B.I.B.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Uploaded videos (playlist)

Subscribe! imanifoundation-subscribe@yahoogroups.com .Visit our Black History Online Classhttp://www.blackhistoryclass.blogspot.com Getting married ? Visit www.happilyeverafter.be We got Books ! Positive Vibes Litterature 757-523-1399

Monday, November 12, 2012

Sunday Schooled - Daddy doesn't take points.

Daddy doesn't take points.

The wifey' has developed a point system to address the sun-son's third grade transition. Whenever he makes a 'bad choice' he looses points. At the beginning of the week he begins with 100 points. I've smiled and been very supportive of the process and have reminded him to make sure his behavior doesn't result in a loss of points from his mother.

I didn't realize that he had noticed that I hadn't used the point system in my guiding interactions with lil' man. He shared with my wifey' "Daddy doesn't take points. Maybe you should teach him how..." One morning I reminded him of his morning duties prior to taking my shower. As I finished getting dressed I checked-in on the lil' ones to ensure progress. I didn't hear the lil' ones upstairs so I traveled downstairs meeting my son at the bottom of the stairs with a surprised look on his face. "Did you clean your floor and make your bed son ?" He said "Uh....No Dad." I asked "Didn't I ask you to do your morning duties ?". He took one step up the stairs and turned around looking at me and returned "You really need to learn how to take away points Dad." I looked up responding "I don't take points, I give spankings." He ran up the stairs, did his duties, did his sister's duties, and turned off the lights in my room........Amen......Ashee.....

Seko Varner
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'Sunday Schooled' is a collection of blog posts from Seko Varner's former blogs. This post was dated 10/26/2008 while Seko's father, Rev. Dr. Samuel Varner was alive.

Original post:http://daddyvarner.blogspot.com/2008/10/daddy-doesnt-take-points.html

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Sunday, November 4, 2012

Sunday Schooled - This one's for you

11/2/2012.....Here we are four years later. Mum looked at me today and said "I'm strong enough to go to the election polls myself now. I'll be casting my vote this time. You won't have to vote for me. You can vote for Mitt Romney if you want this year. I don't see why you would want to." Earlier this week I was barraged by folks wanting to know what my political plans were. When someone asked me "Are you better off now than you were four years ago ?" I had to admit that I was better. My improved existence isn't due to any political action..........Thankfully..........Time does indeed heal wounds...... Ashee, Amen.

This one's for you

Photos from David Schwartz

11/4/2008 - Mama's catching it right about now. Pops is having health difficulties, Mama-Granny is having health problems, my cousin has acted in a manner that's disrespectful and will need to keep a distance from me , & now she's in the hospital.

A week ago she shared in a story how surreal it is to be born in the 1940's in the United States and to face against racial and gender discrimination and to quietly yet deeply fear raising two Black boys. She had seen America spit out and chew Black boys even in the best of circumstances. She wasn't allowed to enter certain restaurants, establishments, and walks of life due to her race and gender as she was growing up. She saw men and women scarred by America while saying the Pledge of Allegiance. As she pledged allegiance to a country who violated and abused her fellow Americans of African and Indian descent she placed her faith on the cross of Christ. She stood up for and held onto love towards men who walked away from responsibility and fought the devils in alcohol. drugs, crime, and perversion.
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'Sunday Schooled' is a collection of blog posts from Seko Varner's former blogs. This post was dated 11/04/2008 while Seko's father, Rev. Dr. Samuel Varner was alive.

Original post:http://ablogformama.blogspot.com/2008/11/this-ones-for-you.html

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Mom marched with Dr. King, listened to Malcolm, and later lit seven cultural candles after celebrating the birthday celebration of her savior. Mom worked and received lower paychecks and was shut-out of some businesses due to her womanhood. And now she had a chance to vote for a Barak Obama.

This is something that she spoke into me and my brother as we were lil'. "You could even be the President of the United States of America." While she was attempting to bolster her children with a wealth of the hope that embraces the "American dream "she truly didn't believe that it could happen for one of America's African children. My parents kept me in love with our African and Indian roots as much as they immersed us into almost all-white environments. She put up with polite smiles and back-stabbing church and professional peers who spoke of love and equality and practiced distance......And now she had a chance to vote for a Barak Obama.

Mom spoke of feeling like she was dreaming when she graduated from school and "they" made "them" all get into a bus to vote. She fearfully yet fearlessly got in the line expecting the usual police batons, citizen threats, or the whispered about bombs and was able to cast her vote for John F. Kennedy. She couldn't believe that she was able to do what so many had died trying to do. She couldn't believe that she was safe in participating in American society after being an American negro......And now she had a chance to vote for a Barak Obama.

