The Crystal News: Winter, 2015

THE CRYSTAL

NEWS

Winter, 2015

Volume XXII Issue I

Circulation... Plenty!
Happy Winter!!!

This season, Pledge to: Look in on the Elders! Conserve Energy by Winterizing Your Home (and Wearing Sweaters Indoors! Encourage Young People to Continue to Be Enthusiastic About School! Volunteer at a Homeless Shelter! See the Film, "Selma"! Make a Snow Angel! Research the Candidates Running for Office in the Spring! Give Away an Old Coat, Boots or Sweater in Good Condition! Love and Forgive! Be a Part of the Solution!
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This issue of The Crystal News is dedicated to former Washington DC Mayor Marion Barry, a heroic example of intelligent leadership, dedicated civic service, overcoming obstacles. and the need to vigilantly brace oneself for attack when creating positive change in certain communities. This issue is also dedicated to artist Annie Lee, whose work captured, even without faces, the struggles and triumphs of a people.

THE REDS, WHITES & SPARKLINGS
A WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE
CENTURY CITY ALUMNAE CHAPTER OF DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC.
Saturday, January 24, 2015
4:00 PM to 8:00 PM (PST)

The Olympic Collection Banquet & Conference Center
11301 Olympic Blvd
#204
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(Keymah Code: Code Red#1913)
Projects in the Spotlight... Revival, the spectacular musical feature film project (based on the Gospel of John) of which I am honored to be a part, is nearly wrapped with an expected post production turn around quick enough for an Easter release. I will be asking all of my friends, family and fans to support this project, a labor of love for the cast and crew that is now more than a year in production. Stay tuned for ways to support, but feel free to start spreading the good word.

Projects in the Works... Well I guess Revival counts for this section as well, but it's worth repeating. Stay tuned...
Windy City Works - Well, now I remember why people move to California! Great goshamight six degrees is cold enough but my kind of town loves a nice wind chill factor of unmentionable degrees below zero. So far, I have been able to embrace the cold with gratitude and resilience. Still, its only January, so wish me luck. Had a great time recently with my pal Art Sims on WVON. Listen for me to co-host with Chat Daddy on his Friday evening show soon!

The National Afrikan Amerikan Family Reunion Association (NAAFRA) is a nonprofit organization that seeks to link all families who engage in “reunion celebrations” as their annual expressions of uniting their families, honoring themselves, and bringing together various organizational movements, businesses, causes and other functions under an important “alliance umbrella.” This can be done without sacrificing individual missions, purposes or visions, and completely free of interference. Our collective strength will be used to:
- Create jobs
- Improve educational
- Opportunities
- Maximize the ability to grow wealth
- Develop programs that enhance health protection
- Establish Saturday schooling for all needy family members
- Offer major opposition to the “fratricide” that is occurring throughout Black America.
By mobilizing all available resources and creating a franchising infrastructure for creating jobs and self-ownership throughout our families, and therefore bringing about the improvement of this society, we do what we have always done when a newborn comes into the family: we assume an obligation to teach and help that new arrival. In our minds and by our actions, we must return to this place of “each one reach one,” to this place of “family” and our God to find the challenge, and to BE THE CHANGE we seek.
Anthony J. Davis for Mayor, Country Club Hills, IL
Anthony J. Davis - "Putting People First!"
On October 5, 2014, Anthony J. Davis, 5th Ward Alderman and Chairman of the Finance Committee, announced his candidacy for Mayor of Country Club Hills. “Since a struggling economy, large number of foreclosures and a high rate of joblessness have taken a toll on our community, ” say Alderman Davis, “it is more important than ever for the residents of Country Club Hills to have the assurance that their elected officials are working hard to find innovative solutions and are held accountable for decisions made and actions taken that directly impact our community’s future and quality of life.” A family man, successful business owner and resident of Country Club Hills for more than twenty years, Alderman Davis has served on the City Council since 2011. “While serving as 5th Ward Alderman,” he asserts, “I have kept my promise to always put people first and plan to continue doing so as Mayor of this wonderful community.”

