Phind out Phriday: Aiesha Turman- Passion Turned The Black Girl Project

About a year ago a friend of mine was all kinds of excited about going to Harlem to be a part of a conference. She was excited in part because she had been trying to increase the number of speaking engagements to which she partook. She was even more excited that it was in Harlem and was about Black girls. She was invited to speak at The Black Girl Project annual conference.

While she was busy getting excited I was busy researching, liking on Facebook, and staying abreast of other events and opportunities The Black Girl Project was organizing and supporting, including a recent happy hour fundraiser. This time my friend was psyched about bar tending at the event. I was psyched that the founder of The Black Girl Project, Aiesha Turman, considered it a privilege to talk with me about her passion turned The Black Girl Project. She took her passion, created a film, and then committed to starting a movement.

Phreedum: Talk to me about how The Black Girl Project started?

AT: The Black Girl Project started as a film before it became any type of movement or entity offering ongoing education and dialog about being a Black girl. I was a program coordinator at a museum for high school students. Many of the girls in the program would come to me with the same issues that me and my adult friends would talk about.  The more they talked about it and the more I talked about it with my own friends the more I found it was important to really create something that was going to shatter the monolithic idea of what black girl is.  There needed to be the acknowledgement of the different ethnic backgrounds, classes, and so forth. Their needed to be the acknowledgment of the diversity within the similarities.

Phreedum: It started as a film but now you are a nonprofit. Talk to me about that.

AT: Well, I never did a film before, but the idea of doing one was exciting and the girls featured in the film were definitely excited by the idea. Granted the film took three years to make.  I just knew I wanted to tell a story, I wanted the girls to have an opportunity to tell their story, and film just seemed like a great way to do it.  As I edited the video I felt as though I needed to do more. I went to the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization in Harlem, submitted a proposal for sponsorship and within a week they accepted and Black Girl Project was a nonprofit.

Phreedum: You cover a variety of topics in your film and conferences. Can you talk to me more about how you decided what to address and explore?

AT: I really let the informal conversations I was having with the high school girls shape what the film and discussions are about. We cover everything from how to talk about experiences without shame, not putting your own or other people’s business in the streets, relationships, school, drama, etc.  I think the issue that The Black Girl Project really tried to address in film and continues to address today as a nonprofit is creating a space where these girls can freely tell and live their stories without fear, guilt, or awkwardness  because it’s not what is portrayed in the media. 

Phreedum: What has been a highlight for you so far?

AT: The conversations. The film was meant if nothing more than to get people talking and motivated to create change. The film, the screenings,  and the work that we do at the annual conferences allows not only for conversation, but intergenerational conversations. We have screenings of the film and have the young ladies in the film on a panel for discussion afterwards. Women come and bring their nieces, daughters, goddaughters, granddaughters, and we all talk and learn from one another.

Phreedum: What has been one of the biggest lessons that you have learned since starting The Black Girl Project?

AT: Go slowly. I have a million ideas for workshops and it has to come in its own time. The work will be there but if you don’t pace yourself  you won’t be there.

Phreedum: What are some words of truth and encouragement that you hold on to as you continue to build The Black Girl Project?

AT: Keep on it and don’t give up. Don’t listen to distracters. Do it from your heart or don’t do it all.  

Phreedum: What inspires and motivates you?

AT: I would have to say that my soon to be 8 year old daughter is my biggest motivator. I want her to live in a world where it is easier for her to accept herself in her skin; that she can be whole and be free.

Phreedum: How does The Black Girl Project Change the lives of others? 

AT: Having those frank unpretty  tell it like it is conversations.  I think we allow people to have the expectation they can talk freely which I see as an expression of love at its best, because that means you are freely being yourself.  I think The Black Girl Project helps people to be authentic and overcome things that may have held them back otherwise.

Phreedum: What would you consider the greatest sacrifice that you’ve had to make?

AT:  Time. I still have a full time job. I juggle balls and drop some and pick them up and go on.  When there is a way to do The Black Girl Project full time I will. It’s been hard managing it all. Sometimes I do well and sometimes don’t.

Phreedum: What would you consider to be your greatest resource?

AT: My passion and drive. If it lacked I couldn’t do it. I wake up early and stay up late. It’s what gets me through.

Phreedum: What do you think people underestimate about being a creative independent?

AT: Things it will just start and go and be awesome from day one. There are lots of surprises. I didn’t know what I was doing. When the decisions come, I try to choose what I believe is best for my dream.

Phreedum: Any advice for other creative independents? 

