity of loving your spirit and loathing your drive delivers me to hysteria
we converse for hours
and you excite the power within
but content with being who you are and where you stand
you remain steadfast.
for me – my drive propels me into making possibility from the impossible
i can’t be content with the mundane
striving for the best, i will be the best
and when the paradigm shifts, i will evolve.
but stoically you hold steadfast to your convictions.
you want only enough to sustain you for the moment
and what life serves, you eat
sans herb or spice
neglecting to see the possibility of today’s action on tomorrows result
even though what you seek is not my path, you amaze me
i’ve tried to break free of your hold thinking your ways would rub off on me
but from what i can see, you are who you are and i must be me
in the midst we meet and music is created
in cleft defying chords, sharps and flats combine in beauty
i don’t understand you
won’t try to change you
you – the one who amazes me!
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Saturday, August 26, 2006
No Luck For LeToya Luckett
Ok, the days have been flying by like crazy. I made a commitment to blog everyday but the days go so quickly and so much happens that it is hard to get to it sometimes but I am doing my best. I’ma be on it like Kryptonite.
Well besides being an actor, I am a marketing and promotions consultant. You know as well as I do that movies and gigs don’t just “happen” everyday. So in between time I gotta keep food on the table. I am usually throwing different parties for corporate clients so you will see some of the events from time to time.
Today started off very interesting as someone mistakenly placed my home phone number as the contact number for one of the events. After about the tenth phone call I knew that something was up. Come to find out that my number was posted on the internet and MySpace. Now hold it down and don’t go looking for the number on there! But anyway, I changed the voicemail and moved on. There was nothing that I could do.
Well this night was supposed to be all about Letoya Luckett. You remember her? She was the old member of Destiny’s Child that Beyonce’s father pretty much kicked out of the group. I was really rooting for her as the underdog until the show.
During the night the guys from H-Town stopped by to give some support for one of their homies from Houston. H-Town was the group on Luke Records back in the early 90’s that sang Knockin’ Boots and Emotions. If you remember, the group was G.I., Shazzam and Dino. Shazzam and Dino were the twins. About three years ago Dino and his girlfriend was killed in a car accident. The group however has continued on and is ready to hit the charts again. I must say that the fellaz were real personable and spent time with people all over the club. A true class act.
It’s a shame that I can’t say the same for LeToya. I mean first she sent out a couple of dancers that were at best OK. She then came out at about 12:30am and sang only two songs – TWO. Now maybe this was her agreement with the venue, so I was pretty cool about that part but here is where it starts to get interesting. First, she had about 10 people in her entourage. This includes body guards. Now granted the turn out at the venue was not that great but after her performance, she rushed out of the club as if she was Beyonce’ or someone. In fact she rushed out to her Limo Bus and wouldn’t get off to take pictures or autographs for anyone. Including ME and I was the one bringing the money there for the show. I was extremely disappointed with her and her performance to say the least.
I know that I would not be anywhere if someone wasn’t watching me perform. So after shows (when on stage) or if I see some one who stops me in on the street – it takes a quick moment to say hello or take a picture. Had it been me and I was trying to make my record jump, I would have spoken to every person in that club. Seriously. I mean because of the weather and everything the crowd was really small so it would have been nothing just to take a few minutes to mingle. Just those few minutes could have been the deciding factor. And believe me the LP is aright but the sales could use the help.
Nevertheless, I saw my boy Amp Webster from High School. He opened the show and later we hung out with a few J-ville hotties.
Lesson for today: Sometimes looks can be deceiving! Take that for what its worth.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
From Life to Life
Today was pretty eventful. I lot of running around and even more work. No calls from THE DIVA today which is very rare. I usually hear from her quite often to discuss the deals of the day.
I enjoyed a manicure and pedicure and proposed marriage to Lee Chong. Yea, I asked the lady that did my feet at the spa if she wanted to get married. The way that she was rubbing on my feet, it was obvious that she was in love with me. Whew – she did it for me. Oh yea, if anyone has a problem with brothers getting manicures and pedicures then that’s your problem. I have to make me feel the best that I can. Anyway, the day was pretty uneventful, just planning shopping and thinking. Some tight sales at Old Navy, a few thoughts of being a parent (another blog to come) and a few movie projects that are headed my way gave rise to all kind of emotions. But still the day was calm and peaceful.
Then it ended, I got a call from my aunt. She told me that one of our older cousins that I had called to check on but not heard from in a while had died. I know that my great-uncle lived in the same city as my relative, so I called to ask why he didn’t call to tell me. He apologized but that really got me to thinking even more. Will people really miss us when we are gone? Have we done all that we can for those that are here before they leave?
