Singing towards Sexual Subjectivity By Misa Dayson

Shout out to Misa for sharing her thoughts with the MGH (that’s My Global Hustle for the slow people). Check it out folks & let me know what you think. -!YG

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Your hands on my hips

Pull me right back to you

I catch that thrust

Give it right back to you

Laurie Cumbo Responds to the Closing of 4WCircle - A Brooklyn Landmark

Special Shout out 2 Laurie for sparking the dialogue around this issue. -!YG :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::    As a business owner in the Fort Greene community, I was devastated and heartbroken to learn that after 17 years, 4WCirlce was going to close its doors.  I am most concerned that many poeople will simply look at this as just another business closing. Losing 4W Circle to gentrification warfare is a devastating blow to the community.  Selma Jackson, a founding member of 4W Circle has devoted the last 17 years of her life to keeping our community together, fighting for the rights of all business owners, opening the doors of opportunity for others and providing jobs for people in our community.  We will never understand the type of sacrifice that Selma Jackson has made on behalf of her people in an attempt to preserve our communities and to open the doors of opportunity for young entrepreneurs.   The closing of 4W circle marks a fatal wound to the community and the cultural diversity that made Fort Greene what it is today. Unless we recognize how important it is to make a conscious decision to support “our” businesses, the domino effect that has been planned for us will progress with rapid fire.   It is so unfortunate that so many people like Selma Jackson, that have devoted their lives to creating community and connections are often the first to be sacrificed for the new comers who have big ideas, lots of money and no historical record of achievement within their “new” community.  Before they build their new companies, high rise condominiums and generic franchises, they never take the time to find out about the community or who or what makes the community special.  They never ask, “How can we become a part of this community and help make what is already here special”?  They never ask, “How can I invest in this community in order to preserve what is already here?  Instead in no time at all, brown and black people will be made to feel unwelcome in their own communities that they were born and raised in.  The new comers will start off by walking down the streets in our communities looking away from us without a hello, good morning and forget about a how are you doing?   I often wonder what was the process of removal like for the Native Americans that inhabited this beautiful country.  Did they try and carry on the regular day to day tasks of life like marriage, raising a family, planning for the future even though they knew their days were numbered.  As our businesses continue to close up and down Fulton Street and as less and less of us are coming up out of the train stations in historically Black neighborhoods, I ask where are all of my people going.  I didn’t here anything about a reservation being created like the government did for the Native Americans so many years ago.  It seems that all over the country there is a gentrification war and no one has told me, where are we expected to go?   In losing, I salute Selma Jackson for contributing towards making Fort Greene and Brooklyn what it is today.  As all of the international magazines quote Brooklyn as being the “hottest”, “trendiest”, “coolest”, and “hippest” place to be right now, despite the warped speed of gentrification that will displace thousands of Black and Brown people, I pledge to tell the future generations who and what was really the “Heart of Brooklyn”.  I ask all people, whether you are white, black, yellow or red to support Selma Jackson’s 4WCircle enterprise with your heart, soul and wallet until its closing on February 1st and to let her know that you appreciated her commitment to the community.  Moreover, I ask that we wake up to the fact that our local businesses are what makes our Borough unique and sets us apart from everywhere else. This must be preserved, which thereby fosters the very definition of community.  My best of wishes to Selma Jackson in her new endeavors and to all local businesses owners, I support you in your struggle to fight for our right to have a community.   With warmest regards, Laurie A. Cumbo Founder & Executive Director of MoCADA About 4W Circle of Art & Enterprise More than a unique boutique-style shopping experience-offering one-of-a-kind Afro-inspired designer fashions, art from around the world, hand-crafted jewelry, greeting cards, wedding accessories, a natural hair salon, a showcase for local artists, community space for programs celebrating African-American culture, and much more, 4W Circle of Art & Enterprise is an incubator of dreams. Open in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn since 1991, 4W Circle is the dream-realized of four African-American women, including it’s current owner Selma Jackson,  to contribute to the community by providing home-based African-American entrepreneurs, especially women, the opportunity to realize the dream of establishing their own retail stores. Over the past decade, scores of aspiring entrepreneurs have found a home, expertise and a supportive environment under the roof of 4W Circle’s cooperative collective. An encouraging number have spread their wings and enriched the neighborhood by establishing their own business spaces. 4W Circle of Art & Enterprise is located at 704 Fulton Street Between South Portland and South Oxford Brooklyn, New York 11217 www.4WCircle.org

My Search For Basketball In La Perla, PR BY Stan Lumax

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International Apt Subletting and Swapping with Dilia Baille

Hey Everyone,

I think you guys know the drill…

I’m headed to Amsterdam and Berlin this week (8/31-9/9) to visit friends. If you have folks that you think I should meet while there, be sure to introduce us Since we’re on the topic of travels: Hotels are “so yesterday” and intimate, international apartment rentals are governing the travel accommodation space. If you’re interested in subletting ($$) your apt (especially in: NYC, LA or Miami) to European holiday travelers for short/long-term stays, please give me a call to discuss. Also, if you’re traveling to Europe and are looking for an apt to stay in, please let me know as well! Would love to help you out.

