Kuumba Njia TV: The sequel

A while back I had written about an idea that I had for a black-owned digital television channel, calling it Kuumba Njia TV ("The Creative Way", or "The Way of Creativity" television edu-tainment).  I had outlined a treatment for it, and had sent out a few feelers to those that I know and trust in the media field.  I had gotten back a good bit of positive feedback.  I would like to come back to this topic, and follow up on it a bit.

Having our own channel would open up a lot of doors for us that have previously been closed before.  For actors, it would give them the opportunity to have steady work, and be able to consistently practice their craft to a mass audience.  They would be able to gain name recognition, and build up their acting resume'.  They can polish their craft, and increase their skills, having more of a choice as far as projects are concerned.  Let's face it; you'll be able to see all shades of Black faces morning, noon, and night.

For producers, the potential is limitless.  In my personal opinion, it would be the best way for us to explore entry in to genres that we are completely underrepresented in, or don't have much of a presence in at all.  For once, we'd be able to have a Drama series stay on the air for more than a handful of episodes, before getting yanked off the air.  I would also like to see us have a presence in an Animated series.  I know plenty of writers that have great ideas for an animated series, myself included.  Also...why can't we have a science fiction series from our perspective on the air?  Who's to say that we don't/won't exist in the future?  Comedies are good...Reality TV I can do without.  And having a documentary series on the air a la PBS...?  Need I say more?

For programmers, this can also be new and uncharted territory for them as well.  We can be as diverse as we want to with our programming, airing shows from other countries within the Diaspora.  We could also screen movies from other countries within the diaspora.  One suggestion that I had made for acquisitions was to send a representative/Acquisitions Officer/Media Buyer to some of these Black film festivals to scour for talent.  If not the festival winners, then maybe a filmmaker whose project moved something within you.  Also, I would like to see them bring back certain shows that had been successful on other networks at one time.   I remember watching a show on BET (back when it was still Black-owned) call "Screen Scene", which was a magazine show about brothers and sisters in the film and television industry, and the projects that they were working on.  "Teen Summit" was also a great show that deserves a rebirth, and I have to admit that I used to love watching "BET Tonight with Tavis Smiley".  Ed Gordon did a masterful job after Tavis was fired, especially with the other flubs that they had hosting it before he finally took over.  Shows like these need to be rebirthed, and correctly emulated.

This untapped potential still exists.  The Black media is shrinking more and more everyday.  We need to build up our own resources, and use them to the maximum of their capabilities.  We need a strong foundation to work on, and continue to build on.  A media outlet like this can be a HUGE stepping stone.  It is a greater way to create greater cohesion with our brothers and sisters within the diaspora.  It is a great way to expose ourselves to each other, and give us a voice to communicate with one another.  With the dearth of documentarians out there, writers, actors, budding producers, filmmakers, and other visionaries....there is NO WAY that we can fail.

"Up you mighty race...you can accomplish what you WILL"
--   Marcus Mosiah Garvey

LatinoFest 2012

So, this past weekend was LatinoFest here in Baltimore, MD.  It's the largest Latino event here in Baltimore, if not the state, celebrating it's 32nd annual festival.  I decided to go at the last minute; I actually had plans to go to another event out of town that same weekend, but those plans got scrapped (lack of money, no ride, etc.).

So....I threw on my colors, locked my door, and off I went.  Took the local Metro to John Hopkins Hospital, and then walked the rest of the way to Patterson Park.

Considering that it was my first time going to the park...it was a long walk.
...In the heat.
...and I wasn't very hydrated, or well fed before I left out.
Not very smart of me.

Anyway....

I made it to Patterson Park, paid my $5 entry fee, and started to make my rounds.  I had decided not to bring my books with me, since I didn't have a table at the festival, and I wasn't carrying much cash on me (I had a dollar left after I paid to get in).  The park is actually quite spacious, reminding me of some of the parks back home in NYC.

I must admit, I really had a good time.  It was quite fun; I just wish that I would have gone with a friend or two.  This was the first time that I had gone to a Latino event, living here in the South, and NOT have to feel on guard.  I actually felt love at the festival.  I actually had a few fellow Hondurans shout me out, and shake my hand.  Not all of them were Garifuna, but they gave me respect.  I even had a photographer take a picture of me.  =)

One thing that did surprise me...you had a good number of Puerto Ricans at the festival.  I didn't even know that they were that thick out here in Baltimore.  Most of the time, when discussing the Latino community out here in B'more, they always talk about Mexicanos.  I didn't even know that they had a large amount of Boricuas in B'more.  You learn something new every day....

