cool natural hair style

pretty simple cornrowed and twist up do

being and raised in harlem by a collective of conservative afrocentrists, i was not aloud to wear a perm or process my hair. we were taugth to love our hair in its natural state and to be proud of its wolly texture as my mother would suggest. now of course as i matured , i began to explore wearing my hair in weaves and wigs, i enjoy the versatility. but there is nothing like finding joy in managing your own natural hair.

i was on my way to Reading Terminal of Philadelphia and ran into Deirdra Church. Dierdra Church works with an organization called Food Trusts as a Projects Assistant. As a Project Assistant she is responsible for bringing nutrtional awareness to food providers or grocery stores in low income communites. Dierdra enjoys her job and wearing her hair natural in simple styles which she says should last for about three weeks.......karimu abena hamilton

ms. mary and her awesome vintage jewelry collection

ms.mary

pretty butterfly pins

my late mother barbara gettys hamilton would be defined by some people as a hoarder and others as a Collecter. she was born in the thirties which would mean that she survived segregation, the civil rights movement,the black cultural movement, black and white television,lace tablecloths, depression glass , milk glass, bakelite typewritters and a black president too name a few. i think that people of her generation have experienced soo many cultural transitions that they begin to collect items of thier past. items that bring them back to Sunday dinners as a child, a certain type of pocketbook worn to a formal, a song with lyrics that made them smile. i believe my mother began purchasing her items as a collection of memories. three years later today i am still going through her items and i have found that she loved pretty things...lace , sparkly jewelry, shiny pocket books and colored dishes. i recently ran into a woman in west Philadelphia named ms. mary. never in my life had i met some one whom had such an extensive costume jewelry collection as. no one had my mother beat but i think she comes very close. i walked by her table and had to take a seat. because i could not believe it what a collection!!!!! meet ms. mary she migrated to Philadelphia during the depression from the Carolina's. she is a mother of 6 children and attends church every sunday. she has been collecting for 35 years . she enjoys wearing jewelry and use to go to flea markets to shop. then her friends would call her as they moved out their homes and into assisted living dwellings and offer her some of their collection. she decided then she had tooo much stuff and transformed her collection into a business. she shares a small piece of her legacy with the world 0n 48th and baltimore avenue in west philadelphia  twice a  month on the weekends. karimu abena hamilton

In a recent interview with rolling out, Rae discussed the inspiration for the series and what it means to be an awkward black girl. –karimu abena hamilton

http://rollingout.com/entertainment/awkward-black-girl-shares-how-to-take-your-entertainment-business-online/

jazz and the musical gods and goddess..st.nicks pub

musical goddess TreZure empire

MY FIRST EXPEREINCE WITH JAZZ AND THE MUSICAL GODDESS

this woman here is one of the first artists to assist me in cultivating the term musical goddess. my extended journey into the musical realm began for me late in life. pause... rewind. i believe myself to be extremely well acculturated in various genres of african american art forms. i was been born and raised in harlem by parents  who were serious afrocentrists, artist and civil rights activists.  i was working at a book store cafe named hue man and was extremely bored and felt completely exploited. i was an excellent saleswoman.thus, i was pretty much earning the salary of myself and co-workers every day and was tremendously bored and disappointed,,, with my life.... the gentrification process of harlem and black culture. with hip-hop being completely materialized and exploited, i felt like there was no hope and was pretty much done with harlem, done with black culture.... done with america and essentially ready to leave the country. ready to  experience something new, fresh and spiritual. it was actually a consistent prayer of mine that i be removed from this culture of america. i could no longer stand it. one day, a man by the name of Vincent Lampkin walked through the door.  I knew him from the streets of harlem, he was always promoting his venue st.nicks pub...a jazz club and he had invited me on several occasions to work for him. " no" i would respond "i am hip-hop"..."i am hip-hop not jazz."  i would say defiantly..... and he would shake his head and just walk away. well one day he came into hue-man book store and i urged him over to the cafe counter." please," i begged him "please get me out here," " i need a job." i am miserable and this place sucks," i whispered and giggled.  "okay it’s not much money...it’s a jazz club and you will be serving drinks and if your good ...you'll get good tips...see you on Thursday at 8p.m.." he informed me  "okay” i replied relieved.