AT: Just start. The more you think, that’s energy you could use to start. And don’t do it to say you are, do whatever you are doing because you love it. The passion is the only way you will succeed.

Phreedum: Why New York City?

AT: I believe in starting where you are. Since this is where I am, this is where I am starting. These are my young people and my community.

Phreedum: If The Black Girl Project went Hollywood, who would you cast to tell the different stories?

AT: Ooo, that is a hard one. Hmmm. Okay I wouldn’t really want any superstars. I would primarily want actresses that are fresh and new, but gritty. And the girls in the film are mostly 18 and19 so the actresses would need to be close to their ages. I love the young lady in the film Pariah and I love Jurnee Smollett. 

For more information about Aiesha Turman and The Black Girl Project visit www.blackgirlproject.org

A Little of This and a Little of That

Below is just a snapshot of all the little things this week that between the busyness of my 9-5, home hunting, presentation giving, interview editing, t shirt picking up, fashion show attending, brother off to prom seeing, church going, family visiting, hair straightening , sibling happy houring and hanging outing, that made me happy .

1. My MAC mascara- I totally thought I lost it so it did not come with me on my trip to LA :( But I found it and my lashes got a double dose of BAM today :)
2. The shoes- I adore them. They are super cute, and comfortable, and I've yet to see another chica wearing them.
3. The ipod- I totally need to upgrade it, but I love it. And I love the new Kirk Franklin song I downloaded on itunes titled Today. It's from his Hello Fear album. What  creative independent doesn't need to remind him or herself every now and again to stop running from fear and stare it square in the eye and say "hello". 
4. The picture- It's a Brandi G. print from her collection Going Natural. I ordered it when I went to the Moore College of Art Senior show and got to pick it up this past week. Expect to see an interview with B pretty soon.
5. The bag- It's a deep plum purple and it is my great find from a thrift store when I went to LA. Which is in California, the land that I love. The bag reminds me of my last trip which was fantastic!!! Reminds me of wearing the bag with a cute sundress to the beach in Malibu just after the sun set.  Good times!
6. The strawberries- There is just something about them that just makes me smile. And they are totally great for snacking which I do a lot of especially when my schedule is crazy.
7. The popsicle- Sunny Sunday afternoon and a popsicle. Instant bliss.
8. The book- I've been reading this book From Good to Great by Jim Collins. I bought it like three years ago and am just getting to it and totally loving it. Dog eared pages, lots of asterisks, underlines, and notes in the margins. It helps me tolerate septa.
9. The names that I cut out and laid atop the book- These are the names of some really good guy friends who surprised me this week with all kinds of encouragement, good jokes, and reminders of me having what it takes to do what I not only need and  want to do, but was born to do. These are good guys that I don't talk to frequently for one reason or another, but when we do talk we seem to pick up right where we left off. You will never hear me say there are no good guys out there.

Sometimes the busyness in life will squeeze us so hard it makes it difficult to find the joy in the little things. But I've learned you have to. You absolutely must find small victories in order to stay strengthened and poised to win the war. You must find time to remember the good moments to get you through the distressing ones. And you must have people in your life who remind you not only of what you are capable of but that it's what you were born to do it. It's the little things in life that help us over big barriers and allow us to become great people.

Phind out Phriday: Me and Mr. Jones, Lindo Jones That Is.

This week’s featured creative independent is a young man who uses his creative talents not only on stage, but off stage, being an editor for Apiary Magazine , coordinating literary events throughout the city of Philadelphia, and working with a nonprofit to address ecological stewardship and global sustainability in creative impactful ways.

Now I never knew he did all of that prior to our 5 o’clock meeting in Rittenhouse on a beautiful brisk  Saturday afternoon. I just knew he was a spoken word artist and I saw him perform not once, but twice, in the past couple of months at different venues.  

He writes and speaks what he sees, hears, feels, and hopes. This week I got to talk to Lindo Jones and below is what I got to phind out.

Phreedum: Okay before we start, like officially start, and this may sound stupid, but Lindo is not a really common name, so is it a stage name or a government name?

His eyes smile behind his glasses and he laughs.

LJ: It’s my government name. Lindo Jones. That’s me.

Phreedum: Okay, cool. So, tell me how you got started.

LJ: I like to think that I’ve always been a creative person.  I use writing to cope with things.

Phreedum: Things like?

LJ: Oppressive situations. I got picked on a good deal growing up. I had an interesting home life and used writing to process and make sense of some of those challenges.

Phreedum: When did you decide to do spoken word?

