Great 28 -Black Love 2014 Konda Mason

Each time I come to this place of 'introduction' I marvel at how blessed my life is, and the beings that have touched it. This sistah, is one of my favorite upstart angels. She is that place where dynamic energy and sweet nurturing weave visions of a kind and compassionate world into the fabric of reality with the grace of a master at a loom... with a pinch of mischief, to keep you on your toes. I could go on and on, this woman has impacted my life in so many ways, simply by living hers. Last yet definitely not least, please join me in a big ol' Happy-Born-Day-and-Many-Happy-Solar-Returns, Great 28 Black Love shout out to the one, the only Ms. Konda Mason.

Konda honed her business leadership skills as a Grammy winning artist manager in London, an Academy Award nominated film producer in Hollywood, and an Off Broadway hit theater producer in New York…just to name a few.
Turning her attention to sustainable personal and global living solutions, Konda partnered with actor Woody Harrelson and founded Yoganics, an organic food business in Los Angeles, where she successfully brought to market the first organic produce section in a major grocery store in the LA area.
Additionally, Konda leads ecotourism trips to the Amazon rainforest and is a facilitator trainer for The Pachamama Alliance. She is a partner in Earthseed Consulting, LLC, where she is producing/directing the web series “Green Street Loft”, a program aimed at deepening the connection of the African American community with land, place and the sustainability movement. She was a co-host for the Shift Network’s 2012 Season of Sustainability and is a Certified Permaculture Designer.
Konda’s leadership style leverages her innate wisdom with tools of permaculture, sustainable business practices, yoga, storytelling, Buddhist theory, and Integral theory. A human equity advocate, prolific urban gardener, and social entrepreneur, Konda’s work is driven by the vision of realizing in her lifetime a genuinely just and sustainable world.

Great 28 -Black Love 2014 Kele Nitoto

Ok yeah, this cat?... Mystifunk, as in how did the brotha make it SO funky? I remember the first time I saw him perform, I was taking classes shortly there after and having my mind blown regularly. Aside from being an amazing drummer, he's about that roots and culture in action. Bringing beats and smiles, peace and passion, and always a little something in the mix to make your brain wiggle, its that Kele Nitoto. 

Kele Nitoto is a second-generation African American percussionist. Having studied with Masters of many styles, Kele has become proficient in West African, Congolese, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Peruvian , and Afro-Haitian traditional drumming. Since 1993 Kele has performed throughout California with such groups as the children's group S.U.D.U.A. House, Award Winning modern dance ensemble Dimensions Dance Theater, Haitian group Project Reconnect, The Peruvian Dance Ensemble, Congolese troupes Ballet Lisanga, and Internationally renowned Fua Dia Congo. 

A co-founder the Black Dot Artist Collective, Kele has also become one of the Bay Area’s most sought after percussionists for R+B, Hip-Hop and Jazz. He has played with such Funk/R+B groups as Electric Church, Xroads, The Jua Theory, Hip-Hop/ band Hairdoo, and Jazz trio E.S.P., Funk group Soul Mechanix, and Bay Area blues legend Augusta Lee Collins. He currently plays with World Soul artist WolfHawkJaguar, and Haitian Dance ensemble Elwa Movement. Kele has taught hundreds of workshops and classes over the years with adults and children. He has taught at summer camps, spiritual and workplace retreats, and for countless ceremonies and celebrations. Through it all he continues to explore all aspects of percussive music, and what it can mean to those who hear it.

Great 28 -Black Love 2014 Queen Hollins

There is no blog, no post, nor is there tweet that can do this sistah justice... Smh. Visionary, warrior, healer, mother, sister, friend... this doesn't even scratch the surface, although those who know her KNOW how MUCH those few words translate into. Giving thanks for this one right here! My kindred, Queen Hollins.

Queen Hollins is the Principal Steward of the Earthlodge Center for Transformation. Through the Earthlodge, women and queer communities have not only healed and transformed individually but the healing has shifted lineages of suffering by reconnecting to nature. In addition to stewarding the Earthlodge, Queen delivers the medicine of Mama Earth through African dance philosophy and  instruction, poetry, shawomanism, spiritual counseling, herbal permaculture, monthly Queer full moon ceremonies and sacred ceremonial crafting. 

Follow the links to learn more about Queen, the Earthlodge Center for Transformation and the Nu Legacy Project.