by UrbanFaith Staff | Jul 24, 2014 | Feature, Headline News |
The Legacy conference is known as a safe-haven for like-minded Christian people to educate and learn from others who are accepting their call to “urban ministry” – whether it be through writing, spoken-word, or preaching.
A writer’s panel will take place today which includes well-known writers in the African-American faith community such as: Jemar Tisby, Trillia Newbell, and even Urban Faith’s very own John Richards.
During the conference, attendees have an opportunity to obtain spiritual growth through 20 workshop tracks that will include 2-hour workshops, entertainment through hip-hop concerts and spoken word events, and community service projects that will take place throughout Chicago. All activities are based on this year’s theme: Imago Dei (Image of God)
The conference lasts for three days, ending on Saturday July 26. If you are in the Chicago area this week, join the legacy and visit www.legacymovement.org to register.
by Nicole Symmonds, Urban Faith Contributing Writer | Jul 17, 2014 | Feature, Headline News |
Last night Stuart Scott became the eighth recipient of the Jimmy V Perseverance Award. Named after former North Carolina State University basketball coach, Jimmy Valvano who died of bone cancer in 1993, the award is given to members of the sports community who have “overcome great obstacles through physical perseverance and determination.” Valvano’s seven words during his 1993 ESPYs acceptance speech marked the creation of the V Foundation and, as Scott showed the sports community and the world last night, marked hearts. Scott invoked Valvano’s seven words, “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up,” and indicated that these words give him the strength to go on as he battles appendiceal cancer. “I know I have a responsibility to never give up,” said Scott. Moments later, before an already emotional audience–including cancer survivor Robin Roberts–Scott turned dozens of cancer cliches on their head with his own seven words, “You beat cancer by how you live.”
More often than not when someone dies from cancer the outcry is that they lost the battle or even more colorful language is used to give cancer the proverbial finger. But last night Stuart Scott reminded the world that cancer shouldn’t have the last word in death nor can we allow it to steal our joy in life. Scott gave many a new outlook on life with his words and his presence on stage last night and for that we are thankful.
Keep not giving up Stuart Scott, keep beating cancer by how you live.
by UrbanFaith.com | Jul 8, 2014 | Feature, Headline News |
More than 60 young girls and women have escaped their suspected captors in Northeast Nigeria and have arrived home safely. However, Nigerians are still on the lookout for the remaining missing girls–approximately 200. The escape was confirmed on Sunday by a highly-ranked security source that chooses to remain anonymous, according to MSN.
Some officials from Borno, where the girls were kidnapped, have worked with journalists to keep us informed of what is going on. Gava, one of the officials, said that these women took the courageous risk to escape while their captors were out fighting.
It has been 83 days since the girls were abducted on April 14, 2014. #BringBackOurGirls has been the cry of many on social media for many of those days. It may be time to launch #BringBacktheRestofOurGirls. However the campaign goes, let us remain vigilant in our prayers and committed to showing concern for the girls and their family until they are all safely returned to their homes.
by Maya J. Boddie | Jul 2, 2014 | Feature, Headline News |
Yesterday Christian hip-hop artist Lecrae caused a hashtag flood on Twitter with the release of his new single, “Nuthin.” In the song, the Grammy Award-winning Christian rapper simply states, “they aint talkin bout nothin,” referring to the current generation of rappers that seem to have nothing significant to discuss anymore. LeCrae’s lyrics reveal the undeniable truth: we’re losing substance in modern-day hip-hop music. He says, “And every song talking bout they selling work on every corner, don’t talk about the laws, taking kids away from mommas, don’t talk about your homie in the trauma cause he shot up, or what about your young boy messing up the product.” This song is what one might call “revolutionary” in today’s world of hip-hop.
How fitting for Lecrae to release his single shortly after the BET Awards, which aired live in Los Angeles this past Sunday. From Chris Brown’s performance of “These Girls Ain’t Loyal” to Nicki Minaj’s “Pills ‘n’ Potions” – where is the substance? Lecrae reminds us at the end of “Nuthin,’” that we are better than what we have been portraying ourselves to be. He says, “I know you gon’ label me a hater, but inside you are greater than the songs you created man.”
In an interview with VIBE Magazine, he stated that, “the world needs artists that are willing to provoke. Let’s talk about issues: education, racism, faith, fatherlessness.” Lecrae has spoken up and positioned himself to be a voice – a beacon of light for the future of hip-hop. His seventh album is expected to be released later this year.