that night i put on a dress and went to work. when i walked through the door i was traumatized and frightened. i had been around and experienced street culture but THIS environment and its participants were unfamiliar and i was afraid. vincent disappeared and a man named floyd appeared he told me he was security. it was dark, dim there were a lot of men and there was a woman walking around in a cat suit, a mask and a whip in her hand. the crowd was old school and there was heavy smell of liquor. i saw white men , black men and toothless women. it was a matrix that i had never entered before.... i had been set up and i knew it. "what’s ur name?" Floyd inquired. my mouth was glued shut.... i was speechless, my heart was racing and i was looking for a way out. i heard music but could not hear. my third eye was focused on the density of the souls that i had encountered. he proceeded to show me around... i needed space... he opened the door to the backyard , the heavy metal door opened with a slarge squeak attached to it and closed with a giant slam..."this is karimu" he yelled to the patrons "our new cocktail waitress." every one kind of looked up in syncopation with out saying a word and in that same rhythm went back to what they were doing.  "is this the bathroom i whispered." choking back tears. "yes go ahead." he answered. "I’ll be right here."he consoled. i went into the bathroom and wept. mommy is going to be soo upset with me i cried big tears, i was not raised to be in this type of environment." i cried, i believed that i had been set up. i got off my knees done with my prayer for help and protection and opened the door. "why are you crying?" floyd exclaimed. "this is a safe place we are not going to let anything happen to you." he said to me as i hung my head down in shame. he grabbed my chin and said "look nothing is going to happen to u hear i promise." he said to me earnestly. and then i began to hear the music. i looked up on the stage and there were three woman ,treZure Empire, courtney bryan a brilliant pianist and lakecia benjamin a female saxophonist and to top it off they were younger than me, brilliant and fearless... courtney bryan was tearing the keys up on the key board, treZure was singing a blues esque song  and lakecia benjamin had captured the spirit of miles davis it made me laugh and i thought to myself she thinks she is miles davis.  and she was. that night . it tickled me. everytime i looked on stage i cracked up . joy.  i straightened up pretty quickly seeing them on stage gave me courage. if they can be there.... i for surely can work here. it was great night and my world had become expanded, it was a rites of passage for me to be a part of the Jazz scene where black soul and spirit reside and thrive, untamed and untapped by commercialism. for me jazz is one of the most authentic preserved african american art forms and being inducted into this world was an honor and a privilege to share air with what i believe were the anointed, the beautiful ones that could hear, see, and present gods interpretation of joy and share it with the world...the musical goddess...the musical gods....karimu abena hamilton






an awesome piece by stacey flygirrl

   








 

The artists of Philadelphia are a patchwork quilt of eclectic treasures from the descriptive murals on the West to the North to Zagar’s magical mosaic garden. The Philadelphian artist is well rounded, multifaceted and tends to explore and perfect on more than one genre of art. Stacey Flygirrl Wilson reflects this artistic Philadelphian nature.An entrepreneur, graphic designer, artist and a promoter of progressive hip-hop music; Stacey Flygirrl Wilson has carved a named for herself that will remain prominent on the Philadelphia scene. http://www.flygirrl.com/. k.abena




a graphic piece by stacey flygirrl

 

Discuss your evolution as an entrepreneur in the music business?

I started out working at a jazz restaurant called Zanzibar Blue then managing a nightclub called Brave New World. So, before I even began to plan and promote my own music events, I was always in the midst of music and its creators. I am friends and acquaintances of many of the music artists in the city, so at the time, I was nurturing those relationships. From there, I began my venture with Squarebiz (myself, ?uestlove + yameen allworld). We created Tastytreats. Which now, is our weekly dance party that now is in its 9th year? Over the years I have produced many concerts, art exhibits and dance parties, all while bringing local and national talent that you weren't getting anywhere else in the city like Q-Tip, Dj Jazzy Jeff, Little Brother, KRS 1, Prince and more. Within the last few years, I expanded to my own company, "Flygirrl". Doing more on my own and venturing into other areas of the culture and to pursue more personal artistic and event based avenues.

Describe some of the qualities that are unique to Philadelphian artist?

i think Philly artists have such soul. Whether it is music, art, dance, we all come from this soulful city it is bound to be felt through our craft. On a negative note, i think most artists in Philly struggle with support. Sometimes, it seems hard to get Philly to care. The arts community doesn't seem as connected or as strong as it seems to be in other cities. And because of that, the struggle gets even harder.