LJ: I was formerly introduced to spoken word by Michelle Meyers of Yellow Rage. She is the one who showed me what it was to take words from mind to page to the ears of others. I’d definitely consider her a mentor.

Phreedum: And how long have you been performing?

LJ: I’ve been performing for about two years now.

Phreedum: Where’s your favorite place to perform?

LJ: I don’t have a favorite. Each place is different and has a personality of its own. It’s kind of like friends. Friends have personalities of their own and each one has value. For the most part, if there is a stage, I am there gladly taking what each stage and audience has to offer.  

Phreedum: What has been a highlight for you so far?

LJ: Everything that I am doing I would consider a highlight. The fact that I’ve been able to leave a job I hated and dedicate my time to my creative work has been great. I have also been working to include music  in m work. I actually have products with me doing the spoken word with music . I love that people can take those things with them and my words don’t have to stop when I step off stage. They can keep impacting people and giving them things to identify with and think about after the show is over.

Phreedum: What has been one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned?

LJ: Always work harder than yesterday and never let today be the highlight of tomorrow.

Phreedum: What inspires you and keeps you motivated?

LJ: The progress that I’ve made makes me want to keep progressing. I have seen dreams become realities, so if I keep dreaming, I’ll keep seeing realities.

Phreedum: How does your work as a spoken word artist change the lives of others?

LJ:  I think I just get people to see things differently, even if it’s just for a moment.  Each time I get people to have a new perspective on something or think a little deeper a out something it’s like getting a mini grammy. To me I’ve been successful and I’ve created change. The person is not leaving thinking about something the same way they were when they came in.

Phreedum: What’s the best advice you have received as a creative independent?

LJ: Michelle Meyers from Yellow Rage told me to allow myself to be vulnerable and empower who I am on and off stage.  I try to stay open to feedback to better myself. I’m not the best but I am better.

Phreedum: And what advice do you have for other creative independents?

LJ: Learn as much as possible and live with the lessons daily.

For more information about Lindo Jones follow him on twitter @lindoyes or become a fan, look him up and  like him on Facebook. 

The Sky's The Limit...Literally

I’d stayed up until about midnight the night before, went into the office early, saw two of my three scheduled clients, had met with my supervisor, stayed calm while my dad maneuvered unexpected traffic at 3 something on a Friday afternoon, retrieved my ticket, got through security without being “randomly” selected for a bag check, and found myself at gate D15 waiting to board my flight to Los Angeles  in a black leather seat watching the planes taxi and take off.

I love traveling. One of the things I love most about traveling is the airports. I love airports because they remind me to stay open to the many options in life. There are hundreds of planes that come in and out of airports daily, taking people to various destinations, some final, some merely a connection so they can get to their destination. No one gate always takes a person to the same place. The gate next to mine was headed to Paris. Airports remind me that anything is possible, the sky literally is the limit, and you are really just a seat and a few hours away from that possibility.

I also love that you can pretty much travel any time of day when you fly. Airports rarely shut down. In fact they really don’t shut down. Flights may be canceled typically due to some type of weather disturbance but airports really never deny you an opportunity to get to where you need to go.

Life is the same way. Sure there are barriers and obstacles, but life never completely denies you opportunities to get where you want to be. You’ve just gotta be packed and at your gate, watching the monitors in case of a gate change.

This week I encourage you to just make sure that you are staying open to the possibilities. Make sure you aren’t traveling by train and through tunnels, thus having tunnel vision and limiting yourself unnecessarily.  Allow yourself to fly, pick a gate, if layovers are part of the journey embrace them and know that you will get to your final destination. Thank you for flying, I mean, reading Phreedum.  Here’s to a limitless week!

Phind out Phriday: W is for....The Whimsical, the Wonderful, the Wendy Wolf

I was waiting to meet a friend for tea at the Green Line Café on Locust Street in West Philly. While I waited for both my tea and friend my eyes roamed the walls scanning the pictures in various sizes that adorned the once naked space.  As I wondered to myself who the artist was my eyes fell to the counter where my change lay for me to gather it and came across a chic stack of business cards. These cards belonged to none other than the café 's artist of the month, Wendy Wolf.

I grabbed her card and sent an email and within about a week I was in her studio on 9^th and spring garden I awe of all that she does and wasn’t captured in frames at the cafe on Locust Street.

Phreedum: How long have you been creating the kinds of pieces that were at the Green Line and are here in your studio?

