Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Friday, January 22, 2010

Hey Everyone! I know I haven't posted here in months! I have just been busy at work on Theatre for the Free People.

Check It Out!!

www.theatreforthefreepeople.com

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

My Mission Statement

Artistic Aims

Revolution is essentially a work of the human heart and spirit.  As political activist Dhoruba Bin-Wahad explains, “we need to address the heart”.  People get involved in struggles because of what is in their hearts.  We cannot change our conditions as a people, as a movement, until we first change the condition of our hearts.  The path of the artist is in essence a spiritual path which is initiated and practiced through creativity.  I believe that as both artists and human beings, a sense of spirituality is essential to the process of creation.  Once we heal ourselves and reach our full creative potential, we can tap into the life-force energy of Love to begin to change the world.  Martin Luther King himself explains that his basic philosophical and theological orientation was completely centered around the idea of love.  Love is God in manifestation.  It is the strongest magnetic force in the universe and the one quality which unites us all.

I believe that art should educate, inform, organize, influence and incite to action.  The artist should not only be a creative being, but a teacher of morality and a political advisor.  As Artists, we must give of ourselves unselfishly to become the voice of conscience in society. All art reflects the value system from which it comes.  This work is directly related to the historical, economic, educational, and social development of marginalized and disenfranchised communities.

In his essay, “The Revolutionary Theatre” Amiri Baraka explains that art should move victims to look at the strength in their own minds and bodies. Transformational Activism is the idea that we can tap into the power of mass collaboration and collective creativity to transform people into more loving, peaceful, and compassionate human beings.  It is based on the idea that people need to transform on the inside as well as on the outside in order to create any meaningful change in the world. I have always believed in the power of art to transform lives and mobilize communities.  Once we recognize and embrace our individual creative potential, we can then collectively explore how the Arts can be used as a vehicle for social change.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Creative Affirmations

You are the co-creator of your life. We are all artists.

Try these creative affirmations this week:

1. I am a channel for God's creativity, and my work comes to good.

2. My dreams come from God and God has the power to accomplish them.

3. As I create and listen, I will be led.

4. Creativity is the creator's will for me.

5. My creativity heals myself and others.

6. I am allowed to nurture my artist.

7. Through the use of a few simple tools, my creativity will flourish.

8. Through the use of my creativity, I serve God.

9. My creativity always leads me to truth and love.

10. My creativity leads me to forgiveness and self-forgiveness.

11. There is a Divine plan of goodness for me.

12. There is a Divine plan of goodness for my work.

13. As I listen to my creativity I am led.

14. As I listen to my creativity I am led to my creator.

15. I am willing to create.

16. I am willing to learn to let myself create.

17. I am willing to let God create through me.

18. I am willing to be of service through my creativity.

19. I am willing to experience my creative energy.

20. I am willing to use my creative talents.

(The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron)

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Emmanuel Jal





Emmanuel Jal, a former child-soldier from Sudan gave an awesome performance at the "United Nations Day Concert". He is currently fasting for 365 days to raise money for the school he is building in Sudan.. a truly incredible human being..

His film, War Child chronicles the tumultuous, shocking, inspiring, and ultimately hopeful odyssey of Emmanuel Jal. A former child soldier of Sudan's brutal civil war, he is now an emerging international hip hop star sharing a message of peace for his war-torn land and beloved Africa.

In the early 1980s at the age of seven, Jal was swept into Sudan's civil war, becoming one of 10,000 child soldiers conscripted on both sides of the two decade long conflict. After being forced to do many unimaginably horrible things, he escaped the soldier's camp and trekked for four months through Africa. He was eventually found and adopted by the now legendary British aid worker Emma McCune who had married Sudanese guerrilla commander Riek Machar and convinced him to not employ child soldiers. Shortly after she adopted Jal, McCune died in a suspicious car crash, leaving Emmanuel "orphaned" once again. Jal rose from ruthless child soldier to refugee to rap star. He found his own redemption and life mission through a message of peace that represents one of the 21st centuries' most inspiring and hopeful journeys, and a metaphor for the broader African predicament.

Emmanuel's journey is, in many ways, just beginning. His dream of Gua (peace) in Sudan and prosperity in Africa is threatened by corrupt leaders, genocidal warlords, and Western indifference. Hopefully, Emmanuel's peace quest to make the world a better place through his music, activism and youth education will prove to be far more significant than Emmanuel's former war.

