Happy Black History
Month!!!
Keymáh Mentors With Speed
On Saturday, February 2, 2013, T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh joins thirty some other media
professionals for the annual Alliance
for Women in Media (AWM) SoCal Speed Mentoring. AWM producers,
writers, directors, performers, and executives meet in Studio City, CA with those interested in the field. "I spoke
to a lot of bright and promising individuals and plan to keep track of a few of
them," Keymáh, who was excited about her first time participating in the annual
event.
The speed mentoring event was modeled after the speed-dating concept, where every mentee gets five minutes in front of each mentor. At the end of the morning, mentees will have experienced valuable one-on-one conversations with several industry professionals! The event was the brainchild of performer / radio personality and AWM SoCal Past President LaFern Cusack (left), and has been conducted every year since her impressive tenure. For more information on AWM, visit
http://www.allwomeninmedia.org/, or for the Southern Califormia chapter, http://www.awmsocal.org/.
Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Presents
DuSable to Obama
Chicago's Black Metropolis
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts
University of Chicago, 915 E. 60th Street, Chicago, IL
773-702-ARTS
2pm - Family Matinee - 1 hour presentation ($10 adults / $5 students)
7:30pm - Full Performance ($35 adults / $10 students)
Music from the Emmy Award winning wttw11 Television Documentary-Featuring Orbert Davis, Maggie Brown and Ari Brown. http://chicagojazzphilharmonic.org/
DuSable to Obama
Chicago's Black Metropolis
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts
University of Chicago, 915 E. 60th Street, Chicago, IL
773-702-ARTS
2pm - Family Matinee - 1 hour presentation ($10 adults / $5 students)
7:30pm - Full Performance ($35 adults / $10 students)
Music from the Emmy Award winning wttw11 Television Documentary-Featuring Orbert Davis, Maggie Brown and Ari Brown. http://chicagojazzphilharmonic.org/
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Positive Gents Spread
Awareness Quarterly
February 7, 2013 marks the 13th commemoration of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
(NBHAAD). NBHAAD is a national HIV testing and treatment community mobilization
initiative designed to encourage Blacks across the United States and
Territorial Areas to get educated, get tested, get involved, and get treated
for HIV/AIDS, as it continues to devastate Black communities. Gentlemen’s Quarterly: Positive Men Doing
Positive Things, a Cleveland, OH based support group for HIV positive men, hosts its
quarterly dinner on February 26, at 5:30PM, at
the Marriott on West 150th, in Cleveland. 18-30-year-olds will be
presenting at the ‘You’re Never
Too Old to Learn, You're Never Too Young to Teach' themed dinner.
Founder Bryan C. Jones says that the idea of
getting HIV positive men together to network and to keep them from isolating
themselves was inspired by Ladies Night Out, a support group for HIV
positive women. The event, which has brought job opportunities to some of its
members, has grown from 35 participants in April of 2012 to 103 and
counting. Jones, who is a performer as well as an HIV/AIDS
activist, speaks around the country and is currently co-creating a two-person
stage show with fellow Florida A & M University alum, T'Keyah Crystal
Keymáh. For information on Gentlemen's Quarterly events or the upcoming dinner, email
b.curtisjones@live.com.
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... For those who don't know... On November 19, 2011 68 year old Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. was shot and killed by members of the White Plains Police Dept. He accidentally triggered his life aid pendant which he wore around his neck because he suffered from COPD and a mild heart condition. He had committed no crime. The entire incident is captured on audio. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5MSP48NH4U Part 1, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUwNHZr_nUM Part 2. The City of White Plains and its elected officials, through the lack of a criminal indictment in this case, have sanctioned the officers to mocking, taunting, and using expletives before killing the defenselss veteran. Chamberlain's son created a petition to New York officials and The Attorney General of the United States, demanding that Eric Holder indict the officers responsible for this crime. To join T'Keyah Crystal Keymah in signing this petition, Click here: This
is where the action is...
CCAC To See STEP AFRiKA!