WW: I was always into art. I went to Alfred University in New York for undergrad for ceramics. I went to Tyler School of Art here in Philly for graduate school and received my MFA with a concentration in print making.  I really wanted to teach art and that was a huge reason for my going to grad school. I figured a graduate degree and teaching would provide the security that being an artist does not traditionally provide.  I graduated grad school and started a job, not teaching, but a pay the bills and remotely close to my line of work job, and I wasn’t happy. And I wasn’t thrilled with printmaking. In fact since graduating in 2005 I have made one print. In 2006 I came to rent this studio space here and started creating the pieces you saw at the café and see hanging here.  I enjoy painting.  I enjoy making art out of differ raw and not so raw materials.  Recently I’ve enjoyed making jewelry.

Phreedum: What would you consider to be a highlight for you as an artist?

WW: I make art that people fall in love with and it’s not just something they want to hang over their couch to take up an awkward blank space. I had a show at the Green Line Café a few years ago and the owner’s son who must have been about 10 at the time kept eyeing a piece that I did. His dad said he would ask almost every day if the piece was still there and if anyone bought it. Finally, before the how was over the boy used his own money to buy it.  A kid stalked and bought my work because he fell in love with it. It spoke to him; he saw it as an extension of himself. If that’s not a highlight I don’t know what is.

Phreedum: What has been a memorable lesson you’ve learned as creative independent?

WW: Pretty much every year around tax time I am reminded that I am so not a business person but am an artist.  I really have and continue to work on cultivating being business savvy.  I would also say that I have learned the importance of follow through.  I have missed out on several opportunities due to my own lack of follow through.   

Phreedum: What inspires you and keeps you motivated?

WW: My tag line is “Obsessive and repetitive artwork inspired by languages and leaves.” The paintings that have the marks, those marks used to be words at one point. I would take the words and then just make marks. Dot after dot, allowing me to let go of the finished product and someone else to see it. Interpret it as they will, ad own t for themselves.

The leaf work that you see in my art came about from a residency that I got to be a part of. I fell in love with implementing nature into my work. I didn’t want to hybrid the two however. You won’t see leaves composed of dots.  

I also work on many projects at once. If I focus on one thing spontaneity doesn’t rule and spontaneity is a creative person’s best friend.

Phreedum: What are some of the sacrifices that come with being a creative independent?

WW: For the most part, any “extra” anything. Extra time ad money tends to go to my work. I rarely get to socialize. I mean I try to make time, and sometimes it kind doubles as work and play because I socialize with other artists so I get feedback or we talk about things and I get new ideas, and I make time for my significant other. But that’s about it. I’ve even sacrificed my health.

My eyes pop out.

WW: I’m not saying one should. But I had thyroid cancer and I know that some of the materials I used, especially the wax, exacerbated the condition.  But yeah I think time and money are the biggest sacrifices. I call my work as an artist a “mean little mistress.” I love it and want it to be my primary source of income, just like one often loves their mistress and at some point the mistress becomes the primary person to bring fulfillment to one’s life.

Phreedum: How does your work change the lives of others?

WW: I don’t know if I change lives but I do believe I create moments that sustain lives. I did an installment at the Perlman Center here in Philadelphia, a center for patients with various health issues such as cancer. I remember being told that a cancer patient saw my work and that it just added to their day. They identified with the marks, the separation of them yet the meaning and the marks creating a whole piece of art. They found beauty in being broken. As a cancer survivor, you have to find beauty in what feels and is a pretty broken state.

Phreedum: What advice do you have for other creative independents?

WW: Trust your instinct. If you have a new idea, try it. The worse that could happen is it’s not what you intended. The best that could happen is that it’s more than what you dreamed it could have been. Start it, nurture it, and let it grow.

For more information about Wendy Wolf and her art work visit www.thewendywolf.com

Make A Mental Note

I firmly believe that our thoughts influence our behavior. Therefore I try to be very mindful of what I ideas I allow to t ake root in my mind. This week, I want to encourage you to do the same. Take a moment and check in on what seeds have laid roots in the garden of your mind. Are there seeds of hope, commtment, exploration, and possibilty? Or, are you allowing  seeds that sprout weeds of negatiivty, doubt, fear, and mediocrity to grow? Remember in most gardens flowers and weeds grow together, but a prudent gardner pulls the weeds before the weeds choke the life out of the flowers and they tend the garden with various treatments to limit future growth of weeds.

