Art is Everywhere!!!

Graffiti Art

African Art

Murals

Quilted Art

Art painted by my Public School Art teacher and former Curator at Langston University, Professor Grady

Beautiful Painted Art by, Eric Humphries website

Oklahoma City National Memorial

Look around, Art is Everywhere!! :)

Happy Black History Month!! Library Time...

This was the Martin Luther King book display at my local library from last month. I love how my library has so many books about African American History. A very thrifty way to teach your children about their culture is by taking them to the library. Its free, quiet and very resourceful to frequent the library...My oldest daughter suggested that we read a different book on Black History every day this month. There are also many free activities to enjoy...Below is a snapshot I took of the flyer advertising an event I plan to attend next week...

"Soulful stories to tell of strong black towns and communities with life changing history. Powerful stories of a colored hospital; "Bullet" Joe Rogan's no wind up baseball pitches and the foiled bank robbery of Pretty Boy Floyd's boys. History of Black Town's and Communities...Absolutely Soulfully! Join Rhythmically Speaking to celebrate Black History month. "

==

Check out free programs in your community and visit your local library to attend activities and events that celebrate Black History Month.

*raises fist in the air*

Happy Black History Month!!!! :)

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Dream came true...continue to DREAM!!

"I have a Dream.....that one day little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers."

My students and I, 2 years ago...I miss them so much!!! <3

"......when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

Say it LOUD.....

I'm BLACK and I'm PROUD!!!!

For more on the African American experience visit Discover Black Heritage.

Habari Gani!!! Happy Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a holiday that celebrates family, community and culture. December 26-Jan 1



Umoja (oo-MOH-jah): Unity
Success starts with Unity. Unity of family, community, nation and race.
Kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-goo-LEE-ah): Self-Determination
To be responsible for ourselves. To create your own destiny.

Ujima (oo-JEE-mah): Collective work and responsibility
To build and maintain your community together. To work together to help one another within your community.

Ujamaa (oo-jah-MAH): Collective economics
To build, maintain, and support our own stores, establishments, and businesses.

Nia (NEE-ah): Purpose
To restore African American people to their traditional greatness. To be responsible to Those Who Came Before (our ancestors) and to Those Who Will Follow (our descendants).

Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah): Creativity
Using creativity and imagination to make your communities better than what you inherited.
Imani (ee-MAH-nee): Faith
--------
The Story of Kwanzaa by Donna L. Washington and Stephen Taylor, ages 6-10
Kwanzaa by Trudi Strain Truit and Ceceilia Mindin Cupp, ages 6-7
Horrible Harry and the Holidaze by Suzy Kline, ages 7-10
Kwanzaa Crafts by Carol Gnojewski, ages 8-9
A Kwanzaa Story, or How One Gentleman Found His Way by Nancy Guthorn Harrison, young adults
Kwanzaa Fun, Great Things to Make and Do by Linda Robertson, ages 5-8
My First Kwanzaa by Karen Katz, ages 3-6
Seven Spools of Thread a Kwanzaa Story by Angela Shelf Medearis, ages 7-10

If you have stories and ideas you're willing to share about how your family celebrates Kwanzaa in an eco-friendly way, Contact Celebrate Green.

SOURCE::: http://www.celebrategreen.net/

Can you guess who?

Recently I was flipping channels and Cadillac Records was on, I went to see this movie at the theatre when it came out but I decided to watch it again since nothing else was on...I was very curious as to what the actual characters looked like. Who were the people that inspired this film? If you follow this blog you already know how fascinated I am with OLD pictures. Can you guess who is who?

Make it count...ROCK THE VOTE!

VOTE!! Exercise your rights...let your voice be heard! Make it count...

"Little Rock Nine"

When I see pictures like these a series of emotions flood my mind... I feel inspired by their courage and perseverance...I feel motivated to live fearless...I feel angry that in many ways their efforts were in vain. So many young people fought for a proper education and the right to vote and yet some youngsters of today could care less. These pictures are a reality check for me because I am guilty of not thriving to my full potential at times. Today I will hit the polls and cast my vote...there won't be angry mobs waiting to attack me. I don't have to sit in the back of the bus and drink from a "colored" water fountain. These young people featured above and many like them fought for the privileges that we have today. Make sure you vote! November 2, 2010 can make or break you!! *raises fist in the air*

A picture is worth a thousand words...

A fan of the blog emailed me this picture, thanks Kim!!