About a year ago my grandmother died. She was truly my best friend. Our relationship was very special. I’ll share a poem about her one day. Anyway, after she died I immediately went into business mode. Taking care of arrangements and making sure that she was properly laid to rest. All of my family kept trying to stop me and they all kept saying that they were waiting on me to break down but because I had done all that I could for her in life – death was nothing because we were both prepared.
Like anyone death hurts. They pain is deep but the realization that you have to move on must come quick or you end up stuck in a rut. I think that my boy No4Real has had that mystery figured out for some time. What I didn’t tell you was that my relative that died was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years only 90 days before. It is a testament to love but also to the fact that you must let them go (if you are strong enough) or you could follow.
I miss my two cousins. Though they were much older relatives, I always learned when I went around them. I tried to make sure that I did for them when they were up and about. I always stopped by when I was in the area. I did what I could so I don’t feel sad now. Only I look forward to all of us one day meeting again.
Tomorrow I am hosting a concert with former Destiny’s Child member Letoya Luckett. I will make sure to hit you with some pics. It is a Kartouche – this should be interesting.
I enjoyed a manicure and pedicure and proposed marriage to Lee Chong. Yea, I asked the lady that did my feet at the spa if she wanted to get married. The way that she was rubbing on my feet, it was obvious that she was in love with me. Whew – she did it for me. Oh yea, if anyone has a problem with brothers getting manicures and pedicures then that’s your problem. I have to make me feel the best that I can. Anyway, the day was pretty uneventful, just planning shopping and thinking. Some tight sales at Old Navy, a few thoughts of being a parent (another blog to come) and a few movie projects that are headed my way gave rise to all kind of emotions. But still the day was calm and peaceful.
Then it ended, I got a call from my aunt. She told me that one of our older cousins that I had called to check on but not heard from in a while had died. I know that my great-uncle lived in the same city as my relative, so I called to ask why he didn’t call to tell me. He apologized but that really got me to thinking even more. Will people really miss us when we are gone? Have we done all that we can for those that are here before they leave?
About a year ago my grandmother died. She was truly my best friend. Our relationship was very special. I’ll share a poem about her one day. Anyway, after she died I immediately went into business mode. Taking care of arrangements and making sure that she was properly laid to rest. All of my family kept trying to stop me and they all kept saying that they were waiting on me to break down but because I had done all that I could for her in life – death was nothing because we were both prepared.
Like anyone death hurts. They pain is deep but the realization that you have to move on must come quick or you end up stuck in a rut. I think that my boy No4Real has had that mystery figured out for some time. What I didn’t tell you was that my relative that died was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years only 90 days before. It is a testament to love but also to the fact that you must let them go (if you are strong enough) or you could follow.
I miss my two cousins. Though they were much older relatives, I always learned when I went around them. I tried to make sure that I did for them when they were up and about. I always stopped by when I was in the area. I did what I could so I don’t feel sad now. Only I look forward to all of us one day meeting again.
Tomorrow I am hosting a concert with former Destiny’s Child member Letoya Luckett. I will make sure to hit you with some pics. It is a Kartouche – this should be interesting.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
The Return of John Legend
Are we loving us some John Legend or what? He’s back and back with a vengeance. Only a few days ago, John Legend released his first single from his upcoming LP, this title track is called Save Room and it defiantly gives modern retro-activity. I had to immediately hit up I-Tunes for this new classic.
The lyrics are very forward and fresh but the music and sound gives reverence to the 1960’s sound of groups like the Monkeys or the Beatles. Though Andre 3000 took us there with Hey Ya a few years ago, Save Room uses move of a smooth laid back style to convey love. Even the touch of an organ/electric piano shows the masses that John Legend is here to stay.
My guilty pleasure when I find a track that I’m really feeling, is to play it over and over again until I know the lyrics. This is usually why friends don’t like to ride with me when I find a new song. It’s just my habit in tribute to great music. This is one of those tracks for me.
These powerful lyrics remind me to never give up on love and that personally, I have to save some room for the possibilities of what might exist. I won’t say that I have been entirely blocking out love but I have put other things into my life to take up the space. I guess that this means I can still keep doing what I feel but I have to save room for love because it comes along when you least expect it and often there is no time to prepare. I guess the most key line is that LOVE HURTS SOMETIME WHEN YOU DO IT RIGHT. Seriously, the entire song is full of great lines that make this joint hotter than fire.
Here check the lyrics for yourself. And yo, Save Room for the whole CD, I am sure that it will be a keeper.