We sat and she marveled while watching videos on the Internet involving people of all backgrounds demonstrate their support of Barack Obama in song, poetry, and speech. She marveled as one video showed bridges across the world with people holding signs endorsing Obama. Here I sat; her privileged Afro-revolutionary-thinking, Black-Republican-acting, Broke yet blessed elitist behaving, Suburban-raised yet hood-loving, Conservative-radio addicted son. She and others bled and suffered for me to be able to believe what I believe. As she marveled I marveled. She has seen America become closer to what America claimed it was. As southern rapper Young Jeezy says to Barack Obama in one his songs "Win, loose, or draw......You have changed the world for us." This is surreal to her.

Yesterday Barak Obama's grandmother died (11/03/2008 Roman Calendar) . Two days ago Mum was placed into the hospital fighting against pneumonia. She won't get a chance to vote and she's worried that her conservative son's vote may be one of the votes that defeats her realized dream in Obama's candidacy.

I awoke at 3:00 AM. I arrived at the polling place at 4:35 AM. The polls opened up at 6:00 AM. I cast my vote at 6:05 AM. My wifey arrived at 5:30 AM and cast her vote at 7:30 AM. I'll pick-up my Daddy around 10:00 AM to take him to the polls. This is surreal for him as well. Looking at the line behind me this morning was surreal. I shed a tear for Mum as I approached the voting booth. This is something she wasn't able to do today after praying, working, and bleeding for the opportunity. Mum, this one's for you.

Seko VArner
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Post-script - 11/02/2012
Whatever the outcome of the Presidental election - God Bless America. God bless Africa. God bless everybody.
Seko
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Sunday, October 28, 2012

Coon Affiliated: 10 Rap Songs That Set Blacks Back

By C. Vernon Coleman II October 15, 2012 - Originally at Hip-Hop Wired:
http://hiphopwired.com/2012/10/15/coon-affiliated-10-rap-songs-that-set-african-americans-back-as-a-race/

The truth is, rap music has its good, bad and ugly. Good being those feel great tunes with a positive message and substance. Bad being music that may not appeal to the masses but is entertaining in its own right. And ugly being that ish that you wish never made it outside of the delusional rapper who made its thought process. Especially if you are a self respecting African-American. We are not talking about the run of the mill Southern dance track or exorbitant East Coast party record. We are talking about the music that is so coonish that it leaves people wondering if the rapper who made it has ever heard of the Civil Rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, minstrel shows, slavery or at least seen 30 minutes of Roots. [Editor's Note: Bamboozled, too.] Hide your kids, hide your white boss/co-workers. Here are 10 songs - that made it to the mainstream - that most black folks wish other condescending races never knew existed…

10) “MyBabyDaddy” – B-Rock and The Biz
This song probably has the sad significance of cementing the phrase “baby daddy” into the mainstream vernacular. Besides letting the world know that black people can't formulate a proper sentence, the video also showed that we like to deny fathering kids and dance around doing jigs while doing it.

09) “Your Momma's On Crack Rock” – The Dogs
Okay, okay, we know we added this song into our list of Anti Drug PSAs, but that was on some glass half full ish. On some glass half empty ish, this is some of the saddest ish in Hip-Hop history. Just a little reminder to let the world know that all Black women are zombied out on that glass Richard, and that their crack baby children know about it.

08) “Chickenhead” – Project Pat ft. Three 6 Mafia & La Chat The song's title has the word “chicken” in it, so yeah, it's already starting off on a bad note. Then raunchy the lyrics and even raunchier video go hard to keep up the stereotype that black women are money hungry unfit mothers and young black males are self absorbed misfits.

07) “Baby Mama” – Three 6 Mafia ft. La Chat Continuing in the “I fathered children and now don't want to take care of them,” theme, Three 6 helps perpetuate the stereotype that for Blacks having children is nothing more than a ritual in busting a nut and collecting a check.

06) "First Of the Month” - Bone Thugz N Harmony We can't front. This song is a classic. One might even let his or her white co-worker listen to it telling them how it was their jam coming up. That is, if you want said co-worker to think all Black people sit around doing nothing all month and collect a welfare check on the 1st (provided by their tax dollars) and use it to go buy crack, kush and beer.

05) "Because I Got High” – Afroman Surely, this song had a lot of brothers with brown lips getting turned down for employment in the early 2000's. A nicca wit a Dr J afro named Afroman talking about nothing but getting high, with chickens, 40 ounces and scantily dressed women dancing around in the video. Who hired this nicca to make this song, the K-lan ?

04) "Chicken Noodle Soup” – DJ Webstar and Young B Again, having the word chicken in your title is never a good look. But when you add a dance that looks eerily similar to the jigs performed at minstrel shows, you have a recipe for complete coonery

03) "Pants Hang Low” – Plies We get it. This was supposed to be the rally cry against the proposed “No Sagging” law that would probably cause racial profiling in the Black community. But, bruh bruh, no. You and all the rest of these young punks, pull your fuxing pants up. Stop making Black folks look like got damb fools.