One criticism (or should I say critique?) that I have of the festival, that I have with all Latino festivals; the lack of representation of our African roots.  Our African heritage always gets left out.  If they do have some sort of representation of our Africano roots, it's like ONE blasted token black act (usually a dance troupe, or a Capoeira school demonstrating their style).  They did have El Canario, Jose Alberto, performing at LatinoFest, but still, they needed more than just that (imho).  Then again, maybe he was fulfilling that 'token black act' role I was just talking about....

But...that's just my opinion....

All in all, I did enjoy the festival.  I got to chat with my boy Sam, who is a member of the organization that created LatinoFest; EBLO....Education Based Latino Outreach.  I got to see some foine looking ladies all day (and yes....I meant to spell the word that way!!!).  Got to see some other people that I know as well (shout out to Miguel and Angelo).  Even got to buy a Honduran soccer jersey and necklace (yes, my cheap ass broke down, and went to an onsite ATM).

Looking forward to their Baltimore County version of LatinoFest.  Hope to see you there!

Odunde Festival 2012

I was lucky to be able to attend the Odunde Festival in Philadelphia this year.  A local organization here in Baltimore set up a bus trip, and I was able to purchase a ticket, and attend the bus ride.  This was my first time being able to attend the Odunde Festival, so I was actually a bit excited.  The ride up was entertaining enough; we watched two documentaries about the black hair care industry, one independently done by a brother named Aron Ranan called "Black Hair", and Chris Rock's so-so (imho) documentary called "Good Hair".  It was very interesting to see which perspective both men took in their respective films.....

It was a nice, bright, sunshiny day.  It was on the warm side, but not bad at all for June.  The people that I went on the trip with made it seem as is it was very hot and humid; it wasn't.  Note to self: next time I go on a trip like this, either go by myself, or with some people in my age group.  The trip wasn't bad by any means; not at all, and I did have a good time.  The bus trip was mostly older people, and they tended to get a bit fussy, and overheated.

Odunde was nice, if a bit compact.  It was a bit hard to move around, and see all of the different vendors.  People acted as if they didn't know how to walk around, or properly stop by a vendor without clogging up the whole walk space.  It made it slightly irritating to have to stop every third step or so because people kept stopping at different tables, talking to the vendors.  At the same time, it was kinda sad; you saw the effects of gentrification and how it was affecting the neighborhood.  Some even wondered aloud if Odunde would even continue to be held at it's current location.

The organization that I went with had a table with them, so as to hand out some of their literature, and other information that they had.  I was a bit dismayed, considering the fact that they had placed their table on one of the side streets, where there was very little foot traffic.  It also irritated me that they kept moving the table to stay out of the sun.  Like I had said, it was not THAT hot that day.  And since when are black people afraid of a little sun?!?!  You'd think these people were vampires or some other nocturnal creature, the way they were acting! All dressed up in African attire, yet you're running from the sun....

smdh...

All in all, it was a positive experience, and I was even able to sell a few copies of my books.  I hope that I can return next year, hopefully as a vendor this time (if I can afford their vending fees).  I think that it is good to be able to experience as many cultural festivals as possible, especially one that you haven't been to before.  I'm hoping that I can attend a few more festivals before the summer is out.  Here's to good fortune.

To Acquire Copies of My Books.....

This is a question that I am consistently asked all of the time, from friends, family, and those newly exposed to my work.  Other than purchasing the books directly from me personally, whether at a self-created book signing, or an event that I just happen to be vending at, here are a number of other ways that you can gain access to my books:

PURCHASE THEM ONLINE

If you have computer access, the books can be purchased online.  You can order them directly from the publishers of my books (Authorhouse for Book #1, Outskirts Press for Book #2) by going to their respective websites, and ordering them from their own virtual bookstore.

ALSO...my books are listed on Amazon.com, and also on Barnes & Nobles website.  There are also various online bookstores that carry both titles.