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Keymáh M.C.'s FAMU Scholarship Luncheon
On Saturday, February 23, 2013, the FAMU Alumni Association Southern California Chapter presents its 2013 Black History Celebration Scholarship Luncheon, "Pressing on To Open the Doors of Opportunity," at the Radisson Hotel, (near USC), 3540 S. Figueroa, Los Angeles, CA 90007. Mistress of Ceremonies: T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh (Performer and Alumnus). Keynote Speaker: Lisa Collins (Publisher, LA Focus on the Word). 2013 Bernard and Shirley Kinsey Awardees: Micheal Rouse (V.P. of Diversity and Philanthropy/ Community Affairs, Toyota) and Carmen Smith (V.P. Global Strategies for Diversity, The Walt Disney Company). Distinguished Alumni Honoree: Roy Wood, Jr. (Actor / Comedian). Reception begins at 11am. Lunch begins at 12N. Tickets: $75 Adults, $40 Students. There will be raffles and Door Prizes. Proceeds go towards scholarships for California students attending Florida A & M University. For more information visit larattlers.org or Call Monique Brackett at (310) 295-4791 or moebrackett@aol.com. 
Najwa Passes the Torch
Najwa I
has led one of Chicago's premiere dance companies, the Najwa Dance
Corps (NDC), with West African, Carribean, Jazz and Tap numbers that
have inspired audiences of all ages for more than thirty years. The company's Black History Month Extravaganzaa Concert on Saturday, February 23, 2013, at Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Van Buren in Chicago, "Remembering, Revisting and Reflecting..." will be the last over which the Founder of the company will oficially precide.
ITS ACT-SO TIME!
ACT-SO
(Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific
Olympics) is an enrichment
program designed to recruit, stimulate, improve and encourage high academic and
cultural achievement among African-American high school students. The ACT-SO program involves the
dedication and commitment of community volunteers and business leaders serving
as mentors and coaches to promote academic and artistic excellence. Students compete
in a local program to qualify for the National ACT-SO competition. There are 26 categories of competition in the
sciences, humanities, business, performing and visual arts. Local
competitions usually take place between March and May. Mentors are available in many
categories. Contestants who win
gold medals on the local level qualify to attend the National ACT-SO
competition, which takes place in early July at the Annual NAACP
Convention. For more information
or to apply, contact your local NAACP branch. Actress / Director T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh has been a member of the Beverly Hills / Hollywood NAACP (NAACP
POB
2349
, Hollywood, CA 90078
(323) 464.7616) and an active supporter of its ACT-SO program since moving to Los Angeles. The following is taken from a letter written by a parent of one of the students she coached last year: "Good Morning
T'Keyah, I'm having an
excited (and proud) mom moment! Patrick is
with the ACT-SO team and it's competition day. He briefly shared his
readiness for the performance. He's reviewed his notes, reflected, rehearsed... It gave me a little
smile inside to hear him say what he had gained from your feedback and what he
was now confident to deliver today. I'm not particularly anxious to hear how
things go. I trust that Patrick will present his best today and that it will be
a rewarding experience overall. What I really feel is gratitude to you
and others that helped guide him to today. This is the beginning of a bigger
journey for him and I am thankful he had this opportunity..."
Or fill out the BHHWD NAACP online at: https://docs.google.com/
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Calling ALL 9th-12th GRADERS! The
NAACP ACTSO program is an opportunity for dedicated students to network
with each other, and receive valuable feedback from respected industry
professionals. Students can compete in 26 academic categories and those who win first place locally, qualify to attend the National ACT-SO competition July 2013, with travel and hotel expenses paid to Orlando, Florida! National gold, silver and bronze winners win monetary prizes, scholarships and other sponsor awards.
WHEN IS THE COMPETITION? Branches hold competitions March-May. This year the local Beverly Hills-Hollywood NAACP ACT-SO competition will be held at Hamilton High School, on March 23, 2013. For application and further information, please visit http://www.
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WHERE THE ACTION IS:
My Black Year...