02) "That Baby Don't Look Like Me” – Shawty Put ft. Lil Jon & Too Short
If you haven't already gotten it yet, the themes here too often are Black men give no f-cks about their kids. And neither do Black women, all they want is a check. Thanks, Shawty Put for reinforcing this false mind set.

01) "Get Smoked” – Lil Mouse
What kind of third world azz ish is this?!? We elected a Black President four years ago, and a kid who just grew his first pubic hair is rapping about getting head and killing people. And some adult actually sponsored this. We got a long way to go, people."

00) "Chain Hang Low” – Jibbs (BONUS MENTION) This is what happens when you don't have any elders in your circle. The song that the St. Louis rapper swiped the “CHL” melody from is actually a minstrel show mainstay entitled “Zip Coon” or “Turkey In The Straw,” depending on the lyrics. It was only later changed to the children's song “Ears Hang Low.

Visit the original article to watch the videos of these songs......

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Friday, October 26, 2012

Paris Jackson Participates in MJ Death Hoax?

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Economic Empowerment - Michelle Singletary

Salud !
It's probably well known that I'm a big fan of Michelle Singletary. I normally refer many of my financial freedom clients to read her books or find her videos to provide them with a knowledge base that aids me when I assist them with investments, debt reduction, or insurances. Here is a gem ! I found a great video of her speaking at an Economic Empowerment summit. Also below is her website. Enjoy and be empowered ! If you know of anyone who is drowning in their debts, I alwaus have time for your referrals ! Salud !

Seko Varner
757-248-3820

www.michellesingletary.com

Michelle Singletary, "Big Mama used to say it's not how much money you make that matters, but how you make do with what you have."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqjJZY7913g
Michelle Singletary, nationally syndicated columnist at The Washington Post, gave a speech at an economic empowerment meeting on February, 27th 2010. If you love Susie Ormond, Dave Ramsey, or Clark Howard..... You will love this sista'. Be improved ! This is the full presentation. Michelle Singletary is a nationally syndicated columnist for The Washington Post. Her column, "The Color of Money" is an award-winning column, which is now carried in more than 100 newspapers across the country including the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "The Power to Prosper, 21 Days to Finanical Freedom book is on sale now; obtain your copy!

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Seko Benjamin Varner is from Positive Vibes Financial, a World Financial Group team of financial services agents. They specialize in debt reduction, investments, and insurances. Seko is in high demand as a special events DJ and owns an event marketing service. Seko has diverse background in business, counseling and education. He has been real estate agent, a school counselor, a special education teacher, and an Intensive In-Home Counselor. Seko is active with numerous Youth Mentorship programs and has a background in radio and television. Visit www.HappilyEverAfter.Be or call 757-248-3820 for more details.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Subscribe! imanifoundation-subscribe@yahoogroups.com . Visit our Black History Online Class http://www.blackhistoryclass.blogspot.com Getting married ? Visit www.happilyeverafter.be We got Books ! Positive Vibes Litterature 757-523-1399

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Sunday Schooled - The Riot Starter

The Riot Starter

T'was the night before News Years (Roman Calendar December 31st, 2008) and we just picked up Pops to take him to go to the Watch Night Service. Mums didn't feel good and refused to go with us stating "I'll be fine right here." as she gently patted the bed she laid in. When Pops (Rev. Dr. Samuel Varner) opened the door his pupils were dilated and he stood rocking back-and-forth trying to get his balance. His Glaucoma is kicking his tail, the surgery he recently had for his eyes seems to be in vain. The eye that didn't receive the surgery is now his "good" eye.

We walked out of the house, off the porch, and then made a wide circle towards the vehicle instead of walking directly to the truck. Instead of guiding him I let him find his way. It has to be depressing to loose your vision. He's facing the same thing his father faced.......Blindness. He shared with me a few days prior to Christmas how I'm fulfilling the same role he fulfilled for his father..... He became his father's eyes, I'm doing the same.....Reluctantly. I try as much as possible to allow Pops to accomplish anything he can with out treating him as a crippled man. As I fully want to guide him to the car as a normal person would move, he needs to be capable. He wants to be capable. He can get so cranky when he's helped to do things he can do for himself.
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'Sunday Schooled' is a collection of blog posts from Seko Varner's former blogs. This post was dated 01/01/2009 while Seko's father, Rev. Dr. Samuel Varner was alive.

