Kathleen Cleaver at the Studio Museum in Harlem
Monday night, I headed over to the Studio Museum in Harlem to get a glimpse of the Black Panther Party from Kathleen Cleaver, Danny Glover and St. Clair Bourne. Two points that Kathleen made resonated within me; 1) We need to create nurturing and supportive environments that will sustain the leaders of the future and 2) COINTELPRO is now standard police procedure. Kathleen also showed select pictures from Black Panthers 1968 and signed copies of it afterwards. I'm sure she would have also signed any copies of Liberation, Imagination, and the Black Panther Party if requested. She inspired me - every word brimming with dedication and eloquence. Oddly, I didn't hear one mention of Angela Davis.
Michael Henry Adams' front room
Afterwards, I stopped by Michael Adams' home to see how he was doing. I always learn so much from him - and he makes me want to read more. I have to stop being a lazy reader, I really do. We chatted about the insignificance of Seneca Village (compared to places that still exist and lie in ruins) and the African Burial Ground (as if there was only one) and that ridiculous piece of tabloid trash that ran in Sunday's New York Times Magazine. Didn't get to chat about his new book, though ...
me, basking in the beauty that is Lynne d Johnson; Dwele @ S.O.B.s
Lynne e-mailed me soon after I got home about going to see Dwele the next evening and I said "Hell yeah!!!" We haven't hung out for a long time and I'd been hearing about this Dwele guy from a good source. He was tired just wasn't my cup of tea. Plus I think he was being shady to his male background vocalist (who had a better voice and who was conspicuously less well-lit than either Dwele or his less-talented female counterpart) ... but it was all good. It was just nice to be out with Lynne!
Randy, fabulous Chi Chiz bartender
me, supermodel Tyra Allure & Lynne; Danny, Lynne & Fred
After his set was over, he went down the Ho Stroll (a.k.a. Christopher Street) and stopped by Chi Chiz. Lynne and I caught up on things more than we have in a couple of years. That was really nice!
Plus, a couple of friends stopped by! I ran into Caribbean queen Ms. Tyra Allure (who, I assure you, is NOT creating an illusion - she IS a woman!) and my wish for her to do a float for the West Indian Day Parade. It is HIGH TIME! Lynne's co-worker Fred (a really cute brother - so nice!) stopped by and hung out with us. Lawd, and then Danny stopped by! I also know Danny from my Fort Greene days and he is as fierce as ever, with his scathing critique of fashion faux-pas at funerals and other messes! *LOL!*
at the Lenox Lounge with Cris is Bliss & Black Ivory's Russell Patterson
Eventually, the clock struck half past midnight, so we sent Lynne home and Danny and I headed up to Harlem (he was going to the Lenox Lounge). I headed home, but not before running into Cris and Russell (who just came from the recording studio). I hadn't gone out and connected like this in a long time. I'm going to make an effort to get out of the house more, I promise.
Lawd….lawd…lawd. I ain’t really all a that. You’re a beauty too sweetie MUAH. Thanks to you I had a wonderful evening, and I needed it. I don’t get out much, it’s lately just been the ‘puter, the gym, and the niece.
Donald; Great job! You need to publish a society page for the Black; the Beautiful and the interesting folks around…. the pictures are so full of life… i feel like i was there… peace! pyp
Donald & Lynne hanging out together? Talk about the hotness! ;-)
Lovely pics Papi.