(Click on the Play Icon Below to Hear Save Room by John Legend)
Monday, August 21, 2006
To Respect or To Fear
This weekend was really laid back. Not a great deal going on. Dinner with friends at P.F. Chang’s turned up being eventful. The wait was awful but we ended up getting a great table outside on the patio. I am usually a purist when it comes to drinks – but the raspberry mojito that the waiter suggested wasn’t bad. My girl Diva – the label mate of the bunch—hit us with vintage Prada and Big J rounded out the evening. Diva has this uncanny ability to make you spend money without even thinking about it until long afterward. This outing was supposed to be just dinner but I ended up doing some shopping thanks to THE DIVA. I picked up a moderately expensive belt that I really didn’t need. But like Diva said – “don’t you just feel better”. I did – for the moment.
It was my usual at P.F.’s. Kung Pao Chicken with Lo Mein. She had the Orange Peel Shrimp. I am still trying to figure out what Big J had (I’m not sure that he even knew). Dinner was great and ended with a brief walk around and a stop for take home treats from the Cheesecake Factory.
It was such an eventful urban evening that it didn’t even feel like we were in Jacksonville. Who knew?
Sunday, I attended a quaint little church service with my cousin. It was a special program sponsored by one of her co-workers. Jazzy E (My Cousin – we mad tight) was looking like the style maven that she is as usual and I was happy that she invited me. The message came from two ministers and centered around the theme of being suitably connected. The message really spoke to me. Often we have a “hook-up” with our friends, relatives and co-workers but can we really get to a point where we are connected suitably. Then comes the major question – are we suitably connected to GOD? It’s like he is there for us but are we ready to receive what he has to offer.
Sunday evening I spent some time catching up on correspondence at the office returning emails and preparing for the week ahead. Afterward, I had dinner (which was really breakfast) with a friend and that’s where things got interesting.
During dinner we had a discussion and one of the things that he said during our verbal spar was, “I am not going to be afraid of you like others are”. This blind sighted me because I thought that our conversation was pretty light. Of course our discussion became heated and then simmered but the statement made me think.
I work very hard to maintain my commitment to excellence. Some may call it perfectionism. Some may say that I am a workaholic but no matter what is called, I like to do what ever I choose with panache. My grandmother always used to tell me, “Baby what ever it is you do – make sure you have done it better than it has ever been done.” This advice has stuck with me all of my life and I know that my success is do in no small part to her teaching.
Nevertheless, it got me to wondering – Does what is perceived as respect sometimes equal fear? If so, why?
Seriously, I am sure that everyone knows that none should be feared but GOD. That is my belief. Truthfully, there is nothing that a mortal can do to me, take from me or give to me that adds that much validity to my life. If anyone had that power the only reason that it would exist is because I gave it to them. I choose to retain power for my life and therefore be the man that I am.
In thinking about it who would want to be feared? If people were so afraid of you they may not be willing to tell you something that would help out or even something simple like you have a piece of toilet paper hanging off of your shoe. You would have no friends and those people who did hang around would only be there for what they could get out of you. Anyone who has been a leader knows that fear is not the way to rule because you will be constantly afraid of losing your position. Respect and admiration are positive emotions that inspire love and loyalty.
In the end, I guess that confidence could be misconstrued as power – thus evoking fear. Even though perception is reality, it is the internal issues of others that make them think that you have any power over them.
So as I think of it – man up, that’s your problem – not mine!
Sunday, August 20, 2006
NEED
I needed you to need me for just a moment
Needy as could be the need to be needed was overwhelming
I needed to know that I was cool being at the place where I was
And that validation could only come from you
Like walking through bramble thickets with no shoes,
The need scarred me
The need scared me
The need consumed me --
The need to be needed
Those places that warranted frequent visits
Evoked chastity in my soul
I had to keep me from thee
But the greed of need and the feeling it brought
Turned my imagination, into possibility
And my focus to tangibility
For then it became life
Like debating an adversary with no wits
The need abused me
The need abhorred me
The need contained me --
The need to be needed
Extended into oblivion I roamed the nuances of infatuation
Of my-self, of you, of the perceived need
Just the thought of being thought of
Makes the fond recollection of a warm feeling, my goal
I reach the image and extend my hand – sensing a need
Hand retracted mist coiling about – no need
No individual – no need
Like loving with all my heart and falling on a dagger
The need was there
The need was strong
The need had yet to be fulfilled --
The need to be needed
Needy as could be the need to be needed was overwhelming
I needed to know that I was cool being at the place where I was
And that validation could only come from you
Like walking through bramble thickets with no shoes,
The need scarred me
The need scared me
The need consumed me --
The need to be needed
Those places that warranted frequent visits
Evoked chastity in my soul
I had to keep me from thee
But the greed of need and the feeling it brought
Turned my imagination, into possibility
And my focus to tangibility
For then it became life
Like debating an adversary with no wits
The need abused me
The need abhorred me
The need contained me --
The need to be needed
Extended into oblivion I roamed the nuances of infatuation
Of my-self, of you, of the perceived need
Just the thought of being thought of
Makes the fond recollection of a warm feeling, my goal
I reach the image and extend my hand – sensing a need
Hand retracted mist coiling about – no need
No individual – no need
Like loving with all my heart and falling on a dagger
The need was there
The need was strong
The need had yet to be fulfilled --
The need to be needed
Friday, August 18, 2006
Chapelle's Show Is Back -- on DVD
The weekend is almost here again and I really haven’t had time to recap last weekend. Who know where the time goes.