Original post:http://drivingmrdaddy.blogspot.com/2009/01/riot-starter.html

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En route to the church Pops mentioned a friend of the family, Sarah Kinard, who is writing her thesis about her father and my Pops' Omega Psi Phi chapter brother John Kinard. John helped Pops cross into our Omega fold in 1958. Influenced by a man in his neighborhood Pops was originally interested in the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity but as one of the Alphas on campus showed an interest in Pops in a different way (he attempted to force a sexual advance upon my father. My father beat that Alpha up) Pops decided against Alpha Phi Alpha. Dad said "I was black-balled. Other Alphas told me I would never survive the process and would never become an Alpha. The Omegas knew that Pops was destined to walk in Purple and Gold and John Kinard opened the doorway. Dad said "I didn't have any clothes except for the clothes on my back. John fed me, gave me clothes, and helped me raise the money I needed to pledge into Omega Psi Phi." Years later they remained friends as John became the first curator of the Anacostia Museum in Washington D.C. John and his family were frequent hosts to my family when I was young and I fondly remember eating Monkey Meat, Shark Meat, Octopus, and other exotic delicacies.

John's daughter Sara interviewed my Pops and reminded him that John and Pops help start a student riot on Livingston College's campus. According to Pops, who then shared the story: An another future man of Omega Psi Phi - Jesse Jackson Sr. (of I am somebody fame) and some other students held some sit-in demonstrations in North Carolina and the "white" citizens of Livingston North Carolina wanted to avoid having a similar situation. These citizens had been donating great sums of money to the historically Black College Livingston, and also the beginnings of the Food Lion Corporation had been supporting the College. A delegate from the citizens contacted the school and sharing their concerns about a possible sit-in stating that if such a sit-in occurred in Livingston the citizens would remove their support and also could impact the funding received from Food Lion. The school's Chaplin contacted Pops and Mr. Kinard and encouraged them to act in the best interest of the school's funding. This Chaplin then drafted a letter written from the perspective of the students stating that they had no interest in holding a demonstration. Pops and John Kinard signed the letter with the implication that they authored the letter and the correspondence was published in the local newspaper calming the concerns of the "citizens". Pops then shared how the students gave he and John hell for their act of betrayal and then held a riot to "demonstrate" their anger on campus. (Photo of John Kinard) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Kinard
As Pop's story ended we drove up into the parking lot of New Life - Providence, the church that my wife and Kids having been visiting for over two years now. Their New Years Eve service had been heavily promoted in the church and included food and drinks prior to the service, a service, and food and drinks following the service. New Life is a mixed congregation and prides itself in being "Trans-ethnic" as it boasts membership consisting of people of many ethnicity's promoting that the body of Christ, and the Church accepts all people ethnically. This position of Trans-Ethnic initially turned me off, and now I could take it or leave it.

Surprisingly this pastor, Pastor Dan Backens (photo to left) has often shared information I learned in my times frequenting Black studies groups such as the incorrect presentation of 3 Kings on the standard Christian Nativity scenes. Today as we walked in the sanctuary Pastor Dan surprised me and Pops by giving the Black History of the New Year's Eve (Watch Night) Service. I normally post to the e-group of the Imani Foundation each year a special historical note regarding going to church on New Years Eve. "The Watch Night Services in Black communities that we celebrate today can be traced back to gatherings on December31, 1862, also known as "Freedom's Eve." On that night, Blacks came together in churches and private homes all across the nation, anxiously awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation actually had become law.Then, at the stroke of midnight, it was January 1, 1863, and all slaves in the Confederate States were declared legally free. When the news was received, there were prayers, shouts and songs of joy as people fell to their knees and thanked God. Black folks have gathered in churches annually on New Year's Eve ever since, praising God for bringing us safely through another year. It's been nearly 140 years since that first Freedom's Eve and many of us were never taught the African-American history of Watch Night, but, tradition still brings us together at this time every year to celebrate "how we got over." Pastor Dan, an older white guy, almost read the above information word for word with a few changes in the presentation to make it appropriate and relevant. Pops and I looked at each other slightly amazed. (Photo of Paster Dan Backens)

Pops, who has been a minister for over 60 years left the service feeling refreshed and stated that he approved of Pastor Dan's approach to ministry and the service. He had visited the church once before this year when his eyesight was with him. What a difference a few days make. Three months ago he drove himself to this church, now we have to lead him from the truck. I give thanks to the Almighty for 2008. I've had a chance to spend a great deal of time with Pops and my life has been affected, my fatherhood has been affected, and my faith has deepened.

Be Improved...... Love, Seko
If you know anyone who is drowing in debt, or needs to invest in their future... I'm never too busy for your referrals. 757-404-3743.
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Monday, October 15, 2012

What Black Parents Must Do This Summer - Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu

What Black Parents Must Do This Summer - Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu
http://africanamericanimages.com/AAI/Black%20Parents%20Must%20Do.htm

There is a 3 year gap between Black and White students. Many people love to believe it’s due to income, fatherlessness, educational attainment of the parent and lack of parental involvement. I believe that a major reason for the gap is that we continue to close school for the summer - as if we were an agrarian economy. And I doubt that many Black youth will be farming this summer. If you multiply 3 months by 12 years you will see the 3 year gap. It is my opinion that Black youth would have fewer academic challenges if their schools remained open during the summer and/or their parents kept them academically engaged.

