Check This Out!
This is where I will shamelessly plug the brilliant work that my friends are doing! They really are doing some interesting and important work. I hope you will take a moment to learn about their work, and possibly even get in touch and get involved.
Humanity's Cup by Kecia Brown
Humanity’s Cup: Tales from the Inner Circle is Kecia Brown’s first book. Kecia is an educator, social activist, and writer from Inglewood, CA and living in the Bronx, NY.
The book jacket really nails it, “The words of this young warrior are vivid, roughly textured, and brutally honest. At the same time, Kecia exposes her tenderness, raw vulnerability, and hope.”
It seems like everyone’s a poet since Love Jones came out, and they all sound the same! Not Kecia. Her poetry is truly original. She speaks on everything from racism to revolution, as well as relationships, with a genuine social consciousness that had me nodding my head and talking to the pages as I read.
I actually read this book cover to cover in one sitting. Kecia and her book are brilliant, and I don’t say that just because she said a couple of her poems are about me!
You can read excerpts from Humanity’s Cup and order the book on Kecia’s website: www.keciabrown.com or BUY HUMANITY'S CUP directly from Amazon.
Soul Psalms by U-Meleni Mhlaba
Soul Psalms – Birth, Death, Resurrexion, is U-Meleni Mhlaba’s first CD. U-Meleni is a health and wellness educator, vocalist, spoken word artist, and activist originally from Zimbabwe and living in Boston, MA.
U-Meleni sings in Shona and English on Soul Psalms, “a collection of sacred hymns from the innermost corridors of her mind, body and soul.”
When I first listened to Soul Psalms I couldn’t just listen to one song and come back later. This isn’t just good music, this is an unmistakably personal and passionate voice speaking on critical social issues.
You can hear songs from Soul Psalms and find out where you can get the CD through
The Disability Factor - Shayn R. Anderson
Shayn Anderson is an author, speaker, and consultant. His first book, The Disability Factor, is a great book for anyone that is interested in better understanding people with disabilities.
What is great about this book is that Shayn has written it in a way that is accessible to everyone. You don't need to know lots of technical jargon to understand this book. It is also written in Shayn's straight forward manner, and with a touch of humor.
If you'd like to purchase The Disability Factor or if your interested in Shayn for a speaking engagement, visit his website - www.diversityinclusion.com
Also, look out for his new book, Taking Pride in That Which Sets Us Apart - COMING SOON!
Multicultural Education & The Internet - Paul Gorski
Dr. Paul Gorski is an Assistant Professor at George Mason University in Integrative Studies, and the Founder of EdChange.
Multicultural Education and the Internet is one of a number of publications worth checking out at the EdChange website.
Global Deaf Connection - Heidi Corce
Heidi Corce is a friend and colleague that I connected with during our time working for the International Foundation for Education & Self-Help (IFESH) in Malawi. She has continued her outstanding work to provide educational opportunities for deaf children.
Heidi's work with the Global Deaf Connection (GDC) is to provide assistance to leaders and organizations in developing countries to "defend the rights of Deaf people and to establish sustainable models for Deaf education and employment opportunities, establish coalitions within developing countries, create online networks for deaf people and Deaf-serving organizations." The GDC is currently working in Jamaica, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Heidi is working to bring the GDC to Malawi as well.
You can learn more about the great work that Heidi and the Global Deaf Connection are doing at www.deafconnection.org
White Privilege Conference - Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr.
Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr. is the founder and organizer of the White Privilege Conference (WPC). Originally from Florida, Eddie is an educator and consultant that has spent most of his professional career in the Midwest and has recently relocated to Seattle, WA.
The White Privilege Conference is a dynamic conference that brings together educators and activists from all sectors to discuss issues of racism, privilege, and oppression. Eddie and his team have built a remarkable conference that now includes a great Youth Institute, providing an opportunity for high school students to develop leadership skills around issues of anti-racism and equity.
WPC is held in the Spring, and the upcoming conference (WPC7) will be focused on youth. I suggest this conference for beginners as well as seasoned vets. You can learn more about the White Privilege Conference at: www.whiteprivilegeconference.com
A Drum-Less Beat in My Heart by Weruche
Weruche is an old friend and a cousin of my friend Millie (my God-daughter Mimi's Mom in Nigeria). She is now living in Connecticut and doing well. She's a mom and an author. Check out her first book, A Drum-Less Beat in My Heart. It is a collection personal and heartfelt poems that she dedicated to her children, Rae and Guy.
Weruche is also an activist. She spends time counseling survivors of domestic abuse and is truly dedicated to addressing issues of abuse and persecution.
You can buy A Drum-Less Beat at Amazon.
Black Power on Campus by Dr. Joy Ann Williamson
Dr. Joy Ann Williamson is an Assistant Professor of Education at Stanford University. Black Power on Campus: The University of Illinois, 1965-75 is her first book.
Black Power on Campus provides insight into Black student activism at white institutions of higher education through a case study of the University of Illinois.
Joy actually produced a book worth reading from her dissertation research, I cannot say the same for my dissertation which sits on my dusty shelf. I recommend this book to anyone interested in higher education, civil rights, and/or student activism.
You can purchase Black Power on Campus through the University of Illinois Press.
