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 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 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 NIA Collective

Truly an example of Black Love in action, many sistahs over the past 26 years have worked together to create a safe, nurturing space that has become a haven for healing and finding community. I am so grateful for these women... Big up NIA Collective!!!

NIA Collective was created by and for Lesbians of African descent.  The organization was founded in 1987 during the Black Caucus at the Lesbian of Color Conference in San Francisco.The word “NIA” was chosen for its meaning, purpose, in the Swahili language. African Americans are familiar with the term as the fifth principle of Kwanzaa, the Winter Harvest celebration.

The “purpose” of NIA Collective is to collectively build a network through self-definition, self-acceptance and acceptance of each other as lesbians, as people of African descent and as women.
The NIA Collective’s main project has been an annual gathering. Recently they have enlarged the vision and scope to meet the needs of lesbians of African descent throughout the year,  committing to excellent social, political, educational and spiritual health for us all!

NIA is a nonprofit organization for lesbian & same gender loving women of African descent, they  also support other groups that address the needs of lesbians & SGL women of African descent. An Oakland-based, global community celebrating same-gender loving women of African descent and the allies who support them!

 

Great 28 -Black Love 2014 Dr. Herukhuti

If you are fortunate, as I am, there is someone in your life who knows some thangs about some thangs and will check you, uplift you, make you laugh, think and love harder than you ever thought possible around the liberation and culture of Black folks... So if you can handle that, I know you gonna dig

 DR. HERUKHUTI

Dr. Herukhuti is a clinical sociologist, cultural studies scholar, sexologist, and traditional African shaman who focuses on sexuality, gender, and spirituality themes within the African Diaspora (i.e., Black folks all over the world) and other marginalized communities (e.g., polyamorous, BDSM/kink, and fetish). Rooted in community, he works in and with Diasporic communities and other marginalized communities as a scholar-practitioner dedicated to and driven by the goals of liberation and social justice.

Dr. Herukhuti is the founder of Black Funk: The Center for Culture, Sexuality, and Spirituality and editor-in-chief of http://www.blackfunk.org/. Through Black Funk, he provides individuals and groups information and education for sexual empowerment, decolonization, and liberation. He is a faculty member at Goddard College, one of the nation’s oldest institutions for progressive education, where he works with undergraduate and graduate students.

Dr. Herukhuti, author of the book Conjuring Black Funk: Notes on Culture, Sexuality, and Spirituality, Volume I (Vintage Entity Press), holds a PhD in human and organizational systems with a concentration in transformative learning for social justice and specializations in sexuality and cross-cultural studies of knowledge. His work has been published and anthologized in various academic and popular contexts including Sexualities, Journal of Bisexuality, ARISE Magazine, and Ma-Ka Diasporic Juks: Contemporary Writings by Queers of African Descent.

To arrange for Dr. Herukhuti to speak or offer a presentation/workshop, please email speakersbureau@blackfunk.org.

Twitter: @DrHerukhuti
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/DrHerukhuti