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9 days left to Kickstart #TheMuvement w/ Maimouna Youssef

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#TheMuvement Kickstarter for Maimouna Youssef

If you like compelling vocals and music with a purpose, than be sure to check out and support Maimouna Youssef before November 1st.

Independent artist, activist, teacher and mother Maimouna Youssef is raising money to fund her studio album #TheMuvement and her first worldwide tour, the Mumu Fresh World Tour.  She has been seen sharing the stage with some of hip-hop’s most prolific artists such as The Roots, Erykah Badu, Nas, Common, Jill Scott and more.  Her Kickstarter campaign will raise money to reach markets in Europe (Germany, UK, France, etc.), South Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Australia, Japan, and many others.  Since receiving her Grammy nomination with The Roots in 2007 for their hit, “Don’t Feel Right,” Maimouna has made waves in the music scene with three independent projects: The Black Magic Woman EP (2011), her first full length studio album, The Blooming (2011), and her latest project, The Reintroduction of Mumu Fresh(2014).  However, surviving as an independent artist without the support of a record label is challenging, so the artist took to Kickstarter to garner the funding & support she needs to spread her message & beautiful voice. As with all blessed individuals full of faith & God, Maimouna has built a loyal following in the DMV (DC, Maryland and Virginia) and abroad off the strength of her music and captivating stage performances alone.

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I was first introduced to the talented Maimouna Youssef during my stint in local news as an audio mixer, where she performed live during the stations morning news show.  In 2002, she competed, performed and won WBFF Fox45’s first ‘Baltimore Idol‘ winning her an opportunity to fly out to Los Angeles to audition for the first season of American Idol.  At the time, this high school senior captivated the entire control room and studio with her powerful vocals.  I immediately became a fan and had the pleasure of working with her capturing various performances around Baltimore, Maryland.  I even interviewed Maimouna Youssef and her cousin Omari Foreman, which made up the duo Cirius B, for a local spoken word mini-series ‘B-More Poetic‘ that I directed & produced.  Since then I have followed her success and make sure to purchase each album and mixtape she releases.

She’s known for remaking popular Top 40 songs into more consciously & afrocentric lyrics that usually outshine the original songwriters and performers:

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CUBA PART I: Yeah we went to Cuba illegally, HERE’S HOW…

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So yeah I went to another country with a friend, we bought a ticket to Cuba from a drunk Mexican at the airport in Cancun and almost went to blows inside Margaritaville at Cancun airport.  But in the end, the process was still an adventure that was nothing short of PRICELESS.

Nat Geo Kuba Traveler

In preparation for our trip, there was a combination of excitement, nervousness and even doubt.  With the embargo in place, we knew this trip would be a risk but what’s life without a bit of tomfoolery.  We scurried the Internet for real life stories of everyday Americans that successful trekked to Havana, Cuba.  The web was full of great insight and suggestions from the blogger community, however some things just didn’t go as planned when we got there.  Even with the conflicting accounts online, here’s a few blogs we found helpful:

http://dontforgettomove.com/americans-traveing-to-cuba-illegally/#

http://triphackr.com/how-to-travel-to-cuba-illegally

American Car!

Want to travel to Cuba illegally too?  Here’s the inside scoop on what to understand and expect:

1.    Legal Travel vs. Illegal Travel – Please be warned traveling from America to Cuba legally is expensive. Since President Obama has been in office, the US has eased up on restrictions allowing Americans to visit Cuba under very specific guidelines and special visas.  The legal option would require going through a tour company or group under educational, cultural, journalistic or religious purposes.  On the contrary, traveling illegally is very affordable depending on the country from which you enter.  The Cuban community is very open to American travelers and offer housing also know as Casa Particulars, as an alternative to resort or hotel lodging.

2.    Getting There – You can either pre-book (highly suggested) or figure it out when you get there.  We decided the latter, hence getting our entire trip booked through a drunk Mexican dude & having a stressful heated exchange in the middle of Cancun airport.  It was risky, however we got there safe & sound with ZERO incident from our ‘travel agent.’  He was very resourceful and even secured our shuttle service to Playa de Carmen where we stayed two nights before our departure to Cuba.

There are multiple cities that have direct flights to Havana.  We decided on Cancun after reports of frequent flights along with affordable ticket prices through AeroMexico, Copa Airlines and Cubana Aviacion.  Please note that some airlines have limited departures based on days of week for flights departing to Cuba.  Our round-trip ticket prices from Cancun to Cuba cost between $300 – $750.

3.    Passport, stamped or no? – It is imperative to pre-purchase your Cuban visa before boarding your flight.  In Cancun it costs $25 and was a very simple process, just be sure to keep this slip for your return flight.  The passport stamping process was the tricky part for us.  Most bloggers wrote that Cuban customs officers will stamp the visa receipt, which is recommended and preferred.  However, our American passports were actually stamped by Cuban customs officers.  We were completely freaked out!  Just be warned that this may happen and be prepared for any outcome.  Luckily our return to US was uneventful.

4.    Currency: CUC vs. Cuban Peso – You cannot use US debit or credit cards once inside the country, so please be sure to bring plenty of cash.  As tourists you will need to exchange USD to CUC, which is convertible to about 1:1 with additional exchange fees.  The Cuban Peso is used only by local Cuban’s which is the unit in which their salaries are paid.  For perspective the CUC is 25 times more valuable than the local Cuban peso.

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There is so much more to know about this beautiful city, however we will leave that up for individual interpretation through future posts on our specific experiences in Old Havana.  Please be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my blog, to get updates on our Cuba trip & other exciting adventures in the horizon.

