”Talent is God-given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.”—JOHN WOODEN

Listening to J. Period’s mixed cd ”The Best of Lauryn Hill”: http://www.jperiod.com/products/3/

The Notorious B.I.G., happy 40th birthday.

TODAY IN BROOKLYN, Kevin Powell is hosting ”Question Bridge: Black Males Blueprint Roundtable.”
1 p.m. at the Brooklyn Museum. Admission is FREE. If you cannot make it, there will be a livestream HERE: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/brooklyn-museum1

”Without education, you are not going anywhere in this world.”—MALCOLM X

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MALCOLM X. Here is Malcolm in a classic roundtable discussion pulling no intellectual punches: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyyFGOAwTYM

THIS SATURDAY IN BROOKLYN, Kevin Powell is hosting ”Question Bridge: Black Males Blueprint Roundtable.” 1 p.m. at the Brooklyn Museum in the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Auditorium, 3rd Floor. Admission is FREE, but seating is on first-come basis: http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/calendar/event/5272

Sugar can make you dumb, scientists warn: http://tinyurl.com/czpsgmt

THIS SATURDAY IN BROOKLYN, Kevin Powell is hosting ”Question Bridge: Black Males Blueprint Roundtable.”
1 p.m. at the Brooklyn Museum in the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Auditorium, 3rd Floor. Admission is FREE, but seating is on first-come basis: http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/calendar/event/5272

”As you do, so will be done to you.”—JEWISH PROVERB

”I know where I’m going and I know the truth, and I don’t have to be what you want me to be. I’m free to be what I want.”—MUHAMMAD ALI

WHY LIE? Who has not battled depression, financial ups and downs, personal and or professional letdowns, disappointments, and betrayals, and other kinds of traumas, stresses, anxieties, etc.? All of us, including me on many occasions. I am saying this because I’ve been struck by the private messages I’ve gotten from a wide range of people the past couple of years really opening up about their lives. What I have learned is A) do not ever think you have to go through life alone, that there is no such thing as being completely independent, that we all need some folks in our lives who really have our backs, who will listen without judgement B) seek help, support, in the form of books, movies, documentaries, a local support group, or a spiritual or religious practice that works for you and C) never allow negative words or thoughts to imprison you for too long, make a decision that going forward, and healing, must happen. And please never never never give up on yourself.

HAPPY’S MOTHER DAY to all the mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, nieces, cousins, daughters, wives, girlfriends, partners, guardians, mentors, teachers, role models, and leaders in various forms who serve as mothering and nurturing figures for so many of us. I salute you and know that you are loved and greatly appreciated.

Nothing like that morning cup of jazz. Salute to http://www.wwno.org in New Orleans.

EVERYONE, TAKE ACTION PLEASE! Tell Congress not to cut support to the Food Stamp program. This week the House is voting on $36 billion in cuts to nutrition assistance, or SNAP, which would kick 2 million people off the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly food stamps), reduce benefits for 44 million more, and drop 280,000 low-income kids from school lunch. Urge your members of Congress to protect and strengthen the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program today. Go to http://www.house.gov or call (202) 224-2131 to find your Congressman and let them know you oppose ANY cuts to this critical nutrition assistance program!

”Fear is only as deep as the mind allows.”—JAPANESE PROVERB

”You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.”—ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

I hope you all not only have a great, productive, and blessed week, but that something incredible happens to and for you this week.

MUST-WATCH VIDEO: ”After Trayvon: Black Boys Speak”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9Niottlibg