Alderman Davis’ vision for the city includes eliminating wasteful spending, reducing long-term debt, and increasing transparency and accountability in City Hall. “...I am confident I can move Country Club Hills forward into a brighter future; a future that reflects strong community, family values and leadership the residents of Country Club Hills can be proud of.” Alderman Davis has already begun walking the campaign trail, sharing his vision for making Country Club Hills “one of the premiere cities in the south suburb,” and asking for the support and votes of his community in the April 7, 2015, consolidated election. Please support Anthony J. Davis for Mayor of Country Club Hills - http://electanthonyjdavis.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...

Color of Change says, "We still fight for Eric Garner. A New York City Grand Jury tragically refused to indict Eric Garner's killer — NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo. In a horrifying video capturing the brutal killing, Garner can be seen screaming out in pain, "I can't breathe. I can't breathe," as he is strangled to death.

If you've had enough of the NYPD's brutal killings and abuse of Black and brown New Yorkers, join us in demanding Attorney General Eric Holder and President Barack Obama set a higher standard of policing in New York City and across the nation. Call on A.G. Eric Holder and President Obama to do everything in their power to indict Officer Pantaleo and all of the other officers on the scene on federal criminal charges and conduct a full and thorough investigation into the discriminatory NYPD policies and practices that lead to these tragic but avoidable killings time and time again."
Please join me in signing Color of Change's petition to ask the president and attorney general to do the right thing: Click Here! This is where the action is...
Click here to edit.
I'm So Glad I'm From FAMU!

HBCU's are under attack, but are still sorely needed. Please support the HBCU of your choice with your time, talent, treasure and input. I strongly encourage all FAMU alumni to support our school, our new president, our local and national alumni organizations, the individual school(s) from which you graduated, and of course, The T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh Endowed Theater Scholarship at Florida A&M University! If you are not a member of an alumni association, join one today!
Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University is fortunate to partner with the Black Television News Channel (national cable network). BTNC will soon begin construction of its state-of-the-art facilities in our School of Journalism & Graphic Communication and began its programming development. BTNC represents a unique, multidisciplinary opportunity for FAMU Schools, Colleges and for alumni. But, we need your assistance.

We're asking for your help in communicating with the Federal Communications Commissioners to ensure that all available viewers receive this important programming that will be professionally produced and presented to a national audience.Please open the attached PDF, which has a link to the BTNC-FAMU online petition. Click the link "Sign The Petition." Type in your information and the click submit. Thank you for helping FAMU and BTNC create history!
4 Love Productions: HAIR'itage The Play, The Journey of Sistahs Wtih Their Hair is a story about six ‘Sistahs’ who share the journey of their hair and how it impacts them throughout their lives in many different ways. Playgoers leave in awe – empowered. Some even share tears of joy, as they can relate to the storyline from a personal perspective. HAIR'itage creates a sounding board to address the layers of issues and insecurities that many women have about their hair, and how their hair can or has defined them.
The Complex Theatre
6476 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90038Visit www.hairitagetheplay.com to get your tickets!
WHERE THE ACTION IS: Florida's Got Me More Than Upset!

WARNING: This article is of a horrific and disturbing act: Change.org writes, "On June 23, 2012 Darren Rainey, a 50-year-old mentally ill state prison inmate in Miami-Dade County, died after guards responded to his defecating in his cell by locking him into a 180-degree shower for two hours—at which point his skin was separating from his body. Local police, and the state, failed to properly investigate. The case was only brought to light in recent months by The Miami Herald. After two years, no one has been held criminally accountable, or even charged. Darren was serving a two-year sentence for drug possession and housed in a psychiatric unit. After his death, guards forced another prisoner, Mark Joiner, to clean up the shower where Darren died, including chunks of skin. "He was crying, please stop, please stop, Joiner said. And they just said "Enjoy your shower, and left." Only the U.S. Department of Justice can properly investigate this terrible crime, and a broader culture of abuse in Florida’s prisons that has led to other unnecessary deaths, and which falls especially hard on the mentally ill."
Update: "Oct 8, 2014 — Friends, Stop Prison Abuse Now recently met with Miami State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle and pressed our case that justice should be done for Darren Rainey. More that two years have passed since his death, yet the Miami-Dade police and local Medical Examiner have yet to release their findings on his death and, needless to say, no one has in any way be held directly responsible. Nor have the Florida Department of Law Enforcement or Department of Corrections even finished their investigations. We are continuing to advocate to the federal Department of Justice for an investigation. We're not giving up, and your support has given us hope that we can achieve accountability for the killing of Darren Rainey, and prevent such crimes in the future. Thank you again for your help." To join me in signing the petition to ask the Department of Justice to address this horrific act, Click Here! This is where the action is...
Nia Imani Academy of Excellence (NIA)

