Black people need 2 see images of ourselves w/ humanity. women beautiful regardless of size, shape or complexion. men strong, sensitive & loving. parents & children caring & happy. couples in love in warm intimate moments. us as lovers, sensual & sexy but not nasty even when we’re nasty. this is not 2 say that other folks dont need 2 see themselves in certain ways. but, i dont know those ways. i DO know how my folks r being fooled by & misrepresented in arts & media. & i DO know how its affecting us. so, all the work i do is in the intention of combatting that....

Sunset Valentine’s Day, like most other holidays, has become another excuse for retailers to get you to buy, buy, buy. In fact, flower companies were the driving force behind the establishment of Valentine’s Day in countries like Sweden, where the holiday didn’t become popular until the 1960s. Love, supposedly the whole point of the day, gets lost in all the commercialism. I’m sure we’ve all heard someone say, or thought to ourselves, “Shouldn’t we tell the people we love how much they mean to us all year long?” What does it say about us if...

This is part 3 of my Sacred Sexuality Series. I have so much to say, just talking off my dome. No prepared notes or anything and there are so many connections to be made. My name is Makeda Voletta and I study the body. I am an Exercise/Sports Scientist, Sports Nutritionist which are both geared towards increasing high level performance. I am also a trained and professional dancer (currently performing and studying dances of the African Diaspora – specially Congo derived), freelance journalist, freelance Fine Art Model and a Sacred Sexual Educator. I have been involved in Sexuality Education...

“i usedta live in the world then i moved to HARLEM & my universe is now six blocks when i walked in the pacific i imagined waters ancient from accra/tunis cleansin me/ feedin me now my ankles are coated in grey filth from the puddle neath the hydrant my oceans were life what waters i have here sit stagnant circlin ol men’s bodies shit & broken lil whiskey bottles left to make me bleed…” That is the essence, in my opinion,  of for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf, the renowned play by Ntozake Shange, first published in 1975 and now about...

I am powerful and confident and tend to reflect my “flavor” through my willingness to be bold and to always express myself freely; whether it be verbal, personal presentation or creative expression.  I am natural and spiritual and can embrace the beauty of everything that is raw and rare.  I am constantly evolving and see my life as a journey to become the true essence of freedom and the epitome of ME.  My heart and soul lies within The Evolution of SHE. I could give you a list of what I have done, my accomplishments and where I’ve been, but the Evolution of SHE is about where...

Or will it?  Today, I checked my and the hubby’s voter registration, since I found out it was the last day to register in Georgia before the upcoming elections on November 2.  (By the way, if you live in Georgia, you can find your polling station, change your address, and check your status at the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page).  Sigh of relief: everything looked fine. My co-worker passed by my desk and asked me what I was doing.  A puzzled look crossed her face when I pointed out . “Um, there are elections coming up?  What for?” I wanted to blurt out, “Everything!”...

This is part 2 of my Sacred Sexuality Series. I have so much to say, just talking off my dome. No prepared notes or anything and there are so many connections to be made. My name is Makeda Voletta and I study the body. I am an Exercise/Sports Scientist, Sports Nutritionist which are both geared towards increasing high level performance. I am also a trained and professional dancer (currently performing and studying dances of the African Diaspora – specially Congo derived), freelance journalist, freelance Fine Art Model and a Sacred Sexual Educator. I have been involved in Sexuality Education...

This is part 1 of my Sacred Sexuality Series. I have so much to say, just talking off my dome. No prepared notes or anything and there are so many connections to be made. My name is Makeda Voletta and I study the body. I am an Exercise/Sports Scientist, Sports Nutritionist which are both geared towards increasing high level performance. I am also a trained and professional dancer (currently performing and studying dances of the African Diaspora – specially Congo derived), freelance journalist, freelance Fine Art Model and a Sacred Sexual Educator. I have been involved in Sexuality Education...

words from Azmera HarvestGirl… “Azmera is Amharic and come from the country Ethiopia. It means harvest and this is part of my Harvest!!” “I love to be inspired by all things life and I love to take that and continue the process by inspiring others.” “I was inspired to sew about 3 years ago and have been a supporter of etsy for about 2 years. I was encouraged by loved ones feb 08 to start my own etsy… and here we are.” “I put alot of love and energy into my creations and hope that you love it as much as I do. Everything I created and sell I...

On a beautiful hot summer day, Habesha, Inc. hosted Organic Fest 8 in Atlanta. It is a benefit event for Habesha’s Black To Our Roots program which assists youth in recognizing and reclaiming their African identity through research and study of African history and culture. Its was an engaging event that included live entertainment, guest speakers and an African marketplace. There was the Kuumba children’s corner, the healers demonstration booth and a very informative lecture and tour on Habesha’s organic gardening activities in the midst of urban Atlanta’s West End. Black...