I was thinking about time the other day. Time is fleeting and moves like lightning – but this is only since I became an adult. When I was younger, time moved at a snails pace. I could not wait for Holidays to come around or my birthday or the time when I was supposed to hang out with my cousins. But it seems like now the days are all a blur and that things are moving so fast. It’s like I need to put a bridle on time.
Anyway, I purchased the Lost Episodes of Chapelle’s Show last weekend and as usual the antics of Dave Chappelle, Charlie Murphy and Donnell Rawlings and his crew kept me in stitches. It’s just that this particular show held more meaning with all of the issues surrounding Dave Chapelle. This time the humor provided social commentary that was even more biting than usual.
The most interesting and best part of the show for me was the “Town Hall Meeting” that talked about the use of the ethnic pixies in his sketches.
I was amazed that a show like this would truly poll the audience and do what the show should be doing anyway – promoting dialogue.
I am glad that the sketches about the pixies were aired. In order for power to be removed from the word “nigger” or for stereotypes like Asians eating only rice to be put away, we have to take power away from these things. Quite often we allow people to have power over us for reasons that we can control. Take the power away and we take away their control.
I admit I laughed at all of the pixies. I laughed at the entire Chapelle’s Show. I laughed because it was good for the soul and it was good for me. I hope that with the state of things in the world we can continue to laugh and move forward to see the opportunities that exist when we all work together.
I was thinking about time the other day. Time is fleeting and moves like lightning – but this is only since I became an adult. When I was younger, time moved at a snails pace. I could not wait for Holidays to come around or my birthday or the time when I was supposed to hang out with my cousins. But it seems like now the days are all a blur and that things are moving so fast. It’s like I need to put a bridle on time.
Anyway, I purchased the Lost Episodes of Chapelle’s Show last weekend and as usual the antics of Dave Chappelle, Charlie Murphy and Donnell Rawlings and his crew kept me in stitches. It’s just that this particular show held more meaning with all of the issues surrounding Dave Chapelle. This time the humor provided social commentary that was even more biting than usual.
The most interesting and best part of the show for me was the “Town Hall Meeting” that talked about the use of the ethnic pixies in his sketches.
I was amazed that a show like this would truly poll the audience and do what the show should be doing anyway – promoting dialogue.
I am glad that the sketches about the pixies were aired. In order for power to be removed from the word “nigger” or for stereotypes like Asians eating only rice to be put away, we have to take power away from these things. Quite often we allow people to have power over us for reasons that we can control. Take the power away and we take away their control.
I admit I laughed at all of the pixies. I laughed at the entire Chapelle’s Show. I laughed because it was good for the soul and it was good for me. I hope that with the state of things in the world we can continue to laugh and move forward to see the opportunities that exist when we all work together.
Monday, August 14, 2006
DJ Icey In Da Ville
It has been a minute since I have blogged but I have some very interesting insights on life coming up so make sure to stop by later to see what’s up. I had the chance to host a party at Plush on Friday night. It's the place to be in Jacksonville.
The event featured DJ Icey one of the hottest Dance and Electronica DJ’s on the scene. Although, I am usually into more hip-hop and down tempo stuff – the boy was hot. Fresh off of his European Tour – he came with a vengeance. His beats were off the chain and as most DJ’s do his stuff was laced with hip-hop and R&B. Kanye was all over the mixes. I wondered -- was this guy working for ROC (as I flash the Dynasty Sign)!
Seriously though, he kept the crowd moving all night and almost 900 people came together in complete harmony. Like I said, it’s not MY music but I did my thing on the floor and the vibe was on point. Check the pics up top.
Although for the rest of the weekend, I chilled at home, things were not a bust – I downloaded some music and did the DVD thing. You gotta stay tuned for my insights on both The Lost Episodes of Chapelle’s Show and Noah’s Arc Season 1. I'm sure that we'll have a lot to discuss.
Until then . . .
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
The Monarch
Check me in the center. I was the Pharoah Seti I for the Kuumab African Arts and Culture Festival. It was a chance to have some fun and share some history. The costumes were designed by Padrica Mendez. 
Perception Changes With Age
I was recently in Atlanta for the National Urban League Conference. I have to bring you up to speed on the happenings of the ATL but for now let’s just visit the conference.