*Artwork by M. Glenwood

Phind out Phriday: Going Live with David Live

     Tuesday I told you I was trying to make sure I didn't get too carried away with the bad habit of under nourishing my creative side. And today it's no different. 
      Tuesday I shared I went to an art show last week and loved it. I bought a $4.00 magazine ,still loving it. And I totally left out that I had friendship time with my two friends Amanda and Dave. We headed to Entree, a visual arts and fine dining event series developed and hosted by Concrete Cakes and Common Ground Management. Not only did we get to watch some really good independent films and taste neat eats prepared by local entrepreneurs, there was a live musical performance by this week's Phindout out Phriday feature, David Live.
     I totally snagged this interview from one of my favorite Philly bloggers and he's not unfamiliar to the blog, Garron Gibbs of Concrete Cakes. Read and enjoy!

It's not too often that you’ll find someone who can combine many talents and be equally versed in each one. This is why I am beyond impressed by Mr. David Live. David is the total package — singer, songwriter, AND musician. We had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Live to hear his story as well as get FOUR exclusive performances for our visitors. If you love great music, you’re in for a real good time. You might as well pop some popcorn or grab a glass of wine and relax as Mr. Live brings you an excellent performance. To find out where David Live will be performing LIVE visit www.TheDavidLive.com

CAKES: Please introduce yourself for our visitors.

LIVE: I’m David Live, singer, songwriter, musician, producer, you name it, I got it.

CAKES: Describe the moment when you decided that you wanted to become a singer.

LIVE: I did my first show when I was seven. It was a rendition of Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal. I had the white suite, hat, everything. But the moment was actually the audition for that show. It was just a local elementary school talent show but we had to audition and most of the kids got in but they still wanted that audition process. So during the audition, after the music came on and people started clapping, that’s where that spark came from. You know, you’re on stage and you start dancing, doing the choreography and I kinda just broke out into my own thing. So from that day, I said this is what God wants me to do.

CAKES: Ok, well it’s one thing to have talent but it’s another to have that talent turn into a profession. So what steps did you take to hone your craft and turn it into a profession?

LIVE: Good question. Well, the first thing I did was get some training. I didn’t like it but I knew that with any profession, you need to develop. You know, if you want to be a doctor, you gotta go to Med School. So the first thing I did was get with some local producers. At the time, I was in North Carolina and some church musicians introduced me to a singing instructor so I took some lessons. I only took three because she was really expensive, but I learned a whole lot and just kept repeating the process and I continued to get better. Then I started to write more and reading other people’s writings. I liked to go through the hits and read those lyrics and figure out how they put this stuff together. Then you start mimicking the artists you love and for me it was D’angelo, Maxwell, Stevie, Michael Jackson (of course) but when I got introduced to Prince that really opened up the emotional side of music for me. So just from then on, studying and studying and then going to the studio and doing my own thing.

CAKES: I read on your website that you’re from New York and you started recording at the Hit Factory but eventually moved to Virginia after it closed. Since New York is considered to be the hub for the music industry, what made you decide to move?

LIVE: That was an interesting thing. I was playing guitar for Rahsaan Patterson at the time and his manager got me into the Hit Factory. And I was working with their engineers while they were working on some projects; sticking around long enough to get some attention. And then weeks, months pass and I read in the newspaper, “HIT FACTORY CLOSES.” I’m calling everybody and no one is picking up the phone so I’m like, what do we do now? At the time, Rahsaan’s manager had to fly out to LA for like 5 months. And I was stuck in New York, broke, no money, no job — because singing was it. And so, I couldn’t take it anymore. I called my family, who had already moved to Richmond, Virginia and then I moved down there. And it was a good place because if you’ve ever been to Richmond, it’s kind of slow and quiet so it was a good place to just sit down and listen. I got the chance to sit down and figure out who I was as a person and as an artist. And that really opened me up and led me to taking that initial frustration and putting it into the music.

CAKES: What advice would you give to aspiring artists?

LIVE: Hurry up lol. Um…number one, please get in your Word. Please find God. Please. And number two, when it comes to the music, stop trying to be everybody else. I deal with a lot of rappers because I produce as well and it seems like everybody wants to be Lil Wayne. The individuality is so scarce right now, it frustrates me. Even with singing, people are making songs to just get girls or have the best song in the club. But music is just an outlet, so get good at finding out who you are and what you want to say. And it’s scary because you can’t play that in the club because everybody is different but tell that to all the artists who are big now. Tell that to Andre 3000.

CAKES: What’s next for David Live?

LIVE: THE WORLD! lol. Um…I’ve started working on my next project and this time around, I’m used to producing my own sound and playing all my own instruments. I’ve asked for some assistance from some Grammy award winning musicians and we’re going to make just a wonderful sound. I’m getting better at moods and dynamics of sound and melodies…I’m just growing.