What is your favorite genre of art and why?

I would say Graffiti. It has so many elements in it that encompass different art in one art form. Aside from the various styles that are to be admired, there is also a design element if you look at the bold lines and the balance of how those lines fit within each other. There is always an Illustration feeling to it with great images and characters. It's so expressive you can't help but look as some when you pass it by.

I read that your art -work was featured in Real World MTV-Philadelphia how did that happen?

When we heard that the Real World was going to be in Philly, a friend of mine was pushing me to contact them to get my work on the show. I put if off but eventually had them come view my work at a local gallery and got the gig. I had 6 pieces showcased on the show. Most of which were bought by the producers and crew when the show ended.

What direction do you intend to take your company Flygirrl?

Right now, I’m not sure. I'm at a turning point in my life and making some decisions about what is next. I enjoy doing so many things, it makes it hard to choose. I do know, that whatever i path i choose to take with Flygirrl, it will always be authentic. It will always be fresh. You just have to stay tuned!

The artist that you produce shows for are they your friends and who do you like to work with the most?

Well, I have a broad network. So, although they may not be "friends" most are acquaintances of mine. I’m happy to extend the spotlight to all artists, I just happen to know a lot of them. Building and maintaining relationships are key.

k.abena

Ms.Tootsie's South Street Hang Out k.abena

keven parker stand prouds at ms.tootsies





place to engage and socialize

written by: karimu abena hamilton

 interview with:keven parker

Keven Parker at best could be defined as a community developer. He was able to transform the stalemated South Street of Philadelphia into a social hot spot where you can engage in great all forms of live entertainment, shop and relax for an overnight visit. Keven Parker is not only a successful businessman but also is committed to giving back to his community. His outreach [programs include training and employment along with having distributed over 30 scholarships to fund the education endeavors of young adults.  He began his entrepreneurial endeavors as a catering company with the intentions of sharing the flavorful Soul food of his child hood. The company has five distinctive components; Simply Delicious Catering, Cafe 3801, Ms. Tootsies Restaurant Bar and Lounge and KDP Lifestyles and Lifestyles and Luxury suites. Keven Parker formed a partnership with his mother whose role ranged from Head Chef to executive counsel. Her guidance and contributions reflect in the southern comfort palate that is served there today. Adjacent to the restaurant he has added to the 2 block radius the KDP Lifestyle and Luxury Suites. This includes Lifestyle and Luxury hotel and a specialty boutique that represents the KDP brand. Philadelphia’s South Street has now been secured as a destination spot which will give tourists and the locals the arts, culture, food and a place to stay….www.kevenparker.net…..karimu abena hamilton

delicious okra corn and tomatoes

 1.How do you inspire your staff?

 I lead by example and provide recognition where there is an opportunity.  I also create an environment of ownership where we are all in this together.

 2.When do you know that it's time for change?

 I know it's time for change when things no longer work.

 3.What is one thing that you wish you knew before starting your company?

 I wish I would have known that running the business would be easier than managing the people.  Each person comes with their own unique qualities and opportunities and the key has been learning to adjust and work with both.

 4.How do address conflict in the workplace?

 I address it immediately so that things don't have a chance to fester. I, also, meet with each person individually to give them a chance to get everything out honestly. I, then, bring them back together and work on a resolution.

5.What is your philosophy on making mistakes?

Learn from them and if you're able to do that you are able to find the true value in them.