Thanks and speak soon,

Dilia

DIRECT Info:
Dilia Baille
Mobile: 646.270.1364 (Int’l)
Email: DiliaBaille@yahoo.com (Bberry)
Skype: InternationalDilia
AIM: MissDilia53

Ask the “Tru Warrior” if Adris De Leon is “Too Hard to Guard” by Stan Lumax

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YG Video Pick:Ode to NYC HOOPS By Stanley Lumax

In anticipation of this year’s street ball season, I was reminiscing about some of the highlights I captured last year, and I couldn’t think of a better song to set the mood. I’m sure y’all remember the Golden Era of Hip Hop, when the hottest tape was purple and the NY still had a lock on Hip Hop.

~Stanley Lumax

www.stonefacephotography.net

Starbucks and Shamens- Welcome to Shanghai By Jaime Burnell

Here is a piece from my gal pal Miss Jaime Burnell… She shared some pics and thoughts regarding a recent trip that she made to Shanghai, China.

Enjoy,

!YG

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If Beijing is the “traditional” face of China,
Epic and culture soaked, tied to the cultural line
Shanghai is the little sister, respectful of family traditions

But mindful of its place in the new world,
And ready to jack up the pace to get there.
She respects her parents but she also wants a tattoo and a nose ring.
If anything defines Shanghai it’s the clash of old and new,

Jostling for a presence and influence.
Glowing Red lanterns against a backdrop of high rises which obscure the stars,
Paper wrapped sweets in the trash with Starbucks containers,
Shopping for Chinese new year fireworks,

The Shamen’s new year predictions,
And Nokia’s latest cell phone creation.
Dynamic and edgy, moving forward and still looking back,

the best image of Shanghai is Mao, bold and dominating,
Looking over the river to the Pudong side as the skyscrapers
and industry engulf the skyline.

 

~JB

Harlem Children Zone - Geoffrey Canada: By Denise Gomes

 

Harlem Children Zone’s Executive Director, Geoffrey Canada, is a celebrity within the nonprofit world. He has brought international recognition to the Harlem-based, Harlem-focused youth group that serves a 60-block area and 10,000 kids.

His vision is very simple: to save children. He has made a promise to the parents who live in the “zone”:

“If your child comes to this school, we will guarantee that we will get your child into college. We will be with you with your child from the moment they enter our school till the moment they graduate from college.”

He has raised a lot of money to try to do that - more than $100,000,000. The budget of the Harlem Children’s Zone is $36 million a year — and growing. Only a third of it comes from the government; the rest comes from private donations. Last year he received two $25 million donations. That’s phenomenal for a local community group.

All that money made it possible for Canada to open his own charter school in a new $42 million building. It’s called “The Promise Academy.” Canada understands the importance of public relations, community outreach and dynamic fundraising. He’s a great leader and inspiration.

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I love Geoffrey Canada!

~Denise Gomes

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Related Blogs:

• Prince Charles Hoopin’ in Harlemworld
• Donating to Charity 101- by Denise Gomes

Kanye’s NYC Escape By Kofi Annan

NYC can be a bit chaotic especially if you’re a work-a-holic hitmaker. If you have money to burn, take a note from Kanye West. Dezeen Magazine has some great pictures of Kanye’s new NYC apartment which is being designed by Claudio Silverstrin. The apartment is minimalism at it’s best and truly serene. I guess when you’re in such high demand you need your personal space to be a refuge. HGTV addicts eat your heart out.

Check out some pics of the apt…

Kanye’s NYC Crib

Kanye’s NYC Pad

Dezeen Magazine shows you around Kanye’s NYC APT

~Kofi

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Note:

Thx for the Kofi! Here is some more info about Kofi Annan. ~ YG

Kofi Annan is the designer behind Annansi Clothing Co., a socially conscious African-inspired streetwear company. Since 2004, Annansi Clothing Co. has been creating contemporary designs which combine images of African people, places, and culture with a metropolitan street style. Kofi is also the editor of Annansi Chronicles, an African style and culture blog.

www.annansiclothing.com

www.annansi.com/blog

 

Looking for a Camera? - Simon Frederick

People are always asking me about cameras… So, I reached out to my boy Simon Frederick in Lisboa, Portugal (a.k.a Lisbon) for advice and recommendations. Simon is a Jedi Master in my Foto Crew & a wonderful photographer. Visit his website if you want to see his work:

www.simonfrederick.com

Check out what Simon had to say….

~Enjoy,

YG

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Young Global,

I know you are a Nikon Fiend but my loyalty is to what equipment does what for me.

Eos350

Eos 400D     EOS 30D

I think that right now on the SLR front at entry level you can’t go wrong with Canon.

Great colors, resolution and sharpness. Not to mention excellent prices.

If SLR’s are not your thing and you want a point and shoot. I have shot an Erykah Badu concert with this camera and there was no difference in quality between this and an SLR.

Ricoh Caplio R5

Caplio R5 features 7.24 million pixels, 2.5″ high angle LCD screen and a 7.1x optical wide zoom lens (28–200 mm in 35 mm camera format). Combining the Caplio R5’s Ricoh-original CCD-shift vibration correction method and brand new image processing engine greatly expands the range of shooting in low light areas producing high quality images at even higher ISO settings with low noise.

• High image quality CCD with effective 7.24 million pixels
• Reduced noise through the new Smooth Imaging Engine II image processing engine
• 7.1x wide-angle zoom lens
• Further improvements to stress-free response
• Large, high-resolution high angle shooting LCD screen
• Long-life rechargeable battery for approx. 380 shots (standard accessory)
• Powerful macro function
• Your favourite settings in scene modes
• Enhanced Skew Correction function

Peace,

Simon