Middle-income parents who value education enroll their children in some type of academic experience during the summer. They also visit libraries, museums , zoos and colleges. Other parents allow their children to sleep longer, play more video games, watch more television and play basketball until they can’t see the hoop. These students will have to review the same work they had mastered in May, when the school year begins in September.

Black parents cannot allow their children to lose 3 months every year. Black parents should not say they cannot afford to take their child to the library. It’s free! Most museums have discounted days. A male friend of mine shared his experience with me when he took his family to the museum. He wondered why so many people were staring at him. His wife and children had to tell him he was the only Black man in the building! I am appealing to every father to take his children to the library this summer, and to include a visit to the museum, and the zoo. And I am appealing to every mother to make other arrangements, if the father cannot or will not take the children.

We need for every parent to make sure that their child reads at least one book per week and to write a book report. I am reminded of the formula Sonya Carson used to develop Ben Carson to become the best pediatric neurosurgeon. This low-income single parent, with a third grade education, had enough sense to tell her sons to turn off the television, read a book and write a report that her sister would grade!

I have a theory. I believe that I can go into your house and within 5 minutes tell you the type of student who lives there and predict his/her future. I believe that the items needed in the home of engineers, doctors, lawyers, accountants etc., are very different from the ballplayers, rappers, and criminals. I am very concerned that when I visit a house that has more CDs and downloads than books. My company African American Images has designed a special collection of books for boys. The specific set that I am referencing is titled, Best Books for Boys. We also have one for parents and teachers. We have found the sets to be very resourceful since research indicates that one of the major reasons why boys dislike reading is because of the content.

Let’s work together to close the gap. I look forward to your children’s teacher asking them how they spent their summer,……and your children proudly answering by saying that they went to the library, museum, zoo, colleges and other great educational institutions.

Enjoy your summer!

Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu is the author of over 35 books including ,There is Nothing Wrong with Black Students and Raising Black Boys.

http://africanamericanimages.com/AAI/Jawanza%20Kumjufu.htm

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Friday, October 12, 2012

Virginia Beach Mentor Program opening for new young males

Accepting new youth we will mentor on 10/13/12

2012-2013 Golden Year Kick-Off ! 10/13/2012

Interested in enrolling your son / male child in The Golden Fold ?
Interested in becoming a community mentor for The Golden Fold ?
BE THERE ON Saturday 10/13/2012
10/13/12 - 10:00 am - Room E-121, Lynnhaven Building, Virginia Beach, Tidewater Community College
Contact: thegoldenfold @ yahoo (dot) com or call 757-401-1240.

We open our doors for the 2012-2013 program year (Golden Year) on 10/13/2012 at 10:00 am with our Annual Kick-Off !. At that time we will have an On Boarding session and take in new Young Leader participants. If you wish to enroll then attend the Kick Off, complete the application, and all applicants will be considered and approvals for participation will be provided within seven days of the application submission. We regret that we are limited to the participation of 20 Young Leaders:

The Golden Fold is a Joint Mentoring venture involving Gamma Xi Ques, The S.A.A.B. Program of T.C.C., and The Man-Up Connection (Men in the community who become involved). The Golden Fold serves youth in grades 6 through 12 by providing a (currently) Free Leadership Development program with a S.T.R.EA.M. Curriculum. The young men that are participants in The Golden Fold are called "Young Leaders" or YL.

The term 'Golden Fold' represents a valued (Golden) brotherhood (fold). Gamma Xi will provide over-sight mentors from their chapter to support the activities. The S.A.A.B. Are the direct mentors provide direct community mentors, marketing activities, and programming and administration support, The Man-Up Connection will provide business and political connections to support the activities of the movement.

Our movement follows a Leadership S.T.R.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Attendance, Mathematics). During our sessions the Young Leaders (mentees) will be exposed to presentations and experiences that focus upon Science, Technology, and Engineering. Upon entry will test each YL in the areas of reading and math. If it is found that they have a deficiency in either of these areas we will refer them to receive tutoring from an organization we are affiliated with. We will also monitor their Attendance via their school's guidance department. One of our Program staff will provide interventions to provide support to the YL to improve their attendance if needed.

