FANS AND LOVERS OF PRINCE PLEASE SAVE THIS DATE! Friday night, June 7, BK Nation and The Freedom Party invite U to The First Annual Tribute To The Music of PRINCE. @ Le Poisson Rouge, NEW YORK CITY. Featuring music by DJs Herbert Holler @herbertholler DJ Cosi @djcosi DJ Marc Smooth @djmarcsmooth PLUS live music by The Soulfolk Experience @SoulfolkExp with special guest vocalist. More details coming.

VIDEO: documentary on the life of Malcolm X: http://tinyurl.com/aod7knu

First time I ever read ”The Autobiography of Malcolm X,” the first time I ever even heard of Malcolm, I was 18-years-old and a first-year college student there at Rutgers University in New Jersey only because of a financial aid package. I was told I was one of the ”disadvantaged” students and we were often treated like not much was expected from us by some at the school. No matter, I was determined to make my way and it was an upperclass student, I believe it was Glenn Arnold, who first mentioned Malcolm X’s name to myself and other younger students, if I remember correctly. I recall seeing an album of one of Malcolm’s speeches called ”Message To The Grassroots.” I listened to it and was blown away by this man’s voice, his genius and his humor in telling it like it is. Then I picked up his autobiography and could not put it down. I cried very hard when I finished the book. It affected me that much. I had no idea a man, a Black man, a Black man like Malcolm, could possibly have lived and walked on this Earth. The book literally changed my life, my vision, opened up my brain, made me want to learn more about America, about Black America, about this world, about myself. No book I had ever read had ever made me feel that alive, that free, that empowered. In that one book I, a boy without a father or a father figure in my life the first 18 years of my life, had finally found a role model after so many years of searching. I found my life purpose of giving to and helping others. I found the power of truth, raw honesty, and fearlessness even when those around you might be afraid. I found what my friend Radcliffe Bailey calls ”manhood from different angles,” as Malcolm’s story showed what it was to be a self-made man, on your own terms, against all odds, and in spite of great pain, trauma, and suffering, which he experienced. I found the importance of education and self-education as Malcolm re-invented himself with reading book after book while in prison for 7 long years. And I found the power of personal transformation in the midst of chaos and confusion all around you, how important it always is to follow your own path, even if you must sometimes do it alone. That is why Malcolm X matters to me, why he is my hero, why I honor him on his birthday every May 19th.

Getting ready to be interviewed twice today, one for Vibe magazine’s 20th anniversary video, and other for book on Obama and hiphop.

20 Best Hip Hop songs About Moms, compiled by David Astramskas: http://ballislife.com/20-best-hip-hop-songs-about-moms/

”Son2Mother,” a poem by Kevin Powell: http://tinyurl.com/y9njdw5 Happy Mother’s Day

After Recent Deaths, Health is New Priority in Rap: http://blackamericaweb.com/123809/after-recent-deaths-health-is-new-priority-in-rap/

#Scandal @ScandalABC fans, read @kerrywashington cover story by @kevin_powell in @EbonyMag ONLINE NOW: http://tinyurl.com/d2qr7g4

SUMMER INTERNSHIPS WITH KEVIN POWELL/BK NATION FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS IN NEW YORK CITY: In the areas of media/multimedia, music/arts/culture/entertainment, politics/community/civic engagement, health and wellness, literature/writing, event production, and education. Internships begin Monday, June 3 and conclude Friday, August 2. No pay but you will receive college credit with proper paperwork from your school. Must have good communication skills (both spoken and written), know how to research and organize, must possess serious leadership qualities and ability to learn quickly, and must be able to do 15-20 hours minimally each week. For an application please email gee@bknation.org. About Kevin Powell: http://www.kevinpowell.net/about.php

#HandsOffAssata

Charles Ramsey: INCREDIBLY IGNORANT for people to dis Charles Ramsey for the way he speaks, looks, etc. How many folks would have helped that woman the way he did (and the other women and the little girl, too), and then go on to say he is not a hero and wants nothing for what he did? Pretty pathetic state of affairs when people allow their class and race hatreds (which is actually them really hating themselves because they ain’t even close to being as free as Mr. Ramsey) to come out even when someone does good. Mr. Ramsey speaks the language of where he is from, which I see as beautiful poetry and great storytelling. The tragedy are the folks who cannot see that. Where do you all think the language and music we call spirituals, the blues, jazz, rock and roll, soul, reggae, dub poetry, and hiphop came from? From people just like Charles Ramsey with the unique gifts to be very comfortable in their own skins.
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I’m riding in 2day’s 5 borough bike ride in NY to support a great charity, The Innocence Project. Need 8 more $25 donors and I will have raised $2500. Here is how you can help: http://t.co/W8df73Fijt

SATURDAY AFTERNOON IN QUEENS, NEW YORK! A very special public forum on FATHERHOOD: http://t.co/UbIESidBn2