“The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie In Nigeria, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novel Half of a Yellow Sun has helped inspire new, cross-generational communication about the Biafran war. In this and in her other works, she seeks to instill dignity into the finest details of each character, whether poor, middle class or rich, exposing along the way the deep scars of colonialism in the African landscape. Adichie’s newest book, The...

I imagine a great meeting in heaven Legends come and gone rocking on Jamming Lifting up their voices and singing No more trouble No more pain After a lifetime of headlines and reporters picking them to pieces, I imagine the welcoming trumpet is quite a beautiful sound No more worries No more troubles No more demons exposing their past Having found peace at last… Dear Whitney Elizabeth Houston Having been born of Cissy, cousin of Dionne, and God child of Aretha I imagine gospel harmonies littered your soul before singing “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” at 11 years old First woman...

Whitney Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012 ) By theGrio 8:07 PM on 02/11/2012 The Associated Press is reporting that iconic and troubled singer, Whitney Houston is dead. The pop icon was in the midst of planning a career comeback. She recently completed work on a big screen remake of the 70s-cult film Sparkle, alongside ex-American Idol Jordin Sparks and Voice judge Cee-Lo Green. But there have also been recent reports of serious financial trouble and a deadly case of emphysema. She seemed to be born into greatness. She was the daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston, the cousin of...

Help Happily Natural Day celebrate the brightest and most dynamic people in our community via the first annual Happily Natural Awards! We have fallen into the habit of celebrating greatness after the fact, we have decided to start giving our flowers to the living… Happily Natural Awards AWARD CATEGORIES The Afro Pick Award: Natural Hair Product of the Year The Wadjet Award: Holistic Health & Healing Business of the Year The Duafe Award: Holistic Beauty & Wellness Business of the Year The Akoben Award: Activist of the Year The Asase Ye Duru Award: African-Inspired Woman Entrepreneur...

In Africa, dance is much more than physical movement – it is a direct way to celebrate life and create healing. African Healing Dance is a step-by-step course on the healing tradition and expressive movements that are unique to Africa’s dance heritage. From the movements of nature and everyday life, the tribal people of Africa developed specific dances to summon the energy of the world around them into their bodies for connection and healing. Through dancing, they became the bird and the wind, the fire and the serpent. Wyoma, the lead dancer and director of the Damballa dance troupe,...

MTV recently announced a casting call for Black women ages 15-28 for its reality show TRUE LIFE. The subject: Black Women Going Natural. The series seeks to document the black woman’s journey of transitioning to natural hair. The natural hair aesthetic is a popular trend now as it has gone from being an underground notion to now being seen on CNN and Fox. On this subject, Claudio E. Cabrera of TheRoot.com says that, “throughout the last few years, black women’s dependence on what many call the “creamy crack” has declined as many find the advantages of going natural....

It is the end of  the 7th, and final, day of KWANZAA. Today we celebrated IMANI (Faith). Today we renew our BELIEF in God, our people, our teachers and our leaders, and the virtue and victory of our struggle  - IMANI! When we speak of faith as it relates to the principles of the Nguzo Saba, one way we can practice Imani all year ’round is to always, always, always search for common ground amongst the desires and struggles of our peoples. This search is grounded in a FAITH that we all seek create a more community for our legacies. However, there are so many things that separate people in...

I want to start this post by saying that Love & hip Hop is a disgrace to all things Hip Hop but I have to at least acknowledge the superficial nature that does exist within the new Hip Hop Culture. I can’t help that in seeing the name “Love & Hip Hop”, I actually expected to see a show of real artists showing their love for the music and community, expressing how Hip Hop has inspired them, showing their influence on hip hop. I expected to see a few battles, hear some good beats, see some records spinning, and be taken inside the studios. I wanted to see some dude in dirty jeans kicking...

Down by the Riverside… It was a day spent in reverence and appreciation by Keepers of the Way with BlaqButtaply… The sun was bright and the breeze was cool. The wind whispered through the trees carrying the beats of drums and the praises of ancestors honored, elevated and remembered for all they have done for us. Earlier in the day, workshops were held, teaching the importance of honoring their ancestors while others learned Egun songs and dances. (Egun is another name for Ancestor.) It was a day of remembrance; a celebration of humble graciousness. The Keepers of the Way are a collaboration...

You asked, “Do you find it harder to date due to your public image as a ’sexpert’? Are men more intimidated by you or do you find the opposite true and they are more comfortable?” Ask Arielle Loren is an interactive web show for people to submit anonymous gender & sexuality questions via formspring [http://formspring.me/arielleloren] and receive an answer from Arielle Loren via YouTube [http://youtube.com/arielleloren]. No question is too outrageous, strange, or forbidden. Invite your friends to the show and ask away! More contributors, more visions, more voices…...