Winter 2013 - Volume XX Issue I - Circulation... Plenty!

Happy New Year! This Year, Pledge to: Party With Purpose! Invest in Your Ideas and Your Visions!  Share Your Blessings and Your Bliss! Live With Greater Kindness and Compassion!  Improve Yourself! Make Each Place You Go The Better For Your Having Been There! Love More! Laugh More! Be a Part of the Solution!   Delta Sigma Theta Celebrates Centennial  Hollywood Style Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated celebrates one hundred years of sisterly social action and community service with a series of events starting in southern California on the first of the new year and culminating in their national convention in Washington, DC in July.  The sorority is the first of its ilk to have a float in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena.  Their float will feature the group's accomplishments, carry their dignitaries and be followed by more than one hundred of its members.   That evening, Co-Chairs Dr. Thelma James Day and Sheryl Lee Ralph welcome more than thirteen hundred guests as the sorority honors community leaders at the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Hollywood Gala: A Crimson Carpet Experience, at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles.  Honorees include Danny Glover, Karen Bass, Felicia D. Henderson, Sara Finney-Johnson, Robi Reed and Vida Spears. Performers include Faith Evans, Ledisi and A'ngela Winbush.  Presenters include Daphne Maxwell Reid, Keith David, Kym E. Whitley, Blair Underwood, T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh.  The organization will honor its official centennial anniversary, January 13, 2013 at its Founders Day weekend celebration in Washington DC.  The sorority's official torch is touring cities across the country and beyond and will reached its final destination during the national convention. www.deltasigmatheta.org/centennial  Chicago Jazz Philharmonic - http://chicagojazzphilharmonic.org/ 1111 N. Wells Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60610 (312) 573-8932 *   *   *   *  Keymáh's Essential Return to the Hill - Pt III  On Friday, November 9, 2012, Florida A & M University (FAMU) welcomed famed graduate T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh to help celebrate the school's 125th annual Homecoming festivities.  Keymáh was the keynote speaker for the 125th Homecoming Convocation Friday morning,  and co-hosted the 125th Presidential Gala that evening with radio legend and the voice of  Joe Bullard.   In between, the actress, director, producer and writer served as M.C. for the FAMU Beta Alpha (BA) chapter of Delta Sigma Theta's 75th Anniversary luncheon.  The sorority's 17th National President, Mona Bailey Humphries, who, like Keymáh, was initiated through BA, delivered their keynote address.  Keymáh pledged Delta is the spring of 1983 and served as the chapter's chaplain the following school year.  She is now an active member of the organization's Century City chapter in Los Angeles.   During Homecoming weekend, Keymáh will also meet with members of the FAMU Essential Theatre, where she performed during her years on the hill and many times since.  Keymáh, who came to FAMU on scholarship from the School of Business &  Industry, then switched to Theater two years later, also danced with the university's Orchesis Contemporary Dance Theatre and the student run Majique Movement Dance Theatre which she co-founded.   On Saturday, November 10th, Keymáh  watched the 125th Homecoming football game with FAMU Interim President Larry Robinson and FAMU First Lady Sharon Robinson.  She last saw FAMU's first couple in Atlanta, GA this September, when President Robinson presented her National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame induction Entertainment Award.  Keymáh has received all of FAMU highest awards including the Millennium Award,  the Quasquicentennial Award, induction into the College of Arts & Sciences Hall of Distinction and an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.

 

WHERE THE ACTION IS:Formerly "T'Keyah Fights City Hall"  which was formerly the "Do Something" and sometimes the "T'Keyah's Two Cents" columns of this newsletter,  this is what the action should be...  As we celebrate the reelection of President Barack Obama, let us rededicate ourselves to taking an active part in the governing of our country.  An election is the end of one process, but the beginning of another.  Instead of taking a four year nap let us stay aware, alert and involved.  Let us take action in every positive way we know how, and be tireless and passionate soldiers for peace, progress and justice! Have you written / called / emailed / texted your congressmen, your senators, your aldermanic representative, your mayor, your governor, your president today?

Maggie's Anderson's inspiring and oddly controversial "Our Black Year" chronicles the year that she and her husband dedicated themselves to supporting Black-owned businesses whenever they could.  Reading it reminded me of both the praise and encouragement, and the disapproval and vicious, hurtful blacklash that I received when my "In Black World" piece debuted on In Living Color years ago, and again, when I distributed my book Natural Woman / Natural Hair exclusively through Black and independent bookstores.  It also reminded me how much one person, or in this case, one family can accomplish with love and determination.  This is where the action is...

St. Sabina Fine Arts Room Will Be Named for Alum Keymáh

On Saturday, October 13, 2012, COSBY / That's So Raven / In Living Color star T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh celebrated her 50th birthday with song, dance, poetry, drama and comedy, in "An Evening with T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh & Friends: A Birthday Benefit for St. Sabina Academy." The lively event included a show and after party.  Former Mary Wong Comedy Group member Tim "Tim P.M." Miller was M.C. for the show with legendary jazz ensemble The Cool School Inc. as his house band.  Also performing were  jeff obafemi carr, T.C. Carson, Storm Gypsy, Mitzi Montgomery, Najwa Dance Corps, Reggie Reg, Sherry Scott, Cinda Williams Plummer, and a surprise appearance by Chicago Jazz Philharmonic founder Orbert Davis, who was summoned in an onstage wish by T'Keyah's adorable In Black World character, Cryssy.  