101 Catalpa Drive, #104, LaPlata, MD.
301-392-1848 - ourniaacademy.com
niaimaniacademyofexcellence@gmail.com

A PreK-6 School With A Purpose (Nia) And A Mission Built On Faith (Imani). A teaching ministry of Nia Imani Christian Center - Senior Pastor, Amina Fola-Rose
Donate

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The search for great natural hair care products continues: For the next few months, as I continue to work on the next edition Natural Woman / Natural Hair, I'll be looking for more products to love and to share. Have a wonderful natural hair product you want me to try? Send samples to me at T'Keyah Crystal Keymah, Inc. 10061 Riverside Dr. #714, Toluca Lake, CA 91602. No mineral oil based products please.

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WHERE THE ACTION IS: My Black Year...

As you have read in earlier issues of The Crystal News, Maggie's Anderson's book, "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. Late last year, I decided to step up my support again by starting a mini Black Pages listing on my website, currently called Black Friday. While that list continues to grow, I will still spotlight a couple of new finds with each issue of The Crystal News. Recent finds in Los Angeles include my new locksmith, Kings Key and Security, (424) 346-4808, https://www.facebook.com/kingskeyandlock. A recent find in Chicago: Miller Pizza Co., 17 W. 35th St. (773) 855-2029. Yummy pizza! I must say I am most excited about Freedom Paper Company, http://www.freedompapercompany.com/, from whom I ordered paper towels, tissue paper and toilet paper. I was quite pleased with the environmentally friendly products! Check my new page, Black Friday (and suggest new Black owned products and service that you can personally recommend)! This is where the action is...
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Robin Walker, Owner
The Walker Group, LLCTWG - 1431 Huntington Drive Calumet City, IL 60409

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@thewalkergrpllc.com rwalker@thewalkergrpllc.com(708) 868-2545

Thank you!!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!!

Thank you to: everyone who is attending or supporting the Century City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Wine Tasting fundraiser; and everyone who has or will donate to my charitable endeavors, NIA Imani Academy, The T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh Endowed Scholarship at Meharry Medical College, The T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh Endowed Theater Scholarship at Florida A & M University (Under the ‘Please direct my donation to’ drop down menu, choose ‘College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities,’ then, under the ‘Funds’ drop down menu, choose “I Crystal Keymáh Endowed Scholarship (1328)”)), CHARM Outreach and Mentoring Services and / or The T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh Fine Arts Room at St. Sabina Academy! MUAH! And I mean it!!!!

KUDOS KUDOS KUDOS KUDOS

Kudos to: my cousin Anthony J. Davis for the decision to put people first and run for Mayor of Country Club Hills, IL; Harry J. Lennix for the inspiring Martin Luther King Jr. Day speech he delivered at St. Sabina; everyone who participated and is participating in the FAMU 10-for-10 fundraising challenge; Congresswoman Maxine Waters and all others in support of Marlene Pinnock; my beloved mentor Dr. Donald Evans for going strong at 87 and working to unite Black family through The National Afrikan Amerikan Family Reunion Associaiton (NAAFRA); and phenomenal filmmakers Gina Prince-Bythewood and Ava DuVernay on their spectacular projects Beyond the Lights and Selma; Go on women!!

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The Crystal News respectfully acknowledges the life and transition of:

Ben Ammi Ben-Israel (בן עמי בן-ישראל‎), Marion Barry, Jane Byrne, Lee Chamberlin, Comer Cottrell, John Crawford, Andrae Crouch, Alice Coachman Davis, John Doar, Johnny Dyer, Tony Gwynn, Alphonse J. Jackson, Henry “Big Bank Hank” Jackson, Annie Lee, William G. Mays, Wayne Pharr, Lenora Peterson, DJ Rashad, Jimmy Ruffin, Herman Russell, Bobby Womack, Chris White, and too many beautiful children (lost on the streets of Chicago and other places) to name...