Watch List: ‘Colored People’ comedically crass web-series

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For the comically challenged, the web series Colored People may be a bit too insensitive as it breaks down the notion of “politically correct” and turns it upside through a diverse cast of characters helping to make the world more “Colored”.  Creators Shannon Baker-Davis and Derek Davis put their married life aside and teamed up for the race-bating comedy Colored People.  It all started 5 years ago over a conversation to create a pilot of day-to-day race relations in the office, which they wrote a 30 minute pilot.  The concept turned into an all out gut-busting web-series of a unique group of HR professionals turned diversity experts on their pursuit to educate corporations on inclusion.

In November 2013 with the motivation & support from producer Nikita Adams, the duo re-penned the script into a shorten format of a 10 episode web series.  With zero funding, the couple doled out the dough and shot their first episode in February 2014 completing the 5 series release in May 2014.  On July 15th Colored People was launched through the ‘CPTV Tuesday’s’ campaign releasing a new episodes once a week for 5 weeks.

I highly recommend this series for the witty writing, colorful characters and questionable commentary.   Shannon & Derek welcome feedback and appreciate any comments & suggestions as they gear up for the next 5 episodes of the series.

 

The Cast

Dean Testerman “Evan” is hands down one of this generation’s most talented and sexy actors.  He has so far avoided having a day job as well as a life in porn.

Megan Thomas “Jada” is a host, actress, comedienne, model, non-profit consultant and former radio show producer.  This “Black-and-Asian-country-girl” writes and is a featured vlogger (video blogger) for http://www.TheVirtuousDiva.com.

Naiia Lajoie “Natalie” made the move to Los Angeles in the late summer of 2013.  With a Filipino, Syrian, & French Canadian background, it’s no surprise this Canadian-born, Middle Eastern-raised, now Venice Beach-living actress would find herself in a project aptly named “Colored People”.

Rahul Parikh “Rizwan” is originally from Orange County, CA graduating from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.  He is most noted for his one second in a Domino’s Pizza commercial. Rahul would like to thank Colored People, his family, and friends for all their support.

Rae Latt “Jordan” was born and raised in Los Angeles, Ca. She started her dream of acting at age 18 and has no plans to stop!  A few goofballs, hookers, drug addicts and a killer or 2, Rae say’s “Those are the most fun”. Rae will continue to push boundaries and have a ball doing it!

Jonaton Wyne “Waddell” is a veteran of the stage and screen, he’s a bit reclusive and Colored People is thrilled to have him onboard.

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The Crew

Derek and Shannon Baker Davis – Creators

Colored People is the brainchild and 5 year passion project of this husband and wife team who met at the Mecca, Howard University. Thanks to the blood, sweat and tears of countless people their idea has finally come to fruition. Hope you enjoy!

Natasha “Tash” Gray – Director

Born and raised in the tumultuous streets of South Central LA, Tash says she barely resisted the urge to become a gangsta rapper. Tash’s ultimate goal is to prove to everyone that ovaries are funny.

Garland McLaurin – Director

Garland works in television and film in the United States and abroad. He recently co-directed/produced the Peabody award winning documentary “180 Days: A Year Inside An American School”. The second installment of the “180 Days” documentary series is slated to air on PBS in the spring of 2015.

Breht Gardner – Director of Photography

A Howard University Alum, Breht recently worked as a co-producer on the Peabody award winning documentary “180 Days: A Year Inside An American School”. The second installment of the “180 Days” documentary series is slated to air on PBS in the spring of 2015.

Carole McClintock – Director of Photography

Carole has received various awards for her cinematography.  Carole won Best Undergraduate Cinematography at Fusion Film in Festival in 2009 and received the Nestor Almendros Award for Excellence in Cinematography at NYU’s First Run Film Festival in both 2009 and 2010.

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Late Expectations launches on Indiegogo

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She’s living a lie

To please everyone else.

Except her own self.

Haiku written by Thais Francis

Thais Francis

In true form to her driven talents, Thais Francis has ventured on yet another artistic endeavor since her first theatrical stage play “Outcry.”  She has achieved a multitude of talents since her childhood in Washington, DC and roots in Trinidad & Tobago from actress, dancer, singer and writer.  The recent graduate of NYU’s Tisch School has written her first ever screenplay “Late Expectations.”

The film “Late Expectations” is a coming of age film around India, a Brooklyn high school senior living the teenage dream with a full scholarship to Brown University, that battles a secret that threatens to end her most important relationships.  Thais and her dynamic team of NYC graduates and industry professionals need to raise $22,000 to complete the post-production phase of the film project.  Shot in 35mm, “Late Expectations” is an independent film with fresh, young talent that reflects the underserved audience the film empathizes to provide a voice for those struggling to find their identity.

For more information and to support this film please visit their Indiegogo website HERE.

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Glowing in the Dark: Blacklight Run™ Los Angeles

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California is known for not only it’s naturally beautiful landscape but also for the beautifully fit people.  Every other week there’s some sort of fitness challenge, obstacle course or 5K happening all over the city.  One of the most memorable and enjoyable races I’ve done is the Blacklight Run™ at Pomona Fairgrounds.  I enjoyed the evening with colleagues from work, where there was tons of people in white, glow sticks and beer leading up to the race.  I left the night with puddles of chalk in my sports bra and halo of lime dust atop my coifed hair.  The messiness was well worth the fun, just wish I was more prepared.

On Saturday, October 5th it happens again in Los Angeles!  The unique evening 5K is packed with UV neon glowing fun for all fitness levels and ages, available all over the country.  For those looking to get festive with the outfits keep it creative, but don’t expect to stay cute! From chalk dust to highlighter juice, you will literally illuminate the night away.  Be sure to check out the official website to register and find out more information:  http://www.blacklightrun.com

 

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