PURCHASE THEM @ YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE

 At this point, the only place that physically stocks my books is a bookstore in Baltimore called Wisdom Book Center, located at 5116 Liberty Heights Avenue.  I am still working on getting more bookstores, specifically independent bookstores, to carry my books.   


You can also get your local bookstore to order copies of my book for you.  I would prefer that you go to your local Black-owned bookstore to order copies of my book, but considering the rash of Black-owned bookstores that have been closing down in the last decade plus, if you have to buy my book from a mainstream bookstore, then by all means, go ahead and do so.

You can order copies by providing the store clerk my name, and the title of my book(s), and also providing them with the ISBN number of my books:

978-1-4490-6987-2  (Book #1, softcover)
978-1-4490-6988-9 (Book #1, hardcover)
978-1-4327-8354-9 (Book #2, softcover)

ORDER THE E-BOOK VERSION

At this point, only my first book is in the ebook format.  I am working on upgrading my second book to include an ebook version.


So...these are the available options for those of you that are interested in buying a copy of my books.  I hope that this helps you as far as gaining access to copies of my works.  Please help to support your independent literary artists!!!!

Raise Your Brown Black Fist: The Radio Interview

It's great to have comrades that respect you, and always try to look out for you.

I was out with my mentor, as he was invited to one of the local radio stations to help promote an annual tour that he helps to organize, and I was lucky enough to be with him at the station.  He knew the brother hosting the show (having been longtime comrades themselves), and was able to get on the air to help promote the tour that they're giving (Soul School Institute's annual Malcolm X Tour).  After he was done with his portion of the show, we gathered our belongings, and were ready to leave.

That's when he mentioned to the host, "Oh, by the way...this is Bro. Kevin.  He's a member of my organization, and a published author."

I SO love my mentor!  =)

On cue, I went right into my book bag, and whipped out a copy of both of my books.  I gave them to Bro. Ellsworth (the host), gave him a little background about my books' subject matter, and told him that I would love to be on his show sometime to talk about them.

"Really?  How about next Sunday...?"

??????????

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Needless to say, I was very shocked...and I also accepted the offer.  =)

Sunday, May 6, 2012
 WOLB Radio, 1010AM
Starting 2pm.

The show will also be streaming live, so if you are NOT from the Baltimore area, you can STILL catch the show.  I hope that you have good internet service.  you can catch the show on the web at www.wolbbaltimore.com.

Thank you SO much Bro. Ellsworth.  =D

WISH ME LUCK!!!!!

KEEP THE FIST RAISED!!!!!! 

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.....!

Cinematically Speaking.....

My first love is film and television.  That was my goal in the beginning as a writer; to write, produce, and direct my own productions.  I wanted to be like the Glen Larsons, and the Aaron Spellings, Donald Bellisarios, Stephen J. Cannells, and other super producers of the world.  Of course, I wanted to represent for our people, and have our voices be heard.  I wanted to do both; television and film.  You could seemlessly transfer from one field/genre to the other; spinning off a television show into a movie franchise, or vice versa.  To this day, I still have a slew of scripts that I've written that I want to eventually produce.  My entry into authorship is just a side route to get to where I really want to get to.

I had written an entry about forming an independent digital channel.  This is one of many ways for us to get our voices heard, and our stories seen.  Since we're not at that level yet, the next best thing that can be done is to support independent Black film festivals.  You don't know HOW many times I've heard people complain about the state of Black films, and bemoan the atrocities that hit the silver screen.  I always end up asking the question, "Well, do you ever support any Black Film Festivals?", and hear nothing but crickets after I pose that question.

I've been lucky enough to volunteer for a few film festivals in my time, mostly in New York.  It has recently come to my attention that a few of those film festival organizations have combined forces, and have created a distribution network called the African American Film Festival Releasing Movement, or AFFRM for short.  They help for independently produced (Black)films to receive distribution with limited releases in local theaters in major cities.  They also help these films to be distributed through dvd releases.  At this time, they are releasing films quarterly throughout the year (about four times a year), one film for each quarter.  The films that they have currently released are very diverse in story and plot.

It fills me with hope when we finally decide to take control of our destiny, and create our own institutions to benefit us.  This is something that we need to do more of, and also to go out and support these institutions so that they may remain strong and vital.  If you get the opportunity, PLEASE go to their website and support, not only these films, but also this organization.

www.affrm.com