Top Ten of 2008
I can only thank God for this year. I came into 2008 thinking that this was going to be an awful year. But that just shows you that I am not at all in control.
So… Here it is… My top 10 of 2008. Enjoy.
10.) Service Projects
From doing Habitat for Humanity to Cleveland Scores, to being the camp director for the Diversity Center high school retreat and teaching poetry at the Center. Every service project that I’ve done this year has been so necessary in keeping me grounded. 2008 showed me that if ever things got to be too much to handle. If I ever lost focus, I was just one service project away for coming back to center.
9.) Free Concerts
What’s better than FREE??? I saw so many concerts this year that I did not have to pay for! And I’m not sure if the concerts were great because they were free… of if they were just great. But I walked away inspired, and energized. Out of everyone saw, the best of the best were Lyfe Jennings, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Janelle Monae, and Jay Z. Janelle and Jay were definitely the most amazing. I’ve always been a fan of Jay but I now have a totally new respect for him and his craft. If you don’t know about Janelle Monae please get hip to her quickly.
8.) E.V.E. Reunion
In 1998 the face of Ohio Poetry changed forever with the group Eccentric Visions of Evolution. This all female poetry group was birthed from B.P.S (Black Poetic Society) and I was so honored to become a part of this group in 2002. The reunion show was Sankofa for me. I was able to reach back to the beginning and use that energy to go forward. Working with these women made me appreciate what it means to work in those dynamics. I had to put myself under a pressure that I hadn’t been under before. It was amazing.
7.) Art for Life
So. Art for Life. This was the fundraiser for New York arts initiatives put on by Rush Philanthropic… Russell Simmons’ non profit organization. This made it into my top 10 not because I saw Diddy, and Russell, and Aretha, and Tamia & Grant Hill. But more importantly, I was able to see SUCCESSFUL people of color who were NOT in the lime light. People and women like the Public Relations director of Time Warner Cable. Being at this event didn’t tell me that I wanted to schmooze with the who’s who (even though I wouldn’t mind that ;-), it showed me that I have the ability to create a network of people who are concerned with the same issues as me and we can come together to make a difference… financially! LOL
6.) I got 5 on it/The Potluck/Off the Wall/Half-Time @the BSide
This HAD to make the list. These old school hip-hop and R&B parties sustained me in 2008. It was my retreat from Gucci Mane and all other reckless hip-hop that my ears are not trained to digest. I kicked it so hard at these parties, and it gave me the opportunity to appreciate this culture that I’ve taken for granted. So much love to my crew that I roll with consistently, and to the DJs that keep me rockin’. DJs: Mick Boogie, K-Nyce, Q-Nice, TomNoy, & Majette.
5.) Auditioning for the Apollo
This had to make the list. Most would say… it was only the audition, but to me… this was something I waited on my entire life. I’ve watched Apollo for as long as I can remember and even before I started performing my poetry, I knew I HAD to be on that stage. And then it happened. During the audition they were doing a tour on the lower level and they had a mock amateur night. The tour guide looked up to the upper balcony where all of the contestants were and asked if any of us wanted to come down. I, of course, was on it… Even though it wasn’t the real competition, I was still on the stage where legends have been made. I rubbed the tree of hope, and performed my poem with no mic… amazing.
4.) Living in New York for the Summer
Talk about your life changing experiences. This wasn’t just about going to parties, and performing at all of the poetry venues I had only heard about. It was about knowing that I could survive outside of Cleveland. It was feeling okay about not having a car, because it would be more of a hazard to have one there. It was about leaving the village I had in Ohio, and being open and receptive to finding a new village that loves me, and will be there for me. I found that village in Brooklyn. And Manhattan, and even a lil bit of the Bronx. I knew that love, family, community, and faith are established when ever like minds come together to foster this amazing energy. Though I’m not certain what the future may hold, New York is a place that will come full circle for me.
3.) S.O.S. (Sisters of Solidarity)
Sisterhood is never easy. Its difficult, trying, but so necessary. I thank God for the three women he placed in my life. For so long I searched hoped and prayed for women who were concerned about the same things I was concerned about. Women of Color, Women of Commitment, and most importantly Women of Courage; Women who were not afraid to be civically engaged in changing the social landscape of our communities (And not afraid to cut a rug lol). So this is for my Ace of Hearts (Colean), my wild wild Deuce (Jala), and Tail of Two Cities (Dr. Brooks). I love yall so so much. 2009 is for us! We stay Soooo Solid!
2.) Barack Obama is Elected
There’s not much that needs to be said about this. Let’s be for real yall… I just kept saying to myself “We the people finally includes me.” There is no denying it. This man is not going to be the answer to our issues. We have to be willing to do the work… and willing I am. It took a village to put him into office… and it’s going to be a village that will support him in our endeavors to make this nation… OUR nation what it should be.
1.) The Birth of Nijah Sanaa Edana
My little Suga Bicuspid. LOL This little girl, and all of my other nieces and nephews, are the mustard seeds of my world. They continually increase my faith, and hold me accountable so I can become the role model I never had when I was growing up. I haven’t spent this much time with a baby since the birth of my 1st nephew, and everything she does amazes me. She smiles in her sleep, and has these eyes that see right through to your soul. I thank God that I can finally say to her… with no reservations that she can truly be ANYTHING she wants to become. (But I know she’s going to be a poet)
So thanks for reading!! 2009 is going to be even more amazing… ’09 is my year of completion for this stage in my life. So stay tuned! It’s about to get real.
Be Blessed… Be Peace.
