Bronx Book Fair--Participating Panelist

First off....
Feliz el dia de mayo/Happy May Day!!!
Feliz el cinco de mayo/ Happy 5th of May!!!

Now that I have those cultural celebrations out of the way...

Join me as I participate in this year's Bronx Book Fair!  BBF runs from May 7-8, 2016, and will be held at the Bronx Library Center.  I will be participating on the second day of the BBF, appearing on a panel with esteemed poets Yesenia Montilla, and Charlie Vazquez.  The panel is titled "Getting Published: How To Get Your Works In Reader's Hands".  I'm quite excited to be participating on the panel, and being part of the Bronx Book Fair.

Mark your calendars!  Please help to spread the word, and hope to see some of my cyber fans there!

Bronx Book Fair
May 7-8, 2016
(Panel May 8th)
Bronx Library Center
310 East Kingsbridge Road
Bronx, NY

D train to Fordham Road; walk to Kingsbridge Rd.

FREE and open to the public!!!

www.bronxbookfair.com

"AfroLatinos: The Untaught Story" film screening 7-16-2015

I was lucky and honored to have been able to attend a film screening for the documentary film/series "AfroLatinos: The Untaught Story", screened at Subrosa in the West Village.  I had been aware of the film/series since around 2007-08, when I was writing for an an online e-magazine at the time.  They were promoting the film for the producers (Alicia Anabel Santos, and Renzo Devia), and I just knew that I had to come out and support them.  I've been lucky enough to establish a friendship with the producers/directors of the film since that time.

They had had an earlier screening for the film as part of this year's Afro Latino Festival NYC, but I was unfortunately unable to attend that particular screening.  I was able to get tickets for this particular screening, and attended with one of my closest friends, Robert Oriyama'at.  I was also lucky enough to see a few other friends attending the screening as well, and finally get the chance to meet a few people in person.

The film is WONDERFUL!!!  It was originally supposed to encompass 7 hours of footage, each hour to be it's own individual episode in the series; but even in it's currently condensed form of 90 minutes, it still made an impact.  They only screened an hour of it, a teaser if you will, and it left us wanting more.  The entire crowd was thoroughly satisfied, and really appreciative of the film.

It was especially wonderful for me, having always been a strong supporter of the project, ever since I found out about it.  I was lucky enough to have met Alicia three years ago at the first Afro Latino Festival NYC.  Last night was the first time that I got to meet Renzo in person, and it was well worth it.  It's great to be able to connect with people that you respect, admire, and support.  The plan now, is for the producers to take the film on the road, and do a college tour, screening the film on various campuses.  After that, the plan is to take the film abroad to Latin America, and hopefully have it air on television.  

If the film comes to a campus near you, PLEASE go out and see it!  It is very informative, and thoroughly enlightening and entertaining.  Please support the producers and the film.  They are telling OUR stories from OUR perspective, giving us a voice.

Poetics of Reparations--Featuring Monica Carrillo

Poetry, film screening, and music
Featuring the work(s) of Monica Carrillo aka "Oru":
The screening of her film "Afroperuanos", as well as the performance of her poetry.
Music played by Martin Fuks

Sunday, September 7th
5pm to 7pm

187 Prospect Place
Brooklyn, NY
$5 suggested donation

RSVP today!!!
 http://www.martinfuks.com/rsvpmaker/poetics-of-reparation/

NYIHA Media Border Film Series

Representing for NYIHA Media!!!
 Film screenings, & Q&A

Saturday, January 18th
2pm to 4:30pm
Queen, NY (Corona)

AFTERMATH: The Consortium of Afro Latino Communities Fall 2013 (Part I)

Part I of the Fall Edition of The Consortium of Afro Latino Communities was held last night, September 27th.  I was able to get there about 45 minutes early, helping to set up our display table, and putting up a few flyers outside of the room where we were holding the event.  I was lucky enough that one of my close comrades from Richmond was able to make his way to Baltimore for the event.

I am happy to say that I am pleasantly please with the turnout for the event.  Other than dealing with some technical difficulties regarding the projection system, the Film Screening went quite well!  We were able to screen the following films:

AfroLatinos: The Untaught Story (trailer)
La Toma (documentary short; subtitled) [Colombia]
Sons of Benkos (documentary; subtitled) [Colombia]
The Hands of God (documentary; subtitled) [Peru]
When The Spirits Dance Mambo (feature-length documentary; subtitled)  [Cuba]**
 **unscreened/technical difficulties**

We had a pretty nice turnout; about 30 people in total.  We had a short Q&A session after the screening of each film.  The audience REALLY were impressed with the films, and seeing the connection between Afro Latinos, and their brothers throughout the diaspora, especially here in the United States.  Many were shocked to see and hear the information provided in these films.  I think that the films that had the most profound impact on the audience were "La Toma", and "The Hands of God".

I was happy with the turnout, considering that people came in waves.  I was a little disappointed that certain people who had assured me that they were going to come through, didn't show up.  Considering that the event was held on a Friday night, starting at 6pm, I'm kinda giving these people some leeway.  Of course, you have A LOT of people out in these parts that like to talk, but never come out and support any events that go on. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't much of a Latino  presence audience-wise, considering that we promoted our event to the Latino community via street teaming, and emailing various Latino media sources in the city.  Hopefully it was a time management issue, and they'll be present for Part II in the next two weeks.  But I digress....

