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.

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

Great 28 -Black Love 2014 Abu Inpu Ka Mut

Yeeaaahh... This brotha right here...? What can I say? Smh. Anytime I'm at a loss for words..., actually any time I'm at a loss period, I know I can reach out to this brother for support, guidance and protection. That means more to me than you'll ever know. It is my honor to bring to you Abu Inpu Ka Mut...

Abu (Teacher) Inpu Ka Mut is a founding member of an association of

independent Khemetic (Egyptian) priests, priestesses, and monks. As a

Khemetic priest (Hm Ntr), he has provided spiritual andpsycho-social

counseling, house blessings, rites of passage and other traditional

Afrakan spiritual services for many people on the East and West coasts of

the United States. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California. As

a psychic and astrologer, Abu Inpu has provided counsel and advice to

people in the entertainment industry, small business community, and

numerous individuals.

Abu Inpu is a martial artist, yogi and founder of the Khemetic Aha and

Sema Association. His students have ranged from five to eighty-one

years of age. A former instructor and member of the Khemetic T’ai Chi

and Yoga Society, Abu Inpu incorporates T’ai Chi Ch’uan, Taoist, Hatha,

Kundalini and Pranayama sema (yoga), Rekh Hati Khemeti (Khemetic Mind

Science, a traditional meditation and healing system), and massage to

work with individuals in clinical settings as a Mind-Body Health

consultant, Self-Applied Health Enhancement Methods (SAHEM) practitioner,

and alternative health practitioner.

While studying in the priesthood,Temple of the White and Gold Lotus,

Shrine of Amen Ra, Abu Inpu developed a keen interest in the men’s

movement. Consequently, Abu Inpu Ka Mut works with males struggling with

challenges unique and unfamiliar to the process of becoming a man. He

has served as Djegna (mentor) and advisor to many men, both individually

and in groups, to support and facilitate growth and development.

A graduate of the University of Southern California, with a Bachelor’s

Degree in Psychology, and Master’s Degree (ABT) in Sociology, Abu Inpu

uses his secular and religious training to serve those who are committed

to helping themselves. Abu Inpu is a certified mediator. He also gives

presentations, facilitates workshops, and provides readings of his

original poetry.

Abu Inpu currently works as a High Conflict Community Mediator. For more info contact Abu Inpu at (213) 437-7700 or email Inpu33@jawconsulting.net