This spoken word video presentation explains everything one needs to know about Kwanzaa --- how, when, why it was started and its purpose. If more Black people, regardless of place of birth, would practice Kwanzaa, it would shift the balance of socioeconomic power throughout the world and restore us to our traditional and rightful place of prominence. Listen. Learn. Share.

^{Written and performed by Clinton Sockwell II. Music - “Rubber Soul” by Herbie Hancock}

Christmas Together by Mary Nagy

I hung the decorations
and I trimmed the christmas tree.
What really means the most of all
is that you're here with me.

You make the season special
without spending lots of dough.
Your neverending friendship
means more than you could know.

I can't say what it means to me
to share this special time.
I thank God for another year
that He's let you be mine.

Let's deck the halls and celebrate
with family and friends.
But, lets take time for you and me
before the season ends.

The Conversation Continues…Is There Still Hope for #OneAmerica?

Save the Date as Miami's most influential and civic-minded women (and men) will gather again to network, talk politics and address other domestic and international issues at Pumps, Pearls & Politics 2015. The event will begin at Noon at The Rusty Pelican Restaurant on beautiful Key Biscayne. With many local and national incidents regarding racism; access to healthcare; education and immigration, the conversation is sure to be lively.

The distinguished panel is in formation and includes: Keynote speaker Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson; Adora Obi Nweze, President-Florida State Conference of the NAACP and President - Miami-Dade Branch of the NAACP; Annette Taddeo, Past Vice Chair - Florida Democratic Party & Past Chair, Miami-Dade Democratic Party; and Attorney Patricia St. Vil-Joseph, alsoFirst Lady of the City of North Miami. Entertainment will again include Pumps, Pearls & Politics Poet Laureate and Grammy-nominated Spoken Word Artist Rebecca  “Butterfly” Vaughns. Women's organizations will also be recognized for their social service and civic accomplishments.

PUMPS, PEARLS & POLITICS 2015

SATURDAY - 07/25/2015

Noon

THE RUSTY PELICAN

3201 Rickenbacker Causeway

Key Biscayne, FL 33149

Admission: $35 [Seating is Limited.]

To pay by mail: Make check or money order payable to and mail to Gamma Zeta Omega, PO Box 530711, Miami Shores, FL 33153. (Payments must be received by 07.11.2015.) Online payment instructions are forthcoming.

For more information or to RSVP, call or text Vanessa Byers at 305.323.7614 or email [email protected].

Presented by The Connection Committee of Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Jackie Hill Perry. Follow her on Twitter @JackieHillPerry.

Here’s the poem, Jigaboo, performed by spoken word artist Jackie Hill Perry at Rhetoric 2012, an annual Christian poetry slam in Los Angeles. The young lady hits traditional religion as many of us know it, rather hard but before you prejudge, listen. Based on the reaction of the audience, many other young people feel the same.

Hmmm…Christian poetry slam…that would be nice for the Miami area also. 

Photo:  www.p4cm.com

Related articles

#BlackLOVE @JackieEHill & @Preston_N_Perry

Humble Beast Records welcomes Jackie Hill

No rhyme? No problem: Using Poetry During the School Day

This poem ..

Slam Poetry About Depression

How to Turn Your Summer Reading List into Book Spine Poetry

The Price Was Paid

by Robert Blankenship

As you go forth into life today
Do not forget what God has done
He sent the lamb a sacrifice
His only begotten Son

To die upon the cross
His blood spilled for you and me
That we from Satan's hold
Might with faith be made free

Jesus is the risen lamb
To the earth He will return
To recieve all who love Him
To claim them as His own

April is National Poetry Month. Young adults, ages 12-19 years-old, are invited to enter the Miami-Dade Public Library’s fourth annual Poetry Contest to celebrate this special art of communication.

The contest runs from April 1-30, and the theme is Technology. Poems may reflect how teens use technology, the way it’s affected their lives or its impact on society. Poems should be 20 lines or less and will be judged on originality, artistic quality, and emotional impact. Submissions must be the writer's own work and should not have been previously published.

First, second and third place winners will receive Best Buy gift certificates valued at $100, $50 and $25.The top three poems will also be entered in a national contest held by Voice of Youth Advocates. 

