Archive | August 2015

WWN™ Inspired Series: Harry Belafonte on the Power of the Arts, Activism & Mentorship

“Had it not been for Paul Robeson, Dr Dubois, who gave us keen instruction, who put their lives on the line, who stood strong in the midst of tremendous opposition, we would not have been the beneficiary of what would be the guiding factors of our lives.

In that journey, I dare say that I found my centre as a human being, I found my centre and I found purpose for how I was to use my life. And the greatest example for me was the man who chose to mentor me; who found me very early in life and began to give me instruction that made me feel a part of the world in which he lived and by his intellect, strength and courage set my course and that was Paul Robeson.

I was a high school dropout (and that’s not an uncommon story in our communities) but I was instilled with a strong sense of loss at not getting a degree, I was not able to find a way to articulate my feelings and thoughts and ideas.”

~Harry Belafonte, Human Rights Activist & Artist

Click Here to Read More

Postcards From Africa #17. Remembering And Celebrating International Artist & Activist Paul Robeson

Sometimes, you come across a post or video on social media and you feel you simply have to share it with everyone you know! A huge thank you to Ufulu Bomani and J Adam Merriwoodweatherson, for sharing this video on Facebook. I’d suggest you check out their pages, they share very insightful posts. I think at some level, this video somehow raises and expands our collective consciousness. Enjoy 🙂

Click Here to Read More

WWN™ Reflections: Redefining Beauty in Today’s ‘Photo-Shopped’ World!

When it comes down to it, no amount of make-up and exercise can mask an ugly character. Perhaps it’s time for us to revisit/redefine our notions of beauty.

Jennifer Livingston, a news anchor with CBS WKBT, stood up for herself and by extension, for all women who have been ridiculed, maligned, hurt, bullied because they did not fit into stereotypical images of beauty.

On behalf of all of us at WWN, I salute her courage and confidence. Enough of the unhealthy stereotypes about beauty, by the media, fashion industry and society in general. To Jennifer, we give a well-deserved salute: You go girl!!

Click Here to Read More