Vocal Expressions

Well, today marks the end of Black History Month and the conclusion of my quotes for the month. My final thoughts are that we should celebrate each and everyday and cherish those who love us. "Temples fall, statues decay, mausoleums perish, eloquent phrases declaimed are forgotten, but good books are immortal." William T. Vernon, Educator

"The guy who takes a chance, who walks the line between the known and the unknown, who is unafraid of failure, will succeed." Gordon Parks, Photographer

What better way to spend a Saturday evening other than hanging with good friends at a place where you're greeted with much love. This place - Half Note Lounge was jumping with loads of laughter, great music and fun. Looking forward to another adventure and very soon!

"The answer to injustice is not to silence the critic, but to end the injustice." Richard Wright, Novelist

This evening I checked out the new Liam Neeson movie, "Unknown." I enjoy a good action packed thriller movie and "Unknown" certainly delivered that. Watch the trailer: http://unknownmovie.warnerbros.com

"Knowledge is power,and power is the key to changing things." Jill Nelson, Writer

"Every legend contains its residum of truth, and the root function of language is to control the universe by describing it." James Baldwin, Writer and Activist

"We have a powerful potential in our youth, and we must have the courage to change old ideas and practices so that we may direct their power towards good ends." Mary McLeod Bethune, Educator

"Life doesn't give you all the practice races you need." Jesse Owens, Olympic Track Star

"The language of faith is crucial because it affords human beings the privilege of intimacy with the ulitimate." Michael Eric Dyson, Scholar and Writer

"You don't have to be born with a silver spoon in your mouth to end up at the end of the golden rainbow." Dianne Wilkerson, Politician

"The movement in the '60's had so much drama and impetus because the targets were so clear. The pain is still clear, but the target is amorphous. How, after all, do you march against sin?" Samuel D. Proctor, Minister and Educator

"Every man got a right to his own mistakes. Ain't no man that ain't made any." Joe Louis, Boxing Champion

"The best lessons, the best sermons are those that are lived." Yolanda King, Actor

"Freedom is a state of mind: a spiritual unchoking of the wells of human power and superhuman love." W.E.B. Du Bois, Intellectual and Activist

"You lose a lot of time, hating people." Marian Anderson, Singer

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!! "Love means exposing yourself to the pains of being hurt, deeply hurt by someone you trust." Renita Weems, Seminary Professor

"Where there is money there is fighting." Marian Anderson, Singer

Well, today was a very busy day. I caught up on some bills and other paperwork. I took a break to replenish so I could do some writing but ended up watching some TV and then got a call to hang out Half Note Lounge. So, off we went. When we got there a little after 8 pm the place was packed but we lucked out because we know people (lol) and got some seats up front and personal to the stage. Marcus Young was performing and he and his band, did some awesome renditions of Angie Stone, Rihanna and others. They certainly had the crowd sweating on the dance floor. Great night!

"If you can't count, they can cheat you. If you can't read, they can beat you." Toni Morrison, Novelist and Nobel Laureate

"The paradox in life is that one must be ambitious to be free from that ambition which corrupts and blinds and tempts and distorts." Peter J. Gomes, Minister

"We come out of a collective society and are forced to live in an individual society." John Henrik Clarke, Historian

"Standing ground for a race, as for an individual, must be laid in intelligence, industry, thrift, and property." Booker T. Washington, Educator

"It takes strength to remember; it takes another kind to forget. It takes a hero to do both." James Baldwin, Writer and Activist

"Individual ideas, like breaths, are waiting to be drawn from unlimited supply." - Margaret Danner, Poet

"Happiness is like perfume; you can't pour it on somebody else without getting a few drops on yourself." James Van Der Zee, Photographer

The Windy City’s comedy factory–birthplace of legendary laughmeisters like John Belushi, Stephen Colbert, and Tina Fey–blows into Charm City with a customized creation, a wild and wacky show in Baltimore, for Baltimore, and about Baltimore. It’s a slice of hometown humor, with maybe just a scoop of spoof! This description by Center Stage was spot on. The actors and their improvisations had the entire audience laughing out loud. This is a must see play for those who know Baltimore and all that is Baltimore - lol. Don't miss it - it runs from December 30th - February 20th.

This is the 2nd annual event of Passport to Financial Literacy. This event was held at Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland. It was a free event which is designed as an interactive experience for teens and their parents to simulate "real life" financial planning, goal setting as well as decision making skills. The Director of the mentoring program thought it would be a great event for the mentors and mentees to attend. Since we were such a large group the creator of the group personally took the time to go through the program with us (there were 18 of us). It was to see the mentees make decisions about choosing a career and then see what their incomes will be based on their career and then see how "real life" comes into play with paying bills, insurance, owning a car, etc. It was quite an eye opening experience for them. Overall, it was a great way to spend the early part of our day!

"The patter of protesters' feet as they walked through Jim Crow barriers in the great stride toward freedom is the thunder of the marching men of Joshua. And the world rocks beneath their tread. My people, my people, listen, listen, the battle is in your hands." Martin Luther King, Jr., Civil Rights Activist and Nobel Laureate

"Men must not only know, they must act." W.E.B. Du Bois, Intellectual & Activist

"Jazz is the nobility of the race put into sound." Wynton Marsalis, Musician

"If the First Amendment means anything, it means that the state has no business telling a man, sitting alone i his own house, what books he may read or what films he may watch." - Thurgood Marshall, U.S. Supreme Court Justice

Today marks the beginning of Black History. So for every day of this month, I'll be featuring an African American quotation and other Black History events in and around the Baltimore-Washington area. Day 1: " The spark became the flame and it changed everything ." E.D. Nixon, Civil rights activist This link is a good place to start reading some Black History: http://www.biography.com/blackhistory