Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round.....

Two distinct things stuck out for me yesterday as the Supreme Court took up the first of 2 days dealing with Marriage Equality. Ine was a speech given by my Pastor Bishop Yvette Flunder at the Pro Marriage Equality Rally in Washington DC where she appered with her Spouse of 29 years Shirley Miller. I love both of these women very dearly and am thankful they are in my life



The other thing that I noticed was some of the questioning of the Justices about the reasons for Same Gender Loving couples not to marry. In an exchange about procreation I loved what Justice Elana Kagan had to say



Another question from Justice Sonia Sotomayor



No matter the outcome of these 2 Days of testimony the fight for Social Justice for all people will continue.....

Rally With NBJC

NBJC is proud to be a partner of United For Marriage, a diverse coalition of LGBT and allied groups, to help demonstrate the broad support for marriage equality across the nation.

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on two historic cases for marriage equality that could change the trajectory of the movement for LGBT equality. Hollingsworth v. Perry, the challenge to California's Proposition 8, will be argued Tuesday, March 26. The case challenging the Defense of Marriage Act, United States v. Windsor, is scheduled Wednesday, March 27. Events are now organized in D.C. and in all 50 states.



The NBJC team and volunteers will join a coalition of supporters of marriage equality outside the Supreme Court on the both days of the hearings: Tuesday and Wednesday, March 26 and 27, at 8:30 a.m. in Washington, D.C. at 1 First St. NE in Washington, D.C. NBJC Executive Director and CEO, Sharon Lettman-Hicks, will be addressing attendees at the Wednesday, March 27 rally.

Wear RED to show your solidarity!

Together we will stand up for our love and show the nation that all Americans deserve to be treated fairly and equally under the law - no matter who they love. Spread the Word with the hashtag #UnitedforMarriage.



Additional Information
The nearest metro station is Union Station for the Red Line and Capitol South for the Blue and Orange lines. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring anything you'd need to be outside.

Sacred Snapshots 2013

A Sampler for the Spirit…
www.sacredsnapshots.org

We’ll come right out and say it: religion has a lot to answer for. Doesn’t matter which religion it is—so often, religion feels rigid, confining, narrow-minded, the exact opposite of what it’s meant to stand for. Religion has been used to justify war, oppression, exclusivity, and hatred.

But what if it were different? What if religion were about expansiveness, the unfolding of the heart, the deepening of the spirit? What if religion could open up a space for holiness instead of shutting it down?

What if you had the chance to explore some of the ways that people have reached for that sense of beauty and awe throughout the centuries? What if you could explore the spiritual practices of the major religions without the fear of evangelism, pressure, or bad jell-o molds?

We invite you to join us for Sacred Snapshots, on April 20, 2013, at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley. Sacred Snapshots is a day-long event celebrating spiritual practices from a range of religions and traditions.

Each hour you can choose from an array of experiential sessions and brain-bending lectures on divinity in its many forms, taught by progressive leaders, thinkers, and practitioners of various faiths.

In one day, you can try anything from drumming, to meditation, to Taize, to sacred dance. Try poetry as a spiritual practice, sing gospel or chant mantras, walk a labyrinth. Write an inventory. Learn about 12-step spirituality, experience yoga.

Also, each hour, we’ll hold a worship or ritual from a different tradition.

Because, as Rumi says, there are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground. Come and find the way that works for you.

African American Genealogical Society Of Northern California Black History Month Events....

Here are a couple of FREE EVENTS being held by the African American Genealogical Society of Northern California in conjunction with Black History Month. Be sure to visit their website for information other events, classes, and seminars www.aagsnc.org

02/10/13 - AAGSNC - Black Family History Day

The African American Genealogical Society of Northern California(AAGSNC)
and the Oakland Family Search Library Present

BLACK FAMILY HISTORY DAY 2013
Celebrate Black History Month by creating a family tree of your own!

Obtain the skills needed to search for your ancestors
Learn about the free tools that are available online
Receive one-on-one assistance for free
Bring a family member to share the experience
Make it possible for future generations to know where they came from
Event Information
Sunday, February 10, 2013
1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Free and Open to the Public

Oakland Family Search Library
4766 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland, CA 94602


For more information
please call 877-884-2843

Ongoing - African American Research Genealogy Workshop

African American Research (Genealogy) Workshop

Description: Encountering challenges overcoming those brick walls while conducting your family's African American genealogical research? Unsure of which research strategies and techniques can assist you in locating your ancestors? Are you unable to conduct your research beyond the magical year of 1870, (the first year African Americans were comprehensively enumerated in the U.S. Census)? If you said yes to any of these questions, then the African American Research Workshop (AARW) may be the remedy to your genealogical challenges!