War Child tells the story of Jal's life through his words and music, and remarkable film footage dating back to his childhood. Even at the age of seven, Emmanuel's charisma were so evident that National Geographic focused their own 1980's reportage on him as spokesperson for the children. Today, as Emmanuel travels the World, even into the halls of the US State Department, he takes us through his homeland's tormented history of civil war, assesses the prospects for peace after the country's 2005 ceasefire agreement, highlights the increasing problem of war children, and shines light on the growing African hip hop scene that is tackling the continent's ills through its music.



About Emmanuel Jal

Emmanuel Jal (born ca. 1980), a former child soldier in Sudan, has won worldwide acclaim for his unique style of hip hop music infused with messages of peace and reconciliation. Emmanuel was taken from his family home in 1987, at the age of seven, and sent to fight with the SPLA rebel army in Sudan's bloody civil war. For nearly five years, Emmanuel carried and slept next to an AK-47 that was taller than him. He was sent to Ethiopa and Southern Sudan to fight with thousands of other children that were uprooted from their villages.

Emmanuel has been featured in Time magazine, USA Today, The Times, The Guardian, the Washington Post, CNN, Fox, VOA, BBC, MTV, and Sky amongst many other news outlets. As a spokesman for Amnesty International and Oxfam, Emmanuel has held two press briefings at the United Nations in New York making him the first hip hop artist to do so. He also addressed congressional staffers on Capitol Hill about the plight of the people of Darfur and the pressing need for an international response to stop the genocide. Emmanuel has won an American Gospel Award, as well as a community service award in Kenya for his work promoting peace among youth. He has also recently been nominated for the MTVu Good Woodie Award given to activists for their commitments to social causes affecting the greatest change in the world.

His autobiography, "War Child: A Child Soldier's Story", will be released by St. Martin's Press in February 2009. His most recent album, "Warchild" was released on 12 May 2008 on the Sonic360 label (distributed by ADA Global) with additional production and mix by Neal Pogue (who had done work for various major artists including Outkast, Talib Kweli, and Pharoahe Monch).

Emmanuel recently performed at The V Festival in the UK, the Greenbelt Festival, and the first Black Ball in the UK for Keep a Child Alive (Alicia Keys foundation). He met with Nelson Mandela and performed at the tribute concert for his 90th birthday at Hyde Park in London. Emmanuel is currently touring the East Coast of North America speaking and performing at Colleges and Universities throughout the region.

About Gua Africa US

GUA Africa US' mission is to work with individuals, families and communities to help them overcome the effects of war and poverty. Each of our projects focus on providing an education to children and young adults who would otherwise be denied such opportunity. Currently our work is in Kenya and Sudan, however in the future we would like to expand into other areas of Sub-Saharan Africa - working with other experienced partner organizations where ever opportunities arise.

By supporting the film, you also help support Jal's lifelong dream of Gua, or peace, in Africa. Five percent (5%) of gross revenues of the filme go towards Gua Africa, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping communities in Sudan and Kenya overcome the effects of war and poverty through education.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Marcel Diallo

Thanks to my girl @BlankBareClean who told me about Marcel Diallo, an incredible Social Entrepreneur. Check him out:

Friday, October 9, 2009

Jimmy Choo for H&M



because "saving green" is the best way of "going green"..
I'm a little bit more excited about this "artistic collaboration" than most.

Starting November 14th, (lady's best friend) designer Jimmy Choo will bring its international glamour and covetable shoes and bags to selected H&M stores. It is the first time that H&M is collaborating with an accessories brand, and to celebrate Jimmy Choo will extend its design vision for this collection to women’s clothing to complement the accessories. Further exciting news is that this collaboration includes a men’s collection of shoes, bags and accessories. Now if only I had a boy of my very own to dress.. Click here to view the entire press release.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Anti-Matter

There is matter and there is anti-matter.
They both are basically the same.
They both are energy.
Anti-matter is the same as normal matter except for the fact that they both have opposite charges.
Instead of positive protons and negative electrons,
Anti-matter has negative protons and positive electrons.
When the two collide they instantly annihalate each other creating pure energy.
The energy is used to create more of like kind, be it positive or negative.
Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it simply changes form.
An expanding bubble of radiation
A single flash of light.
Like a Super-Nova
A cosmic twin of opposite form we create with every thought.
There's no "atmosphere" in space.
Matter is ten times more powerful than it's counterpart, Anti-Matter.. which yields 100% efficiency.