First getting there was a chore. A flight coming in was late and I could not get a decent flight to Atlanta. So I had to end up driving I-75 to get there.
On my way there I was stopped at about 2am by a State Trooper for speeding. Now I know I wasn’t speeding because I was listening to talk radio on XM. Who speeds and listens to the latest World News. Nevertheless, when the officer invited me to exit the vehicle to check the legitimacy of his radar – I politely declined. I was in Southern Georgia in the middle of the night and I was not about to be wandering around on the side of the road in the dark contesting a ticket. No thank you. I gladly accepted the citation and quietly resolved to fight it later.
I was excited about going to Atlanta for the Urban League conference. It had been such a long time since I had attended the conference.
Most of the success that I have enjoyed has been attributed in a better part by the Urban League movement. In fact, I was the first National Chair of the National Urban League Youth Summit. The Urban League had helped to cultivate young minds and expose the possibilities that opportunity provides. I stepped gladly into the door. I met a great deal of friends that first conference. It was NYC 1990. The first official conference was held on the next year on the campus of Spellman College – yes in Atlanta. So it was quite fitting after such a long absence from my Urban League roots to be back in Atlanta where it all began.
Walking into the World Congress Center at the event that “raised me”, was like a kid coming home for the family reunion. I was home. The moment I walked into the door I saw people I knew. Some were past youth conferees like Jesse Stephens from Orlando or others like Renita Carter and Rose Jefferson- Frazer from the National Staff. Seeing them made me recall some of the others who had helped me but moved forward to other careers like former CEO John Jacob, Gasby Greely, Milton Little and Mildred Love who were once Vice-Presidents and even Anne Hill and Gina Davis- Watkins. I had my experiences with them all and even though the names may not ring with familiarity – they are names that inspire nostalgia from my youth.
As I looked around, the thing that struck me the most was that the conference seemed so small. The Youth Summit was only about 350 strong and I could walk easily through out the halls of the conference. I thought to myself that maybe all of the people were in workshops but I was sadly mistaken. I entered the exhibit hall to see maybe a hundred companies there instead of the hundreds I usually saw. Even the career fair that was notorious for brining in top executives from around the country and hiring candidates on the spot was weak. They were directing job candidates to websites.
Finally the straw that broke the camels back was when I had intimate conversations with friends and found out the some of the Urban League affiliates from around the country had closed or were on the verge of closing. To say the least I was mortified. Could the mammoth that was the Urban League be in decline?
Then I thought, maybe it is not the organization – maybe it was me. Sure some of the affiliates were closing and the conference in someway seemed smaller – but was what I saw the true picture of reality?
The more I thought about it I realized that truly perception changes with age. The elementary school that in kindergarten seems so massive was actually a very small place. Relatives that seemed to be tall had somehow shrunk. They were now my height. What seemed like a great deal of money to me at one time was now mediocre. See all of these things were the same – it is just my perception of them that made it different. The experiences that had shaped my beliefs and values had also helped to morph my perception.
It meant I was simply getting older.
I still cherish the Urban League and its mission. I am a financial and equity contributor to its projects. I know that I have been touched in no small way by the organization. From speaking to small groups of people to delivering a keynote address to thousands – I thank God for the opportunities that the Urban League has given to me.
Nevertheless, I see it as it was and as it is and I choose to remember the “glory days” of the Urban League. It is now my responsibility to do my best to restore the Urban League and its mission to the place where it belongs.
First getting there was a chore. A flight coming in was late and I could not get a decent flight to Atlanta. So I had to end up driving I-75 to get there.
On my way there I was stopped at about 2am by a State Trooper for speeding. Now I know I wasn’t speeding because I was listening to talk radio on XM. Who speeds and listens to the latest World News. Nevertheless, when the officer invited me to exit the vehicle to check the legitimacy of his radar – I politely declined. I was in Southern Georgia in the middle of the night and I was not about to be wandering around on the side of the road in the dark contesting a ticket. No thank you. I gladly accepted the citation and quietly resolved to fight it later.
I was excited about going to Atlanta for the Urban League conference. It had been such a long time since I had attended the conference.
Most of the success that I have enjoyed has been attributed in a better part by the Urban League movement. In fact, I was the first National Chair of the National Urban League Youth Summit. The Urban League had helped to cultivate young minds and expose the possibilities that opportunity provides. I stepped gladly into the door. I met a great deal of friends that first conference. It was NYC 1990. The first official conference was held on the next year on the campus of Spellman College – yes in Atlanta. So it was quite fitting after such a long absence from my Urban League roots to be back in Atlanta where it all began.