Contest entry forms are available at any branch or online at www.mdpls.org. Poems may also be submitted, on the Library’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/miamidadepubliclibrary. Prizes were made possible by the Miami Dolphins Foundation.

Parents, encourage your children to enter this contest as it is an excellent opportunity not just for your child to win a prize but also to express themselves creatively.

 @vbyers

Like Blogging Black Miami on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.

when will it stop


Another drive by shooting another youth that will not to live a life
that is so full dreams-another mother in tears a community living in
fears--another drive by shooting another young life taken--when will
it stop when will the blood of the youth be planted into hope and a
better life--school is cool pick up a book and uplift your mind you
dont have to die by a nine another drive by shooting another mother in
tears a community living in fears when will it stop someone tell them
they can live a life of dreams they can fly high in the sky like
winston scott of cocount grove he even walk in space and played his
trumpet in the spaceship to show pick up a book make school cool
uplift your mind drop the nine--pictures of youth on tee shrits that
have had their life taken by another drive by shooting when will it
stop

...poet terry fernando newton

MIAMI, FL—The Black Archives, History and Research Foundation of South Florida, Inc. kicks off its second season of “Expressions” on Saturday, October 26, 2013 at The Historic Ward Rooming House Gallery, 249 NW 9th Street in Miami’s historic Overtown neighborhood.

Hosted by international poet and spoken word artist Rebecca “Butterfly” Vaughns, “Expressions” includes featured sets from local spoken word artists Rachel “Flow Diva” Finley, Kimani Trapp and Poet Tampa. The evening consists of open mic (poets must pre-register) and live music by Ed the World Famous and Jody Hill and the Deep Fried Funk Band. Local food vendor, Keith the Conch Man will also be there with fresh, delicious conch salad for purchase.

“The start of this second season is very important as we approach the opening of the historic Lyric Theater,” said Timothy A. Barber, Executive Director at The Black Archives. “We are developing our ‘Expressions’ spoken word and live music showcase to be a nationally-recognized event, which will soon be hosted in the completed theater. As we move the programming to the theater, we are honoring our future by honoring our past.”

Until the upcoming official opening of the newly remodeled historic Lyric Theater, “Expressions” is being presented at the neighboring Historic Ward Cultural Tourist Gallery.  “The Ward” undergoes a complete transformation from historic rooming house to a chic poetry lounge under-the-stars, styled by local event production company, The Design Group, Miami.  Sound and lighting by Drummerboy Sound provide the performers with arena-quality audiovisual support.

“What The Black Archives is doing, through Expressions and our future programming at the historic Lyric Theater, is providing Miami residents a place to come and enjoy arts and culture in an area of town that has a historical reputation of being the main hub for black culture in its heyday,” said Kamila Pritchett, Development Coordinator at The Black Archives. “The Black Archives is set to bring that atmosphere back to Overtown.”

Admission for “Expressions” is $10. Tickets can be purchased online via Paypal at www.theblackarchives.org. For more information call 305-636-2390.

Historian Canter Brown, Jr., is researching the life and work of Florida poet James Alpheus Butler, Jr.  Associated with the Harlem Renaissance, Alpheus Butler was born in Miami during 1905 and died at Tampa in 1977.  He published several books of fine poetry and was acknowledged in numerous anthologies for his creative expression.  If you have any information related to Alpheus Butler, please contact Dr. Brown c/o Fort Valley State University, 1005 State University Drive, Fort Valley, GA 31030.  Dr. Brown’s email address is [email protected].

Easter Joy

Jesus came to earth,
To show us how to live,
How to put others first,
How to love and how to give.

Then He set about His work,
That God sent Him to do;
He took our punishment on Himself;
He made us clean and new.

He could have saved Himself,
Calling angels from above,
But He chose to pay our price for sin;
He paid it out of love.

Our Lord died on Good Friday,
But the cross did not destroy
His resurrection on Easter morn
That fills our hearts with joy.

Now we know our earthly death,
Like His, is just a rest.
We'll be forever with Him
In heaven, where life is best.

So we live our lives for Jesus,
Think of Him in all we do.
Thank you Savior; Thank you Lord.
Help us love like you!

By Joanna Fuchs