2012:
A shift in Earth's magnetic field may not necessarily cause...
Atomic explosions in space
But a centering of our hearts around a common area of interest..
Love.
Love has the power to shift the moon and the stars.
Love, pure positive power, must always be the center of our motivation.

-- Post From My iPhone

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Health Care Monologues



Click here to check out the article featured in Sunday's New York Times Magazine! I am quoted on Page Four woot! woot!

So I must say.. I was slightly ecstatic when I got the news that Anna Deavere Smith recommended me to be interviewed for this feature article in New York Times Magazine. Although it is only just a quote.. uh.. it is the New York Times!! This is just the first of many times my name will grace the pages of the New York Times.. it all starts with a tiny thought.

And if the Universe could not have more perfect timing Anna invited me to come and see her new show "Let Me Down Easy" on Sunday as well. She has such an incredible talent. When I think of the idea that there is something that each of us is designed to do that no one else can do.. I think of her. She can "become" not "play" up to 30 characters at a time! Men and women.. from all walks of life.. REALISTICALLY. She truly is a gem. I have so much more to say.. but I encourage you to read the article!!!

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Friday, September 18, 2009

The Absence.

Prison.

BOY. Let us now consider the electrical application of this union of opposites. A positive, electrical charge is the male, whereas a negative magnetic one is the female. When the two fuse, creative action occurs. A spark is lit, and POWER is generated.

It is this male, electric, and female, magnetic, process that causes the planet to rotate, a car to move, a flower to grow, a child to be CREATED. Looking at the Sun, our Star, the male, electrical, positive, power, whose rays strike like the magnetic female moon. The combination of both rays reaches the earth, causes fertilization, MOVEMENT, and growth.

The same growth is reflected in the relationship between the sexes. When a spiritually minded man, who represents the sun, and a spiritually minded woman, who represents the moon, fall in Love with each other, their two natures merge creatively, stimulating and nourishing one another in a way that is ESSENTIAL to create inspiration.

When man and woman learn to be sensitive to this interplay of the powers between them, they will experience a contentment so absolute that it surpasses raptures, tranquility of more worth than ecstacy. Indeed their fulfillment and sense of wholeness, oneness, and completion will be Seven times greater than that of the average physical pairing.

A man has to know a woman's worth, and a woman MUST KNOW HER WORTH. A woman has to know a real man's worth. This is the truth. I am the truth. The truth is beautiful. It gives order, design, harmony, and balance to anything that partakes of it. Truth is beautiful in that it's qualities exalt the body, mind, soul, and spirit. Truth is beautiful in the sense that it is simple and uncomplicated, yet profound. It is natural, and like the rose it needs no decoration or embellishment. Like a man and a woman become One, it is complete, no more, no less.

*******This piece was written last year in a play titled, "The Absence" which was based on letters received by a friend of mine who was incarcerated at an Alabama State Prison. (C/2008)*******

It is so ironic how writing stays with you.. creativity is a spiritual process.

FELA! On Broadway...

Enter the extravagant, decadent, rebellious world of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo - Kuti.

A provocative hybrid of concert, dance and musical theatre, FELA! features arrangements by Aaron Johnson and Antibalas with direction and choreography by Tony® Award winner Bill T. Jones.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

K'Naan on Somali Pirates

@jonubian "If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive." -Audre Lorde

I ran across this K'Naan piece while reading the incredibly thoughtful writing of @jonubian in a piece titled, "Owning Our Images" in response to Kanye West's "outburst" at the MTV VMA awards. I encourage you to read her piece here.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

A Million Dollar Lesson

I just realized from looking at previous Mama Earrings post that the leather jacket I have on looks suprisingly similar to this denim jacket from Colette that I added to my vision board last month!





Some may say that I just know what I like and that is the reason for the similarity.. That may be true.. But it is also how the Universe works!

For example.. The other day while hanging out with one of my girlfriends, a man approached us and asked if we would like to see a magic trick. We said sure and at the conclusion of the trick he gave us each a million dollar bill..