Walking into the World Congress Center at the event that “raised me”, was like a kid coming home for the family reunion. I was home. The moment I walked into the door I saw people I knew. Some were past youth conferees like Jesse Stephens from Orlando or others like Renita Carter and Rose Jefferson- Frazer from the National Staff. Seeing them made me recall some of the others who had helped me but moved forward to other careers like former CEO John Jacob, Gasby Greely, Milton Little and Mildred Love who were once Vice-Presidents and even Anne Hill and Gina Davis- Watkins. I had my experiences with them all and even though the names may not ring with familiarity – they are names that inspire nostalgia from my youth.
As I looked around, the thing that struck me the most was that the conference seemed so small. The Youth Summit was only about 350 strong and I could walk easily through out the halls of the conference. I thought to myself that maybe all of the people were in workshops but I was sadly mistaken. I entered the exhibit hall to see maybe a hundred companies there instead of the hundreds I usually saw. Even the career fair that was notorious for brining in top executives from around the country and hiring candidates on the spot was weak. They were directing job candidates to websites.
Finally the straw that broke the camels back was when I had intimate conversations with friends and found out the some of the Urban League affiliates from around the country had closed or were on the verge of closing. To say the least I was mortified. Could the mammoth that was the Urban League be in decline?
Then I thought, maybe it is not the organization – maybe it was me. Sure some of the affiliates were closing and the conference in someway seemed smaller – but was what I saw the true picture of reality?
The more I thought about it I realized that truly perception changes with age. The elementary school that in kindergarten seems so massive was actually a very small place. Relatives that seemed to be tall had somehow shrunk. They were now my height. What seemed like a great deal of money to me at one time was now mediocre. See all of these things were the same – it is just my perception of them that made it different. The experiences that had shaped my beliefs and values had also helped to morph my perception.
It meant I was simply getting older.
I still cherish the Urban League and its mission. I am a financial and equity contributor to its projects. I know that I have been touched in no small way by the organization. From speaking to small groups of people to delivering a keynote address to thousands – I thank God for the opportunities that the Urban League has given to me.
Nevertheless, I see it as it was and as it is and I choose to remember the “glory days” of the Urban League. It is now my responsibility to do my best to restore the Urban League and its mission to the place where it belongs.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
A Walk on the Art Side
Last night I had a chance to check out Art Walk Jacksonville. It was much more than I expected.
Art Walk is quite an interesting experience and it helps bring people to Downtown Jacksonville. It was an area that had sorely been neglected but the renaissance that it has experienced is amazing. Art Walk happens the first Wednesday of every month and invites many visual and performing artists to show off their work in many lofts and office buildings in the downtown area. If you haven’t been or are ever in the area – it is a free event that feels very SoHo.
The Walk sponsored by Downtown Vision, Inc., features thirty-four venues of makeshift galleries, performances, food and spirits. The best part about it --it's all free!
My journey did not start at the first stop on the map but at JMOMA (The Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art). I recently joined the museum and hadn't had the time to really check out the spot. I was glad I did. Although the first two floors had some interesting pieces, it was the third floor that took my breath away.
Radcliffe Bailey is a musician, artist and professor living in Atlanta, GA and his exhibitions at JMOMA were passionate expressions of feeling and insight. I appreciated his art, especially one featuring Afro-Beat Legend Fela but the thing that took my breath away was his mixed media piece STORM AT SEA. This installation was a wooden installation that was so dynamic that as I stood looking at this masterpiece the hair on the back of my neck stood on end. The exhibit was a depiction of the Middle Passage (Africans journey to America via slave ships) one of the ships and its arrival in the “New World” which housed an elevated African Icon. The most poignant aspect was a blank page set for sheet music sitting unassumingly at the end of the work. The page said simply, “Long Live the UNIA”. I was in awe. This man is so far beyond his time. I can’t wait to meet him. Genius. I stood their looking for quite some time watching the confused masses meander by confused. I wonder if they had any idea what they had witnessed. Probably not.
I continued from spot to spot around to the other galleries and “art spaces” downtown. I say art spaces in that some of the buildings that are under construction allowed their spaces to be used for exhibition. This eclectic funky mix gave the evening ambiance. In one spot there was a mat, a crew of break dancers and a DJ that performed gravity defying stunts to some break beat, electronic and dance music.
I even saw the organizer of the Art Walk and one of my former co-workers Karen Barnes at one of the spots. Check her and a friend out in the photos. She has really found her niche bringing things like this to Jacksonville.
Now any one who knows me knows that I love great eclectic gourmet cuisine, which is why CHEW caught my eye. CHEW has not officially opened its doors yet one of the owners, Jason Parry, graciously gave me a tour of the spot and I am waiting with baited breath for the Grand Opening. My sneak preview of the menu proves that this is sure to be a new Downtown Hotspot. All of the specialties are cured and created in house and they are slated to offer “eclectic elegance on the go”! I can’t wait.