Our Model

The Golden Fold meets the second and fourth Saturday of the month from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm and will normally follow our Bond/Guide/Build model:

10:00 – 10:30 Arrival, Bonding, YLs and Mentors meet and interact socially

10:30 – 11:15 Guidance given by one or two presentations based on the S.T.R.E.A.M. Curriculum or Leadership Lamplights

11:15 – 11:55 Building group activities and or group discussions led by staff based upon presentations

11:55 Announcements and Dismissal

Our mentors are not assigned specifically to any YL. Over a series of sessions each YLs should have an opportunity to interact with most of the mentors, providing an opportunity for a YL to develop friendship with preferred mentors. They will have an opportunity to interact with their preferred mentors during the bonding period which is normally a part of a session.

Interactions with YLs during the bonding period will only occur in the presence and with the guidance of other mentors. Interactions between our mentors and YLs outside of our activities is not necessarily encouraged, nor is it the intent of the program. The Golden Fold mentors are instructed to avoid creating or facilitating intentional out-of-program meetings with the YLs. Mentors will not be permitted to transport or to take possession/charge/custody of YLs in the program with the exception of our community escorts who escort the Yls from the targeted neighborhoods as scheduled.

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The Golden Fold Mentor Movement serves youth (males aged 6th grade through 12th grade) and undergraduate college men by providing Leadership focused seminar based Big-Brother-type activities in Virginia Beach, Virginia. We employ a Bonding-Presentation-Guidance model. Contact: thegoldenfold @ yahoo (dot) com or call 757-401-1240. The Golden Fold is a "Brothers and Others" Community Improvement activity of the Gamma Xi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi and an Social Action project of the Men of S.A.B.B. of Virginia Beach's Tidewater Community College. We accept new participants twice a year. We meet the 2nd & 4th Saturday Monthly from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm at Tidewater Community College's Virginia Beach Campus in room E-121 of the Lynnhaven Building.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Uploaded videos (playlist)

Sunday, September 23, 2012

My father is now my ancestor - Seko Varner

3 years ago ! Ashee, ashee, ashee. For three years the memory of my father, and his crossing the bar into ancestor-ship brought pains to my stomach, tension in my voice, and very often uncontrollable tears.
Today I rejoice that he is home, or closer to his home in Glory.... Tears, pains, and all. May the almighty be praised. May my father's memory and legacy continue to be a blessing. May his 'ancestorship' remain a blessing. May my mother's heart heal. As Luther said...... "Dear Lord she dying, to dance with my father again." - Seko Varner 09/22/2012

'Sunday Schooled' is a collection of blog posts from Seko Varner's former blogs. This original post is dated 09/25/2009 a few days after Seko's father died. Originally posted here: http://drivingmrdaddy.blogspot.com/2009/09/my-father-is-now-my-ancestor.html

Dr. Rev. Samuel Lee Varner: Sunrise 10/19/1937.
Sunset 09/22/2009.
9.22.2009 I was awoken suddenly at 1:37 a.m. I couldn't determine what awoke me. I couldn't immediately return to sleep. 10 minutes or so later I was snoring. At 1:51 a.m. I'm awakened by a phone call. I hear my mother's muffled voice crying hysterically. My sister in-law then appears on the line saying "Seko, Papi's gone. He's gone."

I couldn't breathe......... "Are you saying that he's dead ? Is that what you're saying ?" hoping that Dad was moved to another room in the Rehab' Center. Life nudged me and I fought back throwing the telephone receiver at the mirror shocking my wife awake. "What, what is it Seko ?" I couldn't answer........Too busy screaming.......Too busy crying.....I wanted to break everything in sight. I ran out of the room yelling and grabbed a lamp on the way out hurling it towards the window. Rhonda's trying to calm me down while I run down the stairs and out of the house screaming. "Don't drive, don't get in the car" she begged as I ran down the streets of my neighborhood. I had to get somewhere where I couldn't break anything else. Finally I fell to my knees on a patch of grass near the main street. After a while I sobbingly returned to my house, dried my eyes, and gathered myself........ Until I looked into the worried face of my 7 year old daughter. The look on her face weakened me as I fell to the floor crying and trying to catch my breath. I couldn't look at my son, I didn't want to make eye contact with him as I couldn't be a strong supportive father at this moment in time. I hated that he saw me completely floored and unable to control myself. I tried to breathe to calm myself but I couldn't. I felt as if I lost the reason to breathe.

Eight hours ago I returned from an anniversary trip to New Orleans with my wife of twelve years. I planned to see Dad as soon as I returned, but became wrapped up in seeing a few counseling client's instead thinking that I'd be able to see Dad tomorrow. Tomorrow never came, tomorrow will never come. Enroute to the nursing home to hold the lifeless hand of my father I sent the text: "My father is now my ancestor."