Looking forward to Part II on October 12th.  That will be our Panel Discussion & Book Signing event.  Hope to see you all there!!! 

The Consortium of Afro Latino Communities: Fall Edition 2013

The Universal Negro Improvement Association & African Communities League, in association with the BCCC History Club

Presents......

The Consortium of Afro Latino Communities
Film Screening, Panel Discussion, & Book Signing

This expansive and inclusive Latino Heritage Month two-day event will consist of documentary film screenings, a panel discussion with Afro Latino activists, authors, and artists, and a book signing featuring works by Afro Latino authors.

The Consortium was created to highlight, expose, and promote the African roots and heritage of Latino people.  Giving a voice to the voiceless, BY the voiceless themselves, you get to see and hear their stories in their own words.  It is also meant as a way to help to build bridges with their diasporic cousins, and move Afro Latinos closer to the rest of the African Diaspora.

The Consortium of FREE, and open to the public.  It is easily accessible by public transportation.

  

Itinerary--The Consortium of Afro Latino Communities

THE CONSORTIUM OF AFRO LATINO COMMUNITIES
Film Screenings, Panel Discussion, & Book Signings
Saturday, October 20, 2012
from 12pm t0 5pm
Baltimore, Maryland

Program Itinerary
Film Screenings:
"Afro Latinos: The Untaught Story"- film trailer
"We of the Saya"- film trailer
"Memoirs of a Black Latina" - documentary short; Q & A with director Crystal S. Roman
"La Toma"- documentary short
"When the Spirits Dance Mambo" -documentary feature

Intermission: 15-20mins.

Panel Discussion:
"Crossing Borders, Breaking Barriers, & Building Bridges"
Panelists:
Christopher Rodriguez--Author/activist; "Latino Manifesto"
Kevin Alberto Sabio--Author/activist; "Raise Your Brown Black Fist"
Crystal Shaniece Roman--Actress/producer/media activist; Black Latina Movement
Robert Oriya'ma'at--Author/activist/poet; "Heaven O Hell: The Black Omen"

Book Signing
Christopher Rodriguez
Kevin Alberto Sabio
Robert Oriya'ma'at

Closing


FREE ADMISSION!!!!  OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!!!

EVENT ---The Consortium of Afro Latino Communities

 

MARK YOUR CALENDERS!!!!!!

The Universal Negro Improvement Association, in association with the Social Work Student Organization presents....

The Consortium of Afro Latino Communities

 Film Screenings, Panel Discussion, & Book Signings

Presented will be a day of documentary trailer and film screenings, a panel discussion with participating filmmakers and authors, and a book signing with participating authors.  An extended Latino Heritage Month event, the Consortium will expose and enlighten all in attendance to the little known 'third root' of Latino culture, and become aware of Afro Latino issues and affairs.  A day of enlightenment and bridge building, the event is FREE to the public.

 

 accessible by public transportation:

Baltimore subway Metro to West Cold Spring Lane station; transfer to #33 bus to Moravia Rd.

#3 bus to East Cold Spring Lane; transfer to #33 bus heading to Moravia Rd., or walk down to Morgan's campus.

#19 bus to Moravia Road; transfer to #33 bus heading to Rogers Ave Station .

#33 bus heading either east or west, stops directly at Morgan State University's campus

Raise Your Brown Black Fist....the documentary???

Surprisingly, this idea has been floating around my head as of late for a while.

It was actually something in the back of my mind to do.  I hadn't even really given it much thought.  it wasn't until I went home to New York to do my (homecoming) book signing.  One of my dear friends (SHOUT OUT TO VALERIE!!!) had attended my event, and we briefly talk about it, as far as my next move was concerned.  You see, we had volunteered together for one of the film festivals that I was a part of (African American Women In Cinema).  She was the volunteer coordinator, and I was one of their most staunchest volunteers.  We met back in '03, and we've stayed in contact ever since.

Once she mentioned turning my book into a documentary, a light bulb went off.  Hey...maybe there is something to this idea after all!  When I first conceived it, I though that it I was being a bit egotistical and arrogant; it amounted to nothing more than shameless self promotion, at least to me.  Then again, this is an issue that has been gaining a lot of momentum and recognition in recent years.  Not to mention, it's not like all of us who call ourselves Afro Latino activists are really unified in our ideology, or plans of action.  As it is, I have my own issues with some of those who claim/call themselves Afro Latino activists/advocates.

This is also something that would take me back to my video/film production roots.  There are actually more funding choices out there, and/or ways to raise those funds (Kickstarter, IndieGogo, for instance).  Plus, I have equipment of my own that I can use, and just get my hands on the additional equipment that I need to complete the project.

So I will keep you all updated on this particular idea.  I need to flesh out the treatment, and then consider my plan of action from there.  I also need to consider if I'm going to use any outside partners in this production.  There is a lot that I have to think about, and consider.

Stay tuned.....!

AfroLatinos: The Untaught Story

Representing for my peoples at Creador pictures!!!  It's finally about to arrive!!!  The documentary series "AfroLatinos: The Untaught Story"  is about to become a reality!  I have been blessed to know the creators of this documentary series (albeit mostly online), and will do everything that I can to help promote their work.  Please help to support this film!!!!