While there I also ran into one of the coolest cats on Earth – Shelton Hull. Shelton and I used to hang out in High School and even then his mind was on another level. This guy started Section 8 – an arts and entertainment magazine and currently writes a column in Folio Weekly Magazine called Money Jungle. Check him out.
After several uneventful stops and meeting some cool people just walking on the street. I ended up at Boomtown Theatre to check out the sing along. Great food, good wine and an interesting stage show. You can thank co-owners Stephen Dare and John Allen for giving Jacksonville something unlike what you will find anywhere in the world.
I know from all theses experiences, this really doesn’t sound like Jacksonville but it was.
All of these experiences. These are Jacksonville. These things coupled with low rates of minority-owned businesses. Having the highest murder rate in Florida. High instances of HIV/AIDS in the minority community. Low high school graduation rates and an increasing disparity between haves and have-nots. All of these things are Jacksonville and in essence it is a microcosm of the world.
I choose to take those wonderful experiences and use them as fuel to make a difference. Even now as the high school that I attended struggles with administrative issues and charting a truly uncertain future (I’ll address that later), I know that the little I can do here will make a global impact if only I do my small part.
As an actor, I love art. I am, in the basic sense of the word, an artist. My art does not define me – it completes me. Does this mean that I have the responsibility to make the world a better place? Of course. A place more feasible to share my art.
Art Walk is quite an interesting experience and it helps bring people to Downtown Jacksonville. It was an area that had sorely been neglected but the renaissance that it has experienced is amazing. Art Walk happens the first Wednesday of every month and invites many visual and performing artists to show off their work in many lofts and office buildings in the downtown area. If you haven’t been or are ever in the area – it is a free event that feels very SoHo.
The Walk sponsored by Downtown Vision, Inc., features thirty-four venues of makeshift galleries, performances, food and spirits. The best part about it --it's all free!
My journey did not start at the first stop on the map but at JMOMA (The Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art). I recently joined the museum and hadn't had the time to really check out the spot. I was glad I did. Although the first two floors had some interesting pieces, it was the third floor that took my breath away.
Radcliffe Bailey is a musician, artist and professor living in Atlanta, GA and his exhibitions at JMOMA were passionate expressions of feeling and insight. I appreciated his art, especially one featuring Afro-Beat Legend Fela but the thing that took my breath away was his mixed media piece STORM AT SEA. This installation was a wooden installation that was so dynamic that as I stood looking at this masterpiece the hair on the back of my neck stood on end. The exhibit was a depiction of the Middle Passage (Africans journey to America via slave ships) one of the ships and its arrival in the “New World” which housed an elevated African Icon. The most poignant aspect was a blank page set for sheet music sitting unassumingly at the end of the work. The page said simply, “Long Live the UNIA”. I was in awe. This man is so far beyond his time. I can’t wait to meet him. Genius. I stood their looking for quite some time watching the confused masses meander by confused. I wonder if they had any idea what they had witnessed. Probably not.
I continued from spot to spot around to the other galleries and “art spaces” downtown. I say art spaces in that some of the buildings that are under construction allowed their spaces to be used for exhibition. This eclectic funky mix gave the evening ambiance. In one spot there was a mat, a crew of break dancers and a DJ that performed gravity defying stunts to some break beat, electronic and dance music.
I even saw the organizer of the Art Walk and one of my former co-workers Karen Barnes at one of the spots. Check her and a friend out in the photos. She has really found her niche bringing things like this to Jacksonville.
Now any one who knows me knows that I love great eclectic gourmet cuisine, which is why CHEW caught my eye. CHEW has not officially opened its doors yet one of the owners, Jason Parry, graciously gave me a tour of the spot and I am waiting with baited breath for the Grand Opening. My sneak preview of the menu proves that this is sure to be a new Downtown Hotspot. All of the specialties are cured and created in house and they are slated to offer “eclectic elegance on the go”! I can’t wait.
While there I also ran into one of the coolest cats on Earth – Shelton Hull. Shelton and I used to hang out in High School and even then his mind was on another level. This guy started Section 8 – an arts and entertainment magazine and currently writes a column in Folio Weekly Magazine called Money Jungle. Check him out.
After several uneventful stops and meeting some cool people just walking on the street. I ended up at Boomtown Theatre to check out the sing along. Great food, good wine and an interesting stage show. You can thank co-owners Stephen Dare and John Allen for giving Jacksonville something unlike what you will find anywhere in the world.
I know from all theses experiences, this really doesn’t sound like Jacksonville but it was.
