Kwanzaa 2009 is Here!

We are so blessed to be able to celebrate  another Kwanzaa with those we love!

Got started talking with family about the importance of Kwanzaa @iKwanzaa.

Here is a quick recap:

Day 1: Umoja -(unity)  Extended an invitation to join us, in the spirit of umoja over at  the growing iKwanzaa Community—hint…hint

Day 2: Kujichagulia- (self-determination) Today we asked—- how you embrace self-determination

What is your fondest Kwanzaa memory?

Dr Maya Angelou wrote a beautiful poem for Michael Jackson.

Here is the complete poem:

We Had Him

Beloveds, now we know that we know nothing
Now that our bright and shining star can slip away from our fingertips like a puff of summer wind
Without notice, our dear love can escape our doting embrace
Sing our songs among the stars and and walk our dances across the face of the moon
In the instant we learn that Michael is gone we know nothing
No clocks can tell our time and no oceans can rush our tides
With the abrupt absence of our treasure
Though we our many, each of us is achingly alone
Piercingly alone
Only when we confess our confusion can we remember that he was a gift to us and we did have him
He came to us from the Creator, trailing creativity in abundance
Despite the anguish of life he was sheathed in mother love and family love and survived and did not more than that
He thrived with passion and compassion, humor and style
We had him
Whether we knew who he was or did not know, he was our’s and we were his
We had him
Beautiful, delighting our eyes
He raked his hat slant over his brow and took a pose on his toes for all of us and we laughed and stomped our feet for him
We were enchanted with his passion because he held nothing
He gave us all he had been given
Today in Tokyo, beneath the Eiffel Tower, in Ghana’s Blackstar Square, in Johannesburg, in Pittsburgh, in Birmingham, Alabama and Birmingham England, we are missing Michael Jackson
But we do know that we had him
And we are the world.

Michael Jackson, A Legend Remembered

The world is preparing to say a  final  farewell to Michael Jackson. MJ will do in death what he has done in life– break records, remove barriers and bring people together. This unprecedented, massive gathering and will be unlike anything we have seen to date.

This day is not for the naysayers–please stay home, offline and keep your negative insight to yourself. Let those who loved Michael have this day to remember the man, the music and the dream.

Watch the Michael Jackson memorial live on CNN , TVOne, BET or if you are if you want to find a local memorial event choose one of  88  movie theaters which will  broadcast the Michael Jackson memorial.

The digital world will add a new dimension to this magnificent global farewell. Celebrate Michael’s life.

By Stella

Like many of you, I was simply jarred yesterday …floored to learn that Michael  Jackson, the most prolofic entertainer ever– was no longer with us. Well before main stream media delivered this disturbing news, social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook were on fire, buzzing with the tragic news about Michael’s death. I hoped and prayed that the text messages and tweets I received from family members and @breakingnews @huffingtonpost were wrong. ) This is such an epic loss. Such a sad time for the world.

Remember Michael Always

Today, let’s remember Michael– without getting caught up in controveries that swhirl around his name. This is the time to mourn his loss–to  reflect on what Micheal Jackson’s music meant to us instead of focusing on his financial or personal issues.

My life is marked by Michael’s music. When I think of Michael Jackson’s music, I remember some of the happiest moments of my life. Like staying up past 11:00PM to watch the first reveal of the “Thriller“ video and singing a part of the  ”Man In The Mirror” for my high school graduation.  And  how can I forget that back in the day (in the black community), if you were amoung the first to own a newly released copy of Michael Jackson albulm you had  MEGA bragging rights!

Generations Love Michael

Michael’s music  has carried us through much of our collective struggle. The Jackson’s were Black America’s first, first family. We were proud to see them use their musical gifts to transcend racial inequities.  Michael Jackson broke musical and social barriers and we should respectfully remember him for his amazing musical and charitable contributions.

Look closely and  you will notice  the principles of Kwanzaa  at work his life. For example he was fueled by self-determination (kujichagulia) and  anchored by faith (imani).

Go ahead…put on one of your favorite  Michael Jackson songs and share your thoughts.

Epic Loss: Michael Jackson Is Gone

Michael Jackson, the man who gave us songs like “Thriller” and “Never Can Say Goodbye” has passed away.

TMZ reports Michael “suffered a cardiac arrest earlier this afternoon at his Holmby Hills home ” and paramedics were unsuccessful reviving  him.

Michael was 50 years old and had three children Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince “Blanket” Michael Jackson II.

Our sincere condolences to The Jackson Family!  The world will mourn this loss.

Read more from CNN here…

Happy Mother’s Day my dear Sistas!!!

To all our iKwanzaaMoms, endless thanks

…for loving

…for nurturing

…for praying over

…for equipping

…for all that you do for our children!!!!

GoodGuide, which provides the world’s largest and most reliable source of information on the health, environmental, and social impacts of the products in your home, has a new Transparency Manifesto you should take a peek at.

You can also become a member and/or sign up to join the transparency campaign in less than 2 miutes. (depending on how fast you type:))