"I was thrived to have so many people in the show who I love and with whom I love to share a stage, and to have so many people come and support in other ways.  It was overwhelming."  Mid show, T'Keyah joined fellow St. Sabina choir alum Sharon Smith, to serenade the evenings honorees: Principal Helen Dumas and Pastor Michael Pfleger of The Faith Community of St. Sabina; Michele Traylor, Founder of CHARM Outreach and Mentoring Services; Delece Williams of Kidz Korna; Tio Hardimon, Ameena Mathews and Kobe Williams of Cure Violence; and Sax Preacher of Temple of Mercy. All were honored for addressing the violence in the city, particularly in the Englewood and Auburn/Gresham neighborhoods where T'Keyah was raised.  
Patrons and well wishes came from all over the country.  After the show, Pastor Pfleger looked on as Principal Dumas made the surprise announce that the school's new Fine Arts room will be named after the generous alum, citing how often Keymáh has returned to the school to speak to current students.  In lieu of birthday presents, Keymáh asked for donations for St. Sabina Academy and the other charities being honored. Those who wish to do so, may still send a gift in her name to St. Sabina, 1210 W. 78th Place, Chicago, IL 60620.  

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The Walker Group, LLC

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Keymáh Supports Pals on Broadway

This summer, TV veteran T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh made a quick trip to the Big Apple to  see her TV daughter Raven Symone in Sister Act, and fellow In Living Color cohort David Alan Grier in Porgy & Bess.  "Raven was so good that I just gushed through the entire show, I was so proud! There were so many  terrific moments in the show.  They really went all out."  The cast included Carolee Carmello, Chester Gregory, Kingsley Leggs, and Audrie Neenan.     "That production of Porgy and Bess had such emphasis on the love between the couples and the community, that I felt that I was seeing the show for the first time.  The whole cast was great, Audra McDonald (Bess) is always fabulous, I'm David Alan Grier (Sportin Life)'s biggest fan and Norm Lewis(Porgy)'s performance was indelible." Norm Lewis and Audrey Noonen (Sister Act) both worked with Keymáh as guest stars on Cosby.  Other patrons that stopped backstage included Judith Light and Keymáh's FAMU fellow alum Anika Noni Rose.
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Pierce Pediatric Associates, S.C.

Pierce Pediatrics is the office of Dr. Marealita Pierce, where pediatric care is our passion!  We're located in the Chicago neighborhood of Hyde Park, only fifteen minutes south of downtown Chicago and right next to the University of Chicago! Our office is just off Lake Shore Drive, with convenient parking across the street and we're close to public transportation!

Dr. Pierce understands the emotional demands of parenting and provides empathetic support for today’s busy parents. At Pierce Pediatrics, your child is in good hands! Our goal is to provide the highest quality pediatric medical care in a pleasant and professional atmosphere.

Hyde Park Bank Building

1525 East 53rd Street, Suite 712

Chicago, IL 60615

Office: 773-643-2550

Fax: 773-643-3603

E-mail: office@piercepediatrics.com

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Thank you to: My sponsors: Human Resources Development Institute, Inc., Florida A&M University, Nubian Heritage, Orbert Davis’s Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, Vincent E. Walker Photography (312) 719-6830, The Walker Group, LLC (708) 868-2545, Alpha Nu Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta's 'Inseparable Nine,' CHRIS CURSE & Co, Pierce Pediatric Association and Southside Community Credit Union; my delightful cast and crew; my many advertisers and well wishers; all who traveled near and far to get there; and everyone else who attended or otherwise supported An Evening with T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh & Friends: A Birthday Benefit for St. Sabina.   MUAH!  And I mean it!!!!

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Chris Curse and Co. 773-537-5155

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KUDOS KUDOS KUDOS KUDOS

Congratulations to: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated on one hundred glorious years of social action; civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson who met with the Gambian President Yahya Abdul-Aziz Jemus Junkung Jamme and negotiated the release of two imprisioned Americans, Amadou Scattred Janneh, a former professor at the University of Tennessee,  and Tamsir Jasseh, a U.S. veteran who served in Desert Storm; Black Benefactors Founder Tracey Webb, on your 5-year Anniversary;  Debbie Allen, for pulling off another spectacular production of Hot Chocolate Nutcracker featuring the fierce dancers of DADA, Debbie Allen and Raven Symone; Tia Boyd for producing the spectacular, star-studded NAACP Theatre Awards; and Representative Marcia L. Fudge, on being unanimously elected as Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus for the 113th Congress.  - go on girl woman!

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The Crystal News respectfully acknowledges the life and transition of: Fontella Bass, Jerry Brown, Theodore "Ted" Curson, Hal David, Terry Glover, Ed Hall (Pictured in Vol. XIX, Iss. VII), Dee Harvey, Jesse Hill Jr., Senator Daniel Ken "Dan" Inouye, DST Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated 19^th National President Dr. Yvonne Kennedy, Jack Klugman, Sharon McGhee, Russell Means, Enrique Oltuski Osacki, Ravi Shankar, and Sylvia Woods.

We are blessed to have known their warm heart, bright smiles and good works.  We are inspired to follow their brave and noble examples


Have you hugged someone you love today?

Nubian Heritage
http://nubianheritage.com/

Stay Tuned... 

T'Keyah may be coming to a city near you!