Seko Benjamin-Eric Varner, 09/22/2009
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Seko Varner is from Positive Vibes Financial, a World Financial Group team of financial services agents. They specialize in debt reduction, investments, and insurances. Seko is in high demand as a special events DJ and owns an event marketing service. Seko has diverse background in business, counseling and education. He has been real estate agent, a school counselor, a teacher, and an Intensive In-Home Counselor. Seko is active with numerous Youth Mentorship programs and has a background in radio and television. Visit www.HappilyEverAfter.Be or call 757-248-3820 for more details. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Subscribe! imanifoundation-subscribe@yahoogroups.com . Visit our Black History Online Class http://www.blackhistoryclass.blogspot.com Getting married ? Visit www.happilyeverafter.be We got Books ! Positive Vibes Litterature 757-523-1399

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Lupe Fiasco takes on the B word... Paul Roberson

B*itch Bad............Ending with a tribute to Paul Roberson

Now imagine there's a shorty, maybe five maybe four
Ridin' 'round with his mama listening to the radio
And a song comes on and a not far off from being born
Doesn't know the difference between right and wrong
Now I ain't trying to make it too complex
But let's just say shorty has an undeveloped context
About the perception of women these days
His mama sings along and this what she says
"Niggas, I'm a bad bitch, and I'm that bitch
Something that's far above average"
And maybe other rhyming words like cabbage and savage
And baby carriage and other things that match it
Couple of things are happenin' here
First he's relatin' the word "bitch" with his mama - comma
And because she's relatin' to herself, his most important source of help
And mental health, he may skew respect for dishonor

The second official single from Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1, Bitch Bad tackles the use of the notorious word, “bitch”, and its effects, especially on children. As Lu seemingly cosigns, it actually accurately depicts Sigmund Freud’s Madonna–whore complex

Notice that the title itself is a play on words, as the phrase is usually “bad bitch”. Also note that the track, which is produced by The Audibles (D. Jordan & Jimmy Giannos), sounds the way many Hip-Hop songs that use the word “bitch” — mainly trap music — do, and that Lupe changes his flow to sound slightly simplistic and mainstream like many of these rappers. He’s dubbed it his Rod Serling Twilight Zone Flow, since “sometimes you just gotta talk to em.” The song features background vocals from MDMA a.k.a Poo Bear.

The Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3m3t_PxiUI
The Lyrics:

[Intro]
Yeah, I say
Bitch bad, woman good, lady better
Hey, hey
Hey, hey

[Verse 1]
Now imagine there's a shorty, maybe five maybe four
Ridin' 'round with his mama listening to the radio
And a song comes on and a not far off from being born
Doesn't know the difference between right and wrong
Now I ain't trying to make it too complex
But let's just say shorty has an undeveloped context
About the perception of women these days
His mama sings along and this what she says
"Niggas, I'm a bad bitch, and I'm that bitch
Something that's far above average"
And maybe other rhyming words like cabbage and savage
And baby carriage and other things that match it
Couple of things are happenin' here
First he's relatin' the word "bitch" with his mama - comma
And because she's relatin' to herself, his most important source of help
And mental health, he may skew respect for dishonor

[Hook]
Bitch bad, woman good
Lady better, they misunderstood
(I'm killin' these bitches)
Uh, tell 'em
Bitch bad, woman good
Lady better, they misunderstood
They misunderstood

[Verse 2]
Yeah, now imagine a group of little girls nine through twelve
On the internet watchin' videos listenin' to songs by themselves
It doesn't really matter if they have parental clearance
They understand the internet better than their parents
Now being the internet, the content's probably uncensored
They're young, so they're malleable and probably unmentored
A complicated combination, maybe with no relevance
Until that intelligence meets their favorite singer's preference
"Bad bitches, bad bitches, bad bitches
That's all I want and all I like in life is bad bitches, bad bitches"
Now let's say that they less concerned with him
And more with the video girl acquiescent to his whims
Ah, the plot thickens
High heels, long hair, fat booty, slim
Reality check, I'm not trippin'
They don't see a paid actress, just what makes a bad bitch

[Hook]

[Verse 3]
Disclaimer: this rhymer, Lupe, is not usin' "bitch" as a lesson
But as a psychological weapon
To set in your mind and really mess with your conceptions
Discretions, reflections, it's clever misdirection
Cause, while I was rappin' they was growin' up fast
Nobody stepped in to ever slow 'em up, gasp
Sure enough, in this little world
The little boy meets one of those little girls
And he thinks she a bad bitch and she thinks she a bad bitch
He thinks disrespectfully, she thinks of that sexually
She got the wrong idea, he don't wanna fuck her
He think she's bad at bein' a bitch, like his mother
Momma never dressed like that, come out the house hot mess like that
Ass, titties, breasts like that, all out to impress like that
Just like that, you see the fruit of the confusion
He caught in a reality, she caught in an illusion
Bad mean good to her, she really nice and smart
But bad mean bad to him, bitch don't play your part
But bitch still bad to her if you say it the wrong way
But she think she a bitch, what a double entendre