As
you read in the last issue of The Crystal
News, Maggie's Anderson's "Our
Black Year" inspired me to up my own support of Black
business, and I decided to find and champion at least one business per
month. January's business: Hopper
Shell, 11913 Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA, (323) 566-1667. Hooper is
(sadly) the ONLY Black owned gas station in Los Angeles. It is far from
where I live, but I followed the Andersons's example and purchased gift cards
from Hoopers that I can use at any Shell station. I had a lovely chat there
with the friendly and courteous daughter of the station's long time
owner. She told me that her dad refused countless offers to sell, so that
his grandchildren could have that legacy. I'm still searching for a Black-owned
and operated gas station in Chicagoland, but for now, I found Sasafrasnet,
LLC, a Black firm that sells fuel to BP and Mobil stations in the
area and owns several (rented by others). Those with Black employees
include: BP, 4300 South State Street,
Chicago IL,773-624-8721 and Mobile, 2074 E Sibley Blvd Prairie Ave
Calumet City, IL (708) 868-5080. From Hoopers I went to Simply Wholesome, 4508 W. Slauson Ave, Los Angeles, CA
(323) 294-2144.
As long time readers know, Simple Wholesome is one of my favorite places to eat
in Los Angeles, but I don't go very often because it's a drive from the valley
where I live. A restaurant and grocery store, Simply Wholesome carries
more Black owned / manufactured products than I've seen anywhere else. I
stocked up on everything I could and vowed to make it a once a month trip,
which makes sense because they don't really offer fresh produce. The manager
suggested that I go to the farmers' market for that. So I guess my decision was
both to find something new and to increase my support of businesses I already
knew. Feel free to follow my lead and to tell me what you found! Note that my
St. Sabina Birthday Benefit was sponsored entirely by Black businesses. How
cool is that? This is where the
action is...
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The Walker Group, LLC
(TWG)
is a Certified Public Account & Consulting firm concentrated primarily
in performing audits for not-for-profit organizations, local governments and
municipalities, and entities regulated by the US Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD). Our professionals take a risk-based approach to each
engagement, insuring performance and operating efficiency. We go beyond
traditional fundamentals to add tangible value and elevate the audit to an even
more strategic and productive role in today’s corporate governance
environment.
*Auditing
*Accounting
*Management Consulting
*Business Information Systems
TWG - 1431 Huntington Drive Calumet
City, IL 60409
twg@thewalkergrpllc.com,
rwalker@thewalkergrpllc.com
(708) 868-2545
Vincent E. Walker Photography
(312) 719-6830
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Maggie Brown Birthday Jam!
Maggie Brown celebrates her 50th time around the Sun on Sunday, Feb 24, 2013. Many of her musical friends will join her and "Jam" on her set at:Room 43, 1043 E. 43rd Street in Chicago. Show starts at 7:30 and the party will go until at least 'til 11:30. $10 cover. Plenty of free parking, food and libations available. There will be Cake! Happy Birthday Maggie!
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Keymáh
on the Fly in Atlanta
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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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Watch Jackie
Brown
WHERE THE ACTION IS: T'Keyah Crystal
Keymáh and The Crystal News Endorse Jan Perry for Mayor
"In
the race for Los Angeles mayor, a couple of candidates stnd
out, says The Crystal News editor T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh, "but I believe Jan Perry is the best choice for the city." It seems that all of her opponents agree. At a campaign forum at the Sinai Temple in Westwood last month, the moderator asked each of the five leading mayoral candidates who they would vote
for if they couldn’t vote for themselves. Jan Perry picked Emanuel Pleitez. Everyone else picked Jan Perry.
City Controller Wendy Greuel cited
Perry’s record of creating jobs downtown and noted that Perry, like Greuel,
would give Angelenos the chance to elect the city’s first woman mayor. City
Councilman Eric Garcetti said Perry inspired him by fighting for the causes in
which she believes. Kevin James, the lone Republican in the race, said he’d
vote for Perry because she exposed “back-room dealings” at City Hall, and Pleitez, a technology
executive, also picked Perry for her “courage” in
admitting mistakes. While no candidate is perfert, Perry has both the
experience and the independence to lead the city in a better direction.
"I am running for mayor because all of the reasons my opponents
pointed out, L.A. City Councilwoman Perry says, "to create jobs, fight to make sure all Angelenos have an
opportunity to succeed, make city hall an open and transparent place where
back-room deals are a thing of the past, and be a courageous, independent mayor
who puts the interests of residents first. The primary will be held March 5, 2013. For more information, visit www.janperry.com/. This is where the
action is...