Well needless to day the bill is not real and he turned out to be a crazynut job.. Later that evening when I got home I remembered that just a few days prior I was thinking that I wanted a million dollar bill for my vision board! I thought about how I was going to get one/make one... Turns out I didn't have to do anything but just be in the right place and the right time..


The more you practice Love.. The Easier it will be to see how positive thinking manifests itself in your life.. It is like your own magic genie!

From My iPhone

The Perfect Bathtub

So we already know I'm all about the vision board. I think it is very important for my SANITY to imagine those things in life that I want. So while I am in the process of "designing" my dream home, I decided to spend a little time focusing on what I believe is the most important room in the house.. The Bathroom. Women know how important the bathroom is.. It is where we go to be alone.. to think.. to take a long heavenly hot bubble bath and create our own private oasis. (Think Nancy on Weeds)

I am so amazed by Kohler and their VibrAcoustic Bath! Who knew you could integrate sound into your bath?! Umm... I need this tub.



You can even add Chromatherapy which uses the soothing qualities of color to let your mind and body relax.

UPDATED! Mama Earrings

So yes.. My Mama Earrings arrived in the mail yesterday. I guess you could say that I cheated and just bought them for myself.. but didn't I still get them? I have complete faith in the universe that if I had waited along enough for them I could have found a way to get them for FREE.. but when God was handing out PATIENCE I was in the bathroom... *don't look at me like that, I had to GO!*
God continually blesses me with the ability to get those things that I want.. that is what Wealth is for isn't it? Think Rich!

Post from Last Week:

I am using the Law of Attraction for these Melody Ehsani earrings to commemorate my wonderful summer in Ghana. Africa has my HEART. I am DREAMING that these earrings would just arrive in the mail one day.
One can only dream.

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Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Black Artist as Activist - Youth Arts Workshops

Hello beautiful @4freepeople visitors! I am sorry if I have neglecting you for the past few days.. I have been hard at work at the following program:

Please forward widely! Tell a friend! Use the share button below to paste to your twitter or facebook pages! Send an e-mail to a buddy!

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All workshops are absolutely FREE! The press release is below -------->

For Immediate Release Contact: Joi M. Sears
August 28, 2009 freepeople08@me.com

The Center for Black Literature
In Association with Corridor Gallery,
the National Conference of Artists-NY & Theatre for the Free People
Presents
The Black Artist as Activist
A Creative Writing, Visual Arts and Performance Poetry Program
For Youth and Emerging Artists

Brooklyn, NY – The Center for Black Literature in association with Corridor Gallery, the National Conference of Artists-NY and Theatre for the Free People presents the Black Artist as Activist and Transformative Agent Arts Program. As a component of this program, funded by the Nathan Cummings Foundation, The Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College (CUNY) will offer FREE arts workshops which focus on issues of social justice and peace. The writing, performance, and visual art workshops are targeted to youth and emerging artists who range from age 16 – 25. Workshops will be presented at various locations throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan starting Fall 2009. Registration is available online at www.theatreforthefreepeople.com.

Dr. Brenda Greene, Executive Director of the Center for Black Literature is very excited about the opportunity that youth and emerging artists will have to create, perform and display their work in public spaces. She is also pleased that Joi Sears, a young artist activist with Theatre for the Free People, is Project Director for this progressive arts program.

Founded in 2003, the Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College was established to expand, broaden, and enrich the public’s knowledge and aesthetic appreciation of the value of black literature. Partners for the project the Corridor Gallery, a community-based gallery serving Brooklyn artists and residents and the National Conference of Artists NY, whose mission to preserve, promote and develop African American culture and artists. Support is also provided by Brotherhood-Sister Sol, a Harlem based organization which provides support and resources to Black and Latino youth, and Theatre for the Free People which is dedicated to using the arts as a vehicle for social change.

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Friday, September 4, 2009

Our deepest fear...


“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

-Marianne Williamson

Every once in awhile I need to revisit this. I hope it brings some LIGHT into your life. Happy Full Moon!

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Thursday, September 3, 2009

911 Call Over Burger King Cheeseburger Order

This would be one of those times when *breathing* would really help...



"you are supposed to be protecting me!"

"protecting you from what... the wrong cheeseburger?!"
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