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.

Great 28 -Black Love 2014 Traci Bartlow

I met this sistah on the dance floor, and it's been on the one ever since! The love this woman has for our people and our culture, coupled with her talent and vision make her a force to be reckoned with and a straight up home girl for real. Prone to uplift yo vibe and enhance your funkentelechy, y'all please dig Ms. Traci "B-Love" Bartlow.

 

Traci Bartlow is one of the Bay Area's most mutli faceted artists. A native of Oakland California, this dancer / choreographer, photographer, poet has worked internationally in theater, film television and print. Her early beginings as "a dancer on the block" have evolved to being proficient in many dance styles including old school and new school hip hop dance, Lindy Hop, Jazz, West African dance and House. A striking beauty represented by Stars, The Agency in San Francisco she currently works in print, television and film. 

Traci is the founder and creative director of Starchild Enterprise, which is based on the African Adinkra symbol Nsoroma whose meaning translates to, 'my illumination is merely a reflection of God's or, Child of the Heavens'. This is the guiding principal for all Traci's creative endeavors. Traci is a cultural worker with over 20 years experience as a dancer, choreographer, teacher, photographer, director, producer, community organizer,  and gardener. Owner and operator of B-Love's Guest House, Traci is also an artist/activist and core member that helped to found and develop the Eastside Cultural Center. 

B-Love’s Guest House is a unique extension to Traci's lifestyle of wellness and creativity. Catering to the visiting artist or business professional, this guest house is a cute and spacious 5 bedroom apartment on the street level of her Victorian home. Click on this link to find out more about B-Love's Guest House.

For more info check out the tracibartlow.com and you can "like" Starchild on Facebook or follow @TraciBartlow on Twitter to find out about upcoming shows and workshops.

Great 28 -Black Love 2014 Iyatunde Oshunade Folayan

OhKay, this one right here!???... She on a mission, this sistah put the 'ack in Black (as in 'ack like you know'). She ain't playin' and she ain't scared... leaving her mark everywhere she go, and comin' to a liberation near you. It is my pleasure to present this daughter of Detroit, the fierce, multi-talented, non-stop, Ms. Iyatunde Oshunade Folayan.

The proud granddaughter of cotton pickers, singers and farmers from Alabama, she is the loving rebel daughter of a retired GM auto worker/former cotton picker and a school administrator. Iyatunde's given name is LaTrice Annette Dixon. 

A Detroit native, she was the first in her family to graduate from a university. As a student at the University of Michigan in the late 80's, Iyatunde remembers being politicized by a lone, Black Lesbian protester outside her dorm room window. Soon thereafter, she joined the United Coalition Against Racism (UCAR), a student group that led the historic winning campaign to increase Black student enrollment at U-M, setting a pro-affirmative action trend at universities nationwide. After obtaining her degree in Political Science, Iyatunde moved to New York and took classes in video and film at Third World Newsreel and the Nuyorican Poet's Cafe. The universe aligned so that she would get an opportunity to work as a producer and music researcher on the PBS documentary of her hero called A Litany for Survival: The Life and Work of Audre Lorde. 

After obtaining her MFA from the first graduated class in Media Arts at City University of New York in 1999 and received Best Screenplay for her film short The Book of Ezekiel. Before leaving the East Coast in 1999, she returned to Detroit and co-founded S.P.I.C.E., Sistahs Providing Intelligence Creative and Empowerment, a nurturing and supportive organization to serve the needs of Detroit's Black Lesbians. 

A passionate supporter of independent media, Iyatunde co-founded the South Centeral Radio Collective and birthed the first Black women's radio show on Los Angeles' KPFK (90.7 FM) entitled Some of Us Are Brave. While living in Long Beach, Iyatunde collaborated with Dorothy Randall Gray and programmed A Burst of Light, Long Beach's first Black Lesbian film and poetry series, founded The Here To Stay Coalition with Yardenna Aaron in 2008 and organized the first Black, queer contingent to march annually in Los Angeles' Kingdom Day Parade. Under the tutelage of Queen Hollins, Iyatunde is honored to be a gatekeeper at the EarthLodge Center for Transformation and the Queer Full Moon Circle in Long Beach.

Iyatunde has been unceasing in her efforts to address the issues, celebrate the achievements, and  support the creation of healing spaces, within the Black/Queer community intersection locally and globally; reaching out to, raising awareness around and standing in solidarity with our queer brothers and sisters on the continent.

Based in Detroit, Iyatunde works closely with Black LGBT community there and is completing her screenplay Who Saves Brown Girls Who Don't Holler?

Follow Iyatunde on Twitter @IyatundeF to see what she's up to.
 

 

Great 28 -Black Love 2014 K.C. Lehman

It has been a pleasure to see this sistah's commitment to education for liberation continue to grow and manifest. Serious about the business at hand, KC is steady on task; creating spaces for real talk about challenging topics in the community, bringing folks together, calling for and taking action to create change up close and in person. Top Shelf, grassroots, knowledge wisdom, plus she's mad cool and nice with it. A Super Black Love shout out to my "Lil Sis" KC Lehman :-)

KC is the founder and visionary for the Black Is website. Born out of frustration at the lack of Black culture sites online not fully dedicated to gossip and celebrity, KC crafted Black Is as a think tank of ideas and discussions to help bolster the black community specifically in Los Angeles. An educator and licensed real estate agent by day, KC also has a passion for improving the world for the youth and empowering people of color through economic growth. Currently she hosts The Break podcast series. 

Black Is is a website that showcases the interests and experiences of Black American people. We are purveyors of Black-owned businesses, artistry, culture, and lifestyle. We are dedicated to sharing how rich and diverse this experience is with all members of the human race. Based in Los Angeles, CA we are also purveyors of Los Angeles events that occur within the myriad of Black communities here. 