Thank you to: Everyone
who sent me a holiday card (or email); Munir Muhammed for having so many of my
talented Birthday Benefit for St. Sabina stars like Cynda Williams, Tim Miller
and Reggie Reg on your show;
my line sister Sherry McFarland for
helping me pack when my ankles were sprained; everyone else who made my fall
trip to Tallahassee wonderful; Soul
Vegetarian for your consistently delicious food; Phena for your scrumptious Patty
Wagon veggie patties; the cast of crew of BET’s Let’s Stay
Together for giving me such a warm welcome; everyone else who made my recent trip to Atlanta wonderful;
Interim President (and hopefully future President) Dr. Larry Robinson for holding down the fort so well; and my St.
Sabina Birthday Benefit sponsors: Florida A & M
University, Orbert Davis’s
Chicago
Jazz Philharmonic, Nubian
Heritage, Vincent E.
Walker Photography (312) 719-6830, The Walker
Group, LLC, CHRIS CURSE & Co, Pierce Pediatric Association, Southside
Community Credit Union, and Human Resources
Development Institute, Inc ! MUAH! And I mean it!!!!
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Chris Curse and Co. 773-537-5155
Chris is an award winning
professional stylist who trains stylists in the U.S.A, Europe, and South
Africa. Chris prides himself on being a healing hair care specialist and
specializes in precision cutting, hair growth, and undetectable hair
extensions.
Hours (CST):Tuesday - Extensions and Keratin Treaments Only
Wednesday-Saturday - 10am-7pm
Additional info:TUESDAY APPOINTMENTS (sew ins & keratins only) - Glam Luxe Boutique, 2240 S. Michigan Ave
WEDNESDAY APPOINTMENTS- Compagnia della Belleza 1500 N. Wells
NEW! WED & SUN APPTS W/SENIE- 1007 E. 53rd St
THURS - SAT APPOINTMENTS - Page Too @ 1007 E. 53rd St
Hours (CST):Tuesday - Extensions and Keratin Treaments Only
Wednesday-Saturday - 10am-7pm
Additional info:TUESDAY APPOINTMENTS (sew ins & keratins only) - Glam Luxe Boutique, 2240 S. Michigan Ave
WEDNESDAY APPOINTMENTS- Compagnia della Belleza 1500 N. Wells
NEW! WED & SUN APPTS W/SENIE- 1007 E. 53rd St
THURS - SAT APPOINTMENTS - Page Too @ 1007 E. 53rd St
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KUDOS
KUDOS KUDOS KUDOS
Congratulations
to: Harry
J. Lennix whose new film, "Mr. Sophistication" got rave
reviews at its Chicago screening; LaFern
and Bill Cusack on the birth of their adorable baby boy, Davey Cusack; Andre Minkins whose new show "The Barren Room"
debuts at the North Carolina Civil
Rights Museum February 8-10; Kyle
Massey, Chris Massey and their
mom, Angel Massey for winning the
law suit over the (Massey / Palin) reality show they created;
Pitzer student
Romarilyn Baker for being awarded the Osher Scholarship
and Rhonda Payne, on being selected by State Senator Curren D. Price as one of
his 2013 SHeroes
(women who have demonstrated leadership, pride, volunteerism and commitment to
her community in a remarkable manner)
- go on girl woman!
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The Crystal
News respectfully acknowledges the life and transition of: Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner, Precious Bryant, Amina Cachalia, Robert F. Chew, Ross "Satchel" Davis, Terry
Glover, James Hood, Aenki
Kassie, Ed Koch, Tony Martin, Deacon Harold Neiman, James
Rogers, Aaron Swartz, Tyrice Thompson, Earl Williams, Cecil Womack, Hadiya Pendleton and too many other beautiful children (lost on the streets of Chicago and other places) to
name... 
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?
T'Keyah may be coming to a city near you!
Another great issue. The event at the Du Sable sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeletewe are eager to see your wonderful program!
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