Happy Friday beautiful people! I hope that you all are well. I am exhausted this morning but for great reason. I attended a wonderful lecture held by Dr. Runoko Rashidi. He was very down to earth, very knowledgeable, and wise. His love for the Afrikan people of the world was most apparent. He shared a presentation of his travels and of beautiful Afrikan people from all over the world. You never hear of black people living in places like Suriname, Turkey, Russia, etc. I was in awe viewing the pictures of ancient and present day Afrikans from around the globe.

As he shared stories about some of the people and his experiences, he weaved a tapestry of jewels that was priceless. He spoke fondly of his teacher, Dr. Ivan Van Sertima, and shared pictures of some of our most beloved ancestors, Dr. John H. Clarke, Dr. Yosef- Ben Jochannan, Chancellor Williams, and Dr. John G. Jackson. In the words of another dear ancestor, Malcolm X, Dr. Rashidi “made it plain”. He advised that we focus on healthy Afrikan relationships, supporting black owned businesses, and working together for our liberation. Many of the topics he spoke on are things that I have been writing and speaking on for several years. I feel even more inspired to continue the work that I love so dearly.

I also had the chance to be exposed to some images and information that I had not heard about but certainly will be researching such as Bilal, the slave woman with the iron mask named Anastassia, and the writings and life of Alexander Pushkin. Dr. Runoko also noted that we as a people are suffering due to severe conditioning and brainwashing. Our history can serve as a light to a more enlightened existence. It will be a lifelong pursuit and struggle to overcome such extensive conditioning.

This year is shaping up to be one of my best yet! It is only February and I have already had the opportunity to meet one of my personal heroes Sister Souljah and now I have been able to sit at the feet of one of our greatest historians, Dr. Runoko. I encourage all of my sistars and brothers to pursue knowledge of self with intensity and zeal. It is my belief that gaining such knowledge opens your eyes and causes you to begin to see the value in your own people. Once you truly love self and love your people, you are more able to find the needs and work towards solutions. I am seeing wonderful work in communities throughout the world. Let’s continue. Each one teach many!!

 

Peace, Love, and Light,

Ashaki Ma’at Mirembe Kenyatta

The Tru Lioness

 

 

Photo Credit: Courtesy of http://www.drrunoko.com

Today we celebrate what would have been the 74^th bEarthday of one of most beloved warrior/leader/revolutionary fathers, Huey P. Newton. There is so much I could say about the man, but I instead would like to share a poem I wrote in his honor.

Thanks to you warrior

Thanks for the knowledge

For giving power back to the people

Passing info around colleges

Thanks for the lessons taught

Outside of church steeples

Thanks for enlightening masses

Making freedom believable

Thanks for fighting the fight

For calling a pig its name

Thanks for helping love our blackness

Inspire  us to seek our real names

Thanks for feeding the needy

For empowering the youth

For challenging the greedy

For insisting on the truth

Thanks for pushing for liberation

For restoring our hope

For the time you spent in prison

And not on corners selling dope

Salute to you Huey

Your star still shines on

Thanks for revolutionary light

For being a glimmer of a new dawn

Let us be reminded of the greatness that is you

Of the death of Bobby Hutton and George Jackson

Of all the political imprisonments too

Huey we are still fighting

Fighting to be free

Your death is not in vain

Though they wished it would be

So,  I proclaim power to the people!

I carry your hope inside

My blackness is never shameful

It is a source of pride!

Speak to us dear brother

We know you are still here

Give us strength to fight on

Carrying us from year to year…

 

One love and blessings to all of our dear ancestors!

Huey Newton (Feb. 17, 1942- August 22, 1989)

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Life Magazine

Blessed rising everyone! I do hope you are enjoying 2016 thus far ( I sure am!).  I realize that I have been on the self-improvement kick since before the New Year (or assumed New Year). I literally sat down and wrote out areas that I needed to work on. My finances need an entire over haul, my personal relationships needed improving, as well as how I take care of myself. A wise woman once said that “self care is not selfish; it is a matter of preservation”.

Only a truly strong and genuine individual can look themselves in the mirror and address their flaws and shortcomings. Most of us are more egotistical than we believe; choosing to focus on our great qualities than the negative. By avoiding the things that we view as faults, we have chosen not to grow. I have learned that we need balance. What defines light if there is no darkness? Muhammad Ali once said “The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.”

I have become addicted to progress in every area of my life. Life itself can be a battlefield. Why not use the struggles to become a better version of yourself? I have learned that we will continue to experience the same struggles until we have mastered the lesson.

As I reflect on my growth as an individual, I am in awe of how much more calm, centered, and balanced I have become. I was a known worry-wart , now I am simply a “warrior”. I am true to self and wise enough to know that I have much more to learn. I said all of that to say to you that life is a gift; an opportunity to grow beyond our expectations. We all change as change is inevitable. Let us change for the better.

 

Peace, Love, and Light,

Andre’a The Tru Lioness