Happy April!  Happy Spring!

This Month, Pledge to: Garden! Eat Organically! Compost! Love and Forgive! Recycle! Conserve Wherever You Can! Take Time to Smell the Roses! Water the Garden of Your Soul! Support a Children's Event.. or a Child! Be a Part of the Solution!

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T’Keyah Crystal Keymáh returns to Florida A & M University with fellow FAMU graduate Broadway performer Bryan C. Jones in the debut workshop performances of “Sellout!?!”  This show, with music, chronicles the career of two performers who have different perspectives on the meaning of success.  Is it making it to the top, or is it making a difference? “Sellout!?!” also shows glimpses of other professionals grappling with the same dilemma.  The shows will take place April 17 and April 18, 2013 in FAMU’s Lee Hall Auditorium 1601 S Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, in Tallahassee.  The performances are part of the FAMU Lyceum Series. There will be a talk back with the audience after each FAMU performance of “Sellout!?!”  For more information, visit http://keymahpresents.blogspot.com/.  For tickets, call (850) 599-3413.     

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Home Depot Helps HBCU's Retool 

Vote for Florida A & M University in Home Depot's Retool Your School Contest http://www.retoolyourschool.com/vote-now.aspx

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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...

On March 21, 2013 Residents of the Albany Housing Authority in Albany, New Yorkwere terrorized by local law enforcement conducting an unannounced tactical training of a hostage situation. Families were confined to their homes and threatened with arrest while law enforcement used simulated ammunition, flash grenades and real tear gas turning the community into a simulated war zone.

Lauren Manning's 4-year-old daughter was one of the many children at home duringthe incident, which left damaged property, fake blood and shell casing all over our community. Manning, who started a petition to HUD on change.com, stated that when the police returned to clean up, her daughter was pysically shaking from fear at the sight of them. The Albany Police Department has apologized, but HUD has stayed silent. HUD’s mission is to utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. Tactical training does not support that mission or fall under the scope or purpose of HUD. Federally subsidized housing is for the benefit of the consumer, not local government agencies who need a training ground for their war games.   I cringe to think that someone thought of this, someone authorized this and someone followed through on such a thought. It is getting more and more obvious that the powers that be think some citizens are less valuable than others.  I shutter to think of what they have planned next.  To join me in signing this petition, Click here:  This is where the action is...  

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--> CHARM BOARD NEEDS YOU!

CHARM Outreach And Mentoring Services  is a 501c3 women's organization created  to assist women of all ages build self-esteem; to empower, encourage, and inspire them to passionately pursue the highest purpose for their lives. .  If you are looking to support an organization that is making a profoundly positive difference in the lives of women and girls in the Chicagoland area (and expanding soon), consider joining our small but mighty board of directors.  We meet once a month by phone, there is a fundraising requirement and board members are encouraged to participate in at least one of our main events per year.   Interested? Check out http://mycharm.org/ or email charmed @tkeyah.com.

Challenge Yourself. 

Honor Yourself. 

Arm Yourself With Knowledge. 

Restore What Was Broken

Motivate Others   

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Someone Sent Me an Email That Said...
Not all thieves are stupid.  Two scenarios were given: one concerning a GPS and the other a cell phone.  The bottom line is that when going about your daily lives, you should always consider the habits of thieves.  If someone robs or steals your car, they can get access to your garage door remote control, and if your GPS has your home address programmed and labeled as such, the thieves can get there before you and clean you out.  I would add that your home address also should not be on any documents left in your car.   Put a nearby address (like a store or gas station) so you can still find your way home if you need to, but no one else would know where you live if your GPS were stolen.  As for the phone, be careful how you label numbers.  A thief can text "mom" or "hubby" and ask for a credit card or ATM pin.  I would send that kind of info via a text, which is about as private as sky writing, but should you get such a text, verify that it's real with a call.  Bad guys can also text victims to meet them someplace.  Verify with a call.

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WHERE THE ACTION IS: My Black Year...

As you read in the last three issues 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. 

March's business: Well Jamaica's ears must be burning because I found yet another yummy Jamaican restaurant, Island Fresh (All Natural Grill & Fried Restaurant & Catering), 5101 W. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019 (323) 936-9778.  I stopped by for a quick bite before one of my ACT-SO mentoring sessions at the Tom Bradley Center, and found that there is no stopping by quickly. Between the building that is a work of art, the island music playing, the ceiling fan turning and the attentive host who chatted between customers with talented reggae musician Steve G who sat just outside like he was holding court in Kingston... I was in no rush to leave.   I've spotted a few other businesses for my list, but decided not to mention them until I can give a personal recommendation.  I did make my way back to Hooper Shell, 11913 Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA, (323) 566-1667, however, and was delighted to meet Mr. Hooper himself, and well as his wife.  Get over there and buy those gift cards...  And yes, I'm still bragging that my St. Sabina Birthday Benefit was sponsored entirely by Black businesses!  This is where the action is...