[Hook]

[Outro: MDMA]
Bitch bad, woman good, lady better
They misunderstood
You're misunderstood (I'm killin' these bitches)
Bitch bad, woman good, lady better
Greatest mother hoood (I'm killin' these bitches)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/sep/23/lupe-fiasco-food-and-liquor-review?newsfeed=true
F&L II momentarily threatened to be rapper Lupe Fiasco's final album after an ugly Twitter altercation with another rhymer, up'n'comer Chief Keef, found the highly evolved, practising Muslim appalled by the violence of the younger generation. The beef is over, but F&L II would still make a proud swansong. Standout single Bitch Bad examines how language shapes attitudes with forensic nuance (and piss-taking Auto-Tune). The video, meanwhile, tackles the minstrel mechanics of commercial hip-hop. The tunes are pugnaciously mass-market, with debts to Kanye West. Throughout, though, tracks such as ITAL (Roses) and Audubon Ballroom come inflected with righteous fury and weary humour.

http://www.vh1.com/music/tuner/2012-08-23/lupes-bitch-bad-is-about-so-much-more-than-bad-bitches/?xrs=share_twitter
     The first verse of Lupe Fiasco’s “Bitch Bad” begins with a little boy listening to his mother rap along to lyrics where she refers to herself as a “bad bitch.” Lupe’s latest single and its accompanying video examines the dualities surrounding the word “bitch”; namely, it’s a word that can be viewed by some as damaging to women, yet also a word that is held up by some as a feminine ideal. In the video the video vixen has accepted the title of “bitch” as being something to be proud of, and an ideal that she attempts to live up to by rocking a pink wig, short shorts and removable breast enhancements. Little boys pack the theater seats to watch the faux gangster with his rolled blunt underneath a blue bandana accompanied by a gun to give credence to his street cred. The kids idolize him because he has a “bad bitch.” Only they are too adolescent to understand the way the entertainment they’re exposed to as kids may eventually shape their realities.
Young girls watch those same videos but instead emulate the video vixen. Now they’ve formed a perception that being a “bad bitch” is somehow good because the pretty woman gets the man with the flashy jewelry and money. Again, the young girls’ underdeveloped minds don’t understand the video vixen is a paid model, one that is being paid (albeit probably not very well) to perform. Filling the theater with impressionable children proves the point that the message is marketed to the youth, and they’re the ones that become adults with a warped perception of respect for themselves and each other.

     This brings us to the final act of the story, where Lupe parallels modern day black entertainment (read: music videos) to historical blackface, tap dancing and performances blacks once participated in for the enjoyment of white audiences, which reinforced negative stereotypes. A girl and a boy who were subjected to the “bad bitches” imagery as youth are all grown up. As a woman, she believes being a bad bitch is a compliment. As for him, well, he associates nothing good with bitches. In the background, caricatures of Sambo, blacks tap dancing and the video model/rapper in blackface plays repeatedly. The video vixen/rapper struggle with the images they’ve just presented to the world for money.

     The allegory in the Gil Green directed video symbolizes new age minstrel shows. Beyond tackling the perception of bitch being good or bad, which is subjective, Lupe points out the ideal of black entertainers pimping themselves through reinforcing stereotypes all for a buck, or in this case, millions of bucks. One would have to understand history to comprehend what he did here. If you’ve seen Spike Lee’s Bamboozled, you’ll immediately recognize the similarities. Frankly, it’s probably one of the most important videos of the year. Because whether you consider “bitch” empowering or degrading, there is something to ponder on: What’s the message being ingrained in children, all for the sake of entertainment?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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B.I.B.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Uploaded videos (playlist)

Monday, November 12, 2012

Sunday Schooled - Daddy doesn't take points.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Sunday Schooled - This one's for you

This one's for you

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Coon Affiliated: 10 Rap Songs That Set Blacks Back

Friday, October 26, 2012

Paris Jackson Participates in MJ Death Hoax?

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Economic Empowerment - Michelle Singletary

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Sunday Schooled - The Riot Starter

The Riot Starter

Monday, October 15, 2012

What Black Parents Must Do This Summer - Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu

Friday, October 12, 2012

Virginia Beach Mentor Program opening for new young males

Accepting new youth we will mentor on 10/13/12

2012-2013 Golden Year Kick-Off ! 10/13/2012

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Uploaded videos (playlist)

Uploaded videos (playlist)

Sunday, September 23, 2012

My father is now my ancestor - Seko Varner

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Lupe Fiasco takes on the B word... Paul Roberson

Monday, September 17, 2012

Michael Jackson Bad 25 & The Rare Pearl

Friday, September 7, 2012

Uploaded videos (playlist)

Spoken Word - Taalam Acey

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