Check out BlackIsOnline for recent podcast and more information

Great 28 -Black Love 2014 Afia Walking Tree

The first time I saw this sister she was walking with her Djembe like she was born wearing it, the first time I heard her play I knew it wouldn't be the last. Shortly there after I found myself packing up, saying farewell to my folks in L.A. and heading to the Bay to study with her... That's some kind of inspiration, my life -and drumming, haven't been the same since. I bring you Afia Walking Tree.

Percussionist, Instructor, Lead Facilitator, Ritualist, Afia Walking Tree, M.Ed is a world-class percussionist, cultural ambassador, spiritual activist, empowerment facilitator, leadership development advocate and trainer. Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, she is currently based in the California Bay Area.

For over 14 years, Walking Tree has served her destiny as visionary director of her brainchild, Spirit Drumz, an international organization that prioritizes women and youth of all cultures to utilize African Diasporic drumming, dancing, and storytelling to activate empowerment and healing. She has served in the capacity as mentor, coach, director, and performer across the US, Europe, Canada, and West Africa, spearheading integrative, expressive, cultural arts education programs such as: Drum-Talk-Story, Transformative Leadership, FunDRUMentals, and Drum Our Souls Free.

Walking Tree's drumsongs are prayers of gratitude for the generosity of spirit. Her lyrics are evolutionary teachings, addressing present day issues of social justice, freedom, healing and self-love.  

To get more information and her first solo CD, entitled Soul Affirmationz check out www.spiritdrumz.org.

Great 28 -Black Love 2014 Karen Seneferu

What to say, from the moment I 'met' this sistah, before we had ever spoken a word i was intrigued, activated and expanded. It was going to be an adventure of galactic proportions... and I was ready for the ride. Engaging, provocative and sho nuff bout it! I invite you to experience Karen Seneferu.

Karen Seneferu is a self-taught artist that was born and raised in Oakland California. She received a BA in English from University of California, Berkeley. Interested in how individuals can be a part of mainstream society andmaintain cultural integrity, Seneferu created a program that removed fear andanxiety for Foundational Students called Take Flight at Berkeley City College, where she teaches. The program incorporates art, technology, reading, writing and gallery visits. At the center of the program is the idea that narrative is art and art is narrative.

Senferu artwork is a cross section of her teaching, where every space has the potential for creative output, education, and healing. Thus, every space has hidden meaning; what enters into that space can be dictated by that meaning, or can transform the meaning of that space.

In coming in and taking over space, Senferu created a new art form called Technokisi. Technokisi attempts to alter and speak to the ancient form of the Nkisi through a new and innovative work of art. The Nkisi, out of the Kongo Basin, dated as early as the 16th century, was designed as a container covered by a mirror in the stomach, the head, the back, or the sex of the sculpture, which activated the power for daily life. Placing technology at the center of Technokisi becomes the mirror reflected back on those who view the video, placing the charge within the viewer as well as the containment that is viewed. These two opposing forms for Karen -the ancient and technological merge to create both a futuristic energy, grounded in a historical vehicle that navigates multiple discourses and geo-political landscapes for the purpose of healing and empowerment. 

For a ride on the star ship check out karenseneferu.com

Great 28 -Black Love Malik Seneferu

Each time I post about one of the brothers in the community I smile, this time is no different. In fact this time the smile reminds me how big I smile, each time I see this brother's smile. Malik has a light that affirms the reality of "the black gold of the sun" and radiates its power in his art work and his work in the community. Which is why it is a pleasure to present, Malik Seneferu.

Malik is a self-taught and extremely prolific African-American artist that has created more than 1,000 different pieces of artwork, including paintings, murals, and mixed media projects in the past 25 years. Despite the fact that he has no formal college training, Malik’s art has hung in many different professional arenas throughout the world, such as galleries, museums, magazines, and newspapers.

While growing up in the 1970s and 80s, Malik saw his peers going to jail and getting killed. Living a life of crime did not appeal to him, so he chose to follow his dreams and began creating art. His interest in art became a pursuit for spiritual, mental, and physical elevation. In addition to creating original art pieces, Malik works with communities that have seen hardship.

Count on Malik Seneferu to provide you with unique and original art pieces. Malik’s Art offers original creations to collectors or people who just really love his art. 

To learn more or check out Malik's Art visit maliksart.com

Great 28 -Black Love 2014 Refa One

Annnddd you don't quuiit... This brotha is the truth yall. A true soldier and an amazing artist to boot, he stay going hard in the paint literally and figuratively. With a fist in the air and nuf respect we present Refa One

"Writing is the song of my soul and the call of my spirit. This art work has a power – inspired by a higher power than myself. I create from a place of unconditional love for my people and the ONENESS in the universe.” -Refa One 


For well over two decades, Oakland California native Refa One has been instrumental in the development of the innovative, unorthodox genre of art known as “Aerosol Art” (Graffiti Art/Writing). Immersed in HipHop culture as a youth, the walls of urban structures became his canvas.
Refa's refined HipHop calligraphy speaks to a legacy of Style and cultural tradition born from the NYC subway painting movement . A lifetime of involvement in HipHop culture via the Universal Zulu Nation combined with his radical political awareness, has translated into a successful career as a HipHop Calligrapher, muralist, illustrator, activist, and educator. Refa One’s design aesthetic promotes culture as a vehicle for radical political and social change. His pieces are maps of vision and reflection that capture the intellectual value and heritage of the HipHop vernacular. His themes materialize in the fusion of his unique stylized letters and his use of eclectic cultural iconography. That fusion result is a multitude of powerful works engaging the spirit, intellect, and the imagination.

Check, Check it out... http://www.refa1.com/bio.html