Showing posts with label Mt. Vernon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mt. Vernon. Show all posts

Monday, January 12, 2009

Peeling away masks

I started as a PR youngin working under Ms. Terrie Williams like a large group of young female publicists of color. I learned so much from her under this time about PR, the "industry," myself and certainly depression. She was in the very early stages of creating this book, now aptly titled: Black Pain: It Only Looks Like We're Not Hurting and it was really inspirational to me. I had candid talks with her about depression and was able to share things with her during a critical time of major change in my life.

I was too chicken shit to be a part of this book and now feel silly about it. I wasn't ready to face my own truths. I'm really a chipper person/chatty Cathy (lol) but I have always dealt with depression on and off...at least since I hit puberty. I'm thinking by the way people react to her book that many of us have similar experiences. I needed to keep my mask on. But I'm slowly peeling it off. Like my cucumber aloe peel off facial masque. But only not as fun. Though I guess I'm hoping for the same effect...to be smooth, fresh and me.

Anyone in NYC in need of some healing and opportunities for personal transformation and self-realization (whoa) should head to the event below. And if nothing else, the Overweight Lover, one of Money Earnin' Mt. Vernon's finest, Heavy D, will be performing. Big up on that Grammy nod!


A Screening on What Depression Looks Like, Sounds Like and Feels Like

"The Open Book" explores the mental health epidemic of depression in the African American community…and how we’re really doing.
Our aim is to alert, educate and transform the lives of people who may be needlessly and silently suffering.

--"Depression is not a crime -- it's an illness." -- Terrie M. Williams

We want to congratulate Heavy D on his journey of accomplishments as an actor and artist and his most recent achievement as this year's Grammy nominee for Best Reggae album, "Vibes." This will be his first live performance in a decade.

We'd love to see you there.

Symphony Space Thursday, January 15, 2009: 7pm - 9:30pm General Admission: $25 (includes an autographed copy of ”Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting” by Terrie M. Williams. For tickets, go
to: www.symphonyspace.org.

Healing Starts With Us,
Terrie M. Williams & Xavier Artis, Co-Founders


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Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Dreams Come True


(peep how the family is all color-coordinated!)

YES WE DID!!! A cynic like me is proud of the USA! I'm so happy and I burst out crying with my co-workers here in Guatemala. I know some of them think I'm crazy but this is history and an achievement that means so much to my generation, my mom's generation, my grandma's generation, and my goddaughters (both of them-one is 5 and one is 18) generations. And don't forget the hip-hop generation too! I saw so many pictures of our elders voting...many traveling for miles and waiting for hours to cast their vote for the first Black (and biracial might I add...big up, Swirls represent!!!) president. It literally brought tears to my eyes all day long. I'm such a hard ass too...I hate crying but tears of joy are kinda becoming :)

I'm a little sad to have missed the celebrations in NYC and especially in my neighborhood, Harlem, but I know that the work I'm doing here in preparation for work that can be done in this new administration. I'm working on sexual and reproductive health rights for women, and while I'm here specifically on an international campaign against violence against women. Bush never gave a shit about the people, especially health, women, sexual and reproductive rights, education...do I need to elaborate? I'm not because we all lived this nightmare of 8 long ass years that never seemed to end.

It's a new day...an inspiration to all of us. This is proof that dreams do come true, especially when you work hard, focus, push, believe and hope. I am happy to be a part of this historical achievement, and I know that it is something that our children and grandchildren will be learning about and asking about. The tide has turned and it's a time to celebrate but to also be realistic and maintain this momentum and support once the real work begins. But right now, fuck the pundits and all the jibber jabber...raise a glass, light one up, do whatever makes you feel good and celebrate this victory. It is ours and the people have spoken!!!

Stupid youtube and Universal won't let me embed this video, but this is all I can hear in my head: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqn5f2ISnvo

Oh and my girl repped Mt. Vernon on New York's CBS News, click the title...I know you don't want no internet stardom, but I see you, goddess! ;-)

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