Self-awareness has become a daily practice, which led me to a path of understanding that this ego of mine was going to have to take a permanent seat. Knowing that I am a work in progress is key. Old habits die hard. It's so easy to react with the ego leading, especially when people treat you wrong. But here is that age-old question:
Will you become the problem or the solution?
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GK: As a performing musician, stage presence and personal branding are important. How do you manage your stage presence so that people KNOW when Marcus Machado takes the stage?
MM: For me, it's pretty simple, stay true to what you do... When I'm on stage, that's the platform to get everything (you're feeling inside) out. Whatever you're feeling at the moment, you just leave it all on the stage. With that connection, that's how you can bring the audiences with you (to the music) and take them somewhere else. For me, that's what it's all about.
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Endure
I am second-generation Sierra-Leonean, born and raised in the United States. My childhood was sensitive; I grew up with racist Whites and angry Blacks that overtly and secretly despised Whites. I grew up with boys just as angry as Killmonger. Add Africans into the mix and it gets tricky. Many of my peers categorized me as an African, resenting and isolating me. I was made fun for having parents from Africa with thick accents. African Booty Scratcher. Big Lip Bitch. Ugly Darkie. My hair was always braided, and therefore considered short and ugly. I was forced to embrace my studies because hanging out at the mall was foolish, according to my parents. In many ways, I was an outcast at school…
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…With all of those accolades, one would think that she would be famous… regularly on your T.V. screen, opening for your favorite music performer or something? Right? Amazingly enough, Eliki has become best known for serenading New York City on the Transit Lines. Yep. She has garnered the attention of millions of tourists, residents and aliens passing through New York City over the course of 6 years, performing on the platforms and trains of the subways, serenading them with her soulful sounds.
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DF: I’m fabulous. I’m an amazing person, you know. I’m very honest. I’m super honest with women.
[I stop typing…look him in the retina… and stare with a smirk of skepticism...thinking... "What is this 'rapper' talking about?"]
DF: Over the past year, I’ve developed an appreciation for being honest with women.
[Hey Reader, imagine that I just texted you. You just received the iPhone Eyes emoji. Is this dude serious?]
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Celebrating the Achievements of Africans in the Diaspora
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Hafsatu Kamara, 2016 Olympic Contender for Team Sierra Leone, West Africa. Hafsatu Kamara, a first-generation daughter born in the USA with parents from Sierra Leone, Hafsatu will compete at the 2016 Olympics in Rio for Team Sierra Leone.
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EmpowerHER 2016 was indeed empowering for me. I cannot sit and wait for someone to make my environment comfortable me. I must take action and work to create a space that is comfortable for me to flourish in. I must celebrate all of the moments, big and small and remember to take care of myself.
We all deserve to be seen. We all deserve to be heard. We all deserve to be empowered. I am empowered to be about my business.
Thank you Blavity.
EmpowerHER 2016 was a success.
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