I have no idea where this picture originated from...Pictures like this make me wonder...I wonder where this pic was taken...who are these women and what type of career did they have...when was this picture taken...how old are these ladies...what is their story??? These ladies are classic beauties...I love those old swimsuits, they are still sexy without being raunchy...I love looking at old photos...I guess that is why I take so many pictures...one day when I'm gone on to Glory, my pictures will live on!! I really wish I had access to my grandparents old pictures....know your history yall..

If you'd like to write me or send images, my email addy is michelle@curvyecocentric.com

Vintage 1954 JET magazine kinda love!

Carmen JonesNames: Harry Belafonte, Dorothy Dandridge
Stills of Harry Belafonte and Dorothy Dandridge in Carmen Jones

--------

I found that Vintage 1954 JET Magazine Cover when I googled something...I don't even remember what I was looking for online but this picture literally popped up on (YBF). I have watched Carmen a kazillion times. I rented it from the library and had all kinds of late fees when I finally returned it! LOL!... I had never seen that magazine cover before. After stumbling upon that pic it prompted me to google Carmen Jones, the film and ran into these photo stills on (IMDB.com). I love watching old black and white musicals...I just rented Porgy and Bess this past weekend. Those where the days before digital imaging and photoshopped celebs. Rare and raw talent! These movies had the drama, romance and suspense like the movies of today but they just had more substance and depth back then, if you ask me... Netflix and the local library have all the oldies but goodies!!

Langston Hughes....Brownstones...New York!!!

In the television show I Love Lucy (1951–1957), the Ricardos lived in a converted brownstone apartment building on New York's East 68th Street owned by their friends the Mertzes.

In the Audrey Hepburn classic Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961), much of the action took place in her brownstone apartment building.

On the popular American television program The Cosby Show (1984–1992), the affluent Huxtable family, the show's central characters, lived in a Brooklyn brownstone.

Carrie Bradshaw, the protagonist of Sex and the City, resided in a brownstone at a fictitious Upper East Side address in New York City.

On Sesame Street, Gordon Robinson and his wife Susan own the brownstone 123 Sesame Street, and are the landlords to Bert and Ernie.

Langston Hughes House at 20 East 127th Street built in 1869

Langston Hughes lived in this house from the late 1940's until his death in 1967.

There are also six original fireplaces, as well as sliding doors between the front and back parlors. Frosted glass enlivens the vestibule doorway, while a colorful skylight emits multi-hued beams from the top of the stairwell. A peaceful, tree-shaded garden in back must have offered Mr. Hughes a contemplative oasis in the middle of the Harlem he loved so much.


The home of Langston Hughes...



Wow. Langston Hughes lived here...he wrote some of my favorite poems and books in this house. #IGOTCHILLS



When I get my paper tight, I'm gonna buy his home the next time it goes on sale. WATCH.


Isn't it beautiful??... My daydreams look like this...I can totally see myself chilling on the stoop/steps watching people walk by...jamming to some Neo-Soul in my ear-phonez. Lovely.

SCHWEEEEEET!

Some of my favorite movies had Brownstones::: Best Man...Love Jones....Disappearing Acts....

-----

There are many brownstones throughout numerous New York City neighborhoods, especially in the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Park Slope, Fort Greene, Cobble Hill, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn Heights, and Bedford Stuyvesant. The Manhattan neighborhood of the Upper West Side, too, retains many glorious brownstones. New York City brownstones are highly desired, and usually cost several million dollars to purchase.

--------

In Chicago, a brownstone typically refers to a free-standing house, originally built for a single family, clad in brownstone. While many Chicago brownstones have subsequently been split into multiple rental or condominium units, many others remain single-family homes. These houses attract the young and newlyweds. Due to varieties in stone color, some Chicago dwellings are called "graystones".
Due to urban renewal, brownstones are developing in Detroit as well.

-----

I have always had a fascination for Brownstones. It started when I seen my first Spike Lee movie back in the mid-late 80's. As I began studying the Harlem Renassiance and the culture of that era my love for Brownstones turned into a this huge desire to move east and buy my own Brownstone. I haven't given up that dream...I can soooo see myself as a New Yorker owning a whole block of Brownstones and naming the edition Brown Sugah. Very ambitious, I know... but dreams do come true...

PICTURE SOURCE:: http://www.juliusthompsonbooks.com/

http://ny.curbed.com/tags/brownstones

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brownstone