All of these experiences. These are Jacksonville. These things coupled with low rates of minority-owned businesses. Having the highest murder rate in Florida. High instances of HIV/AIDS in the minority community. Low high school graduation rates and an increasing disparity between haves and have-nots. All of these things are Jacksonville and in essence it is a microcosm of the world.
I choose to take those wonderful experiences and use them as fuel to make a difference. Even now as the high school that I attended struggles with administrative issues and charting a truly uncertain future (I’ll address that later), I know that the little I can do here will make a global impact if only I do my small part.
As an actor, I love art. I am, in the basic sense of the word, an artist. My art does not define me – it completes me. Does this mean that I have the responsibility to make the world a better place? Of course. A place more feasible to share my art.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
The Actor's Boot Camp with Bill Duke
Several weeks ago I had the chance to attend the American Black Film Festival in Miami Beach, Florida and in the least – it was a life changing experience.
Bill Duke was the creator and instructor and spent the three days of the Actor’s Boot Camp making sure that we knew what lay ahead. From his days on Broadway and Commando to being one of the most respected Actor/Director/Producers in the industry – Duke knows what it takes to survive and succeed the jungle that is Hollywood.
During the Boot Camp it was evident that Bill Duke was not only a great performer but an even greater humanitarian. Countless numbers of his former students came to the class to talk about their inspiration and experiences with him and the success they currently enjoyed. In fact on group of his former students came up with a short film about being molested that was one of the finalists in the HBO Short Film Competition. The film was amazing! The group however attributed all of their success to things that they had learned from Bill Duke’s workshop.
Some of those who stopped by included Lamman Rucker, Loretta Divine, John Singleton, Robert Townsend and Wendell Pierce. They talked about their work within the industry but was most impressive was the homage that they all paid to Bill Duke.
I know one key thing that he said that sticks with me was that “acting was like falling backward into darkness”. That is one of the most profound ways to describe this thing that we do. This was only one of the many great things that he said but it was that thing that sparked my fire and inspired me to create even more.
During the event what was most amazing were the amount of people that were there who possessed “like minds”. Each and every person there was in someway connected to the other. The connection was though passion, experience and most importantly drive. For me it was euphoric. How often do you get to spend time with people who have some of the same goals and ideas and who are willing to put in the work to bring those ideas to fruition. From Nici, Kel and Amber to Markell, Eddie and Kim (The Diva) these people were real. Although these names might not ring a bell of familiarity now – give it a year or two and you will know us all. That is just how powerful this experience was.
As I said before this experience not only helped me as an actor – but it was truly life changing. Most people feel as though this thing that we do as actors is simple but it is like life – constantly evolving. Many of the principles that I have learned in acting, I have also used in life and have become inherently more successful. Moreover, I have an even larger extended family that understands the complexity of what it is we do. Those ladies and gentlemen that sat with me in that room in Miami Beach became my brothers and sisters. They are now by family and when one of us succeeds – we are all successful.
It touched me so much that this poem just developed in my head. You can see from the poem what the experience was to me. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity that made me remember why I am an actor.
We Were There
(after the 2006 Bill Duke Actor’s Boot Camp at the ABFF)
Spending time by oceans shore
We were there
Coming from far and near
We were there
Open like sponges, ready for the knowledge we would receive . . .
We were there
Barely inside the new millennium at a time when all had returned to soul
The universe cried for artists, to bring joy and tell stories and pass tradition
There was technique to the work of the artists and so we had to learn
Most importantly we had to learn – to forget all that we’ve learned
Described like walking into nothingness and falling back with no fear
Described like reliance on our faith
Faith in HIM, faith in ourselves, faith in the process
We were there
Spending time by oceans shore
We were there
Coming from far and near
We were there
Open like sponges, ready for the knowledge we would receive . . .
We were there
A King of a man, a guide sent from high, was there
He was like a high priest of the art
Teaching the traditions of old, inspiring the creation of new
Taking impossible nothingness and creating possibility
He had paved the way for us to walk and now was showing us the path
Finally, we would be able to silence the cries of the universe and make her laugh!
We were there – allowing “them” to come down
There in the place where some of the great masters had been
There in the place where at one time we could perform but not sleep and eat
Preparing for greatness – we were there.
Invoking those gone before
I saw Dorothy Dandridge
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Stepin Fetchit
Hattie McDaniels
Woody Strode
Esther Rolle
Paul Robeson
At the place where he transitioned, even Ossie Davis was there – they were all there!
Sooner than later we will tell the stories and share the anecdotes of the time when we were there
Sooner than later giving credit to God and thanking him for sending us the man that led us on the path
Spending time by oceans shore
We were there
Coming from far and near
We were there
Open like sponges, ready for the knowledge we would receive . . .
I remember . . .we were there
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