Beautiful Issa Rae Awkward Black Girl k.abena

Awkward Black Girl 

beautiful issa rae

written by: karimu abena hamilton

interview with: issa rae

Awkward Black Girl is a successful web series produced by Issa Rae that explores a day in the shoes of a young African American Woman. In ABG the web series main character “Jay” humorously goes through the daily challenges of everyday life; from the complexities of dating a white man, managing difficult co-workers and supervisor (which resulted in anger management classes), to finding her rhythm at a friend’s birthday party. This production and its colorful casts put Issa Rae in the category of visionary, producer, entertainer, comedienne and entrepreneur. The internet has become a platform of visibility for authentic progressive African American artists. The entertainment industry has limited the portrayal of black women in the three primary contexts; jezebel, sapphire and or mammy. Issa Rae’s brilliant production of Awkward Black Girl is an act of resistance towards these negative portrayals and provides viewers with an alternative. The ABG production challenges the notion of what is marketable with almost 9 million online viewers; ABG suggests that there is a strong interest in seeing the authenticity and lifestyle of progressive African American Women. With the Twitter best web series award under her belt and an upcoming season to launch; the Awkward Black Girl brand is here to stay. i experienced so much transcendental joy when watching this production i wanted to share it with the world. i had an opportunity to interview her briefly and here are some pressing answers to questions that i hope would answer some of your questions as well.   karimu abena hamilton

1).What is your ethnic background? Where are you from?  How were you raised? Describe your childhood, your parents….what was your immediate childhood setting like? 

I am Senegalese American. My dad is Senegalese and my mom is from Louisiana. I was born in L.A., lived in Senegal, Maryland and L.A -- the middle of five kids. Three boys, two girls (including me).

2).I think that the web is a wonderful medium for entrepreneurs such as you… the web to me clearly exemplifies what  has been titled the “free market”  would you discuss with me how you got your start in this business?

I was feeling pressured by my father to go to grad school and kept watching my friends pursue their careers and I refused to go the same route. I had been sitting on the idea for two years, making excuses about why I couldn't do it, and then I read an article in Clutch Magazine where the writer was asking, "Where's the Black Liz Lemon?" After reading her article I panicked that someone else would read it and create my idea before me. I stopped making excuses as to why I couldn't do it and just called up my friends and shot it guerilla style.

3).White Jay…That speaks to me on so many different levels…the title is humorous …but there is more to it. It  sort of taps into the collective unconsciousness…tell me more about White Jay..

White Jay, or "Jay" as he was written in the script, was initially supposed to be a one episode character. We inserted him because Tracy (our producer) thought that having a white character would attract a white audience AND we wanted to include some temporary competition for Fred. However, after we aired the fifth episode, the comments were full of "#TeamWhiteJay" supporters. Thus, a fan-created love triangle was formed as we continued to develop this character. For the record, viewers named him "White Jay" not us.

4).I stumbled upon your web-series by accident ….and it was one of the most pleasurable experiences that I have had in the context of visual entertainment in a very long time… It was a transcendental moment and I was able to experience free joy and entertainment without anger or judgment. What forms oentertainment did you indulge in during your child hood and later as an adult? What are your influences?

Thank you! As a child, I pretty much watched everything. I remember vividly watching SNICK on Nickelodeon and TGIF on Fridays and thinking that I wanted to be a part of those shows in some way. Then 90s television came along, in all of its black glory and I loved seeing people who looked like me on television. But then when those shows started disappearing, I started related to shows like Seinfeld, The Office, Arrested Development and 30 Rock, but those shows didn't really have many characters of color, if any at all, so I sought to change that.

5). I believe that I am an awkward black girl…talk to me about her, who is she?  How much of her is in you?   How did you come up with that concept?

"Awkward Black Girl" is an extension of me. She's just insecure in her environment and doesn't really know how to handle what most people would deem simple social situations. She's also awkward in the sense that she's not "typically" black. She's not mainstream media's depiction of black women by any means.

6).Awkward Black Girl …I love the branding concept where are you going with this  from  a marketing perspective …I see the t-shirts and other paraphernalia ….Outside of you’re a new season which we are all waiting for what is next for ABG?

I actually came up with the brand, "I'm Awkward. And Black" before I came up with the series. I believed strongly in the identity as a brand and hope to expand it enough so that it can sustain itself, without the series. Also, I'd love to do an "Awkward Black Girl" film. That would be awesome.

7). Discuss with me your production team and what is your role ?

Everybody who works on ABG has like 10 roles. I direct, produce, write, act and edit. Tracy acts, produces and writes. Shea is our cinematographer, director, editor, cameraman. Benoni & Madison handle our sales, marketing and social media strategy. For season 2, we're looking to divvy some of those roles to others.

8).What advice do you have for producers of all genres in terms of getting there work out there  for the world to see and the spirit of constancy ?

Work with like-minded, dedicated individuals to produce content. Be extremely patient. Release it online!