Check out the song below:
by Maya J. Boddie | Jun 25, 2014 | Feature, Headline News |
Many have said this is long overdue. Arguably, the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, had not yet built a place to commemorate those who fought for equal rights of African Americans in this very city. The King Center, established by Mrs. Coretta Scott King in memory of her beloved husband, has been open for nearly 50 years, but the builders wanted to create a space that goes even beyond the King legacy, and a place that also honors many of the other leaders that marched the streets of Atlanta for our freedom.
National Center for Civil and Human Rights (Photo Credit: Newscom)
On Monday, The National Center for Civil and Human Rights opened to the public, in downtown Atlanta. The 42,000 square-foot building holds several sections devoted to the civil rights movement, as well as a closer look into the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr; which includes hundreds of his handwritten notes from his personal library.
Shirley Franklin, the chairwoman of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights suggests that Atlanta has claimed a history for itself as a place where people have encountered human issues, fairness issues, and justice issues, for years. She says that it took some time to get other civil rights activists and potential donors to understand that voting rights marches, sit-ins, and church bombings were linked to today’s global issue, such as slavery and immigrant rights. The museum’s galleries embody both of those issues.
Unlike other civil rights facilities around the country, this particular museum focuses on connecting the civil rights movement to other struggles for human rights world-wide, including gay, lesbian, and transgender issues, and even immigration – which still remains controversial. In an NBC News interview CEO of the facility, Doug Shipman, said “We want to have tough conversations but in a civil way.” Needless to say, the center is quite versatile.
The NCCHR is divided into three main exhibits: Rolls Down Like Water: The American Civil Rights Movement, Speak of Conviction: The Global Human Rights Movement, and Voice to the Voiceless: The Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. Collection. Shipman also stated the museum is not just for those who remember the history but a younger generation, the “22-year-olds who can’t even imagine it.” The team desired to “bring the stories to people that might not fight them otherwise.”
So if you are looking for something to do this summer, plan a trip to Atlanta, and experience history through the eyes of those who fought, and are continuing to fight, for our rights.
by Maya J. Boddie | Jun 24, 2014 | Entertainment, Feature |
This past week Kevin Hart co-hosted the Tom Joyner Morning Show. Joyner interviewed Hart on the importance of supporting “black films,” or movies involving a predominately black cast. But why are black movies referred to as “black movies?” Movies with a predominately white cast aren’t called “white movies?” Hart explained how he plans to break the racial barrier.
One thing he wants audiences to understand is that the title “black movie” exists because we allow it to. We constantly place ourselves in a category. In return, the film industry does not believe in the ideas that these movies can be international or have universal appeal.
Although “Think Like a Man Too,” in which Hart co-stars, reached #1 in the box office this weekend, it will not be shown internationally, and was only viewed on 2,100 screens in the United States. However, the Clint Eastwood directed film; “Jersey Boys” starring a (predominately white cast,) will be shown internationally and viewed on 3,000 screens in the United States.
George Lucas, director of “Red Tails,” the 2012 film about the Tuskegee Airmen, had to fund the movie himself. The industry would not support it because of its all-black cast. In an interview with The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart in 2012 Lucas said, “This has been held up for release since 1942 since it was shot, I’ve been trying to get released ever since. “It’s because it’s an all-black movie. There’s no major white roles in it at all…I showed it to all of them and they said no. We don’t know how to market a movie like this.” But viewers have the ability to control whether or not a “black film” has as much success as a majority film.
Kevin Hart’s recent success proves that African Americans can be successful in film, internationally. His last stand-up comedy documentary film, Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain, arguably, shocked audiences with clips from around the world. He sold out arenas in the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and more. Also, Ride Along, which premiered in theatres this past January, went international and reached $157 million within the first two weeks of its release.
Hart has also taken the #1, 2, and 3 spots on Fandango, a top online destination for millions of moviegoers to purchase tickets. He says that, “laughter has no color, and good product has no color. People love good content.”
It is imperative that we continue to support the material that these actors and actresses are working so hard for. We cannot always to be quick to complain about being discriminated against, if we are not stepping up and supporting our brothers and sisters in film. If the film industry sees the love and support from fans, they have to provide “black movies” with the same platforms and privileges as “white films.” We, the consumers, must refuse to sit back and allow these movies to just stay black and die.
Hart realizes that he has the ability to change the perception of films with predominately black casts in the entertainment, and you do too.