The workshop is scheduled the fourth Wednesday of each month. Instruction takes place during convenient evening hours; 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Individual assistance is provided from 8:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

Fee: FREE - No Charge (all are welcome)

Materials:

3-ring binder (continuing students, binders should contain all previously distributed hand-outs)
NO. 2 pencil(s) - (As a courtesy ink pens are not permitted in the classroom)
USB flash drive
How to register: N/A. Pre-registration not required.

Date and Time: Ongoing, fourth Wednesday of the month, 6:00pm to 8:00pm. 2013 Classes: January 23, February 27, March 27, April 24, May 22, September 25, October 23

Location: Oakland Family History Center, 4766 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland, CA 94602, (510) 531-3905

02/09/13 - AAGSNC - Mini Black Family History Days

The African American Genealogical Society of Northern California(AAGSNC)
and the San Francisco African American Historical and Cultural Society Present

MINI BLACK FAMILY HISTORY DAY 2013

Celebrate Black History Month by creating a family tree of your own!



Obtain the skills needed to search for your ancestors
Learn about the free tools that are available online
Receive one-on-one assistance for free
Bring a family member to share the experience
Make it possible for future generations to know where they came from

Saturday, February 9, 2013 - 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.

San Francisco African American Historical and Cultural Society
760 Fulton Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Free and Open to the Public
No registration required to attend.

For more information, please call 877-884-2843

MoAD Complimentary Admission for The Kinsey Collection

Complimentary Admission-Opening Reception: The Kinsey Collection at MoAD [Museum of African Diaspora] San Francisco, Ca

Friday Feb 8, 2013

Cedric Brown Can Put It Down!!!

One of the first events I was asked to be a part of when I moved to the Bay Area was in conjunction with the National Queer Arts Festival it was called, “Is Gay Male Culture Dead?” I was quite nervous because other than a few open-mics this was to be my debut in my new hometown area. Cedric Brown was one of the featured guests for this event. We had communicated on-line as part of B/Glam which he'd co-founded with Marvin K. White but this would be our first time meeting in person.

That night after seeing him perform I began to refer to him as Cedric “Put It Down” Brown. The evening was also significant because not only would it be a beginning for me and commencement of a new friendship with Cedric, it would be the last time I performed with my former duo partner Regi Perry who passed away about a year later.

From the start Cedric has been a beautifully encouraging brother with an easy smile, witty conversation, someone who can make you laugh in an instant, and a love of the arts that I truly admire. Over time we'd run into each other at different events Alvin Ailey Dance Company, Rachelle Farrell, and keep in touch electronically as well. I've always felt any time our paths cross I'm guaranteed to have a great experience.

Earlier this year he published his book, “Eyes of Water & Stone” and I was recently able to get my hands on a copy. Even though I know him personally and through his work I am still amazed at the depth of his talent. This book weaves a wonderful story that is based on true events, but also plunges you into the best place that reading should. A place where you are transported by the author into feeling what the characters feel and longing to know what happens next. Fueled by love, hope, history, culture, desire, doubt, and many other themes “Eyes of Water & Stone” is an easy read but by no means is it simple.

Cedric Brown has indeed once again PUT IT DOWN!! and you owe it to yourself to purchase this book. I promise you, you won't be disappointed.....

It is available at www.blurb.com and you can find his on-line archives at http://oaktownbrown.wordpress.com/

CEDRIC BROWN makes social commentary through artistic expression as a writer, visual art producer, director, and aficionado of the African Diaspora. He is also a funder, activist, spouse, and uncle. Cedric is originally from North Carolina and lives in Oakland, California.

Support Mother Of Peace Orphange-Mutoko, Zimbabwe

Mother of Peace Community (MOPC) Zimbabwe is an orphanage providing 120 – 150 children aged between 0 and 18 years with a place they can call home. It was founded in 1994 in response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Zimbabwe which has left many children orphaned.

MOP Children need your support. For just $1 a day you can sponsor an orphan. 126 children at MOP of all ages need food, shelter and clothing. Will you help make a difference and share $1 a day?