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Daughter Finds Fortune

Filmmaker Dawn Kamoche's Daughter of Fortune has been accepted as a finalist in the Ivy Film Festival's script competition April 12 - 14, 2013 at Brown University in Providence, RI.  The film, which stars  Tiffany Phillips, Keena Ferguson, LeAire George, and T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh was also accepted into The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center's 20th Annual "Sistas Are Doin' It For Themselves" showcase.  The screening was a success and received a glowing review in the Examiner:  http://www.examiner.com/review/short-film-event-review-sistas-are-doin-it-for-themselves-hollywood

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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 
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Havana Blue - April 13, Auditorium Theater The CJP Chamber Ensemble and the acclaimed River North Dance Chicago present a momentous new creation of live music and dance, Havana Blue. Co-commissioned by the Auditorium Theater, this original work was fueled by the desire of Orbert Davis and Frank Chaves, the artistic director of RNDC, to explore their personal and creative roots through the Afro-Cuban culture. Don't miss the world premiere (and only performance) of Havana Blue on April 13. View a scene from Orbert's historic journey to Cuba!

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 Vincent E. Walker Photography

(312) 719-6830

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Every day, thousands of babies are born too soon, too small and often very sick. On Saturday, April 27, 2013, T’Keyah Crystal Keymáh and other members of the Century City Chapter of Delta Sigma Sorority, Inc. will walk in the Los Angeles March of Dimes March for Babies. Keymáh has a nephew and several cousins who were born prematurely and knows what a challenge it is to recover from that, and how much the March of Dimes does to help. To support her walk, go to: http://www.marchforbabies.org/default.aspx?si=&u=keymah.  Making a secure donation is easy: just click the 'donate now' button on her page. Thank you for helping to give all babies a healthy start! 

April 27, 2013 700 Exposition Park Drive PARKING: $10/vehicle - CASH ONLY! Los Angeles, CA  90037

Walk distance: 3 miles Registration time: 6:30 AM Start time: 8:30 AM Chapter: Greater Los Angeles Division Phone: (818) 539-2195

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Watch 

'In Living Color' Stars: Where Are They Now?
15 April 2010 3:28 PM, PDT | Extra

Thank you to: Sharon Saunders, The Florida A&M University Lyceum committee and everyone at FAMU who is making the workshop of my new show "Sellout!?!" a reality; Rev. jeff obafemi carr for your sage advise, Louis Price for letting me share the stage with you at your very, cool and well deserved birthday party; my agents, Sakura Williams and Jessa Swenson for being so hands on; my ACT-SO Mentee Kennedi  Carraspirillo and her mom

--> for working so hard and being such troopers; and finally, again, 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, Alpha Nu Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta's Inseparable Nine and Human Resources Development Institute, Inc. MUAH!  And I mean it!!!!

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KUDOS KUDOS KUDOS KUDOS

Congratulations to:  Angela Robinson Whitehurst for snagging the role of Veronica Harrington in Tyler Perry's new drama "The Haves and the Have Nots (on the Oprah Winfrey Network); James V. Burks for receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Alkebu-Lan Cultural Center,  FAMLI, Inc., the C.A.R.R.E. Foundation, 1iMall.com and the We Can Foundation at a ceremony launching the 'See a Man, Be a Man – 2013'  male mentoring project for young men of color; Judyann Elder on the completion of her film A Private Act;  Rev. jeff obafemi carr on the screening of his film "He Ain't Heavy" at the Oakland Film Festival; my niece, Keyah Walker on her empowering trip to South Africa and her mentee Jazeerah, who sings like an angel; and my sister, Karen L. Walker as she joins Siebert, Brandford Shank & Co  as a Managing Director  - go on girl woman!

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The Crystal News respectfully acknowledges the life and transition of: Chinua Achebe, Hugo Chavez, Linda DeJean, Roger Ebert, Bonnie Franklin, Kenneth Ingram, Donald Martin, Paula C. Mitchell, Deke Richards, Bobby Rogers, Bobby Smith, Frank Thornton, and too many beautiful children (lost on the streets of Chicago and other places) to name... We are blessed to have known their warm hearts, bright smiles and good works. We are inspired to follow their brave and noble examples.

 Have you hugged someone you love today?

Stay Tuned...CHARM GEMSS Ball